Difficult one his was going for Barrow especially as three up, Harrogate also worthy of a mention but gone for AFC Wimbledon getting their first win in 28 games

We started off our League Two campaign in the perfect way today with opponents Gillingham brushed aside in style.

The high standards were set in the first-half when Ethan Chislett crashed home a sensational half-volley to lift the roof off the Cherry Red Records Stadium and from that point onwards the Dons showed the qualities of a team that was determined to prove a point.

An expectant crowd was treated to a performance that showed we can hold our own when our backs are against the wall, before striking at the right moments, as Jack Currie proved in the second period.



Our swashbuckling Academy graduate dominated the left-hand side for much of the 90 minutes and his shift was rewarded in the best way possible as he bagged his first senior goal with a thumping header from Will Nightingale’s cross.

In addition to our offensive qualities, our defensive line showed great resilience to see off the aerial threat of Gillingham, with Nik Tzanev showing his competence between the sticks. It capped a promising showing from the team as a whole and got the Johnnie Jackson era off to a dream start in front of a packed-out crowd.



The gaffer stuck with the same starting eleven which began our last pre-season friendly against Oxford United, with the likes of Chris Gunter, Alex Pearce, Currie, Paris Maghoma and Josh Davison all making their league debuts for the Dons. Meanwhile, new signings Nathan Young-Coombes and Kyle Hudlin were named on the bench.

Plough Lane came to life in the lead up to kick-off with Wimbledon fans packing the familiar yellow and blue stands to the rafters.



It was a feisty opening quarter to the game that greeted the raucous crowd, with the battle for possession largely taking place in midfield.

However, it soon settled down and a deserved lead soon followed for the Dons.



A corner was only half cleared by Gillingham, with Chislett receiving the ball on the edge of the box. The midfielder took the slightest of touches before rifling in a fizzing half volley into the top corner which left Glenn Morris with absolutely no chance.

The visitors looked threatening from set pieces, but our back three dealt with everything that was thrown at them despite being under pressure for short periods.



Wimbledon were still creating openings with Gunter being next to go close as he forced Morris into a smart save low down to his right.

The good spell continued for Jackson’s side with Ayoub Assal heading straight at the keeper after a delivery from the right.



Moving into the second-half and it was the Gills who came close to an equaliser early on as a delivery from the left flank was directed just wide of Tzanev’s far post. The Kiwi then had to stay alert to adjust his body to deal with a curling free-kick.

The game then began to swing in our favour and before long it was 2-0. Nightingale volleyed a hopeful ball into the box before Currie stormed in to head home, sending the Cherry Red Records Stadium into raptures.



That finished the game off as a contest and got the Johnnie Jackson era off to the perfect start!

AFC Wimbledon: Nik Tzanev, Chris Gunter, Will Nightingale, Alex Pearce, Lee Brown, Jack Currie, George Marsh, Paris Maghoma, Ethan Chislett (Alfie Bendle), Josh Davison (Kyle Hudlin), Ayoub Assal (Nathan Young-Coombes)

Peterborough 2 down to winning 3-2

Jonson Clarke-Harris scored twice as Posh came from 2-0 down to beat Cheltenham Town 3-2 at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium.

Jonson Clarke-Harris tested the reflexes of goalkeeper Luke Southwood on 13 minutes, but the on-loan Reading shot-stopper did well to repel his effort, beating the ball to safety. Moments later, the hosts had a chance of their own and a better one too, Perry afforded too much room in the box, but he lashed his shot inches wide of the near post.

Lewis Freestone, an Academy graduate of the Posh, fired a shot across goal for the hosts before two more Academy graduates, Harrison Burrows and Ricky-Jade Jones linked up, but the latter’s header went over the crossbar.

Jones displayed his pace on 21 minutes down the right, bursting into the penalty area, but from a tight angle, he fired well wide of the near post. The hosts got their noses in front just before the half hour mark as the strength and power of Dan Nlundulu caused all sorts of problems for the Posh back-line and his centre was bundled into his own net by Frankie Kent.

The hosts doubled their lead on 38 minutes and it was a terrible defensive error that led to the goal, Alfie MAY benefitting from a poor pass and rounding Bergström before slotting into the empty net. Posh had an immediate chance to get back into the game as Bergström’s long clearance found Clarke-Harris, but his left-footed lob struck the top of the crossbar. Bergström produced a superb stop with his legs to keep out May three minutes before the break as Cheltenham threatened to run away with it.

As the first half moved into two minutes of added time, Jeando Fuchs became the first player to go in the book for a shirt tug on Sercombe. Grant McCann made a triple change at the break with Joe Ward, Ben Thompson and Jack Marriott replacing Fuchs, Jones and Randall.

Jackson was cautioned for kicking the ball away moments into the second period. Kent could and perhaps should have done a little better from a deep Joe Ward free-kick, the centre back saw his effort directed straight into the grateful arms of Southwood.

Posh pulled a goal back on 58 minutes as two substitutes combined, Joe Ward with a good low delivery and Jack MARRIOTT is there to get across his man at the near post to find the back of the net. Kent was cautioned by referee Tom Nield on the hour mark with Perry curling the resulting free-kick over the bar.

Bergström produced a good stop with his legs to deny May for the second time in the contest on 64 minutes after he managed to ghost in behind Kent. Posh drew themselves level on 66 minutes as Jonson CLARKE-HARRIS rifled home with his left-foot after a poor defensive clearance.

Burrows sliced a shot wide of the near post after a good run from Knight on the near side as Posh tried to get a quickfire third. Posh completed the turnaround on 72 minutes as Ward delivered another wonderful centre for CLARKE-HARRIS to guide home at the near post for his second goal of the game.

Lucas Bergström then produced a stunning save to tip over an effort from Alfie May to preserve the Posh lead. McCann made a fourth change midway through the first half with Hector Kyprianou replacing Szmodics.

Ward had a good chance to cap a fine second half performance on 85 minutes as he raced onto a Kyprianou pass, but he lofted his effort over the bar. Ward curled a free-kick straight at Southwood on 87 minutes as Freestone was cautioned for a lunge at the same player.

Bergström produced a good stop to keep out substitute Ebanks three minutes into injury time.

Cheltenham: Southwood, Long, Williams (sub Lloyd 75min), Raglan, Freestone, Sercombe (sub Adshead 81min), Nlundulu, May, Jackson (sub C. Taylor 75min), Bonds (sub Chapman 81min), Perry (sub Ebanks 75min). Subs: MacDonald, Horton.

Posh: Bergström, Edwards, Knight, Kent, Fuchs (sub B. Thompson 46min), Taylor, Clarke-Harris, Szmodics (sub Kyprianou 78min), Burrows, Jones (sub Ward 46min), Randall (sub Marriott 46min). Subs: Ajiboye, Tomlinson, Blackmore.

Half-time: Cheltenham Town 2-0 Peterborough United
Full-time: Cheltenham Town 2-3 Peterborough United
Attendance: 4,425 (1,050)
Referee: Tom Nield

Bradford City midfielder Emmanuel Osadebe faces a "significant time" out after suffering a double leg break in their 0-0 draw at home to Doncaster Rovers.

The 25-year-old went down injured only seven minutes into the match on his Bantams debut.

Play was paused for eight minutes while he was stretchered off the pitch.

"It's not good news, it's a double break unfortunately so he's going to be out for a significant time," manager Mark Hughes told BBC Radio Leeds.

"A lot of the lads you could see clearly were affected emotionally by it, so for them to be able to just get on with their jobs - because we had to keep on playing for Manny's sake, really.

"It wasn't the opening day that we all wanted for a number of reasons.

"But I thought that they stuck at it, showed character and they had to get about their work and unfortunately on the day it wasn't quite enough. I think we deserved it just for our efforts but unfortunately there's more things that are important."

Osadebe moved to Bradford from Walsall in June for an undisclosed fee, signing a two-year deal with the club.

Bradford City midfielder Emmanuel Osadebe faces a "significant time" out after suffering a double leg break in their 0-0 draw at home to Doncaster Rovers.

The 25-year-old went down injured only seven minutes into the match on his Bantams debut.

Play was paused for eight minutes while he was stretchered off the pitch.

"It's not good news, it's a double break unfortunately so he's going to be out for a significant time," manager Mark Hughes told BBC Radio Leeds.

"A lot of the lads you could see clearly were affected emotionally by it, so for them to be able to just get on with their jobs - because we had to keep on playing for Manny's sake, really.

"It wasn't the opening day that we all wanted for a number of reasons.

"But I thought that they stuck at it, showed character and they had to get about their work and unfortunately on the day it wasn't quite enough. I think we deserved it just for our efforts but unfortunately there's more things that are important."

Osadebe moved to Bradford from Walsall in June for an undisclosed fee, signing a two-year deal with the club.

https://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/article/te...-johnstone

Well the Scot Prem season starts tomorrow in Perth for Hibs and sadly not having the best prep period leading up to this match. However, Johnson's update has some positive news re player availability and the 1st team players' ambition to do well. I have no idea how this will turn out as our striking capability really is IMO "up in the air" esp when Johnson comments that Melkersen does a lotta good stuff on Hibs left flank. I wanna see him up front in the Saints' pen box looking to "sniff out" and convert any goal opps that come his way!! Anyway, I'm hoping Hibs kick off their Scot Prem campaign with a decent performance and victory, all positive stuff to talk about please!! Fingers crossed!!

GGTTH

Well here we go again after a 3 week break - at least it feels like 3 weeks.

Gamball:
Leeds - Wolves

Others:
Bournemouth - Aston Villa
Everton - Chelsea
Bristol City - Sunderland
Preston - Hull
QPR - Middlesbrough
Reading - Cardiff
Swansea - Blackburn
MK Dons - Sheffield Wednesday
Forest Green - Ipswich

You all know how it works but if we get anyone new joining in I'll repost some instructions.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/...0aggregate.

And their manager, Graeme Alexander, is sacked in the process!! They've hardly won a home match this year and yet bizarrely qualified for a Euro Conference slot at the end of last season? Well beaten by meagre Irish opponents and I must say I wasn't surprised at all to the point of making some money on a simple double bet - no goals scored and two defeats!! Beaten 3-0 on aggregate, they were never good enough to do anything in this competition and that's a fact!! Who's next eh(?), as the standard of footie is not good enough for a good number of Scot footie clubs that are kidding themselves re any kinda positive progress v opponents from better Euro footie leagues - past history reveals that harsh reality unless these clubs have the millions n millions of quid that the Ugly Sisters from Glesca have at their disposal and gives them some kinda realistic chance to progress!

Port Vale have been charged by the Football Association for failing to control their fans at the end of their League Two play-off semi-final win at home against Swindon Town on 19 May.

Fans invaded the pitch after Port Vale prevailed on penalties at Vale Park.

The Valiants, who went on to win promotion to League One, have been charged with a breach of FA rule E20, relating to the conduct of supporters.

In June, three men were arrested following the violence.

Later that month police were working on tracing 15 people as part of the investigation into incidents thought to have happened before, during and after the match.

In a statement, the FA said their case will go on to be heard by an independent regulatory commission.

Earlier this week, it was announced that pitch invaders at Premier League and English Football League matches will receive an automatic club ban under new measures to tackle fan behaviour.

The pitch incursion at Vale Park was among a number of incidents late last season that raised concerns about safety at grounds.

I'm watching the England Women hammering the Sri Lankans in the Rugby 7s at the moment. It's one of the sports I would never normally watch, but will watch it now because it's part of the Games.

Which sports do you watch in the Games tat you wouldn't normally and which events are you particularly looking forward to.

Ex North Ender this lad wish him well

ristol Rovers defender Nick Anderton has been diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer.

The 26-year-old will undergo an operation in the coming weeks to remove part of the bone in his thigh.

Anderton joined Bristol Rovers in May 2021 from Carlisle United and made 39 appearances last season, scoring three goals.

"This diagnosis has come as a huge shock to both myself and my family," Anderton said in a statement.

"However, we are remaining positive and hopeful.

"I want to thank everyone at Bristol Rovers, especially club doctor Ian Ferguson and head of medical Stuart Leake, the specialists at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham and my family for their continued support."

Osteosarcoma is a type of sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that develops in supporting tissue in the body.

Bristol Rovers CEO Tom Gorringe said: "Everyone at Bristol Rovers shares our sympathies for Nick at this difficult time and we will do everything possible to help support Nick and his family during his recovery.

"I am sure everyone will want to show their support for Nick, which will help him immensely as he recovers.

"I would also ask that everyone shows respect for his and his family's privacy during this time."