After a weekend off thanks to the wonderful FA Cup action, all of our attention turns back to the Football League.
With the mass of fixtures from the Christmas period finally coming to a close, teams can now focus on making sure their second half of the season is just as good, if not better, than the previous half.
Here are your weekend award winners:
FANS OF THE WEEKEND: Bristol Rovers
It’s not often that a set of League Two fans get noticed here but hats off to Bristol Rovers, who took 2,359 fans to the Kassam Stadium on Sunday.
Those Pirate fans got their money’s worth after their side came from behind to pull out a 2-1 win against the side that pulled off the biggest giant killing in the FA Cup last weekend. A late Elliott Harrison penalty sealed the win after Matty Taylor had cancelled out Kemar Roofe’s opener.
The win pulled Bristol to within two points of their opponents and they sit in a comfortable spot within the playoffs. It’s been a good return to the Football League so far for Darrell Clarke and the Rovers fans will be hopeful that it will continue.
GOAL OF THE WEEKEND: Max Power – Wigan
What an absolute thunderbolt as Max Power showed that the new bestowed upon him was also an apt description of the wondrous goals he can score.
The former Tranmere one saw the ball drop after a poor clearance from the Chesterfield defence and the winger smashes the ball from distance and it flew into the top corner.
A truly special goal that got the ball rolling for Wigan on Saturday as they very quietly sneak up the League One table. They’ve had a great run of late and have surged into the playoff places, more great goals like this one will help them push on even further.
MOMENT OF THE WEEKEND: Barnet’s half-price tickets for away fans
Another wonderful gesture from a club as Barnet allow the travelling Carlisle United fans half-price tickets for their game on Saturday.
They’ll be pretty glad that they paid a little less after a pretty drab game but at the same time, you can’t argue with the fact that this was a great move by the home team in what is still a difficult moment for people across Cumbria.
Just to add a little cherry to the top, they also had a collection for the fans to donate a little to aid those still affected by the floods up north. Even they are 300+ miles away, the Barnet boys showed great compassion and should be rightfully applauded for their efforts.
GAME OF THE WEEKEND: Plymouth Argyle 3-2 Stevenage
A great game that helped Plymouth get the loss from midweek out of their system as they just had enough to see off Stevenage.
They went ahead early doors through Carl McHugh but were pegged back not soon after by Charlie Lee. Two goals before half-time from Gregg Wylde and Craig Tanner put the hosts in the driving seat but Lee ensured they would have to sit nervously for the majority of the second half as he pulled Borough back in it, but Plymouth managed to hold firm.
The away side have been a part of a few interesting games this season and while Teddy Sheringham will want them winning more times than not, at least they are entertaining and troubling the bigger sides in the league.
YOUNG PLAYER OF THE WEEKEND: Jayden Stockley – Exeter City
The on-loan Bournemouth forward had a terrific performance this weekend as he helped his Exeter side win 3-1 away at Leyton Orient.
Stockley got on the scoresheet twice as the Grecians held on after Jay Simpson was denied twice from the penalty spot in Ian Hendon’s final game in charge. However, take nothing away from the away team, who put in a top performance with a trip to Anfield in their sights.
Tip of the hat to the 22-year-old, who kept Football League Tonight favourite Clinton Morrison on the bench and showed exactly why that was the right decision. Two excellent goals and a performance that may see him start against Liverpool.
PLAYER OF THE WEEKEND: Craig Noone – Cardiff City
Just when the manager needs a lift to alleviate some pressure building on his shoulders, Craig Noone pulls out a superstar performance that wins his team the game.
Two excellent first half strikes put his side in the driving seat before he teed up Joe Ralls to seal the points after Wolves had pegged them back to 2-1. The winger was troublesome all afternoon, popping up on either wing and confusing the home side’s back line.
Much like we said in the intro, Russell Slade needed this win and Noone delivered right on time. More turnouts like this might have the Bluebirds thinking they could reach the playoff place.
TEAM OF THE WEEKEND: Hull City
While you’ll have to be a gluttony for punishment if you’re a Charlton Athletic fan, Hull City took full advantage of their plight this weekend.
They were in terrific form as they blew the London club away in the first half as Abel Hernandez scored his first hat-trick in club football. Goals from Robert Snodgrass, Mohammed Diame and Isaac Hayden sealed an emphatic win at the KC Stadium.
That victory pushes Steve Bruce’s men into second and they look like they’ll be fighting at the top end in the second half of the season. Hull are well placed to begin their strong push towards promotion back to the Premier League.
