1895/96 Division 2 - Week 30
Bury vs. Everton
A title celebration for Bury fans who have once last match in Division 2 before the playoffs. Their opponents this week are a decent Everton side who were a playoff contender for much of the season and are now just competing for position with Newcastle United. Bury cruise through this at Gigg Lane, scoring in the the 34th minute to walk away with a cruisy 1-0 win.
Sunderland AFC vs. Loughborough
This match will determine whether or not we will see a re-election battle throughout the rest of this week as Sunderland AFC currently sit 14th, but a win over Loughborough here could see them jump Burnley and Bolton, forcing them to seek wins this week to confirm their spot and pulling off a great escape. It does not look good from early on as Loughborough score in the 23rd minute to pull ahead. A second in the 59th minute makes it look insurmountable and while Sunderland were able to score in the 82nd minute, it would not be enough to save their chances.
Bolton Wanderers vs. Leicester Fosse
Nothing to play for for either of these teams with Sunderland now officially relegated. Leicester squandered the chance at a perfect 10 season last week but overall had a solid debut season, while Bolton have been confirmed safe but have been pretty poor all season, capped off by the memorable 6-0 loss to Nottingham Forest. Bolton looked miserable this whole match but by some divine miracle, only loss by one goal, with Leicester scoring in the 22nd minute. This could have easily been up to 9 goals conceded for Bolton, but they get away lucky, although signs are worrying for next season.
Burnley vs. Crewe Alexandra
It has been a rough season for Burnley, who fell away late on and looked at risk of possibly facing re-election. The opposite is true for their opponents Crewe, who had been holding on tightly to the second playoff spot for much of the season. It would be tough for them to lose that spot now though, as they current sit 2 clear of Wolves with a 4 better goal difference. Crewe scored an early goal in the 8th minute, but Burnley look better and eventually equalise in the 77th minute. A final goal scored in the 88th minute handed Crewe the win and means they will head to the playoffs to take on the bottom 2 of Division One.
Blackpool vs. Fairfield
Blackpool have once again failed to gain automatic safety for the second season running, as a terrible defence means the side is completely unable to avoid the bottom 3. Fairfield meanwhile have made a solid debut campaign, keeping themselves in safety for much of the season and never looking too badly threatened with falling to the lower positions. Fairfield score early to take the lead in the 13th minute, looking to potentially gain a win to end the season. Blackpool look the better side however scoring in the 58th minute to equalise and a second in the 83rd hands Blackpool a win, leaving them once again just a couple points shy of the safety.
Nottingham Forest vs. Notts County
Potentially the last Nottingham Derby for a while as after a miserable season, Notts County have finished bottom of the league and look to be a favourite candidate to lose out on their spot to another side. Nottingham Forest meanwhile have been very patch this season, with some big wins but also struggling to pick up points in most games. Forest scored in the 26th minute in what would end up being the only goal of the game, as Notts County continued their struggles and end the season of a whimper.
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Accrington
Nothing is more frustrating than finishing third when only the top two get a chance at promotion, but sadly that is the fate that has befallen Wolves. A match against Accrington to end the season is a chance end the season on a high as the team should be looking to prepare for a promotion charge next season. Accrington meanwhile were decent all season, but not particularly memorable. I forgot to check the timing on goals on this one sorry, but suffice to say, Wolves smashed them. 3 goals as Wolves walk away the better side at Molineux, ending up just barely off gaining promotion.
Newcastle United vs. Grimsby Town
Our final match of the season is between last season's unsuccessful playoff contenders Newcastle and Grimsby who have been dodgy for most of the season, but always managed to stay far enough away from the bottom 3 to never look at risk of facing re-election. This match had plenty of chances at goal but it was one side who managed to score, with a goal in the 58th and 89th minutes to walk away with the win.
1895/96 Football League Division 2 Final Table
Football League Division 2 - Champions Wall
| 1889-90 | Sunderland Albion
|
| 1890-91 | Everton |
| 1891-92 | The Wednesday
|
| 1892-93 | Wolverhampton Wanderers
|
| 1893-94 | Walsall Town Swifts
|
| 1894-95 | Newton Heath
|
| 1895-96 | Bury |
1x Football League Division 2 Champions
1895-96 Division 2 Champions
Bury FC
- DinoKea
