League One Review: 6 August

The first weekend of action in League One has concluded, and for the first time this season, The Sports Lowdown brings you a full review of the days action.

Millwall 3-0 Oldham Athletic

Early promotion favourites Millwall went to the top of the league on the opening day as last seasons beaten play-off finalists put three past Oldham.

The Lions were ahead after just thirteen minutes after Cameron Burgess fouled Ben Thompson in the box, allowing Lee Gregory to convert from twelve yards.

The Latics came close to an equaliser, but fell further behind on the stroke of half time as the ball fell loose to Aiden O’Brien from a corner to smash home a second.

Another defensive error, from another corner, resulted in Neil Harris’s side’s third, this time Byron Webster sliding the ball home.

 

 

Southend United 1-3 Gillingham

Gillingham made a strong start to the season as Justin Edinburgh’s side took all three points from Southend.

But it was the Shrimpers that took the lead midway through the first half through Stephen Mclauglin, before Gills keeper Stuart Nelson denied David Moody.

But Gillingham, who finished just outside the playoffs last season, leveled before the break with Jay Emmanuel-Thomas firing in from Paul Konchesky’s corner.

The away side then took the lead two minutes into the second half as Max Ehmer headed in from a long throw, before Emmanuel Osadebe side footed home a third with ten minutes remaining.

 

 

Scunthorpe United 3-1 Bristol Rovers

Bristol Rovers began life back in League One with a defeat at Scunthorpe.

Matty Taylor, who was the top scorer in League Two last season, gave the Gas a first half lead with a calm finish, but the visitors crumbled in the second half.

Terrific efforts from Kevin van Veen and Josh Morris put the Iron ahead, before Kyle Wootton added a third in stoppage time.

 

Walsall 3-1 AFC Wimbledon

Like Bristol Rovers, AFC Wimbledon saw their first game in League One end in defeat on the road as they fell to the same scoreline against Walsall.

Erhun Otzumer, a summer signing from Peterborough, smashed the Saddlers into the lead with a terrific free kick, before a double save from the host’s goalkeeper, Neil Etheridge, kept the Dons at bay.

And those misses proved costly as Simeon Jackson bundled hole from close range after some shabby defending. Jackson then added his second and the host’s third with twenty minutes remaining, tucking home Amadou Bakayoko’s cross.

The Dons did manage a consolation as Lyle Taylor converted a penalty after he’d been fouled by Rico Henry.

 

Bury 2-0 Charlton Athletic

After relegation from the Championship last season, early promotion favorites Charlton suffered an opening day defeat as Russell Slade’s side lost at Bury.

The hosts, who finished 16th last season, were on top from the off, coming close through Jacob Mellis and Tom Soares in the early exchanges. Charlton too had first half chances, most notably former Swindon striker Nicky Ajose on his Addicks debut, but his effort was saved.

Despite ending the half on top, the Shakers came close to going a goal down early in the second, when former Northampton player Ricky Holmes saw his effort strike the post, but the host’s regrouped and were soon awarded a penalty, and Neil Danns slotted the Shakers in front.

Tom Pope then flicked on a Zeli Ismail corner for Kelvin Etuhu to seal Bury’s first opening day win in eight years.

 

Rochdale 2-3 Peterborough United

Peterborough took advantage of a late goalkeeping error to take all three points in a five goal thriller at Spotland.

Rochdale took the lead inside ten minutes when Andy Cannon volleyed home, but the Posh leveled soon after when Marcus Maddison raced on to Hayden White’s pass to score.

But Dale took the lead again shortly after, when Ian Henderson converted from the spot after Joe Rafferty was fouled, but the visitors soon leveled for the second time as Chris Forrester saw long range drive beat Josh Lillis in the Dale goal.

As both sides strengthened in defence, it took a goalkeeping error as stoppage time approached to lead to the winner; Lillis fumbling the ball which fell to Gwion Edwards who headed home the late winner.

Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Sheffield United

After relegation from the Championship last season, Bolton began their League One campaign with a win over Sheffield United.

Both sides kicked off the season with new managers; Phil Parkinson replacing Neil Lennon at Bolton, while former Northampton boss Chris Wilder replaced Danny Wilson.

Leon Clarke came close to opening the scoring for the hosts, but the Trotters did find the breakthrough as former Liverpool midfielder Jay Spearing volleyed home shortly before the break.

Bolton, who haven’t lost at home against the Blades since 1977, could have doubled their lead but for goalkeeper George Long’s fine save to deny Darren Pratley.

 

Shrewsbury Town 0-1 MK Dons

Like Bolton, MK Dons saw their first game in League One following last season’s relegation end with a narrow win at Shrewsbury.

The Dons threatened from two early corners, with Dean Lewington heading over before Joe Walsh forced a conformable save from Jason Leutwiler.

But the Shrews too had chances, with Louis Dodds dragging one wide before forcing David Martin into a save, before AJ Leitch-Smith was denied from a defensive block.

Salop began the second half the way they ended the first, with Martin saving from Simon Whalley, but the misses proved costly as Daniel Powell rifled in past Leutwiler for the games only goal.

 

Swindon Town 1-0 Coventry City

Tony Mowbray’s Coventry made a disappointing start to the season as the Sky Blues conceded a late goal at Swindon.

But the visitors began the brighter, and forward Marvin Sordell saw his effort inside five minutes hit the post, before Jamie Sendles-White saw his eighth minute effort sail wide.

The Robins created more in the second half, but weren’t clinical enough in the final third. That was until four minutes from time, midfielder Yaser Kasim curled home what proved to be the winner for Luke Williams’ side.

Oxford United 1-1 Chesterfield

Oxford United saw their first game back in League One for fifteen years end in a draw as controversial striker Ched Evans rescued a point for Chesterfield.

The U’s, who finished second in League Two last season and reached the JPT Final at Wembley, dominated the early stages, and created a few early chances.

Michael Appleton’s side did made the breakthrough midway through the first half when striker Wes Thomas pounced on the rebound to score on his debut for the club following his arrival from Birmingham.

The Spireites came close to equalising, but Evans miss kicked his effort which went horribly wide.

But the Welshman, who was making his first appearance in four years following his prison sentence after he was convicted of rape, stuck home a free kick from 25 yards to level the game.

 

Northampton Town 1-1 Fleetwood Town

League Two champions Northampton saw their first game in League One end in a draw as Fleetwood shared the spoils.

The Cobblers, now under the management of Rob Page following Chris Wilder’s departure to Sheffield United, took an early, and fortuitous lead, when Chris Neal was unfortunate enough to turn the ball into his own net.

The visitors found it difficult to create the opportunity for an equaliser, before Matt Taylor saw his free kick come close to doubling the hosts advantage.

Northampton should have increased their lead just before the interval when Kenji Gorre volleyed over from six yards from Harry Beautyman’s pinpoint cross.

But Fleetwood were back on level terms seven minutes after the restart when Northampton failed to deal with Conor McLaughlin’s cross and, Victor Nirennold stole in at the far post to score.

Northampton could have regained the lead immediately, but Zander Diamond saw his effort sail over the bar, before Marc Richards fired straight at the goalkeeper.

 

Bradford City 0-0 Port Vale

A game which featured two new managers ended in stalemate at Valley Parade as Bradford and Port Vale ended in a goalless draw.

But Bradford’s Stuart McCall will have more positives to take from his side’s performance than opposite number Bruno Ribeiro as the home side dominated large chunks of the match without being able to supply a finishing touch to their attractive football in front of over 18,000 fans.

Billy Clarkson his effort pushed onto the bar by Vale keeper Jak Alnwick, before James Hanson missed two opportunities for the hosts.

Vale, who included five new signings in their starting line-up, rarely threatened the Bradford goal but almost snatched a win in the last minute of normal time when substitute Christopher Mbamba scuffed his shot with the goal at his mercy from Paulo Tavares’ cross.