Date: 8th October 2016 at 8:44am
Written by:

Stevenage sit 20th after their game against bottom side Newport Country last week was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch in South Wales. They face the not so easy task of hosting League Two leaders Plymouth Argyle this week at Broadhall Way.

Argyle defender Sonny Bradley says the leaders still have better performances in them – but with an impressive nine wins from their last 10 league games, and a five-point cushion over their nearest competitors, you wonder what last year’s play-off final losers would consider a good return.

They come into the game following a 4-1 annihilation of Yeovil Town – if they aren’t happy now, then when will they be?

Another team cursing the weather last week were Notts County, who saw their game with Morecambe abandoned at 0-0 after just 10 minutes of play after Meadow Lane was waterlogged by a sudden downpour.

This week, they travel to take on Mansfield Town in the early kick-off (12:15), knowing that defeat will see the Stags draw level on points.

Doncaster Rovers vs Stalybridge Celtic, FA Cup 1st Round @Doncaster Keepmoat Stadium 7th November 2015.Picture Steve Parkin 07540051171Rovers,s Andy Williams scores the 2nd Donny goal and celebrates

Doncaster trail leaders Plymouth by five points in the runners-up spot – Photo: Steve Parkin / Offside.

Leyton Orient’s new manager Alberto Cavasin will enjoy his first league game at the helm as his O’s side take on Portsmouth at Brisbane Road.

Doubtless some in East London will be questioning why a manager, who has not been employed as a coach since leaving Sampdoria back in 2011 following relegation to Serie B, has been given his first chance in the English game, but even 60-year old Cavasin has said his appointment was ‘a surprise’.

He’ll want to improve on the 1-0 defeat they suffered against Southend United in the cup in his debut game. Pompey slipped down the table after a 2-1 defeat to Doncaster Rovers last week and will want to win in order to bounce back into the automatic promotion places.

Rovers will want to continue where they left off as they host Barnet, but the mood at the Keepmoat Stadium will have been hit by news that absentees Mitchell Lund and Gary McSheffrey will be out for several more months because of injury setbacks.

Donny’s Andy Williams and John Marquis scored again last week, and now move ahead of teammate James Coppinger in the goalscoring charts with six goals apiece. That news will soften the blow somewhat.

Special mention for third-placed Carlisle United, whose victory over Colchester United last Saturday, extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches, breaking a 27-year-old club record.

If they can avoid defeat at Morecambe’s Globe Arena today then they’ll have stretched Keith Curle’s impressive run yet further. Curle’s men have flown under the radar somewhat this season, but won’t mind one bit if they can hang onto one of the automatic promotion places come May.

Full League Two fixture list (October 8):

Mansfield vs Notts County (12:15)

Accrington vs Cheltenham

Blackpool vs Cambridge

Colchester vs Newport

Doncaster vs Barnet

Exeter vs Grimsby

Hartlepool vs Crawley

Leyton Orient vs Portsmouth

Luton vs Crewe

Morecambe vs Carlisle

Stevenage vs Plymouth

Yeovil vs Wycombe

 
Brought to you by Shoot!

Comments are closed.