First Day Flashback As 17-18 National League Got Going!

The first day of the season for any football fan trumps Christmas and birthdays.

It always feels like it would never get there, but finally you can say goodbye to friendly games as the real stuff begins.

So how much do you recall from what happen on the opening day of 2017?

Leyton Orient supporters were just happy they still had their club and back in the hands of the fans but even that didn’t hide the rude awakening they received.

Sutton United put on a fantastic first half display in front of the BT Sport cameras as an early Jamie Collins penalty was doubled up by Dean Beckwith and it gave clues to a difficult season ahead for the O’s.

Not even Noe Baba’s stunning goal and striking celebration could get people talking about Macclesfield.

A 1-0 win at Wrexham didn’t really raise eyebrows. If we only knew then what we know now.

Woking got off to a great start under Anthony Limbrick. Joe Ward and Inih Effiong were on target in a 2-1 win over Gateshead - none of the three would be at Kingfield by the end of the season.

Little evidence of what was to come was on offer at Plainmoor - Torquay United and Tranmere playing out a bore draw in the sun.

Hartlepool United wanted a better start to life outside the EFL, but a 1-0 home defeat by Dover took the wind out of their sails. Jamie Allen’s goal proved to be the difference.

Aldershot grabbed a fine first day win at FC Halifax, Shamir Fenelon and James Rowe getting the goals to pass a tricky opening test at the home of the National League North Promotion Final winners.

Dagenham buried Barrow early with Corey Whitely and Michael Cheek scoring, the 2-1 win did for John Still, while Bromley and Eastleigh couldn’t find a goal between them.

There were plenty on offer in two other games as they net really bulged.

AFC Fylde and Boreham Wood shared four goals in the Coasters’ first ever game at Step 1.

A Danny Woodards own goal gave them the lead but Ricky Shakes and Kane Smith on his debut turned things on their head. Jonathan Smith made sure it wasn’t a losing start to National League life for Dave Challinor’s team.

It was 2-2 too at Nethermoor as Guiseley and Ebbsfleet player out a similar situation - the hosts’ Reece Thompson nabbing a first day point 13 minutes from the end after the Fleet recovered from going one down to take the lead.

The opening days is often about the new boys at it proved to be the case at the Gallagher Stadium.

Maidstone United went ahead against Maidenhead through Joe Pigott, but Sam Barratt’s brilliant finish in the rain made sure Alan Devonshire’s team took something back to Berkshire.

Both the goalscorers would be League One players by May.