With 11 matches under the belt, form is beginning to fluctuate as teams jostle for positions. Read our preview of this weekend’s latest League Two instalment…
Settling in
Prior to Harry Kewell’s first match in charge of Notts County against Exeter City, the bottom club had just one point to show from their opening six matches. Despite a 5-1 loss against the Grecians in that game, where he was also dismissed from the dugout, the former Crawley Town boss is shaping up to be a shrewd appointment by the Magpies.
County are currently the only side in the division who have won their last two successive matches and are one of just four teams to be unbeaten in four. However, they are still without a victory on the road and travel to Macclesfield Town, where they came away 4-0 victors from their last visit.
The winless Silkmen have drawn with in-form sides Forest Green Rovers and Newport County in their last two matches, but Mark Yates’ men are four points adrift at the foot of the table and opening their win account for the season against the 20th-placed Magpies will be another tough task.
Familiar surroundings
This Saturday sees the return of David Flitcroft to Bury, as the 44-year-old’s Mansfield Town team travel to Gigg Lane.
The former midfielder ran out more than 100 times for Bury and returned after retirement to manage the Shakers for almost three years, steering them to promotion from League One in 2015.
Flitcroft now aims to replicate this feat with the Stags, who with a game in hand have lost just once this season, racking up 15 points. Bury, on the other hand, have been better at converting draws into three points but have suffered more defeats than any other side in the table’s top 11.
The Shakers are unbeaten in the last five meetings with Mansfield on home soil, winning two. And with both sides currently occupying mid-table, where just three points separate sixth from 15th, a victory tomorrow can go a long way.
Around the grounds
There is a top-six corker to look forward to at The New Lawn, as unbeaten Forest Green Rovers entertain third-placed Newport County, a fixture that has seen 20 goals plundered in the last five matches.
The Exiles are on 23 points, as are Exeter City who travel to Yeovil Town. The Glovers have slumped to 15th after losing three of their last four, while the Grecians will look for a win to keep tabs on league leaders Lincoln City.
The Imps were hammered 4-1 last time Crewe Alexandra visited, and after losing inmidweek, Danny Cowley’s side will do everything they can to ensure it does not happen again on Saturday.
Drop zone occupants Cambridge United have returned from Crawley Town victorious in their last two visits, while Northampton Town, who have a new boss this week in Keith Curle, beat Swindon Town 3-1 on their last trip to Wiltshire. More of the same for both would help their position.
Saturday 6th October (Kick-off 3pm)
Bury v Mansfield Town
Crawley Town v Cambridge United
Forest Green Rovers v Newport County AFC
Grimsby Town v Port Vale
Lincoln City v Crewe Alexandra
Macclesfield Town v Notts County
Milton Keynes Dons v Cheltenham Town
Morecambe v Tranmere Rovers
Oldham Athletic v Carlisle United
Stevenage v Colchester United
Swindon Town v Northampton Town
Yeovil Town v Exeter City