Can we just say before we start this week, special award goes to Carlisle United and their homecoming back at the Brunton Park.
It’s been a tough few months playing away that’s hard enough on the team but for the fans that made all those journeys too, a tip of the hat and great to see them back where they belong.
Here are this weekend’s award winners:
FANS OF THE WEEKEND: Wigan Athletic
Well done to Wigan Athletic fans this week, trumpeting some away support for Championship clubs in their fixture against Crewe Alexandra this weekend.
A reported 2,500 fans made the trip to Gresty Road in expectation more than hope, but unfortunately their side could not deliver the three points. Reece Wabara’s excellent opener was cancelled out by a good finish from Brad Inman as both sides had a share of the points.
Despite that, Wigan remain within the playoff places and could still make a run for the automatic places. It’s good to see the club getting back on it’s feet and that kind of support will only help motivate Gary Caldwell’s side.
GOAL OF THE WEEKEND: Jon Toral – Birmingham City
Who said route one football can’t be beautiful? Jon Toral denied all convention as he scored a stunner that came from a Tomasz Kuszczak punt up-field.
That would be flicked on by target man Clayton Donaldson and then it landed at the feet of the Arsenal loanee, who volleyed it first time beyond the reach of Dean Gerken in the Ipswich Town goal.
That strike helped Birmingham seal a comfortable home win that has only strengthened their playoff hopes. More sublime finishes from Toral, who was almost beaten by Maikel Kieftenbeld’s super goal to the award, and they could be a dark horse in the Championship.
MOMENT OF THE WEEKEND: Pilkington’s strange hat-trick
Anthony Pilkington scored a hat-trick this weekend in Cardiff’s 2-2 draw against Rotherham United but as you might have guessed from the scoreline, it wasn’t the traditional triple.
The winger opened the scoring for the Bluebirds before Joe Newell pegged them back before half-time. Pilkington then put his side behind from a Newell corner before he put things right 10 minutes later with a goal in the right net this time, earning his side a point.
Try as he might to deny it, it still counts as a hat-trick in our books. Sorry Pilkington, at least you didn’t try to even up your goals for both sides.
GAME OF THE WEEKEND: Newport County 2-2 Dagenham and Redbridge
Forget about a game of two halves, this was a game of two five minute spells, one right at the beginning and one right near the end.
Dagenham could not have dreamed for a better start to the game as Christian Doidge put them ahead just moments after kick-off and six minutes in it was two as Joe Worrall nodded in a corner. However, with seven minutes left, John-Christophe Ayina pulled a goal back before Conor Wilkinson scored the leveller two minutes before the final whistle.
Looking at the shots on goal, it was a deserved point for the hosts but the Daggers will be gutted that they could not hold on to three vital points at the bottom end of League Two.
YOUNG PLAYER OF THE WEEKEND: Tahvon Campbell – Yeovil
While not many young players really shined this weekend, we thought we would highlight an impact from the bench that Tahvon Campbell brought for Yeovil in their 2-1 win against Crawley.
The West Ham loanee notched his first senior goal after coming on as a substitute and took it with real aplomb before celebrating it in style with the man that gave him the opportunity to play.
It was wonderful to see and Campbell looked to have given them a real spark in a vital win. He’s only given his manager more reason to start him next weekend.
PLAYER OF THE WEEKEND: Sam Winnall – Barnsley
A perfect Saturday for a striker, a perfect hat-trick and an assist that helps your team thump an opponent 6-1. It’s what dreams are made of.
The former Scunthorpe man grabbed a goal with his left, his right and notched an assist before nodding home his final goal in the 89th minute in a strong victory. Three goals in the final 10 minutes sealed the deal for Barnsley as four consecutive wins pull them slowly away from the relegation places.
It’s great to see Winnall back to his best after injuries hampered him last season, Tykes fans hope he can fire them back into mid-table safety.
TEAM OF THE WEEKEND: Bolton Wanderers
This was a real feel-good win for everyone this weekend unless you are an MK Dons fan, to which we are sorry. Or a rival of Bolton, to which we say let them have at least this moment.
It’s been a very tough season for Neil Lennon’s men dealing with all the off-field issues plaguing the club at this moment but their third win of the season will at least give them some rest bite. It was well deserved as Rob Holding, Darren Pratley and Shola Ameobi all got on the score sheet as the Trotters ran out 3-1 winners.
With safety still potentially obtainable, this could be a huge boost and begin an unlikely revival but for now at least, Bolton should enjoy a victory and now they have something tangible to build on.
