2025/26 EFL League One MW8 Recap: The Weekend's Matches in Review
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2025/26 EFL League One MW8 Recap: The Weekend's Matches in Review

2025/26 EFL League One MW8 Recap: The Weekend's Matches in Review

Matchweek 8 in EFL League One promised goals, and that's exactly what it delivered!

With 33 goals across all 12 fixtures over the weekend, there were some high scoring, high quality fixtures on Saturday. Let's take a look at the weekends's matchups, goalscorers, thrills, and shocks!

Pointon double Tames The Terriers

Bradford City maintained their fine form in League One this last weekend, beating Huddersfield 3-1. A first half brace for attacking midfielder Bobby Pointon took his tally to 5 goals this season and maintained his record of scoring in every game at the Valley Parade this season. This was followed by a Josh Neufville goal, which put the Bantams 3 goals up at the break. Huddersfield struggled to contain Bradford, and managed to salvage some consolation in the 80th minute through a strike from Netherland's Zepiqueno Redmond.

This was the Terriers' third defeat of the season, however the side still sit in the play-off spots in 6th position. Bradford are 2nd in the league, level on points with first placed Cardiff City who have a game in hand. Bantams coach Graham Alexander was full of praise for his team at the final whistle, and Pointon and Neufville both made the EFL League One Team of the Week

Late Winner Secures 3 Points for Northampton

It took 82 minutes for the deadlock to be broken in the game between Northampton Town and Blackpool on the weekend, with Cameron McGeehan finding the corner 8 minutes before the final whistle.

Northampton Town continue their strong form, marking their third consecutive league win. Meanwhile, problems remain for Blackpool, who sit in the relegation zone. However, manager Steve Bruce was full of praise for his side despite the result, claiming it was the best game they had played all season. Perhaps their performance may be a sign of results to come?

Wimbledon Claw Back against Rotherham

After conceding through Jordan Hugill in the first half, Wimbledon bounced back in the second half, winning the game 2-1. In this mid-table clash, the away side went ahead through a beautiful finish from former West Ham striker Jordan Hugill. However, the quality of Wimbledon shone through as they went on to beat Rotherham.

Early into the second half, The Dons levelled through a fantastic finsih from Jake Reeves with the outside of his boot. In the 67th minute, Ryan Johnson was fouled by Rotherham's goalscorer Hugill, winning a penalty for Wimbledon. As cool as ever from the spot, Mathew Stevens found the back of the net to secure the 3 points.

After losing their previous 2 fixtures, Wimbledon were ecstatic to win this game, placing them 11th in the league. Rotherham dropped down to 18th in the table, with this result marking their 4th defeat of the season.

Tykes victorious against the Royals

In a 5 goal thriller, Barnsley beat Reading 3-2 to extend their unbeaten home record in League One. Barnsley took the early lead in the game through Josh Earl, yet they were pinned back before the break with Jack Marriott levelling for Reading.

The second half saw Reading score 2 goals in 5 minutes. The first goal to restore the lead came through Davis Keillor-Dunn who headed the side back in front. A few minutes later, Nathanael Ogbeta was brought down in the box, winning a penalty for Barnsley. The penalty was cooly slotted home by Adam Phillips.

With the game high in energy, Reading pulled one back in the 66th minute throuhg Daniel Kyerewaa, however they were unable to find an equaliser.

Barnsley moved up to 3rd with this victory, only losing 1 game all season. Reading's poor form continued as they remained in the relegation zone after the game. Some may say the Royals were unlucky in this game as they put up a good fight, something that has been rare all season. However, the side are in dire need of some points to avoid a tough season.

Victory on the Road for Lincoln

Lincoln defeated Burton Albion by 1 goal this weekend through a first-half goal from veteran defender Sonny Bradley.

The Imps impressive form in the league conitnues, with the side sitting in 7th place, just outside the play-off spots. Their defence can be praised for the clean sheet this weekend, with goalkeeper George Wickens making some outstanding saves to deny Burton any consolation from the game.

Home defeat for The Grecians

Exeter were defeated 2-0 against Port Vale at St James' Park this weekend, marking their second consecutive loss in the league. Darren Moore's Port Vale appeared to be a class above Exeter in this game, scoring 2 in the first half albeit to no reply.

A severe lack of defensive cohesion from Exeter led to them gifting Vale a goal after 4 minutes, and despite coming close to an equaliser, the side were kept out by a sturdy defence. Port Vale's lead was double by Devante Cole who ran through the backline and slotted it past young goalkeeper Joe Whitworth.

This was Port Vale's first win of the season and the side now sit just above the relegation zone in 20th. This win suggests an upturn in form, and the side can look to gain some momentum. The Grecians have now lost 5 games in the league this season, and with a visit to league leaders Cardiff City approaching, manager Gary Caldwell needs to restore faith in the side's capabilities.

A Cagey Affair in Leyton

Leyton Orient were held to a 1-1 draw against Bolton Wanderers, this maintained their steady start to the season, however there is still question marks surrounding the side's ambitions.

After a quiet first half, the sides went in goalless at the break. It wasn't until the 69th minute when Jack Simpson took the lead for the home side. However, this was not enough to see them through as Bolton salvaged a late point through Arsenal youth product Cozier-Duberry, scoring a stunner in stoppage time to send the away end into a frenzy.

Orient are now 14th in the league, winning 3, drawing 2, and losing 3. Bolton Wanderers secured their 5th draw of the season, which saw them move to 12th in the league. With the side only being beaten once in the league this season, they have drawn 5 and won 2. This may suggest that Bolton are ones to watch in League One this season.

3 Points for Argyle

Plymouth Argyle travelled to Kenilworth Road this weekend and defeated Luton 3-2 in another 5 goal thriller in League One. The Pilgrims took the lead after 15 minutes, but they were quickly pegged back after conceding a soft penalty. Nevertheless, Plymouth took the lead once more at the stroke of half time.

The fist half started poorly for Plymouth as the side conceded another penalty, this time it was Nahki Wells who found the back of the net to level proceedings for Luton. Shortly after the penalty, winger Joe Edwards was shown a red card for Argyle after a rash challenge.

Despite being down to 10 men, Plymouth were undeterred. Another red card in the game was shown to Plymouth boss Tom Cleverley, and shortly after they took the lead through Bradley Ibrahim, scoring his second of the game off a rebounded clearance.

In what may have been the most dramatic fixture of the season, Argyle recorded their second consecutive win of the season. Recently relegated Luton appear to be struggling to adapt to life back in League One, however the side sit in the top half of the table after only playing 7 games.

Mansfield Held at Home

Mansfield Town drew to high-flyers Stevenage 1-1 at the weekend, with Stevenage missing the chance to go top of the league.

In a truly defensively dominant affair, it took 70 minutes for the deadlock to be broken, when Charlie Goode opened proceedings for Stevenage. Mansfield were not letting it go without a fight, quickly responding with a cool finish from Joe Gardner 3 minutes later.

In a game characterised by missed chances and defensive prowess, Mansfield fans can be proud of the side's refusal to be beaten at home. The Stags are now 13th in the league with 11 points. Stevenage sit on 16 points in 4th, and with a game in hand, they will be looking to regain their position in the automatic promotion spots.

Posh take 3 against Chairboys

After 2 goals in the first half, Peterborough recorded their first win of the League One season in a 2-1 victory at home.

The Posh took the lead after 21 minutes through Matthew Garbet. Towards the end of the first half, they doubled their lead with Chelsea loanee Jimmy Jay-Morgan scoring his second of the season.

Wycombe responded early in the second half through a strike from Fred Onyedinma, however they were unable to find the equaliser as the game flurried out.

Sitting bottom of League One, this result was huge for Peterborough as they look to reignite their form. Wycombe are entering dangerous territory in League One now, sitting 19th.

Late Point for Cardiff on the Road

Cardiff maintained their unbeaten run with a stoppage time equaliser away to Stockport on the weekend.

Stockport took the lead in the first half through a penalty from former Premier League midfielder Oliver Norwood. The side would then go on to miss multiple oppurtunites in the game to double their lead, and eventually get pegged back.

Cardiff City threw the kitchen sink at Stockport towards the end of the game, and their efforts were rewarded when Chris Willock's cross found Yousef Salech who guided the ball into the back of the net with a bullet header.

This result is a fair reflection of Stockport County's season thus far. Their inability to close out games has cost them again in this game, and the side sit in 10th place. Cardiff City remain strong, sitting in the top spot with a game in hand over second placed Bradford City.

Latics Thump Doncaster

In a dominant display, Wigan defeated Doncaster 3 goals to nil at the Brick Community Stadium. This marked Wigan's first victory in 3 games, further encouraging their push for promotion.

The first half saw the Latics score two early goals, with strikes from Dara Costelloe and Matt Smith inside the first 20 minutes. Wigan were unlucky to not score a third in the first half, with Doncaster goalkeeper Thimothee Lo-Tutala making some fantastic saves.

Similarly to the beginning of the first half, Doncaster were caught napping at the back, and Wigan trebled their lead in the 50th minute through Fraser Murray. A dominant midfield display accompanied by an astute backline saw Wigan keep the clean sheet in the end.

Before this game, Doncaster had won 3 games on the bounce. A minor bump on their road to the play-offs, the Rovers still sit 5th in the league.

Closing Remarks

After a weekend of close encounters, high scoring thrillers, and comfortable victories, that concludes the matchweek review for EFL League One MW8. The League One Team of the Week contains players from 8 different teams, highlighting the quality that was on show on the weekend, With the next round of fixtures fast approaching, we look forward to what the EFL League One has in store for us.

Benji Kosartiyer
Journalist

Arthur Turner

EFL Transfer and News Writer

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