Tom Bailey

It was a winning end to Richard Dryden’s interim spell as manager of Yeovil Town, as the Glovers defeated Woking 1-0 at Huish Park, which you can read about here! Let’s see what else happened in an eventful day across the league.

We start in the Midlands, where Solihull Moors and Morecambe played out a thrilling 4-4 draw! Jamey Osbourne got the hosts ahead in the 25th minute, before a cracker of a strike just five minutes later from Jack Nolan on his debut for the visitors equalised. Jacob Wakeling grabbed the first of two goals for him on the day in the 43rd minute to send the hosts into half-time with the lead. Into the second half, a quick fire double from Admiral Muskwe pushed the Shrimps into the lead, before Brad Nicholson got the hosts level once again. A thunderbolt from Miguel Azeez had surely bagged the win for the visitors in a crazy encounter, but a 78th minute equaliser for Jacob Wakeling meant both sides had to share the spoils.

York City continued their 100% start to life under Stuart Maynard with an impressive comeback against Braintree Town. A double from debutant Terrell Works handed the hosts a handy advantage after 47 minutes, but goals from Alex Hunt and Joe Grey got the visitors level. A 93rd minute Ollie Pearce penalty secured the win for the Minstermen, as they jumped into the playoff spots with those three points.

A second 3-2 clash took place at Gander Green Lane, as Tamworth left London with all three points against Sutton United. A Joe Riley penalty and a Tyler Roberts goal gave the visitors the lead, before a Lewis Simper double brought things level at 2-2. A minute after the equaliser though, Manny Duku scored what turned out to be the winner, all within 37 minutes of football! The defeat piles further pressure on Sutton boss Steve Morison, the Us having won just one of their opening nine league games.

Boreham Wood remain undefeated since the opening day loss against Rochdale, as they handily dispatched of an inconsistent Altrincham side. An Erico Sousa brace and a Zak Brunt penalty sent the hosts into half time with a 3-1 lead, before Jimmy Knowles netted a consolation goal just before the hour mark.

Wealdstone and Gateshead shared the points in a 2-2 draw, as Dominic Hutchinson capitalised on a mistake from Heed ‘keeper George Shelvey to take the lead just four minutes in. Kain Adom scored a double to put the visitors in front, before another calamity from the young Shelvey allowed Max Kretzschmar to equalise in front of the home terrace in the 88th minute. In the evening kickoff, two first half goals from Zavier Massiah-Edwards and Luis Fernandez put Eastleigh in control of the game, before late goals from Owen Devonport and Thierry Latty-Fairweather rescued a point for hosts FC Halifax Town.

Regan Linney and former Glover Bevis Mugabi scored the goals for Carlisle United as they defeated Aldershot Town, while Forest Green Rovers and Scunthorpe United shared the points at The New Lawn; Declan Howe opened the scoring once again for the Iron just four minutes in, before a 98th minute equaliser from James Balagizi saved the day for the hosts. Boston United almost snuck away from Roots Hall with a win, thanks to Zak Mills’ 81st minute hit, but an Andrew Dallas penalty ensured Southend United took something from a game that seemed overwhelmingly in the host’s favour judging from the statistics.

Finally, Kyron Gordon scored the only goal of the game as Rochdale condemned Truro City to yet another narrow home defeat, while Hartlepool United and Brackley Town played out a dull 0-0 draw.

National League results – in full

Yeovil Town 1-0 Woking
Boreham Wood 3-1 Altrincham
Braintree Town 2-3 York City
Carlisle United 2-0 Aldershot Town
Forest Green Rovers 1-1 Scunthorpe United
Hartlepool United 0-0 Brackley Town
Solihull Moors 4-4 Morecambe
Southend United 1-1 Boston United
Sutton United 2-3 Tamworth
Truro City 0-1 Rochdale
Wealdstone 2-2 Gateshead
FC Halifax Town 2-2 Eastleigh

National League table

Yeovil Town fell to a 3-1 defeat at home against big-spending York City on Saturday afternoon, you can read more about the game here – let’s see what else happened in the league this weekend…

We begin in Surrey, where Woking hammered Gateshead in a 5-0 game. Aiden O’Brien and Tariq Hinds sent the hosts into the lead in the first half, before ex-Glover Jamie Andrews and a Joshua Osude brace compounded the Heed Army’s misery. In the evening kickoff, Aldershot Town continued to provide plenty of entertainment in a 2-2 draw against Brackley Town – Josh Barrett gave the hosts the lead shortly before half-time, before Ben Jackson was sent off for the hosts, Shane Byrne converting the resulting penalty. Matt Lowe then handed Brackley the lead, but just two minutes later, it was level again as Archy Taylor found a way through for the Shots.

There were goals aplenty on Saturday, including three 3-0 wins, all for home sides; Carlisle United dismantled Truro City, with an early double from Luke Armstrong and a Regan Linney strike sending the admirable 78 Truro fans home empty handed, a Lewis Richardson goal and a Matt Rush brace for Boreham Wood downed 10-man Morecambe, and Southend United dismantled 10-man FC Halifax Town, courtesy of goals from Andrew Dallas, Gus Scott-Morriss and Ben Goodliffe – Adam Alimi-Adetoro was sent off for the visitors with twenty minutes remaining.

In the lunchtime kickoff, Altrincham came from behind to defeat Sutton United; Ashley Nadesan gave the visitors the lead, before second half goals from Jimmy Knowles and James Gale secured the win for the Robins. In their first game since sacking Matt Taylor, Solihull Moors bagged their first win of the season in a win over Boston United, Jacob Wakeling scoring two goals either side of former Glover Jordy Hiwula’s strike for the hosts.

For an unprecedented second game in a row, Scunthorpe United had their game abandoned due to injury; the Iron were winning 2-1 at home to Wealdstone, before Daniel Nkrumah went down with a shoulder injury. Following treatment on the field,  he was eventually stretchered off, and the Wealdstone players headed to their dressing room. Following discussion, it was announced that the match would be abandoned, leaving another game in the hands of the National League for the unbeaten hosts.

Two goals in seven minutes for summer signing Mani Dieseruvwe sent him top of the scoring charts, Rochdale into second place, and Braintree Town home with nothing to show for their efforts. A fiery encounter between Tamworth and Eastleigh saw red cards for both Kwaku Donkor and Temi Eweka for their respective sides, but the hosts came out on top thanks to a Manny Duku strike, while Forest Green Rovers continued their unbeaten start to the campaign with a 1-0 win over Hartlepool United, thanks to a Kairo Mitchell goal.

National League results – in full

Altrincham 2-1 Sutton United
Boreham Wood 3-0 Morecambe
Boston United 1-2 Solihull Moors
Carlisle United 3-0 Truro City
Forest Green Rovers 1-0 Hartlepool United
Rochdale 2-0 Braintree Town
Scunthorpe United A-A Wealdstone
Southend United 3-0 FC Halifax Town
Tamworth 1-0 Eastleigh
Woking 5-0 Gateshead
Yeovil Town 1-3 York City
Aldershot Town 2-2 Brackley Town

National League table

Yeovil Town got back to winning ways on Tuesday night, registering their first three points under interim head coach Richard Dryden, as they beat Solihull Moors away from home in a 1-0 win (which you can read about here!) – let’s see what else went on across the league in a hectic couple of days…

We’ll run through the rest of Tuesday night’s action first, starting in Middlesex, where Wealdstone registered an impressive 3-2 win over Southend United. The hosts took the lead through Enzio Boldewijn, before Slavi Spasov bagged his first goal for the Shrimpers ten minutes later. Two goals in the space of four minutes from Sean Adarkwa regained the lead for Wealdstone, before holding onto their lead against a surge from Southend; Gus Scott-Morriss gave the visitors hope, but it wasn’t enough as Southend’s undefeated start to the season came to an end, while the Stones occupy the final playoff spot.

Morecambe succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at home to Forest Green Rovers, as Gwion Edwards’ impressive first half strike was cancelled out by Kyle McAllister and a brace from ex-Glover Tom Knowles, while Tamworth registered their first away win of the season at Braintree Town thanks to goals from Manny Duku and Beck-Ray Enoru, either side of a goal from former Glover Frankie Terry for the hosts.

Eastleigh and Scunthorpe United were playing out an entertaining 1-1 draw, with Declan Howe getting the visitors ahead in the 83rd minute, and Harvey Saunders equalising in the 91st minute. However, two serious head injuries occurred in an unfortunate clash between Archie Harris of Eastleigh, and Jéan Belehouan of Scunthorpe – both players received medical attention from paramedics, with Harris ending up going to hospital, and both have since been cleared and confirmed on social medias that they’re ok. The match was abandoned following 93 minutes of play with the scoreline remaining at 1-1, the National League hope to confirm in the coming days if the fixture will need to be replayed. York and Rochdale didn’t play due to the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

Onto Wednesday’s action, and we start with a goalfest, as Boreham Wood left Sutton United with all three points in a 3-4 thriller – Jeff King handed the Wood the lead just ten minutes in, before Jayden Harris and Lewis Simper struck to put the hosts ahead going into half-time. Abdul Abdulmalik made it two apiece, before an 85th minute Zak Brunt penalty gave the visitors the lead. Erico Sousa made it four with just a couple of minutes left on the clock, Sutton attempted to stage a late comeback with a cracker from Edon Pruti, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Wood’s impressive start to their return to the National League.

A fiery affair finished level in Cornwall, as Truro City and 9-man Aldershot Town played out a 2-2 draw – goalkeeper Marcus Dewhurst was sent off in extremely harsh circumstances in the 40th minute, but the Shots took the lead just before half-time with a Kwame Thomas effort. Former Glover Ryan Law equalised for Truro in the 65th minute, before Tyler Harvey scored twenty minutes later to set the Tinners on their way to a second win in a row. However, despite another red card, this time for Cameron Hargreaves, a 97th minute James Henry penalty meant the two sides shared the spoils.

Two first half goals from Lewis Banks and Tylor Golden meant Altrincham secured their first away win of the season, with Gateshead finishing the game with 10 men following a red card for Connor Pani, while there were two penalties in the draw between FC Halifax Town and Woking; both were scored, as Harry Beautyman gave the visitors the lead with his, before Adam Hmami equalised with his own penalty in the 91st minute. Hartlepool United and Boston United couldn’t be separated, as Luke Charman and Manni Norkett scored the goals for their respective sides, and finally, a Regan Linney strike was the difference as Carlisle United narrowly beat Brackley Town.

National League results – in full

Braintree Town 1-2 Tamworth
Eastleigh A-A Scunthorpe United
Morecambe 1-3 Forest Green Rovers
Solihull Moors 0-1 Yeovil Town
Wealdstone 3-2 Southend United

Brackley Town 0-1 Carlisle United
FC Halifax Town 1-1 Woking
Gateshead 0-2 Altrincham
Hartlepool United 1-1 Boston United
Sutton United 3-4 Boreham Wood
Truro City 2-2 Aldershot Town

National League table

On a wet Saturday afternoon, it was further heartbreak for Yeovil Town, as they fell to a narrow 3-2 defeat away at FC Halifax Town, which you can read more about here. Let’s see what else happened in the National League on Saturday…

We begin in Tyne and Wear, where Gateshead and Aldershot Town played out an exciting 3-3 draw – Kyle Hurst got the scoring underway just five minutes in for the hosts, before Kwame Thomas and Cameron Hargreaves gave the visitors the lead before half-time. Two goals in two minutes from the aforementioned Hurst, and Harry Chapman, handed the Heed the lead once again, but Hady Ghandour equalised for the Shots with 13 minutes to go to share the points.

Rochdale took their spot at the top of the table with a convincing 3-1 win at Wealdstone; Aidan Barlow and Devante Rodney gave the visitors the lead going into half-time, before yet another Mani Dieseruvwe strike put the game to bed, Alfie Massey getting the consolation goal for the hosts. Truro City registered their first ever National League points with a 3-0 thumping over Boston United, as Rekeil Pyke opened the scoring just before half-time, Tyler Harvey scoring a penalty just four minutes into the second half, and Will Dean adding a third just five minutes later. Former Glover Aidan Stone made his league debut for the Tinners too, keeping a clean sheet.

There were three 2-1 score lines, with the most impressive coming at Sutton United, Edon Pruti and David Ogbonna scoring for the hosts to register an impressive victory over Carlisle United, Georgie Kelly netting a consolation for the visitors. In the lunchtime kickoff, Southend United continued their impressive start to the campaign with a win over Tuesday night’s hosts Solihull Moors, two Andrew Dallas goals sandwiching a Dan Creaney effort for the home side. The final 2-1 result saw Eastleigh defeat Altrincham, as summer Yeovil target James Gale scored for the visitors in the first half, before Kieron Evans and Harvey Saunders secured the three points for the Hampshire side.

Woking secured their first win of the campaign on their travels to Morecambe, former Glover Jamie Andrews bagging one of the goals, and Sam Ashford finishing off the scoring for the visitors in the 94th minute. In the evening kickoff, a 98th minute goal from Danny Waldron cancelled out a Danny Whitehall penalty, as Brackley Town and 10-man Scunthorpe United shared the points, while there were 0-0 draws for Braintree Town and Forest Green Rovers, and Hartlepool United and Boreham Wood.

York City and Tamworth didn’t play on Saturday, due to the former’s continued involvement with the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

National League results – in full

Solihull Moors 1-2 Southend United
Braintree Town 0-0 Forest Green Rovers
Eastleigh 2-1 Altrincham
FC Halifax Town 3-2 Yeovil Town
Gateshead 3-3 Aldershot Town
Hartlepool United 0-0 Boreham Wood
Morecambe 0-2 Woking
Sutton United 2-1 Carlisle United
Truro City 3-0 Boston United
Wealdstone 1-3 Rochdale
Brackley Town 1-1 Scunthorpe United

National League table

In what turned out to be Mark Cooper’s final game at the helm of Yeovil Town, it was a capitulation beyond my wildest imagination as Yeovil Town came out on the wrong end of a 3-4 thriller at home to Gateshead – if you dare to read more about it, click here. Let’s see how the rest of the division got on, during a sunny Bank Holiday Monday.

We begin in Cumbria, where Carlisle United were 5-0 winners against Braintree Town to continue their unbeaten start to life in the division. Regan Linney scored a hat trick for the hosts, alongside a George Langston own goal and a Jack Ellis strike to send the Iron Army back to Essex licking their wounds. In an almost equally emphatic win, Aldershot Town made it two wins on the bounce with a 4-0 win at home to Morecambe. All the goals came in the second half, from James Clarridge, Archy Taylor, Josh Barrett and Dejan Tetek to bring the Shrimpers down to earth following their opening day heroics.

Boreham Wood ensured Truro City’s pointless start to the season continued, as they won 2-1 late on – Tom White gave the hosts the lead in the 27th minute before Will Dean pulled one back a few minutes later. It stayed even until the 93rd minute, as Matt Rush poked it home to secure the win for the hosts. Boston United won by the same scoreline against Wealdstone, with Lenell John-Lewis opening the scoring for the hosts just after half-time, before Micah Obiero equalised with 20 minutes to go. Greg Sloggett scored the winner with 10 minutes to go to wrap up the win for the hosts. Kahrel Reddin and Lucas Weaver continued Solihull Moors’ winless start, scoring the goals for Altrincham.

There were FOUR 1-1 draws to mention so we’ll try and fly through those; 10-man Scunthorpe United and Saturday’s hosts FC Halifax Town shared the points, Callum Roberts and David Kawa getting the goals for their respective sides, an own goal from former Glover Tom Parkes meant Hartlepool United had to come from behind for a point against Southend United thanks to Nathan Sheron’s effort, in a battle between the two previous National League North champions it was honours even, Harvey Sayer and Morgan Roberts unable to split Tamworth and Brackley Town, and Woking got their first point of the season at home to York City; Aaron Drewe got the opener for the hosts, with Alex Newby equalising in the second half.

Finally, there were two 1-0 wins for title hunters, as a 94th minute free kick from former Glover Tom Knowles secured all three points for Forest Green Rovers at home to Eastleigh, while a Mani Dieseruvwe goal allowed Rochdale to keep pace at the top against Sutton United.

National League results – in full

Aldershot Town 4-0 Morecambe
Altrincham 2-0 Solihull Moors
Boreham Wood 2-1 Truro City
Boston United 2-1 Wealdstone
Carlisle United 5-0 Braintree Town
Forest Green Rovers 1-0 Eastleigh
Rochdale 1-0 Sutton United
Scunthorpe United 1-1 FC Halifax Town
Southend United 1-1 Hartlepool United
Tamworth 1-1 Brackley Town
Woking 1-1 York City
Yeovil Town 3-4 Gateshead

National League table

It was defeat for Yeovil Town on Saturday, as Braintree Town got the only goal of the game in a 1-0 scoreline (which if you do want to read about, you can click here) – let’s see what else happened on Saturday in the National League.

We begin in the Midlands, where Aldershot Town were emphatic 5-1 winners on their travels to Solihull Moors, securing their first points of the season. Ryan Hill and former Glover Tristan Abrahams hit a quick-fire double to send the visitors into the lead before half time, but just after the second half got underway, Szhem Whyte-Hall pulled one back for the Moors. On the hour, Ryan Hill got his second with a penalty, before Kwame Thomas and Jed Meerholz put the finishing touches on a great day out for the Shots!

Scunthorpe United ensured they were the only team to remain with a 100% record in the National League, as they battled from a goal down to beat Sutton United away from home. The Iron took the lead through Declan Howe, but ten minutes before the break, Jack Taylor equalised for Sutton. Brandon Njoku gave the hosts the lead just after the break, before Oli Rose and Danny Whitehall scored within seven minutes of each other to take the lead back for their side. Sutton finished the game with 10 men, following a red card to Liam Vincent.

Woking’s miserable start to the campaign continued with a heavy 3-0 defeat at Hartlepool United; goals from Jermaine Francis, Cameron John and Alex Reid ensured a comfortable afternoon for the Stags, who sit joint top of the table after four games. There were four 2-1 wins, three of them for home sides; Morecambe secured a triumphant return to action in front of over 3.,500 fans against Altrincham, with Ben Tollitt opening the scoring early into the game for the Shrimpers – Jimmy Knowles equalised for the visitors, but a 98th minute winner from Dan Ogwuru sent the home end into raptures. Wednesday’s visitors Brackley Town caused an upset as they beat Rochdale thanks to goals from Ryan Haynes and Connor Hall, they came either side of a Connor McBride strike for the Dale, and Monday’s visitors Gateshead defeated Tamworth at home, Will Flint grabbing a brace, and Harvey Sayer grabbed a consolation for the Lambs.

The remaining 2-1 scoreline came at FC Halifax Town, who fell to Forest Green Rovers; Yahya Bamba opened the scoring for the visitors, before Jay Turner-Cooke equalised just before half-time for the Shaymen. Kairo Mitchell bagged the winner in the 77th minute to continue a good start to the season for the away side. An Aaron Blair double for Eastleigh send Boston United home empty handed, while there were slender victories for Southend United and Carlisle United away to Truro City and Wealdstone respectively; Sam Austin bagged for Southend, continuing Truro’s pointless start to the season, while Luke Armstrong ended Wealdstone’s 100% record. York City and Boreham Wood had their fixture postponed due to the Women’s Rugby World Cup using York’s stadium.

National League results – in full

Morecambe 2-1 Altrincham
Brackley Town 2-1 Rochdale
Braintree Town 1-0 Yeovil Town
Eastleigh 2-0 Boston United
FC Halifax Town 1-2 Forest Green Rovers
Gateshead 2-1 Tamworth
Hartlepool United 3-0 Woking
Solihull Moors 1-5 Aldershot Town
Sutton United 2-3 Scunthorpe United
Truro City 0-1 Southend United
Wealdstone 0-1 Carlisle United

National League table

The first taste of midweek National League action has been a sizzler, with Yeovil Town enjoying their first night under the lights with a 2-1 win at home to Brackley Town, kick-starting their season (you can read more about it here!) – let’s see what else went on across the division.

We’ll run through Tuesday night’s action first, saves us bouncing back and forth – Wealdstone continued their 100% start to the campaign, with an impressive 2-1 win away from home to Woking, who remain pointless this season. Max Kretzschmar opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a penalty against his former club, Oli Sanderson equalised for Woking ten minutes into the second half, before summer addition Nathan Tshikuna secured the win for the Stones in the 84th minute.

Things were slightly more routine for Hartlepool United, as they recorded a second 2-0 win in a row, this time at Altrincham; Alex Reid and Reiss McNally scoring the goals before half-time. A quick fire pair of goals from Manny Duku and Beck-Ray Enoru did the job for Tamworth, as they downed Truro City, while Solihull Moors were forced to share the points with Carlisle United. The Moors took the lead through summer signing Dan Creaney, but with ten minutes remaining, Terell Thomas rescued a point for the former EFL outfit.

FC Halifax Town got their first points of the season courtesy of a Josh Hmami goal just eight minutes into their visit to Boston United, while Scunthorpe United had the night off due to Morecambe’s off-field issues, which have since been sorted out!

Wednesday night’s action was even better, with the best of the games coming at The Recreation Ground as Eastleigh clung onto the three points at Aldershot Town. The visitors went into the break 1-0 up, thanks to an Aaron Blair goal; Aaron Pierre and Temi Eweka both added goals shortly into the second half. Aldershot weren’t beaten just yet though as a Ryan Hill double gave them belief, but it wasn’t enough for the Shots; even with the late red card for Eastleigh striker Paul McCallum, the defeat left the hosts pointless after their opening three games, while the Spitfires recorded their first points of the season.

There were two 4-0 drubbings for title hunters, as Rochdale hammered Gateshead thanks to two goals either side of the half-time whistle; Ethan Ebanks-Landell and Mani Dieseruvwe getting the first half spoils, and Devante Rodney and Connor McBride adding the second half goals. Forest Green Rovers dominated Sutton United at home, with a double from Kyle McAllister, captain Jordan Moore-Taylor and loanee Harry Whitwell completing the route for the Gloucestershire side.

A Luke Norris double helped Boreham Wood defeat Saturday’s hosts Braintree Town – Norris scored a penalty just after the half hour mark to give the hosts the lead, before Marley Marshall-Miranda equalised just before half-time for the Iron. Norris’ second goal put the hosts ahead once again, before a late red card for former Glover Frankie Terry ended any hopes of a Braintree comeback. Finally, Southend United and York City played out a 0-0 draw in front of over 8,500 people, an impressive turnout for a Wednesday night!

National League results – in full

Altrincham 0-2 Hartlepool United
Boston United 0-1 FC Halifax Town
Carlisle United 1-1 Boreham Wood
Scunthorpe United P-P Morecambe
Tamworth 2-0 Truro City
Woking 1-2 Wealdstone

Aldershot Town 2-3 Eastleigh
Boreham Wood 2-1 Braintree Town
Forest Green Rovers 4-0 Sutton United
Rochdale 4-0 Gateshead
Southend United 0-0 York City
Yeovil Town 2-1 Brackley Town

National League table

It was a difficult afternoon for the Glovers, as they fell to a 2-0 defeat in Gloucestershire to Forest Green Rovers. Let’s see what else went on across the grounds on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

We start in Cumbria, where Boreham Wood came from behind to register their first point of the season at Carlisle United. Luke Norris ensured the visitors led going into half-time, before a Georgie Kelly and Regan Linney double handed the hosts the lead with 20 minutes to go. Norris grabbed his second with 10 minutes left on the clock, before Charlie O’Connell equalised for the Wood in a thriller.

Boston United got their season underway with a cracker, taking all three points home in a 3-2 win at Aldershot Town. Lenell John-Lewis got the scoring underway just ten minutes in, before Theo Widdrington was sent off for the hosts for a dangerous tackle. John-Lewis extended the lead for the Pilgrims shortly into the second half, but Hady Ghandour pulled one back just three minutes later. Summer signing Greg Sloggett made it 3-1 with 77 minutes on the clock, as the Shots fell to a second successive defeat, despite a late goal from former Glover Tristan Abrahams.

It’s been an impressive return to the National League for Scunthorpe United, as they made it two wins from two at home to Woking. Declan Howe scored twice within the first 25 minutes to send the Iron into half-time with a deserved lead, and Danny Whitehall added a third into the second half. Jack Turner bagged a consolation for the visitors, but it’s now two defeats in two for Neal Ardley’s men.

In the lunchtime kickoff, Rochdale came from behind to win at home to Altrincham, as an impressive Tarryn Allarakhia strike and a Tylor Golden own goal cancelled out Keaton Ward’s opener; by the same scoreline, Wealdstone continued their impressive start to the season against a 10-man FC Halifax Town. Will Harris was sent off just 15 minutes into the game, before Sean Adarkwa gave the Stones the lead just three minutes later. David Kawa scored ten minutes before half-time, but his efforts were futile, as Jack Cook bagged a delightful winner to leave the hosts in the playoff places just two games in.

There were plenty of 2-0 victories yesterday, as York City beat Truro City in the evening kickoff thanks to late goals from Mark Kitching and Josh Stones, Southend United continued their 100% start to the season against Tamworth, goals from Charley Kendall and Gus Scott-Morriss adding misery to the Lambs’ visit following an early missed penalty from Tom Tonks; Hartlepool United defeated 10-man Braintree Town, goals either side of the half-time whistle from Alex Reid and Braintree defender Aidan Francis-Clarke getting the Stags off the mark, and finally, a quick fire double from Dom Telford and Kain Adom handed Gateshead the three points on their travels to Eastleigh.

Sutton United and Solihull Moors played out a 0-0 draw, with Wednesday’s visitors Brackley Town having the weekend off owing to Morecambe’s off-field circumstances.

National League results – in full

Rochdale 2-1 Altrincham
Aldershot Town 2-3 Boston United
Carlisle United 3-3 Boreham Wood
Eastleigh 0-2 Gateshead
Forest Green Rovers 2-0 Yeovil Town
Hartlepool United 2-0 Braintree Town
Morecambe P-P Brackley Town
Scunthorpe United 3-1 Woking
Southend United 2-0 Tamworth
Sutton United 0-0 Solihull Moors
Wealdstone 2-1 FC Halifax Town
Truro City 0-2 York City

National League table

Football is finally back (hallelujah!) which means we’re back with our match day wrap ups! Yeovil Town opened their season with a 0-0 draw at home to Hartlepool United, which you can read more about here – let’s see what went down around the rest of the grounds on opening day!

The most exciting game took place in Cheshire, where Altrincham defeated Aldershot Town in a 3-2 cracker. Kahrel Reddin and Lewis Banks sent the hosts into a two goal lead within 25 minutes, but Matt Penney and James Clarridge equalised for the visitors with 15 minutes remaining. Substitute, and summer signing Jimmy Knowles bagged the winner two minutes later for the hosts though, sending the Shots home empty handed.

It was a good day to be a team from Essex, as both Braintree Town and Southend United recorded 3-0 wins; the former beating FC Halifax Town at home, former Glover Frankie Terry getting himself on the scoresheet alongside a Lewis Walker double, while the latter took three points home from Gateshead thanks to goals from Sam Austin, Josh Walker and Charley Kendall.

Despite finding themselves down to 10 men within five minutes, Solihull Moors recorded an impressive 2-2 draw against Forest Green Rovers; Oscar Rutherford fired the hosts ahead, before Christian Doidge and Nick Haughton gave Yeovil’s next opponents the lead. Early substitute James Clarke got the equaliser with 15 minute left, as the two sides played out a entertaining draw.

Sutton United came from behind twice to take a point from pre-season title favourites York City. Ollie Pearce opened the scoring with a penalty, before missing a second just 15 minutes later. David Ogbonna equalised for Sutton shortly before half-time, before Callum Howe handed the hosts the lead once again. An 87th minute equaliser from Brandon Njoku meant the spoils were shared in Yorkshire.

Newly promoted Scunthorpe United defeated Tamworth away from home to get their return to the National League off to a good start; Danny Whitehall hit an emphatic free-kick early on to take the lead for the visitors, before Haydn Hollis equalised later into the half. Soon after, Oli Ewing hit what would be the winning goal to take the three points for the Iron.

There were a hat-trick of 2-0 victories yesterday, as a quick fire Mani Dieseruvwe double for Rochdale downed playoff winners Boreham Wood, Enzio Boldewijn and Dom Hutchinson helped Wealdstone defeat Truro City in their maiden National League outing, and Carlisle United won in their first National League fixture for 20 years, with Luke Armstrong and Ethan Robson beating Woking away.

Finally, in their first ever National League fixture, Brackley Town won at home to Eastleigh, Shane Byrne scoring a penalty to write his name into Brackley history, as the Saints won 1-0; Boston United and Morecambe’s game was postponed, due to Morecambe’s suspension from the National League; keep fighting Shrimps, we’re all on your side!

National League results – in full

Altrincham 3-2 Aldershot Town
Boreham Wood 0-2 Rochdale
Boston United P-P Morecambe
Brackley Town 1-0 Eastleigh
Braintree Town 3-0 FC Halifax Town
Gateshead 0-3 Southend United
Solihull Moors 2-2 Forest Green Rovers
Tamworth 1-2 Scunthorpe United
Wealdstone 2-0 Truro City
Woking 0-2 Carlisle United
Yeovil Town 0-0 Hartlepool United
York City 2-2 Sutton United

National League table