For me, and for many people reading this, the 2015/16 officially began at 16.49 on Saturday afternoon with a flash of Devante Cole’s gloriously powerful thigh. However, 20 other teams also played on Saturday afternoon and here is a quick round-up of the rest of the action from League One.
Blackpool 0-4 Walsall
Walsall went top of League One with a romping 4-0 victory at Bloomfield Road. Many people have predicted that Blackpool will find themselves propping up the table come May and on the back of performances like this it’s easy to see why. Romaine Sawyers doubled his goal tally for the season, scoring two to put the Saddlers at the top of the tree, and to put Blackpool rock... bottom.
Swindon 0-2 Sheffield United
Last season’s Playoffs nearly men came together at the County Ground with Nigel Adkins’ Blades coming out on top with a 0-2 victory. Billy Sharp scored the second goal which rounded off a slick passing move.
Shrewsbury 0-1 Burton Albion
Moving down to third place, attempting to emulate the heroics at Valley Parade Burton Albion waited until the 90th minute to inflict a third straight home defeat on Shrewsbury at the New Meadow, Mark Duffy turning in a late cross to put the Brewers 3rd.
Peterborough 1-1 Gillingham
Gillingham remain unbeaten after Saturday’s game at the ABAX playing out a 1-1 draw with Peterborough. They looked as though were going to go one better when Oshilaja put the Gills ahead in the 85th minute. Posh however rescued a point in front of the home fans after a spill by the Gills keeper Stuart Nelson allowed Jon Taylor to net a late equaliser.
Rochdale 3-0 Barnsley
Keith Hill had a taste of sweet revenge against his former club Barnsley in a comfortable 3-0 victory at Spotland. After their heroic efforts in the Capital One Cup Lee Johnson’s side looked jaded and offered scarce resistance against Hill’s team.
Millwall 0-2 Chesterfield
Chesterfield piled on the misery at the Den on Saturday afternoon running out 0-2 winners. Jay O’Shea scored both goals in a game made to look pretty comfortable by the Spireites.
Doncaster Rovers 2-0 Fleetwood Town
Doncaster appeared to receive the same memo as City did – “the season starts today.” They recorded their first win of the season in front of the home supporters against Fleetwood. Donny veteran James Coppinger opened the scoring at the Keepmoat with a glanced header from a free kick before Curtis Main put the home side two up with a tidy finish. The win lifts Rovers to 14th place.
Bury 1-1 Oldham Athletic
Oldham had a difficult season last time out; they lost their manager Lee Johnson (under whom they seemed to be showing promise) after the bizarre and well documented pursuit of Ched Evens. Whatever your opinion is of the scenario, it is safe to say it didn’t really do any favours for the club. On the back of this many people have predicted that Oldham will struggle this season. Despite this, Oldham took an unbeaten start with them to neighbours Bury, and managed to leave Gigg Lane with that record intact after playing out a 1-1 draw.
Wigan Athletic 1-0 Crewe Alexandra
Wigan edged a northwest derby against Crewe at the DW with a Michael Jacobs goal proving to be the difference between the two teams. Jacobs headed in at the back post courtesy of a deep corner from the man with the greatest name in football: Max Power.
Colchester United 2-2 Scunthorpe United
Colchester fought back from two goals down at home to Scunthorpe to take a well earned point from their game with Scunthorpe. After a hectic opening half hour which saw three goals, one of which an excellent free kick from Scunny’s Kevin Van Veen, the U’s waited until the 81st minute to snatch a draw through George Elokobi.
Bank Holiday Monday's Fixture
Coventry 2-2 Southend
Southend travelled to Coventry for a very entertaining Bank Holiday Monday tie. It was a game which saw two goals and a penalty apiece. One scored by Southend’s David Mooney despite Lee Burge’s best efforts, the other was saved by Southend’s Dan Bentley to Jim O’Brien’s frustration. The point sees Southend move out of the bottom three and moves Coventry to 5th.
Adam Armstrong
League One Top Scorers
1 - Adam Armstrong - Coventry City - 5
2 - Bradley Dack - Gillingham - 4
3 - Nathan Byrne - Swindon Town - 3
3 - Abdenasser El Khayati - Burton Albion - 3
3 - Patrick Madden - Scunthorpe United - 3