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