The opening weekend of the season is meant to be a time of universal optimism, when fans can bask in the sunshine and dream about a campaign which is yet to take shape. This game was set to a backdrop of spitting drizzle and granite skies, a cold dose of reality before a ball had even been kicked.
Both Watford and QPR arrived at Vicarage Road in a fog of unknowns, with fans having good reason to be cautious with their expectations. After another underwhelming season of managerial Russian roulette and a summer which marked the departures of João Pedro and Ismaïla Sarr, two of their best performers, the hosts were hoping for a new dawn under Valérien Ismaël.
The visitors, meanwhile, were looking for a clean slate under Gareth Ainsworth, who took only three wins from 13 games after succeeding Neil Critchley in February. Where Ismaël, greeted by a huge cheer from the home fans, stuck with familiar faces in his lineup, Ainsworth started several summer signings in Asmir Begovic, Morgan Fox and Paul Smyth.
With Fox partnering the inexperienced Joe Gubbins in the centre, QPR’s new-look backline made the worst possible start when they were sliced open with under a minute on the clock. A move which began with Ryan Porteous playing out from the back ended with Imran Louza hooking an instinctive through ball round a blind corner to Tom Dele-Bashiru, who slotted beneath Begovic to score.
QPR soon lapsed into their worst habits from the second half of last season, surrendering possession and lacking attacking intent. “We weren’t ready for the first half,” Ainsworth said. “The boys were torn apart at times.”
Reading's first third-tier game in 21 years ended in defeat as Rubén Sellés began life in charge of the Royals with a 1-0 loss to Peterborough.
Ephron Mason-Clark struck two minutes before half-time to condemn the home side to an opening-day loss following relegation from the Championship last season, inflicted after they were hit by a six-point deduction for financial irregularities.
Barnsley put the heartbreak of their last-minute defeat in last season's play-off final behind them by beating Port Vale 7-0 at Oakwell, Devante Cole netting an opening-day hat-trick whilst goals from Liam Kitching, Jon Russell and Andrew Dallas and an own-goal from defender Dan Jones capped a miserable start for Vale.
Blackpool fared better after their relegation to League One, running out 2-0 winners against Burton thanks to a Shayne Lavery double at Bloomfield Road. Wigan also started life back in League One with a 2-1 victory away to Derby, striker Charlie Wyke grabbing both goals.
A goal from George Dobson for Charlton on the stroke of half-time sent Leyton Orient to a 1-0 defeat following their promotion from League Two, whilst Stevenage won 1-0 at Northampton in a meeting between two other promoted sides.
Exeter were two goals up inside four minutes as they eventually ran out 3-0 winners away at Wycombe, Bolton won comprehensively 3-0 at home to Lincoln, whilst Cambridge were 2-0 winners against Oxford.
Shrewsbury defeated Cheltenham 1-0 at the New Meadow whilst Bristol Rovers' visit to Portsmouth and promoted Carlisle's game at home to Fleetwood finished 1-1.
Louza, deceptively laid-back on the ball, made it 2-0 after 20 minutes with a moment of languid genius, turning into space before unleashing a curling shot beyond Begovic and into the far corner. From there, QPR’s jittery retreat became a head-over-heels rout. Matheus Martins and Jeremy Ngakia forced Begovic into close-range saves after exploiting overlaps out wide, Vakoun Bayo headed over, while Wesley Hoedt and Francisco Sierralta went close in quick succession. Louza, pulling the strings effortlessly in midfield, played another superb ball over the top to Dele-Bashiru, but Begovic was equal to his stinging volley.
Martins got the third soon afterwards, Ken Sema’s cross teeing him up for a flicked header which tumbled into the net. The fourth came just before half-time, Sierralta getting in behind on the right, his raking cross to the far post setting up Bayo for a simple finish. That was the cue for a number of QPR fans to head for the exits. There was a chorus of boos from those remaining in the away end at the break, though it felt less scathing than the ironic cheers which greeted an aimless passing move early in the second half.
That stung the visitors into a response, Ilias Chair drawing a first save from Daniel Bachmann from a tight angle. The away fans responded in kind, part roaring, part goading their side on. Just when it seemed like QPR had reset the tempo, Ngakia went on the counterattack and set up Louza for an ambitious dink which rattled the crossbar. After a long break in play when Gubbins received treatment for a knock, Watford re-established control and once again had Begovic diving in all directions. Giorgi Chakvetadze, on for his debut, was inches away from setting up Bayo for his second, but the Ivory Coast forward failed to connect with the goal at his mercy.
Wrexham's long-awaited return to the EFL ended in defeat as MK Dons ran out 5-3 winners in the League Two opener at the Racecourse Ground.
The hosts' promotion euphoria was shattered as Dons struck twice inside the first 10 minutes, as first Eoghan O'Connell put through his own net before Mohamed Eisa doubled the visitors' lead.
Jonathan Leko added two more after the break to make it 4-1, Jordan Davis hit back for Wrexham before Daniel Harvey and Anthony Forde exchanged goals in added time.
Ten-man Notts County were also given a rude awakening following promotion from the National League, two goals from Omari Patrick and one each for Joe Kizzi, Harry Beautyman and Harry Smith sending them to a 5-1 defeat away at Sutton after County goalkeeper Aidan Stone was sent off on 15 minutes.
Forest Green lost their first game back in League Two following relegation, goals from Conor McAleny and Matt Smith sending them to a 2-0 defeat at home to Salford in Dave Horseman's first game in charge.
Barrow were 2-1 winners away at Tranmere, Accrington swept to a 3-0 win against Newport and Jack Muldoon's second-half penalty earned Harrogate a 1-0 win in their Yorkshire derby against Doncaster.
Gillingham won 1-0 away to Stockport, Morecambe beat Walsall 2-1 at home and Grimsby fought out a goalless against Wimbledon, whilst Crawley beat Mark Hughes' Bradford 1-0 and Crewe drew 2-2 with Mansfield.
Colchester's game at home to Swindon was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Even as Watford eased off in anticipation of the final whistle, the contrast between the two teams was stark: one with a weight off their shoulders, playing neat one-twos, and the other labouring under some invisible burden. “We made the perfect first step, but it’s nothing more than the first step,” said Ismaël.
Even so, he can take satisfaction in giving the home fans more reason to feel upbeat about the season ahead. As for the visitors, the feeling will be much the opposite. If this was a new beginning for QPR, fans will fear for the middle and end.
