The new EFL season is on the horizon, and most clubs have returned home from pre-season tour to re-acclimatise ahead of the big kick-off over the weekend of 5th August.
As a result, a number of this week’s friendlies saw our clubs come together to do battle, get more minutes under their belts, and hopefully gain momentum to take the new campaign.
One of those friendlies was played with the ‘Johnson Cup’ at stake, where Bristol City manager Lee took on his father Gary’s Cheltenham Town outfit.
The trophy was retained by the Sky Bet Championship Robins following a 3-0 win, and Bobby Reid netted the pick of the bunch when he finished off an exquisite team move.
Bristol City look raring to go for this season, Bobby Reid finishes off a slick team move... pic.twitter.com/kn5H3vlB0M
— FootballLeaguePaper (@TheLeaguePaper) July 26, 2017
Another familiar face was in action at Adams Park, where Adebayo Akinfenwa was reunited with his former side, AFC Wimbledon. ‘The Beast’ thundered home an unstoppable effort for Wycombe Wanderers as they picked up a 2-0 win over the Sky Bet League One Dons.
Watch the two goals from last night's friendly win; thanks to @AFCWimbledon for the footage. @daRealAkinfenwa's strike was a beauty! pic.twitter.com/nGlOv5hL8z
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) July 26, 2017
They weren’t the only side to defeat teams in a higher division — two goals in two minutes saw Shrewsbury Town come back to defeat Cardiff City 2-1, and Northampton Town defeated Derby County by one goal to nil.
One team still abroad is Plymouth Argyle, and they took a break from training to practice some penalties. While Graham Carey and Ruben Lameiras failed with their Rabona efforts, boss Derek Adams showed just how it should be done with some precise strikes from 12 yards while away in the Netherlands.
Gaffer to Head of Operations Jon Back: "I'll put them in the top right corner..." #pafc #ArgyleinDelden pic.twitter.com/NVYUPoRCWk
— Plymouth Argyle FC (@Only1Argyle) July 27, 2017
And while the football just keeps coming, the Oldham Athletic squad took a hard-earned break from the pitch to give their thoughts on the week’s big talking point… Love Island.
New signing Rob Hunt, among others, will have been happy with the final result!
Tonight's the night @LoveIsland! The talk of the dressing room for weeks... @carolineflack1 #oafc #LoveIsIand https://t.co/gfoGe6e1zd
— Oldham Athletic AFC (@OfficialOAFC) July 24, 2017