And We’re Off! New Season Starts With Big Surprises!

After all the talk of a title challenge following a big summer, Oldham Athletic got off to the worst possible start.

For Southend, their summer of struggle off the pitch was quickly put to one side - a stunning 4-0 win was the the perfect tonic. Callum Powell, Oli Coker, Dan Mooney and Harry Cardwell all on target against a Latics side who were simply blown away.

Chesterfield are well fancied and in the end they needed a late winner from Joe Quigley in a classic against Dorking, it ended 4-3.

York City have also had a strong summer of recruitment but didn’t have a good opening day - Jayden Mundle-Smith hit a late Wealdstone winner.

Aldershot Town hit Oxford City for five - their first game at this level was one to forget. Kidderminster are back and had a solid start, they drew 0-0 with Woking.

FC Halifax Town defeated Bromley 2-0, Millenic Alli carries on his form from last season with a goal, as Hartlepool United’s return ended in a 3-2 defeat at Barnet.

Boreham Wood came from two goals down to draw at Gateshead while AFC Fylde also drew 2-2 with Maidenhead and a very late Kyle Morrison goal earned Andy Whing a point as his Solihull Moors ended 1-1 with Eastleigh.

It was a rude awakening for two sides relegated into the National League South.

Torquay United chucked away a two goal lead to draw 2-2 at Dover, while Yeovil Town went down 1-0 at Hemel Hempstead. The winner came from Joe Iaciofano.

But Maidstone did win after going down - Reiss Greenidge with the winner against Slough Town.

Truro City’s first half blitz pulled apart Welling United and there were good wins off Worthing, Weston, St Albans, Taunton, Eastbourne, Chippenham and Chelmsford City.

In the National League North, Danny Whitehead’s winner made it a three point start for Scunthorpe at Tamworth.

Sean Williams got Warrington on the way to a 4-0 win over Southport.

Ryan Charles’ double made it a difficult opening day for Chester as Bishop’s Stortford. Glen Taylor got two for Spennymoor as they beat Banbury.

William Hayhurst put the seal on Curzon’s victory over Darlington as fancied King’s Lynn and Brackley drew.

Elsewhere there were wins for South Shields, Peterborough Sports, Blyth Spartans and Farsley Celtic.