Here’s a round-up of all the latest happenings in League Two over the last few days.
- The Cods have signed highly-rated striker Harry Cardwell on a two-year deal. Cardwell started his career with Hull, but he left for Reading when he was 16. While he was with The Royals, he went out on loan to non-league sides Woking and Danny Cowley’s Braintree Town. He was part of the Braintree side which lost to Grimsby in the National League Play-off Semi Final.
- Port Vale are having an underwhelming pre-season, and that continued on Saturday with a 1-1 draw against Buxton. The non-league side took a first half lead, but on-loan Huddersfield forward Pyke levelled for Vale in the second period. Many are tipping Vale to struggle after relegation last season.
- Grimsby again, and they’re looking to further expand their firepower with a move for a former Imp. Reports are linking them with a swoop for Scunthorpe United striker Kyle t. He scored once in five outings for City in the 2015/16 season, but his chances have been limited at Glumford Park.
- Things don’t look good for Accrington Stanley either. As if surviving on crowds of around 1300 wasn’t bad enough, they’ve now got their managing calling them in for extra training after failing to win a friendly against Everton Under 23s. They drew 3-3 with the Under 23 Premier League champions, but John Coleman questioned the players appetite. Nothing like building confidence ahead of a challenging season.
- Ben Richards-Everton must wonder what he’s let himself in for. The Dunfermline centre half has joined Accrington on a one-year deal, and is no doubt delighted to immediately be in for an extra day of training.
Forest Green have splashed the cash and signed Peterborough striker Luke James on a two-year deal. James began his career with Hartlepool, but has also been on loan at Bradford City and last term at Bristol Rovers, where he failed to net in 30 appearances. “I can’t wait to get going. The style of play here suits the way I play,” James told BBC Radio Gloucestershire, which presumably means they pay massive wages.
- Grimsby, again. This time there is an ex-Imp leaving Blunder Park. Andrew Boyce, the big defender who gained popularity in an unpopular Imps side, has joined ambitious Eastleigh. The Spitfires had a torrid time in the National League last year, but a player of Boyce’s calibre is a clear intention not to make the same mistakes again.
- Barnet beat West Ham under 23s by two goals to one this weekend, John Akinde (below) and Jean-Louise Akpa Akpro gave the a morale boosting 2-1 win. Both players are seasoned professionals at this level and give the Bees potential to surprise a few people this season.
- Notts County beat Basford 2-0 in a friendly victory that boss Kevin Nolan was ‘pleased’ with. Basford had ex-Imps Liam Hearn (pictured top) and Ben Hutchinson in their side, two players that left the Bank under a cloud. County are still chasing a number of summer targets after missing out on Liam Noble.
and finally
- It’s not actually League Two, but non-league Tranmere fans were celebrating last night after their 11-0 victory over The Cammell Laird Arms (or something) meant they are sure to win the National League. Tranmere, who were devastated last season when they discovered you don’t get any extra points for winning 9-0, raced into an 8-0 lead after just thirty minutes. James Alabi scored five, but the storm clouds are gathering at Prenton Park. They’ve cancelled an equally challenging friendly against Ashford United due to ‘an injury crisis’, I’m told they can’t even send a youth team due to having released eight in the summer. Don’t you just hate it when a team pulls out of a friendly at short notice?