Northern Ireland striker Dion Charles scored his 50th goal for Bolton Wanderers at the weekend as the League One side got their campaign off to a perfect start following a 2-1 victory at Leyton Orient.
The 28-year-old, who scored 20 goals for the Trotters last term, wasted no time getting his season up and running when he found the net after just eight minutes of the opening fixture in south London.
There was naturally a raft of players making their debuts on the opening weekend of the new Football League season following moves over the summer among them goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell who started for Birmingham City who were held at home to a 1-1 draw by Reading.
There were also first appearances in League One for Josh Magennis (Exeter City), his international strike colleague Shayne Lavery (Cambridge United) and U21 international midfielder JJ McKiernan (Lincoln City).
Another U21 international Michael Forbes, who is on a season-long loan at Bristol Rovers from West Ham United, came on as a substitute in his side’s single-goal victory over Northampton Town who had Cameron McGeehan making his debut following his move from Colchester United.
It was however a disappointing first start for former Burnley trainee Chris Conn-Clarke as his new club Peterborough United, whom he joined from Altrincham, fell to a 2-0 home defeat to Huddersfield Town who started with Brodie Spencer in the centre of their defence.
There was also frustration for Manchester United’s Jonny Evans who missed the decisive spot kick in the penalty shoot-out at Wembley to give Premier League champions Manchester City the Charity Shield.
In the Championship, there were starts for Jordan Thompson (Stoke City), Paul Smyth (QPR), Paddy Lane (Portsmouth), Ciaron Brown (Oxford United), Trai Hume (Sunderland), Conor Hazard (Plymouth Argyle) and George Saville who popped up with an assist for Millwall’s second goal in their 3-2 home defeat to Watford.
Unfortunately, Sunderland’s Dan Ballard (knee) and Preston North End’s Ali McCann (calf) both missed their respective team’s games through injury.
Elsewhere, Ross McCausland came on as a substitute for Rangers who recorded a 2-1 win over Motherwell at Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership, while Makenzie Kirk also came off the bench as St Johnstone defeated Kilmarnock, for whom Brad Lyons, Matty Kennedy and Kyle Vassell all featured, 3-0 at Rugby Park.
Three of Tanya Oxtoby’s international squad, Lauren Wade, Kerry Beattie and Joley Andrews all marked their Hearts debuts in style as the new Scottish Women’s Premier League got underway at the weekend.
Wade and Beattie each scored a brace of goals in Hearts resounding 11-1 win at Queen’s Park while former Glentoran midfielder Andrews chalked up two assists.
Speaking to irishfa.com after the game Wade said: “It’s always a great feeling getting on the score sheet and especially on my debut for Hearts.
“I’ve settled in really quickly, quicker than I thought I would,” she added. “It’s nice to be back in season and having a routine. It has definitely helped having familiar faces from home here.”
Former Southampton player Laura Rafferty made her debut for Rangers when she came on as a half-time substitute in the Glasgow outfit’s 11-0 success at Aberdeen.
