From five-star Cardiff to a Maradona tribute, James Clement takes you through five EFL stories you may have missed.
Cardiff Humble Rooney-less Argyle
Embed from Getty ImagesBasement boys Cardiff moved from the foot of the Championship with an impressive 5-0 dismantling of Plymouth Argyle. The Pilgrims were without manager Wayne Rooney due to a touchline ban following a red card against Blackburn Rovers prior to the international break.
Alex Robertson scored the pick of the bunch with a beautifully curled effort from just inside the area to open the scoring. Argyle’s Ibrahim Cissoko saw red just before the interval after grabbing Perry Ng around the throat. There was also a first goal back in English football for Anwar El Ghazi following his controversial dismissal from Mainz after his public statements on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Taking In The Sights
Embed from Getty ImagesA provocative social media post came back to bite Watford in the M1 derby as Luton ran out 3-0 victors. Watford’s X account had posted a video captioned ‘Taking in the sights’ which featured a rainy compilation of the outside of Kenilworth road and the surrounding area – perhaps to make fun of the Hatter’s much maligned stadium.
Goals from Jordan Clark, Carlton Morris and Jacob Brown saw Luton across the line in rainy Bedfordshire. Naturally, this prompted a retort of the same caption from Luton’s X account accompanying a picture of Clark celebrating the opener. The result sees Luton pull away from the bottom three after a slow start following relegation from the top flight. Watford on the other hand may well be having a meeting with their social media team…
Hand Of Don
Doncaster Rovers snatched a late winner away at Swindon Town courtesy of a very peculiar penalty. Swindon had looked set for a hard earned point after Harry Smith cancelled out Joseph Oluwu’s opener just before the hour.
Yet in the 93rd minute, an inswinging corner evaded most on both sides – only for Miguel Freckleton to punch the ball clear at the far post. Despite Oscar-worthy protests from the Swindon man, the referee pointed to the spot for Joe Ironside to snatch the points back to Doncaster. Rovers stay in touching distance of pole position, whilst Town sit precariously close to the drop zone.
Still On Fire
Embed from Getty ImagesWill Grigg is showing somewhat of an EFL renaissance at the start of this season as the former Northern Ireland international scored two in Chesterfield’s 3-0 away win at Newport County. Both were striker’s finishes, with the second showing creative intuition as he converted from a seated position.
Voted the 25th best player in Europe in 2016, Grigg has struggled to match his previous numbers in recent years. A 25-goal haul in the National League last season seems to have been the perfect tonic for the man who’s tally this term has now risen to six. The Spireites currently perch just outside the playoffs, with Grigg surely a key if they are to search for back to back promotions.
“Rivals” Reunited
Embed from Getty ImagesMonday saw the draw for the first round of the FA Cup – and one game stood out if you know your history.
Northampton Town will play host to “rivals” Kettering Town. Kettering will make the short 17-mile journey to Sixfields in only the third competitive fixture between the sides. It will also be the first in almost 35 years. League One Northampton have been victorious on both prior occasions.
That is not to say that Kettering do not have a chance, however. Sporting EFL and even Premier League experience through the likes of Gary Hooper, Nile Ranger and Bruno Andrade; they will certainly be hopeful of a first ever victory in this unique derby.
