Monday 04 Aug 2025

Jamie Reid at the double for Stevenage

Northern Ireland striker Jamie Reid got his season off to a flyer after scoring twice in Stevenage’s 3-2 opening day League One victory at Blackpool at the weekend. 

The 30-year-old, who has eight senior caps to his name, admitted that finding the net in the first game of the campaign eases the pressure on him. 

“As a striker, you are always waiting for that first goal,” he told the Stevenage website. “So to get two in your first game is great, it means you’re not chasing, trying to get that first goal, you’re starting ahead almost. 

Reid’s second of the afternoon came when he converted from the penalty spot against his international colleague Bailey Peacock-Farrell, who, despite getting a hand to it, couldn’t prevent the visitors going in at the break 2-1 to the good. 

“I spoke to Bailey after the game, and he knew I was going to go that way,” added Reid. “I knew though I had to commit to wherever I choose, and I may have been a bit lucky, but a goal is goal!” 

Also on the scoresheet in League One was defender Michael Forbes who headed home a late consolation goal on his debut for Northampton Town who lost 3-1 away to Wigan Athletic. 

Former Derry City player Eoin Toal, who has been named as Bolton Wanderers captain this season, was disappointed at his side’s performance following their 2-0 defeat away to Stockport County on Sunday. 

“I thought the first half we had the better chances,” Toal told the Bolton News. “There are a lot of positives to take from the first half, but we shot ourselves in the foot by conceding right at the death.” 

Elsewhere, several players were making their debuts following their moves over the summer., George Saville (Luton Town), Patrick Kelly (Barnsley), Luke Southwood (Bristol Rovers), Christy Pym (Grimsby Town), Lee Bonis (Chesterfield) and Jamie McDonnell (Mansfield Town).

In Scotland, 19-year-old goalkeeper Mason Munn kept a clean sheet in his first outing for Dunfermline Athletic following his loan move from Rangers, as the Pars drew their opening league game of the season 0-0 at Morton. 

On the friendly front, Isaac Price scored for West Brom, who beat Spanish outfit Raya Vallecano 3-2 at the Hawthorns, while Trai Hume and Dan Ballard both played the full ninety minutes of Sunderland’s narrow 1-0 home defeat to Real Betis.

Spurs’ Jamie Donley was an unused substitute in the draw with Newcastle United and Callum Marshall came on in the closing moments of West Ham’s 2-0 win at Bournemouth, though Justin Devenny was involved in both Crystal Palace’s two games against Austrian side FC Augsburg.