Fantasy EFL Gameweek 1 saw 60 goals scored in just 24 matches, as all League One and League Two sides faced off, kickstarting the new Fantasy EFL season.
We’ve covered the key takeaways from Fantasy EFL Gameweek 1 in our Scout Notes below.
And get ready—the full Fantasy EFL experience is here! With all 72 clubs now in action, including the return of the Championship in Gameweek 2, the competition is officially underway.
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JOIN OUR MINI-LEAGUE
We’ve launched our FFS mini-league starting from Gameweek 1, worth hundreds of pounds worth of prizes:
- EFL League 1st – £150 cash
- EFL League 2nd – £100 cash
- EFL League 3rd – £50 cash
- EFL League 4th – Annual Membership
- EFL League 5th – Annual Membership
- EFL League 6th – Annual Membership
- EFL League 7th – Annual Membership
- EFL League 8th – Annual Membership
- EFL League 9th – Annual Membership
- EFL League 10th – Annual Membership
In order to qualify, you need to be a free member of FFS and sign up to the league via the code [or click on this link]:
- PIN CODE: 0D9I8JH3
- LEAGUE INVITE: https://fantasy.efl.com/leagues/join/0D9I8JH3
LEAGUE ONE
LUTON TOWN 1 AFC WIMBLEDON 0
It may not have been the most thrilling opening game of EFL football, but over 50% of managers won’t be disappointed with seven points from Matt Bloomfield’s side.
An unfortunate own-goal from Ryan Johnson (D) saw the Hatters snatch three points, as all defensive assets scored well. Mads Andersen (D) and Christ Massoko (D) both banked nine points for their efforts, while Josh Keeley (G) kept his first shutout for his new side.
The Hatters travel to Peterborough United in Gameweek 2, while the Dons take on Lincoln City (A).
BLACKPOOL 2 STEVENAGE 3
Having struggled for goals last season, Alex Revell’s side dusted off the cobwebs at Bloomfield Road in Fantasy EFL Gameweek 1.
Jamie Reid (F) was the star of the show, scoring a brace to earn 14 points, while Dan Kemp (M) netted the third goal of the game. For the Seasiders, George Honeyman (M) marked his debut with a goal, and Niall Ennis (F) also opened his scoring account for the season. Both players scored eight points.
Stevenage face Rotherham United (H), while Blackpool take on Exeter City (A) in Gameweek 2.
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 3 LEYTON ORIENT 0
Lee Grant’s team wasted no time making their mark in the division, earning nine points for 6%.
New signings Joe Low (D) and Alfie May (D) were key players, both getting on the scoresheet. Low bagged 16 points for his contributions at both ends. May scored from the penalty spot, continuing his impressive form from last season with 10 points. Ruben Roosken (D) sealed the victory with a late goal in injury time.
The Terriers face Reading (A) in Gameweek 2, while the O’s lick their wounds and take on Wigan Athletic (H).
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 1 BARNSLEY 3
A difficult start for Tom Cleverley’s tenure at Home Park. Conor Hourihane, on the other hand, will be celebrating a well-deserved victory.
While Plymouth showed some promise offensively, their defensive vulnerabilities were on full display. An own-goal and defensive errors leading to goals from Adam Phillips (M) and Davis Keillor-Dunn (M) – who else? – secured nine points for less than 5%.
Luca Connell (M) had a strong performance for the visitors with 12 points, including an assist (+3), three interceptions (+6), and two key passes. Phillips and Keillor-Dunn each notched 10 and 11 points, respectively.
Despite the loss, there were some individual bright spots for Plymouth. New signing Caleb Watts (F) opened his scoring account for the season to score 12.
Plymouth will look to bounce back in their next match against Bolton Wanderers (A), while Barnsley host Burton.
FANTASY EFL GAMEWEEK 1: OTHER KEY SCORERS
Luke Molyneux (M), owned by over 50% of managers, didn’t disappoint. He scored the winning penalty, earning 10 points and securing a 1-0 victory for Doncaster Rovers over Exeter City (H).
Charlie Webster (M) was the highest-scoring player of the Gameweek, racking up 20 points in Burton’s 2-1 victory over Mansfield. He was a rare pick among managers and earned his impressive score with two goals, two interceptions, and two shots on target.
In his debut for Wigan Athletic, new signing Fraser Murray (M) scored a brace and an additional attacking return in their 3-1 win over Northampton Town, earning him a total of 18 points.
Finally, Sam Nombe (F) scored two goals in Rotherham United’s 2-1 victory over Port Vale, earning him 14 points.
LEAGUE TWO
RECENTLY-RELEGATED SIDES DISAPPOINT
Although there were big hopes for the League One sides that were relegated, only Cambridge United picked up a 1-0 win over Cheltenham Town (H), courtesy of a Louis Appere (F) winner.
Harrogate Town secured a 1-0 victory against Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium. Meanwhile, Grimsby Town delighted their home fans with a decisive 3-0 win over Crawley Town.
Elsewhere, Shrewsbury and Bromley played to a goalless draw, despite Shrewsbury’s control of possession and Bromley’s impressive 17 shots on goal.
From the four relegated sides, only two scored 10 points: Salop’s Tom Anderson (D) and Sam Stubbs (D) for their clean sheet against the Ravens.
CHESTERFIELD 1 BARROW 0
Paul Cook’s side scored seven points for near-7%, defeating Barrow 1-0 (H).
Chey Dunkley (D), owned by just over 1% of fantasy managers, was the standout performer, earning 11 points for his multiple defensive contributions. The entire defence benefited from the shutout.
Up front, Dillan Markanday (F), who made his move permanent over the summer, scored the winning goal.
Next up, the Spireites will travel to face Cheltenham Town in Gameweek 2, while Barrow host MK Dons.
MK DONS 0 OLDHAM ATHLETIC 0
Just one of 24 matches to end in a goalless draw, the game at Stadium MK was a less-than-thrilling affair, despite Paul Warne’s significant spending.
The Dons were arguably hard done by in the first half when Aaron Collins (F) was bundled over in the box, but no penalty was awarded.
However, both defences benefited, as Ethan Monthe (D) and Jack Sanders (D) each scored 10 points for their efforts.
The Dons face Barrow, while Oldham take on Colchester United (H).
SALFORD CITY 1 CREWE ALEXANDRA 3
A highly-anticipated showdown, the Railwaymen emerged victorious on the road.
The match had plenty of drama, including a rollercoaster performance from forward Kadeem Harris (F). He scored an unfortunate own-goal but quickly redeemed himself by scoring for the opposing team.
However, the real hero of the day was midfielder Conor Thomas (M), who stole the show with a quickfire double just before half-time, securing all three points for his side.
Special recognition goes to Crewe’s Tom Booth (G), who made a crucial penalty save.
This impressive feat earned him five points, plus an additional two points – a bonus that follows last season’s three-point reward system.
The visitors also saw a standout performance from Josh March (F), who continued his strong pre-season form by assisting the second goal and contributing to his team’s attack, which led to him scoring eight points.
FANTASY EFL GAMEWEEK 1: OTHER KEY SCORERS
Fleetwood Town were the only club pick to score 10+ points in their 2-0 away win at Barnet, picking up 11 points for just over 1%.
Walsall scored a 2-1 win over Swindon Town (H) following last season’s heartbreaking play-off final loss.
Evan Weir (D) opened the scoring for Walsall with a spectacular free kick. Will Wright equalised for Swindon with a penalty, but Connor Barrett (D) secured the win for Walsall with a dramatic, last-minute goal in injury time. Walsall played most of the game with only 10 men after Brandon Comley (M) was sent off.
