On EFL League Two matchdayEngland Saturday, seven fixtures kicked off at 15:00 BST, reshuffling the table in surprising ways.
At Broadfield Stadium in Crawley, Walsall FC edged out the hosts 1‑0. The lone goal came from a crisp header by Joe Wright after a corner swing. That win kept Walsall perched on the summit with 22 points from 11 matches, a single point clear of a crowded chase.
Across the country, at Memorial Stadium in Bristol, Milton Keynes Dons hammered Bristol Rovers 4‑0. It was a performance that left the Rovers’ manager, Andy Dawson, staring at a whiteboard full of questions. "We never gave them a chance," Dawson muttered after the final whistle, his voice a mix of disbelief and frustration.
Meanwhile, at the Wham Stadium in Accrington, Newport County scraped a 1‑0 win courtesy of a 23rd‑minute strike from Liam Thomas. The three points lifted Newport out of the bottom three, yet the club still hovers just above the relegation line.
In the Midlands, Chesterfield held firm at home, beating Salford City 2‑0 at the SMH Group Stadium. Those three points nudged Chesterfield into the early‑season playoff conversation, now sitting on 21 points.
Walsall’s win was far from a fireworks display, but the strategy was clear: stay compact, attack the weak side, and capitalize on set‑pieces. Captain Mat Sadler praised his side’s discipline: "We knew we had to be solid at the back, and the lads delivered. A point on the road is priceless at this stage."
The side now boasts a record of seven wins, two draws and two losses. Their goal difference stands at +10, a healthy buffer should the chase intensify. With Swindon Town and Gillingham both on 21 points, the race for automatic promotion could tighten in the next few weeks.
MK Dons made a statement that will echo through the rest of the season. The 4‑0 scoreline came from a blend of youthful exuberance and seasoned execution. Jordan James opened the scoring in the 12th minute, followed by a brace from striker Mason Hunt. Hunt, who now has six league goals, added a third in the 67th minute, sealing the rout.
Speaking to the press, Dons manager Mark Jackson said, "We wanted to keep the momentum from our opening win against Stevenage. Scoring four away from home shows the depth in our squad and our appetite for promotion."
Newport’s narrow win keeps them just three points above the drop zone. Their defense, however, remains leaky – they have conceded 17 goals, the second‑most in the league. Accrington Stanley, now on 12 points, slipped back into the bottom three after a 0‑0 draw with Crewe later that day.
Accrington’s manager, John Coleman, admitted the team’s lack of cutting edge: "We need to start creating chances. Too many matches we’ve sat back and hoped for a break. That’s not sustainable."
Chesterfield’s victory pushes them level with Swindon Town (21 points) and just two points shy of Gillingham. The trio now battle for the precious playoff spots that guarantee a shot at promotion.
Swindon’s manager Ben Page remained cautiously optimistic: "We’re still early, but every three points feels like a step forward. The consistency will be key."
The upcoming round could reshape the league hierarchy. If Walsall slip, Swindon, Gillingham, or even Portsmouth might snatch the lead. Similarly, a win for MK Dons would cement them as early promotion favourites.
The 2025‑26 campaign began on 2 August 2025 and is set to finish on 25 May 2026. Four clubs – Crawley Town, Bristol Rovers, Cambridge United and Shrewsbury Town – dropped down from League One, while Barnet and Oldham Athletic earned promotion from the National League.
So far, the highest attendance recorded this season is 11,418 spectators at Notts County’s 3‑1 win over Oldham Athletic on 4 October 2025, underscoring the growing interest in the fourth tier.
With only a third of the season completed, the battle for promotion, playoff spots, and survival promises to be a marathon, not a sprint.
The three points keep Walsall on 22 points, a one‑point lead over Swindon and Gillingham. Maintaining this gap into the mid‑season window gives them a cushion, but they’ll need to keep winning, especially on the road, to stay ahead of the chasing pack.
Bristol Rovers remain mid‑table with 17 points, but the heavy loss hurts their goal difference and confidence. Manager Andy Dawson will likely overhaul the attacking setup, and the club may need to recruit a clinical striker during the January window to avoid slipping into the relegation battle.
Chesterfield, Swindon Town and Gillingham are all on 21 points, trailing leaders Walsall by just one point. A win for any of them this weekend could catapult them into the top three, tightening the race for the coveted playoff spots.
Both clubs are hovering around the top five. A victory for Notts County would push them within two points of the lead, while Cambridge United could leapfrog into a playoff position with a win. The fixture is essentially a six‑point swing.
Historically, teams that lead after 11 matches sustain a promotion push about 65% of the time. However, consistency is key – injuries, squad depth and fixture congestion often dictate whether early leaders can maintain form through the winter period.
