Weekend Roundup

With the international teams strutting their stuff over the weekend, the English league programme was a little shorter than usual. Here's what happened on English soil over the last few days.

England v Slovenia

Fabio Capello's side picked up a fairly routine friendly win, but it wasn't without its problems. Frank Lampard put England 1-0 up from the spot after Wayne Rooney was ridiculously awarded a first half penalty, and Jermain Defoe doubled the lead with a lovely finish after coming on as a substitute.

The concerns were mostly defensive (Rooney's finishing was awry but that happens sometimes). England conceded late and Joleon Lescott's (kerching!) performance was unimpressive. I'm also beginning to question the role of tricky little wingers in international football, but that's a conversation for another time.

The big question in the media at the moment is whether Defoe will replace Emile Heskey in the starting eleven against Croatia on Wednesday. His blistering form suggests he should, but Capello has hinted that Heskey's value - and Defoe's as an impact player - means that won't happen.

League One

Charlton Athletic continued their 100% record at the start of the season in League One, defeating Brentford 2-0 at the Valley. They lead on goal difference from Leeds United who also made it six out of six with a 2-0 home win over Stockport County. Huddersfield's 3-2 win at MK Dons puts them in third on 13 points, and Bristol Rovers beat Millwall to reach 12 points.

At the bottom, Southampton's goalless draw at home to ten-man Colchester United raises them to -6 points. Tranmere Rovers were beaten 3-0 at Carlisle United having had a man sent off at the end of the first half, and have just three points. Wycombe Wanderers remain on four points after defeat at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion, who leapfrog them onto five points.

Joining Brighton on five are Exeter City (beaten by Gillingham), Leyton Orient (beaten by Southend United), Stockport and Yeovil Town (beaten by Swindon Town).

Elsewhere, Norwich City drew with Walsall and Hartlepool United picked up a 3-0 away win at Oldham Athletic.

League Two

Rotherham United and AFC Bournemouth lead League Two, both having five wins from six matches. The Millers defeated Chesterfield 3-1, while the Cherries won 2-1 at Torquay United. Dagenham & Redbridge drew with Cheltenham Town, and Barnet won 3-1 at Northampton Town to take both to 13 points. Crewe Alexandra beat Macclesfield Town to reach 12.

Darlington lost 3-0 at Lincoln City and prop up the league with just one point. Grimsby Town remain on three after a thrashing at Port Vale. Morecambe and Hereford United have four points each after drawing with Rochdale and Aldershot respectively.

In the other matches, a late double earned Accrington Stanley victory at Bury, Notts County drew with Burton Albion and Bradford City beat Shrewsbury.

Non-League

There was massive controversy in the Blue Square Premier on Saturday. With Gateshead and Hayes & Yeading at 0-0 after 75 minutes, the game was delayed for half an hour while Gateshead's Martin Brittain was treated for a suspected broken leg. The game was then abandoned, but Hayes boss Gary Haylock is demanding the points from the match on the grounds of forfeiture.

Haylock claims the game was not abandoned due to the delay, but because of the refusal of Gateshead's players to return to the pitch.

Oxford United's excellent start continued with a win at Ebbsfleet United, while Mansfield Town's draw with Grays Athletic and Luton Town's draw at Salisbury give Oxford the upper hand. At the bottom, Chester City beat Histon to reach -20 points.

Some big scores to report too: Rushden & Diamonds won 6-1 away at Barrow and 23rd place Forest Green Rovers remain on one point after a 7-0 demolition by Cambridge United.

Eastwood Town lead the Blue Square North with 19 points after victory over Blyth Spartans. Droylsden beat Stafford Rangers 7-1 to stay second, with Corby beating Northwich Victoria to remain third. Farsley Celtic are rock bottom with zero points after defeat by Stalybridge, while Alfreton Town impressed with a 5-1 away win over Hyde.

Newport County and Basingstoke have 18 points each from a possible 24 in the Blue Square South. Newport beat Welling at the weekend to catch Basingstoke, who could only draw with lowly Lewes. Dover, Braintree, Woking and Havant & Waterlooville are just a point behind the leaders.

Welling, Lewes, Dorchester and Weymouth have five points so far, edging ahead of Weston-Super-Mare and Maidenhead United with four each.