Shoot!’s League Two Awards: October’s Player, Manager and Goal of the Month

The top three are starting to take shape in League Two after 15 games, with Plymouth Argyle leading the way, having won 11 of their opening outings.

The Pilgrims, who narrowly fought off Colchester United 2-1 on Saturday, are currently four points clear of second-placed Carlisle United, who have yet to taste defeat in the league so far this term.

Doncaster boss Ferguson – Photo: Steve Parkin / Offside.

Occupying the final automatic promotion spot is Doncaster Rovers, who are hopeful of sealing an instant return to League One come May, despite Darren Ferguson’s side picking up one point from their last two games.

Meanwhile at the opposite end of the table, Newport County and Leyton Orient sit in the relegation zone, risking their Football League status.

Newport sit rock-bottom and are five points adrift of safety after tasting victory just twice in 14 outings so far this campaign, meanwhile Orient have lost three of their last four matches to see themselves fall into the drop zone.

But with October done and dusted, our very own Phil Slatter names Shoot!‘s League One Player, Manager and Goal of the Month…

Player of the Month: John Akinde (Barnet)

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

In the latter half of the month, Barnet have climbed up the table and a lot of their recent revival is down to the big centre forward.

He’s scored a quite remarkable 20 goals in his last 21 matches and these include five in his last four.

Having scored in the 4-1 loss to Exeter City, he grabbed a 90th minute goal at Adams Park to seal a 2-0 victory against Wycombe Wanderers before bagging a brace in a 2-2 draw with Newport County and then, with the Bees 2-0 down, he scored a nonchalant penalty against Hartlepool United.

They won the game 3-2. There was talk in the summer about him moving away from The Hive, but he signed a contract extension which is great news for Barnet, but bad news for League Two defenders.

Special mentions go out to Doncaster Rovers’ John Marquis and Will Norris of Cambridge United.

Manager of the Month: Keith Curle (Carlisle United)

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

The clocks have gone back, Halloween is over and plans for Christmas are gathering pace.

Yet Keith Curle and his Carlisle United side are still to taste defeat in the Football League this season.

It’s a remarkable run that actually dates back to April, but the 31 points they have picked up from 15 league games thus far sees them enter November seven points clear of fourth place.

Unbeaten runs can sometimes be a burden as teams appear to be more defensive minded in an attempt to keep a run going. This may have been the case in September, where United drew four of their five matches, but in October, Curle has guided his side to five straight victories.

They have scored at least twice in each of those games and have scored more goals than leaders Plymouth Argyle. A defeat may well be inevitable, but if Carlisle can keep up this form, promotion will be just as likely.

Goal of the Month: Nathan Thomas (Grimsby Town vs HARTLEPOOL UNITED)