League One Review: 13 August

The second fixture in League One has taken place and although it’s difficult to predict who will finish where, it’s interesting to see the starts that some sides have made.

Here is your League One Review:

 

Gillingham 2-1 Bury

Back to back wins have sent Gillingham to the top of League One after the first two games.

Right back Ryan Jackson gave the Gills a sixth minute lead, before his cross in the second half was inadvertently turned in to his own net my Bury skipper, Antony Kay.

Tom Pope managed a consolation with a well placed header, but the Shakers were unable to find an equaliser.

 

AFC Wimbledon 1-2 Bolton Wanderers

Bolton ended their remarkable 495 day wait for a win on the road thanks to Liam Trotters winner at Kingsmeadow.

But the Dons, who were playing their first home game ever in League One, took the lead through Andy Barcham, but Phil Parkinson’s side levelled before the break through Gary Madine’s scruffy effort.

The Trotters completed the turnaround when Trotter turned home Madine’s delivery from the right with twenty minutes remaining.

 

MK Dons 2-2 Millwall 

A brace from debutant Keiran Agard earned MK Dons a draw against Millwall, despite the visitors taking a two goal advantage.

But Neil Harris’s side, who won their opening fixture 3-0 at home to Oldham, took the lead when Tony Craig opened the scoring, moments before David Worrall added a second just three minutes later at the Stadium MK.

But Agard, who arrived at the club on Thursday for a club record transfer fee from Bristol City, tool advantage of some poor Lions defending to reduce the deficit, before the 26 year old lobbed keeper Jordan Archer to level the game before the break.

Neither side were able to find a winner, and two of the promotion favourites shared the spoils.

 

Fleetwood Town 2-2 Scunthorpe United

Scunthorpe came from two goals down to earn a point at Fleetwood.

Uwe Rosler’s side took the lead shortly before the break when Eggert Jónsson headed in at the back post, and added a second just after the break through David Ball’s fine solo effort.

But the Iron, who are unbeaten since April, reduced the deficit through Tom Hopper’s 63rd minute effort, before Kevin van Veen’s stunning 30 yard strike five minutes later brought the game level.

Both sides have late chances to win the game; Jónsson saw a late header beaten off the line, before Hopper won a goalmouth scramble only to be denies by the goalkeeper.

 

Chesterfield 3-1 Swindon Town

Ched Evans marked his Proact Stadium debut with his second goal of the season as Chesterfield eased past Swindon Town.

Gary Liddle put the hosts ahead midway through the first half after he followed up on a rebound, and they doubled their lead in first half stoppage time when Jay O’Shea converted from the spot after Nathan Thompson fouled Evans.

The Robins did improve in the second half but Evans added a third when Gboly Ariyibi crossed for the Welshman, before Darnell Furlong scored a late consolation.

 

Oldham Athletic 0-0 Walsall

Despite this game ending in a goalless draw, it was an entertaining match at Boundary Park.

The hosts began the better, with Billy McKay striking over from 20 yards, before Franck Moussa shot wide for the visitors.

The Saddlers’ Andreas Makris then forced the Latics keeper into a good save, before McKay saw his header saved.

 

Port Vale 2-0 Southend United

Southend sit bottom of League One after their second successive defeat as Phil Brown’s side lost at Port Vale.

But the Shrimpers, who have lost eight successive games in all competitions, came closest to opening the scoring when Simon Cox’s header deflected onto the bar. It proved costly as shortly after, first half substitute Anton Forrester headed in Sam Foley’s cross.

Valiants defender, Nathan Smith, almost gifted the Essex side an equaliser after the break when David Mooney’s header hit his legs before striking the post.

Again, the miss proved costly as Forrester played in Remie Street to double the hosts lead and earn Bruno Ribeiro his first win in charge.

 

Peterborough United 0-1 Bradford City

Jordy Hiwula netted his first Bradford goal as the Bantams took all three points against Peterborough.

The goal came after just twelve minutes as Hiwula, on loan from Huddersfield, met Tony McMahon’s cross with a cushioned header.

Grant McCann’s side created little at the ABAX Stadium, with Marcus Maddison seeing his late effort saved.

 

Charlton Athletic 1-1 Northampton Town

Threw games into League One life under Russell Slade and Charlton Athletic are still in search for their first win as they were held at home by League Two champions Northampton.

Alex Revell, who used to play under Slade at Leyton Orient and Cardiff City, opened the scoring for the Cobblers, heading in from Alfie Potter’s cross, before Harry Beautyman’s effort failed to double the visitors lead.

But the Addicks, who were booed off at the break, levelled early in the second half when skipper Johnnie Jackson coolly slotted home, after Andrew Crofts and Nicky Ajose both wasted chances for Slade’s side.

 

Sheffield United 1-1 Rochdale

Sheffield United and Rochdale both remain in search for their first league win of the season after the sides drew at Bramall Lane.

Mark Duffy went close early doors for the hosts, before Donal McDermott wasted a few opportunities for the Dale.

But Andy Cannon fired Keith Hill’s side ahead before the break, capitalising on a rebound.

Leon Clarke came close to an equaliser, but his effort sailed just wide. But the Blades found a late leveller when skipper Billy Sharpe swept home a first time finish to earn a point.

 

Coventry City 0-0 Shrewsbury Town

Coventry and Shrewsbury also picked up their first point of the season as the two sides played out a goalless draw at the Ricoh Arena.

Coventry dominated the first half, but failed to really test Shrews goalkeeper, Jason Leutwiler.

Kyel Reid and Andy Rose both has chances for the Sky Blues, before Louis Dodds came close for a visitors goal.

With the game heading for a stalemate, Ivan Toney could have snatched all three points for Micky Mellon’s side, but his effort struck the bar.

 

Sunday 14 August 

Bristol Rovers 2-1 Oxford United

Ten man Oxford United were on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline as two of last seasons promoted sides met at the Memorial Stadium.

Darrell Clarke’s side, who lost their opening League One fixture, could have scored twice within the opening few minutes, but U’s goalkeeper Simon Eastwood denied Mark McChrystal before Rory Gaffney failed to capitalise on his effort.

Gaffney then had another opportunity, before summer signing Kane Hemmings came close to opening his Oxford account.

But the hosts found the breakthrough; Jermaine Easter powered past Aaron Martin before smashing the opener past Eastwood. However, the U’s pressed for an equaliser and were soon rewarded when Hemmings latched on to a flick from Ryan Taylor before firing home.

Both sides were positive in the second half; Alex MacDonald saw his efforts sail just wide, before Tom Lockyer saw his headed effort off target.

The U’s then saw right back Sam Long dismissed for a second yellow, before make shift full back Liam Sercombe uncharacteristically headed the ball into the path of Matty Taylor, who smashed home what proved to be the winner.

Eastwood made another save, this time from Christian Montano, before Tyler Roberts missed a glorious opportunity to level with five minutes remaining, seeing his effort sail over.