Ladbrokes League 1: The Half-Term Awards
Published:
Phew. After eight games worth of breathless action, Ladbrokes League 1 takes a break this weekend as the focus shifts to the flurry of Challenge Cup clashes.
That means it’s the ideal time for Ladbrokes News to look at the emerging stars, title favourites and poor performers throughout the division.
The star performer:
Jim Goodwin (Alloa Athletic)
The combative Irishman is enjoying an Indian summer at Alloa, having consistently dominated the midfield battle for his new employers, after a summer move from St Mirren.
His finest display so far came at Stair Park, as he outwitted, outclassed and outfought the Stranraer midfield, with Alloa racing into a 5-1 half-time lead. Having also chipped in with a goal at Stenhousemuir the other week, his current absence from suspension can’t end soon enough for Wasps fans.
One to watch:
Kyle Turner (Stranraer)
It’s often said that young players are ‘fearless’, and that description certainly rings true with 18-year-old Turner, who has been a crucial cog in Stranraer’s central midfield this season.
Blessed with plenty of pace and intelligent footwork, he chipped in with a neat assist in the win over Albion Rovers, while he’s already found the net in both the League Cup and Challenge Cup. Expect big things from the youngster.
Tipped for the title:
Alloa Athletic
They might be three points off the top right now, but we still reckon the Wasps will be lifting the Ladbrokes League 1 title come May.
The 11/8 favourites boast the likes of Goodwin, and the unstoppable goal threat of Greig Spence and Jordan Kirkpatrick – who boast a combined 11 goals in the league so far.
Overachievers:
Brechin City
If the Glebe Park outfit are to continue their good form, they’ll be the season’s biggest success story.
Darren Dods’ men were 22/1 to win Ladbrokes League 1 before a ball was kicked, but have fallen to just 6s after taking a stellar 19 points from their first eight games, to sit top of the table. Is this the year City heroes Andy Jackson and Alan Trouten win promotion with the Angus club?
Underachievers:
Peterhead
One of many sides beaten by Brechin this season are Peterhead, and it’s far from the only game where the struggling Blue Toon have fallen short.
They’ve taken a single point from four away games, and sit bottom of the pile on five points, having won just one of their last fifteen League 1 outings. There’s no doubt the Balmoor outfit have quality in their ranks, but they need to start showing it soon.
Best Game:
Brechin City 3-2 Airdrieonians
In the brilliant sunshine of a September afternoon, the 466 fans at Glebe Park witnessed a truly superb game of football – though it was the home fans who headed home with smiling faces.
A five-goal thriller which swung this way and that, this one was kickstarted by a 10th-minute goal from City’s Ally Love, before Airdrie’s Andy Ryan took advantage of a goalkeeping error to scramble home an equaliser.
Brechin then led and were pegged back again, before Dougie Hill nodded home a neat 78th-minute header, which clanged in off the post and sealed the points. This one will take some beating in the entertainment stakes.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
