Two League Two Games To Keep An Eye On This Weekend

With four promotion spots, and just two relegation places, it is easier to be promoted from League Two than drop out of it.

In fact, it is the easiest league to get out of upward, and relegation is saved for the really bad teams. Every other division has three or four drop spots, but only three promotion places. Still, try telling that to the teams in League Two, a competitive division full of fallen giants and hopeful minnows.

Last season, Crawley were the hopeful minnows surprising everyone, whereas Wrexham were the giants that emerged victorious, in second place, of course. This season, MK Dons, Bradford and Port Vale will feel they’re big guns, whereas Bromley and Barrow will again be the sling-wielding Davids looking for a Goliath to bring down.

After an interesting first weekend, the fixture list is littered with big games, but which two have caught our pundit, Gary Hutchinson’s eye?

Colchester United v MK Dons

MK Dons are sure to be among the favourites for promotion, and with a takeover freshly signed, they could find they still have the spending power they need to snap up the best players. They’re a club everyone loves to hate, and their early season defeat against Bradford City has left them playing catch up already.

Colchester also suffered an opening day defeat, and the visit of MK will give manager Danny Cowley a chance to resume a rivalry he first enjoyed in 2018/19, when his Lincoln City side pipped them to the League Two title. Both teams will be hoping to trouble the top seven, but both will feel they need three points from this clash to kickstart their season.

Gary: MK will feel deflated after their miserable evening in the League Cup, whereas Colcheser progressed on penalties against Reading, giving them a lift. Danny Cowley is all about building momentum, and if they’re going to trouble the top seven as dark horses, they’ll feel they can make a big statement here.

Cowley relies on some familiar faces to help drive his Colchester side forward, but that means he has generals amongst the troops to help spread the message. This will be a challenge for them, but he’ll look to make the JobServe Community Stadium a fortress.

Colchester United 2-1 MK Dons

Bromley v AFC Wimbledon

If we’re picking MK Dons for one of the matches, it stands to reason we’re going to go with the real Wimbledon for the second. They got off to a flyer against Colchester last weekend, and manager Johnnie Jackson appears to be building something exciting at Plough Lane. Their finish of tenth last season hinted at a promotion push this time out, and another three points would make a big statement.

Bromley will be keen to do the same on their first league game at Hayes Lane. It’ll be a huge occasion for them, but don’t foget there’s already been a dress rehearsal, with Wimbledon winning 2-1 in the League Cup just a couple of days ago.

Gary: It’s funny how the new faces coming out of the National League are almost always from the south; Sutton being another example. It’s easier to lean on big clubs for loans or pick up talented players not wanting to move halfway across the country for low wages. Bromley have done brilliantly in their recruitment and Andy Woodman is an exciting coach getting the best from limited resources.

That said, Wimbledon feels more like a club under the AFC branding than ever. The return to Plough Lane was massive, and they’re always looking up. Like in the midweek fixture, I think they’ll have too much for the new boys.