28/01/2012 The Football League Show

Hi there. With a number of clubs in the

Football League on Cup duty today, we've a shorter show to bring you

on this the final weekend in January.

As you can see, I'm on the road at Reading who entertained Bristol

City today. There's plenty happening at the

Madejski at the moment, as well as being busy in the transfer market,

there's the planned takeover of Reading by Thames Sports Investment

and we'll bring you some reflection on that throughout the show.

We've games to bring you from all three divisions of the NPower

Football League, here's a taster of what's coming up.

As well as all the action from Reading, we'll bring you the best

of the action from the other game played today in the Championship

between Peterborough and Portsmouth. With neither of the two Sheffield

sides on league duty, Charlton had a real chance to extend their lead

at the top of League One. The Addicks had an away day to

contend with at Exeter. With Southend and Crawley not in

league action on Saturday, opportunity knocked for Cheltenham

Town in League Two. The Rubies knew that a point at

Macclesfield would take them top of the table.

AFC Wimbledon had another good win in midweek.

We'll see if they could build on that today, as well as having a

look back at the extended history of a club that's had its fair share

of ups and downs over the years. In fact, some of it has been

We start today though here at the Madejski Stadium, where Reading

took on Bristol City. The Royals slipped out of the play-

off places last week when they went down 1-0 to Hull City.

They were looking to get back to winning ways against a Bristol City

side that is now very much upwardly side that is now very much upwardly

mobile under Derek McInnes. Reading's Russian revolution is off

to a good start. Nicky Maynard was left out again, Chris Wood led the

City attack. Federici had to be sharp to deny him his second goal

in the week. Five wins had put Reading on the fringes of the top

six. David James needed to be at his best to smuggle the ball to

safety. Anton yo was sent clear down the right. Noel Hunt failed to

make the right connection. This overhead kick at Federici at full

stretch to keep the scores level. Just before the hour Reading make

the breakthrough. Carey brought the striker down on his debut, penalty

given. The Travellers were in trouble as Carey saw red. Roberts,

who once had a loan spell with Bristol Rovers, steadied himself

from 12 yards and got lucky. Reading now on course for the win

that would move them into the play- off places. City are made of

sterner stuff and refused to go quietly. Federici couldn't get near

Adomah's effort, the woodwork came to his rescue. When another

debutant hit the deck, victory should have been sealed. This time,

McAnuff took the responsibility from the spot. James did

brilliantly to keep him off the scoresheet. The keeper was called

into action at the death. McAnuff had him at full stretch. That made

little difference to the outcome as Brian, eight wins from 11. Very

well done. You are in a rich vein of form at the minute? Results wise

we are delighted. I think we can play better. That was a tough game

today. They have good players. Their manager has done a fantastic

job at Bristol. The most important thing today was to win. The game

was here to be won. Both teams had opportunities in the first half.

Certainly, we could have had the better of those. We imposed our

self on the game. They put the cross into the box early. They can

get you on the back foot. At times we looked organised, disciplined

and stood up to. That we created opportunities. Good game. You have

done so well on limited resources, money comes your way, the

expectation levels will soar, aren't they? I have no problem at

all about having money. I've never had that opportunity. To have that

opportunity, for me, is fantastic. It will help the club and help the

players. We brought in Roberts. You saw what he added to the team today.

He has a presence about him. I'm delighted. I have to thank the

owner. No Nicky Maynard for the second came running. What is your

instinct about his future at the club? Between now and Tuesday if

somebody comes in, it's not my decision. Somebody has to be in a

position to pay the fee the club is looking for. The club has to accept

it and Nicky has to go. There are a lot of factors to decide whether he

will not be our player between now and the end of the season. Last

week he was felt out on footballing reasons because we had a

disappointing position at Brighton. Chris played and he kept the jersey

today. As long as Nicky is reacting the right way to being left out.

His training was terrific this week. A great win then for Reading and

one that puts them very much on the coat tails of West Ham, Southampton

and Cardiff at the top. One more game to bring you from the

Championship, it saw Peterborough United take on Portsmouth.

Pompey, of course, were issued with another winding up petition by HMRC

this week. They were looking to put off-field

problems to one side for the visit The pair sent up Lawrence whose low

effort was turned away by Posh keeper Joe Lewis. The scouts hov

earning around Pompey's players. Jason Pearce showcasing his talents

with a header from Lawrence's corner. Peterborough fought back as

Mark Little found Tommy Rowe. Henderson wasn't in the mood to be

beaten. Huseklepp may have had the match-ball if it wasn't for Lewes

at the other end. The keeper beating away this drive. So the big

strike her to settle for a break to secure Pompey's away legal win. He

got a perfectly placed finish. It will require wealthy backers to

will require wealthy backers to ensure the club's survival. We are

delighted to get a win as what we did. It was really pleasing.

Keeping a clean sheet was really important. The boys deserved that

and they will enjoy their weekend. We will come in Monday morning

ready for the challenge of next week.. The goals we lost today were

poorg and the timing of them. The first goal gave them a platform,

the second goal on half-time. Disappointing result. We need to go

again. Fantastic performance from Portsmouth.

Onto League One now and with both Sheffield sides in Cup action today,

there was a chance for the teams in first and second in the table,

Charlton and Huddersfield, to steal a march on their nearest rivals.

Both were on the road on Saturday, Huddersfield were at Tranmere,

while leaders Charlton were at while leaders Charlton were at

Exeter. Chris Powell warned his side not to expect an easy ride.

The Charlton boss was right. The runway League One leaders needed a

slice of luck to record a straight straight win. The contribution of

goalkeeper might see seem an intervention by the Goal's panel.

That miss might have been Costly were it not for this save. Charlton

lead the rest by nine points. It proves they can win the big games

and avoid the banana skins. A hard- earned victory for us at a place

where people would expect us to win. It will not be like that. They

always play good football. It's always a tricky place to come to.

I'm really happy for us to come away with three points today.

chance for hudsers field to pull away. In truth they were lucky to

come away with a point. Jordan Rhodes had Town on top in the

second-half. They got their reward as Adam McGurk got the better of

the keeper. Lee Clark admitted he the home fans had the desired

effect as they did the double over Carlisle. Luke James got the first.

With less than a quarter of the game gone a second arrived. They

found Antony Sweeney. The referee showed Lee Miller a straight red

card for this lung on Andy Monkhouse. A decision the club may

appeal. The 17-year-old got the third to continue to impress in his

fledgling career. Carlisle failed to respond to pressurise the play-

off places. It was always going to be Pool's day. The fans were

delighted to see Colin Nish had -- wrap up the scoring. After a bad

three-and-a-half months Chesterfield are experiencing

optimism. On Friday night they dealt Bournemouth a first away

defeat in five months. Chesterfield looked more dangerous. Leicester

were denied again. This goal was one worth waiting for. The Cherries

couldn't lay claim to explosive finishing. Tomas came closest as

Chesterfield got the first clean sheet since September. Another one

of those on Monday against Oldham and they will be at Wembley.

Brentford had this one in the bag by half-time helped in part by

woeful Wycombe defending. Gary Alexander put them in front after

ten minutes. They were two down midway through the half. Sam

Saunders doubled the advantage. Brentford had a first home win

since mid December. This cross led to further punishment as Gary

Alexander got his tenth goal in as many matches. Wycombe did improve

after the break. Dave Winfield headed them back into contention.

Hopes of a recovery disappeared with 17 minutes left. Toumani

Diagouraga put away the fourth. That goal finished off the

visitor's challenge. They got another goal back thanks to Ben

Strevens. It was left to Gary Alexander to have the last word.

Maximum points as Brentford picked up their first win of the new year

in infattic fashion. As for Wycombe, in infattic fashion. As for Wycombe,

they are left proping up the rest. Today was all about winning. At

periods we played fantastic football. The first 35 minutes was

outstanding. We made life more difficult by not defending

ruthlessly enough. Overall, five goals entertaining football and

three points in the bag, it's a three points in the bag, it's a

very good day for us. Rochdale manager is cutting the mustard in

League One after hauling his side up the table. This header came off

the post for Akpa Akpro to score. Ashley Grimes converted this ball.

Nicky Adams found Grimes who celebrated taking his season's

tally into double figures. Yeovil fans are witnessing the green and

white shoots of recovery. Craig Morgan was sent off for hauling

back Andy Williams. Williams is proving a lucky charm for the

returning manager. He claimed both of the goals in this one, opening

the scoring in the half hour mark. Preston aren't experiencing quite

such a smooth transition. A second defeat from his three winless games

in charge has confirmed just after the hour when Williams got a fourth

goal in five games. Westley made the news last week for the 2.00 am

text messages sent to his team. We can only speculate as to the medium.

It brought back a fight back. Paul Huntington's match ended in

disgrace getting a fourth ready red card in four seasons. Yeovil held

and the use, the London club went close to breaking the deadlock but

Williams denied him a goal against his former club. Orient's Forbes

had not scored since this time last year. This is not how he envisaged

breaking that duck. The defender under pressure from Ian Henderson

to put through his own net to hand Colchester the lead. Lisbie was

doing his best to make amends. His searching run was a -- surging run

was halted in the box but his penalty appeals fell on deaf ears.

Colchester without a win since New Year's Eve should have stretched

their lead. But the Essex club held A good day for Colchester. As for

League Two it was potentially a massive day for Cheltenham Town

Football Club. With neither Southend nor Crawley in league

action it meant a point of the Macclesfield would see the Rubies

went the Day Top for the first time League Two, bouncing back from a

street's defeat to Bristol Rovers. They had to come from behind

against a Macclesfield side hoping to avoid a 5th straight defeat.

Marshall was stretching for a debut goal, the home side got the lead.

Martin Yeates' side had not lost back-to-back games all season and

Jombati set them all-square. Cheltenham were in no mood to take

pity on a team ravaged by injuries. Goulding was teed up, who was also

on target the last time this two sides met. His 6th goal of the

campaign, eight without defeat on the road. But appeared to have

settled the contest although a point was also -- almost rescued.

Garbutt's late strike make sure of Cheltenham's win. They are top of

the pile for the first time in 12 delighted his strikers recovered to

complete the double over his former club. Jacobson's scored. Proving to

the boss he does not always slip up when it matters. The Bulls

dominated the match at times but the manager said Shrewsbury proved

too clinical, an accurate assessment of this 20 yards strike

from Collins. Shrewsbury prove they have the stomach for the promotion

fight when Chris Neal stood firm took delivery but retching derby

defeat to the Bulls who remain in the bowels of the division.

surface was reasonable, we created a few chances. There were two will

take -- taken goals. The second half, the pitch cut up a bit and it

became difficult to pass the ball. The fortunes of Aidy Boothroyd and

Martin Ling could hardly be more different. Talking -- Torquay are

in the top three after an 11th win out of 14. Boothroyd says his side

need to put their fists up and get fighting. They had their chances

here but they could not land a knockout blow. Instead Northampton

let their door down -- let their guard down alarming Mark Ellis the

third goal in four games. Torquay Gillingham suggested they were keen

to move on quickly following John Coleman's departure. Smith's first

for the club inside a minute calming the nerves of caretaker

manager Liam Richardson. But the stand-in boss was back at square

one just six minutes later. Jack run's fantastic free kick had the

Kent club back on terms. -- Jackman. The team had suffered just one

defeat in their previous ten outings. Smith got his second to

restore Stanley's advantage. By the half-hour Gillingham were already

tumbling towards a third successive league defeat. Luke Joyce put the

home side firmly in control. Uncomfortable viewing, the 261 fans

who made the trip will be re Ian Burke -- reimbursed. There was more

slack defending. Smith got a hat- trick. A fine display from the

Charlton loanee left Gillingham with a mountain to climb. They made

a fist of it after the restart. They did not to be see much -- they

did not seem to be too much danger but a howler from the keeper

allowed Tomlin to cut the deficit. Five minutes from time, Tom and hit

the target again but for the second week running the Gills score three

and get nothing. Accrington are teams to prevail and whilst Crewe

showed plenty of the former early on at Underhill there was little of

the latter and there were few complaints went Artell was

dismissed. The division's top scorer found the net with the

penalty. Crewe were reduced to nine men a minute before the break when

Dugdale was sent off. The referee had no hesitation in finding the

red. A Reading youngster got a the best they met -- best effort

that they could muster, Argyll could hardly complain. Defeat will

hurt that bit more. This save came early in an extended rearguard

action. Having responded to four straight defeats with back-to-back

wins, there can afford to start thinking about the play-offs again.

The victory looked in doubt especially when this shot was

deflected narrowly wide. Alas gas goal has brought them four points

in recent weeks, now it was their time to suffer heartache for

letting in a late one. Plymouth are significant one. Victory over

Rotherham United lives the rout of the modern two. When Harrison

smashed the Millers in front the home fans must have been fearing

the worst. That goal meant Andy Scott's men had the advantage at

the break but Nurse sparked the Daggers recovery. The South

Yorkshire side face did test of character. Confidence is hardly

soaring after a patchy run of form. They were punished once more. This

shock went in off badly as John Still's' men went in front. The

Millers are in desperate need of wins to put themselves back in the

play-off picture. A minute after going behind they drew level.

Revell was left unmarked. That left 12 minutes either side to find a

winner. Dagenham found it. Doe ending a run of three straight

defeats, the Millers were lose more ground on the top seven and lost

Raynes a minute from the end, The original Wimbledon Football

Club was founded in 1899 and played their matches here on Wimbledon

Common until they moved into Plough Lane two decades later. Finally

elected an to the Football League in 1977, within nine seasons they

had reached the top flight where they were to stay for 14 years.

They had already achieved FA Cup notoriety when during the 19745

season -- 1974-five season they drew a fourth-round tie with

reigning champions Leeds United at Elland Road. With Wimbledon

goalkeeper saving are met -- serving a penalty before they

narrowly lost the replay. He can have the freedom of Wimbledon this

weekend. But finest hour came in 1988, when Lawrie Sanchez' gold

sort of overwhelming favourites Liverpool to win the trophy. That

is a goal for Wimbledon. Off the field ground irregularities led to

Wimbledon's departure from Plough Lane in 1991. Then after 12 years

of ground-sharing with Crystal Palace come in 2002 the club's new

owners were given permission to relocate to Milton Keynes, where,

two years later, they were renamed MK Dons. In response AFC Wimbledon

were formed by disgruntled supporters with an initial squad

assembled after trials on Wimbledon Common. The new club began life

five divisions below the Football League and their first ever goal

was scored by in this -- infamous News of the World phone hacker

Glenn Mulcaire four-star five promotions in nine seasons would

have followed including the play- off final win over Luton on

penalties that brought AFC Wimbledon into the Football League.

Between February 2002 and December 2000 and thought they set a senior

English football record when they went 75 consecutive league matches

without defeat. Hutu years after that, MK Dons officially recognised

AFC Wimbledon as the rightful owners or the original Wimbledon's

trophies and memorabilia -- two years after that. This is the FA

man to revive their play-off hopes. Striker scored, he traded passes

before seeing his shot find the mark. Another deflection had the

sides level. Moore's free kick gave them hope. But it was the shops to

ended at five or wait defeat when Straker found space out wide before

smashing in another effort. One win in ten home games for the Dons,

whose play-off hopes are barely staying alive.

The honeymoon period continues for Mark McGhee. A first home match in

charge saw them record back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

Some head tennis preceded Rovers' open up. The pilates edged this

particular relish. Six minutes gone. At Reading, Phil Parkinson was one

of Magee's most successful signings. Two decades on Parkinson felt he

was unfortunate not to take something against his old box --

boss. Richards double that Rovers' lead. It was the referee who bought

-- who bore the brunt of the criticism. The second yellow card

incensed the away side who were to amount -- you were to mount an

unlikely comeback. They were back in the match was 80 minutes

remaining. Only those two who got the final touch here. The Pirates

sort out the match and have now sake -- taken seven points out of

nine under their new manager. Even he conceded they were fortunate to

survive a penalty appeal. Hard work and good fortune were the key to

the first home win since October. Once we got two-nil up and as the

game progressed we did not have the ability to change it so we had to

begin and the fact we did in was Another good Winthorpe Bristol

Rovers, I'm joined by Jason Roberts. Well done today. 80 minutes and

your belt and you scored you're winning goal and your debut. It was

a good day at the office, a good performance from the boys, they

worked hard. It was weird when we went to ten men, we didn't take

advantage of it. We take the win and the goal. You come to a club

during very exciting times. Yes, it is very exciting for the club I

think. There has been some good foundations put in over the last

seven or eight years and there is a pub -- possibility they can go and

a different direction. It is good for me to be involved in such an

earlier period but it is a good club, some good players here and

they have a good chance of getting promotion. There might be an

argument that Brian McDermott has done ever so well on limited

resources. Now there is money it will increase expectation and you

know what that can do. Yes, I agree but at the same time you want to be

a situation where people expect you to do well and a bit more

expectation will allow us to crack on and really focus on the fact

people are looking at us that we don't want to be doing well, we

want to be doing very well at people looking at us and thinking

maybe we can progress. What is your gut instinct, will we see more

players coming in between now and the end of the month? I am not sure.

There is enough to have a push at getting in the play-offs and who

knows may be better but no one would turn down better players and

good players coming into the club. Have you sorted this argument out

between Newark Brian? You score four goals or two goals in your

first goal for Hayes. What was it? He was managing a slouch side when

I played my first game. I can't remember, as called some goals.

There is a debate it is -- if it it it's four or two, I am sticking

with four. We won today. Let's look at the league tables after

the first time. Accrington it will enjoy moving up into the play-off

places. At the bottom Northampton's miserable form continues. They are

joined by Plymouth, who also lost. Things are looking marginally

better for the Daggers, they are vital win against Rotherham at

least gives them a tiny bit of breathing space. Charlton keep

marching on. They are nine points clear of second-placed Huddersfield,

who could only draw at chant -- at Tranmere. Brentford inched towards

the play-off places after their his magic. What a day for Reading.

It may only have been one-nil against Bristol City but it takes

them up to 4th in the table and that is a high as they have been

since August. At the bottom Bristol City lose the chance to put extra

daylight between themselves and the relegation places come as something

Portsmouth have done and in some style. Their thumping at

Peterborough moved them above Posh added to 16th place. Before we go,

a quick reminder there is a number of ways you can watch the show

again. It is on the red button until midday, Freeview until early

in the morning on Sunday. It is on the iPlayer all week. Bob match

highlights, they will be on the BBC The top four sides up all in action

to join Gary for Match Of The Day. The Football League Show will be

back next Saturday, or men at a slightly earlier time of 11:40pm