03/08/2013 The Football League Show

Evening. After another amazing summer of

British sporting success, here we go again, the beautiful game is back

and, if last season is anything to go by, the Skybet Football League

can guarantee nine months of drama, thrills and unpredictability across

all three divisions. This season we welcome QPR, Reading,

Wigan, Mansfield Town and Newport County as the League celebrates its

125th anniversary. Welcome back too to Leroy, and with

him tonight, fresh from overseeing Yeovil Town's first ever game in the

second tier, the Glovers boss Gary Johnson. He wears green even when he

is off-duty, clearly! Here's what to expect on our first

offering of a brand new season. After their two year stay with the

Premier League, QPR are adjusting to life back in the Championship, the

R's opening fixture - a home game against Sheffield Wednesday.

The Football League get their special anniversary celebrations

underway with a classic as founding members Burnley meet Bolton in a

local derby at Turf Moor. From League One we've extended

highlights of Sheffied United's meeting with the world's oldest

league club, Notts County. Since its first game on the opening day of the

very first season Dein deal have staged a record number of football

league matches. 125 years they host Wolves.

Well, with three weeks still to go until the transfer window closes,

Loftus Road has already seen plenty of changes following their

relegation from the Premier League. Two notable additions include

striker Charlie Austin and Steve McClaren as part of the back room

staff. The first challenge for Harry

Redknapp's reshaped Rangers came in the form of Sheffield Wednesday, who

were embarking on their second season in the Championship.

Commentary comes from Nigel Adderley. It's the opening Saturday

of the 125th Anniversary football league season. We are in West London

for QPR verses Sheffield Wednesday, arguably the game of the weekend in

that of Joey Barton. Who returns following a season on-loan at

Marseille. Wednesday's transfer believes he was held there by

Gardner. That is developing into quite a tussle. Antonio. He had his

pocket picked there by Andrew Johnson. Johnson goes for goal!

Inches away. It took a corner. Johnson willing the ball himself.

That deflection maybe kept Sheffield Wednesday on terms. Simpson. Here's

Johnson again! Good save by Kirkland. The saving clearance for

Sheffield Wednesday. Andrew Johnson is being given too much room by the

Owl's defence. Is That is a nice touch. He will be disappointed not

to hit the target from there. He is starting to cause problems for

Queens Park Rangers. Beaten to it by Traore. Coke with a solid challenge

on Hoilett. Opening up for the shot. It's a brilliant goal! What a debut

for Onuoha. What a fine individual goal that was. Queens Park Rangers

already knew he was a threat. It was too easy for him in the end, to cut

infield and delight those who travelled down from South Yorkshire.

An important touch away from Gardner. Barton doesn't take the

corner. Here is Forlan. The Argentine does well to regather his

feet. Here is Simpson. Now Johnson. He is onside. That is an excellent

save from Kirkland. It is Kirkland with his second fine save of the

game keeping Sheffield Wednesday in the lead. In behind Traore, going

down. No penalty. Clearly, Antonio got there just before Johnson. A

partner partnership starting between Zamora and Johnson. Hoilett. Onuoha

gets the equaliser. Onuoha was there. Just like that, Queens Park

Rangers have taken the lead. Very unlucky for Chris Kirkland, who made

a brilliant save to keep out Barton, but Johnson was there. That is an

infatic finish from a player looking from Joey Barton. Waiting for the

pull back. What a brilliant save from Kirkland. He just be wondering

where the cover was. Hoilett denied by the goalkeeper. The bounce of the

ball favours Johnson. It's Antonio. What an opportunity to equalise.

players so far. He loses out here. It's Barton's challenge. It's going

to be a yellow card for Joey Barton. You can't have too many complaints

penalty? Barton's challenge. No, it's a yellow card for Maghoma for

diving. Well, Joey Barton must have had his heart in his mouth there as

the yellow card came out. Barton didn't get too much of him. If

anything at all. The Sheffield Wednesday player did make the most

of it. It is still some time for Sheffield Wednesday. -- there is

still some time for Sheffield Wednesday. He kept his feet, beat

Green, but not the far-post. Now Traore. A dash forward there from

the full-back. Traore again! Couldn't catchup Kirkland, at the

near-post. Without Chris Kirkland, Sheffield Wednesday would be well

adrift in this game. I thought it was a great opening day game. Great

atmosphere. Sheffield Wednesday brought fantastic support with them,

filled up one end of the stadium. A great buzz today. We showed

fantastic attitude to come back from 1-0 down. Everyone knows it's a

penalty. The only fella in the stadium who doesn't know it's a

penalty is the one that matters. He is the one with the whistle. He

should go home tonight and feel very embarrassed with his performance. He

spoilt what we were all trying to do. We need that group in there

today, they wanted to play. They wanted to have a go. Those who don't

want to be here, that is find fine. If that is their feelings they don't

want to play QPR, the quicker they can get on their way the better for

everybody. Negativity is no good at a football club. If you have people

who want to play you have a chance. There will be plenty of goings and

comings there. On the back of that game, QPR up and running. Sheffield

Wednesday, much to build on? Definitely. QPR delighted with the

three points, the start that Harry wanted. Sheffield Wednesday went a

plan, it worked up until the point when they didn't get a decision.

That is why Dave Jones was frustrated. They played on the

counter attack, an open attacking game. Had their chances didn't get

the decisions when they felt they should have. Dave Jones was livid.

You have sympathy with him, haven't you Gary? You might be part of the

same Manager's Union, the penalty shouts were decent? They were

decent. I understand why he is very disappointed. A clumsy challenge. As

you say, the forward did get ahead of the defender. If there had been

a... You know if that had been outside the penalty area that would

have been a foul. For me it was a penalty. A clumsy challenge. I can

understand why Dave has the hump. soon as he is touched he has every

right to go down. You can give the referee the benefit of the down on

that one. He books Maghoma for diving. Joey Barton has been booked

as well. It is a penalty. It gets them back into the game. QPR are

down to 10-men. You jnd stand why Dave was live individual. Harry

brought in Steve McClaren alongside Kevin Bond and Joe Jordan. You have

a similar balancing act at Yeovil. Will it will be interesting to see

how the balance works out in the back room? I think it will. Harry is

the manager if he brought Steve McClaren in to help him, he is part

of his team. I made sure when I came back that Terry was part of my

management team I wasn't coming back unless he stayed. The chemisty

between me him and Darren Weigh is good. I enjoy going in. As long as

Harry enjoys working with the team he is, woing with, they will all be

happy. Interesting to see how that, Let's find out how the other two

clubs relegated from the Premier League got on in the opening day,

starting at the Madejski Stadium, as new Ipswich player who met yesterday

with an uphill struggle. The joy of the Ipswich fans was tempered just

before the break. Jay Tabb tried to seize the initiative. Redding

responded. This cheeky effort drifted wide. Jay Tabb so David

McGoldrick thundering towards the box. Alex McCarthy's fine stop was

much like his opposite number, Scott Loach. Redding launched their

am delighted we have got the three points. Their keeper made some good

saves. I am disappointed with the for promotion. Ben Watson struck

first. It was a top quality finish. One or two big names have moved on,

but Wigan have kept hold of most of their better players. James Mcarthur

came close to doubling their lead, . If anything, we can have added

Premier League quality to their teams. Grant Holt's first tactics go

showed real quality. Dale Jennings joined from Bayern Munich. He had a

trust debut, getting a red card only six minutes after coming on as a

substitute. Leon Barnett, another new recruit. All three - - the

Latics's chances this season depend on whether they can hold on to

could have hoped for. Going to Barnsley on Thursday when you have

been relegated is not what you want. To win the championship, you

have to show the right attitude, and they did that and start to finish.

They have to negotiate a minimum of 55 games. It will depend on the

squad they have got. If they use the same players, they will have to look

at having a less intense training regime. Players like playing

football, but if you have to work on something, sometimes you have to do

that if things are not going well. It may cost them some point along

the way. Nigel has kept intact the title winning side of two seasons

ago. Nigel might want to change the approach and the star, but what he

still has got is that attitude Redding have always had. No matter

how they play, they were giving 100%. - - Bay will give it 100%.

will be an entertaining season as far as the Royals are concerned.

What about the three clubs who came up to the championship? Doncaster

ten to the fold after one season away, but for Bournemouth it has

been 25 years since they were last there. All eyes were on Yeovil Town.

Their first-ever game in a championship was against Millwall,

time. The Oval keeper had to turn sweeper when his defence was split

apart. This became another fairy tale afternoon for the Somerset

club. Edward Utterson scored and began his championship career in

this fashion - - Edward Upson. Yeovil have grown one of the biggest

legal upset that had ever been seen. Under 1000 fans will be able to say,

I was there. Who is worth ringing summer. Stephen Davis forms part of

a new Blackpool forward line. He did not have to wait too long for a

debut goal. He got it despite some great goalkeeping from Turnbull.

This was long has the's first competitive match under their new

manager. They could easily have taken something from the game.

Blackpool regained the lead. Gary MacKenzie speaks Turnbull. - - beat

Turnbull. Blackpool's future surely played in the second tier of English

football. They couldn't cope with Lewis Grabban. Yann Kermorgant

brought them level with a special finish. The Cherries back in front,

and in some style. Some outstanding effort. Lewis Grabban was on top

form. Bradley Pritchard was an unfortunate player. He got a red

opening day. We knew that the first three points we got were important.

The season has been talked about a lot. I had faith that I could trust

the boys not to be shrinking violets. They knew the importance of

it. It is fair to say you go into this season with less pressure. Does

it help? I think so. Nobody is expecting others to win. If nobody

is expecting you to win, anything is a bonus. We will be playing on

that. What constitutes a good season for Yeovil Town? We will have to

judge it at the end. We want to stay clear of the relegation zone. We're

just playing each game as it comes. We want to try and enjoy every game

and judge success at the end of the season. It could be mid-table, it

could be play-offs, whatever. We will enjoy the season. We wish you

all the best. Bolton missed off on the play-offs by the narrowest of

margins last season. On Saturday, they kicked off the new campaign

just as they did the last with a local derby at Ben Mee. Tom Heaton

and David Jones make their debuts for Ben Mee, who began life without

Charlie Austin. Bolton was Dougie Freedman handed debuts to Alex

Baptiste, Matt Tierney and Jermaine Alex back tees. - - Alex Baptiste.

Chris Eagles, Jermaine Beckford. This was the first major scare for

Tom Heaton, the new goalkeeper for Ben Mee. Danny Ings has the first

championship goal of the season. Is this the year when Danny Ings

delivers for Burnley? Darren Pratley's finish has Bolton that - -

back, at 1-1. This has been a David Wheater had a couple of bites

away by the flying Heaton. Great connection. A fine save too from the

debut-making keeper this. That is top corner bound, isn't it? We are a

club that has to make sure the club moves forward. There is good quality

there. That is an important part of the Championship feeling having a

knift feeling to the squad. There are good signs of that today. Bolton

had power in the market. The play was fantastic. I felt there were

times in certain areas we weren't firing on all cylinders. With Eagles

and Beckford, it's a matter of time. A sobering start at St Andrews as

Birmingham mark the untimely death of their former striker Christian

their team. They began to gel after the break. The Spaniard was just as

sharp when we needed to get down quickly from a corner after

Shinnie's shot was diverted. The Blue the pushed hard for a point.

Zola was delighted to see them past the test. I liked the way we didn't

give up. Last year in circumstances like this we would have conceded. We

did concede goals. So we are looking forward to improving that. Sometimes

you don't get what you deserve. It's a tough one to swallow. We will

recover from that. We will have a little bit of a soak tonight. We

will brush ourselves down in the morning and get ready for Plymouth

on Tuesday. Leicester's campaign last season ended in the play-offs

with last-minute agony with Watford. Whitehead went close as

Middlesbrough dominated the first half. They soon claimed the opening

goal. It came from an un xpt unexpected source. St Ledger scored

an own-goal. The second-half was a very different story. The Foxes

rediscovered their mow goal after the break. Danny Drinkwater put them

level 15 minutes after the restart. For Boro this game was like last

season a great start followed by a collapse. Seven-minutes later, lest

-- Leicester were ahead with Vardy's finish. Vardy struck the post during

the second-half. The Foxes will need more of the same if they are to

improve on last season. Certainly in the second-half we played with a

better tempo. Made a lot more positive decisions in possession and

we looked a dangerous side. Good to get off to a winning start. We lost

the first game last season but we were never out of the top six for

the first six months of the season. A long way to go. We will get back

on track on Tuesday night, hopefully. Nearly 2,000 Huddersfield

fans were at the ground for the season opening. The manager is

promising attacking football from his side and new recruit threatened

a breakthrough. Billy Davis, it's the minimum requirement,

expectations are high. This shot came close. The keeper was forced

into a smart save. This one-two with Simon Cox opened up the visitor's

defence, Lansbury put in a tap-in effort. Cox was afforded too much

space, but couldn't punish the opposition. Vaughan wasn't far away

from an equaliser. Vaughan couldn't finish. There was a late opportunity

for Matt Derbyshire, he couldn't connect. Forest though had done

enough. Billy Davis had that winning feeling. There is a fresh feel to

Leeds United. Ken Bates have gone, the fans returned, 33,000 to witness

what was a new dawn for Brighton. Garcia was their replacement. He

watched his side make a promising start as owe landy let fly. In the

13th minute Bruno threaded through a pass that was despatched first time.

Leeds produced a rapid response to loa's -- Ulloa's goal through Ross

one of Leeds replacements left gourd oon Greer lagging. Paul Green lashed

his shot wide. This was a crash course for albee yonk's new boss on

the craziness of the Championship. He must have thought Buckley was

about to pinch the points. Kenny kept it level. -- Albion's. This was

the first repayment, sending Elland Road into orbit. Controversy at the

end about the goal? Possible handball I don't know. Their goal

was offside. That's how it is sometimes. I think I just felt that

we, for the fact that we kept going and kept trying to win that game, we

probably just edged it. If it was a draw today against a very, very good

side I would have had no complaints. A good win for Leeds that adds to

the feel good factor emanating around Elland Roads. We saw some

good results there. What are your thoughts on the teams perceived as

the favourites for promotion and relegation. Do you necessarily agree

with them? You can understand why the teams we are talking about, QPR,

Reading, Wigan and Bolton, you can understand that. I can make a case

about 12 sides who can be in the round. 's not as clear-cut, I

suppose it rarely is. McDermott went to Leeds because he feels he has a

squad that could go up, he hasn't gone to be there mid-table. I think

the pressure will be off Leicester and theyle might make a run for it.

Does it annoy you to see Yeovil there? We are not there. Not

tonight. This is before kick-off?Of course, yes. I understand that. We

are the lowest budget, we are probably the smallest club. You know

the strength we are going to use - there will be teams in that list and

beyond that list where they are under pressure to get promoted.

There is big pressure on those managers at the at the moment.

horses to look out for? I don't know. You are, sort of... You are

wondering whether Brighton, Leeds, those teams, someone will come out

the pack that are not in that top five or six. You know, we are going

to try and think of ourselves as a dark, dark horse. Of course.We are

not getting carried away. And do your best to roughle some feathers.

We have won one game, let's keep our We have won one game, let's keep our

feet... Well, as for League One, two more of

the League's founder members, Preston and Wolves, went

head-to-head on Saturday. Clem was at Deepdale to join in the

anniversary. It was football, but not as we know it now. No numbers,

goal nets or substitutes. Goalkeepers wore the same kit as

outfield players. The referee stood on the touchline arbitrating between

two umpires, one supplied by each club. Here at Deepdale the changing

rooms were a tent as Preston's Inconvince yibls kicked off their

first game when they went on to be unbeaten League and Cup double

winners. Since the football league kicked off in 18 88, 2.2 billion

supporters have watched 177,000 matches, 40,000 players, and over

half a million goals. 2,342 matches here at Deepdale in the Football

League, that is a record. I want your highlight of watching Preston?

I have been watching them since 1946. Your highlight? Weighting

Birmingham in the play-off finals. Second leg play-off in 95 against

Torquay. Do you feel a connection with the past and those 125 years

that have gone before? I think each club, like ours, has this tradition

and history. You feel that a new group of players could be part of

something special again this season, possibly. You will never go away

from the past, hopefully the future will encourage people to remember

the good times as well. He will now today have played for three of the

12 founder members of the Football League? I was at Blackburn with him

as well. He is a good influence. We beat half a dozen clubs to his

signature. Fit as a fiddle, looking to do something in the game.

Delighted to have got him. They pushed to get me. That helped to

make the decision to come here. Hopefully get pro promotion. That is

why I'm here to hope out. Don't you worry when you look at the programme

there is a miss print. I'm delighted to be in at Wolves. I made a high

number of changes. Even two players start today at Preston from the side

that finished at Brighton last year in the Championship. Quite a number

of changes. I'm looking forward to seeing them play. Too many losers.

We have to change it, definitely. need to wipe the slate clean. We

need to move forward with younger players that are hungry for it and

earlier in their careers. We did OK last year. Plus with the players we

signed as well, it has made us better as a team, not just the

squad. We would like to think we won't be too far away. It's a long

hard season. I have been there a few times. It can take its toll on

people and you can only do as good people and you can only do as good

as you can each game. COMMENTATOR: There were nearly

16,000 at Deepdale to mark this occasion. It has been all change at

Wolves, Kenny Jackett trying to stop the rot in the club. They failed to

get any distance on a punch clearance, this effort was cleared

off the goal-line, the Lillywhites had chances of their own but lacked

the necessary finish. Wolvesed looked to catch their hosts on the

counter. Once again, no end product. Rudd cut out the low angled cross,

That was good. I thought we played well. We worked hard. Some good

quality. That game was on a knife edge. We will take a point. For such

a state occasion, what a great atmosphere? We have a fantastic fan

base. Hopefully we can give them something to cheer about this

season. Your boys put one hell of a shift in. No doubting the attitude

out there? Pleased not to get beaten. Tough place to come. There

is more to come. A tough opening test for Wolves against a Preston

side tipped to do well. They have to hit the ground running this

campaign? I disagree with that. I don't think they have to hit the

ground running, they have to be solid. That is what we haven't seen

from Wolves. 12 months ago they were playing in the Premier League and

they are in League One. He will be pleased with the cleansheet. They

need to get into the a run of form in the season. They need to be solid

and competitive. If they are that at the start of the season, that is

when their quality will come out. Change of gear at Molyneux. It's a

younger side. They will be seen as a big scalp? They will. Everybody will

go to nol knew with the big crowd and the big atmosphere they get

there. Again, they have nothing to lose. They have to go there and pick

up a result. You know, Kenny and the team have got to win the fans over.

They have the support. Got to get the support back positive. The only

way to do that is to win games and be competing at the top of the

League. That is where Wolves have to be. Preston, we know what Simon

Grayson has done with other teams in this division, are you looking for a

top season from them? Simon has gone there and had the experience with

Huddersfield of getting teams promoted. I can see why they are

optimistic. They are a big club. You talk about Wolves being a big club,

Preston are just as big and just as optimistic.

More from League One now and we start our round-up at London Road as

newly relegated Peterborough got their new season up and running

against the only Football League team currently without a permanent

Peterborough. They were relegated in dramatic circumstances. They are

more than capable of answering straight back. Swindon sign six

players from Tottenham in the game of the season, all you can ask

for is a win. We have got a clean league from opposite directions. At

the relegation, Sean O'Driscoll has overhauled his squad. He has five

new recruits. Phil Parkinson's side an immediate impact. Jay

pressure. You look at your players and see who responds in the right

way. To be fair, they all responded, they all tried to do the right

thing. Sometimes a bit misguided, but everyone is trying to do the

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on the first day, they went on to out of luck later on. Crew were

quickly out of the box. Anthony Grant scored in the first few

minutes. It wasn't the start rather unwanted. - - it wasn't the start

rather wanted. Lee Freckleton found the corner. The referee awarded a

Scott kick. When it looked as though crew might take maximum points, this

shot went in. That was the 86th minute. There was a 90th minute

equaliser. Lee Freckleton with his are came down from the

Championships. If you are Darren Ferguson, when you spend a lot of

money on a player, I suppose there is a bit of a fear. It is nice to

start like that. It settles everybody down. You do not want a 34

games without scoring. Peterborough have done well. It is credit to

them. Is it ever a niggling fear about the money? Not for the

manager. It is down to the player's character and personality whether he

can handle it. The crowd cannot get onto him very quickly, otherwise

they soon fade and drift away. He has his goal, so he is in credit.

The league one fixture list got underway at Bramall Lane on Friday

night. To founder member scared up to each other - - squared up to each

other with Sheffield United taking dismissal, less than 30 minutes into

the opening game. It was reckless. No question, having seen the replay.

The opening goal was from Kevin Donald. First goal for Sheffield

United under the tutelage of David Weir. McDonald's. That was untidy,

very untidy. Most of the crowd expected a penalty to be given in

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football if you don't win football games. You have to get results. That

was pleasing. Big talking point, is that sending off. How did you see

that? I do not think he was hurt. Whether it is a red card or not, I

am not sure. It is frustrating. I think there were one or two

decisions that might have gone our the loss of Lee Miller. Clark was

knocked unconscious and left in a nearly two years. Orient pulled away

in the second half. David Mooney was well enough to join the team on

the ground to make the decision it Coventry. Early goals for Jamie

Proctor and Joe Walsh put them two goals behind, just past the 20

minute mark. It was all too much for some of the Coventry supporters, who

let their frustration get the better of them during a short hold-up in

play. Once relative calm was restored, the Coventry players

produced a terrific fightback. Another close range finish here.

Franck Moussa if the. - - lifted Both managers said they were happy

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Stevenage were not gone yet, far from it. They go back to within one

goal, with 13 minutes to play. The match was tied at three all. The

game had another twist. The second play-offs. This opener against

Tranmere suggested they could be a Tranmere suggested they could be a

side to punch above their weight again amongst the more interesting

summer deals was the arriving of the Slovakian. He made it 2-0Lalkovic.

Andy Robinson halved the deficit before the break. Westcarr were in

the mood. After a one, two with Lalkovic he wrapped up the points,

18 minutes from time. Any fears that Walsall fans had for losing their

top three goalscorers last season, that result will do them the power

of good. Coventry start the season on minus 10 points. Whatever it is,

this infighting between the owners of the stadium and the football

club, something has to come to a resolution quickly, hasn't it?

quickly. It's an absolute mess. The fans are fighting to keep the club

in Coventry. They are threatening to play in Northampton. The key is to

have a football club. They have been deducted the 10 points, minus 10

points, it deteriorated into a sham. Someone has to take hold of it and

make positive decisions very, very quickly. We saw high scoring

victories for Leyton Orient and a manager by the name of Lee Johnson,

I don't know if you know him, Gary? Four goals away at Stevenage. What a

great opening day? A great opening day. You get your ups and downs.

This was unbelievable goal. Just outside his own penalty area.

the energy to lift it over the goalkeeper at the end, it was

fantastic. I spoke to him on the phone, on the our perspective buses

he said watch for Montano's goal. How hard is it to get out of this

division, Gary? It's very hard to get out of the division. It's hard

to get out of division. It is hard in League One. A lot of teams are

much of a muchness. You have to hang on in there. There are times when

you can win five, six on the trot and you could lose five or six on

the trot which you probably can't on the Championship am you have to hang

in there. It's always, I think, very tight and very close. They probably

have the right group of teams for top and bottom, if you like, again

there is always somebody that comes out the pack, us, and Walsall last

year were the the two favourites for relegation. Both of us, you know,

gave it a right good go. Us getting promoted them just missing out on

promoted them just missing out on the play-offs.

To League Two then and a historic day for Welsh football as Newport

County returned to the Football League after a 24-year absence.

They opened their account against James Beattie's Accrington. This is

one place with the season couldn't one place with the season couldn't

end soon enough Their old club folded and reformed at the end of

the '80s. Accrington's defens -- defence was at sixes and sevens. It

weighs Chapman's first appearance when the new boys put on a good

show. Chapman led the charge. Jolley's late goal brought the

resistance cut in from the wing to all but finish the contest. An

impressive variety of goals from the league's newcomers that will fill

them with confidence ahead of Tuesday's Cup trip to Brighton.

Accrington's new manager said their players who have taken bets that

have made them go grey. Newport were back with a bang and relishing the

campaign to come. I felt that if we got the right result here today that

the momentum would continue and these fans have been fantastic loyal

over 25 years. They have turned out in great numbers we sent them home

happy. We want them to continue to come and support us. This was a

harsh reintroduction to life at this level. Scunthorpe took the lead,

Sparrow scored on his return. Scunny made it two before half-time.

Winnall got to the threw ball before the keeper. The finish was a

formality. Simply put, Scunthorpe made the most of their chances. The

same couldn't be said of Mansfield. They missed plenty. Reid went close.

Not even a late penalty could get the Stags on the scoresheet. Nolan

handled this cross to give away a needless spot-kick. What is worse,

is that it was the defender's second yellow card offence. Scunthorpe

finished the game with 10-men. They kept a cleansheet. The penalty went

into the crowd. Scunthorpe made the better start to life in League Two.

Questions were certainly posed, but I thought that we answered quite a

lot of them today in the fact that this is how we are going to approach

this. This is how we are going to play. They were a stern test,

Mansfield. I thought they posed the questions that we expected. I

thought we dealt with them very, very well. A record crowd for League

Two of more than 18,000 turned out. The vast majority delighted to see

Agyemang score. Portsmouth are a big fish at this level. That means a

prized scalp for the rest. Oxford reminded them that promotion is no

formality. Deane Smalley took nine minutes to put the Ewe's back on

terms. Alfie Potter set up the first goal, he helped himself to the

second. Worst was to come. After the break the referee had a good view

and had no doubt he saw a raised elbow. Pompey faced the final

half-hour with 10-men. Potter tormented the home side making

himself the space to crash home the third. They will have enjoyed this

away day as much as any. With Portsmouth stretched again by

Potter's running there was room in the middle for Smalley to wrap it

up. Pompey's script ripped to shreds. We have to take the

positives. The first 30 to 335 minutes one team looked positive out

there. That is football. It can kick you in the teeth at the best of

times. They started off better than us and deservedly went ahead. We

managed to get up the pitch a little bit more, scored a great time and

went on to score some good goals. Another of the football league's

Anniversary Games, Rochdale verses Hartlepool is the most played

fixture between any two teams currently in the 72. They haven't

always been graced with goals of this class. Scott Hogan opened the

scoring in some style. Dale doubled their lead. The referee awarded a

penalty. Donnelly did the business from the spot. Hartlepool began to

experience a familiar sirnging feeling. Back in the fourth tier

Pools have yet to stop the rot. Ian Henderson was the scorer eight

minutes later from an impressive looking Rochdale. I'm pleased. We

worked on a lot of things in preseason. It's great when it comes

together. With respect to a result, that is all you are interested in,

the end result. The performances for me will generate results. After

relegation from League One Bury's transformation saw seven players

making their debuts. It was one of the few survivors from last term who

couldn't finish. Chesterfield are fancied for promotion. Their opener

came as Jay O'Shea twisted and turned his way past the skipper

before beating the keeper. The Irishman was off the mark on the

opening day. The Spireites wrapped up victory with this counter attack.

Richards got ahead of Hinds. He cut inside before blasting past Lleyton.

Chesterfield in good shape. Chesterfield a strong showing. Well

done to Newport County they had to wait to get back in the League. Four

goals on their opening day against Accrington it doesn't get better.

years, a party atmosphere. The players lived up to that. Zebroski -

He has been around? In the west country. They have people who have

the club at heart and worked hard. Edwards hats gone there and done the

business and got them out of the Conference and started off the

season in good style. Good wins for Scunthorpe and Rochdale. 18,000 to

cheer on Portsmouth. Staggering attendance. They were building on

the feel good factor by taking the League Oxford come back with a

terrific result at the end of it? 18,000, magnificent bit of support

there for them. They would have wanted to come out of that game with

the win. They got a lad sent off, 2-1 down. 4-1 at home is a big

defeat. They have gone through bigger troubles? They have gone

through everything. They will get Our last look at League Two now and

both Cheltenham and Burton reached the play-offs last time out.

Both sides then keen to get their campaigns off to a winning start at

campaigns off to a winning start at Whaddon Road. Charlton's Cureton

pounced on the last ball. He was injured and forced to leave the

field. The ball fell for Harrison, the Cheltenham substitute took full

advantage. In first half stoppage-time Burton found a way

back into the match. The player was adjudged to have handled inside the

penalty. This penalty was a life line. They strengthened their

position after the interval thanks to Rory Delap. A debut goal for the

recent rival. Burton clawed back a two goal deficit. There was a late

opportunity for Deering. The ball cam back off the crossbar. The

Cheltenham manager felt his side had thrown it away. We were very good

first half, very, very good. Sloppy goal from a set-piece in the

second-half. Coles got the opener for Exeter, shy of the hour mark.

They hadn't won any of their previous five opening matches. They

were ahead for nine minutes. Richards thought he got the Gas off

the hook. It seemed he had until up parked new rival Parkin. A debut to

remember. Rovers could have grabbed a point at the end. Richards denied

by the keeper, with Coles object on the line to clear from O'Toole to

blunder the points. Dagenham survived last season on goal

difference. They were two down inside 10 minutes at Fleetwood.

Roberts buried the opener. Jeff Hughes, one of nine new signings,

doubled the lead. 2 0 league goals, he could run amok at this level. The

Daggers lost their final three games last season without scoring.

Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Rhys Murphy put them

back in the game after excellent work. Fleetwood needed to score

again. It was another of their new men, Ryan Cresswell who put the game

beyond Dagenham's reach. Home form was not the best last season, but

Evans nearly made the margin more convincing for Fleetwood late on.

They could be promotion contenders opportunity. He had previously been

sidelined for 17 months. Daniel Bentley was perfectly positioned to

save this from Rueben Reid. This pair were haunted by relegation for

much of last season. Not much of the way of chances for is not Harry Pell

let rip from out that the penalty area. With two minutes left, one to

zero. Later, there was nothing faulty about this. Enough to earn a

point apiece. Paris Cowan-Hall's only goal since

November had been the winner for more come against Plymouth. He

produced the goods again, for new club would come. They hang on - -

their: After Chris McCready went close to an equaliser. Aidy

Boothroyd believes his side has a nice mix of age and experience.

Darren Carter's debut ended prematurely. His challenge to Ryan

prematurely. His challenge to Ryan Jarvis prompted a yellow card. What

a great start the season York. managed to stay off relegation. He

has had time to work with the players. I thought that was an

excellent result today. Let's round-up. What do you think of that?

Portsmouth have to be pressured into getting promotion. They should be at

least in the championship. Bristol Rovers, it would be nice to see

them. I would like to see the Bristol derby again, living local.

And then you have got Dagenham and Acklington, who are perennial

favourites to go down. We have two young managers in there, with tough

job to do, but they will learn very quickly. OK. That is it from us. We

are up and running. The football comes thick and fast from here on

in. We have the drum of cup football on Wednesday night, but the first