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The Game

25 Aug 2026 · 35m · 17 chapters

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EFL EXTRA: West Ham worries and the goal of the season

In short

EFL Extra (EFL show) is a weekly reaction/round-up of early-season EFL results across the Championship, League One, and League Two, plus “win/goal/moment” quick picks. Key Championship topics: Don Ballard’s viral Wonder Goal for Bristol City vs Birmingham (2-0), Blackburn Rovers’ 1-0 win at Middlesbrough with Todd Cantwell’s diving header, Wolves’ 3-1 win at Preston featuring Ferro Lopez and loan signing Jordan James, and West Ham’s 2-1 loss to Charlton with “disastrous defending” (Lewis Jones overhead kick conceded; Mavropanos mugged). League One/Two segments highlight wins like Burton Albion 2-1 Leicester (Oliver Skip red), Bradford City beating Sheffield Wednesday, and Barnet 3-0 Shrewsbury; plus standout goals (Cal Roberts half-volley for Notts County; Aaron Drennan for Swindon; Bobby Kamwa’s Newport celebration).

Guests

Tom Clark and Gregor Robertson (journalist/legend; former league defender turned journalist).

Written by AI. May contain mistakes.

Chapters

0:00

Weekend Highlights: Championship Action

Discussion on standout performances and surprising results from the Championship matches.

“That's why Optum uses technology to connect the people and processes that make healthcare easier, more affordable, and more effective.”
1:32

Weekend Highlights: Championship Action

Discussion on standout performances and surprising results from the Championship matches.

2:47

Don Ballard's Wonder Goal

In-depth analysis of Don Ballard's stunning goal and its impact on the game.

“where should we start there's only one place to start tom and that's got to be don ballard's Wonder goal.”
4:08

Blackburn's Impressive Start

Examining Blackburn Rovers' performance and their surprising results so far.

“Disappointment for Michael Scobala the Bristol City manager of course still waiting to get off the mark with a win, but a brilliant goal by Don Ballard as you say.”
6:32

Wolves' Revival

Analysis of Wolves' recent matches and their potential this season.

“There's maybe the little bit of hope that Tony Mowbray usually manages to find a loan signing from a Premier League club and he's trusted with them.”
9:00

West Ham's Struggles Continue

Exploration of West Ham's poor start to the season and their defensive woes.

“Important for them after defeat in the opening game.”
10:09

Notable Moments from League One and Two

Highlighting key performances and incidents from League One and Two matches.

“But the defending from that long throw for the first goal from Jones manages to score an overhead kick from a bouncing ball in the box.”
12:40

Philippe Clermont's Controversy

Discussion on VAR controversies and the reactions from managers in the EFL.

“He looks like a tasty little championship player, doesn't he?”
14:00

West Ham Worries and VAR Controversies

Discussion of recent EFL matches and VAR controversies affecting teams.

“Everyone thought they'd be right up there.”
21:22

League One and League Two Highlights

Analysis of notable performances and results from League One and League Two.

“Too many things falling through the cracks.”
Show all 17 chapters
28:01

Blackpool's Stellar Performance Overview

Discussion on Blackpool's win and Peacock Farrell's exceptional performance.

29:20

Bromley and Barnet Highlights

Review of Bromley's and Barnet's results, highlighting key moments.

30:43

Chesterfield and Bristol Rovers Match Recap

Insights into Chesterfield's win and an exciting game between Bristol Rovers and Newport.

“came really close to making the playoffs if you look at the underlying data they were probably unfortunate not to.”
31:39

Goal of the Weekend Discussions

Debate over the best goals scored in recent games, focusing on Apaya-Forson's goal.

32:18

Remarkable Moments from League 2

Highlighting notable moments from recent matches, including player reactions.

“At least I picked Apaya Folsom as the goal of the weekend.”
35:03

Emergency Goalkeeping and Player Performances

Discussion on a player becoming a goalkeeper and other standout performances.

“I've got to mention, I don't know whether you saw this in Rotherham, one of your former teams, their one-all draw with York.”
37:52

Emergency Goalkeeping and Player Performances

Discussion on a player becoming a goalkeeper and other standout performances.

“Yep, it's finally here with the same clinically proven ingredient.”
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Transcript

Automatic transcript. May contain errors.

0:00Gregor Robertson: Healthcare can feel complicated. That's why Optum uses technology to connect the people and processes that make healthcare easier, more affordable, and more effective. We're making it clearer for you to know exactly what your benefits cover. And to help you better manage your health, we're coordinating care between your doctors and your technology. We believe better, simpler healthcare is always possible. That's healthy optimism. That's Optum. Visit Optum.com to learn more. I'm Hannah. I've lost 75 pounds in 20 months with GLP-1s, plus diet and exercise. On Rho, I've gone from struggling to run a mile to running farther every day.

0:39You can access FDA-approved GLP-1s online. Get the support you need to reach your weight loss goals. Go to roe.co slash weight to see if you qualify. I'm a paid Rho partner. 20 % average weight loss in one year in non-diabetics with obesity or overweight with a weight-related medical condition versus 3.1 % in placebo arm.

0:56Gregor Robertson: Rx only. To stay informed about serious side effects, go to row.co.safety.

1:27league defender who's now a journalist but on this show the EFL show he is a legend Gregor Robertson welcome back week two here we go here we go again we've committed we're all in so in that I'm doing this on my heart on the first day of my holiday but you're a mad man we would we had some delighted listeners Gregor we had some delighted listeners you know lots of people comment on the first one saying how pleased they were it was weekly including I don't know if you spotted this Harry who said it's grand to have Gregor back on the pod he loves a bit of tumult a lot of time for his journalism and his pro career because i'm a chesterfield supporter so there we go that's nice to hear we've actually found a listener who saw you play football there's got to be more than one

2:07Gregor Robertson: surely okay there you go that's a new challenge if you saw me play football and you've got anything nice to say must caveat that and yeah email tom i've got i've got to say i'm open to the not nice things as well i would say that i'm i'm here i'm all ears uh we had put the call out before but the call out has gone out again um anyway let's get stuck in as i say to make it worth my time and make sure that i don't get divorced for doing this podcast on the first day of my holiday just in case listeners you can hear any chaos in the background all my nieces and nephews are just coming back from the beach jacked up on sugar from ice cream hour so god knows what could happen in the next 45 minutes but gregor kick us off what did you notice this weekend in the championship where should we start there's only one place to start tom and that's got to be don ballard's Wonder goal.

2:53Gregor Robertson: He's Puskas nominee in waiting. Remarkable, remarkable finish in Bristol City's 2-0 draw with Birmingham City. Vio Cardenas in swinging cross from the left and I'm sure all listeners have seen it by now because it's gone viral on every kind of social media and, yeah, it's blown up. But it deserved to because what a finish. So instinctive just to kind of, you know, with his back to goal, kind of almost in a half pirouette, flick his foot out and to make contact with his heel and direct him to the top corner, it was a thing of beauty. You know, it's one of these goals where you want to see it from so many angles and, I don't know, it's not the Premier League so you don't quite get the same, you don't see Wayne Rooney's bicycle kick against Man City you know, from every conceivable angle and then you notice there actually it hit his shin so like, I'm desperate to see the minutiae of the contact but it was exquisite nonetheless.

3:49Gregor Robertson: I think it could have half came off his heel and half off the outside of his boot, but brilliant, brilliant moment for him and he's already admitted he's only 21 it's the best goal he'll ever score. Yes, though, not quite the winner though. Damari Gray getting a 95th minute equaliser for Birmingham. A tough game for them. Disappointment for Michael Scobala the Bristol City manager of course still waiting to get off the mark with a win, but a brilliant goal by Don Ballard as you say. Shall I tell you what caught my eye blackburn bloody rovers blackburn rovers to middlesbrough one a fantastic result for tony mowbray side this on the back of nearly beating wolves on the opening day i'm sure you've had a bit of this on the regular show when it comes to hull and various teams confounding expectations i think this could be the year of why bother making predictions honestly football is magic isn't it brilliant performance from blackburn good value for this win and todd Cantwell with one of the most wonderful things I think you can see on the football pitch a diving header and not just like any diving header a diving header at a ball that is properly fizzed in there are fewer things that I like more in life actually Gregor chips and curry sauce and a diving header at pace are right up there I'm telling you what a brilliant brilliant goal and a brilliant win for Blackburn I've got to say obviously the Mighty Imps nearly took a point off Middlesbrough on the opening day.

5:11It's not a great start for Kim Helberg and them, is it? I mean, brilliant from Blackburn, but watching the extended highlights of this one, a bit complacent at times, a little bit slow and ponderous. It's not what they'd have been expecting from this start to the season.

5:26Gregor Robertson: No. Look, I mean, if you look at all the stats, I think Blackburn had 29 % of the ball, 0.9 expected goals to 1.43, but had 22 shots to six. so there was dominance in the game but you're right, Blackburn always offered a threat and we said at the start of the season actually despite all the doom mongering that they have a pretty potent forward line, they've got Afalle Jan who's been around he was at Bolton, he went out to play in Germany with St Paulie, he's a talented player started at West Ham I think he even played in Canada where he was brought up, he's really had an interesting career but he's a good player Morishita showed a lot I think he's a talented player and Goudjonson son of Ida scored again, scored his second of the season and you're right Cantwell with his locks cut off a la Erling Haaland has done the business it's very early I still think their squad's really thin and they probably need to do some business between now and September 1st.

6:35Gregor Robertson: There's maybe the little bit of hope that Tony Mowbray usually manages to find a loan signing from a Premier League club and he's trusted with them. He's got a track record with, likes of Harvey Elliott and whatnot, Ahmad Diallo, I mean, he's at Sunderland. He's done it with a few players, so you might pull one out of the hat like that that could just sustain them a little bit. But brilliant start for Blackburn. And as you say, another team that said, predictions, relegation? Not yet. Not yet, indeed. An interesting final week to go in the transfer window. Speaking of Blackburn, they, as I say, took a point off Wolves.

7:11It could have been more on the opening Friday of the season, but Wolves getting back to winning ways with a 3-1 win at Preston. I thought watching this, this maybe was a sign of a team that many expected to be good, being quite good. Preston, a little bit worried for them at this early stage in the season. But Wolves, when you've got Jimenez, Fir Lopez, Armstrong, that lovely one-two for the Armstrong goal just after the break. When you consider Matheus Mane, everyone was excited about him before the start of the season, not even in that conversation. Ferro Lopez looks really good, starting to click for walls, even though the opponents maybe weren't the strongest.

7:45Gregor Robertson: Yeah, I mean, Ferro Lopez is the one, I think. There was kind of excitement about him when he arrived last summer. And I think I remember looking into his background and he'd only played something like 25 senior games. So he's really inexperienced and he's young. and I think the opportunity for him to kind of take a step back and establish himself as Wolves' main player could be really big for him going forward in terms of his career in England because you know his first goal was a great kind of surge and run and it's one of them where he's entering the box and he's got a man stood up in front of him the goalkeeper thinks he's going to play it into the far corner and he just whips it into the near post it was a great finish, he's got a lovely left foot So yeah, I think he's shaping up to be a really big player for them.

8:34Gregor Robertson: And I think signing Jordan James on loan is a big kind of moment for Wolves as well. He's a really good player at the level, enjoyed a good loan at Leicester City despite their troubles. And you're right, you're right. Adam Armstrong will score goals at this level. So yeah, Wolves ticking along nicely. Yeah, Southampton picking up a 3-1 win of their own. Important for them after defeat in the opening game. Just a quick mention for QPR. They drew with Bolton 0-0. A good point for promoted Bolton. QPR playing some nice stuff. I just wanted to mention, Greg, we had another listener get in touch. Paul Miller, after the preview show, saying, Lads, I'm delighted.

9:17One of the few EFL shows to even give us a mention. Never mind a positive mention. It's been an interesting start for QPR. They played some lovely stuff in this game from watching the highlights and perhaps on another day would have got a win against Bolton. On to another big team though. West Ham United. West Ham 1, Charlton Athletic 2. It was another stinker for West Ham. I wonder whether the Premier League hangover isn't quite over. I should just quickly mention a good pal of mine who listens to the show took his son, Gregor, young son Jude. Jude, if you're listening, stick with it, mate, because I don't think it could get any worse than this.

9:54some absolutely shocking defending from West Ham. I mean, it reminded me of one of those where you're like, ah, you're brought down to the level of the level that you're at. And I don't mean that in a mean way to the championship. I love the Football League. Everyone knows I do. But the defending from that long throw for the first goal from Jones manages to score an overhead kick from a bouncing ball in the box. And then Mavropanos, mugged by Campbell, brilliant finish for the second as well. West Ham fans must have been in that stadium thinking lads I know we think we're the best team in this league but you do have to act like it as well you do actually have to turn up and play disastrous stuff for Nuno Espirito Santa

10:35Gregor Robertson: Yeah I mean I think it was Max Killman for the first goal and yeah it's just clearly you won't expect to have centre-half Lewis Jones I saw his interview afterwards and he was like you know in sort of dreamland you know he was joking about it he hit his bum on the floor and he's never done anything like that in his life and he's got a bit of a bruise or whatever so you're not expecting a centre-half to produce a bicycle kick and stick it in the corner like that but Kilman just gave him far too much space even if he wasn't going to do that you've got to keep him, push him back away from goal so passive and then you're right, Mavropanos who was West Ham's best player last season finally kind of seemed to hit his stride after a difficult start to his life in East London just as you're right like completely mugged and you know this is the thing we said at the start of the season it's how much these guys how much these guys really want to be there i i still have my doubts about it that's that's that was the difference you kind of struck between wolves and and west ham wolves perhaps it was the way they went down wolves were dead and buried throughout the season they you can't have any complaints about being a championship player if you're a Wolves player.

11:46Gregor Robertson: West Ham went down with 39 points. A lot of them when they're signing for West Ham you never think you're going to be relegated and I don't think they want to be there. So this kind of period of flux and signings, players coming and going, even after that it'll take a while for their team to settle I think and for the players to sort of accept where they are. Because look they had Joe Pirro in their team, it's a really big signing getting off the mark with what was really a consolation goal. Engel started for the first time as well. There'll be more big signings like that but you need to have the right atmosphere and the big, you know you kind of feared for what the atmosphere would be like at the London Stadium and it's living up to it but the players need to do something to give the fans something to kind of get behind and it's not happened so far 62 ,000 people there Yeah, well I'm sure a lot of people like my mate taking their kids along being like come on let's get behind the team and we should say as well if Tati Castellanos had scored that a penalty then they would have at least had a point to cling to we're going to listeners introduce a segment in for the league one and league two just to help keep things tight we're going to pick out some moments of the weekend gregor i think mine are my moments of the weekend did you see nathan jones bite one of the bubbles at the start of the match i did yes i was slightly i did kind of double take in fact i think i rewound it briefly and i was like is that what happened there and his coaches looked a bit kind of disconcerted it's like like what are you okay mate yeah i mean let's be honest he's an enthusiastic bloke but i'm sure there are quite a few times when his assistants on the bench go to nathan jones are you okay mate and i think that was definitely one of them but listen in terms of symbolism going and bursting the west hand bubble he definitely did that just one other one i wanted to mention gregor from the weekend millwall millwall they are at it again three nil winners at home tyreek arconte remember the name 22 years old, Guadeloupe International.

13:44He looks like a tasty little championship player, doesn't he? And Gregor, another one with a big arse as well, I should say. One of your favourite tropes of a footballer, always picking out John McGinn for having a big backside. Good for balance, Tom.

13:55Gregor Robertson: Good for balance. Tough to get the ball off, grappling around. I loved his celebrations as well, a little strut celebration, scoring two goals in this game. 3-0 winners against Norwich. Norwich, what's going on, lads? Everyone thought they'd be right up there. Philippe Clermont got to say very very disappointed to see him still whinging about that handball against West Brom banging on about VAR Philippe do you not know the rules on the game podcast EFL Extra money is going to charity for every single time and I'm going to chalk that one up as well so I think we're on three quid four quid to be honest I think I think there should possibly be a fine for Philippe Clermont's jeans at the den as well not happy about that whatsoever so he's had a bad week Clermont there's monologue about VAR it did stir up some conversation but you've got to read the room don't read out all 80 odd countries that have got VAR or whatever it was leagues because we don't want it in the championship or the EFL so just be aware of that and yes Arcon was brilliant his second goal was a beautiful finish just swept in on the half volley he got Jose Cordoba sent off in the second half too with a kind of as you say getting his big bum in between him in the ball and going over five goals without reply from Millwall in the first two games.

15:13Gregor Robertson: Like, yeah, very, very good start. Positive start for them. Picking up where they left off, absolutely. Maybe Philippe Clermont should focus on making sure his team defends a little bit better in the next game rather than whinging about VAR. Quick mention, Gregor, for the game on Sunday. A rare case of a Tom Clarke early shout in the season being proved right. So far, another win for West Bromwich Albion and James Morrison. 3-1 against Burnley. fantastic result for them two goals from Isaac Price in this one listen it's something interesting maybe this season and maybe this applies to the Premier League as well when you think about this kind of World Cup summer we've just mentioned Millwall there had a great season last season didn't quite go up but a brilliant achievement West Brom even though they were down the bottom finished strong maybe we're going to see in these first weeks and months teams that finished last season well get back in for pre-season keep a group together and go again maybe that's where the smart money is on terms of teams that are going to perform well at the start of the season because I think West Brom and Millwall prove that point don't they?

16:14Gregor Robertson: Maybe or maybe we're looking for hot takes after two games Tom who knows we'll see time will tell of course we're looking for bloody hot takes of course we're looking for bloody hot takes I'm sat here on my holiday what's the point if we're not? Come on No look West Brom they've had a great start and like a lot of that has to do with the same score that you can revitalise at the end of the last season you can't have sent a rocket up their backsides and it's to do with Price has got moments of real quality great goal he scored in this one cutting in onto his right foot and arcing it into the corner and I really like the look of Whitwell as well young academy player who's going to get an opportunity this season he was involved in a lot of their positive forward play right winger and then Jimmy J Morgan as well obviously has been involved again, got another assist here so yeah, it's been a good start for West Brom and a really challenging start for Burnley who, as I said before it's going to be a big week ahead for them, they've signed Ahmed Hodzic former Sheffield United defender I think that could be a good sign they actually, despite the fact they've shipped a few too many goals in the Open 2 games they've got a pretty good, solid looking back line when you think of Bashir Humphreys Elaine, Kyle Walker at the level Amit Hodzic in front of them Josh Laurent as well I really like other players a bit uncertain about where they're going to be but being a difficult start on the whole but as I say I keep saying for the next week you don't know what this team's going to be so I think there's better days ahead for Burnley Yeah absolutely just to pick out a few other bits and bobs I really enjoyed I think I'm going to get I'm going to mess up this pronunciation but Kurumgaard the new striker at Watford cross into the box against Wrexham and it's the run, the run they're kind of just from behind the defender in front of him, header into the ground another lovely thing I like to see header into the ground and pass the goalkeeper a great finish in that 1-1 draw though I'm sure probably Wrexham would be hoping to have picked up a win 0-0 Swansea and Sheffield United we'll wait to see what the outcome of Sheffield United's issues are off the field of course Cardiff City continuing their good start to the season with a 2-2 draw at Derby and listen Gregor, I mention them a lot for their successes last season but I should say that Lincoln City remain on zero points losing our first home game this time against Portsmouth 3-1 Inspired Trying to keep upbeat mate Inspired by a 17 year old as well a lot of the you know Ryan Kabuma McQueen scored the first great pass for the second that kind of led to the free kick from which they scored Hebdo Adams scored a screamer as well I think you know some things that you wouldn't perhaps have expected from Portsmouth happened in your first home game of the championship.

19:00Gregor Robertson: I'm not sure that's going to be any consolation for you, but a pair of days ahead for you too, Tom. Well, my dad was there, and as regular listeners will know, he's not the most optimistic man at times, but his post-match report afterwards did at least have some kind of consolation notes in it. So maybe he's still running high off last season, but if my dad can keep optimistic, then I think I'm going to have to as well. But all eyes on Bolton away next weekend, Gregor. My first game of the season, nothing like ending a holiday with heartbreak in Bolton. So we'll see how that one goes. That is it for wrapping up the championship.

19:32A slightly quicker show than normal, as I say, just to make sure I don't get divorced and I get to the chippy on time. We're going to take a quick break, but we'll be back with League One and League Two just after this.

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21:58Welcome back to the Game Football Podcast from The Times and Sunday Times. This is our EFL Extra Show, every week bringing you the latest reaction and news and analysis from the Championship League 1 and League 2. I'm Tom Clark and I've got Gregor Roeltson with me as always. So now, listeners, especially for this week, because as I say, I do need to get back to my holiday before my wife realises that I'm doing another podcast with Gregor. So we are going to introduce a quick-fire run-through of League 1 and League 2. Every week, we're going to pick our win of the weekend. We're going to pick our goal that you must go and watch, because I think that's a good service that we provide to you listeners and maybe fans that aren't across all games.

22:36And we're going to pick our moment of the weekend. So we're going to start with League 1 this weekend. And Gregor, I'm going to nip in first, if you don't mind, with the win of the weekend, which I think you're going to struggle to argue against. Burton Albion, two. Leicester City, one at home. Admittedly helped by an Oliver Skip red card for a pretty nasty challenge in the first half after 29 minutes. But Burton were already 2-0 up. 2-0 up. More questionable defending against Leicester. I mentioned on last week's show that I'd watched their opening game against Notts County and thought they looked a little bit ponderous at times.

23:11they did get a goal back from Wes Burns but Burton and Gary Bowyer you just cannot stop them they do it every single season they might still go down who knows but they have always got a chance as long as that bloke is on the touchline they fight for absolutely everything what a brilliant win for them that's my win of the weekend I challenge you to find a better one

23:33Gregor Robertson: I mean there isn't a better one but I'm going to go with Bradford City's winning at Sheffield Wednesday huge Yorkshire derby in League 1 33 ,000 people there and this is kind of Sheffield Wednesday's rebirth's not the right word but you know they're on their way back up the place has had a lick of pain it's had a bit of TLC for the first time in years and years after the dreadful Chancery era came to an end they made some really positive sirens Louis Barry and bringing back Barry Bannon that kind of thing and nothing could really rain on their parade but Bradford City did their best to and Aidan Baldwin scored the only goal of the game early in the second half and Bradford had been really poor before then Sheffield Wednesday had chances to be kind of almost to be out of sight Barry Bannon had a chance, Louis Barry had a good decent chance Jamal Lowe had a great chance late on too to equalise but he volleyed wide so it just wasn't to be for them on this kind of as I say a day that it kind of marked their return to being a football club that has some sense of hope and aspiration and is looking up again.

24:41Gregor Robertson: But it's a long season and I think they look really well placed. And I like, look, I really like Bradford City too. I've loved Graham Alexander as a manager for a long time now. And, you know, last season, the first back in the league, when they reached the playoffs, they've strengthened this year and they've had two wins to start the season. So it's been a really positive start for them too. but you know 30 ,000 fans in League One two huge clubs pretty weighty fixture and Bradford came out on top big win Big win indeed I'll let you go first for the goal of the weekend or goal that listeners should go and check out I've gone for Aaron Collins' goal in MK Don's draw with Huddersfield this was a great game great game Huddersfield had loads of chances Joe Taylor in particular Joe Taylor opened the scoring for Huddersfield and as I say they could have been out of sight and then Aaron Collins Aaron Collins had a bit of a he was signed from Bolton last summer he was a really good player at League 1 level MK Dons threw about a lot of money when they were in League 2 to win back promotion I think he scored 12 goals in League 1 the season before last only got 6 last season in League 2 a bit of a stop start season for him but he's still a good player at League 1 level very good player and he produced a moment of magic to to get an equaliser in this game just cut inside onto his right foot and really classy sort of curled curled finish into the far top corner one all doesn't seem like a thriller but go i would go and watch the the highlights of this one because there were some great goldmouth action already a clever caveat we've developed here for a goal goal that you should go and watch is actually pick a goal in a game that you should go and watch because that also applies to mine as well Cal Roberts goal for Notts County in their 2-2 draw with Luton what is it about Jack Wilshere in this Luton side honestly just thrillers after thrillers they're like Kevin Keegan's Newcastle back in the 90s they had a 4-3 on the opening day of the season against Reading and a 2-2 here but Cal Roberts goal again I'd watched him against Leicester and I thought this guy looks like a decent player here signing this summer the half volley have you seen it yeah it drops and he spins it's one of those things that like I think if I ever scored a goal like that in a fiver side maybe I'll score one on the beach this weekend I would talk about it for months maybe years honestly did you ever hit a ball like that even close even in training bouncing skidding spinning half volley absolutely beautiful I did of course I did Tom ever managed one?

27:15Gregor Robertson: of course I did not frequently but maybe once or twice every week it must be a class feeling honestly great goal great goal and a great game again as well Notts County a second point for them maybe in a game that maybe they could have won but the reasons for them to feel confident after that playoff promotion last season, taking a point off Leicester on the opening day and now taking a point off Luton Town, another team that would be hoping to be near the top of the table. Let's finish then with our moment of the League One weekend. Gregor, I'll let you go first. My moment is way into our kind of performance too.

27:49Gregor Robertson: It was a great moment. I mean, Bailey Peacock, it's not every day a goalkeeper gets an assist and Bailey Peacock Farrell the Blackpool goalkeeper got one for Tom Bloxham's opener and a great win against Stockport for Blackpool just a mammoth punt downfield that Bloxham ran onto and finished beautifully but it was the start of an extremely busy afternoon for Peacock Farrell who's had his detractors producer Neil reminded me that last season at Blackpool they had a few moments, a few howlers but my goodness, what a performance in this because, I mean, you look at some of the stats Stockport has 78 % of the ball, almost 3 expected goals to 1.6 28 shots to 10 61 touches in the box to 13 Peacock Farrell made 8 saves and he was only beaten in the 95th minute by Mandarin, so honestly, this is another one where you go back and watch watch this watch the highlights of this for the assist by a goalkeeper and then for what he does afterwards because he makes some absolutely amazing saves he could probably claim the assist before the assist for the second goal as well because that was a bit of a punt downfield wasn't it I think it's not his assist is it you know so let's be technical about it Tom yeah but you know pretty direct pretty direct come on you've got to give him that one pre-assist the old pre-assist they do all the data in League 1 now these days mate I know they didn't in your day but come on you've got to give the stats men something to do just to finish then my moment of the weekend I'm going to go for Adeboyeo's goal for Bromley at home getting them a point with 10 minutes to go it's a brilliant goal it could have been my goal of the weekend but I'm picking it as my moment getting a 1-0 draw against Cambridge United it's been a great start to the season for Bromley as well a point at home a lovely moment for them and a really good finish go and check it out so into League 2 then Gregor I'll let you kick off with your win of the weekend It's got to be Barnett for me 3-0 win at Shrewsbury like after beating Salford City their favourite so convincingly last weekend and Shrewsbury they've been much improved since Gavin Cowan took over in January although they've had a difficult start I don't think they're going to have the same sort of season of struggle as they did last season and they scored three great goals Jake Greaves with a low drive from outside the blocks Charlie Lakin with a beauty of a kind of chest and volley to make it 2-1 in the 83rd minute and then Tom Knowles finishing a brilliant piece of really direct play, like long ball, flick on, worked out left Knowles cuts in on his right and arcs it into the far corner just great kind of direct play which is in vogue at the moment, it's probably always been in vogue in League 2 but it was it's not just hit it and hope, there's some thought behind it as well and I think Barnett are shaping up, you know last season as we said in the previews, they came really close to making the playoffs if you look at the underlying data they were probably unfortunate not to.

30:48Gregor Robertson: I think this season, they're going to be in the mix. Are you having that Barnet kit though? I can't decide whether it's absolute cult status or whether it's a bit naff. It's like lilac and white stripes with an all white back. I'm not having it. I can't say. I think I maybe need another look. You're not having it. No, you're too cool for it. That's another pound in the jar. I don't mind a bit. I don't mind another bit of naff. I don't mind another bit of naff, but I think it might just be on the wrong side. Win of the weekend. You mentioned Salford City there. I could easily have picked Chesterfield.

31:16getting a 1-0 win at Salford. That's the second defeat for Salford City. The big rebrand, the big new manager, Peter Klamovsky. It's not going well. It's only early days. And they've got another week of the transfer window to maybe keep spending more money. But Chesterfield taking the lead after two minutes and holding on. I could have picked that, but instead, I'm going to pick Bristol Rovers 5, Newport 3. It's just a great fun game of League 2 action. Just go and watch it. Find the extended highlights. Make yourself a tee and just watch it. Whatever team you support, maybe you're a team in the Premier League, maybe you're a Man United fan still smarting about that defeat against Hull just go and watch this and remind yourself that football does exist elsewhere in the pyramid a really fun game, end to end, and it finished with a 99th minute goal with a player running it in with the goalkeeper at the other end, trying to get an equaliser wonderful, wonderful stuff Goal of the weekend, Gregor, I'm going to start first and I'm going to go for Keenan Apaya-Forson for Oldham Athletic at Colchester a brilliant finish into the top corner a really really fantastic goal for Oldham also wearing a slightly mad kit but again one that I'm slightly on board with probably the high point of this game though for Oldham then went on to lose against Colchester and if Apaya Forsen's goal was a beauty then the own goal from Temple in the 94th minute is a defender's nightmare isn't it Gregor I don't know if you've seen it cross into the box he makes the dive at the near post if he'd left it the keeper who had already saved a penalty would have almost certainly smothered it, I think.

32:43Keepers on the floor. The goal is empty. The ball bounces in a nightmare. But there you go, all them fans. At least I picked Apaya Folsom as the goal of the weekend. No consolation, I'm sure. Gregor, what about you? Goal of the weekend?

32:55Gregor Robertson: I've gone for Aaron Drennan in Swindon's 2-1 win against Cheltenham. Just a beauty. An absolute beauty. We know how good he was last season. He scored 21 League 2 goals for Swindon. as they looked like they were going to you know stay the distance and possibly get promoted to League 1 and they fell away at the death but he just, he brings this down comes in on his right foot and from a good 25 yards out it's kind of one of those, it's a half half curler, half bullet so he kind of strikes with the inside of his foot but it's looking at arcs right into the top corner, just an absolute beauty a thing of beauty, so you see some great goals at League Two level.

33:36Gregor Robertson: And I would have to say that Ryan Broome's 85th minute consolation for Cheltenham wasn't bad either. Kind of half-volley cracker. So, yeah, Aaron Drunin's goal. Plenty of reasons to go and check out loads of games already on the Game Podcast. We're already stretching these awards categories as far as we possibly can. Moment of the weekend, Gregor, in League Two. I'll let you go first. We're going to have to return to the Bristol Rovers Newport game for Bobby Kamwa's remarkable moment in the 75th minute. when after making it 3-1 with another great goal, we have to say, Bobby Gamma, who is a former Newport player, in fact, he scored some crucial goals for Newport last season, some absolute beauties as well.

34:20Gregor Robertson: He scored three of their last two games against Oldham and Barrow to keep Newport up. He was getting stick all game. This is from the pocket of away fans, the Newport fans in the corner. Every time he touched the ball, you could hear the boos. So he scored in the 75th minute at the other end. he ran the entire length of the pitch to celebrate wildly in front of them, kind of Adebayor vibes, celebrating in front of his former supporters yeah, he obviously didn't take that very well and fair play to him really because I think after what he did for the club last season maybe a little bit harsh Yeah, absolutely, it is a remarkable moment go and check it out listeners, another reason to go and watch that game moments.

35:03I've got a couple of honorary mentions, Gregor. I've got to mention, I don't know whether you saw this in Rotherham, one of your former teams, their one-all draw with York. York continuing their good start to the season. But Rotherham defender Lenny Agbae, apologies if I've pronounced that wrong, with a very good block to deny a certain goal for York City. And I would say, Gregor, the most muted Gregor Robertson-style celebration from a defender for a block on the line that I've ever seen. If you've not gone and seen it, I honestly think he's been listening to the show because that guy definitely doesn't go in for high fives and fist bumps and chest bumps just do your job and that's what he did that's what he did i should also like to mention tom ince's equalizer for tranmere against portvale tom ince a player who burst onto the scene he scored some lovely goals in his life this is probably the worst goal he's ever scored ever and we've mentioned a lot of great goals that go on in the football league and a lot of great goals that go on at league two we're not snooty down here but this was the definition of a league two goal bouncing around all over the place I don't even know if he can claim it I don't even know if he want to but they the definition of they all count but I have to go for I have to go for in that game Bobby Faulkner Bobby Faulkner we love it an outfield player going in goal it's got to be one of the favorite things that ever happened centre-back Bobby Faulkner going in as an emergency goalkeeper and made a couple of sort of okay saves did it ever happen in your day would you ever have

36:26Gregor Robertson: gone in goal no but you kind of sometimes knew a player who was an outfield player who would be the guy who would take the jersey you know the good the good the giddy one never you know the giddy one who went who went in training after goal and tried to save people's penalties and stuff that you know that's the guy so i think sounds like bobby faulkner's that guy and you're right they weren't like he didn't make like a wonder save but he showed some good handling or he kind of you know a ball came in they had to come out come out to punch and stuff you know it was it wasn't like he wasn't hugging his goal line in terror it was brave and he soaked up the adulation of the fans at the end with a few fist bumps so great moment yeah The giddy bouncy one Gregor you will be stunned to know that I reckon I would have been that player if I'd been in a football team I would have been the centre back who would have gone in goal happily so bad was I at centre back that I often did get put in goal as I'm sure many of the people who've ever played football with me would want me to say we'll leave it there Gregor a wonderful EFL extra show keeping our run going and remember we will be back every single week with the latest analysis from the Championship League 1 and League 2.

37:30A slightly shorter show than normal just to make sure I can get back on me holidays but if you've got views on your team any goals that we have missed do get in touch with me tom.clark at thetimes.co.uk I'm off to the chippy we'll see you next week.

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From the publisher

Our weekly look at all the latest from the EFL with Tom clarke and Gregor Robertson.


Plenty of surprises in week two of the Championship. West Ham lost at home in front of sixty two thousand fans, are their players ready for a tough season in the second tier?

No wins for fancied Norwich, Birmingham or Burnley. At the top Millwall may have a new star up front in Taryk Arconte and West Brom have started where they left off last season with two impressive wins. And special mention to Blackburn Rovers after a big win over Middlesbrough,  

League One Bradford win a Yorkshire derby, a miserable start for Leicester and goals galore for Luton.

In League Two favourites Salford tough start continues, But what was the game of the weekend? 

Plus have we already seen the goal of the season - Dom Ballard's 18yd back heel could be it.



Did you see Gregor play football, do you have anything nice to say? Get in touch.

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