Good Friday football lived up to all expectations, with some interesting results at both ends of the table. At the top, Orient’s win over Salford stretched their lead, but Carlisle and Stevenage switched places, an outcome Stevenage will be looking to reverse tomorrow. In the play off positions, Stockport beat Sutton, inching towards automatics, but Salford’s dropped points and Mansfield’s 4-2 win over Swindon took them into 7th, and playoffs, and Bradford remain 6th after their draw with Crawley.
With Stockport now snatching the coveted ‘most in form team’ title after their win away at Sutton, and a tantalising two points away from automatic promotion spots, they’ll be looking to Northampton, Stevenage and Carlisle to drop points as they take on Newport in front of what is expected to be another home sellout at Edgeley Park. Carlisle though will be looking to capitalise, as they take on a bruised Walsall fresh from their 4-2 defeat by Rochdale.
At the other end of the table a massive win for Hartlepool away at Grimsby takes them to 38 points but with a much improved goal difference after putting 4 past Grimsby. Above them, Harrogate and Colchester have much poorer goal differences, and we could easily see Hartlepool leapfrog to safety tomorrow if they win at home to Stevenage, although that feels like a big ask. Harrogate need to improve their form considerably if don’t want to join Rochdale, who despite a big win over Walsall, still look set to be headed for National League football this season.
So for the second time this long Easter weekend let’s take a look at Easter Monday’s League Two fixtures…
AFC Wimbledon v Salford City – 3pm Monday 10th April 2023 – Plough Lane
Wimbledon felt like they should have taken all three points against Harrogate on Friday, failing to defend against an injury time equaliser. However, on recent form, with just the one win against Walsall from their last ten, it’s unlikely they’ll challenge Salford too hard.
Salford will be looking to take back their play-offs spot in the league with a win at Plough Lane. Despite a strong second half on Friday against Orient they couldn’t find away past the league leaders’ defence, and their first half performance cost them the tie. They’ll definitely be looking to claim three points against Wimbledon on Monday.
Ones to watch:
Ethan Chislett
Our pick for the Good Friday game, Chislett proved us right by scoring two against Harrogate from his centre-forward position, despite not having been on the scoresheet for a while.
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. He was also our ‘one to watch’ for the match against Leyton Orient, and was a consistent contributor, despite the score line.
Form:
AFC Wimbledon: DLLWL
Goals Scored: 5
Goals Conceded: 6
Salford City: LWWDL
Goals Scored: 10
Goals Conceded: 9
Previous meeting:
Salford City 0-0 AFC Wimbledon – 12th November 2022
Barrow v Crawley Town – 3pm Monday 10th April 2023 – Holker Street
Bruised from their 3-0 loss at Crewe, Barrow will be expected to fight back, and their recent form would suggest they have it in them, especially given that they gave away two penalties. Their performance at home is generally better, and they will recognise the importance of picking up vital points if they want to push for play-offs. However, Crawley have beaten Barrow in four of their five meetings
Crawley will be desperate to claim points from this game after Hartlepool moved level with them on points on Friday, and made a significant dent in their goal difference advantage. Their recent form is much improved, and they’ll go into Monday possibly relieved after earning a draw at Bradford and applying the same tactics to a Barrow team also pushing for play offs.
Ones to watch:
Josh Gordon
After a frustrating Friday, Gordon will be looking to get on the scoresheet – he did have several chances, but all were denied by the Crewe defence.
Corey Addai
Crawley’s goalkeeper continues to shine, denying Bradford eight shots on target
Form:
Barrow: DLWWL
Goals scored: 4
Goals conceded: 6
Crawley: DWDLD
Goals scored: 5
Goals conceded: 6
Previous meeting:
Crawley Town 1-0 Barrow – 12th November 2022
Ashley Nadesan 6’
Bradford v Sutton United – 3pm Monday 10th April 2023 – Valley Parade
Bradford go into Monday’s game incredibly frustrated by their goalless draw with Crawley on Friday, after a performance that manager Mark Hughes wasn’t their best. Hughes also criticised the playing field which he suggested affected both teams, so he’ll be happy with the return to Valley Parade on Monday, a tie in which he promises they will ‘be better’.
Sutton have never beaten Bradford, so that’ll be a record they’ll be looking to correct. Despite losing 1-0 to Stockport on Friday, Sutton forced keeper Hinchliffe into some excellent saves, and they’ll be looking to a return to winning ways on Monday, but will need to focus on attacking play to do so.
Ones to watch:
Sam Stubbs
The centre half, who signed for the Bantams last summer, put in a powerful performance on Friday to keep Crawley at bay.
Coby Rowe
Back from concussion for the first time against Stockport, and straight into the starting line up, Rowe was unlucky not to score against the Hatters, losing his footing, and produced some well-timed defensive interceptions.
Form:
Bradford: DDDWD
Goals scored: 6
Goals conceded: 5
Sutton: DLDDL
Goals scored: 1
Goals conceded: 3
Previous meeting:
Sutton United 0-2 Bradford – 12th November 2022
Andy Cook 37’, Scott Banks 51’
Colchester United v Crewe Alexandra – 3pm Monday 10th April 2023 – Colchester Community Stadium
With Hartlepool and Crawley threatening to displace Colchester from safety, grinding out draws, albeit against promotion candidates Stevenage, isn’t going to be enough to keep them away from National League football next season. They’ll be looking to take three points from this game, or face being in the relegation zone by 5.45pm on Monday evening.
Crewe will be feeling confident after their back-to-back wins, and their 3-0 win over Barrow, although their first two goals were penalties. They sit mid-table though, with little to play for, and Colchester are likely to be hungrier opposition.
Ones to watch:
Kieran O’Hara
As predicted in our Friday preview, O’Hara was instrumental to keeping Colchester in their 1-1 draw against Stevenage, who had 13 shots on goal compared to Colchester’s 7. He will need to continue to be at his best over the next few games as Colchester teeter on the brink of the relegation zone.
Daniel Agyei
Despite picking up a yellow card for a foul, Agyei scored both Crewe’s penalties against Barrow on Friday, and claimed an assist for substitute Long’s 89’ goal.
Form:
Colchester: LLDDD
Goals scored: 4
Goals conceded: 5
Crewe: LLLWW
Goals scored: 6
Goals conceded: 4
Previous meeting:
Crewe Alexandra 1-0 Colchester – November 2022
Daniel Agyei 80’
Doncaster Rovers v Grimsby Town – 3pm Monday 10th April 2023 – Eco-Power Stadium
Doncaster fans’ calls for manager Schofield’s dismissal became even more vocal following their 1-0 loss to Gillingham on Friday which takes them to 7 defeats in 10 games. They go into Easter Monday’s tie with Grimsby hoping for points, but without a win since 11th March, they might settle for a draw after three losses on the trot. Defensive gaps will need to be closed to be in with any chance of victory, although it’s Schofield’s attacking formation choices that concern Donny fans the most.
Grimsby’s spectacular, and somewhat inconceivable loss to Hartlepool on Friday may well be written off as ‘one of those days’, although it’s the second time this season that they’ve beaten Grimsby, and the result could be blamed on defensive disorganisation and poor discipline. Unfortunately for the Mariners, their form against Doncaster is no better, with four losses and one win from six games.
Ones to watch:
Luke Molyneux
Molyneux has talked candidly about how Doncaster ‘just need to be better’, so in a team unsettled by significant selection changes as Schofield prepares for next season, we expect him to remain focused and committed to securing points going into Monday’s fixture.
Michee Efete
Michee Efete’s equaliser on Friday suggested that Grimsby could stay in the game, scoring just after half time, but then gave away a penalty, so will be keen to impress on Monday.
Form:
Doncaster: LDLLL
Goals scored: 2
Goals conceded: 9
Grimsby: DDDLL
Goals scored: 5
Goals conceded: 9
Previous meeting:
Grimsby Town 1-3 Doncaster Rovers – 12th November 2022
John McAtee 79’– George Miller 6’, 63’, Harrison Biggins 51’
Hartlepool United v Stevenage – 3pm Monday 10th April 2023 – Victoria Park
Hartlepool’s great comeback is well and truly underway, and they go into Monday’s game equal on points with Crawley, and just one point behind Colchester, who they have a better goal difference than. Hartlepool are playing with their hearts though, and although their record against Stevenage is not good, with just one win from 12 matches, we wouldn’t bet against them as they fight for survival in League Two.
Stevenage’s recent drop in form resulted in Carlisle leapfrogging them into 3rd position in the league after Friday’s draw with Colchester. Going into Monday’s game with Hartlepool, Stevenage will be encouraged by their 13 shots, 8 corners, and Rose and Norris’s noteworthy attempts on goal.
Ones to watch:
Daniel Kemp
With a hat-trick to his name, including two in open-play, Kemp was outstanding on Friday, giving Pools a massive boost in their League Two survival hopes.
Thimothee Lo-Tutala
The emergency loan signing from Hull City went straight into Stevenage’s starting XII on Friday, and pulled off some brilliant saves against Colchester. With more training time with the team between Friday and Monday he’ll have been able to work on communication, passing, and distribution, and will be an interesting watch on Monday.
Form:
Hartlepool: DDDWW
Goals scored: 10
Goals conceded: 6
Stevenage: WDLDD
Goals scored: 4
Goals conceded: 5
Previous meeting:
Stevenage 1-0 Hartlepool – 12th November 2022
Danny Rose 80’
Leyton Orient v Harrogate Town – 3pm Friday 10th April 2023 – Matchroom Stadium
Orient will be looking to secure promotion in their next few games, following their convincing 2-0 win over Salford on Monday, and Northampton and Stevenage both dropping points. With their record of 5 wins out of 7 head-to-heads with Harrogate, they’ll be looking to take all three points.
At the other end of the table, Harrogate should be getting increasingly nervous about their League Two future as they come up against the league leaders, although they win the League Two Comeback Kings, as in the 88th minute of Friday’s game against Wimbledon they were 2-0 down. Wins for Crawley and Hartlepool would see them move into an extremely precarious position, albeit with a game in hand over their rivals at the bottom of the league.
Ones to watch:
Ruel Sotiriou
Despite picking up a yellow card for time wasting on Friday, striker Sotiriou scored Orient’s opener in the 22nd minute.
Levi Sutton
Levi Sutton scored in the seventh minute of injury time to secure Harrogate’s share of the points on Friday, his first goal for Harrogate since leaving Bradford in the January transfer window.
Form:
Leyton Orient: DDDWW
Goals scored: 7
Goals conceded: 4
Harrogate: WLWDD
Goals scored: 7
Goals conceded: 6
Previous meeting:
Harrogate Town 0-2 Leyton Orient – 12th November 2022
Paul Smyth 7’, George Moncur 24’
Mansfield Town v Rochdale – 3pm Monday 10th April 2023 – One Call Stadium
Mansfield went from one behind in the first few minutes of Friday’s game to end up 4-2 up, the three points and the goal difference tally taking them into the play off positions at the expense of Salford. Their first win over Swindon at the County Ground in 46 years, will give the Stags confidence going into Monday’s tie with Rochdale, who they beat 1-0 in the tie in November.
Rochdale will be hoping to make it three wins in a row, after their first back-to-back wins since October, but an on-form Mansfield, who haven’t lost since 14th March will be aiming to cement Rochdale’s relegation. Despite questions over whether a controversial goal crossed the line, Jim McNulty’s team are out for points, and could cause a massive upset against play off contenders Mansfield. Rochdale now sit within six points of safety, with six games to play.
Ones to watch:
Stephen Quinn
Stephen Quinn’s equaliser, coming 10 minutes after Hepburn-Murphy opened scoring for Swindon in the 3rd minute, was game-changing, and changed the trajectory of the game completely.
Ethan Brierley
Scoring Rochdale’s controversial 4th goal against Walsall on Friday, Brierley also claimed an assist for Taylor’s 56’ goal.
Form:
Mansfield: DDDWW
Goals scored: 9
Goals conceded: 4
Rochdale: LDLWW
Goals scored: 9
Goals conceded: 9
Previous meeting:
Rochdale 0-1 Mansfield Town – 12th November 2022
George Maris 62’
Northampton Town v Gillingham – 3pm Monday 10th April 2023 – PTS Academy Stadium
Northampton’s slide in form was cemented yesterday by their first defeat in nine games in what could have been a more respectable 1-0 defeat if it was not for two goals in injury time, including a penalty, and a strong performance in the first half. They remain in second place, but with Carlisle, Stevenage and Stockport hot on their heels.
Gillingham moved closed to securing another season in League Two with a 1-0 win over Doncaster on Friday, taking them to nine points ahead of the relegation zone, with six games remaining. With their next two games against Northampton on Monday followed by Stockport County on Saturday they’ll likely adopt a very defensive strategy and get as many players behind the ball as possible to try and force a draw.
Ones to watch:
Marc Leonard
Marc Leonard kept going, and kept trying, even throughout Northampton’s difficult second half. A couple of attempts on goal went wide, and he’ll be looking to go one better on Easter Monday.
Oli Hawkins
Hawkins’s headed assist for Nichol’s spectacular goal just before half time was a gamechanger.
Form:
Northampton: WWWDL
Goals scored: 5
Goals conceded: 4
Gillingham: LWWLW
Goals scored: 5
Goals conceded: 5
Previous meeting:
Gillingham 0-2 Northampton Town – 12th November 2022
Sam Hoskins 27’, Kieron Bowie 71’
Stockport County v Newport County – 3pm Monday 10th April 2023 – Edgeley Park
Jack Stretton’s first start since his return to Stockport also saw his first goal, in the second-half of an otherwise fairly evenly matched draw which saw County keeper Ben Hinchliffe score some excellent saves to keep Sutton at bay, with Sutton managing 7 shots on target compared to Stockport’s 5. Three points for Stockport on Friday mean that their game against Newport is even more important if they want to push for one of the automatic spots available, and they go into the fixture leading the 5-game form table, and hoping to deliver in front of another sellout crowd at Edgeley Park.
Newport go into Monday’s tie with high confidence after their 3-0 upset over Northampton, taking their unbeaten run to six, and moving up one place to 17th. Manager Coughlan will be looking for a stronger start than on Friday – their first goal came just before the break, and the second two were last-minute (including a penalty).
Ones to watch:
Fraser Horsfall
Back from a second injury, Horsfall is making up for the time he’s lost on the pitch since the new year with some exceptional performances from the back.
Omar Bogle
Omar Bogle stood out on Friday, scoring the opener as well as a second from the penalty spot, and will be looking to consolidate this improved form against Stockport on Monday.
Form;
Stockport: WDWDW
Goals scored: 5
Goals conceded: 2
Newport: DDWDW
Goals scored: 8
Goals conceded: 3
Previous meeting:
Newport County 1-2 Stockport County – 12th November 2022
Aaron Lewis ‘45 – Chris Hussey 54’, Paddy Madden 74’
Tranmere Rovers v Swindon Town – 3pm Monday 10th April 2023 – Preston Park
Tranmere come into Monday’s match after their 2-0 defeat by a stronger Carlisle side who showed they deserve their 3rd place in the league. By contrast, Tranmere’s mid-table form, and three losses from the last five games makes them fairly evenly matched with a Swindon team in disarray.
Swindon’s recent form is also peppered with losses; they haven’t won since 25th February against Harrogate. However, in their 13 meetings with Tranmere they’ve won nine and only lost one, which should give them some confidence.
Ones to watch:
Mateusz Hewelt
Despite the 2-0 defeat, Hewelt saved another 6 shots, with 4 from within the box, including one to keep Patrick out on the stroke of half-time as Carlisle looked to finish the visitors off.
George McEachran
Former Chelsea and England youth international George only joined Swindon in late-February, but stood out amongst a lacklustre Swindon side on Friday.
Form;
Tranmere: LLDDL
Goals scored: 3
Goals conceded: 9
Swindon: LDDLL
Goals scored: 7
Goals conceded: 11
Previous meeting:
Swindon Town 1-1 Tranmere Rovers – 12th November 2022
Jacob Wakeling 30’ – Josh Hawkes 9’
Walsall v Carlisle United – 3pm Monday 10th April 2023 – Bescot Stadium
When Walsall went one-up against Rochdale on Friday they can’t have imagined that the goal haul that followed would not be theirs. Drawing, they were distracted by a disallowed goal, and allowed Rochdale the opportunity to score at the end. Despite ongoing controversy over Rochdale’s last goal, Walsall need to put it behind them and focus on Monday against an on-form Carlisle.
Carlisle took full advantage of Stevenage’s loss to return to the automatic promotion positions, and they start their game against Walsall 3rd in the league, and expecting three points against a side still smarting from their loss to Rochdale. Dennis’s first goal, their first for 363 minutes, set the tone for the 2-0 win,
Ones to watch:
Tom Knowles
Knowles scored one of Walsall’s two goals against Rochdale on Friday and was denied another by Richard O’Donnell. Like the rest of the Walsall side he’ll be looking to prove a point on Monday.
Kristian Dennis
As predicted in our league two preview on Friday, Kristian Dennis had a brilliant game, scoring Carlisle’s first two goals in a game that took them into the third automatic promotion position, the first after just three minutes of play. Ending a goal drought that started on 31st January he’ll be looking to add to his season’s tally on Monday.
Form:
Walsall: WDLDL
Goals scored: 6
Goals conceded: 8
Carlisle: DDLLW
Goals scored: 2
Goals conceded: 2
Carlisle 0-0 Walsall – 12th November 2022
