EFL Round Up - Five of Saturday’s Best Games

EFL Round Up - Five of Saturday's Best Games

There is a lack of domestic football occurring around the world at the moment due to the international break; however, there was some top level football which went ahead today in England.

We are here to guide you through some of the top action which occurred this weekend throughout the EFL aside from the five matches through League One which were postponed.

Three Subs? No Problem, Say Harrogate

One of the biggest stories of Saturday was a 22nd placed Harrogate Town coming whiskers away from winning three points at second placed Notts County despite naming just three substitutes.

Before the game, manager Simon Weaver referred to his squad as the "walking wounded" as nine players are currently out injured for the League Two strugglers.

With two players on international duty and one out suspended, and no professional academy, Harrogate were left with no choice but to name just three subs on the bench.

One X commenter even joked: "I'll come and sit on the bench for £20 and steak bake."

The match then ended in remarkable fashion as, after a first half go ahead goal courtesy of Tom Cursons', it was a penalty from Notts County's Matthew Dennis which broke Harrogate hearts as they tied the game in second half injury time.

The visitors can hold their heads high, however, as they earned a valuable point from such an unfortunate position.

📋 Our line-up this afternoon pic.twitter.com/ShRRPfoYOw

— Harrogate Town AFC (@HarrogateTown) November 15, 2025

Walsall Loss Costs Top Spot

Walsall - a club all too familiar with first place in League Two in recent months - had their recent work undone by a superb performance from bottom half Colchester United.

Coming into the game top on goal difference over Swindon, Walsallnow find themselves just three points away from eighth after a poor first half showing saw the visitors take full advantage and run away with the game.

U's coach Danny Cowley commended his side for their efforts against a Walsall side currently in a blip in form.

LISTEN ⚽️

The Colchester United head coach Danny Cowley reflects on 'well organised' performance in their 2-0 win at Walsall.
https://t.co/KcER4tujaF pic.twitter.com/QPEyoHik0J

— BBC Sport Essex (@BBCEssexSport) November 15, 2025

It was efforts from Samson Tovide and Kyreece Lisbie that sunk the Saddlers in the first half and they were unable to find a goal in the second period for just seventh time this season.

Colchester's impressive victory is their fourth win in six league games, seeing them rise up to 14th and just five points off the playoff places.

Orient On Top In Relegation Scrap

In League One, and Leyton Orient welcomed Exeter City to the BetWright Stadium in the capital as both sides looked to earn some very important points to give them some reprieve in this early relegation six-pointer.

The Grecians were eager to continue their impressive run where they were five games unbeaten in all competitions - including victory over rivals Plymouth Argyle.

Leyton Orient, meanwhile, have been trading a win for a loss in the league for the last five - and that continued is this fixture despite an early lead for the Devonshire side.

Jayden Wareham did give the visitors the lead into the interval after he converted from 12-yards.

Orient's second half turnaround occurred in rapid fashion, with an Idris El Mizouni goal in the 76th followed by a Tyreeq Bakinson volley to give the hosts the full three points.

The result has put Orient on 20 points, three ahead of Exeter, but most importantly five above the drop zone.

Tranmere Leave it Late to Sink Cheltenham

Rovers got off to an excellent start in the game, which eventually led to the home side extending their lead over the flood of clubs in the danger zone.

Meanwhile, for Cheltenham, their defeat makes it two on the bounce as they sink to 23rd, however, they are still only three points behind 18th place Accrington Stanley.

The hosts started in emphatic fashion, finding the lead in the second minute before doubling their advantage less than ten minutes later through an own goal from James Wilson and a fine finish from Joe Ironside.

The visitors did find a strong response before the interval through Jake Bickerstaff as they found a foothold in the game.

Tranmere started the second period as the second best side, potentially lacking confidence from not winning any of their last three league games.

Cheltenham found their deserved equaliser with 15 minutes to go courtesy of Josh Martin low-driven effort. Tranmere didn't give up, however, and found a cracking late winner through Charlie Whitaker's 25-yard free kick effort which he sent firing into the goal.

MK Dons Leap Salford into the Automatic Spots

Lastly, in League Two Milton Keynes Dons found another win, inflicting Salford to their first league defeat in five games.

MK Dons have been beaten just once in the last six now, and their win sees them rise to third on 28 points, while Salford drop to ninth although they are just two points behind MK Dons, showcasing just how tight the division is - the top ten are separated by just five points.

FULL-TIME! GET IN!

Three league wins on the spin at Stadium MK 👊#MKDSAL 2-0 | #COYD pic.twitter.com/cEZdOZesTd

— Milton Keynes Dons (@MKDonsFC) November 15, 2025

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing put the hosts in the lead on the brink of half time from the penalty spot after Daniel Udoh was fouled off the ball in the box.

Salford came out the gates much better in the second half, however, could not take advantage of their possession. This eventually came back to bite the Manchester-based side as MK Dons doubled their lead in second half stoppage time through a delicate Callum Paterson chip effort.