Big Weekend in Race for Promotion

By Deadly Submarine
February 13 2005

This weekend sees an interesting set of fixtures in the League One promotion race that could ultimately go some way to deciding the outcome of the top positions come the end of the season.

As the league leaders Luton Town play host to second placed Hull City, Tranmere have a home game against injury hit Colchester United.  Fourth placed Sheffield Wednesday have yet another Yorkshire Derby as they entertain Bradford City at Hillsbrough.  In form Hartlepool however could be set to lose ground as they take part in FA Cup action - a fourth round replay at home against fellow League One side Brentford.  Until they play on Tuesday night, this will leave Hartlepool with three games in hand on the teams they are chasing.

Luton will be looking to avenge their 3-0 defeat at the KC Stadium earlier in the season and gain even more ground on 2nd placed Hull in the race for promotion.  The Hatters will be without striker Steve Howard who is suspended while Tigers captain Ian Ashbee looks set to return after missing the last two games through suspension.  Luton have drawn their last three League games having not won since beating bottom club Stockport 3-0 on January 15th.  Hull are on an even worse run , they haven't won at all since Peter Taylor scooped the December Manager of the Month Award.  After taking maximum points from their first two games in 2005, the award to Taylor of the dreaded Manager of the Month shortly after has seen them fail to win in their last five matches.

Rovers are missing suspended trio Iain Hume, Mark Rankine and Ryan Taylor and have doubts over Gareth Roberts who reported an injury after coming on as a second half substitute for Wales on Wednesday night.  Jason McAteer though is expected to return to the squad after injury.  Tranmere's opponents Colchester are missing 10 first team players including striker Craig Fagan who is suspended.

It is certainly set to be an interesting weekend with possibly a draw at Kenilworth Road the best result for Tranmere.  Rovers of course though must ensure they get three points at home to keep them in with a shout of the top two.  Future Rovers fixtures of course include Hull City at home (March 5th) and Hartlepool and Sheffield Wednesday away (12th March and 2nd April respectively).  Testing times indeed for the Superwhite Army!!