The Championship saw the most goals scored from the three Football League divisions this weekend, with a total of 34. League One then came second with 28, and then League Two with 27.
It was another extraordinary week across the leagues, but the Championship stood out with a number of surprising results. Leagues One and Two were not without their share of shocks though. Some teams continue to defy the odds with their results, in good ways and in bad.
Football League Roundup: Week Nine
Hull hit six Past Sorry Blues
After picking up just two wins all season prior to this game, it certainly had not been the start that new manager Leonid Slutsky was looking for. His Hull side were left in 17th place after their home defeat to Preston in the week. However, he got the perfect response from the team against Birmingham.
Fraizer Campbell started the rout after just seven minutes, and David Meyler doubled the lead from the penalty spot just four minutes after.
With 26 minutes on the clock, the game was effectively over as Jarrod Bowen netted his sixth goal of the season with a wonderful strike from 20 yards.
Kamil Grosicki then fired in a deserved fourth, hitting a loose ball first time from the edge of the area. Markus Henrikson made it five just four minutes later, slotting in after some wonderful build-up play from the Tigers.
Seb Larsson put the finishing touches on the game when he plucked a wonderful lofted pass out of the air and slid his shot underneath Tomasz Kuszczak.
Birmingham’s Sam Gallagher had the last impact on the game however, heading in via a deflection off Michael Dawson after Allan McGregor’s save sent the ball looping up in the air.
While the result does not move Hull in either direction in the league table, scoring six goals and looking comfortable has got to give them some confidence. Expect them to start their movement up the table from now.
Second Half Fight-Back Stuns Peterborough
Oxford United ended a run of three straight defeats in League One by coming from behind to beat Peterborough 4-1 at London Road.
The Posh had been flying high, but have stuttered themselves in recent weeks while Oxford were on their losing streak.
It looked as though that winless run would continue for the U’s after just 15 minutes of this game. Jack Marriott scored his ninth goal of the season, racing on to a through ball and prodding beyond Simon Eastwood.
Josh Ruffles got the equaliser for the visitors just three minutes in to the second half, heading in Jack Payne’s pin-point cross. Five minutes later, Wes Thomas was played through and he neatly lifted the ball over the advancing ‘keeper.
Joe Rothwell extended the lead after 75 minutes, curling into the far corner from Payne’s pass, and the creative midfielder was at it again for the fourth goal. His shot was tipped aside by Jonathan Bond, but Agon Mehmeti was on hand to tap into the empty net.
Oxford climb up the 13th in the league after their poor streak sent them tumbling down, while Peterborough drop down one place to third.
Forest Green Struggling to Adapt to League Two
Forest Green Rovers sank to the bottom of the Football League with their third loss in a row, and the club remain with just one league win all season.
After losses against Cambridge and Swindon, there was perhaps some expectancy around the New Lawn that they could surprise Accrington with a win. They came close too, but the visitors were 1-0 victors thanks to Seamus Conneely’s goal.
Stanley were without their leading scorer, Kayden Jackson, so struggled to get a foothold in the game. It took them until the 56th minute to break the deadlock, but it was worth the wait. Conneely picked up the ball on the edge of the area, and his strike smacked the near post before settling in the far corner.
Elsewhere…
Championship
Wolves continued their fine form by romping to a 4-0 away win at Burton. Bristol City and Barnsley were also big away winners as they won 3-1 at Ipswich and Millwall respectively.
Sheffield United’s excellent run was halted as Nottingham Forest came from behind to beat them 2-1. Norwich were also 2-1 winners away at Reading.
Sunderland claimed a point away at Preston in a 2-2 draw but it was not enough to move them out of the relegation zone. Middlesbrough and Brentford also played out a 2-2 draw in which summer signing Martin Braithwaite scored his first Boro goal.
Finally, Cardiff remained top of the Championship despite Derby holding them to a 0-0 draw.
League One
Tarique Fosu-Henry continued his excellent run of form as he scored a hat-trick in Charlton’s 3-1 away win at Fleetwood. MK Dons and Oldham were also away winners; the Dons beat Bury 2-0 while Oldham shocked Portsmouth with a 2-1 victory.
Bradford, Wigan and Shrewsbury all continued their excellent form as the top three with 2-0 wins. The Bantams were victorious over Doncaster, Wigan brushed aside Walsall and Shrewsbury remain unbeaten all season due to their win over Scunthorpe.
Rotherham and Blackburn picked up 1-0 home wins by beating Northampton and Gillingham, and finally Southend and Bristol Rovers both won 2-1 with wins over Blackpool and Plymouth.
League Two
Exeter continued to be the pace-setters in League Two with a comfortable 4-1 over Morecambe. Mansfield, Luton and Wycombe were also comfortable home winners they all won 3-1 over Notts County, Newport and Barnet respectively.
Cheltenham Town condemned Chesterfield to yet another loss as they beat the Spirites 2-0, while Colchester and Carlisle also picked up away wins, beating Crawley and Yeovil 1-0.
Coventry, Swindon and Stevenage all won at home; the Sky Blues beat Crewe 1-0 while Swindon and Stevenage were 2-0 winners over Cambridge and Port Vale.
Finally, the local derby between Grimsby and Lincoln finished in a 0-0 draw.
There is no league action in midweek, however the Checkatrade Trophy enters its second round of fixtures.
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