Tuesday night under the lights offered a reminder of just how unforgiving League One can be. With several promotion hopefuls laying down markers and a few sides already finding themselves glancing nervously at the wrong end of the table, here is our roundup of the midweek action.
Barnsley continue to look the part, grinding out a 1-0 win at Peterborough United courtesy of a curling effort from Brighton loanee Caylan Vickers on the stroke of halftime. They remain unbeaten and would’ve finished the night atop the table if not for late drama elsewhere. The Posh’s struggles continue with Darren Furgeson’s side sitting rock bottom unable to secure a single point four games into the new campaign.
League One promotion favourites Huddersfield ended their Yorkshire rivals Doncaster Rover’s unbeaten start to the season following two late goals from Wiles and Taylor. Lee Grant’s side seem to have settled quickly since their 3-2 loss to ten-man Blackpool and carry the look of a club intent on bouncing back into the Championship.
It was a different story for Blackpool, who were turned over 2-0 at Mansfield. McDonnell’s brace not only gave the Stags their first real scalp of the campaign, it also raised questions about whether Blackpool’s early falter is more telling than it appears.
Stevenage produced the comeback of the night at Vale Park as they continue their perfect start to the season. Trailing to a 36th minute Tolaj strike, it took until the 88th minute for Jamie Ried to snatch an equaliser before hammering in the winner at the death. The away end in raptures; Stevenage may not boast the resources of the division’s heavyweights, but they’re proving early that they’ll be a nightmare to put away.
Bradford pulled off another impressive result with the newly promoted side following their win against Luton with a 2-1 win away at Stockport. They remain one of four undefeated clubs with Sarcevic’s winner capping off a performance brimmed with resilience – and it’s that resilience that could see Graham Alaxander’s men linger closer to the top six than many predicted.
At the other end of the table, Wycombe’s early woes continue after a calamitous Jack Grimmer own goal handed Exeter a 1-0 win at Adams Park. Mike Dodds will have plenty to ponder as his side remain winless. Similarly, Plymouth’s sluggish start continued with a 1-0 defeat to Leyton Orient, Josh Koroma striking decisively midway through the second half to cement the former Championship side in the bottom three.
Cardiff, meanwhile, left it until stoppage time to edge Wimbledon 1-0, Isaak Davies’ late intervention off the bench sparing frustrations and putting his side in second when the dust settled. At Kenilworth Road, Luton’s narrow 1-0 win against Wigan saw them bounce back after their defeat in Bradford. Though not at their best, it showed the sides ability to see out a game – something vital in a team with aims of promotion back to England’s second tier.
Lincon’s measured 1-0 win at Northampton was another small step in what is starting to look like a quietly convincing opening for Skubala’s men. Finally, Bolton and Reading played out an entertaining 1-1 draw on Wednesday to round-up the midweek fixtures in League One.
The Bigger Picture in League One
It’s early days, but themes are beginning to emerge in League One. Some of the punter’s favourites in Huddersfield and Cardiff already look like they have the nous to sustain a promotion push. Sides on the edge like Barnsley seem to have more grit in their teeth this season. Stevenage are shaping up as potential spoilers for the bigger budget sides. And down at the foot, Wycombe, Plymouth and Peterborough need to find answers before their seasons start to slip away from them.
League One rarely gives anyone an easy night – Tuesday proved that all over again.
