In the first of these weekly (maybe twice-weekly) columns we look at those players that have come through the academy system at the Alex and how they did on the opening day of the 18/19 season.
We start in the Championship with Luke Murphy’s Bolton debut, after his move at the back end of last week, with the former Alex captain playing the first 60 minutes as the Trotters won 2-1 at West Bromwich Albion.
Billy Jones was an unused substitute for Rotherham United in their 5-1 defeat at Brentford.
Nick Powell (70) and Cheyenne Dunkley (90, booked) both played for Wigan Athletic in their 3-2 home win against Sheffield Wednesday with Powell getting the winner whilst Ryan Colclough was not involved.
Onto League 1 where Liam Nolan was not involved in Accrington Stanley’s 2-0 home defeat against Gillingham.
Oliver Turton played the full game for Blackpool in their 0-0 draw at Wycombe Wanderers whilst Max Clayton was not involved.
Kelvin Mellor played the full game for Bradford City in their 1-0 victory at Shrewsbury Town.
Peterborough United’s George Cooper was an unused substitute in their 2-1 home win against Bristol Rovers.
Gareth Evans was an unused substitute for Portsmouth in their 1-0 home victory against Luton.
Finally into League 2 where Byron Moore came off the bench for Bury in their 1-0 home win against Yeovil Town whilst James Bailey is recovering from an MCL injury for the visitors and won’t be involved until later in the year.
Perry Ng, Harry Pickering, James Jones, Ryan Wintle and Charlie Kirk all played the full game for Crewe Alexandra in their 6-0 victory over Morecambe, Jones got 2 of the goals with Kirk opening the scoring. George Ray (29 mins) also started whilst Callum Ainley (last 15) came off the bench for the Alex with Jason Oswell coming on for the final 28 minutes for the visitors.
Harry Davis played the first 71 minutes for Grimsby Town in their 4-1 home defeat to Forest Green Rovers.
Lincoln City’s Michael O’Connor was an unused substitute in their 1-0 win at Northampton Town whilst Billy Waters was an unused substitute for the visitors.
Matt Tootle and David Vaughan (booked) both played the full game for Notts County in their 0-0 home draw against Colchester United.
Finally Ritchie Sutton played the full game for Tranmere in their 2-2 draw against Stevenage whilst Will Appleyard was not involved for the visitors.
