League One Review: 20 August

Four league games into the new League One season, and it was once again full of drama and action across the division. Here is your League One review:

 

Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Fleetwood Town

Bolton remain top of League One and stay as the only side in the football league with a 100% record as Phil Parkinson’s side won at home against Fleetwood.

But it didn’t begin as planned for the Trotters; first, a serious first half injury to Zach Clough forced Parkinson into an unnecessary early substitution, before the Cod Army found the breakthrough through David Ball following a defensive mix up.

But Bolton were level shortly after the restart through Gary Madine, before the Fleetwood goalkeeper, Chris Neal, was called upon to deny Kaiyne Woolery and Mark Davies.

But Neal was unable to stop Josh Vela, who saw his thumping effort with little over five minutes remaining secure all three points for the hosts, condemning the visitors to their first defeat of the season.

 

Scunthorpe United 5-0 Gillingham

In-form Gillingham were on the receiving end of a thrashing as they lost at Scunthorpe.

Scunthorpe, who have also made a strong start to the season, took the lead inside five minutes through Kevin van Veen’s second goal of the season, and the Iron soon doubled their advantage after Josh Morris converted from the spot.

Scunthorpe were three goals up by the break when full back Jordan Clarke headed home from a corner.

The Gills, who were unbeaten heading into this game, conceded a fourth when a long range effort from Morris found the back of the net, before striker Tom Hopper converted a low cross into the box from Hakeeb Adelakun.

It could have been 6-0 but substitute Scott Laird’s tame stoppage-time penalty was easily saved.

 

Bradford City 3-1 Coventry City

Bradford move up to 3rd in League One as they eased past Coventry at Valley Parade.

But the Sky Blues, who were yet to score this season, took the lead from Burnley loanee Daniel Agyei, but the host levelled after Jordan Turnbull was dismissed for a foul in the box and skipper Tony McMahon equalities from the spot.

Three minutes later, Mark Marshall’s low shot from 25 yards gave the Bantams the lead, before McMahon added a third, his second from the spot, after Josh Cullen was brought down by Vladimir Gadzhev in the 75th minute.

Shrewsbury Town 2-1 Chesterfield

Chesterfield suffered their first defeat of the season as Shrewsbury claimed their first win.

The host’s began better, on loan Stoke winger Moha Choulay’s run and pass set up Ivan Toney, but his effort was off target.

But the Spireites, who had won their last two games, took the lead when Jay O’Shea struck home from just inside the box.

Gboly Ariyibi could have doubled the visitors lead but his effort was saved by Jayson Leutwiler in the Shrews goal.

But Salop, who were in search of their first league goal of the season, levelled soon after when Choulay’s corner was headed in by Junior Brown.

Ched Evans, who has already netted four goals this season, saw his 30 yard free kick saved by Leutwiler, before Shrews defender Adam El-Abd headed a late winner to give Micky Mellon’s side all three points.

 

Walsall 1-2 Charlton Athletic

Charlton recorded back to back wins after a Nicky Ajose brace gave them the win at Walsall.

Ajose, signed from Swindon in the summer, netted his first Addicks goal from close range before the break ,but it came after Charlton goalkeeper Declan Rudd made a terrific double save to keep the game goalless.

But Rudd was unable to keep out from Morris’ long range effort which brought the Saddlers back into the game.

However, Russell Slade’s side regained their lead just two minutes later, with Ajose poking home from close range, before Rudd denied Jackson’s effort late on.

 

Swindon Town 1-0 Port Vale

Swindon bounced back from their midweek defeat against Chesterfield with a win at home against Port Vale.

Neither side created much in the opening half, with JJ Hopper being denied by a last ditch block from Robins defender Lloyd Jones.

But the Valiants, who were unbeaten heading into this game, fell behind early in the second half when Bradley Barry netted his first senior goal to give the hosts the lead.

Vale couldn’t find a way back into the game, and left the County Ground with no points.

Rochdale 0-1 MK Dons

In a game of goalkeeping heroics, it took an injury time winner to secure all three points for MK Dons at Spotland.

Rochdale keeper Conrad Logan denied Nicky Maynard, before Ben Reeves was denied for the visitors by a block from Dale defender Niall Canavan.

Martin also denied midfielder Matt Lund, and produced a wonderful one handed save to keep out Donal McDermott.

At the other end, Logan kept out Daniel Powell and Kabongo Tshimanga in quick succession, before saving Reeves’ 76th minute penalty.

Martin then denied Ian Henderson’s point blank header in the final ten, but Karl Robinson’s side found the breakthrough in stoppage time when Scott Wootton’s header found the back of the net.

 

Millwall 2-1 Sheffield United

Millwall bounced back from their heavy midweek defeat at Peterborough with a win over struggling Sheffield United.

Despite the Blades starting quickest in the game, the Lions took the lead through Shaun Williams, but Chris Wilder’s side, who are yet to pick up a point in the league this season, levelled shortly after through Stefan Scougall.

And with a draw looking likely, the hosts were awarded a late penalty when Jack O’Connell’s handball gave Steve Morison the chance from twelve yards, which he duly delivered with success.

 

Oxford United 2-1 Peterborough United

Oxford United recorded their first win of the season as they overcame a strong Peterborough side at the Kassam Stadium.

In a first half of little chances, the visitors came closest through Gwion Edwards, but his effort was saved by Simon Eastwood.

And the U’s took the lead after the restart; Wes Thomas, who scored in Oxford’s opening day draw with Chesterfield, shifted the ball to his right foot and it went past Ben Alnwick via a deflection.

But the Posh, who were looking for their fourth win in five league and cup games this season, levelled in the 62nd minute through Tom Nichols.

Eastwood was in fine form in the second half, denying Jermaine Anderson, before Chris Maguire won a penalty for the hosts after he was fouled by Jack Baldwin, who received a second yellow. Maguire stepped up, and gave Oxford their first win after their fifteen years absence from the third tier of English football.

Bury 0-1 Oldham Athletic

Oldham claimed a 1-0 win at local rivals Bury to register their first League One victory of the season.

The Latics, who had failed to score in their opening three games, took an early through Leon Barnett’s own goal.

The Shakers pressed for an equaliser, but Danny Mayor fired wide, before Nicky Clark missed their best chance with five minutes left.

 

Northampton Town 0-0 AFC Wimbledon

League Two champions and League Two playoff winner Wimbledon played out a goalless draw at Sixfields.

The Dons created the better of the early chances, but it was a good display from both defenses throughout.

Kenji Gorre tested former Cobblers goalkeeper Ryan Clarke, before John-Joe O’Toole headed over.

Lyle Taylor came close for the Dons, before Gorre was once again denied by Clarke.

In the second half, Darius Charles saw his headed effort sail off target, as did Tom Elliott, whilst Jake Reeves had two efforts deflected wide, all for the visitors.

 

Southend United 1-1 Bristol Rovers

Southend and Bristol Rovers shared the spoils after Simon Cox’s late penalty rescued a point at Roots Hall.

In an uneventful first half, the Gas came closest to scoring when Ollie Clarke saw his long range effort saved by Shrimpers goalkeeper Mark Oxley.

In the second half, Stephen McLaughlin saw his effort for the hosts easily saved, before Oxley denied Matty Taylor’s 20 yard effort.

But from the resulting corner, Peter Hartley headed in to give the Gas the lead, but Phil Brown’s side levelled with under ten minutes remaining from the spot after Ellis Harrison was adjudged to have handled the ball. Cox stepped up and successfully converted from the spot to share the spoils.