After the ups and downs of the Easter weekend, and a constantly changing league table, this weekend’s fixtures are certain to be full of surprises, and lots of questions: Will Charlie Austin be back in favour at Swindon? Will Hartlepool continue their great escape? Due to postponements before Christmas some of Saturday’s games only had the first leg played as late as March, so there’s some added interest with teams like Stockport and Gillingham only meeting each other very recently, with Gillingham holding Stockport to a 0-0 draw under the lights at Edgeley Park. With Stockport now in 3rd position, and in strong form, they’ll be looking for more than one point, but will the Gills manage to deploy the same defensive tactics to keep top scorer Kyle Wootton at bay? Strongest home record plays strongest away record and this is definitely one to watch.
Elsewhere, 4th plays 2nd as Northampton travel to Carlisle. With only three points between them, and Northampton also under pressure from Stockport and Stevenage, this is definitely another result to keep an eye on, as the outcome will have a significant impact on the standings at the top of the table. Stevenage will be hoping for three points against AFC Wimbledon to boost their promotion ambitions.
At the other end of the table there are no easy points for any of the bottom three, with Hartlepool away at Newport who will be smarting from their 4-0 loss to Stockport, Crawley welcoming visitors Tranmere Rovers, and Rochdale taking on an on-form Bradford at home. However, with Hartlepool not having lost in the last five games, making them the fifth most ‘on-form’ team in the league, it wouldn’t be a League Two match day without a Pools upset taking them further away from the relegation zone.
So now to look at this weekend’s games, match-by-match
Carlisle United v Northampton Town – 3pm Saturday 15th 2023 – Brunton Park
On Saturday Carlisle failed to score against a 10-man Walsall side who managed to hold them to a 0-0 draw at the Bescot, and in doing so lost their 3rd place league position to Stockport, who jumped from 5th. If Carlisle have it in them to beat Northampton this week they will join them on 73 points, and inch closer to 2nd given their improved goal difference over the Cobblers (+23 vs. +17). Monday’s result extended Carlisle’s away drought to four games, so they’ll be hoping for a home advantage.
Northampton’s Easter Monday win 2-1 over Gillingham gave them a clear 3-point lead over Carlisle and Stevenage, as well as new automatic promotion contenders Stockport, despite adding to their long list of absentees during their Good Friday fixture. They’ll be looking to add another 3 points of space from Saturday’s meeting, recognising despite the next few games being to opposition in lower positions this represents an opportunity to take points away from their closest rivals. The true definition of a 6-pointer, and one Stockport and Stevenage fans will be keeping a close eye on.
Ones to watch:
Owen Moxon
The Carlisle midfielder is consistent in form, and on Monday missed a golden opportunity for United in injury time, and will be looking to get his name on the scoresheet this week in such an important fixture.
David Norman
Norman scored in his debut for Northampton against Gillingham, earning a starting spot due to, in part, Northampton’s injury woes. He’ll be looking for his second start, and second goal this weekend to cement his place in the team for the last month of the season.
Form:
Carlisle: DLLWD
Goals Scored: 2
Goals Conceded: 2
Northampton: WWDLW
Goals Scored: 6
Goals Conceded: 5
Previous meeting:
Northampton 2-1 Carlisle – 20th December 2022
Sherring 53’, Appéré 56’ – Armer 50’
Crawley Town v Tranmere Rovers – 3pm Saturday 15th April 2023 – Broadfield Stadium
Crawley’s Good Friday draw with play-off contenders Bradford couldn’t have been further away from their Easter Monday 4-0 loss to Barrow. As Hartlepool continue to pull away from relegation, Town will be looking to try and claw back some of the space between them by claiming points at home.
Tranmere’s 1-0 win over Jody Morris’s Swindon on Easter Monday saw keeper Hewelt protect Rovers’ three points after their first-half goal from Harvey Saunders. The Swindon game after a run of losses and draws that follow their last game against Crawley, which they won 1-0 at the end of February, so they’ll go into this tie feeling more confident of three points.
Ones to watch:
Scott Lindsey
Crawley’s manager Lindsey is one to watch this week as he’ll need all his leadership skills to encourage a demoralised team that need to be galvanised into escaping the relegation zone.
Josh Hawkes
Hawkes will go in to Saturday’s game frustrated by his ability to finish his attempts on goal and assists against Swindon, and looking to make an impact against Crawley.
Form:
Crawley: WDLDL
Goals scored: 4
Goals conceded: 9
Tranmere: LDDLW
Goals scored: 4
Goals conceded: 7
Previous meeting:
Tranmere Rovers 1-0 Crawley Town – 28th February 2023
Hawkes 68’
Crewe Alexandra v Walsall- 3pm Saturday 15th April 2023 – Alexandra Stadium
Crewe had a massive 3-0 win on Good Friday against Barrow, followed by a 4-0 away loss to Colchester on Easter Monday, dashing their hopes of making it three consecutive wins for the Railwaymen. With just one change to the team that beat Barrow, this weekend may see more changes to a side who have slipped to 17th in the league.
Walsall will be without Hayden White who received a red card on Monday against Carlisle for a studs up challenge on Jack Armer in the 61st minute of their 12th draw in 18 games. Despite playing with ten men they managed to hold Carlisle to 0-0, and will be looking to at least share the points on offer at the Alexandra Stadium this weekend.
Ones to watch:
Courtney Baker-Richardson
Along with top-scorer Daniel Agyei, Baker-Richardson has made a real impression this season, and came close to scoring against Colchester on Monday.
Tom Knowles
Knowles joined Walsall from Yeovil last summer as an attacking midfielder, and has had five assists in 38 matches. With a shot on target on Monday from a free kick, he’ll be looking for his first goal as a Saddler.
Form:
Crewe: LLWWL
Goals scored: 6
Goals conceded: 7
Walsall: DLDLD
Goals scored: 4
Goals conceded: 8
Previous meeting:
Walsall 0-0 Crewe – 21st February 2023
Gillingham v Stockport County – 3pm Saturday 15th April 2023 – Priestfield Stadium
Gillingham’s tactics at Edgeley Park in March were centred around them getting behind the ball and staying there, denying Stockport as many goal scoring opportunities as possible. With Gills now pretty much safe from relegation, we would expect them to deploy the same tactics and push for another draw. They come into this tie buoyed by strong recent form, with three wins from the last five, and will be hopeful for a big home result.
Stockport go into this game in an automatic promotion position for the first time this season, three points behind Northampton on 73, and level with Carlisle and Stevenage on 70. In the table, County inched ahead of Carlisle with a one goal difference after Kyle Knoyle’s 4th goal past Newport on Saturday. Stockport have been nothing if not inconsistent this season, but until their runs in form are interrupted by injury, they are hard to beat. Fans will be hoping that they can maintain their current momentum to the end of the season, with ties that include Carlisle, and league leaders Leyton Orient.
Ones to watch:
Tom Nichols
With 7 goals and 10 assists, Nichols is the Gills’ biggest contributor this season, with 0.30 assists per 90’.
Jack Stretton
With captain Paddy Madden on the bench, striker Stretton made his first two starts for the club over the Easter weekend, and scored in both.
Form:
Gillingham: WWLWL
Goals scored: 6
Goals conceded: 5
Stockport: DWDWW
Goals scored: 8
Goals conceded: 2
Previous meeting:
Stockport County 0-0 Gillingham – 7th March 2023
Grimsby Town v Mansfield Town – 3pm Saturday 15th April 2023 – Blundell Park
Grimsby’s win over Doncaster lifted their spirits after their Good Friday 4-1 loss to Hartlepool, although their form has been erratic of late, and they will have to work hard to control an on-form Mansfield side desperate for another shot at the play offs. With 16 head-to-head games between the two sides, Grimsby have won 5, and drawn 5, including their last meeting less than a month ago, five of the ties saw both teams score.
Mansfield will be looking for a win after they dropped out of their brief stay in the play-off positions, with Salford just one point above them. Barrow are hot on their tails too, four points behind them, but The Stags will know that they need to focus on their own results, with a run-in that includes games with mid-table opposition before their clash with league leaders Leyton Orient on 22nd April, a game that could see Orient lift the trophy.
Ones to watch:
Harry Clifton
Grimsby’s top scorer, Wales U21 international Clifton has scored 7 this season, with one assist, but all of his goals have been on the road. Clifton will be keen to score before a home crowd this season, and doesn’t have many opportunities left before the end of the 22/23 campaign.
Hiram Boateng
Boateng’s career at Mansfield has been somewhat inconsistent. However, a good performance from the bench on Good Friday against Swindon, including a well-taken goal, backed up by a start, and another goal, maybe Stags are starting to see the real Hiram Boateng.
Form:
Grimsby: DDLLW
Goals scored: 7
Goals conceded: 10
Mansfield: DDWWD
Goals scored: 9
Goals conceded: 4
Previous meeting:
Mansfield Town 0-0 Grimsby Town – 22nd March 2023
Harrogate Town v Doncaster Rovers – 3pm Saturday 15th April 2023 – EnviroVent Stadium
With Harrogate and Doncaster only meeting once before, in the first week of March, Harrogate can claim 100% wins in head-to-head fixtures. The 2-0 away win saw two goals in the last ten-minutes of normal time. Harrogate haven’t lost at home since their 3-1 defeat to Stockport County on 11th February, and with Doncaster’s current away form not seeing an away win since the same day, Harrogate will be going into Saturday’s tie with a degree of confidence.
Tennis balls were thrown on to the pitch in protest at Doncaster’s tie with Grimsby on Monday. Despite reassurances from their owner about investment in players over the summer, fans remain frustrated by Donny’s first season back in League Two, and are critical of manager Schofield’s formation choices, in the absence of players to deliver them effectively. They will be hoping that their meeting with Harrogate sees a return to goal-scoring – they currently sit bottom of the ‘last-five’ on-form table.
Ones to watch:
Luke Armstrong
With 14 goals and 5 assists across the 40 League Two games Luke Armstrong has played this season, he scores 0.35 goals per 90’, and scored against Doncaster in their meeting at the beginning of March.
Jack Goodman
Striker Goodman has scored 20 goals for Doncaster’s academy this season. Due to first team injuries he’s found himself in the squad and made his first start last week.
Form:
Harrogate: LWDDD
Goals scored: 7
Goals conceded: 8
Doncaster: DLLLL
Goals scored: 2
Goals conceded: 8
Previous meeting:
Doncaster Rovers 0-2 Harrogate Town – 7th March 2023
Armstrong 81’, Pattison 84’
Newport Town v Hartlepool United – 3pm Saturday 15th April 2023 – Rodney Parade
Newport’s form at home is poor, with only five wins and six draws from their 19 games at Rodney Parade this season. Their Easter weekend performance was extremely variable, with a 3-0 home win against Crewe on Good Friday, followed by a 4-0 loss to Stockport County on Easter Monday. They’ll be looking to wipe that performance from recent memory, and hope that some of the unused subs make a start against an on-form Hartlepool.
Hartlepool will be looking for another higher placed opponent to take points from this weekend. Their progress away from the relegation zone hasn’t been dramatic, but with 42% of their goals this season scored in their last five games, it is a significant shift change that has seen them rise to 4th in the form table across the last five, but 13th across the last ten.
Ones to watch:
Omar Bogle
Bogle is Newport’s leading scorer this season, and will be disappointed with the team’s performance against Stockport and keeper Ben Hinchliffe’s clean sheet. Bogle will be looking to end Hartlepool’s run of form.
Connor Jennings
Jennings is still in search of his elusive first away goal in a Hartlepool shirt, and after an uncharacteristic few games without his name on the scoresheet he will be keen to make a big impact at Rodney Parade.
Form:
Newport: DWDWL
Goals scored: 7
Goals conceded: 6
Hartlepool: DDWWD
Goals scored: 10
Goals conceded: 6
Previous meeting:
Hartlepool United 0-1 Newport County – 21st February 2023
Demetriou 90’+1
Rochdale v Bradford City – 3pm Saturday 15th April 2023 – Spotland Stadium
Under normal circumstances Rochdale (prime for relegation, not on form), would expect to beat Bradford (playoff contenders, on form). Although Rochdale’s form is not excellent, it is steady, and better than expected for a team in their league position, and like Hartlepool they currently have an uncanny ability to take points away from much higher placed oppositions.
Following their goalless draw with Crawley on Good Friday, Bradford made amends by summarily beating Sutton on Easter Monday. Given their own erratic form at the moment, they’ll be feeling nervous about the prospect of facing Rochdale, and keen to move up the table from their current 6th position, five points below 2nd placed Northampton.
Ones to watch:
Richard O’Donnell
Rochdale’s keeper put in a fantastic performance against Mansfield recently, pulling off some excellent saves, and keeping Rochdale in the game. A Bradford transplant, he’ll be desperate to prove himself against his previous club.
Andy Cook
Bradford’s Andy Cook is on excellent form at the moment, and has been shortlisted for League Two’s Player of the Season. He’ll be looking to make an impression against an off-pace Rochdale.
Form:
Rochdale: DLWWD
Goals scored: 10
Goals conceded: 9
Bradford: DDWDW
Goals scored: 8
Goals conceded: 5
Previous meeting:
Bradford City 1-2 Rochdale – 10th January 2023
Eisa 29’ – Henderson 63’, 70’
Salford City v Colchester United – 3pm Saturday 15th April 2023 – Peninsula Stadium
Although slow to start, Salford saved their win over Wimbledon until the last minute, coming from 2-1 behind to win 3-2, with two injury time goals from Callum Hendry (90+5’, 90+6’), after Nathan Brooke denied Hendry another opportunity from the penalty spot. They will be keen to protect their playoff position with five games remaining including fixtures against Carlisle United and Hartlepool United.
Colchester come into this game confident from their 4-0 win over Crewe on Monday, and their first win under new manager Ben Garner. Sitting 20th in the league and just four points above the relegation zone, they are far from safe from a drop to the fifth tier.
Ones to watch:
Callum Hendry
Salford’s top scoring striker scored a screamer against Stockport to keep them in the game, and scored two last-minute winners against Wimbledon on Saturday.
Junior Tchamadeu
The 19-year-old defender emerged from Colchester’s academy and has made an impact this season, starting in 34 of his 37 appearances with 4 goals and 2 assists.
Form:
Salford: WWDLW
Goals scored: 10
Goals conceded: 7
Colchester:DDDDW
Goals scored: 8
Goals conceded: 4
Previous meeting:
Colchester United 1-1 Salford City – 24th January 2023
Kelleher 63’ – McAleny 49’
Stevenage v AFC Wimbledon – 3pm Saturday 15th April 2023 – Broadhall Way
Stevenage’s drop in form is coming at the wrong time for their playoff ambitions. Much like Carlisle, they are dropping too many points week in, week out, and will be looking for three against Wimbledon to pile pressure on Stockport, Carlisle, and Northampton. With Evans and Piergianni shortlisted in the League Two’s Manager and Player of the year, respectively, they’ll want to impress.
Wimbledon will be disappointed about the outcome of their game with Salford on Easter Monday, having started the tie the stronger side, and will be looking to make amends against Stevenage. With Al-Hamadi scoring their second at 58’ to take them 2-1 up, they ended up losing 3-2 after two last-minute Salford goals, although keeper Broome did manage to save a penalty.
Ones to watch:
Carl Piergianni
The defender’s contract is up at the end of the season, and it will be interesting to see whether Stevenage are able to hold on to him given his performances over the season, but also Doncaster’s recent form record.
Ali Al-Hamadi
Taking Wimbledon into the lead three minutes after Salford’s equaliser, striker Al-Hamadi contributed also 5 of Wimbledon’s 16 shots on Monday. The 21-year-old joined AFC Wimbledon from Wycombe Wanderers this year, and has represented Iraq at senior level five times. On Thursday we reported that both Premier League and Championship sides have expressed an interest in him.
Form;
Stevenage: DLDDD
Goals scored: 4
Goals conceded: 6
Wimbledon: LWLDL
Goals scored: 7
Goals conceded: 8
Previous meeting:
AFC Wimbledon 2-3 Stevenage – 28th February 2023
Al-Hamadi 39’, 74’ – Piergianni 55’, McAteer 61’ (og), Norris 83’
Sutton United v Leyton Orient – 3pm Saturday 15th April 2023 – Gander Green Lane
After a recent spell of decent form Sutton did not have a good Easter weekend, losing 1-0 to Stockport on Friday, and 3-0 to Bradford on Monday. They won’t be feeling optimistic about the tie with the league leaders, but Orient do slip up, and in their last five game have been held to draws three times.
Leyton Orient consolidated their lead at the top of the table with three points and another clean sheet for Vigouroux. They still have a game in hand over 2nd placed Northampton and are currently 12 points clear, with six games to play. The league is not theirs yet, but they can probably start looking at open top bus options for May.
Ones to watch:
Omar Bugiel
Sutton’s Libyan forward Bugiel scored Sutton’s only goal against Bradford on Monday, and will be looking to make an impact against Orient on Saturday.
Ruel Sotiriou
For the second time this week our pick is striker Sotiriou. Opening the scoring against Harrogate in the 9th minute, he scored his second half an hour later to take Orient 2-0 up at the break. The Cypriot has another year on his contract and he’ll be looking to prove he is up to League One football, adding to his 18 starts for the season.
Form;
Sutton: LDDLL
Goals scored: 2
Goals conceded: 6
Leyton Orient: DDWWD
Goals scored: 8
Goals conceded: 5
Previous meeting:
Leyton Orient 2-0 Sutton United – 26th December 2022
Smyth 62’, Smith 79’ (og)
Swindon Town v Barrow – 3pm Saturday 15th April 2023 – The County Ground
Coming into this game with four consecutive losses, Swindon are struggling on and off the pitch, with star player and captain Charlie Austin told not to travel on Monday, creating even more controversy. With fans calling for Morris’s departure, all eyes will be on the score line of this game on Saturday.
Barrow’s continued mission to make the play-offs could be boosted on Saturday with a win over Swindon. Josh Gordon scored three on Monday and will be looking to make an impression again this week. In their first meeting this season Swindon took all three points, but given their recent form, Barrow will be expecting a turnaround on Saturday.
Ones to watch:
Solomon Brynn
Swindon’s keeper had a busy first half against Tranmere, defending 7 shots. As Swindon’s issues on and off the pitch continue, they need a solid keeper between the sticks who can keep his head.
Josh Gordon
With a hat-trick on Monday against Crawley we make no apologies for naming Gordon again. With 15 goals this season from 33 appearances (26 starts), he will be key as Barrow make a final push for play-offs.
Form:
Swindon: DLLLL
Goals scored: 7
Goals conceded: 12
Barrow: LWWLW
Goals scored: 8
Goals conceded: 6
Barrow 0-1 Swindon Town – 17th December 2022
Reed 7’ (pen)
