2017–18 Scottish League Two
Football league season
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2017–18 Scottish League Two (known as Ladbrokes League Two for sponsorship reasons) was the 24th season in the current format of 10 teams in the fourth-tier of Scottish football. The last placed team entered a play-off with a team nominated by the Scottish Football Association from outside the SPFL determining which team enters League Two in the 2018–19 season.[3] The fixtures were published on 23 June 2017.[4]
| Season | 2017–18 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Montrose |
| Promoted | Montrose Stenhousemuir |
| Matches | 180 |
| Goals | 500 (2.78 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | David Goodwillie (25 goals)[1] |
| Biggest home win | Peterhead 7–0 Elgin City[2] (2 January 2018) |
| Biggest away win | Stirling Albion 0–5 Montrose[2] (7 April 2018) |
| Highest scoring | Montrose 2–6 Peterhead[2] (30 December 2017) |
| Longest winning run | 7 matches:[2] Peterhead |
| Longest unbeaten run | 10 matches:[2] Montrose |
| Longest winless run | 24 matches:[2] Cowdenbeath |
| Longest losing run | 5 matches:[2] Cowdenbeath Edinburgh City |
| Highest attendance | 2,380[2] Montrose 1–1 Elgin City (28 April 2018) |
| Lowest attendance | 216[2] Cowdenbeath 0–2 Peterhead (24 February 2018) |
| Total attendance | 88,681[2] |
| Average attendance | 492[2] |
← 2016–17 2018–19 →
All statistics correct as of 12 May 2018. | |
Ten teams contested the league: Annan Athletic, Berwick Rangers, Clyde, Cowdenbeath, Edinburgh City, Elgin City, Montrose, Peterhead, Stenhousemuir and Stirling Albion.
Prize money
In April 2018, the SPFL confirmed the prize money to be allocated to the league members at the conclusion of the competitions. The League Two winners would receive £64,000 with a total pot of £24.5 million to be distributed across the four divisions.[5]
Teams
The following teams changed division since the 2016–17 season.
To League TwoRelegated from Scottish League One
|
From League TwoPromoted to Scottish League One
|
Stadia and locations
| Annan Athletic | Berwick Rangers | Clyde | Cowdenbeath |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galabank | Shielfield Park | Broadwood Stadium | Central Park |
| Capacity: 2,504[6] | Capacity: 4,099[7] | Capacity: 8,086[8] | Capacity: 4,309[9] |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Edinburgh City |
 2017–18 Scottish League Two (Scotland) |
Elgin City | |
| Ainslie Park[10] | Borough Briggs | ||
| Capacity: 3,000 | Capacity: 4,520[11] | ||
.jpg) |
 | ||
| Montrose | Peterhead | Stenhousemuir | Stirling Albion |
| Links Park | Balmoor | Ochilview Park | Forthbank Stadium |
| Capacity: 4,936[12] | Capacity: 3,150[13] | Capacity: 3,746[14] | Capacity: 3,808[15] |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Personnel and kits
| Team | Manager | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annan Athletic |  Peter Murphy |
 Peter Watson[16] |
Stanno | M&S Engineering Ltd[17] |
| Berwick Rangers | Robbie Horn |
Steven Notman |
Mitre[18] | JMS Harkin (H)[19] P J Brown (A)[19] |
| Clyde | Danny Lennon |
Kevin Nicoll[20] |
Hummel[20] | Advance Construction Group (H)[21] Rock Regen (A)[20] |
| Cowdenbeath | Gary Bollan |
Scott Rumsby[22] |
Uhlsport[23] | Subsea Pressure Controls[23] |
| Edinburgh City | James McDonaugh |
 Josh Walker[24] |
Joma[25] | CMC Property[26] |
| Elgin City | Gavin Price |
Jon Paul McGovern[27] |
EC 1893[28] | McDonald & Munro[28] |
| Montrose | Stewart Petrie |
Paul Watson[29] |
Nike[30] | Carnegie Fuels Ltd[30] |
| Peterhead | Jim McInally |
David McCracken[31] |
Adidas | Independent Oilfield Services |
| Stenhousemuir | Brown Ferguson |
Michael Dunlop[32] |
Mitre[33] | Warriors in the Community |
| Stirling Albion | Dave Mackay |
Willie Robertson[34] |
Macron | Prudential |
Managerial changes
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming manager | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clyde | Jon-Paul McGovern & Peter MacDonald (joint interim) |
End of interim | 6 May 2017 | Pre-season | Jim Chapman |
20 May 2017[35] |
| Annan Athletic | Jim Chapman |
Signed by Clyde | 20 May 2017[35] | Peter Murphy |
2 June 2017 | |
| Cowdenbeath | Gary Locke |
Signed by Heart of Midlothian | 1 July 2017[36] | Billy Brown |
1 July 2017[37] | |
| Berwick Rangers |  John Coughlin |
Sacked | 22 August 2017[38] | 9th | Robbie Horn |
29 August 2017[39] |
| Edinburgh City | Gary Jardine |
Resigned | 30 September 2017[40] | 9th | James McDonaugh |
10 October 2017[41] |
| Elgin City | Jim Weir |
Signed by Forfar Athletic | 1 October 2017[42] | 6th | Gavin Price |
12 October 2017[43][44] |
| Cowdenbeath | Billy Brown |
Resigned | 31 October 2017[45] | 10th | Gary Bollan |
14 November 2017[46] |
| Clyde | Jim Chapman |
Sacked | 31 October 2017[47] | 8th | Danny Lennon |
13 November 2017[48] |
League summary
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montrose (C, P) | 36 | 23 | 8 | 5 | 60 | 35 | +25 | 77 | Promotion to League One |
| 2 | Peterhead | 36 | 24 | 4 | 8 | 79 | 39 | +40 | 76 | Qualification for the League One play-offs |
| 3 | Stirling Albion | 36 | 16 | 7 | 13 | 61 | 52 | +9 | 55 | |
| 4 | Stenhousemuir (O, P) | 36 | 15 | 9 | 12 | 56 | 47 | +9 | 54 | |
| 5 | Clyde | 36 | 14 | 9 | 13 | 52 | 50 | +2 | 51 | |
| 6 | Elgin City | 36 | 14 | 7 | 15 | 54 | 61 | −7 | 49 | |
| 7 | Annan Athletic | 36 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 49 | 41 | +8 | 47 | |
| 8 | Berwick Rangers | 36 | 9 | 10 | 17 | 31 | 59 | −28 | 37 | |
| 9 | Edinburgh City | 36 | 7 | 9 | 20 | 37 | 62 | −25 | 30 | |
| 10 | Cowdenbeath (O) | 36 | 4 | 10 | 22 | 23 | 56 | −33 | 22 | Qualification for the League Two play-off final |
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted
Positions by round
The table lists the positions of teams after each week of matches. In order to preserve chronological progress, any postponed matches are not included in the round at which they were originally scheduled, but added to the full round they were played immediately afterwards. For example, if a match is scheduled for matchday 13, but then postponed and played between days 16 and 17, it will be added to the standings for day 16.
| Leader - Promotion to 2018–19 Scottish League One | |
| Qualification to League One play-offs | |
| Qualification to League Two play-offs |
| Team \ Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montrose | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Peterhead | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Stirling Albion | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Stenhousemuir | 7 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Clyde | 9 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Elgin City | 6 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Annan Athletic | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Berwick Rangers | 1 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| Edinburgh City | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
| Cowdenbeath | 5 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Source: [citation needed]
Updated: 28 April 2018
Results
Teams play each other four times, twice in the first half of the season (home and away) and twice in the second half of the season (home and away), making a total of 180 games, with each team playing 36.
First half of season
|
Second half of season
|
|
Season statistics
Scoring
Top scorers
- As of matches played on 28 April 2018
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Goodwillie |
Clyde | 25 |
| 2 | Darren L. Smith |
Stirling Albion | 22 |
| 3 | Rory McAllister |
Peterhead | 20 |
| Mark McGuigan |
Stenhousemuir | ||
| 5 | Blair Henderson |
Annan Athletic | 16 |
| 6 | Russell McLean |
Peterhead | 15 |
| 7 | Aidan Smith |
Annan Athletic | 12 |
| 8 | Lewis Milne |
Montrose | 11 |
| Chris Templeman |
Montrose | ||
| 10 | Brian Cameron |
Elgin City | 10 |
Hat-tricks
| Player | For | Against | Result | Date | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blair Henderson | Annan Athletic | Stenhousemuir | 3–1 | 9 December 2017 | [50] |
| Russell McLean | Peterhead | Annan Athletic | 3–3 | 20 February 2018 | [51] |
| Lewis Milne | Montrose | Stirling Albion | 5–0 | 7 April 2018 | [52] |
| Blair Henderson | Annan Athletic | Stirling Albion | 3–1 | 21 April 2018 | [53] |
Discipline
Player
Yellow cards
|
Red cards
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Club
Yellow cards
Source:[55]
|
Red cards
Source:[55] |
Attendances
| Pos | Team | Total | High | Low | Average | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montrose | 13,023 | 2,380 | 353 | 723 | +19.5% |
| 2 | Stirling Albion | 11,839 | 1,012 | 395 | 657 | +2.8% |
| 3 | Peterhead | 11,013 | 1,049 | 394 | 611 | +21.2% |
| 4 | Elgin City | 10,933 | 883 | 393 | 607 | −11.6% |
| 5 | Clyde | 8,865 | 804 | 402 | 492 | −6.5% |
| 6 | Berwick Rangers | 7,807 | 596 | 295 | 433 | +1.6% |
| 7 | Stenhousemuir | 6,598 | 976 | 220 | 420 | −1.9% |
| 8 | Annan Athletic | 6,236 | 507 | 248 | 346 | −10.4% |
| 9 | Edinburgh City | 5,794 | 464 | 223 | 321 | −19.7% |
| 10 | Cowdenbeath | 5,751 | 406 | 216 | 319 | −7.5% |
| League total | 88,681 | 2,380 | 216 | 492 | −8.4% |
Awards
Monthly awards
| Month | Manager of the Month | Player of the Month | Ref. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manager | Club | Player | Club | ||
| August | Dave Mackay |
Stirling Albion | Darren L. Smith |
Stirling Albion | [57] |
| September | Brown Ferguson |
Stenhousemuir | Mark McGuigan |
Stenhousemuir | |
| October | Gavin Price |
Elgin City | Craig Johnston |
Montrose | |
| November | Stewart Petrie |
Montrose | Cammy Ballantyne |
Montrose | |
| December | Jim McInally |
Peterhead | Rory McAllister |
Peterhead | |
| January | Jim McInally |
Peterhead | Darren L. Smith |
Stirling Albion | |
| February | Dave Mackay |
Stirling Albion | Peter MacDonald |
Stirling Albion | |
| March |  Danny Lennon |
Clyde | Chris McStay |
Clyde | |
League Two play-offs
The first round was contested between the winners of the 2017–18 Highland Football League (Cove Rangers) and the 2017–18 Lowland Football League (Spartans). The winners then played against the bottom club in League Two, and would have been promoted to League Two for the 2018–19 season if they had won.
Due to fixture congestion in the Highland League preventing a champion being crowned in time, the dates for the first round were pushed back a week.[58]
First round
First leg
| 28 April 2018 | Cove Rangers | 4–0 | Spartans | Inverurie |
| 15:00 | Megginson  42'McManus 49' (pen.), 67'Watson 52' |
The Scotsman | Stadium: Harlaw Park Referee: David Munro |
Second leg
| 1 May 2018 | Spartans | 2–1 (2–5 agg.) | Cove Rangers | Edinburgh |
| 19:45 | Dishington 78' Atkinson 87' |
Edinburgh Evening News | McManus 67' |
Stadium: Ainslie Park Attendance: 655 Referee: Steven Reid |
Second round
First leg
| 5 May 2018 | Cove Rangers | 0–0 | Cowdenbeath | Inverurie |
| 15:00 | Report | Stadium: Harlaw Park Attendance: 650 Referee: John McKendrick |
Second leg
| 12 May 2018 | Cowdenbeath | 3–2 (3–2 agg.) | Cove Rangers | Cowdenbeath |
| 14:00 | Swann 7' (pen.), 50' Smith 70' |
Report | Megginson 9', 22' |
Stadium: Central Park Attendance: 1762 Referee: Steven Kirkland |