Midlands Footballl Weekend Roundup: Week 2

Championship

Leicester City 0-0 Leeds United

Blackburn 0-1 Nottingham Forrest

Brighton and Hove Albion 1-2 Derby County

Yeovil Town 0-1 Birmingham City

After their opening day win playoff hopefuls Leicester welcomed Leeds to the King Power Stadium. Leeds were also coming off the back of a win on the opening day, but neither side managed to find the net on this occasion. The Foxes came closest when Chris Woods strike came back off the post late on, but a scrappy encounter ensured that it won’t live long in the memory.

Following on from 2 wins in league and cup Forrest went into their game against Blackburn full of confidence, and from what I’ve seen so they should.  Some great flowing football was in evidence once more as they eventually overcame Rovers with an injury time effort from Henderson after a mistake from goalkeeper Jake Kean.

2 goals from Chris Martin gave Derby all 3 points away at Brighton as the Rams encouraging start to the season continued. They came back from a goal down to demonstrate why I believe they will be in the playoffs this season. Nigel Clough has built a solid squad and things seem to be moving in the right direction.

Birmingham bounced back from their opening day defeat with a hard fought win against Yeovil. Both sides had numerous chances with Blues ‘keeper Randolph makes a series of fine saves, but they eventually managed to come out on top in quite fortuitous circumstances as one Yeovil player headed the ball into Seaborne and the ball rebounded into the net.

League 1

Colchester United 1-0 Port Vale

Leyton Orient 3-0 Shrewsbury Town

Notts County 2-4 Peterborough United

Oldham 0-1 Walsall

Wolves 4-0 Gillingham

Coventry City 5-4 Bristol City

Port Vale are still searching for their 1^st league victory of the season as they went down 1-0 away at Colchester. Colchester had hit the bar in the 1^st half and a 2^nd half poke home from Gavin Massey ensured they picked up a deserved win.

Shrewsbury were outclassed, as early league leaders Leyton Orient scored 3 to maintain their 100% record. The game was goalless at the break with Orient firmly on top and they made their dominance count racking up 3 goals after the break. On this evidence there is much for Shrewsbury to work on.

After tasting defeat in their opening game Notts County were looking to bounce back with a win against promotion chasing Peterborough. However it wasn’t to be as they were on the end of a fine performance from The Posh, while a series of defensive errors meant only added to County’s woes. They now sit pointless after 2 games.

Walsall notched up their 2^nd straight win in the league, with success away at Oldham.  Oldham were always in the game but there was a sense that Walsall always had a little bit extra, Baxendale scored what turned out to be the decisive goal on 25 minutes, showing that maybe last season’s impressive form was no flash in the pan.

Wolves fans could barely believe their eyes on Saturday as they saw their side come out 4-0 winners against Gillingham. In what was their 1^st home game back in the 3^rd tier just shy of 20,000 turned out and they were rewarded as goals 2 goals from Leigh Griffiths, and one a piece for Evans and Sako saw Wolves run out easy winners.

The game of the weekend was undoubtedly at Coventry’s new ‘home’ Sixfields as they eventually overcame Bristol City 5-4. The Sky Blues were 3-0 up at half time and fully in control, but with 15 minutes to go Bristol had got back on terms and Coventry fans were fearing the worst. But almost immediately Wilson put Coventry back in front only for the Robins to equalise once more. However they were not to be denied as Billy Daniels popped up at the death to grab all 3 points.

League 2

Burton Albion 1-0 Rochdale

Northampton Town 3-1 Newport County

Chesterfield 2-0 Cheltenham Town

Mansfield Town 0-0 Exeter

Burton got their 1^st win of the season at home against Rochdale, but perhaps the visitors will feel they didn’t get what they deserved. They played 83 minutes with 10 men and were only beaten by an own goal Oliver Lancashire knocked the ball past his own keeper. It may not have been the most convincing of wins, but they all count.

Northampton showed signs of getting over their playoff hangover with victory at home against newly promoted Newport County. Newport dominated the game but couldn’t take their chances with Northampton keeper Matt Duke putting in a fine performance. Despite being under the cosh for much of the game Northampton took their chances well to get off the mark in the league this term.

Chesterfield looked like the good team that they are as they overcame Cheltenham at the Proact Stadium. Goals on their home debuts from Gary Roberts and Eoin Doyle ensured the Spireites good early season form continued.

1^ST I’d like to apologise to Mansfield for missing you out last week. Anyway this weekend they
secured their 1^st point back in the football league with a battling performance against Exeter. They rode their luck at times but held on to claim a very welcome point.