The Mid-week Review

The Mid-week Review

The Johnston’s Paint Trophy got underway in earnest this week as sides from League One and Two battled it out for the right to play at Wembley and to win some silverware.

Last seasons winners Doncaster took a step closer to defending their crown as they thumped Bradford 5-1 at the Keepmoat, meanwhile League One giants Nottingham Forest were dumped out by Peterborough 3-2 in a thrilling match at the City Ground, Posh twice coming from behind to fell the former European Champions.

There was to be another shock at Blundell Park where League Two Grimsby beat superiors Huddersfield 4-1 in front of a paltry 1204 crowd. Dagenham and Redbridge upset Southend despite the game being tied at 2-2 after extra time, the Daggers going through 7-6 on penalties. Chester City also triumphed from the spot-kick as they provided another upset by beating Crewe, 1-1 after extra time and 4-3 from the spot kicks.

League new-boys Morecambe just love the cups - their giant killing exploits getting the better of Tranmere as they felled the League One side 1-0 at Prenton Park. The Shrimps have already beaten Championship sides Wolves and Preston in the Carling Cup, and the good times keep rolling at Christie Park as it was announced defender Jim Bentley is the League Two Player of the Month for August.

Elsewhere, Swindon beat Brentford 4-1 as Swansea defeated Millwall 3-2 in another entertaining firs round clash, with Yeovil, Rotherham, Luton and Bournemouth all finding safe routes through with respect wins. Hartlepool beat Chesterfield 3-1 at Salter Gate.

It was a game of two halves at the Crown Ground as Accrington Stanley capitulated to defeat against Oldham. Goals from Roscoe D'Sane and Andy Procter put the home side in ahead at the break, however the tie was turned on its head as Andy Liddell and Craig Davies leveled things up and Matt Wolfenden struck a late winner to send the Latics through.

There was no other mid-week action of note, however the startling news emerged that on Saturday 6th October only one Premier League match will kick off at the usual 3pm time with eight games taking place on the Sunday. The shocking story comes to the disgruntlement of many supporters, as it seems evident our game is well and truly revolving around the bucket loads of cash exchanged between the top bosses without consideration for the poor supporters, who pay for the very existence of the game in the first place.

To end on a similarly frustrating note, former referee Graham Poll revealed how Fifa bosses targeted England striker Peter Crouch in last years World Cup - warning its officials they should “look out” for the 6 foot 7 inch target man. Sources say Crouch's dodgy dancing was Fifa's motivation for the clamp down on the gangly Liverpool man.

images - Doncaster & Morecambe - bbc.co.uk
Crouch - http://digitalheadbutt.wordpress.com