Post by dinokea on May 27, 2023 9:06:48 GMT 1
So, I've decided to bring in a new sim, this time focusing on the birth of the EFL and following it through as far as I can, whether that is the early 1900s, premier league era or beyond. I'll be running through results weekly with a specific match highlighted and doing my best to adapt the results given with what was going on IRL. To make things a little more fun and interesting, at the seasons ending during team nomination anyone following this diary is free to vote on who they believe should receive the spot.
1888/89 Season: This post
So without further ado, we may as well just get started:
Week 1
The first game of the season featured a close match, with Bolton Wanderers hosting Stoke. Stoke would score early in the first half maintaining the lead until Bolton equalised in the 89th minute to end the game 1-1
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 - 2 Preston North End
Blackburn Rovers 1 - 0 Derby County
Everton 2 - 0 Burnley
Aston Villa 1 - 2 Accrington
West Bromwich Albion 3 - 0 Notts County
Most games this week end up being fairly close affairs, with teams barely scraping out wins. Everton and West Brom claim the leagues top spots however with convincing wins
Week 2
Our week 2 highlight takes us to a match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Derby County. Both sides were unlucky not to pick up points in their first game of the season and will likely be looking for points. The first goal was scored by Wolves at the edge of half time, heading into the break 1 - 0 up over the hosts. Derby came into the second half firing however scoring in the 56th and 67th minute to lead 2-1. Wolves would equalise in 77th minutes and with the game tied 2-2, an 89th minute winner would send Wolves away with all 3 points.
Stoke 1 - 2 West Bromwich Albion
Preston North End 2 - 0 Bolton Wanderers
Burnley 0 - 1 Blackburn Rovers
Accrington 5 - 0 Everton
Notts County 1 - 2 Aston Villa
Accrington 5 - 0 Everton
Notts County 1 - 2 Aston Villa
In other match around the league, West Brom put away Stoke while Blackburn steal a win in the 91st minute. Accrington and Preston take the top two spots after dominating their matches. After a rough first half, Villa come from 1-0 down to beat Notts County.
| Team | Points | Win | Draw | Loss | GD | |
| 1st | Accrington | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +6 |
| 2nd | West Bromwich Albion | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +4 |
| 3rd | Preston North End | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +3 |
| 4th | Blackburn Rovers | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +2 |
| 5th | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | +0 |
| 6th | Aston Villa | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | +0 |
| 7th | Everton | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -3 |
| 8th | Stoke | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| 9th | Bolton Wanderers | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -2 |
| 10th | Derby County | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -2 |
| 11th | Burnley | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -3 |
| 12th | Notts County | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -4 |
Week 3 & 4 Preview
Week 3
Stoke vs. Preston North End
Bolton Wanderers vs. Derby County
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Burnley
Highlight: Blackburn Rovers vs. Accrington
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Burnley
Highlight: Blackburn Rovers vs. Accrington
Everton vs. Notts County
West Bromwich Albion vs. Aston Villa
West Bromwich Albion vs. Aston Villa
Highlight: Blackburn Rovers come into this match without a single goal scored against them against Accrington who are coming off a dominant win over Everton and sitting top of the league. Both teams are undefeated and could potentially be the divisions top teams
Week 4
Highlight: Preston North End vs. West Bromwich Albion
Derby County vs. Stoke
Burnley vs. Bolton Wanderers
Accrington vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Notts County vs. Blackburn Rovers
Aston Villa vs. Everton
Highlight: Preston and West Brom look as if they could be two of the top teams in this division, so a clash between the two of them this week will reveal who will be in the title fight.
