Another round of blockbuster games featured some stellar performances across Sky Bet League 1 and Sky Bet League Two.
Here's our pick of the best XI from Matchday 18...
Goalkeeper
Jordan Smith– Accrington v Barnsley
Drafted in as an emergency keeper on loan earlier in the season, Smith was in brilliant form as Barnsley held resolute with ten men to win their fourth game on the spin. Their man between the sticks made crucial saves at several points in the game to help the Tykes take maximum points.
Defence
Rob Dickie– Oxford United v Gillingham
Kept Sky Bet League 2 top-scorer Tom Eaves quiet for most of the afternoon and was solid at the back for the home side. The local paper describing him as being immense in the air against any of the long balls the Gills posed.
Steven Old – Forest Green Rovers v Morecambe
Morecambe’s centre-half was in tremendous form for his side who earnt all three points with a smash and grab victory against Forest Green to end their unbeaten home record. Old cleared an effort off the line and was at the heart of a resolute Morecambe defence that despite being grateful to Rovers’ wastefulness at times, his last ditch defending played a key part in the win.
Luke Hendrie – Grimsby Town v Crawley Town
Heralded by the local paper as the ‘star man’, the Grimsby centre-back was integral to a back line that kept a clean sheet for the first time in five league games. Calm and measured with his passing, Hendrie’s solid performance deserves a spot in TOTW.
Midfield
Jay O’Shea – Bury v Stevenage
Scored a brilliant brace in his team’s second half rout of Stevenage. O’Shea was probably Bury’s man of the match and his clinical finish opened the floodgates before he made it 3-0 with a perfectly executed freekick that helped seal the points.
CJ Hamilton– Mansfield Town v Port Vale
Stags fans were buzzing for their man, CJ, after another mature performance from the Mansfield youngster. His excellent goal was the difference on the day and one that kept their excellent league run going, as the midfield maestro goes from strength to strength.
Callum Ainley – Crewe Alexandra v Tranmere Rovers
Scored twice and set up another in a welcome win for the home side. The young midfielder’s second goal was one to savour - a beautifully curled strike from outside the box. Helped pull the strings in midfield as his Crewe side held on for all three points.
Ollie Norburn – Shrewsbury Town v Rochdale
Scored his 4th and 5th goals of this campaign in a brilliant game at New Meadow. When the Shrews have played well this season, Norburn has generally been at the heart of their best play and he was again on Saturday with another two goals helping his side earn a crucial three points.
Forwards
Regan Slater – Swindon Town v Carlisle United
Was integral to a superb team performance by Carlisle, as they won at Swindon for the first time in 21 attempts. Slater scored two brilliant goals from outside the area as the Blues won 4-0 to send the travelling fans home happy.
James Collins – Luton Town v Plymouth Argyle
A brilliant treble took his tally to the season for seven and Luton’s frontman was in stupendous form as Luton won at a canter against Plymouth. All three finishes were clinical and emphatic, including his second half penalty and he takes this week’s number 9 position in TOTW. Well played James!
Luke Varney – Notts County v Cheltenham Town
Helped Cheltenham move out of the bottom three with a well taken double as they won on the road for the first time since early September. Was at the centre of everything they did going forward and was a constant menace for the County defence.
Manager of the Week
John Sheridan - Swindon Town v Carlisle United
Oversaw a fabulous Carlisle United display that was too much for Swindon to handle as the Blues ran riot at the County Ground. His side looked in control from the first whistle and the win was just the second time they have won away from home all season. A brilliant performance worthy of this accolade!
