Our Man at Plough Lane

 

 

League Two roundup

15/12/2024

Our man at Plough Lane,

And the words of John Coyle, Doncaster Rovers supporter.

 

Wimbledon’s home form, the last couple of months especially, has probably prevented them from leading the competition in the run-up to Christmas. Losses at Plough Lane to Walsall and Grimsby, plus a two-all draw to Accrington Stanley – a very gettable win – added to fans frustrations. There was the perfect example of their home game struggles a couple of weeks back in a clash against lowly Welsh team, Newport County. With a two-nil lead over the Exiles after 20 minutes, surely Wimbledon would break their home ground hoodoo and collect all three points. It was not to be. Newport pegged a goal back before half-time, and in the seventh minute of extra time, Newport were awarded a penalty, which they converted with the last kick of the match, thus ensuring the game ended two-all. Wimbledon manager Johnny Jackson was red carded for protesting the penalty decision, and my source at Plough Lane informed me the referee walked off the pitch after the match with a smile on his face.

Mission accomplished.

Job done.

So I was surprised and delighted to see Wimbledon beat Doncaster one-nil overnight to claim their first home win since October. Wimbledon forward Matty Stevens thumped the ball past Rover’s keeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe for the only goal of the game. It was a morale-boosting win for Wimbledon, and they leap- frogged their opponents to be fourth on the table. There were no last-minute penalties or managerial send offs, and we defended our lead against a top four team for over an hour.

The teams I thought would win, Carlisle, Swindon, Milton Keynes and Grimsby all lost. This time last year Carlisle was competing in League One and are at risk of a rare double relegation and could find themselves in the quagmire of the National League if their form doesn’t improve. Second place Port Vale continued their average form and drew away at 14^th placed Bromley, while Notts lost to Salford City; the Magpies are quickly tumbling down the table. They announced star striker Macauley Langstaff club captain in June, only for him to be shipped off to Millwall for an undisclosed fee in July. Their free-falling down the table is a cautionary tale that plagues most clubs in the lower leagues. Take the bucket of money offered by the higher division teams, or retain the star player, build a team around him, hoping he leads you to promotion glory?

Crewe Alexander, with their win away at Grimsby and who haven’t lost since September have snuck into third position, while Bradford broke their winless run of outs to beat Swindon at home. Walsall won their third match in a row, beating Barrow and have a break of four points at the top of the table.

It’s an even season so far. Seven points is all that’s between fourth and thirteenth place on the table, and with the regular glut of fixtures over the Christmas and New Year’s period, there should be some clarity in the next few weeks. I know so little of most of the clubs competing in League Two in the 2024/25 season. Besides Wimbledon, Milton Keynes and Notts County, I’m illiterate in my knowledge of the other teams; ignorant to the fact if they’re ambitious to climb the divisions, or just happy not to be relegated every season. Are they a selling club, or do they have high hopes to play at Anfield or Old Trafford one day? Are there any rumours about the impending demise of a manager floating about, or are there dissatisfied star players, biding their time, waiting for the January transfer window so they can play for other clubs?

There are four months left in the season to find out.

Merry Christmas to all Almanackers.

 

 

Interview with John Coyle, Doncaster supporter, 28/11/2024.

 

– How long have you followed Doncaster for?

 

Since 1969, so 55 years.

 

-Do you live in the Doncaster area?

 

No. I live in Solihull, near Birmingham and have done Since 1978. I lived near Doncaster from 1966 to 1978.

 

-Does your family follow them as well?

 

My parents used to take me to games, but I have no siblings or children, so it’s just me now.

 

-Who do you go to the games with?

 

On my own and by car-a 200-mile round trip for a home game. I listen to the radio or CDs. I meet up with friends who live around Doncaster at the ground.

 

-Your matchday routine?

 

Breakfast

Hit the road

Get to the ground

Food and drink

Meet friends

Match

Home

Whisky while watching football highlights.

Bed.

 

 

-Favourite match?

 

For relevance

 

25th May 2008. Rovers 1 Leeds United 0. League One play-off Final at Wembley. Back to the second tier after a 50-year absence.

 

For fun

 

25th September 1982. Rovers 7 Reading 5.

 

-Best season?

 

2003-04. Back in the Football League after five seasons in the Conference. Brilliantly entertaining attack, solid and stingy defence.

 

-Worst match?

 

Losing 8-0 at Leyton Orient in December 1998 (the season we went out of the Football League) takes some beating.

 

-Worst season?

 

1997-98.

 

-Favourite Donny player?

 

Peter Kitchen

 

-Why?

 

A natural goal scorer and a top guy. Leyton Orient fans will say the same about him.

 

-Best manager?

 

Sean O’Driscoll, though Billy Bremner wasn’t far behind.

 

 

-Thoughts/prospects for the current season?

 

We should finish in the top three. We had a good start, but we are stuttering at the moment. I think a couple of judicious signings in January will put us right. Everyone wants promotion after just missing out last season.

View the table HERE

For more by Paul Harman click HERE

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