Team selected by Charlie Elliott
Following a weekend in which only 15 EFL fixtures took place across Leagues One and Two because of international fixtures, there were still plenty of top performances from teams and individuals.
From the promotion-chasing clash between Stockport County and Wrexham, to top-of-the-league Port Vale facing bottom side Morecambe in League Two, here is Charlie Elliott’s team of the week featuring the players who stood out ahead of the rest.
Jordan Wright (Grimsby Town)
Goalkeeper Jordan Wright kept a clean sheet away from home against Newport County, and in the 59th minute got down extremely well to save a penalty from Newport striker Kyle Hudlin.
The Mariners will have gone home the happier of the two sides following the 0-0 draw as they were under pressure for much of it, and Wright was the main reason behind the clean sheet with his six saves.
Fraser Horsfall (Stockport County)
In a week where goals were pretty hard to come by, Fraser Horsfall showcased himself as one of the best defenders in the EFL this weekend.
With his Stockport County side delivering a sucker punch to highflyers Wrexham with a 1-0 win at Edgeley Park, the defence and Horsfall in particular were to thank.
He won an immense 14 duels and kept the likes of Paul Mullin quiet, which is always a tall order.
John Guthrie (Northampton Town)
Another centre-back who kept a clean sheet and won 14 duels, the experienced John Guthrie showed that class is permanent.
Blackpool are usually renowned for their home form, but failed to get past the wall which was Guthrie, who was there when his side needed him most.
While it wasn’t the prettiest performance on the ball, the old-fashioned nature of his defending is an ode to years gone by.
Marc Roberts (Barnsley)
The theme of this weekend was old-fashioned centre-backs being unbeatable in their duels, and Marc Roberts is no different.
Finishing off the trio with 14 duels to his name too, although Barnsley did concede early on away at Cambridge United, his defending throughout snuffed out any real danger of the lead being extended and prevented a potentially embarrassing defeat on the road for the Reds.
Daniel Butterworth (Swindon Town)
Daniel Butterworth channeled his inner Lionel Messi with a mazy run past multiple Accrington Stanley defenders and rescued a crucial away point against their relegation rivals, which keeps the Robins just above the drop.
He also completed five dribbles, showing the direct nature of his play.
Ethan Chislett (Port Vale)
Port Vale consolidated their position at the top of the league against bottom side Morecambe, but did not have it easy for most of the afternoon.
A late Ethan Chislett finish in the box following a corner was enough to bring the points back to Vale Park, and the South African was a class act in centre midfield, both with breaking up play but also with his passing.
Alex Gilbey (MK Dons)
MK Dons came back from 2-0 down at home to Cheltenham Town, but Alex Gilbey kicked off a comeback which saw them win 3-2.
His finish was calmly taken, hitting the ball into the ground and over the keeper following a low and deflected cross.
Gilbey had previously had an assist ruled out for offside and looked to make things happen all afternoon from attacking midfield.
Donald Love (Accrington Stanley)
Former Manchester United man Donald Love had an outstanding performance at right wing-back, creating four chances, getting an assist and being solid in defence.
His assist came from a lovely inswinging free kick which was deftly flicked on by former Morecambe team-mate Farrend Rawson, after the pair joined Stanley together in the summer.
Louie Barry (Stockport County)
Louie Barry has time and time again shown at Stockport County why he was so highly touted when he was coming through at the likes of Barcelona and Aston Villa.
His strike against Wrexham was another one of those times, with Barry providing the matchwinner after cutting in from the left wing and whipping a ball into the far corner.
It is easy to forget that Barry is still only 21-years-old, and he clearly has a bright future.
His goal has got Stockport up to fourth in League One, and only one point behind Wrexham.
Andy Cook (Bradford City)
As the chant goes ‘He gets the ball he scores a goal, Andy, Andy Cook’.
The Bradford bagsman remains top of the League Two scoring charts with a clinical finish in the box following a corner but offered much more to his game than he has sometimes shown in the past, being a real focal point up front for the Bantams in this game.
Colchester United may have got a late equaliser, but Cook can be happy with his performance.
Matthew Stevens (AFC Wimbledon)
An honourable mention goes to his strike partner Joe Pigott, who scored and assisted in Wimbledon‘s 3-1 win away to Barrow AFC.
With two goals in two minutes to win the game for his side, Matty Stevens edged it over Pigott.
Two proper strikers’ goals and a chance created tells the story of how Stevens was a thorn in Barrow’s side for the whole game, his movement creating issues for the defence.
