NPower League One Round Up (29/12/12)

On the last weekend of Football in 2012 for NPower League One, there were 12 matches that were to be played throughout the Country. However, two of the fixtures were postponed due to Waterlogged pitches. These games are the following:

Colchester v Swindon
Stevenage v Notts County

NOTE: In this NPower League One Round Up, I shall be focusing on the teams and their fixtures that pose a strong threat to my own team, Notts County, that are situated around the top ten of League One.

Bournemouth 3-0 Crawley Town
In a contest between two play off chasing rivals in the League, it was Bournemouth who managed to get the better of the "Red Devils" and come out on top with the 3 points, as they continued their remarkable run of form under Manager Eddie Howe, to stretch their impressive run of form to 15 matches with a comprehensive home win at Dean Court. "The Cherries" took the lead after 16 minutes when Crawley defender and Captain Gary Alexander headed the ball into his own net, after a good cross by midfielder Steve Cook. Bournemouth then doubled their advantage on 40 minutes when a quick free was taken and striker Brett Pitman, cooly rolled the ball home. Crawley did have their chances to get back into the game, when substitute Billy Clarke tested veteran keeper David James, who did well to pull off the save, but it was not to be, as "Cherries" midfielder Eunan' O'Kane made sure of the points on 84 minutes with a low shot from close range that beat opposition keeper Paul Jones. Bournemouth, are now situated in 5th position on 41 points, whilst Crawley, despite this defeat, are 8th and only a point behind 6th placed Swindon Town, in what is proving to be, the toughest and tightest League One we've seen in years, as we arrive at the half way stage of the 2012.2013 Season.

Milton Keynes Dons 2-3 Coventry City
In a match that was played between two exciting and attacking teams that like to play passing Football, it was Coventry City who came from behind to claim all 3 points in a pulsating clash with fellow promotion rivals MK Dons at the National Hockey Stadium. The "Dons" took the lead in the first half on 15 minutes when midfielder Daniel Powell went on a dazzling run and finished it off with a fine strike to give the home side the lead, but "Sky Blues" midfielder Franck Moussa levelled matters on 27 minutes, with another scintillating run from the half way line and producing a piledriver which gave the home keeper David Martin no chance. The "Dons" however, re-took the lead on 38 minutes, when in form striker Ryan Lowe scored his fifth goal in as many games with a neat finish after getting himself into a good goal scoring position. Coventry City, however, would hit back and score two quickfire goals, on 49 and 51 minutes respectively, when Stephen Eilliot, who was replacing the prolific David McGoldrick after his loan spell from NPower Championship outfit Nottingham Forest ended, scored with a close ranger header on 49 minutes and then with a good finish on 51, to extend Mark Robins's Coventry unbeaten run to 10 games, and continue their rise up the League to 10th Position. MK Dons, however, suffered their third defeat in four League matches and remain in 7th position, but only behind 6th placed Swindon Town on an inferior goal difference.

Preston North End 0-3 Doncaster Rovers
Another close contest was anticipated in Lancashire between two former Championship teams, with the most recent being Doncaster Rovers, who were relegated to the NPower League One last season. However, this was not to be the case, as the "Rovers" swept aside Preston to continue their impressive rise up the League under manager Dean Saunders, and cosign the "Lilywhites" to a dismal and disappointing home defeat and leave them with six games without a win. Doncaster got off to the perfect start when they took the lead in under a minute. Left winger David Syers' shot cannoned off the underside of the bar and into the back of the net after a great low corner from midfielder David Cotterill. "Rovers" then doubled their advantage on 30 minutes when Cotterill turned from provider to goalscorer when he curled in a beautiful free kick into the top right hand corner of the goal from out wide on the left. The points were then made safe on 76 minutes, when "Lilywhites" forward Will Hayhurst brought down "Donny" striker Kyle Bennett in the Penalty area, and fellow forward Billy Paynter made no mistake from the spot; sending opposing German keeper Thorsten Stuckmann the wrong way. Doncaster, after this away win, now lie in 3rd Position in the League on 46 points, but they are only 3rd on an inferior goal difference to 2nd placed Sheffield United. The side from South Yorkshire do have a game in hand on their automatic promotion rivals, so there are still many precious and vital points to play for in this stage of the season. Preston, after this defeat, drop down to 15th position in the table, and are, as mentioned earlier, now six games without a win in all competitions.

Sheffield United 2-3 Hartlepool
This match, in many peoples eyes, was deemed to be a straight formality for Title contenders Sheffield United, who were top of the League prior to this contest, and were facing a side that were rooted to the bottom of the table, and looked destined for relegation to League Two after only picking up a dismal 9 points from 23 games, so it was a major surprise to see Hartlepool pull off only their second win of the season against the "Blades" who have made Bramall Lane such a fortress so far in this stage of the season. Veteran striker Steve Howard, gave the visitors a shock lead on 7 minutes when he headed home midfielder Evan Horwood's cross. Sheffield United did however equalise on 30 minutes when Steve Flinders allowed a Michael Doyle shot to slip through him and into the back of the net. The away side again showed resilience and eventually re-took the lead in the second half on 54 minutes when Evan Horwood again produced a delightful cross into the box, and Ritchie Humphreys converted to put Hartlepool back in front to give the away side hope of pulling off a shock win, and it was made certain on 72 minutes when Steven Howard scored his 2nd goal of the game with another header from a cross, this time from a ball by James Poole. "Blades" forward Harry Maguire did score a late consolation on the 90th minute with a good finish into the top left hand corner, but Hartlepool were not to be denied only their 2nd win of the season, although they remain rooted to the bottom of League One on 12 points, and 11 points behind Colchester who are situated in 20th position in the table. This shocking defeat for Sheffield United knocks them off the top of the table and into 2nd place. The "Blades" have been replaced at the top by Tranmere Rovers, who defeated Scunthorpe at the weekend (See Last Result)

Shrewsbury Town 0-0 Brentford
Shrewsbury, after an impressive draw with Notts County in their last encounter on Boxing Day, managed to hold and end the four match winning run of Uwe Rosler's Brentford. Both sides had their chances to claim all 3 points, with "Shrews" midfielder Jon Taylor having a shot cleared off the line by "Bees" defender Harlee Dean, whilst Marcello Trotta and Adam Forshaw forced some good saves from former Leicester City and now Shrewsbury goalkeeper Chris Weale. Overall, in a tightly fought contest with not many chances created by both sides, a draw and a point a piece, was the fair result. Brentford, even though their four match winning streak was ended after this draw, are now five matches unbeaten in the League, and are situated in 4th position on 46 points, and only a point behind 2nd placed Sheffield United. Shrewsbury, are now also five matches unbeaten, with three of those games ending in 2-2 draws. They are currently 19th in the League, and 4 points above Portsmouth, who are occupying the last remaining relegation place in 21st position.

Tranmere Rovers 1-0 Scunthorpe United
Im another match that was between two teams in contrasting positions in the table, with Tranmere 2nd in the League and Scunthorpe occupying 23rd and a relegation spot, The "Superwhites" were able to defeat their opponents from North Lincolnshire and regain top spot in the League, thanks to a solitary goal from second half substitute Cole Stockton on 59 minutes after the forward reacted quickest to a rebound from a header by Ash Taylor, which was well saved by opposition keeper Steve Mildenhall. The "Irons' did have their chances to steal a point from their hosts during the game, but midfielder Andy Barcham wasted the away sides' best opportunity when he failed to capitalise on an Owain Fon Williams goalkeeping error. The result sends Tranmere Rovers back to the top of League One on 47 points, a point ahead of Sheffield United, who dropped to 2nd after a shock 3-2 loss at home versus Hartlepool (See Above). Scunthorpe, after this 3rd straight defeat, are still in deep trouble at the half way stage of the season; They are situated in 23rd position in the table and are 3 points behind 20th placed Colchester United who are just outside of the relegation zone.

Thats it from yours truly this week! Please feel free to view my own personal blog:
www.THewitt44.blogspot.com

Also, feel free to follow me on Twitter - @OriginalT44

Thanks again for taking to read this, and I will be back for a match report on the Notts County v Milton Keynes Dons match on New Years Day

I wish you all a safe and prosperous Happy New Year for 2013!

Come On You Pies!!

Big T - (Thomas Hewitt)  

Shrewsbury v Notts County (26/12/12)

Shrewsbury 2 - 2 Notts County

NPower League One

Wednesday 26th December 2012

 L.Rodgers (19)                                                                                                                  L.Hughes (24)
B.Bialkowski (81, o.g)                                                                                          J.Campbell-Ryce (45)

Greenhous Meadow Stadium

Referee: Stephen Martin

Match Report:

A share of the points was the final outcome between these two teams, as Shrewsbury and Notts County drew 2-2 in a very entertaining and pulsating Boxing Day encounter at the Greenhous Meadow Stadium in Shropshire.

There were 2 major surprises in the starting 11 for the Magpies, as manager Keith Curle recalled talisman forward Lee Hughes, who was originally ruled out until the New Year due to a virus but recovered earlier than expected to partner Scottish veteran Chris Iwelumo in attack, and former Walsall centre back Manny Smith, who made his first appearance in a Notts shirt after fully recovering from his unfortunate knee injury during the Capital One Cup defeat to Bradford City back in August. There was also a surprise to the formation that Keith Curle opted to employ, as he choose to utilise a traditional 4-4-2 instead of the 4-5-1 formation that Curle had used in every game he's managed during 2012.

Notts started the game well and seemed like they would adjust to the new formation with relative ease, with Jamaican winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce and the "Irish Messi" Alan Judge causing problems down both flanks and putting in some dangerous crosses, but it was Shrewsbury who took the lead against the run of play on 19 minutes, when the Magpie defence failed to deal with a Darren Jones free kick that was put into the box, and Shrews striker Marvin Morgan was able to knock the ball down into the path of former Notts County striker Luke Rodgers, who made no mistake to lift the ball over Bartosz Bialkowski and into the back of the net.

Their lead, however, only lasted five minutes, as Magpie favourite Lee Hughes marked his return from illness with a typical poachers goal on 24 minutes after a good corner from Alan Judge.

The game began to open up after Hughes' equaliser and both sides had their chances to go ahead in the first half, with Judgey going close with a 25 yard strike that Shrewsbury goalkeeper Chris Weale, did well to save, and at the opposing end, Andrew Wildig headed wide after a good cross by midfielder Paul Parry.

It was Notts County who would take the lead on the stroke of half time, as Alan Judge went on a mesmerising run inside his own half, all the way into the Shrewsbury penalty box after good work by Jeff Hughes to regain position. The "Irish Messi" hit a low shot that was impressively saved by opposing keeper Chris Weale, but Jamal-Campbell Ryce was there to tap home the rebound and score his fifth goal of the season, to send the Magpies 2-1 up at half time.

  The game was still very much end to end in the second half, much like in the first, with both teams having great opportunities to score. Jamal Campbell Ryce, narrowly went wide with a low drive from outside the penalty area, and Shrewsbury defender Neil Taylor, almost forcing an own goal after racing onto a long ball, but Bialkowski did well to punch the ball clear. Alan Judge again forced former Leicester City goalkeeper Chris Weale into making an exceptional save to keep out his goal bound free kick that was destined for the top left hand corner.

Shrewsbury pushed further forward in the closing stages of the match, and they were rewarded with a flukey equaliser on 81, when Neil Taylor's cross took an unfortunate deflection off of Jeff Hughes and the ball looped off Bartosz Bialkowski and into the far corner of the net to make it 2-2.

Notts had a strong penalty shout dismissed during the four added minutes of stoppage time, but it was not to be, as the Magpies bounced back from two straight disappointing home defeats to earn a hard earned point in Shropshire and extend the amazing undefeated streak away from Meadow Lane to 22 games.

The Magpies will now have that away run severely tested when they travel to the Lamex Stadium to face promotion rivals Stevenage on Saturday 29th of December. Notts will be looking for revenge after the 2-1 loss at Meadow Lane, earlier in October

My Man of the Match: Alan Judge - Tireless running yet again by the tricky midfielder. Caused problems for the Shrewsbury defence, created numerous chances throughout the match, and was unlucky not to score.

Shrewsbury: Weale, Grandison, Jones, Goldson, Gayle, Richards, Taylor, Parry (Purdig - 68), Wildig (Hall - 68), Morgan Rodgers (Bradshaw - 72)
Subs: Anyon, Jacobson, Purdle, Hall, Woods, Gwilliams, Bradshaw

Notts County: Bialkowski, Kelly, Liddle, Smith, J.Hughes, Bishop, Judge, Campbell-Ryce (Labadie - 90), Boucaud, L.Hughes (Showumni - 71), Iwelumo (Arquin - 71)
Subs: Speiss, Mahon, Labadie, Bencherif, Showumni, Zoko, Arquin

Attendance: 6,474 (603 Notts County fans)

NPower League One Positions:

Shrewsbury: 19th; P: 24, W: 5, D: 9, L: 10 - 24 points
Notts County: 10th; P: 23, W: 9, D: 9, L: 5 - 36 points

Keith Curle (Notts County Manager): “We went back to basics and tried to make it as simple as possible for the players. The players needed to be brave and they needed to make decisions, and I thought the performance levels were excellent. You get that bit of luck but I’m a believer that at the right time we will get the luck that we deserve.”

Final Word: "Disappointed that we've dropped two points. With all due respect to Shrewsbury, we should be beating teams of that calibre if were serious about promotion this season! Surprised about Curle employing the 4-4-2 formation. It did seem to work but I hope Curle reverts back to his usual favourite 4-5-1. Great to see Hughesy back up front, and scoring goals! He needs to stay in January in my opinion because we need the added competition in attack. Also, welcome back Manny Smith. I thought he put in a solid performance in the heart of defence along side "Mr Consistent" Gary Liddle, though I felt we missed Dean Leacock, Manny did well. Pleased were now 22 games undefeated away from home, but we need to start turning the draws into wins so we can keep up with the top six. Bring on Stevenage! Revenge, number 23 unbeaten away and 3 points would be huge and very satisfying, especially with forthcoming fixtures against play off rivals MK Dons & Portsmouth coming in the New Year, these points are so vital at this stage!

"Come On You Pies!!"

Big T - (Thomas Hewitt)

Notts County vs Leyton Orient (22/12/12)

("Notts County's NPower League One clash with Leyton Orient has been postponed on the grounds of health and safety.

Although both teams were eager to go ahead, the match officials decided that the pitch was not fit for action") - www.nottscountyfc.co.uk

After seeing the tweets from the Official Notts County Twitter page on Saturday morning, I must admit, it didn't surprise me that the Meadow Lane pitch was due for an inspection that morning. Looking outside of my bedroom window, all I could see was blistering rain, pounding and bouncing off the pavements. I thought to myself, "Theres no way the referee is going to let the game play in this! Just unplayable conditions! Madness!" I'll admit, I never bothered or even thought about the effort the groundsmen would have made to try and get the pitch playable at that point in time. I thought the weather was just going to take its toll on the pitch, and confined it to the ever growing list of other fixtures that were being cancelled across the country due to the battering rain. As I walked to work dreading the thought of endless queues and pushing trolleys in the soaking rain for five and a half hours, I just kept assuming to myself that the match with Leyton Orient would not take place, and I was deemed correct, as a customer (Who was a fellow Notts County supporter) came to my till during the afternoon and he informed me of the unfortunate news. Again, I wasn't that surprised as I was expecting that outcome, but I was still deeply disappointed. Not only because I couldn't go due to work commitments, but because of the fact that this game against Leyton Orient was the perfect opportunity to help address our home form and to start to erase the minor "blip" were under at the moment which is two defeats at home in a row. One to Brentford and the other to League Two side Rotherham which put us out of the FA Cup at the second round stage, but I wont dwell on those two results.. less said about them the better!

Anyhow, I got home, relieved to be away from the mad house that is my workplace, and as I tucked into my Pepperoni Pizza and Chips my parents ordered in for me for when I got home, I began to do some research on the Internet and look for some opinions from any associated with Notts County based on the earlier postponement. What I read on the Official Notts County website did make me open my eyes a lot more to the hard work the Ground staff, Greg Smith and Trevor Hutchison put into, to make Meadow Lane as firm and steady as it possibly can be. It also showed me, that we really need to raise the issue on under heating for Meadow Lane. Now I know that people are going to jump on me and say that were a tight budgeted club who cant afford many luxuries, but what if we actually do go up this season? What if we do reach the promised land that is the NPower Championship? We cant expect to just have the same leniency that we get now as a League One club. We need to start thinking as a collective unit about under heating, and we need to do it now, because sooner rather than later, the issue is going to be raised again. Especially around the Winter. Im not taking anything away from Greg and Trevor because those two men work their socks off to get Meadow Lane up to scratch. Their job is made even harder due to the fact that Nottingham Rugby also share Meadow Lane with Notts County Football Club as well, I'm just saying that their jobs, as well as money, which is so important nowadays in todays climate, especially in Football, can be saved a lot of unnecessary hassle by re-developing Meadow Lane and acquiring under heating. Will we ever get it? Sooner rather than later in my eyes, but only time will tell if the board decide to do this or not. If they want to improve Meadow Lane, avoid any ludicrous and "astonishing" (In the words of Chief Executive Jim Rodwell) referee decisions about why the game should be postponed, then get under heating to melt the frost, and get more grass for the pitch to help soak the rain water up quicker. It'll work.. I'm sure!

Looking at some of the Meadow Lane pictures that were taken by the Official Notts County website, I am actually surprised that the game got postponed itself. Yes, I know I sound like I'm contradicting myself but let me get straight to the point. The ball bounced when the referee dropped the ball in the middle of the pitch to test how soaked the grass was. It bounced, so therefore, the pitch is playable. The referee then called the game off due to the safety of the players. Now, I'm no doctor or physiotherapist when it comes to injuries, but seriously, I have absolutely no idea what the referee was thinking when he made that call! I mean, the players trained on the pitch whilst the referee was there! He could see them playing on the pitch and not once did it look like a player was going to take a tumble or develop an injury! Was he looking at the weather report for during the match itself? I don't know, but what I do know is that the match should not have been postponed, and that by the game being cancelled, it has cost Notts County several thousands of pounds in money (According to Chief Executive Jim Rodwell) which could have spent on funding for players in January but will now make Keith Curles budget for new players less in the January Transfer Window. Not to mention the long journey back to London for the away Leyton Orient supporters! I feel for them. All the way just to be told the game is off.. Embarrassing!

Frustrated, disappointed & confused are the words id use right now at this moment in time

Our next home game is now on New Years Day against high flying and promotion rivals Milton Keynes Dons, which, if the game is still on for (Tongue in cheek!), im sure it'll promise to be a very entertaining match up, pitting two teams who like to pass the ball around on the pitch.

But for now, i'll leave you with some interesting quotes from Manager Keith Curle and Chief Executive Jim Rodwell after the announcement of our home match against Leyton Orient being postponed from the official Notts County website

Bring on Shrewsbury away on Boxing Day!! Lets make it 22 unbeaten away!

“It’s understandable when it’s dangerous conditions or freak of nature weather conditions, but the pitch was in fantastic condition,” - Keith Curle

“I am astonished at the decision of today’s match referee to call the game off. In all my years in football I have never been more surprised at a decision, it quite simply beggars belief that a professional match official could come to this conclusion." - Jim Rodwell

NPower League One Round Up (22/12/12)

Due to the unfortunate weather conditions that hit the Country over the weekend, this weeks League One round up will be rather shorter than normal.

The staggering six out of ten ties that were postponed this weekend, were all due to Waterlogged pitches, as the Stadiums across the League succumbed to the disastrous  and terrible weather conditions that swept and flooded throughout the United Kingdom. This, however, did not stop all of the matches from being played. There were four that managed to pass referee inspections and were allowed to play on the Saturday afternoon. These were: 

Coventry City v Preston North End

Crawley Town v Sheffield United

Walsall v Colchester United

Yeovil v Oldham Athletic

Coventry City 1 - 1 Preston North End

A close contest was always inevitable between the two inform mid-table teams at the Ricoh Arena, and a deserved share of the points was indeed, the final outcome in the Midlands. The "Sky Blues" of Coventry City went ahead after 17 minutes, when midfielder James Bailey, neatly side footed the ball past opposition keeper Thorsten Stuckmann. Preston did press afterwards and continued throughout the majority of the contest to push for an equaliser, and eventually, their pressure came to fruition, and deservedly so on 77 minutes, as left winger Lee Holmes ran clear and slotted the ball past Joe Murphy with a "Cool as you like" tucked finish into the bottom corner, to ensure that a point was taken back up north to Deepdale. The result keeps both teams in and around mid table of League One, with Coventry in 13th place, a point and two places above Preston who are in 15th, thanks to their recent good form of four wins in seven matches.

2) Crawley Town 0 - 2 Sheffield United

A match that was deemed to be another close encounter between two teams that are chasing promotion to the Championship was nothing of the sort. This was the game of Free Kicks, as "Blades" defender Tony McMahon scored two Free Kicks, with the first being on 29 minutes after "Red Devils" defender Joe Walsh had fouled Shaun Miller. The 2nd Free Kick that came on 72 minutes in the 2nd half was a thing of beauty! 30 yards out, and gave the Crawley keeper Paul Jones no chance! Terrific strike! Crawley, who have now won only one match in nine games, are situated in 10th place, four points behind Milton Kenyes Dons in 6th, who now have a game in hand after their match away at Doncaster Rovers was postponed this weekend. Sheffield United however, are the new leaders of NPower League One on 43 points after this away win, a point ahead of 2nd placed Tranmere Rovers at the half way stage of the season.

3) Walsall 1 - 0 Colchester United

Moving lower down to the bottom half of the League, was a contest between a side that hadn't won a match since they defeated AFC Bournemouth 2-1 on the 29th of September, and a team that had not won in four League matches. This game spelt out a drab, tense affair between two that were looking to propel themselves away from the League One relegation zone, and it proved to be the case, as former Manchester United striker Febian Brandy, scored the only goal of the the game on 61 minutes, rounding and slotting past opposition keeper Mark Cousins, to give the "Saddlers" their first win in 17 games, and move them up to 17th in the table on 23 points. Colchester, who did create some chances but were guilty of some poor finishing it must be said, are now five games without a win in the League, and are languishing in 20th position, only two points above Portsmouth in the relegation zone. 

4) Yeovil 4 - 1 Oldham Athletic

In a game that didn't exactly pose the advertisement for a high scoring encounter, proved to be complete opposite, as Yeovil scored four past an Oldham side that looked to recover from the previous weekend loss at home to promotion chasing Swindon Town. Jose Baxter, headed the visitors into an early lead on 3 minutes with a firm header, but the home side levelled later on in the first half on 39 minutes, when "Latics" defender Jean Yves Mvoto fouled Ed Upson inside the box and Gavin Williams tapped in the equaliser from the spot. Williams scored again in the first half on 44 minutes to put the home side in front before half time, with a dazzling run from the half way line which culminated in an absolutely fantastic 30 yard strike that gave opposition keeper Dean Bouzanis no chance whatsoever into the top corner. The "Latics"  began to unravel in the 2nd half and it showed in more goals for the home side, as James Hayter extended Yeovil's advantage on 77 minutes, with a cooly slotted finish past Bouzanis. The game was well and truly over as a contest after 81 minutes as Oldham were reduced to ten men, when substitute Robbie Simpson got a straight red card after a reckless challenge on Yeovil keeper Marek Stech, which resulted in an early shower for the "Latics" forward. Yeovil, exploiting the man advantage, rubbed more salt to the wounds, as striker Paul Madden, on loan from rival NPower League One side Carlisle, made it 4-1 after capitalising on a Goalkeeping error by Dean Bouzanis to slot the ball home on the edge of the penalty area. Yeovil, took full advantage of the matches being postponed over the weekend, by jumping from 14th to 11th in the table after this impressive home win, whilst Oldham remain 18th, 5 points clear of Portsmouth, who are in the last remaining relegation place in 21st.

Well thats it from me this weekend from League One.. A short one!

Please don't forget to visit my personal blog (www.THewitt44.Blogspot.com)

You can also find me on Twitter (@OriginalT44)

Thanks again & see you all on the 27th of December.. Happy Christmas!!

You Pies!!!

Big T (Thomas Hewitt)