League Two Talk

Ollie Smith is back with Playmaker's latest episode of League Two Talk and this week's focus is on opportunity lost by leaders Cheltenham, Port Vale's return to winning ways after a torrid barren run and a pair of stalemates that saw relegation fighters frustrate promotion chasers.

Cheltenham suffer setback against Barrow

With 30 points separating the two sides prior to kick-off, and Cheltenham coming into the game off the back of a 1-0 win at Exeter on Saturday, Michael Duff’s Robins were certainly the pre-match favorites against Barrow at The Jonny-Rocks Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Despite back-to-back wins in the league against Walsall and Mansfield, the visitors were 22nd in the table, with hosts Cheltenham leading the league.

Therefore, it came as a huge shock when the relegation battlers took the lead after just two minutes, as James Jones’ cross somehow found its way past Josh Griffiths in the Cheltenham net, with Ben Tozer failing to clear.

Sam Smith forced a goal line clearance from Neal Eardley after 18 minutes, before Scott Quigley scored another for Barrow to be ruled offside.

Cheltenham rattled the post just before half-time when Chris Hussey’s extravagant volley smacked the woodwork and bounced to safety.

Hussey then tested Barrow shotstopper Joel Dixon with another long-range effort before Alfie May forced another goal line clearance, this time from Kgosi Ntlhe as The Robins lay siege to the visitors' goal in search of an equaliser.

However, Barrow responded superbly and extended their lead 11 minutes into the second half, Quigley on the receiving end of a Bobby Thomas long throw after keeper Griffiths was unable to deal with the situation: the ball seemingly rebounding off full-back Sean Long into the back of the net.

Despite several efforts on goal from Cheltenham, the visitors saw the game out to win 2-0 and earn what could be a vital three points in their attempts to avoid relegation. In the process, they became the first team since Stevenage in May 2019 to record a League Two double over the Gloucestershire outfit.

Barrow created a high number of chances (11) relative to their possession (31%), while Cheltenham dominated the ball with 69% possession and had 15 unconverted shots.  

Central defender Tom Davies was captain on the night and certainly led by example, with five successful aerial duels, the most touches in the Barrow side (44), nine clearances and five interceptions.

That’s now three consecutive wins for Barrow who have put together a good run of results under caretaker manager Rob Kelly - with five points now separating his side from Southend in the bottom two.

Up next for Michael Duff’s Cheltenham is a visit to the Jonny-Rocks stadium from play-off hopefuls Salford City who have experienced some underwhelming results as of late in their promotion push, including a frustrating 0-0 draw against Colchester on Tuesday evening.

As for Barrow, they host 10th-placed Crawley with John Yems’ side currently third in the form table after three wins and a draw in their last four games.

©Getty / Nathan Stirk

Vale back to winning ways

Devante Rodney scored a late winner to give Darrell Clarke his first win as Port Vale manager, a 2-1 victory over Newport.

Tom Conlon opened the scoring for the hosts after 12 minutes, with David Worrall feeding Conlon who hit a low strike past Nick Townsend.

Townsend then made an acrobatic save to tip Conlon’s free-kick onto the bar, with Vale dominating proceedings and Worrall looking dangerous after grabbing his 10th assist of the season, the most in League Two.

Newport started the second half strongly though, with Ryan Taylor’s volley hitting the bar.

Half-time substitute Jake Scrimshaw then equalised for the Exiles with 55 minutes played, his drilled finish flying past Scott Brown in the Vale net.

Rodney secured all three points on the 75th minute mark, though, when he followed up a rebound to move Vale eight points clear of the relegation zone.

The Vale forward's 10th league goal of the season sealed Vale’s first win in nine games and moved them above Colchester in the table up to 20th.

Both Vale and Newport had nine shots each on Tuesday night, but the visitors certainly dominated the ball, with 61% of possession for Michael Flynn’s men.

Conlon and Worrall certainly looked the part for Vale on Tuesday, while Leon Legge caught the eye defensively.

Worrall played two key passes, ten crosses, three dribbles and put in three tackles, as well as grabbing an assist, while Conlon had three shots, made two tackles, completed three interceptions, supplied four crosses, as well as scoring the game’s opener.

Legge won ten aerial duels, blocked three shots and put in 11 clearances during a commanding - the central defender still going strong at the age of 35.

A trip to Colchester’s JobServe Community Stadium awaits Vale on Saturday, with the two teams level on points and only separated by goal difference.

As for Newport, they welcome Leyton Orient to Rodney Parade and remain just four points shy of the automatic promotion spots.

🔥 | Up to 🔟 @SkyBetLeagueTwo goals for the 2020/21 season!

👏 @DevanteRodney 👏#PVFC ⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/74vJ4qzewQ

— Port Vale FC (@OfficialPVFC) March 17, 2021

Salford draw after Papa John's Trophy glory

Colchester moved eight points clear of second-bottom Southend with a goalless draw away at Salford’s Peninsula Stadium.

Harry Pell met Callum Harriott’s whipped free kick, but headed over early on in what was one of the most notable chances in a dreary first half.

Salford looked frustrated in the first-half with James Wilson firing wide just before the break, the Ammies seemingly content to play 45 minutes full of hopeful long balls.

©Salford City FC

The hosts did improve in the second half with both Jason Lowe and Ibou Touray coming close with headers, but Colchester went on to force Vaclav Hladky into action through efforts from Harriot and Noah Chilvers.

Both teams' finishing was poor, particularly Salford's - Richie Wellens' side having 12 shots and 61% possesion, compared to Colchester’s five efforts and 39% possession.

Not many players stood out in what was a turgid stalemate on Tuesday night, but Di’Shon Bernard and Thomas Eastman played key roles in ensuring their respective sides kept clean sheets.

Eastman won four aerial duels, made six interceptions, completed two clearances and executed the second-most passes in the Colchester side (41), while Bernard played 17 long balls, cleared his lines twice, won four tackles, completed three dribbles and won six aerial duels.

With just one win in their last seven, Salford’s promotion ambitions are at risk of fading away, while Colchester have failed to score in their last nine away games.

The visitors were well organised and disciplined and remain the last team to beat Salford at The Peninsula Stadium, with the Ammies unbeaten at home since a 2-1 defeat to Colchester in February 2020 – the best home record in League Two.

Wellens’ men are five points shy of the play-off places, but do have a game in hand on some of the teams above them and face league leaders Cheltenham Town on Saturday.

Grimsby stimmy in-form Tranmere

Yesterday evening saw Tranmere move to within just three points of the automatic promotion spots after a goalless draw against relegation battlers Grimsby at Blundell Park.

After a dull start to the game in Cleethorpes, David Nugent forced James McKeown into action from a corner, with the 35-year-old’s effort the only real chance of the first half.

After defeat in the EFL Trophy final at Wembley, Tranmere controlled possession without creating clear-cut chances.

Lenell John-Lewis came closest to winning the contest for the hosts, but Grimsby's captain fired a gilt-edged chance straight at Scott Davies.

The visitors finished the clash with 61% possession, but just one shot on target highlighting their lack of cutting edge.

Tranmere host play-off chasing Exeter on Saturday, while Grimsby visit 16th placed Mansfield.

Here's what tonight's result does to the table...#EFL | #SkyBetLeagueTwo pic.twitter.com/xq3Hfha2ng

— Sky Bet League Two (@SkyBetLeagueTwo) March 17, 2021