Leagues One and Two take centre stage in this week’s Football League Roundup. The Championship, as well as the Premier League, paused for the week while the majority of the players represented their countries during the international break.

Despite this, there was still plenty to talk about in action-packed games from across the two divisions.

Football League Roundup: Week Five

Charlton Edge Oldham in Seven-Goal Thriller

Karl Robinson’s Charlton continued their impressive start to the season with a 4-3 away win over Oldham.

The win condemns Oldham to their fifth straight defeat, while Charlton go up to third. The Addicks are just one point off the automatic promotion places, behind Shrewsbury and Peterborough.

It was the visitors who dominated early on, and the pressure told when they took the lead. Ricky Holmes scored arguably the goal of the weekend, crashing in a stunning 30-yard strike, leaving Oldham ‘keeper Ben Wilson with no chance.

Just three minutes later, Oldham found themselves in more trouble. Tarique Fosu-Henry doubled the visitors’ lead on 21 minutes. The winger cut in from the left before curling into the far bottom corner from inside the box.

Oldham improved after this setback, however. On 31 minutes, Charlton’s Patrick Bauer was penalised for a foul Craig Davies. This gave Oldham the chance to half the deficit and they did so, through Davies himself.

Oldham started the second half the way they finished the first; on top. Just six minutes into the half, deadline day signing Eoin Doyle controlled a long ball over the top and slotted into the bottom corner to bring the Latics level.

The jubilation of being level didn’t last long, though. Referee Ross Joyce felt as though Ousmane Fane’s challenge on Chris Solly warranted a second yellow card, much to the displeasure of the home crowd and Oldham manager, John Sheridan.

Billy Clarke capitalised on the numerical advantage just ten minutes after the dismissal. He was put through by Fosu-Henry, and scored from close range to hand the initiative back to Charlton.

They sealed the win 11 minutes later. Joe Dodoo, making his debut after signing on loan from Rangers, raced through unchallenged and slotted beyond Wilson to make it 4-2.

Oldham responded but it wasn’t enough. Jack Byrne gave them hope with a fantastic strike, but Charlton held on to take three points back to London.

Wyke off the Mark in Bradford win

When your main striker doesn’t score in the first few games of the season, then you have a right to start worrying. No doubt that’s what Bradford fans were feeling with Charlie Wyke. However, he got off the mark in style this weekend by hitting three past Bristol Rovers at Valley Parade.

The forward got his first goal of the game in just the 13th minute, forcing the ball in at the back post. Romain Vincelot flicked on a corner, and Wyke was on hand to volley in before Rovers ‘keeper Sam Slocombe could get there.

The second came mid-way into the second half. It came from a corner again, but this time it was a towering header from Wyke, heading into the bottom corner far beyond the reach of Slocombe.

Bradford’s main man completed his hat-trick just 11 minutes later. Jake Reeves did will to keep the ball in play and cross, and Wyke bravely headed in as well as avoiding a collision with the post.

Rovers did manage to grab a consolation despite Bradford’s dominance. Tom Nichols struck the post with a stunning curling effort, but prolific striker Billy Bodin was on hand to tap into the empty net.

Barnet Inflict More Swindon Misery

Shaquile Coulthirst scored his first goals of the season as Barnet ran out 4-1 winners at the County Ground.

The former Tottenham youngster opened the scoring after just ten minutes. Chris Robertson and Lawrence Vigeroux got mixed up in the Swindon defence, allowing Coulthirst to tap into an empty net.

Swindon’s defence didn’t do themselves any favours six minutes later either. Oliver Lancashire hauled down Ricardo Santos, and Jamal Campbell-Ryce converted the resulting penalty.

Things got worse for the hosts five minutes after the re-start; summer signing Donal McDermott was shown a straight red. This was for an awful lunge on Barnet’s David Tutonda to leave Swindon trailing in more ways than one.

Coulthirst capitalised on the advantage by adding his second, and completed his hat-trick four minutes later. Twisting and turning on the edge of the box, he made enough space to send a curling effort beyond Vigeroux that even the home faithful stood up to applaud.

Swindon replied with a goal from Luke Norris, and two minutes later Barnet levelled the playing field by having Andre Blackman sent off for violent conduct.

Exeter Edge Battle of the Top Two

Exeter and Newport went head-to-head at St James’ Park in a top of the table clash that mirrored the two teams’ proximity in the league table.

Lee Holmes scored the only goal of the game as Exeter remained at the top of the table courtesy of a 1-0 win.

Newport started the game the brightest and could have gone ahead on numerous occasions. Padraig Amond had the first chance, but he fired straight at Christy Pym in the Exeter goal. Amond could have scored again when he shot over, and he was denied by Troy Brown who headed his goal-bound effort off the line.

Holmes opened the scoring on the hour mark. Receiving the ball out on the wing, he cut in and fired a left foot curling effort far beyond the reach of ‘keeper Joe Day.

Newport almost drew level, but Frank Nouble’s long-range effort struck the base of the post and came out.

Exeter remain as the league leaders, while Newport drop all the way down the seventh thanks to the results of the teams around them.

Elsewhere…

In League One, Sean Longstaff continued his phenomenal form. His single goal was enough for Blackpool to beat AFC Wimbledon. Josh Morris’ stunning late free-kick also earned Scunthorpe a 1-0 win on their trip to Bury.

Shrewsbury continued their surprising early season form as goals from Carlton Morris and Alex Rodman gave them a 2-1 at Gillingham.

Rob Hall scored on his return to Stadium MK, but Callum Brittain’s first senior goal made sure MK Dons earned a point in their home encounter with Oxford.

Walsall inflicted another defeat on Plymouth as they ran out 2-1 winners, whereas Doncaster and Southend both played out 0-0 draws with Peterborough and Rochdale respectively.

In League Two, there were plenty of 1-0 wins. Uche Ikpeazu scored the only goal in Cambridge’s win over Colchester, whereas it was Joe Martin’s free-kick that gave Stevenage the win against Cheltenham.

Grimsby beat Crewe by the same scoreline as Mitch Rose headed the only goal, and  Lewis Alessandra did the same in Notts County’s away win at Port Vale.

Mansfield Town held Carlisle to a 1-1 draw at Brunton Park, while Lincoln and Luton also played out a draw at Sincil Bank; it finished 0-0 there.

It also finished 0-0 between Chesterfield and Coventry. However, Chesterfield will have been thankful to hold on to that point after Robbie Weir was dismissed on the hour.

Finally, Accrington Stanley ran out 2-1 winners at the Globe Arena. Goals from Billy Kee and Jordan Clark gave them the three points.

The Football League continues next weekend. Derby kick the action off as they host Hull City on Friday night in the Championship. There is then a full programme from all three divisions, as well as the return of the Premier League.

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