L1 & L2 Roundup: August 22

League One and Two was as exciting as ever in game week 3 of the season. We had a big club notching their first win and a six goal thriller in League One and a seven goal thriller plus a big upset in League Two. Here is our round-up…

LEAGUE ONE

Wigan Athletic kept their 100% record going with a comfortable victory over a goal shy Oldham side at Boundary Park. John Sheridan’s men fell behind early when Ivan Toney scrambled home after a short corner. It got worse for the Latics just 8 minutes later as Michael Jacobs doubled the lead. Oldham were never really a threat and finished the game with only two shots on target, much work to be done for Sheridan.

Doncaster and Blackpool played out a thriller at the Keepmoat as two of the promoted sides from last season played out a 3-3 draw. The Blackpool goal keeper was unfortunate with the Doncaster first as the ball ricocheted back of the crossbar before hitting Allsop and going in. His team mates rallied immediately and were level a minute late thanks to a 30 yard screamer from Longstaff. Donnie were back in front before half time as John Marquis scored his second in as many games before Turton scored with a nice curling effort. May edged Rovers in front for a third time but testament to Blackpool’s resilience as Cooke equalised just a minute later to restore parity for the away side for the third time in the match.

Two sides that hadn’t scored before today met at Stadium MK and debutant Osman Sow opened his and MK Don’s account for the season just after half time. MK Dons missed a penalty when Agard saw his effort after Ryan Seagar was brought down. Gillingham were also looking for their first point and goal of the season but were unable to score even missing a penalty of their own, falling to their third defeat of the season.

Oxford Beaten

Josh Morris scored the only goal at Glanford Park as Oxford fell to their first defeat of the season. The U’s were out of sorts and never really looked like scoring as the home side had the best of the second half. Morris scored his goal in the 83rd minute when his ball into the box evaded everyone and found the corner of the net. Jonathan Obika did hit the bar late on for Oxford but it was a deserved win for the Iron.

Fleetwood beat Wimbledon 2-0 to keep their perfect start going. Devante Cole scored both goals and Kyle Dempsey was excellent in the middle of the park for the Cod Army. Wimbledon are struggling to score and only mustered one shot on target as they fell to defeat again.

Southend and Plymouth Argyle drew 1-1 at Roots Hall despite the hosts taking an early lead when Bradley put through his own net. Ryan Edwards has been excellent for the Pilgrims since signing from Morecambe this summer and it was his header that levelled things up just after the hour. Graham Carey nearly nicked it late on but was stopped by a brilliant save by Oxley.

Bury lost at home to Bristol Rovers despite a late rally at Gigg lane. Beckford and Ajose both scored in injury time but by that time the game was already over thanks to goals from Lockyer and a pair from Billy Bodin. Rovers will be pleased to have grabbed the win after losing their opening matches. Bury are conceding too many if they are to make a play-off challenge which was their pre-season ambition.

Samuel Scores Again

Blackburn are off the mark this season as they beat Bradford in a close game at Valley Parade. Stuart McCall’s side had won both their games before Rovers came to town and were beaten by a Dominic Samuel header just after half time. The only plus for the Bantams was Charlie Wykes return as substitute after injury.

Forster-Caskey On The Mark

Charlton were just too strong for Northampton at The Valley, winning 4-1 and ahead after only two minutes when Josh Magennis headed home. Holmes managed to score to make it 2-0 before Marc Richards scored Northampton’s first goal of the season to get the away side back in the game. Any hope was extinguished when Forster-Caskey scored twice in stoppage time to give the score line a bit of gloss.

Shrewsbury Town have started this campaign brilliantly. Paul Hurst brought in a lot of players of the summer and they are proving to be shrewd additions. Rochdale were the visitors and took the lead when Steve Davies scored from the spot but Shrewsbury quickly turned things around and Shaun Whalley scored a spot kick of his own before Carlton Morris scored his first for the club to give them the lead going into the break. Steve Davies made it 2-2 midway through the second half with yet another penalty but Salop took all the points thank to a goal from new signing Payne with 16 minutes left.

Brett Pitman scored a late penalty for Pompey to make sure that they at least got a point out their match at home to Walsall. The West Midlands outfit took the lead when Luke Leahy finished off a Wilson cross. It was end to end stuff and Pompey nearly won it late on but Pitman missed the target.

Jack Marriott and Keiffer Moore were amongst the goals agains as Peterborough beat Rotherham at London Road. Marriott gave Posh the lead just after the break when his shot nicked the inside of the post and went in. Moore grabbed the equaliser when he headed home Frecklington’s cross but Marriot stole the points for the home side 15 minutes from time when he lobbed O’Donnell with a beautiful effort, a worthy match winner!

LEAGUE TWO

Coventry were shocked at the Ricoh by the brilliant Newport County. The Exiles have looked a different team ever since Mike Flynn took over and dramatically saved them, from relegation at the end of last season. He has changed the style of play this time round and looks to get his side to break with pace. The only goal in this one came from new signing Reece Cole. The on-loan Brentford midfielder hit a shot that Coventry keeper O’Brien spilled over the line. Coventry had a couple of late chances but could not find the edqualiser.

A thriller at the New Lawn between Forest Green and Yeovil was the highlight of the day in League Two. Olomola and Otis Khan shot the away side into the lead only for Christian Doidge to pull a goal back. Zoko restored the two goal advantage for the away side but Reece Brown hit a well struck free-kick deep into first have stoppage time to reduce the arrears for Rovers. They came out fighting in the second half and Cooper leveled things up before Bugiel headed the winner to complete the turn-around.

Luton bounced back with a win against a disappointing Colchester United at Kenilworth Road. Without Isaac Vassell Luton still had plenty going forward and it was Olly Lee who opened the scoring just before half time. James Collins doubled the advantage 7 minutes after the break and Luton were clearly the better side. Szmodic’s header was as close as Colchester came but Stech made a great save. Potts rounded off the win flicking home in the last ten minutes for a Luton third.

Assist For Former Royal

Crawley are still looking for their first win and Cambridge grabbed their first with a 1-0 on the road. Jabo Ibehre scored his first for the club tapping home after Reading Academy product, Uche Ikpeazu’s effort was parried by the Crawley keeper. Crawley were unlucky and hit the woodwork twice, Noble hit the bar with a beautiful curling shot and then Harrad hit the post after swiveling in the box.

Exter beat Lincoln 1-0 at St James Park in a close game. The only goal was thumped home by Reuben Reid after good work from McAlinden. Lincoln struggled to create clear cut chances but substitute Anderson saw his effort deflect just wide as Exeter held on for the win.

Carlisle made easy work of Cheltenham at Brunton Park, helped by Harry Pell’s own gal after just 5 minutes. Reggie Lambe made it 2-0 with a neat finish and Miller scored a lovely curled effort to make it 3-0 before the end to give the Cumbrians the deserved victory.

Morecambe were edged out by a tidy Swindon performance at the Globe Arena. Donal McDermot scored a worthy match winner with a left foot curling in to the top corner just 13 minutes in. Morecambe worked hard but created little and when they did break through they found Swindon keeper Vigouroux in fine form.

Wycombe Beaten

Wycombe’s defending cost the Chairboys the match at Adams Park after they allowed Duffy to head home and more comical defending allowed County to double the lead a minute later. O’Nien hit his clearance against El-Abd’s legs, sending it into the net. Wycombe fought back when Freeman scored with a well hit volley before Jacobson’s free-kick made it 2-2 but a Foote header and Alessandra’s scrappy fourth sealed the win for the Magpies.

Chesterfield got their first win of the season thanks to two goals just before half time. Kristian Dennis scored the first on 38 minutes when he cut a low shot past the Vale keeper and then a mad 30 second spell finally ended with Sinnott adding the second at the third attempt. Vale created a few chances and Tom Pope saw his goal bound effort saved by Tommy Lee but it is a second defeat on the bounce for the Valiants.

Stevenage won their first game of the season, running out comfortable winners against Grimsby at Broadhall Way. Danny Newton scored his third of the season with a lovely turn and lob and Jonathan Smith made in two nil on the stroke of half time. The impressive Ben Kennedy curled in a beautiful third before Sam Jones was sent off for an off the ball incident for Grimsby. Danny Collins headed home a late consolation but a deserved win for Darren Sarll’s men.

Crewe’s Chris Porter got the winner in Alexandra’s home win over Barnet. The Bees have not done well in recent seasons at Gresty Road and they were doomed to fail again thanks to the veteran strikers neat finish 15 minutes from time. Barnet had a couple of chances but Dagnall missed a couple of chances for Crewe as they grabbed their first win of the season.

Accrington bounced back from defeat at Yeovil by beating the hotly tipped Mansfield at the Wham thanks to goals from Kayden Jackson and Billy Kee. Jackson opened the scoring with his fourth of the season, turning in the box before firing in low. Lee Angol scored his first of the season to equalise following a defensive mix up but Kee slammed home the winner after McConville’s corner was not cleared.