This Friday, League Two will have some truly exciting matches in store, as we approach the business end of the 2022/23 season. Teams fighting for their lives, the hunt for the play-offs and the battle for the title are all ongoing, but who meets who on Good Friday?
All eyes are firmly on the play-off fight this week, with crucial matches including Leyton Orient’s trip to Salford City, whilst Sutton and Stockport County face off, in a battle for the play-off places.
In League Two, Leyton Orient lead the way at the top of the standings, seven points ahead of Northampton Town in second. Stevenage also occupy the final automatic promotion place, but face lots of strong competition.
The battle for the play-offs is also still firmly on, with the likes of Stockport, Bradford, Salford, Mansfield and Barrow all split by just six points with seven or eight matches to go respectfully.
The intriguing battle at the bottom of the division, will also continue this week. Rochdale have picked up some form in recent matches and they have also closed the gap between themselves and safety to just eight points. Hartlepool are two points off safety, with Crawley, Colchester and Harrogate looking firmly over their shoulders.
The Good Friday fixtures for those sides playing for something this season, could have a huge affect on the outcome of the season in what should be a thrilling weekend of football.
Let’s now take a look at Good Friday’s League Two fixtures…
Carlisle United v Tranmere Rovers – 3pm Friday 7th April 2023 – Brunton Park
Tranmere have struggled recently against mid to low table opposition, with an average of 0.6 points per match, one of the poorest performances across the league all season. Although safe from relegation, their recent performances must be a concern to fans who will be looking to take points from promotion contenders Carlisle.
Despite sitting 4th in the league with an eye on automatic promotion, Carlisle’s recent form is also poor, with losses to Orient and Gillingham. It’s unlikely that they’ll be planning for anything other than a win against a weaker opposition on paper.
Ones to watch:
Josh Cogley
A fan favourite, the defender tops Tranmere’s appearances this season with 39, and will be keen to impress after his yellow card from last weekend.
Owen Moxon
Moxon has been named man of the match twelve times this season, with the midfielder claiming 13 assists.
Form:
Carlisle United: WDDLL
Goals Scored: 2
Goals Conceded: 3
Tranmere Rovers: DLLDD
Goals Scored: 4
Goals Conceded: 8
Previous meeting:
Tranmere Rovers 0-2 Carlisle United – 29th October 2022
Kristian Dennis 1’, 54’
Crawley Town v Bradford City – 3pm Friday 7th April 2023 – Broadfield Stadium
Although Crawley’s recent form has been much improved, their 4-1 loss against Mansfield is likely to have a significant impact on how well they show up on Friday, especially given that Mansfield and Bradford are league adjacent whilst Crawley’s recent successes have been against Rochdale, Harrogate, and AFC Wimbledon.
In 6th position, but equal on points with Stockport (5th), and with a game in hand, Bradford will be looking for 3 points from relegation contenders Crawley. However, Bradford haven’t had a great run of form even despite the stakes, with points dropped against Hartlepool particularly that they would have wanted to capitalise on.
Ones to watch:
Dominic Telford
Crawley’s leading scorer and penalty taker
Andy Cook
Despite inconsistent selection since the start of 2023, Cook remains the most productive player in all four divisions with 10 goals, 5 assists, and has been shortlisted for March’s League Two Player of the Month award.
Form:
Crawley: WDWDL
Goals scored: 6
Goals conceded: 6
Bradford: DDDDW
Goals scored: 6
Goals conceded: 5
Previous meeting:
Bradford City 1-1 Crawley Town – 29th October 2022
Dion Pereira 55’ – James Tilley 61’
Crewe Alexandra v Barrow – 3pm Friday 7th April 2023 – Alexandra Stadium
Crewe’s recent form reflects the strength of their opposition, with losses against Northampton and Stevenage. They have however, also managed a nail biting win against Salford, and most recently best Doncaster. They’ll need to work hard to hold off an on-form Barrow, who have much more at stake.
Barrow are currently 3rd in the form table for the last five games, claiming an average of two points per game, and pushing for playoffs, so they’ll be tough to beat. They’ve been steady all season, and are currently sitting 9th in the table, but with such a high number of draws recently in the top 10, Barrow will be looking for a win.
Ones to watch:
Courtney Baker-Richardson
With 8 goals from 21 games this season, the forward is in the 97th percentile for goals for 90’, at 0.55, and is ranked 11th of all forwards in League Two.
Ben Whitfield
Joining Barrow from Stockport during the summer, Whitfield has had a fantastic first season at Barrow, with 5 goals and 12 assists, giving him an average of 0.4 assists per 90’. On the bench last weekend, he’ll be looking to make an impression on Friday.
Form:
Crewe: WLLLW
Goals scored: 7
Goals conceded: 7
Barrow: WDLWW
Goals scored: 5
Goals conceded: 3
Previous meeting:
Barrow 3-0 Crewe Alexandra – 29th October 2022
Billy Waters 8’, Josh Gordon 43’, 60’
Gillingham v Doncaster Rovers – 3pm Friday 7th April 2023 – Priestfield Stadium
Doncaster will be meeting a very different Gillingham to the team they played in October. Now safe from relegation, Gillingham are one of League Two’s on-form teams, especially at home, with their last home loss at the end of February against Bradford. Since then they’ve recorded a win against Carlisle, and held Stockport to a draw at Edgeley Park.
Doncaster remain mid-table with nothing to play for as they enter the final stretch of the season, to the frustration of fans. Chasing their first away win since 11th February against Swindon, the Doncaster team will be keen to prove their worth in the team to a manager who is already looking to next season, and an owner who this week promised a cash injection into the club.
Ones to watch:
Tom Nichols
With 6 goals and 10 assists this season, Nichols has been a consistent performer, especially with Lapslie and Hawkins on the bench last weekend.
George Miller
With 11 goals and 5 assists this season, Miller is a solid contributor, and expected to make an impact against Gillingham after being subbed off at half time last week.
Form:
Gillingham: WLWWL
Goals scored: 6
Goals conceded: 5
Doncaster: WLDLL
Goals scored: 4
Goals conceded: 9
Previous meeting:
Doncaster 1-0 Gillingham – 29th October 2022
Harrison Biggins 60’
Grimsby Town v Hartlepool United – 3pm Friday 7th April 2023 – Blundell Park
Whilst Grimsby’s FA Cup run has clearly impacted their double promotion ambitions, they managed to hold Mansfield, Walsall, and Crawley to draws, and will be looking to take points away from Hartlepool on Friday.
Hartlepool’s last minute win against Swindon last Saturday must given them some confidence in their ability to turn around their season over the last games of the season. Given Grimsby’s post-FA Cup run form, Hartlepool will be out to capitalise and try and pick up some points on Friday.
Ones to watch:
Gavan Holohan
Fan favourite midfielder Holohan scored a penalty on Saturday, and will be looking to add to his five goal tally for the season on Good Friday.
Connor Jennings
With Umerah missing from Hartlepool’s open training session this week, he may be unlikely to start, so Jennings will be looking to score his first away goal for Pools.
Form:
Grimsby: WDDDL
Goals scored: 5
Goals conceded: 5
Hartlepool: DDDDW
Goals scored: 7
Goals conceded: 6
Previous meeting:
Hartlepool United 2-1 Grimsby Town – 29th October 2022
Alex Lacey 78’, Niall Maher (OG) 82’ – Gavan Holohan 6’
Harrogate Town v AFC Wimbledon – 3pm Friday 7th April 2023 – CNG Stadium
Still not safe from relegation, Harrogate will be looking to continue their run of successes following a draw with Tranmere, and a 1-0 win over an on-form Barrow – a match they can’t have been expecting to get much from, and look to build space between them, Colchester, and Crawley.
After a solid start to the season, Wimbledon’s form has slipped of late, and are yet to win away from home in 2023. They’ll surely still be bruised from their 1-0 loss to Rochdale last week, and will be aiming to take points away from a team four places below them in the league.
Ones to watch:
Luke Armstrong
Harrogate’s top scorer with 13 goals and 4 assists, Armstrong always impresses with his effort and contributions, including an early goal against Tranmere last week.
Ethan Chislett
The South African-born midfielder (the only South African player in League Two) has scored seven goals and claimed one assist this season.
Form;
Harrogate: DWLWD
Goals scored: 5
Goals conceded: 5
Wimbledon: DLLWL
Goals scored: 4
Goals conceded: 5
Previous meeting:
Wimbledon 3-2 Harrogate – 29th October 2022
Paul Kalambayi 39’, Courtney Senior 84’, Josh Davison 88’ – Matty Daly 47’, Alexander Pattison 65’
Newport County v Northampton Town – 3pm Friday 7th April 2023 – Rodney Parade
Newport won’t be looking forward to Northampton’s visit on Friday given their very poor home form across the season, and their mid-bottom table ranking. Their recent form is average, earning an average of 1.4 points per game, and with Zanzala out for the season with a serious knee injury sustained against Sutton there will be changes from last week’s starting squad.
Northampton are the team to watch at the moment. They top the form table over the last 5 games, and are the only team to score 11 points, and are now 8 games without a loss, and are looking to secure automatic promotion along with Leyton Orient.
Ones to watch:
Will Evans
The Welsh C-team striker will be looking to impress after missing a last-minute header that would have earned Newport a win against Colchester last week. Given his positional change from wing-back to striker at the beginning of the season echoes that of countryman Gareth Bale, Evans is one to watch with interest.
Sam Hoskins
In his eighth season at Northampton, and equally comfortable on the left and right wings, Hoskins looks set to be the Cobblers’ leading scorer for the second season in a row, with 20 to his name in 22-23.
Form:
Newport: DDDWD
Goals scored: 6
Goals conceded: 4
Northampton: DWWWD
Goals scored: 6
Goals conceded: 2
Previous meeting:
Northampton Town 1-1 Newport – 29th October 2022
Sam Hoskins 90’+3 – Omar Bogle 2’
Rochdale v Walsall – 3pm Friday 7th April 2023 – Crown Oil Arena
Jim McNulty takes Rochdale into their second game under his temporary tenure following the departure of Jim Bentley at the end of March. Despite their 1-0 win over Wimbledon last week they look set for National League football in 23-24, especially with a run-in which includes play-offs challengers Bradford, Stockport, and Mansfield.
With their last away win on Boxing Day against Swindon, Walsall will be looking to get their first ‘on the road’ win of 2023 on Friday. Currently sitting 13th in the league, Walsall have little to play for this season, but will look to gain positives from the season where they can whilst preparing for next year’s campaign.
Ones to watch:
Danny Lloyd
With ex-Walsall player Devante Rodney missing from last week’s game, it was Danny Lloyd who scored the winner, and he will be looking for a repeat performance this week.
Isaac Hutchinson
Hutchinson takes the top spot at Walsall this season for goals, and assists. It was Hutchinson who scored last week’s very late equaliser, at 90’+5 to earn the Saddlers a point against Sutton.
Form:
Rochdale: WLDLW
Goals scored: 7
Goals conceded: 7
Walsall: DWDLD
Goals scored: 4
Goals conceded: 4
Previous meeting:
Walsall 1-0 Rochdale – 29th October 2022
Hayden White 35’
Salford City v Leyton Orient – 3pm Friday 7th April 2023 – Peninsula
Salford are one of the league’s most on form teams, with the most goals scored (13) but also the most goals conceded (8). Fresh from their 1-1 draw with play-offs rivals Stockport last Friday, where neither side looked particularly strong, they’re likely to push Orient hard. Average 2 points per game.
Orient’s form has slipped recently, with just one win against Carlisle in the last five, but they’re still topping the table. They’ll be hoping to see off their promotion campaign within the next three games, and a win against Salford is crucial to that.
Ones to watch:
Elliott Watt
Watt recently jointly topped a list of most assists across the top five tiers, with 15, and is consistently one of the highest rated midfielders in League Two.
Lawrence Vigouroux
With 38 appearances to date this season, the Orient keeper has had 21 clean sheets, and a 77% save percentage.
Form:
Salford: WLWWD
Goals scored: 13
Goals conceded: 8
Leyton Orient: DDDDW
Goals scored: 7
Goals conceded: 6
Previous meeting:
Leyton Orient 1- 0 Salford City – 29th October 2022
Paul Smyth 14’
Stevenage v Colchester United – 3pm Friday 7th April 2023 – Broadhall Way
Steve Evans’s Stevenage will be expecting to take all 3 points from this fixture to solidify their promotion ambitions after only 2 points from a run of fixtures against three of the top six teams. With 8 games to play, Stevenage need a return to form to hold off Carlisle and Stockport, but with only Mansfield on 22 April looking like a significant threat, they’ll be looking towards second place. With goalkeeper Jon McCracken returning to Norwich FC after an ankle injury last weekend, Stevenage have signed Timothée Lo-Tutala on an emergency loan from Hull City.
Colchester have been focusing on defensive tactics recently, with three successive draws, including 2-2 away at league leaders Leyton Orient. They’ll likely deploy the same strategy for this fixture, and hope that Hartlepool and Crawley’s recently improved results don’t continue.
Ones to watch:
Jamie Reid
Coming on from the bench against Northampton, Reid scored that vital equaliser last week, demonstrating skill and exemplary finishing, and will have made an excellent case for a start against Colchester.
Kieran O’Hara
Given Stevenage’s excellent home form this season, we can expect Colchester’s keeper to have a busy game.
Form;
Stevenage: WWDLD
Goals scored: 6
Goals conceded: 5
Colchester: LLDDD
Goals scored: 3
Goals conceded: 6
Previous meeting:
Colchester United 1-1 Stevenage
Marley Marshall 6’ – Danny Rose 17’
Sutton United v Stockport County – 3pm Friday 7th April 2023 – Gander Green Lane
Sutton will be looking for their first win since 7th March, and given they haven’t lost at home since mid-December, their home form gives them a significant advantage. One to watch: Danny Rose – Sutton’s keeper will be looking to make amends for his error that handed Walsall their last-minute equaliser last weekend.
Stockport haven’t lost since 25th February, and will be looking to keep themselves in contention for the automatic promotion positions, although play-offs looks more likely for their first season back in the EFL. Fans will be hoping to see Will Collar back from injury, but this weekend’s fixtures may be a week too early.
Ones to watch:
Enzio Boldewijn
The Dutch forward will be looking to convert recent strong performances into scoresheet appearances.
Ryan Croasdale
Fan favourite, and stalwart of the midfield Ryan Croasdale scored his first goal of the season against Swindon, and will be looking to add to his tally.
Form;
Sutton: WDLDD
Goals scored: 4
Goals conceded: 2
Stockport: DWDWD
Goals scored: 4
Goals conceded: 2
Previous meeting:
Stockport County 3-0 Sutton United – 29th October 2022
Kyle Wootton 19’, Paddy Madden 57’, Will Collar ‘72
Swindon Town v Mansfield Town – 3pm Friday 7th April 2023 – County Ground
Despite an average season overall, Swindon’s form over the last 5 games has statistically been the weakest in League Two, with no wins, and conceding 9 goals. They’ll be looking to turn that around against Mansfield, but on recent form they’ll need to adopt different tactics to force any points.
Mansfield will be feeling confident after their 4-1 defeat of Crawley last weekend, and looking to push for a playoff position, still with a game in hand over Stockport (5th), Salford (7th), and Carlisle (4th).
Ones to watch:
Charlie Austin
Despite dropping off in profile over the last few games, Austin’s rumoured salary, player of the month nomination for March, and the buzz that goes with him, make him the player to watch at Swindon.
Davis Keillor-Dunn
Coming into the Swindon game having scored twice against Crawley last week, this midfielder is an exciting player to watch, and his confidence will be sky high this weekend.
Form:
Swindon: LDDLL
Goals scored: 6
Goals conceded: 9
Mansfield: LDDDW
Goals scored: 5
Goals conceded: 3
Mansfield 2-5 Swindon – 29th October 2022
Kellan Gordon 1’, Will Swan 3o’ – Jonathan Williams 7’, 35’, Luke Jephcott 51’, Ronan Darcy 68’, Ben Gladwin 85’
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