News emanating from around League One
Well the skyBET League One season started last night with Sheffield United’s narrow 2-1 victory over 10-man Notts County at Bramall Lane.Here we bring you all the news from around League One as club’s made their final preparations for the start of the 2013-14 campaign.
BRADFORD CITY
Italian Raffaele De Vita has signed a one-year deal with City following a successful trial. The 25-year-old was released by Swindon Town in the summer after two seasons at the County Ground.
Defender Matt Taylor, who left Charlton Athletic at the end of last season, has joined the Bantams on a two-year deal.
City ended their pre-season campaign with two more games which both ended in 2-1 defeats. Garry Thompson was the scorer against Doncaster Rovers at home while youngster Nathan Curtis was on target at Harrogate Town.
BRENTFORD
After the loss of goalkeeper Simon Moore to Premier League new boys Cardiff City, boss Uwe Rösler acted swiftly to bring in David Button from Charlton Athletic. The 24-year-old former Tottenham Hotspur has signed a two-year deal at Griffin Park.
Central defender Ben Nugent has joined the Bees on loan from Premier League new boys Cardiff City until early January. The 20-year-old played 14 times for the Bluebirds last season.
On loan Everton striker Conor McAleny scored twice as the West London side came from two goals down to beat Cardiff City, Paul Hayes grabbed the last minute winner.
BRISTOL CITY
Following trials with City in pre-season both Marlon Harewood and Marlon Pack have signed deals with City. 22-year-old midfielder Pack, who was out of contract at Cheltenham Town, joins on a two-year deal although due to his age a compensation fee was agreed. Meanwhile striker Harewood, now 33, who scored twice as a Robins XI won at Weston-super-Mare on Monday has penned a one-year deal.
The Robins final warm up game against AFC Bournemouth ended goalless at Goldsands Stadium
CARLISLE UNITED
The Cumbrians have signed goalkeeper Greg Fleming, who was previously at Grimsby Town, on non-contract terms for an initial month.
In two games north of the border last weekend United drew 2-2 with Kilmarnock, Mark Beck scoring both at Rugby Park before Kyle Dempsey (2) and Lewis Guy netted as Carlisle came from a goal down to beat Rangers in a behind closed doors game at Murray Park.
COLCHESTER UNITED
Defender Ryan Dickson has signed a one-year deal with the U’s having been on trial at the club in pre-season. The 26-year-old left Premier League Southampton in the summer.
United split their squad last weekend and both recorded wins, Marcus Bean, Gavin Massey and Clinton Morrison found the net in a 3-0 triumph at Needham Market while Daniel Pappoe and Freddie Sears were the scorers in a 2-1 win at Maldon & Tiptree.
COVENTRY CITY
City, who already face a 70 mile round trip to play home games at Northampton Town, will now start 2013-14 with a 10-point deduction from the Football League after parent company Coventry City Limited agreed to go into liquidation.
Football League Chairman, Greg Clarke said: “Once again, it is a source of immense frustration to everyone involved that the two parties in this dispute have failed to reach any agreement. The Board is dismayed at the level of intransigence being shown.
“Nonetheless, The League will continue with its efforts to get the two parties to enter into meaningful negotiations, so that Coventry City can return to Coventry at the earliest opportunity.
“The Board’s decision means that these attempts can now be conducted against a backdrop of Coventry City as a continuing member of The Football League, rather than it having to bring an end to the Club’s 94 years in league football.”
Last weekend City played twice, they beat Mansfield Town 3-2 at Stag Meadow where Carl Baker converted two penalties and the other was an own goal while the other game for Steven Pressley’s squad ended in a 1-0 loss at Oxford United.
CRAWLEY TOWN
Town ended their pre-season campaign on a high when beating Premier League Crystal Palace 3-0 thanks to goals from Billy Clarke, Sergio Torres and Mat Sadler.
CREWE ALEXANDRA
Manager Steve Davis has this week announced that midfielder Abdul Osman will replace the departed Luke Murphy as captain of the Railwaymen this season.
A six-month loan deal to bring the creative Chuks Aneke back to the club from Arsenal has been agreed. The 20-year-old former England U19 international made 38 appearances, scoring eight times, during two loan spells at the club last season.
Premier League outfits Aston Villa (Christian Benteke grabbing a hat-trick in a 5-1 win) and Manchester United (Portuguese international Nani netting both as the Red Devils won 2-0) both won at the Alexandra Stadium. Harry Davis scored the Crewe goal against a classy Villa.
LEYTON ORIENT
O’s boss Russell Slade has brought in two new faces this week. Northern Ireland international winger Johnny Gorman has penned a one-year deal having impressed during pre-season. The 20-year-old was released by Wolves at the end of last season. The other arrival is Burnley midfielder Marvin Bartley who has moved to East London on an initial 28-day loan.
Russell Slade saw his side earn draws with a QPR XI (1-1 Moses Odubajo getting on the scoresheet) and Arsenal XI where Scott Cuthbert, Kevin Lisbie, David Mooney and Johnny Gorman scored as the O’s shared eight goals with the young Gunners.
MK DONS
Karl Robinson’s side won both of their final pre-season games. First they came from behind to win 4-1 against Barnet at the Hive as Izale McLeod netted twice against his former club with Patrick Bamford and an own goal completing the scoring before a young team beat a Tottenham Hotspur XI 1-0 where Giorgio Rasulo netted
NOTTS COUNTY
Former Chelsea youngster Adam Coombes has become the latest player to join the Magpies squad this summer. The 22-year-old signs following a successful trial.
In their final warm-up game before last night’s League One opener, the Magpies came from 0-2 and 1-3 down to gain a 3- 3 draw against Ipswich Town, Danny Haynes, trialist Adam Phillip and Yoann Arquin
OLDHAM ATHLETIC
Striker Adam Rooney has moved to Boundary Park on a two-year deal from Birmingham City, with an option for a third-year.
Jose Baxter put the Latics ahead with a penalty in the first-half of a 3-2 victory over Huddersfield Town. The Championship side went ahead with two quick goals before winger Cristian Montano then scored twice in the 71st and 76th minutes to win it for the home side.
PETERBOROUGH UNITED
Posh boss Darren Ferguson has this week signed highly-rated striker Britt Assombalonga for an undisclosed fee from Watford. The 20-year-old, who notched 16 goals during a loan spell at Southend United last season, has penned a four-year deal at London Road.
Despite rejecting a new deal earlier in the summer and having trials elsewhere, right-back Mark Little has now signed an 11-month contract at London Road.
A fine strike from Tiger Maynor Figueroa saw Premier League new boys Hull City win at London Road on Tuesday after a young United XI had drawn 2-2 against Bedford Town at the weekend
PORT VALE
Two matches last Saturday saw Micky Adams side win both. Chris Robertson and Lee Hughes were the marksmen in a 2-0 win against Conference outfit Alfreton Town at the Impact Arena while Gavin Tomlin helped himself to a hat-trick and Tom Pope added a brace against the Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division One South Leek Town 5-2.
PRESTON NORTH END
Last weekend Joe Garner converted a 22nd minute penalty for the Lilywhites in a 1-0 win at Hartlepool United while
Tom Clarke was the scorer in a 1-1 draw at Rochdale.
ROTHERHAM UNITED
Striker Matt Tubbs has reunited himself with former boss Steve Evans after joining the Millers on loan until the end of January. The 29-year-old previously worked under the Scot at Crawley Town.
Barnsley left the New York Stadium victorious last week winning 3-2 where two late goals from Kieran Agard couldn’t prevent defeat.
SHEFFIELD UNITED
In their build up to the opening League One fixture last night the Blades drew 2-2 with Greek Europa League Atromitos where Chris Porter opened the scoring just 90 seconds in and Lyle Taylor hit the last minute leveller. Then
Callum McFadzean netted in a 1-1 draw against York City 1-1 at Bootham Crescent.
SHREWSBURY TOWN
Young Newcastle United defender James Tavernier has joined the Shrews on an initial one-month loan.
Summer signing Tamika Mkandawire has been handed the Shrews captaincy by manager Graham Turner.
STEVENAGE
Roarie Deacon, Robin Shroot and Dani Lopez(3) were the scorers in a 5-0 win at Hitchin Town the day after a young Manchester United XI had drawn 2-2 at the Lamex Stadium – Darius Charles grabbing both for Boro.
SWINDON TOWN
After leaving Brighton & HA by mutual consent, midfielder Ryan Harley has joined the Robins on a two-year deal.
Experienced defender Darren Ward has been named as Robins club captain for the forthcoming season.
Young keeper Tyrrell Belford, a former England U17 international, has moved to the County Ground on a two-year deal after leaving Liverpool.
TRANMERE ROVERS
Former Welsh international Jason Koumas has seen his career turn full circle after signing a one-year deal with Rovers although it is subject to Football League clearance. The 33-year-old, who had started his career at Prenton Park, has not made a senior appearance since a loan spell at Cardiff City in May 2011.
Crowd trouble marred Rovers final friendly at Wrexham which the Welsh club won 2-0.
WALSALL
Former Hereford United midfielder James McQuilkin has penned a one-year deal with the Saddlers where he has been on trial throughout pre-season. The 24-year-old was released from Edgar Street at the end of last season.
Goalkeeper Shane Lewis, a former England U17 international, has signed a one-year contract with the Saddlers. The 19-year-old came through the youth system at West Brom.
Winger James Baxendale has agreed a new three-year deal with the Saddlers.
After a 1-0 defeat at Burton Albion the club’s 125th anniversary game in midweek ended with Aston Villa running out 5-0 winners
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Wolves ended their pre-season campaign with a 3-2 home defeat by Spanish side Real Betis after both Richard Stearman and Leigh Griffiths had put them in front.