The Easter weekend provided entertainment from start to finish as goals flew in from all over the country with big implications in every league. TIBS News provides an EFL review.
Championship
Derby’s miraculous escape attempt was finally ended as a 1-0 loss to QPR confirmed their relegation to League One. In heart-breaking fashion, Luke Amos’ 88th-minute winner proved enough to send the Rams to their knees and the third tier for the first time since 1986. Tom Lawrence was sent off deep into stoppage time as emotions ran high for the travelling club at the end of a season memorable for all the wrong reasons.
Luton Town’s fairytale season continued as they recorded a 1-0 win at Cardiff to keep their place in the play-offs. Harry Cornick headed past Dillon Phillips to put the Hatters one step closer to the Premier League, just eight years after being a non-league side. Cardiff languish in 17th as their dismal season continues, leaving little hope of a successful season next time around.
Millwall’s quickfire double from Scott Malone and Tom Bradshaw saw them overcome Hull 2-1 at the Den. Tom Eaves brought Hull back into the game but it was too little too late as the home side hung onto all three points. The Lions are just one point outside of the top six as they look to sneak in to round off an incredible season.
League One
Wimbledon’s relegation seems just days away after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Wycombe followed their 3-1 capitulation at Crewe. Desperately needing a win, Wimbledon looked set to stun Wycombe due to Jack Rudoni’s opener, but a familiar face came back to haunt them as Adebayo Akinfenwa denied them the victory. The home side are now four points from safety with just two games left to play.
Plymouth’s automatic promotion hopes took a hit as they drew 0-0 with fellow play-off contenders Sunderland. A game that was short of quality in front of goal ensured that both teams remained in the top six. Sunderland can leapfrog Plymouth if they win their game in hand as the exciting play-off race gets closer to its conclusion.
Lincoln secured their League One status with an impressive 3-0 win over Cheltenham. A brace from Morgan Whitaker, along with an Anthony Scully finish, gave the Imps a vital three points that gave the home fans huge relief at the final whistle. Cheltenham, who had already secured their safety, aren’t giving up hope on a top-half finish but will need to improve massively in their next game to do so.
League Two
Regan Hendry and Jamille Matt scored in Forest Green’s 2-0 win over Oldham to take them just one point away from promotion. Oldham’s Christopher Missilou had the chance to halve the deficit but sliced a penalty over the bar in the dying minutes of the game to give the home side an easy three points. Oldham are left hanging in the relegation zone, four points from safety with just three games to go.
An Omar Beckles double gave Leyton Orient a 2-1 win over play-off chasing Swindon. Orient played most of the game with 10 men after Hector Kyprianou was sent off in the 24th minute, in between Beckles’ goals. Josh Davison pulled one back for the Robins but it was too little too late as their play-off hopes were given another blow.
Carlisle secured their Football League status with a surprise 1-0 win over eighth-placed Mansfield. The Stags were convinced they had taken the lead after Jamie Murphy’s shot had bounced down off of the crossbar but their claims were waved away. Omari Patrick then showed Mansfield how to finish with a powerful effort which went high into the net, giving the away side’s hopes of promotion a huge blow as Carlisle hung on for all three points.
By Joshua Stewart
