Week two of the new season and although it is still early some teams are starting to take shape as our D3D4 correspondents report…

MATCH REPORT: Carlisle United 2-2 Northampton Town

In the opening Brunton Park match of the campaign, the Cumbrians and the Cobblers played out a score draw which lacked quality but certainly did not lack entertainment value.

New manager John Sheridan made his home debut and his counterpart Dean Austin was hoping to also gain his first points of the season following a tight defeat hosting Lincoln City last weekend.

The selection of Kelvin Etuhu at right back from Sheridan was eye-opening to say the least but the Nigerian did admirably in his new role.

Midweek infamous signing Anthony Gerrard was on the home bench – still in need of fitness. Starting players were also gaining match-fitness and gelling with their new teammates, so it was always bound to be sluggish as well as disorganised at times.

Sharp passing and movement up front for both teams allowed for chances early on and Hallam Hope struck the post just three minutes in.

With the game struggling to flow in the midfield and neither team on top there were a number of niggly fouls but a short free-kick on the left of the box half an hour in was played in to Jamie Devitt and, like a rocket, he struck home into the top left-hand corner; to likely send a message to Sheridan that he maybe should have started him last weekend (instead of stunningly leaving him out as the Blues slumped to defeat at Exeter City) to give Carlisle the lead.

However, that lead did not last long as Northampton attacked and Kevin van Veen found a free header in the box to equalise from an Andrew Williams cross.

Things got worse for the Cumbrians when Mike Jones (also left out at Exeter in a shock selection) pulled up tracking back and was immediately substituted for young Regan Slater on loan from Sheffield United for the season – who looks a real gem for his tender age of 18.

The break was welcome for both sides to regroup and aim to take the three points.

It was the Cobblers who came out stronger and always looked like scoring and did when Matt Crooks finished on the hour mark courtesy of some lackadaisical defending.

For the second time, it was another sharp equaliser when substitute Adam Campbell played Hope through on goal and the dangerous former England U20 forward slid the ball home.

From then on, Carlisle dominated and pushed for a winner and Northampton had centre backs Ashton Taylor and Aaron Pierre to thank who blocked a number of shots. In added time, the ball blatantly struck an arm in the penalty area as Devitt (along with most of the stadium) appealed in hysteria for a penalty but the referee – who was in an impaired position – firmly waved the home players away and booked Devitt for his troubles.

The final whistle blew and both teams shared a first point each but the drama continued when Sheridan marched straight over to the referee to complain which almost got him a booking.

Both teams move on to cup ties in midweek but know this division will be the main focus throughout the ever-treacherous campaign.

Attendance: 4521 [349]

Referee: Tom Neild

Man of the match: Jamie Devitt

words Nathan Ridley, D3D4 Carlisle United correspondent

MATCH REPORT: Morecambe 0-2 Exeter City

Pick Up The Pieces.

Exeter arrived in North Lancashire today mindful that Paul Tisdale’s team lost here just five months ago – a defeat which severely dented their promotion ambitions. In March, their Manager took his seat as the longest-serving in the entire EFL. But Tisdale has moved of his own accord to Pastures New in the meantime. So Jim Bentley now holds the record as the man with the longest period of time at the helm of any Football League club.

Jim was typically forthright at Gresty Road just twenty minutes after his team had been ripped apart by Crewe Alexandra and lost six-nil last Saturday. He made no excuses and didn’t try to blame anyone else for the side’s absolutely dismal display. He has been busy this week and Josef Yarney was thrust straight into the Shrimps’ wobbly back line after being signed on-loan from Newcastle just yesterday. Three days ago, A-Jay Leitch-Smith was taken-on as well to try and inject some much-needed bite into a forward line which hasn’t scored – and has rarely looked like doing so – in five games in a row now before today.

The one thing that could be said for certain – whatever happened on the pitch today – is that Morecambe simply could not play as badly as they did last Saturday against Crewe. Newcomer Liam Mandeville (of whom great things are expected) was hopeless then. Andrew Tutte wasn’t fit, let alone match fit. Jordan Cranston looked shaky and his attempt to prevent Crewe’s final headed goal was literally pathetic. So much for the new boys. As for the Old Guard (no offence, Steven); Kevin Ellison was anonymous, Vadaine Oliver squandered a golden opportunity; looked like his confidence is totally shot and Alex Kenyon had an absolute stinker.

Morecambe’s record against Exeter since the latter returned to the League hasn’t been brilliant. Including last March’s contest, they have won only three of fourteen matches against the Grecians. Under new Manager Matt Taylor, Exeter beat Carlisle United (to whom Mr Bentley has managed to unload Adam Campbell on loan this week) 3-1 in their opening game of the season and he clearly hopes to improve on Exeter’s defeat by Coventry in the Play-Offs last term.

As predicted, Morecambe weren’t as bad as last time out. They probably shaded things most of the time during the first half. There was less of the hoof and hope football the team has played far too often in recent times. Having said that, Exeter had the first decent chance of the game when Hiram Boateng only just missed Barry Roche’s left hand post with a smart shot after a quarter of an hour. The Shrimps also had the rub of the green firstly when a nasty off the ball exchange between Boateng and Andy Fleming with seventeen minutes on the clock wasn’t seen by the referee. If it had been, Morecambe’s Number Eight would have been having an early bath; he clearly used his studs on the opposition player.

The Shrimps were probably lucky, too, a minute or so later when the visitors had what looked like a very strong shout for a penalty following what looked like handball by a Morecambe defender. In a generally bad-tempered opening period, Morecambe had the first gilt-edged opportunity of the match, though.  Their best player – Aaron Wildig – did brilliantly to deliver a cross from the right wing to an unmarked Kevin Ellison who was caught in two minds as to whether to volley or head the ball and achieved neither as the chance came to nothing. Jordan Cranston then tried his luck with a long-range shot which Vadaine Oliver got on the end of but Christy Pym in the Exeter goal did well to keep him out after forty minutes. But the home side fell behind when Cranston lost the ball to Lee Holmes, who raced into the penalty area only to have his legs taken away with a crude challenge by the full-back. It was an obvious penalty which Pierce Sweeney dispatched with ease.

Morecambe started the second period with the first chance as Steven Old headed a corner from Liam Mandeville only just wide in the forty-seventh minute. The player who took the corner found himself well-placed on the right of the Grecians’ Penalty Area after fifty minutes but his attempt at a shot was so woeful that it ended-up running aimlessly parallel to the goal line beyond the opposition target. Zak Mills then tried his luck with a long-range shot from the Morecambe right after being fed by Ellison: the effort flew over the bar. With fifty-four minutes played, the Shrimps’ official Man Of The Match Aaron Wildig was taken off. Aaron had taken the ball in the face at point-blank range as Exeter Captain Jake Taylor attempted to hoof it away at the beginning of the second half. He was probably still seeing twenty-two City players on the pitch at the time he left the field.

The opposition had a purple patch after this and – roared on by their noisy contingent in the Main Stand – went further ahead after 65 minutes when Jayden Stockley headed a routine goal from an accurate Sweeney cross far too easily for comfort. Jim Bentley shuffled his pack after that and the Shrimps probably played better as a unit after going two-down than they did at any other period of the game. Pym produced a truly miraculous save after sixty-nine minutes at full stretch to his left to somehow keep out a header from Mandeville and Rhys Oates in particular looked like he could play a bit – youngster Lamine Jagne also impressed. To be fair, newcomer Josef Yarney also acquitted himself well despite a couple of mistakes in the second half – the Premiership club class was obvious.

Overall, however, Exeter deserved to win. Jim Bentley was – typically – optimistic in defeat today. There were signs of improvement and if the lads simply work harder, their disappointing start to the season can be put behind them. They need to work hard and basically pick up the pieces. And that was what I walked out of the ground listening to at the end – Average White Band’s classic funky tune from Way Back When. Was this subliminal – or wot?

Morecambe remain rock bottom of the EFL. Exeter are right at the opposite end of the table right at the pinnacle of League Two.

Morecambe : 1 Barry Roche  (C);  2 Zak Mills; 4 Alex Kenyon (20 Lamine Jagne 76 mins); 5 Steven Old;  8 Andy Fleming; 9 Vadaine Oliver;  11 Kevin Ellison (18 Rhys Oates 76 mins); 14 Josef Yarney; 15 Aaron Wildig (28 A-Jay Leitch-Smith 65 mins); 17 Liam Mandeville; 27 Jordan Cranston.

Subs not used : 21 Mark Halstead; 3 Luke Conlan; 12 Jason Oswell; 25 Ben Hadley.

Exeter City: 1 Christy Pym;  2 Pierce Sweeney; 5 Aaron Martin;  8 Nicky Law (6 Jordan Tillson 36 mins);  10 Lee Holmes (7 Lee Martin 72 minutes): 11 Jayden Stockley; 14 Jonathan Forte (19 Tristan Abrahams 83 mins); 21 Dean Moxey;  25 Jake Taylor (C ); 39 Troy Brown; 44 Hiram Boateng.

Subs not used: 13 James Hamon; 27 Matt Jay; 18 Jimmy Oates.

Ref: Thomas Bramall.

Att: 1654.

words Roger Fitton, D3D4 Morecambe correspondent

MATCH REPORT: Scunthorpe United 1-1 Walsall

To say Scunthorpe’s squad has undergone changes would be a colossal understatement. Take this fixture for example, only one player started today that featured in the line-up for the equivalent game last season. Losing significant players such as Murray Wallace, Connor Townsend and the late blow of a deadline day move to Derby County for Duane Holmes is bound to have a huge impact on the team. To expect this new squad to perform miracles so early on is inevitably foolish. But just as it is foolish to expect miracles, you certainly won’t be seeing them either. Last week the season got off to a winning start with the Iron beating Coventry 1-2. However, this was a far from convincing performance and quite probably an unjust result; it was very much a similar story today.

Traditionally Scunthorpe tend to do reasonably well against Walsall but that didn’t impact the away side today. In truth Walsall almost entirely dominated the first half. They had the majority of the possession and a clear game plan that worked. Playing quite narrow they were able to get the ball in and around the Iron defence far more often than the home team would have liked.

Whenever the Saddlers got a set piece it seemed quite threatening. Though that is partly because the current defensive line up for Scunthorpe raises a number of concerns. The story of the first half would ultimately end up being the story of the game. Walsall worked themselves into a number of excellent opportunities but lacked a clinical edge that would have put the game to bed. The closest that the away side came in the first half was when Guthrie hit the post. Another instance was when Iron keeper Rory Watson made a strong save following a good effort on goal from Ferrier.

HT: Scunthorpe United 0-0 Walsall FC

Walsall would have no doubt been disappointed going into the break at 0-0, but what would follow must have seemed even more unfair. Admittedly the Iron did look slightly better at the start of the second half, though the bar wasn’t exactly high, and soon found themselves taking a surprising lead in the 48^th minute. There might have been a slight question of offside from Clarke during the build-up but his ball into the box ended up coming back to Lee Novak who neatly struck a volley into the net from the edge of the box. A fine strike from the captain. Any notion that this would have negative impact on the away side was soon dismissed as Walsall began to regain their first half dominance; and it was shortly after that they found their way back into the game. After cutting inside from the right wing Ismail was brought down by new signing Matthew Lund and the ref saw no choice but to give a penalty. Ismail took the spot kick himself and confidently beat Watson to level the score.

Walsall had a number of further chances after the penalty, but like the first half were unable to take advantage of the situations they found themselves in. The introduction of substitutes Morris and new signing Colclough gave the Iron a much needed intensity in the final ten minutes and for the first time in the match made Scunthorpe briefly look the better team. Though like Walsall they too couldn’t work a second goal.

Walsall will no doubt wonder how they have left Glanford Park with only a point, given that they could have comfortably scored four or five. Scunthorpe were once again extremely lucky to gain anything from the match and there are a number of issues that are becoming apparent that will need to be addressed in order to have a successful season. Though after the first two performances I find myself more than a little worried at the prospect of facing Sunderland away next week.

FT: Scunthorpe United 1-1 Walsall FC

words Bradley Mell, D3D4 Scunthorpe United correspondent

MATCH REPORT: Oxford United 0-2 Fleetwood Town

Oxford took on Fleetwood at the Kassam Stadium this afternoon hoping to put behind them the awful performance at Barnsley from last weekend yet they somehow managed to put in another below par display.

It is only game two so I am refusing to panic but you already get the impression that Oxford’s lack of a clinical striker is going to cost them. It looks like we will be without our first choice ‘keeper for a while as Simon Eastwood broke his finger in the warm up.

Fleetwood must love coming to Oxford given that they have never lost to us in nine meetings and of those they have won eight. Today they were slow to get going in what was an awful first half of football lit only by the occasional brilliance of Ricky Holmes.

What Fleetwood do have though is a threat up front. Now, Karl Robinson will complain about the foul on McMahon leading up to the goal but Oxford looked shaky at the back and Ched Evans finished with ease to give the small band of hardy away fans something to cheer.

Kyle Dempsey should really have made it two before half time as the Cod Army broke quickly and opened up the Oxford defence all too easily but he slipped at the vital moment and sliced his effort wide.

Half time should have allowed Oxford to regroup but there was only one team in the game in the second half which was alarming. Fleetwood were professional and managed the game well with only a Jamie Mackie header even coming close to an equaliser.

The lack of options on the bench for United was obvious as both Jonathan Obika and James Henry made no impact. Fleetwood sealed the game at the end as stand in goalie Scott Shearer gave away a needless spot kick which Paddy Madden slotted home to condemn Oxford to back to back defeats to open the season for the first time since 2014/15.

Only Ricky Holmes really stood out in a positive way for the U’s as Luke Garbutt, Cameron Brannagan and Jamie Mackie all struggled with Robinson playing on Eastwood’s injury and the poor referee as an excuse at the end. He also suggested the team will improve as the need time to gel, a point which Scott Shearer beautifully rebuffed as his honest appraisal was simple and obvious. The players weren’t up for it and need sort themselves out quickly.

A trip to Pompey next…I’ll be there and I hope the players turn up too.

words James Richards, D3D4 Football

MATCH REPORT: Forest Green Rovers 1-1 Oldham Athletic

On a day of torrential rainfall in Nailsworth, the open terrace proved as enjoyable as the football on display for the 844 travelling Oldham fans. The match was dominated by the home side and Latics fans came away feeling fortunate to have snatched a point.

The visitors had a side built around youth – as against MK Dons, the back line had a combined age of 78. 5 academy graduates were also present in the side. Oldham fans weren’t encouraged by the starting line-up that was plagued with injuries and suspensions:

– Peter Clarke – Knee Injury

– Cameron Dummigan – unclear, he ended last season with a groin injury

– Andy Taylor – unclear, thought to be unfit

– Ousmane Fane – Broken Ankle

– Jack Byrne – Suspended by the club (training with youth team)

– Jose Baxter – not fully fit after an injury in preseason (he was on the bench and introduced in the 2^nd half)

– Ishmael Miller – tight hamstring

– Sam Surridge – tight hamstring

The first 10 minutes of the game was plagued by freekicks that created a stop-start nature. The best of these fell to Oldham after 4 minutes, but Dan Garner blasted his attempt well over the bar.

The inexperience in Oldham’s defence was very evident – there looked to be a lack of communication. Often, two players would be going for the same ball. There was also a regular occurrence of some criminal defensive techniques – they regularly let the ball bounce before heading it. This proved to be Oldham’s detriment in the 22^nd minute; Sam Graham let the ball bounce and slipped before unsuccessfully clearing the ball. Reuben Reid gained control of the ball and found far too much space on the edge of the area before smashing the ball into the bottom left hand corner.

Oldham were trying to get forward and looked to exploit the Green Devils’ weaknesses down the Latics left wing. On several occasions Nepomuceno and Rob Hunt found space to get a cross into the box, but simply floated the ball into Sanchez’s hands. O’Grady looked quite isolated up front and was lacking the support he needed. Meanwhile, ex Latics players Winchester and Reid looked to be a real nuisance to the Latics defence that, once they settled, held strong.

The half finished 1-0 to the Green Devils and, in all honesty, there was only one team in the game.

Jose Baxter was well received by the Latics fans when he replaced Giles Coke at half time and his quality immediately showed. Baxter certainly provided the creative flair the Latics much needed, but it was the home side that continued to show their quality – Brown forced an impressive save from Iversen in the 55^th minute when his volley flew towards the left side of the goal.

The Oldham defence looked sturdier in the second half, and had to defend against a barrage of Rovers attacks and corners. Edmundson in particular looked to be a real leader at the back, but it was still clear that the back line was missing an experienced member. Iversen was forced into a number of smart saves but held strong.

In the 77^th minute, Oldham won a penalty after Baxter knocked the ball intelligently passed Sanchez in an attempt to be brought down. In his previous tenure at Latics, Baxter was penalty taker and became notorious for his Pirlo-esque chips, but it was captain Dan Gardner who stepped up to take the penalty and made no mistake from 12 yards as he slotted into the bottom left hand corner.

The visitors really were holding on in the final 10 minutes – their fans frustrated by the time-wasting techniques implemented and it appeared to have gone against them when the home side had the ball in the net in the 88^th minute. The striker was, however, deemed to have kicked the ball out of Iversen’s two hands. The game, somehow, ended 1-1.

FULL TIME: Forest Green Rovers 1 (Reid 22’) – 1 Oldham Athletic (Gardner 78’ (p))

Attendance: 2759 (844 away supporters)

Oldham line up:

Iversen, Hamer, Edmundson, Graham, Hunt, Branger-Engone, Gardner (C), Missilou (Maouche 56), Coke (Baxter 45), Nepomuceno, O’Grady

Forest Green Rovers line up:

Sanchez, Shephard, James (Grubb 80), Rawson, Winchester, Doidge, Brown (Digby 66), Williams (Archibald 74), Gunning, Mills, Reid

words Chris Stringer, D3D4 Oldham Athletic correspondent

MATCH REPORT: Bradford City 0-2 Barnsley

In what turned out to be a disappointing afternoon for City, Barnsley became the latest South Yorkshire side to come to Valley Parade and leave with all three points. The Reds were deserving of the victory, with the 2-0 scoreline not flattering a physical, but tidy footballing side who will surely be there, or thereabouts come May.

Michael Collins made his managerial home debut on the back of a resilient 0-1 win at Shrewsbury on the opening day. City made one change, with Eoin Doyle coming in to replace the industrious George Miller. In possession of the ball, City operate a 4-2-3-1 system, without the ball settling into a 5-2-2-1. Barnsley fresh from the 4-0 thumping of Oxford, named an unchanged line up, in a standard 4-4-2.

Backed by 2,500 visiting supporters, Barnsley started quickly and were ahead within 7 minutes. City failed to clear the ball on three occasions in quick succession after twice blocking shots from Kieffer Moore, before Cavare recycled the ball well for Tom Bradshaw to guide a diving header past Richard O’Donnell. Barnsley continued to pressurise with further chances from Kieffer Moore and Liam Lindsay, and Brad Potts, all within the first 20 minutes. A pattern which seemed to replicate Barnsley performance against Oxford, a week previous.

The remainder of the first half calmed after the frantic start, with Adam Davies in the Barnsley goal saving a deflected cross, the closest City came to drawing level, and a further chance from Mamdou Thiam for Barnsley, curling just wide just before half time.

Barnsley deservedly lead at half time, with City rarely troubling the visitors in truth. The isolation of Eoin Doyle upfront particularly disappointing for City, who surely must fancy a dip into the loan market to attract another forward to bolster the squad.

Sherwin Seedorf replaced Joe Riley at half time for Bradford, seeing us switch permanently to the 4-2-3-1 system. The first 10 minutes of the second half saw a much more even contest with the Bantams much quicker to press the visitors, with the pace of Seedorf bringing much needed attacking promise, without really creating many chances of note.

Around the 60 minute mark the Bantams enjoyed their best ten minute spell of the game pressing the visitors, breaking forward and throwing the ball into the box. However, with Bradford struggling to break down the physical Barnsley back-line, a penalty or set piece looked to be the most likely route back into the game.

Arguably the most controversial decision of the game centre around a penalty decision, involving Sean Scannell and Ethan Pinnock. A ball threaded through into the box from Jack Payne, saw Scannell collect and look to surge past Pinnock but a coming together ended the run abruptly. With all City fans calling for a penalty, only a corner was awarded, and with that, halted any City momentum.

Substitutions began to enter the fray, Moncur and Adeboyejo for Barnsley, and Miller and Robinson for the Bantams, and it was both of these substitutes who combined to wrap up the game for the visitors. A marauding run forward from George Moncur down the left hand side, who admittedly beat Nathaniel Knight Pervical far too easily, squared the ball for Adeboyejo who tapped into the goal from no more than 3 yards out.

With that, the game drew closer toward what can only be described as a deserved away win, with The Reds nearly extending their lead yet further, but for a fantastic reactions save from Richard O’Donnell in the 88^th minute to deny Bradshaw a second.

Overall, from a City perspective, a swift reality check was handed after their opening day victory. A lack of bite in the final third evident on this showing, however, there is still room for optimism based on the clear ability of the players brought in this summer. City must remember that they will not play opponents of Barnsley’s calibre week in week out at this level, who surely will be fighting for the 2 automatic spots. The front quartet of Kieffer Moore, Tom Bradshaw, Mamadou Thiam and Brad Potts look an embarrassment of riches for this division, and on this showing, Barnsley will take some stopping.

FT: Bradford City 0-2 Barnsley (Bradshaw 7’, Adeboyejo 69’)

Attendance: 18,986 (2,500 visitors)

words Tobias Woodhouse, D3D4 Bradford City writer

MATCH REPORT: Charlton Athletic 2-1 Shrewsbury Town

We had gotten use to injury time winners as Salop fans last season. Down at the Valley on Saturday though it was the home team who benefited from some slack defending in the dying stages of the game to nick all three points.

Like against Bradford last Saturday, Town slowly worked their way into the game. Surprisingly Mat Sadler lost his place to Luke Waterfall at the back with Omar Beckles partnering the former Lincoln man who was handed the skippers armband. New boys Norburn and Docherty started as did Alex Gilliead down the left.

It was Gilliead who had the game’s first chance but he headed straight at Phillips in the Charlton goal, while at the other end Grant curled an effort beyond Coleman’s far post. Beckles glanced a header wide before Rangers loanee Docherty fired wide. Down the other end Ryan Haynes produced a goal saving tackle to deny Grant who had beaten the offside trap and was about to pull the trigger.

With the end to end nature of the game it was a surprise to see both teams go into the break goalless. Town came out on the offensive again through after the half time oranges.

Phillips saved well from Amadi-Holloway’s header before Salop’s lone striker was forced off with an injury. New boy Docherty saw his trickling effort cleared off the line before Gilliead failed to get out of the way of Beckles goal bound effort as Salop ramped up the pressure on the Addicks.

It was the hosts who took the lead though against the run of play. Former AFC Wimbledon man Lyle Taylor powerfully headed past Coleman from Lapslie’s cross. The goal seemed to somewhat take the wind out of Salop’s sails.

It was ‘The Shop’ who got us back into it seven minutes before the end, heading home a perfect pinpoint cross from sub Okenabirhie, but as the away end celebrated a deserved equaliser Charlton were preparing a sting in the tail.

Darren Pratley was given too much space and oodles of time to deliver a cross from the right which was deftly headed past Coleman by Grant at the near post. The nature of the goal was disappointing, the lack of closing down was the beginning of the end, but you have to feel Coleman will have been disappointed not to make a save.

It really is the same story as last week. Salop looked so dangerous on the attack and with a bit more composure could have been out of sight in the game. Hopefully this will all come together on the training ground in the coming weeks along with a little more solidity at the back.

With Askey back on the touchline for Town’s next game hopefully we will see another gear from the players. There is more than enough talent in this squad, they need to stick together keep their heads up and the points will start coming for sure.

The Mat Sadler omission was an interesting talking point with most deciding it was a nod to the pace Charlton possess in their team. The more long term question is, does Askey see a Sadler/Waterfall partnership working because if he doesn’t Sads many find it tough to force his way back in over one of the bosses marque summer signings. Time will tell on this, but has the potential lack of pace at CB been pinpointed as a concern by the management team already?

words Ian Evans, D3D4 Shrewsbury Town correspondent