League Two preview

by Ian Harris , 12 April 2009

It is tight at the top and bottom of League Two as the teams shape up for a crucial Easter Monday.

Bournemouth v Brentford

Brentford skipper Kevin O’Connor could return for The Bees as the leaders look to get back to winning ways against Bournemouth.

Damian Spencer faces competition from Sam Williams to partner Billy Clarke up-front while veteran defender Darren Powell will continue at the back.

The Cherries sit four points off relegation and will be without defender Joel Ward again as they bid to upset league leaders Brentford.

The Portsmouth loanee hasn’t featured since injuring his ankle in February with Ryan Garry, Jason Pearce and Rhoys Wiggins continuing at the back.

Exeter v Wycombe

Exeter centre-back Danny Seabourne will be hoping to be promoted from the bench for their top-of-the- table clash with Wycombe.

Steve Tully was picked in favour of Seabourne for the 1-1 draw with leaders Brentford with Stuart Fleetwood again assured of a start up-front at Griffin Park.

Wycombe boss Peter Taylor could make changes for the trip to St James’ Park with Stuart Beavon replacing Matt Harrold in attack.

Striker Gavin Grant will again be absent due to personal reasons and Jamie Young continues in goal with first-choice Scott Shearer sidelined with an ankle injury.

Darlington v Bury

Bury hitman Andy Bishop will be hoping to complete his recovery from injury by starting in the trip to Darlington.

Bishop was benched during Thursday’s win over Shrewsbury and could replace Andrew Morrell up-front while midfielder Stephen Dawson starts the first game of a two-match ban.

Cash-strapped Darlington have nothing left to play for this season and boss Dave Penney could stick with the same young squad that held play-off hopefuls Chesterfield on Saturday.

Andy Oakes, Steve Foster and Greg Blundell are long-term casualties so Robin Hulbert, Ryan Valentine and Josh Gray will all start again for The Quakers.

Shrewsbury v Rochdale

Shrewsbury boss Paul Simpson could make minimal changes as The Shrews bid for their first win in seven against Rochdale.

Midfielder Kevin McIntyre is nearing full fitness and pushing for a surprise recall as is defender Mike Jackson after recovering from a knee injury.

Rochdale boss Keith Hill looks set to welcome back Nathan Stanton to Dale’s defence following suspension while there could also be a place for skipper Gary Jones.

Both missed Rochdale’s return to winning ways against Port Vale on Saturday and are in contention to start along with striker Lee Thorpe.

Gillingham v Dagenham & Redbridge

Gillingham striker Dennis Oli is pushing first-choice forwards Simeon Jackson and Mark McCammon for a start against Dagenham & Redbridge.

Midfielder Albert Jarrett is also in contention after being left out of Saturday’s defeat at Wycombe while defender Barry Fuller is on nine bookings and faces a two-match ban if cautioned at Priestfield.

Dagenham midfielder Peter Gain could start just his third game since the turn of the year as The Daggers make minimal changes for the trip to Kent.

Striker Jamie Guy, fresh from extending his loan from Colchester, may have to settle for a place on the bench with strike duo Paul Benson and Ben Strevens, boss John Still’s current favourites.

Luton v Chesterfield

Chesterfield boss Lee Richardson will be without striker Drew Talbot for the trip to Luton and will reassess his attacking options.

Talbot is not allowed to feature against his parent club at Kenilworth Road leaving Richardson to choose between Jack Lester, Martin Gritton and Scott Boden in attack.

Luton know nothing less than a win will do against Chesterfield if they are to defy the odds and avoid relegation to Non-League football.

Former Millwall midfielder David Livermore, Lewis Emanuel and Kevin Gallen all started last time out against Lincoln but could make way for Michael Spillane, Asa Hall and Claude Gnakpa.

Bradford v Lincoln

Bradford midfielder Dean Furman will have to settle for a place on the bench as The Bantams look to forget Good Friday’s defeat to Morecambe.

The Rangers loanee played no part in the loss but has recovered from a knee injury in time to make the squad which will see Peter Thorne and Paul Mullin continue up-front.

Lincoln boss Peter Jackson may turn to youth in a bid to find a goal at Bradford following their goalless draw with relegation-threatened Luton.

Veteran striker Geoff Horsfield partnered Ben Wright in attack against The Hatters but Nathan Adams and Andrew Hutchinson are again ready and waiting to start.

Aldershot v Barnet

Aldershot could hand defender Anthony Charles an immediate start following suspension as they prepare to host Barnet.

Striker John Grant could complete his recovery from a thigh injury with a place in the starting XI but long-term casualties Marvin Morgan, Chris Blackburn and Ben Harding all miss out.

Barnet boss Ian Hendon is light on attack options as they prepare to travel to Aldershot with veteran Paul Furlong struggling after Saturday’s defeat of Bournemouth.

Furlong started and scored against The Cherries but might not be risked with Elliot Charles waiting in the wings.

Macclesfield v Morecambe

Morecambe boss Sammy McIlroy looks set to name an unchanged side for the third game in a row when they travel to Macclesfield.

That means starting roles for Neil Wainwright in midfield despite carrying a slight Achilles injury, and Jim Bentley at the back after he shrugged off a back problem.

Meanwhile Macclesfield boss Keith Alexander will hand Sean Hessey a late fitness test before deciding on his defensive line-up at Moss Rose.

Port Vale v Rotherham

Port Vale boss Dean Glover has a near fully fit squad to choose from and could make changes ahead of the visit of Rotherham.

Striker Kyle Perry is fit and ready following a loan spell at Non-League Northwich, defender Luke Prosser is back from suspension, and Scott Brown has recovered from illness.

Rotherham midfielder Danny Harrison is pushing to start as Millers boss Mark Robins chops and changes his side over the busy Easter Weekend.

Harrison took a place on the bench against Notts County on Saturday after recovering from a facial injury but will want to start along with left-back Marc Joseph.

Notts County v Grimsby

Grimsby were given a timely reminder of relegation against Accrington on Saturday but boss Mike Newell could name an unchanged side for the trip to Notts County.

Bradford loanee Barry Conlon has netted three goals in four games and will continue in attack while Kyle Letheren is challenging Wayne Henderson for a place in goal.

Meanwhile loanee striker Jonathan Forte looks set to shrug off illness and start against Grimsby after netting in the loss to Rotherham two days ago.

Accrington v Chester

Accrington striker Chris Turner shrugged off injury to feature against Grimsby on Saturday but could be rested for the visit of relegation threatened Chester.

Stanley boss John Coleman didn’t use a single substitute two days ago so James Bell, Robert Grant and Adam Kay are fresh if called upon.

Wins are what second-bottom Chester need if they are to secure League Two survival but will have to do without Stephen Vaughan (Achilles) and Damien Mozika at Accrington.

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Pos
Team P W D L GD PTS
1.
Arsenal
0
0
0
0
0
0
2.
Aston Villa
0
0
0
0
0
0
3.
Birmingham
0
0
0
0
0
0
4.
Blackburn
0
0
0
0
0
0
5.
Bolton
0
0
0
0
0
0
6.
Burnley
0
0
0
0
0
0
7.
Chelsea
0
0
0
0
0
0
8.
Everton
0
0
0
0
0
0
9.
Fulham
0
0
0
0
0
0
10.
Hull
0
0
0
0
0
0
11.
Liverpool
0
0
0
0
0
0
12.
Man City
0
0
0
0
0
0
13.
Man Utd
0
0
0
0
0
0
14.
Portsmouth
0
0
0
0
0
0
15.
Stoke
0
0
0
0
0
0
16.
Sunderland
0
0
0
0
0
0
17.
Tottenham
0
0
0
0
0
0
18.
West Ham
0
0
0
0
0
0
19.
Wigan
0
0
0
0
0
0
20.
Wolverhampton
0
0
0
0
0
0
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