League One Team Of The Week: Week Sixteen

Goalkeeper: Paddy Kenny – Oldham Athletic 

The veteran goalkeeper was thrown right into the pressure cooker on his Oldham debut in a local derby away to Rochdale.

But the former Queens Park Rangers shot-stopper has played in enough matches to adapt to any match environment: and this was no different. Despite a fairly one-sided match, Kenny commanded his box well, and marshalled his back line.

Oldham appear to have secured a precious player in Kenny, and he will no doubt continue to perform through the remainder of his loan spell.

Defence: Mark Little – Bristol City

Returning to his former club, with whom he won a play-off title and the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy with, Little could have perhaps been forgiven if he were to ease off a bit.

Instead he did to Peterborough United what he did for them on so many occasions. He caused young left-back Kgosi Ntlhe all sorts of problems with his driving runs.

One of these many bursts into The Posh penalty area set up Luke Freeman for his first of the match, as he burst past Ntlhe and pulled it back for Freeman who made no mistake.

Defence: John Egan – Gillingham

It is rare in football for defenders to score one in a game, so for Gillingham’s John Egan to net twice is worthy of a place in this week’s eleven on its own.

In fact, Egan’s first is probably worthy of a place on its own. A wonderful 30-yard-strike that zipped past Neal and nestled in the net. Unstoppable. His second was more what you’d expect of a centre-half, heading home a Michael Doughty corner to give the hosts a lead.

Only a cruel deflection stole a point from the Gills, despite Egan and his back-four performing admirably throughout.

Defence: Paul Huntingdon – Preston North End

A goal and an immense centre-back display against his former club has earnt the 27-year-old a place in this week’s team of the week.

Huntingdon gave the Lillywhites the lead just five minutes into the match when he met a Paul Gallagher corner and headed North End in front at Yeovil.

The former Leeds and Newcastle man remained vigilant for the remainder of the game, as Preston limited The Glovers to shooting from long-range.

Defence: Nathan Byrne – Swindon Town 

Another sparkling display from Nathan Byrne etches his name into our League One Team of the Week.

The wing-back gave the Fleetwood defence absolute hell all afternoon, and was a constant attacking outlet for Swindon.

The 22-year-old carried out his defensive duties admirably as well as Swindon held on for their third clean sheet in four League games.

Midfield: Luke Freeman – Bristol City 

A hard-working performance and a quality brace earn Luke Freeman a spot in the midfield of our Team of the Week.

The first was down to excellent positional sense and a lung bursting run from Mark Little. The latter burst into the area and layer it back to the former who had peeled off his marker. Freeman shifted it onto his stronger left foot and blasted it past Alnwick.

The second came from a short free-kick. The 22-year-old collected the pass, drove forward into space and fired a 20-yard drive past Alnwick and inside the near post.

Midfield: Daniel Johnson – Oldham Athletic

Johnson has already impressed in League One this season with Chesterfield, so this performance was no real shock, but no less impressive.

The 22-year-old scored his first of two on the 24th minute, collecting the ball in the centre of the box and firing it past the despairing goalkeeper.

His second came ten minutes from time as the Jamaican born forward collected a Danny Philliskirk pass and lashed it into the roof of the net.

Midfield: Ben Reeves – Milton Keynes Dons

The fair-haired midfielder had an outstanding match in centre midfield as Milton Keynes thrashed Colchester United 6-0 at Stadium:MK.

Reeves’ first direct impact came an hour into the game as he set-up Benik Afobe to give MK a four goal lead. The 23-year-old played a big part in his own goal.

He fed Benik Afobe the pass that won MK a penalty. Reeves stepped up and kept his cool to give the young club a five goal lead.

Forward: Paddy Madden – Scunthorpe United

Madden becomes the fourth player in this weeks team to score a brace.

The 24-year-old’s came against Barnsley at Oakwell. The first of which arrived on the 30th minute as he rifled a bullet of a shot into the top corner to draw United level.

He didn’t have to wait too long for his second as he buried a terrific shot into the bottom corner from 20-yards past the despairing keeper, right on the stroke of half-time.

Forward: Jon Stead – Bradford City

Stead appeared to do e as the Bantams secured a 3-1 win at home to surprise strugglers Leyton Orient.

The 31-year-old’s hold up play, and his link up with strike partner Billy Clarke was superb, and ultimately pivotal in securing Bradford’s win. Stead’s first direct involvement came in the 41st minute as squared for Billy Knot to tap home.

Stead got an extremely well deserved goal ten minutes from time, as he collected the ball and buried the ball in the bottom corner of  Legzdins’ goal.

Forward: Benik Afobe – Milton Keynes Dons

As MK romped home 6-0 against Colchester United, it is important to remember that that scoreline would be halved had Afobe not been playing.

The Arsenal loanee netted a hat trick inside the hour at Stadium: MK. His first arrived on the 36th minute, burying Carl Baker’s pass to give the home side a 2-0 lead. Afobe made it three just before the break as he headed home after a scramble in the box.

And the 21-year-old made it a perfect hat-trick just before the hour mark, slotting home with his left foot to the right corner from Ben Reeves’ pass. Afobe then repaid the favour to Reeves as he drew a foul in the area. Packwood saw red, and Reeves hit the net to make it six.

 

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