Farmers smash Canaries, Gills splatter Robins, Bees shock Cumbrians

Bristol Rovers 1 Leyton Orient 2

John Melligan and Jimmy Smith were the scorers for Orient, with Rickie Lambert on target for Rovers.

Carlisle United 1 Brentford 3

It must have seen like last season never finished for the Cumbrians as League Two champions Brentford made a dream start to the new season.

A header from Myles Weston gave Brentford the lead, with veteran defender Ian Harte converting a spot-kick five minutes later to level before Weston grabbed his second and Sam Wood made it 3-1.

Charlton Athletic 3 Wycombe Wanderers 2

Charlton also started the season with a narrow win over Wycombe at The Valley. Christian Dailly and former Shrimper player-of-the-year Nicky Bailey, now the South London club's new skipper, scored within two minutes of each other to give the League One new boys an early 2-0 lead.

Chris Zebroski pulled one back before Miguel Angel Llera thought he had secured all three points, but another strike from Zebroski made the home side sweat.

Gillingham 5 Swindon Town 0

Play-off winners Gillingham got their League One campaign off to a brilliant start.

Simeon Jackson scored a second-half hat-trick, with ex-Blue Mark Bentley and Adam Miller grabbing the other goals for the Kent based club.

Robins boss Danny 'thank my lucky stars Norwich got hit for seven' Wilson, was left 'lost for words' after the game.

Leeds United 2 Exeter City 1

Leeds snatched a dramatic late win in their clash with newly-promoted Exeter City. Star striker Jermaine Beckford scored the first goal but Alex Russell equalised despite the Grecians being down to 10 men after Barry Corr was sent off.

But Beckford pounced again late on with a header to secure all three points at Elland Road.

MK Dons 0 Hartlepool United 0

Paul Ince's return to stadium:mk did not result in three points as he saw the away side dominating the early stages with Leon McSweeney close to opening the scoring from a Sam Collins' long throw before Gary Liddle missed a free header with the goal at his mercy.

The best chances for the Franchise fell to stand-in skipper Jemal Johnson, who blasted two efforts just past the post.

Norwich City 1 Colchester United 7

Relegated Norwich City made a disastrous start to their first season outside the top two tiers since 1960 leading to hundreds of supporters demonstrated outside Carrow Road after the match in a show of frustration at the team's performance.

Former Ipswich player Kevin Lisbie gave Col U the lead, before a Clive Platt double and a strike from David Fox made it 4-0 within 25 minutes.

Lisbie later scored another to give his side an unbelivable five-goal lead by half-time. (Well, it felt unbelivable to the drinkers in the West Stand bar at break, we thought it might be a misprint, or their was something in the Kronenbourg!)

Cody McDonald netted a consolation for the Canaries but David Perkins restored the huge advantage then Scott Vernon added a seventh late on.

After spending all of Delia's hard-earned dosh as well, can Mr. Gunn last until, er, September.

Certainly helps the goal difference and the Farmers are so excited aboout their victory, and to be honest who can blame them, you will soon be able to purchase a DVD of the game, no really:
www.cu-fc.com/page/News/0,,10424~1748495,00.html

Oldham 0 Stockport County 0

It might have been a North-West derby with both teams surrounding Manchester but the pre-season concerns about both squads was played out with hardly a chance between the sides.

Southampton 1 Millwall 1

An exciting clash at St Mary's ended all square.

Chris Perry had struck the post for the Saints in the first half before Matt Paterson clipped the ball home from close range to give his side the lead.

Wayne Thomas's trip on Jason Price earned Millwall a penalty but Alan Dunne's low spot kick was saved while Price's follow up was also blocked.

From the resulting corner Steve Morison headed against the post, but soon after Abdou found the net with a lopping header from 12 yards out.

Southend United 2 Huddersfield Town 2

Huddersfield came back from two goals down to grab a point from their first game of the season against Southend United. Lee Barnard gave the Shrimpers the lead with a penalty after Anthony Grant was fouled by Robbie Williams.

Franck Moussa seemed to put the game beyond reach 10 minutes into the second half, but Anthony Pilkington pulled a goal back before debutant Jordan Rhodes produced the leveller.

For a full report and player markings go here:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=456590

Yeovil Town 2 Tranmere Rovers 0

Tranmere Rovers new manager, the ex-Liverpool and England star John Barnes, could not bring any early magic, suffering a first match defeat in deepest Somerset. Dean Bowditch and Gavin Tomlin scored the goals for the home side.

For what it's worth;

Coca-Cola Football League One