League One Review: 16 August

The first set of midweek fixtures in League One took place on Tuesday and Wednesday night, and there were some surprise results in these early stages of the campaign. Here is your League One Review:

 

Tuesday 16 August 

Chesterfield 2-0 Walsall

Ched Evans scored twice as Chesterfield beat Walsall to move to the top of League One.

Walsall came closest to opening the scoring when Andreas Makris saw his early effort strike the bar, before Spireites came close through Jay O’Shea.

Evans then forced Neil Etheridge into a fine save, before the controversial striker, who has already scored four goals this season, found a way past the keeper from 20 yards.

Four minutes later, Evans netted again, recording back to back home wins for Danny Wilson’s side.

 

AFC Wimbledon 1-2 Scunthorpe United

AFC Wimbledon have continued to struggle in their debut season in League One, and back to back home defeats continue the trend.

But the Dons, who opened the scoring in Saturday’s defeat at home to Bolton, came close through Andy Barcham’s looping header which struck the post.

The Iron broke the deadlock midway through the first half when Tom Hopper headed in Conor Townsend’s cross.

Scunthorpe soon doubled their advantage when Darius Charles clipped Hopper’s heals inside the box, before Josh Morris coolly slotted home from twelve yards.

The Dons, who are yet to pick up a point this season, reduced the deficit on 62 minutes when substitutes Tom Elliott and Dean Parrett combined for Neal Ardley’s side, with Charles converting the rebound, and they could have equalised but for Elliott missing the target with his header.

 

Gillingham 1-1 Swindon Town

Rory Donnelly preserved Gillingham’s unbeaten start to League One as they drew with Swindon.

The Gills fell behind early in the second half through Michael Doughty’s penalty after Darnell Furlong was fouled by Paul Konchesky.

But the hosts, who had first half opportunities through Emmanuel Osadebe and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, levelled after substitute Donnelly struck past Lawrence Vigouroux.

The Gills could have won it but Max Ehmer saw his effort hit the bar, before the Robins were reduced to ten men after Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill was given his second yellow in stoppage time.

 

Port Vale 1-0 Rochdale

Port Vale remain unbeaten in League One as they edged past Rochdale at Vale Park.

But Dale could have taken the lead midway through the first half, but Calvin Andrew’s shot was saved by Jak Alnwick.

But defender Nathan Smith gave the hosts the lead early in the second half, jumping highest to reach Sam Foley’s free kick to head home the opener.

JJ Hooper then missed the opportunity to double the lead when his penalty, after Alex Jones was fouled, was sent wide of the goal, before debutant Jones rounded the keeper late on but his effort was blocked by Niall Canavan.

Milton Keynes Dons 1-2 Bradford City

Bradford recorded back to back away wins as they left the Stadium MK with all three points.

The Bantams scored twice in the opening twenty minutes; first, Mark Mashall’s initial effort was pushed onto the post by goalkeeper David Martin, but Josh Cullen scrambled home the opener, and five minutes later, Stuart McCall’s side doubled their lead when Billy Clarke struck from twenty yards.

The Dons pressed for a goal; Ed Upson hit the post before George Williams tested the Bradford keeper.

But Karl Robinson’s side, who came from two goals down at home to draw with Millwall at the weekend, could only find one reply and it came in second half stoppage time. Upson pounced on the rebound after Paul Downing’s header struck the bar.

 

Charlton Athletic 3-0 Shrewsbury Town

Charlton managed to record their first win of the season as Russell Slade’s side eased past Shrewsbury at the Valley.

Ricky Holmes, a summer signing from Northampton, opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, before Johnnie Jackson doubled the hosts lead with his second goal in as many games.

Holmes then netted his second, and the Addicks third seven minutes later to give Slade’s side a comfortable half time lead.

 

Coventry City 0-0 Bury

Tony Mowbray’s Coventry failed to score for the third successive league game as they Sky Blues played out their second goalless draw at the Ricoh Arena.

Not only did Coventry fail to score, but they failed to register a single shot on target, with the visitors on top for much of the first half.

The Shakers certainly came closest to scoring; first full back Greg Leigh ran forty plus yards before shooting straight at the goalkeeper, before defender Anthony Kay blasted over.

Neither side managed to find a breakthrough and look ahead to Saturday in the hope of adding some more points in the early stages.

 

Oldham Athletic 0-0 Northampton Town

Northampton extended their unbeaten league run to 27 matches after a hard-fought goalless draw at Oldham.

Rob Page’s side should have opened the scoring inside ten minutes, but Matthew Taylor’s swinging free kick was beaten away by goalkeeper Connor Ripley into the path of Alex Revell, who could only direct his resulting effort over.

Lee Erwin then came close for the host’s, but his effort from the edge of the box was cleared off the line by Cobblers defender Aaron Phillips.

As in the first half, neither side could find the breakthrough in the second. Kenji Gorre poked wide for the Latics late on, before Oldham substitute Calaum Jahraldo-Martin fired over from the edge of the box in injury time.

 

Sheffield United 0-3 Southend United

Southend United shocked Sheffield on Tuesday night as Phil Brown’s side left Bramall Lane with all three points.

The Shrimpers, who hadn’t won a game prior to this meeting with the Blades, were 3-0 up inside fifteen first half minutes!

Brown’s side took the lead through a Jack O’Connell own goal, before winger Stephen McLaughlin slid home the second into an open net following a defensive mix up. Another defensive error lead to the Shrimpers third two minutes later, when Simon Cox made it three.

The Blades need to pick themselves up ready for their trip to Millwall on Saturday, whilst Southend can enjoy their first victory of the season.

 

Wednesday 17 August 

Fleetwood Town 2-0 Oxford United

Fleetwood recorded their first home win of the season as they overcome Oxford at the Highbury Stadium.

Devante Cole came closest for Fleetwood inside ten minutes, but his effort was off target, before U’s goalkeeper Simon Eastwood was on hand to deny Sam Long before Cole fired over.

Liam Sercombe, the midfielder that netted the winner in the EFL Cup against Birmingham, came closest to opening the scoring for Michael Appleton’s side, but Fleetwood found the breakthrough shortly after the break when David Ball curled past Eastwood for the first goal.

Substitute Ashley Hunter then added a second for Uwe Rosler’s side with twenty minutes remaining to give Fleetwood the victory.

 

Bristol Rovers 1-2 Bolton Wanderers

Bolton sit top of League One after the Trotters recorded their third successive victory with a win at the Memorial Stadium.

The visitors took an early lead when Josh Vela’s fierce strike found the bottom corner, before Jay Spearing doubled Phil Parkinson’s side’s advantage with a sweet free kick from 25 yards.

The Gas, who hadn’t lost at home since a defeat against Stevenage on 24 November, did reduce the deficit in the second half when Ellis Harrison fired home the rebound after Lee Brown’s free kick was saved, but Darrell Clarke’s side couldn’t find the equaliser, despite Jermaine Easter firing a late effort off target.