League One Review - April 17th

Last updated : 18 April 2006 By Bournemouth Co-Ordinator
Southend United are just 2 points away from securing a 2nd promotion and 3 from securing the League One title! But they gave themselves work to do away at Barnsley at Oakwell. It wasn't looking good at half time for the Essex side, when 2 OGs (Hunt on 17 and Maher on 45) put the home side in to a comfortable half time lead. But credit to the League One leaders, they were back on level terms through Gower on 52, and Eastwood on 61 minutes. Barnsley 5th, Southend United 1st.

Colchester United managed to haul themselves up to an automatic promotion place with a 1-0 win over Tranmere Rovers at Layer Road. The only goal of the game came on 62 minutes through Brown. Colchester United 2nd, Tranmere Rovers 17th.

Brentford seem to be stuttering to a play-off place as they could only muster a point against struggling Blackpool at Griffin Park. An Owusu penalty put the home side ahead in the 53rd minute, but that was cancelled out by Clarke, who struck as late as the 88th minute to claim a vital point for the Lancashire side! Brentford 3rd, Blackpool 18th.

It looks like Nottingham Forest will in the play-off mix at the end of the season after they claimed their latest victory against Yeovil Town at the City Ground. Jevons had put the home side ahead in the 8th minute, but that was cancelled out by Breckin in the 39th. The win was sealed when Southall netted in the 67th. Nottingham Forest 6th, Yeovil Town 20th.

Swansea City could find themselves not even qualifying for the play-offs following a surprise 2-0 win for Rotherham United at the Liberty Stadium! A Monk own goal in the 15th minute gave the English visitors a good start. Robertson extended the lead in the 29th minute to secure a vital win for the Millers! Swansea City 7th, Rotherham United 19th.

A miserable Easter for Oldham Athletic was compounded when Bristol City claimed a 2-1 win at Ashton Gate over the play-off hopefuls. A Beckett goal on the stroke of half time gave the visitors the lead at the break. A Russell penalty in the 56th minute, and a Brooker winner in the 75th minute sealed the win! Bristol City 9th, Oldham Athletic 8th.

Doncaster Rovers have probably nailed the final nail in the League One coffin for Walsall with a single goal victory over the West Midlands side at Belle Vue. Coppinger scored the only goal of the game in the 42nd minute. Doncaster Rovers 10th, Walsall 24th.

Gillingham will be looking to build next season after a dodgy year in League One. The Kent side are ending the season strongly following a 2-1 home win over Bradford City at Priestfield. Black gave the home side the lead in the 8th minute, with Flynn extending the lead in the 53rd minute. City pulled a consolation back in the 74th minute through Cadamarteri. Gillingham 11th, Bradford City 12th.

Swindon Town claimed a vital (but too late) win over Scunthorpe United - only their 2nd win on their travels this season! Sharp had given Scunny the lead in the 8th minute, but Town levelled through a Benjamin penalty in the 25th minute, and then took the lead through Shakes in the 38th! Scunthorpe United 14th, Swindon Town 21st.

Who else is praying that a second escape act is not on the cards for the Franchise Holders? That could be happening after their last gasp victory over Hartlepool United at the National Hockey Stadium! Wilbraham had given the home side the lead in the 24th minute, with Proctor levelling 4 minutes after the restart. It all looked to be heading towards a draw until Taylor popped up to score the winner in the 89th minute! Franchise FC 22nd, Hartlepool United 23rd.

Port Vale (13th) and AFC Bournemouth (15th), could only manage a dour 0-0 draw at Vale Park.

Huddersfield Town play Chesterfield on Tuesday evening to complete the Easter schedule in League One!