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It was Accrington who were the surprise package as well as they hammered Chester 4-0, in an almost complete reversal of their youth team losing 4-1 at home to City last weekend. Ex-Blackpool striker Andy Mangan bagging a hat-trick, while recent signing Joel Byrom from Blackburn scored the other goal for Stanley at the Fraser Eagle Stadium.
The other divisional new boys in Manchester City also started life off with three points, the Citizens second-string defeating Wrexham 2-0 at the Regional Athletics Arena, which is adjacent to the City of Manchester Stadium. Highly-rated young striker Danny Sturridge and Antoine Sibierski scoring the first half goals for a strong City outfit.
Bury secured the surprise result of the week as they won 3-1 away to Preston at Deepdale in a disappointing start for new Lilywhites reserve team boss Billy Barr. North End opened the scoring through Chris Sedgwick in the 25th minute but the Shakers stormed through in the last quarter of the game, with a late brace from Nicky Adams and a Tom Youngs goal condeming Preston to an opening evening defeat.
Oldham completed the triumvirate of wins for the new boys, as they won 1-0 away to Blackpool on the hallowed turf of Highbury, the ground on the west coast being the home of Unibond Premier side Fleetwood Town. The only goal of the game coming the way of the Latics on 44 minutes through trialist striker Diego Cervero, the Spanish frontman having had Segunda División experience with Real Oviedo.
Rochdale have lost their opening three League Two fixtures by one goal to nil, and their second-string kept up that sequence as Tranmere Rovers won 1-0 at Dark Lane, the home of Rossendale United. The match was played in torrential rain throughout, and that contributed to a poor 90 minutes in which Calvin Zola scored the 48th minute goal for Rovers which ensured all three points went back to the Wirral.
With eleven teams now in the division, compared to the ten that contested the title last season, one side is always going to be faced with a blank week when fixtures are scheduled. The opening games of the campaign saw United having the day off, the Blues though get their title-defending season underway next Wednesday at home to Rochdale in a 7pm kick-off at Brunton Park.
Results in the division this week :
Accrington 4-0 Chester
Blackpool 0-1 Oldham
Manchester City 2-0 Wrexham
Preston 1-3 Bury
Rochdale 0-1 Tranmere
Fixtures in the division next week :
Wrexham v Blackpool, 7pm Monday
Carlisle v Rochdale, 7pm Wednesday
Chester v Manchester City, 2pm Wednesday
Oldham v Accrington Stanley, 2pm Wednesday
Updated Reserve Team Table : Click here
United's Reserve Team Results : Click here