A couple of early goals, and it is mixed fortunes for two sides in desperate need of some momentum in League Two.

Port Vale are one up away at fourth-placed Newport thanks to Jayden Stockley, but life after Paul Simpson has not started brightly for Carlisle, who find themselves behind in the first minute at Bradford thanks to Andy Cook.

Postpublished at 15:08 British Summer Time 7 September

15:08 BST 7 September

Doncaster 0-0 Gillingham

There's an early collision for Gillingham midfielder Ethan Coleman. He goes to win a high ball but ends up on the ground.

Deep breath Gills fans. He's back on his feet and seems to be just fine.

Make that two League One matches starting late today...

A problem with the net - seemingly a hole in the back of it - needs some patching up, leading to a delayed start.

You know when the assistant referees run straight to the goal to billow the net before the kick-off and you always wondered why... well now you know!

He's probably dreamed of this day for years.

Anyway, they are under way - call it seven minutes late!

The sun has come out at the Stok Racecourse to greet this first league meeting between the two rivals from across the border in more than 16 years.

Wrexham did win an FA Cup third round tie against their rivals on the road last January, how they'd love a repeat of that in the opening stages.

No Paul Mullin in the XI for Wrexham, he's on the bench with Jack Marriott leading the line for the hosts.

Let the games begin.

Well, not Charlton and Rotherham. The traffic may have been unforeseen but I foresee a whistle being blown in 10 minutes' time for that one.

The pies cases and plastic pint pots rattling into the recycling bin, the clatter of plastic seats as fans find their spot and the strains of Faithless' Insomnia (and plenty of other 90s dance tunes) are drifting on the air up and down the country as the players file out.

The unmistakeable sounds of a Saturday afternoon...

Kick-off is moments away...

Early days in the EFL, but let us know what you would score your side out of 10 so far this season? Is the new summer signing not quite living up to expectation? Has the new man in charge turned things around already?Also, if you are a Fleetwood, Salford, Tranmere or Wimbledon fan, tell us how you're spending your Saturday off. A spot of shopping? Some home improvements or perhaps you're scratching the football itch by getting down to your local club. Either way, we want to hear from you!

Image source, Rex Features

Barrow missed out on a play-off place on the last day of last season, but have set about making amends in the best way possible in 2024-2025 with three wins from four. They will look to make it three straight league wins at Holker Street against Swindon today.

Newport start the day in fourth, and could make it four wins in a row at home to Port Vale this afternoon, who have won just two of their last 14 away games in the EFL.

Goals are probably guaranteed at Meadow Lane this afternoon where undefeated Notts County host Accrington - who have leaked more goals than any other team so far this year. Home fans have seen 26 goals in the last six home games, while Stanley fans have seen their side ship 17 in their last five on the road.

No EFL side has lost more games in 2024 than Carlisle (20 out of 26) and the Cumbrians' first game after Paul Simpson's departure last week will come at Valley Parade against Bradford.

Colchester and Bromley meet for the first time in the EFL, while just one point and one position separates Chesterfield and Grimsby, who meet in Derbyshire this afternoon.

After victory on the opening day, Cheltenham have lost three on the bounce, and will look to stop that slide at home to Harrogate, who themselves ended an 11-game winless run away from home at Colchester last weekend.

That's all to come on matchday five in the fourth tier this afternoon. Don't go anywhere...

The beginning of Morecambe's season has been somewhat of a nightmare. So far, they are the only League Two team without a point - or even a goal - leaving a shadow cast on boss Derek Adam's return to the club.

But with Adams feeling positive his side can change it around, the Shrimps will be looking to get the ball rolling as they head to Gresty Road.

Morecambe have won both their last two previous away meetings against Crewe Alexandra but it's the Alex who have taken the glory in their other 10 most recent league games.

Though if Crewe are to leave Morecambe pointless, they will need to hit the back of the net - something they haven't done in their last five home games.

Image source, Rex Features

It's far too early in the season to be looking at potential promotion contenders but the new owners at MK Dons will certainly be hoping their team can figure later on in the season.

However, the start to their campaign has been far from smooth, with three out of four of their League Two matches ending in a defeat - including their Monday night visit to Salford City.

Visitors Walsall, on the other hand, are enjoying a glorious beginning to theirs as three wins leaves them a single point off the top of the league.

This fixture didn't go so well for the Saddlers last season though, losing 0-5 against an emphatic Dons side, but form would suggest it will take a rather spectacular MK Dons performance to repeat that feat.

Oh, how Walsall would like to find redemption at the MK Stadium today.

Gillingham are unbeaten in League Two this season, aiding them to the number one spot as the league begins to settle in.

However, the Gills are facing a team that aren't doing too shabbily themselves as they travel to meet Doncaster Rovers, who are currently relishing in the longest home match winning streak across all the top four flights of English football.

Rovers have won 10 successive games at the Eco-Power stadium much to the delight of the home fans, scoring 23 goals while conceding just five times.

Their impressive home form hasn't eluded Gillingham, who have lost seven of their last eight away matches to Doncaster but the Gills have managed to win half of their last six meetings, albeit by a narrow 1-0 victory each time.

Something has to give, but will the Gills go marching on or do Doncaster fans experience something that's become unfamiliar on home ground?

Here's what's on the League Two menu this afternoon:

Barrow v Swindon Town

Bradford City v Carlisle United

Cheltenham Town v Harrogate Town

Chesterfield v Grimsby Town

Colchester United v Bromley

Crewe Alexandra v Morecambe

Doncaster Rovers v Gillingham

MK Dons v Walsall

Newport County v Port Vale

Notts County v Accrington Stanley

Image source, Rex Features

Two teams with identical records across the first four League One matches, separated by goal difference alone, will face-off at Oakwell.

Barnsley fans are looking forward to seeing new signing Davis Keillor-Dunn, who scored 22 goals and set-up nine more as Mansfield were promoted from League Two.

The 26-year-old is named in the starting XI and has won at Oakwell this season, which is more than his new teammates can say, helping the Stags win 2-1 at Barnsley on the opening day.

Allowing a 2-0 lead to slip to draw against Northampton last time out at Oakwell means the Tykes are now eight home games without a win – their worst run since March 2018.

Rovers have lost their last four at Barnsley and have one win in seven on their travels all-told, but have conceded in only one of their four games this term.

Image source, Rex Features

With most of League One’s leading lights not in action, Charlton and Rotherham will be seeking to take advantage and put points on the board in their absence.

The Addicks could take over at the top of the table if they can pick up their fourth win in five, and the omens look pretty good.

Nathan Jones’ side are unbeaten in eight against the Millers and haven’t lost in nine at home, their best run at The Valley in more than five years.

Meanwhile, Steve Evans’ side are on an EFL-worst 11-match losing streak on the road and have failed to score in a club record eight games on their travels.

They have scored just twice in their opening four games since relegation and only six sides have fewer than their four points.

So will it be more of the same this afternoon or does Rotherham’s season start here?

We'll find out 10 minutes later than expected as the Millers coach was delayed in traffic. Kick-off is now 15:10 BST.

There’s way more than points at stake as Shrewsbury make the 30-mile trip up the road to Wrexham this afternoon.

These two cross-border rivals haven’t met in the league since April 2008 and it’s fair to say quite a lot has happened since then.

While the Shrews have won five of their last six league matches against Wrexham, this is a new Wrexham, one which has won six straight league games at home, and 19 of the 25 since they returned to the EFL.

Phil Parkinson’s side are unbeaten with 10 points from four matches since promotion and he told BBC Sport Wales: “Everywhere you go people talk about the game – it means a lot. It’s important not to get carried away by the start, but obviously take confidence from it."

Shrewsbury haven’t won in six on the road, taking just three points in total, and haven’t scored in their two away games this season, lying fifth-bottom with three defeats in four.

What those travelling fans would give for that run to end this afternoon.

Image source, Rex Features

Good afternoon, thought we had a Saturday off just because of a few international matches? Think again...

There might be fewer games on the schedule in the EFL today, but those that remain on the bill have no shortage of interest, and we'll bring you the previews, live updates, analysis and hopefully some reaction too.

Four of the six sides in League One action could find themselves in the automatic promotion places by tea-time, depending on today's scorelines, while it's nearly a full slate in League Two with 20 of the 24 sides in action.

So stick the kettle on and let us be your eyes this afternoon.

Let's get to it, shall we?