04/08/2025
EFL Uncovered Sky Bet League Two Round Up:
Accrington Stanley 1-1 Gillingham: If you’d offered Accrington a point against Gillingham on the opening day, they may just have taken it. In what was an even game, Tyler Walton lit it up after 67 minutes, when he ran past two defenders, took another touch, and rolled it into the bottom corner off the post to give Stanley a dream start to their season. However, an Armani Little curling corner was headed past his own keeper by Stanley defender Devon Matthews on 79 minutes. While both teams threw caution to the wind to try to find a winner, they could only muster an opening day draw.
Barnet 0-2 Fleetwood Town: After seven years outside the EFL, Barnet fell to defeat in their return, losing 2-0 at The Hive to Fleetwood Town. Barnet had a good go from the off, but unfortunately, goalkeeper Owen Evans hadn’t read the script. He was caught out by Will Davies outside the area, who rounded him and tapped into the emptiest of nets to put the Cod Army into the lead. Six minutes into the second half, Ryan Graydon’s curling effort was saved by Owen Evans, as he tried to atone for his error, but unfortunately for him, there was captain Elliott Bonds to tap home to send the away side into raptures. Three points for Fleetwood, but for Barnet, they’re going to have to get rid of the mistakes.
Bristol Rovers 0-1 Harrogate Town: An opening day upset as a potential relegation candidate in Harrogate, put their big boy pants on, and upset the League Two apple cart, beating Bristol Rovers 1-0. Bristol Rovers started off as the better team, but in the second half, Harrogate turned it on, and well deserved their lead, which was given to them by Stephen Duke-McKenna, the Guyana international lifting the ball over goalkeeper Luke Southwood, after latching onto a through ball by Bryn Morris. Harrogate held on, and maybe on this first showing, we should all change our thoughts about Harrogate this season.
Cambridge United 1-0 Cheltenham Town: Cambridge fared better than fellow relegated side Rovers, and beat Cheltenham Town on their return to the fourth tier. U’s were dominant throughout the game, Dom Ball missing a big chance after 15 minutes. Jake Eastwood had to work to keep Cambridge at least level in this one, making a big save from George Miller. The pressure kept building at The Abbey, and Cambridge were rewarded after 59 minutes. Liam Bennett’s cross from the right found Sullay Kaikai in the area, his effort was saved by Joe Day, but it fell to Louis Appere who fired home the rebound.
Chesterfield 1-0 Barrow: Chesterfield made a winning start to the season, beating Barrow 1-0. Chesterfield were very much in charge in the first half, after a quiet start, with Armando Dobra and Will Grigg missing big chances early on. Dilan Markanday also nearly opened the scoring with a curling shot, but then Markanday did get his season off to a flyer, when his near-post header from Dylan Duffy’s cross deceived Will Stanway with a deflection. Barrow had their chances on the break, including one right at the end when Innes Cameron’s shot was saved by the legs of Zach Hemming. Chesterfield held on to this one, a big win to kick things off.
Colchester United 1-1 Tranmere Rovers: Colchester and Tranmere played out a good match, and it ended up with a share of the spoils for both sides. Tranmere took a 15th-minute lead when Connor Jennings swept a low shot past Matt Macey from close range after Cameron Norman had headed Richie Smallwood’s pass into the area, as Colchester failed to clear a corner. It was nearly 2-0 nine minutes later, Omari Patrick’s brilliant free-kick saved by Macey. Colchester then came into the game a bit more, Jaden Williams and then Will Goodwin narrowly missing chances, before they then equalised towards the end, when Kyreece Lisbie picked up Jack Tucker’s pass, before lifting the ball into the top corner of the net for his first goal for the club.
Grimsby Town 3-0 Crawley Town: If Crawley thought it’d be plain sailing returning to League Two, they were poorly mistaken, as they suffered a crushing defeat to Grimsby. Kieran Green was brought down inside the area for the Mariners, and Jaze Kabia converted on his debut to have a dream start at the Lincolnshire club. The Mariners doubled their advantage on the half-hour, a cross from Charles Vernam was met by the head of Cameron McJannet. Kabia hit the bar on the stroke of half time, which would have killed the game, but in the second half, it was stone dead, Evan Khouri wrapped it up after a couple of attempts were blocked.
Milton Keynes Dons 0-0 Oldham Athletic: Talking of dead games, this one barely even started, as new boys Oldham Athletic took a point from supposed league favourites MK Dons. There was only one attempt on target all game, with neither side finding a decisive breakthrough. The only shot on target was from Mike Fondop, whose strike was kept out by Craig MacGillivray, but in truth, the home side were poor, and again, do we think twice about their ambitions this season? For Oldham, a good point in their return to the EFL.
Salford City 1-3 Crewe Alexandra: An entertaining first half, where all the goals were scored, as Crewe won at the Peninsula Stadium. Ben Woodburn missed an early penalty for the home side, before Crewe took the lead after eight minutes. A goalmouth scramble eventually was put into his own net by Kadeem Harris. His debut became even more eventful though, when he scored at the right end this time. Set up by Kallum Cesay, he found the bottom corner of Tom Booth’s goal, and Salford were level. But two goals at the end of the first half proved crucial. Both came from Conor Thomas, the first being a close range finish from a Josh March cross, and the second being a tap in when Salford’s keeper Matty Young failed to deal with Tommi O’Riley’s shot. Crewe hit the bar in the second half, but they settled for three.
Shrewsbury Town 0-0 Bromley: Our second 0-0 draw of the day was at least more eventful than the other one, when Shrewsbury and Bromley played a stalemate, in their first ever league meeting. Shrewsbury had the better of the game, but Bromley played their part in this one. John Marquis, George Nurse and Anthony Scully had the best chances for the Shrews, while Corey Whiteley had his shot saved by Toby Savin. Bromley take a good point, but Shrewsbury miss the chance to just nicely settle back in the bottom tier.
Walsall 2-1 Swindon Town: A game of what might have been for Swindon, came straight after a season of what might have been for Walsall, after they stole a 2-1 win despite being down to ten men. Evan Weir scored my goal of the weekend after 7 minutes, his thunderous free-kick finding the top corner in this one. The keeper stood no chance. Swindon controlled the game, and it became pure dominance when Brandon Comley was sent off after 21 minutes. Drinan missed Swindon’s best chance of the first half, but they were awarded a penalty after 79 minutes, Harry Smith being pulled down. Will Wright squeezed into the bottom corner, and surely there was only going to be one winner right? Well, last year, Walsall may have crumbled, but they picked their moment in this one. Connor Barrett took a square ball, chested it down, and calmly rolled into the corner to give the Saddlers an unexpected win.
Newport County 1-1 Notts County: Newport County and Notts County played out a 1-1 draw on a day where an incident in the stand meant the game had to start at 4pm. After a goalless first half, Newport scored after 49 minutes, when Ged Garner headed them in front on his debut for the club. The lead lasted 15 minutes, Jodi Jones converting from the spot, after Matthew Dennis had been brought down. The hosts nearly went back in front through Michael Reindorf, his effort hitting the post after a lot of confusion in the box, but an opening day draw is never a bad thing.
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