Charlton and Sheffield United once again signaled their promotion ambitions with victories in the midweek League One schedule; the latter producing a brilliant comeback against Walsall after falling 2-0 behind at Bramall Lane.
Bradley Wright-Phillips sealed Charlton’s victory over Colchester United after just 28 minutes by scoring a brace; finishing off from a neat one two between himself and Scott Wagstaff and meeting a Johnnie Jackson cross to make it 2-0. Charlton have started the new campaign strong and will want to continue their good form against Scunthorpe at the weekend. Colchester have now won, drawn and lost in their opening three games and will hope for more consistency in the coming weeks. Similar expectations were weighted on Gary Megson’s shoulders at the beginning of the season and it seems those pressures are getting heavier as his Sheffield Wednesday side succumbed to a 2-1 defeat away to newly promoted Bury. Sheffield Wednesday have now suffered back-to-back defeats and it seems the Owl’s fans are becoming frustrated already at their sides poor start to life in League One.
A five goal thriller at Meadow Lane saw Notts County defeat Tranmere 3-2. Tranmere were looking to preserve their perfect start to the campaign and deservedly led at half time but a spirited Magpie side scored the winner courtesy of a Jeff Hughes penalty. Rovers finished the game with nine men after both David Raven and David Buchanan saw red for handling the ball. Preston North End recorded their first League One win away to Chesterfield thanks to headed goals from Clarke Carlisle and Barry Nicholson. Chesterfield failed to replicate their outstanding home form in their new stadium which was the driving force of their successful League Two title win last season. With this win some pressure has been lifted off manager Phil Brown who will look to push on from this well deserved victory.
Elsewhere there were first league wins for Wycombe Wanderers and Oldham Athletic. Both teams were playing away from home and beat Leyton Orient and Scunthorpe respectively. Leyton Orient have failed to register a point in the league and occupy 24th spot after three games. Huddersfield, many peoples tips for automatic promotion after defeat in the play-off final last term couldn’t break down Hartlepool and both teams will feel they had chances to snatch all three points. Huddersfield fans will point out that this draw stretched their clubs unbeaten league record to an impressive 28 matches but will want a victory in their next game.
Another goaless draw was played out at Spotland where Rochdale are still searching for a first league win and they could feel hard done by as a penalty appeal was waved away by referee didn’t have the best of games. Carlisle road their luck in this encounter and sit 13th in the table. Sam Baldock scored in the 10th minute to give MK Dons their second win of the season against a Yeovil side who pressed through-out the game and caused problems for MK. Darren Potter was sent of in the 90th minute having been shown his second yellow card but they held on to jump to 3rd place in the table. Brentford beat Exeter 2-1 with the goals coming from a James Dunne own goal and new signing Clayton Donaldson getting on the scoresheet with a well placed header. Exeter join Scunthorpe, Rochdale, Chesterfield and Leyton Orient in searching for their first league win.
Perhaps the biggest shock of the night came at Dean Court where League One new boys Stevenage certainly showed they are not here to be the whipping boys as they defeated Bournemouth 3-1. They took the lead through Craig Reid two minutes before half time although their were appeals for offside. Into the second half and substitute Harry Arter scored with his first touch. Before Stevenage could kick-on, Adam Barrett saw red for a handling in the area and midfielder John Mousinho converted the spot kick to make it 2-1. In stoppage time substitute Chris Beardsley completed the drubbing on a day when Bournemouth lost young prospect Danny Ings to their former boss Eddie Howe, who is now at Burnley.
