Bolton opened their season in perfect fashion with a 2-1 away win at Leyton Orient through goals by Dion Charles and Victor Adeboyejo book-ending Charlie Kelman’s strike for the hosts.It took The Trotters just seven minutes to go ahead when Aaron Collins pulled the ball back into his fellow striker’s path and Charles squeezed the ball past O’s debutant keeper Zach Hemming from ...Full Story »

Birmingham needed a late Alfie May penalty to earn a 1-1 draw against Reading in League One.Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan had given the Royals a lead before half-time but debutant May struck with four minutes left to rescue a point.Harvey Knibbs had the ball in the back of the net for the visitors after just five minutes, but the whistle had already gone for a foul on Bailey Peacock-Farrell.The Royals di...Full Story »

Paudie O’Connor scored twice to give Lincoln a 3-2 win over Burton at the Pirelli Stadium.The Imps skipper equalised early on before bagging the winner with four minutes remaining.A breathless start to the game saw two goals in the opening 10 minutes.Albion struck first with their opening attack after five minutes, with Udoka Godwin-Malife pouncing on a rebound from Billy Bodin’s sho...Full Story »

Bryant Bilongo capped his first EFL appearance with a dramatic late winner to snatch Bristol Rovers a 1-0 victory over Northampton at the Memorial Stadium.The 22-year-old headed in the winner from close range from a Luke Thomas corner in the first minute of stoppage time to ensure his first game since moving from Middlesbrough ended on a high.Before the impressive left-back’s intervention,...Full Story »

First-half goals from Rushian Hepburn-Murphy and Junior Quitirna ensured Crawley began life back in League One after nine years away with a 2-1 home victory over Blackpool.Substitute Ashley Fletcher pulled a goal back for Blackpool late on, but they struggled for openings in the final third before a crowd of nearly 5,000.Crawley went into the game with only two players remaining from the side th...Full Story »

Substitute Caleb Watts scored the only goal as Exeter started their League One season with an excellent 1-0 win over big-spending Rotherham.It was no more than the Grecians deserved as they dominated for large spells, although the Millers will regret not taking the clear-cut chances they created in an entertaining match in Devon.Debutant Josh Magennis saw a shot turned against the crossbar insid...Full Story »

Wrexham began their first League One campaign for 19 years with an entertaining 3-2 home win over Wycombe.The Dragons led through Max Cleworth’s early goal before Jack Marriott doubled the lead with a volley before the half-hour.Richard Kone halved the deficit after half-time but Steven Fletcher restored Wrexham’s two-goal advantage and that proved to be key, with the Chairboys pulli...Full Story »

Louie Barrie and Kyle Wootton were on target as Stockport marked their return to League One with a 2-0 win over Cambridge at Edgeley Park.And the Hatters made the perfect start to the game when the on-loan Barry opened the scoring with just five minutes on the clock.The Aston Villa forward latched onto a long ball forward from goalkeeper Corey Addai and spotting Vicente Reyes off his line sent a...Full Story »

New Stevenage manager Alex Revell got off to a winning start thanks to a 1-0 victory at home to Shrewsbury.Elliott List fired home the only goal after 58 minutes, producing a shimmy on the left side of the box before rifling the ball across Toby Savin in the Shrewsbury goal.They could have made it two but Dan Kemp’s penalty, after he had been fouled, was put wide.The first half was nothing...Full Story »

Lloyd Jones scored the only goal nine minutes from time as Charlton kicked off their Sky Bet League One campaign with a 1-0 victory at Wigan.The home side had the lion’s share of the encounter at the newly-named Brick Community Stadium, but could not make any of their chances count.Thelo Aasgaard sent one volley wide and another free-kick over the bar, before his teasing left-wing cross wa...Full Story »

Newly-promoted Bromley made the perfect start to life in the Football League as they got the better of Harrogate on the opening day of 2024/25.Andy Woodman’s Ravens, who followed in the Sulphurites’ footsteps by escaping non-league for the first time in their 132-year history by winning the National League play-off final at Wembley,  triumphed 2-0 at Wetherby Road.Ther...Full Story »

Andy Woodman felt that his Bromley side executed their game-plan “perfectly” as they sank Harrogate to make the perfect start to life in League Two.Second-half goals from Michael Cheek and Kamarl Grant earned last season’s National League play-off winners a comfortable 2-0 success on the opening day of 2024/25.And the Ravens boss was thrilled to see his charges pick up whe...Full Story »

Grant McCann admits Doncaster have already hit a milestone this season after an opening day 4-1 victory over Accrington.Rovers secured their first home win on the opening day of a campaign for two decades courtesy of Luke Molyneux’s brace and goals from Jordan Gibson and Billy Sharp.McCann, who wants Rovers fighting for promotion in League Two, had reminded his players of the statistic in ...Full Story »

Michael Flynn admitted he “hates playing against Newport County” after seeing his new club Cheltenham start the season with a thrilling 3-2 home victory over his former side.The Robins boss enjoyed successful times with the Welsh club as a player and manager and still lives in the area.“I hated it today and I don’t like playing against Newport, I have never liked playing ...Full Story »

Port Vale manager Darren Moore was more than pleased with his team’s start to their League Two campaign.The Valiants began life back in the fourth tier with a 2-0 victory at Salford.Captain Ben Garrity scored in each half, with both goals coming from Ronan Curtis corners, to leave Moore thrilled with what he saw.“We spoke a lot in pre-season about getting a footing and I thought ever...Full Story »

Morecambe boss Derek Adams refused to use the club’s summer overhaul as an excuse for their flat opening-day 1-0 League Two loss at Walsall.The visitors began the season as the bookmakers’ favourites for relegation after a mass summer exodus, signing 17 new players last month after a transfer embargo was lifted.Morecambe had seven new faces in their starting XI and failed to register...Full Story »

Stephen Clemence refused to go overboard after a debut goal from centre-back Theo Vassell against Crewe earned him a first win as Barrow boss.Clemence replaced Pete Wild in the summer after his predecessor took the Cumbrians to the verge of a first play-off appearance.And this 1-0 opening-day success against last season’s League Two play-off runners-up should help win over any lingering do...Full Story »

Charlie Adam hailed his Fleetwood players after they “had to dig deep” to beat Grimsby 1-0.The Cod Army got three points on the board thanks to Mark Helm’s goal in the 18th minute, surviving an early onslaught but running out deserving winners to make the best possible start to life back in League Two.“I’m delighted with the three points,” said Adam. “Th...Full Story »

Bradford boss Graham Alexander hailed a “pretty perfect” start to his side’s League Two campaign after seeing them score twice in the opening five minutes en route to beating MK Dons 2-1.Alex Pattison’s 25-yard thunderbolt and a Sam Sherring own goal saw the Bantams take early control at Stadium MK and although Alex Gilbey pulled a goal back in the 20th minute, the Dons c...Full Story »

Gillingham boss Mark Bonner paid tribute to his razor-sharp side as they put Carlisle to the sword with a thumping 4-1 opening-day home win.Goals from Tim Dieng, Jacob Wakeling, debutant Jack Nolan and Jonny Williams did the damage as the Gills started the season in fine style, with Jon Mellish responding for the visitors.“We’re really pleased because they are a tough team and it was...Full Story »

Johnnie Jackson believes AFC Wimbledon showed their spirit as they overcame a calamitous first 10 minutes to defeat Colchester 4-2.An awful start to the campaign – which saw the south London side go two goals behind – prompted them hit back with four goals and no reply.Jackson admitted the opening was far below his expectations, but felt his side responded in the fashion he expected....Full Story »

Philippe Clement believes Rangers will need to be more efficient against Dynamo Kyiv on Tuesday than in their 2-1 William Hill Premiership win over injury-hit Motherwell.Striker Cyriel Dessers opened the scoring for the Govan side at temporary home Hampden Park in the 13th minute before Gers debutant defender Robin Propper scored an own goal four minutes later.Winger Vaclav Cerny, making his fir...Full Story »

Adam Alimi-Adetoro scored on his National League debut as FC Halifax edged out last season’s promotion contenders Barnet 2-1 at The Shay Stadium.Alimi-Adetoro, who joined Halifax after being released by Sheffield Wednesday, claimed the winner in a game that saw all three goals scored in the second half.Jamie Cooke put the home side ahead five minutes after half-time, but Barnet, who finish...Full Story »

Captain Ben Garrity scored twice as Port Vale opened their League Two campaign with an impressive 2-0 away win against Salford.Garrity struck in each half to earn the Valiants three points on the road against Karl Robinson’s Ammies as they look to bounce back to League One at the first time of asking.After a cagey first period, Garrity opened the scoring in stoppage time when he turned hom...Full Story »

Both managers were keen to focus on the positives after Tranmere and Notts County played out a goalless stalemate at Prenton Park.In a first half that lacked serious goalscoring opportunities, the best chance fell to Luke Norris, whose close-range effort was blocked by Magpies goalkeeper Alex Bass.The visitors’ only real chance of the opening period fell to Cedwyn Scott on the half-hour, w...Full Story »

Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin was left frustrated at conceding a stoppage-time goal in the 1-1 draw against Ross County in Dingwall.After Eamonn Brophy missed a first-half penalty for the hosts, it was United who took the lead just after the restart when David Babunski struck.But the Staggies levelled in the fifth minute of added time through Ronan Hale.While admitting that a draw was a fair...Full Story »

Ronan Hale scored a stoppage-time equaliser as Ross County drew 1-1 with Dundee United in Dingwall.Summer signings Will Ferry and David Babunski linked up for United’s opening goal, with the latter finding the net, only for Hale to strike in the fifth minute of added time.From the opening seconds Jim Goodwin’s side set about trying to hassle their opponents in possession, with Miller...Full Story »

Bradford enjoyed a flying start to the new season as two early goals helped them sink MK Dons 2-1 at Stadium MK.Alex Pattison’s brilliant long-range effort and Sam Sherring’s own goal saw the visitors leading 2-0 after just five minutes and although Alex Gilbey pulled a goal back, Graham Alexander saw his side hold on for victory against his former club.The game came the day after it...Full Story »

Theo Vassell marked his debut with the only goal as Barrow beat last season’s League Two play-off finalists Crewe 1-0 at Holker Street.A pre-season signing from Salford, defender Vassell converted a 22nd-minute corner delivered by another Cumbrian newcomer, Connor Mahoney.Barrow’s win was a third successive triumph on the opening day of a new season and made it an ideal start for Ste...Full Story »

Joel Colwill’s last-gasp winner earned Cheltenham a thrilling 3-2 victory over Newport.Former County boss Michael Flynn was taking charge of the Robins for the first time and his team opened up a 2-0 lead inside 27 minutes.Cardiff loanee Colwill scored the first, following up with a neat finish after two Ryan Bowman efforts were blocked at close range in the 22nd minute.Liam Dulson marked ...Full Story »

Doncaster got their League Two campaign off to a blistering start as they thumped Accrington 4-1 at the Eco-Power Stadium.Manager Grant McCann made the title the primary goal for his side after suffering play-off agony last season.And his players showed their determination to rise to the challenge as a Luke Molyneux brace plus strikes from Jordan Gibson and Billy Sharp saw Rovers surge clear.Gib...Full Story »

AFC Wimbledon turned round a calamitous first 10 minutes – in which they went two goals behind – to defeat Colchester 4-2.After less than 60 seconds of the new season a deep Jack Payne cross found Ben Goodliffe unmarked, who was able to head past Owen Goodman.The duo combined again seven minutes later, when the former Sutton man connected with a Payne delivery into the area.However, ...Full Story »

Oldham made an impressive start to the new Vanarama National League campaign with a 3-0 win at home to Braintree.Jes Uchegbulam and Harry Charsley struck in the first half for Micky Mellon’s side before Braintree were awarded a penalty on the stroke of half-time.However, Inih Effiong’s spot-kick was saved and Mike Fondop wrapped up the points with a third for Oldham before the hour m...Full Story »

Jack Nolan scored a magnificent goal on his debut to help Gillingham defeat Carlisle 4-1 at Priestfield.The former Accrington winger received the ball on the right wing and evaded a challenge before driving for the box and producing a terrific effort which found the roof of the net.Tim Dieng had given Gills a second-minute lead when he fired home from close range following a blocked effort from ...Full Story »

Taylor Allen’s fine strike gave Walsall a deserved 1-0 opening-day win over Derek Adams’ new-look Morecambe in League Two.The winner arrived in the 20th minute as centre-back Allen produced a striker’s finish, chesting down a loose ball and lashing home a fierce finish into the bottom corner from 20 yards.Morecambe, with seven new faces in their line-up after a mass summer exod...Full Story »

Dion Pereira scored the winner nine minutes from time as Dagenham and Redbridge began their National League season with a 2-1 victory over Wealdstone.Pereira thwarted Wealdstone after they had looked set for a point when Sam Ashford scored 10 minutes earlier.A scrappy first half ended goalless after Dagenham’s Reece Grego-Cox’s effort was ruled out for offside.But Dagenham moved in f...Full Story »

Greg Olley scored a hat-trick as Gateshead shrugged off last season’s play-off disappointment to open the new Vanarama National League campaign with a 5-1 trashing of Ebbsfleet.The home side – who had been barred from taking part in the play-offs because of issues over their ground ownership at the time – went ahead through Callum Whelan in the 12th minute.Owen Oseni soon doubl...Full Story »

New Aldershot forward James Henry denied Forest Green a comeback win with a late leveller in a thrilling 3-3 draw in their Vanarama National League opener at the EBB Stadium.The home side raced into a two-goal lead inside just 13 minutes after Hady Ghandour landed a quickfire double.However, Ryan Inniss provided Forest Green with hope when he struck midway through the opening period.Kyle McAllis...Full Story »

Cyriel Dessers scored for the second game in a row as Rangers began their temporary tenure at Hampden Park with a 2-1 William Hill Premiership win over injury-hit Motherwell.The Gers striker equalised with the last meaningful kick of the ball in the Champions League qualifier against Dynamo Kyiv in Poland on Tuesday night, and he opened the scoring in the 13th minute before Gers debuta...Full Story »

Nick Haughton scored a hat-trick as Fylde recorded a 3-2 win against 10-man Solihull at Mill Farm.The Coasters opened the scoring after Haughton’s fine free-kick with just 10 minutes gone only for Owen Evans to put through his own net.Jack Stevens then handed the visitors the lead shortly before the interval.Haughton struck another set-piece to haul his side level after 57 minutes before J...Full Story »

Lenell John-Lewis struck in the 85th minute to earn York a 1-1 draw against Southend in their National League opener.Southend looked set for all three points when Gus Scott-Morriss put the hosts ahead during the first half.Kevin Maher’s side were unable to hold out though with John-Lewis scoring with five minutes left at Roots Hall.Scott-Morriss picked up where he left off last season when...Full Story »

Substitute Josh Coley struck a stoppage-time equaliser as Sutton fought back to draw 1-1 at Tamworth in their opening Vanarama National League match.United – relegated from the EFL at the end of last season – had an early chance when Dillon De Silva sent a shot wide.National League North champions Tamworth went close when Daniel Creaney headed over from a corner and then midfielder B...Full Story »

Eastleigh opened their Vanarama National League campaign with a 2-0 win at Maidenhead.The Spitfires went ahead through an own goal from Maidenhead defender Will De Havilland in the 32nd minute.Jake Vokins soon doubled the lead when his long-range free-kick dropped into the corner of the net.Maidenhead looked for a way back into the match in the second half as Kevin Lokko saw his long-range effor...Full Story »

A horror moment for Manchester United veteran Jonny Evans gifted the Community Shield to Manchester City after a penalty shoot-out.Evans lifted his spot-kick over the crossbar before Manuel Akanji tucked in the winning penalty as Pep Guardiola’s side secured the first silverware of the season.Alejandro Garnacho thought he had inflicted more Wembley misery on the four-time Premier League wi...Full Story »

Tylor Golden scored the winning goal for Altrincham against Woking in an ill-tempered Vanarama National League clash which saw both sides reduced to 10 men.Altrincham appeared to have their backs against the wall when Eddy Jones was shown a straight red card for a foul on Cian Harries after just 12 minutes.However, Golden put the home side ahead when he scored a fine goal on his debut with 27 mi...Full Story »

Jack Hunter’s superb strike fired Hartlepool to a 1-0 opening-day win at Yeovil in the National League.Optimism was rife at Yeovil after promotion last season, but Hunter’s 65th-minute goal spoiled the party at Huish Park.It gave former Yeovil boss Darren Sarll a first win since being appointed as Hartlepool manager at the conclusion of the 2023-24 campaign.After an even first half i...Full Story »

Daniel Farke said he gave Brenden Aaronson a hug after he missed a golden chance to snatch victory for Leeds in a 3-3 draw against newly-promoted Portsmouth.Aaronson, back at Leeds after a spell on loan at Union Berlin last season and a second-half substitute for Willy Gnonto, had already equalised in stoppage time when he dragged another effort wide from in front of goal just moments later.Leed...Full Story »

Watford boss Tom Cleverley hailed his side’s character as they bounced back from letting a two-goal lead slip to beat Millwall 3-2 at The Den.The Hornets went 2-0 up thanks to goals from Edo Kayembe and Giorgi Chakvetadze either side of the break but were pegged back by a Duncan Watmore double late on that looked to see the spoils shared.But Mileta Rajovic popped up in the 90th minute to g...Full Story »

West Brom boss Carlos Corberan insisted Josh Maja’s brilliant start to the season was only possible because the striker worked on his fitness during the summer.Maja, who endured an injury-hit first season at Albion, scored a hat-trick as the Baggies began the new Championship campaign with a 3-1 victory at QPR.He started just one game and managed one goal last term, but the future looks br...Full Story »

New Norwich boss Johannes Hoff Thorup said Jonathan Rowe’s decision to withdraw from the squad on the morning of the 2-0 defeat at Championship newcomers Oxford had a big impact on his team.The 21-year-old winger has been linked with a move away from Carrow Road during the summer transfer window and was absent at the Kassam Stadium after a reported bid from Marseille on Friday.A goal in ea...Full Story »

Stoke boss Steven Schumacher admitted his side played “rubbish in parts” during the second half of their 1-0 win against Coventry.Substitute Lewis Baker scored the only goal of the game in the 78th minute as the Potters picked up where they left off at the end of last season.Schumacher did admit, however, that his side’s opener was always going to be difficult against a team ho...Full Story »

New manager Tim Walter accepts depleted Hull need reinforcements after the 1-1 at home to Bristol City.Walter looked consigned to defeat in his first game in charge at the MKM Stadium once Fally Mayulu scored after 84 minutes on his Robins debut.But Oscar Estupinan converted an injury-time penalty to earn Hull a point that few inside the MKM Stadium saw coming.Walter said: “We need more pl...Full Story »

Michael Carrick was delighted to see his striker Emmanuel Latte Lath get off the mark on the opening day of the Championship season as Middlesbrough beat Swansea 1-0 at the Riverside.The Ivorian scored nine in his last eight league outings last season to finish an impressive first campaign on Teesside with 17 goals.And on Saturday he became the first Boro player since Brian Clough to score in se...Full Story »

Boss Regis Le Bris feels Sunderland can only get better after the Frenchman started his reign with a 2-0 win at Cardiff.Luke O’Nien headed Sunderland in front after 18 minutes before Jack Clarke struck in the 89th minute to ensure the Le Bris era started in style.The visitors had just 35 per cent of the ball at Cardiff City Stadium, although victory ended Sunderland’s 10-game winless...Full Story »

Striker Mileta Rajovic nodded home a late winner for Watford as they claimed a 3-2 victory in a dramatic opener at Millwall.The Lions thought they had fought back to at least take a share of the spoils with two second-half goals from Duncan Watmore after Edo Kayembe and Giorgi Chakvetadze had put Watford firmly in control.Millwall paid their respects to goalkeeper Matija Sarkic, who died aged 26...Full Story »

Josh Maja scored a hat-trick as West Brom came from behind to beat QPR 3-1 at Loftus Road.Lucas Andersen put Rangers ahead in the 16th minute but Albion, beaten in last season’s Championship play-offs, responded emphatically and were deserved winners.It was a hugely disappointing start to the season for Rangers, who lost their way after an early breakthrough.Youngster Rayan Kolli delivered...Full Story »

Middlesbrough won on the opening day for the first time in a decade as Emmanuel Latte Lath continued his blistering form from last season with the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Swansea in the Championship.Latte Lath scored 17 league goals in his first campaign on Teesside and took just 25 minutes to open his account this term, netting from the spot after Isaiah Jones was fouled inside the box....Full Story »

Oscar Estupinan’s last-minute penalty earned Hull a 1-1 draw at home to Bristol City.Substitute Fally Mayulu‘s 84th-minute strike put the visitors on course for what would have been a deserved victory.The Robins debutant, a summer signing from Rapid Vienna, cashed in on an awful blunder from Matty Jacob before planting the ball into the left corner.But Hull had the final word as Keit...Full Story »

Promoted Oxford made a dream start to their first season back in English football’s second tier for 25 years with a stylish 2-0 victory over Norwich at the Kassam Stadium.A goal in each half by Mark Harris and Cameron Brannagan made it a disappointing opening match for the Canaries’ new boss Johannes Hoff Thorup.Harris struck in the 28th minute, cutting inside and shooting low under ...Full Story »