It should have been the start of a new season for all 24 teams in League One, but the EFL’s decision to suspend the fixture between Bury and MK Dons meant only 22 of the sides kicked off their campaigns, leaving this League One review a game short. What we were left with, though, were goals and surprises galore, suggesting to us that League One could be the entertainment capital of the Football League this season.
EFL League One Review
Bolton’s Young Boys Do Club Proud
Another game that almost went the way of Bury’s was Wycombe Wanderers’ match against Bolton Wanderers. The ongoing takeover talks at Bolton and the major problems they find themselves in meant they travelled to Buckinghamshire with just three senior outfield players, and three new signings were announced to fans by their inclusion on the teamsheet.
Bolton’s fans would have been forgiven for not wanting to make the trip south, but they did so in enormous numbers, selling out their 1,800 allocation at Adams Park, with help from Wycombe themselves, who sold the tickets on Bolton’s behalf with the club unable to.
The 2-0 result in favour of Wycombe shows that this season is going to be far from easy for Bolton, not least because they started the season in the relegation zone after a 12-point deduction, but the academy players thrust into the side still put in a performance that can give the fans confidence they will fight to the very death.
Fleetwood Stun Posh
Peterborough United have been among the big spenders in League One, and while Fleetwood Town are tipped to do well under Joey Barton, Peterborough’s home advantage for this one should have had them with three points straight on the board.
That plan was scuppered by the 13th minute though, as Harry Souttar and Josh Morris put the visitors into a two-goal lead. Ivan Toney managed to halve the deficit shortly after the hour mark, but Fleetwood roared again and a stunning free-kick from Danny Andrew late on gave Barton’s side a dream start to the season.
This wasn’t an ideal start, but fortunately for Peterborough, there are still 45 games to go.
How Did We Do?
Each week we take a crack at predicting the results of each match. How did we get on this opening weekend? Actual results are shown in bold whereas our predictions are in italics.
AFC Wimbledon 1-2 Rotherham United – AFC Wimbledon 0-2 Rotherham United
Blackpool 2-0 Bristol Rovers – Blackpool 2-1 Bristol Rovers
Burton Albion 0-1 Ipswich Town – Burton Albion 2-3 Ipswich Town
Coventry City 1-0 Southend United – Coventry City 2-0 Southend United
Doncaster Rovers 1-1 Gillingham – Doncaster Rovers 1-1 Gillingham
Lincoln City 2-0 Accrington Stanley – Lincoln City 2-1 Accrington Stanley
Peterborough United 3-1 Fleetwood Town – Peterborough United 1-3 Fleetwood Town
Shrewsbury Town 1-0 Portsmouth – Shrewsbury Town 0-2 Portsmouth
Sunderland 1-1 Oxford United – Sunderland 3-0 Oxford United
Tranmere Rovers 2-3 Rochdale – Tranmere Rovers 2-1 Rochdale
Wycombe Wanderers 2-0 Bolton Wanderers – No prediction made.
One correct score for us this week, but plenty of incorrect results.
Up Next
Games to take place on Saturday, August 10. 3:00 kick-offs unless otherwise stated.
Accrington Stanley P-P Bury
Bolton Wanderers v Coventry City
Bristol Rovers v Wycombe Wanderers
Fleetwood Town v AFC Wimbledon
Gillingham v Burton Albion
Ipswich Town v Sunderland
MK Dons v Shrewsbury Town
Oxford United v Peterborough United
Portsmouth v Tranmere Rovers
Rochdale v Doncaster Rovers
Rotherham United v Lincoln City
Southend United v Blackpool
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