Accrington Stanley 1-0 Shrewsbury Town
Accrington Stanley continued their 100% record at home this season with a 1-0 win over Shrewsbury Town thanks to Joel Mumbongo’s goal.
Mumbongo looked threatening from early, racing through on goal on the end of Colby Bishop’s ball in behind, only to be denied by a last ditch sliding tackle from Aaron Pierre.
This set the tone early for what would be a classic centre half vs centre forward battle between two strong players.
It wasn’t long until Accrington opened the scoring on the 14th minute mark.
A slick passing move saw Colby Bishop’s close-range header saved, before Joel Mumbongo was on hand to tap in from a few yards out, the strikers first of the season since arriving on loan from Burnley.
Shrewsbury’s best chance of levelling the score line came shortly after the opener, a quick counter attack that saw Josh Vela carry the ball down the right wing and cross into Tom Bloxham, who met the cross with a well taken volley.
However, Toby Savin was equal to it pulling of a wonderful save to keep Accrington in front.
John Coleman’s side made it three wins from three at the Wham Stadium this season with the victory against Shrewsbury.
The win sees Accrington go second in the league behind leaders Sunderland only on goal difference, while Shrewsbury sit down in 22nd, as they look to turn their poor start to the season around at home to Crewe in their next match.
AFC Wimbledon 3-1 Oxford United
Oxford United missed the chance to go top of League One after losing 3-1 to AFC Wimbledon.
Our never say die attitude was on full display again as the Dons come from behind in style! @rudi_rudoni (2) and @w_nightingale with the goals. FT 3-1#AFCW pic.twitter.com/CA1CJBInDX
— AFC Wimbledon (@AFCWimbledon) September 4, 2021
A bright start from Oxford saw James Henry hit the post from a long range effort.
Before a mistake at the back by Anthony Hartigan, caught napping on the ball by Mark Sykes, who then had the simple task of calmly slotting the ball past the Wimbledon keeper to put Oxford ahead on the stroke of half time.
Wimbledon wouldn’t find themselves behind for long, 10 minutes into the second half and a delightful ball into the box by Anthony Hartigan from a free kick was met by the unmarked Will Nightingale, who headed the ball past the Oxford keeper for Jack Rudoni to nod in from close range.
Anthony Hartigan determined to make up for his earlier errors would prove to haunt Oxford again with his set piece deliveries.
This time from a corner in the 78th minute, that was again met by Will Nightingale who lost his marker to head into the bottom corner to put Wimbledon in front.
Wimbledon would put the game to bed in the 81st minute, with Will Nightingale involved again picking up the ball deep in his own box to start of a fluid move by Wimbledon to move the ball down the field, topped off with Ayoub Assai squaring the ball across goal for Jack Rudoni to slot home for his second of his day and his third goal in the last two games.
The loss means Oxford sit in seventh outside the play off spots on goal difference, while Wimbledon sit one point behind them in 10th.
Cheltenham Town 1-1 MK Dons
The points were shared at the Johnny-Rocks Stadium between Cheltenham and MK Dons, with plenty of chances at both ends of the field.
A strong showing from newly promoted Cheltenham against an in-form MK Dons, saw them go in front in the 14th minute. Kyle Joseph with a low, powerful drive into the bottom right corner from 30 yards out to open the scoring.
Chances would then fall to both teams throughout the remainder of the game, with Charlie Brown stretching to get onto the end of a ball across the box just being inches away from making contact.
Before, Ellis Chapman had a deflected shot that looked certain to ripple the net cleared of the line by Peter Kioso.
Hiram Boateng off the bench would then level the score for MK Dons, firing into the roof of the net, after Daniel Harvie’s deflected cross fell kindly for him on the edge of the six-yard box.
Bolton 0-0 Burton Albion
Monday nights game saw Burton travel to Bolton looking to capitalise on Oxford dropping points to move to the top of the table.
A strong first half showing from Bolton saw them dominate proceedings with the lion’s share of possession and creating the better chances.
This pressure showed in the 29th minute when Kieran Lee’s low finish was ruled out for offside, much to the annoyance of the Bolton fans who felt hard done by.
Bolton’s dominance of the game continued into the second half with a chaotic goal mouth scramble that failed to see the ball end in the back of the net.
Before, Dapo Afolayan saw an effort hit the woodwork, while Burton’s best chance saw a Jonny Smith effort fire inches wide of the post.
Some smart saves from Ben Garratt, and a nervy final few minutes after John Branford’s sending off saw Burton hold on to steal a point on the road.
