League One and Two are well and truly back with a bang. The first weekend alone provided us with shocks, surprises and brilliant goals as the lower tiers didn’t hesitate to get back to giving us the joy and entertainment that we all love them for.
With almost as many mesmerising misses as spectacular goals, perhaps a suggestion of some lingering pre-season rust, I could’ve gone either way with this list!
But, let’s stick to the gorgeous goals we were gifted with this weekend and get our list of the top five from the first weekend underway, enjoy.
5: Kyreece Lisbie vs Tranmere Rovers
Beginning with number five, I’ve gone with Kyreece Lisbie’s extraordinary late equaliser for Colchester United at home to Tranmere Rovers, an absolute touch of class from the rescuing substitute.
The Us looked like they were going to end up falling victim to a smash and grab home defeat to their Merseyside opponents, a game in which Colchester had the possession landslide but failed to make that many clear-cut chances.
This was until Lisbie beautifully took down a long ball into his chest just inside the box, before dispatching his half-volleyed strike high and handsome into the roof of the net. The sublime finish partnered with the sensational scenes behind the goal meant that Lisbie’s effort had to be in this list.
4: Connor Barrett vs Swindon Town
Next up, sticking with the theme of late goals that sent the home fans into pandemonium, its Connor Barrett’s 91st minute winner for Walsall filling in the fourth place spot.
The game itself was a hard fought affair where the odds lined up in Swindon’s favour after a first half red card fell Walsall’s way, which might just have made this goal even sweeter for the Saddlers faithful.
Wing-back Barrett received the ball just inside his own half, before linking up beautifully with substitute Courtney Clarke via a one-two which took so many Swindon defenders out of the game that it gifted him the freedom of the Bescot Stadium as he drove into the box and slotted his strike calmly past Connor Ripley to fire his side to opening day victory.
3: Rubin Colwill vs Peterborough United
Picking up two of the three podium spots are a pair of free kick thunderbolts. Firstly, the bronze medal goes to Cardiff’s starboy Rubin Colwill, who may just be too good for the third tier.
The Welshman sparked a resurgence from his Bluebird side after pulling them back to all square thanks to a delightful free kick in the lunchtime fixture on Saturday.
The free kick was catapulted into the back of the net at the near post with a spectacular top-spinning technique, catching the on looking Peterborough defence by surprise as it was from the sort of angle where a cross into the box is the more common approach.
A goal that could spearhead the Bluebirds into the promotion campaign they’re hoping for.
2: Evan Weir vs Swindon Town
In second, slightly bettering Colwill’s stunning free kick, is Evan Weir and his unbelievable dead ball strike from the same game as our fourth place finisher Connor Barrett.
The fizzing free kick was whipped powerfully into the top right corner around the light two man wall from approximately 30 yards out.
Once again, the light wall suggests that the defence may have been expecting a cross into the box from the right footed Jamie Jellis who was also stood over the ball, potentially fooling the defence which led to a superb free kick which began Walsall’s season with a bang, just how they would’ve dreamt it.
1: Charlie Webster vs Mansfield Town
On a weekend where fans like ourselves were thoroughly treated with a bunch of splendid goals, coming in all varieties, the one that pips the rest to my number one spot is Charlie Webster’s cannoned opening goal for Burton Albion against Mansfield.
Webster’s dominant performance is debatably the most impressive of the weekend’s games as he inspired the brewers to their first opening day victory since 2021 with a remarkable brace including two lovely finishes as a result of his hard work and tenacity in midfield.
But the opener was the pick of the two, he picked up the ball outside the box, set himself up and spanked the ball into the top right corner, stunning the visiting goalkeeper and leaving him planted in his spot as the ball swung away from him.
It was a punishing strike, and a hint to watch out for the 21-year-old this season, as this stellar performance suggests that this could be a special season for Charlie Webster, remember the name.
What Do You Think
Thank you very much for reading. Did I miss out your favourite goal from the weekend? Would your list be different? Let us know in the comments or on X @LowerTiers
