It’s Fan-Tastic To Be Back! Supporters Return For Big Kick-Off

16 Aug 2021 By Sam Elliott

The crowds poured into grounds again on Saturday as the National League North and South swung back into life after a long 179-day absence.

But there were some housewarming parties spoiled as the doors opened to two clubs’ futures.

A fantastic 1,852 came to see Boston United in their new Jakemans Community Stadium, but they couldn’t cheer a win as Spennymoor struck late.

It was an identical story at the LNER - 2,019 watched on as Kidderminster’s Sam Austin earn Russ Penn’s team a 2-1 win with an 88th minute clincher.

Penn got one over his old club and said: “It’s only three points but we’re delighted.

“Every attack we looked like scoring from but it was a great game and a brilliant advert for the National League North.”

Farsley performed in front of a big crowd, 2,108 turned up at Hereford but again the home fans left frustrated.

Bath City, pictured, had their highest opening day home attendance since 1972 - 1,180 were at Twerton Park to see a sensational 3-0 win over Billericay.

Manager Jerry Gill said: “It was exactly how we wanted the opening day to go.

“The front three scored and the performance was very controlled. It was great to have the fans here - the coaching staff had to have earpieces in as the atmosphere was buoyant.”

Dulwich Hamlet fans made the most of their first home fixture as 1,922 watched their 1-1 draw with Chippenham at Champion Hill.

Dulwich boss Gavin Rose is targeting a place in the play-offs this season but he will not be attending games “for the foreseeable future” as he makes a recovery from Covid-19.

Maidstone United fans made up for lost time as 1,805 enjoyed the defeat of Hemel Hempstead, 4-2 it was at the Gallagher Stadium.

Ebbsfleet manager Dennis Kutrieb watched his team hit Tonbridge Angels for five in front of 1,132 and said: “If we’re honest, we could have scored more.”

Attendances

Blyth Spartans 2-0 Alfreton Town: 1,260
Boston United 1-2 Spennymoor Town: 1,852
Chorley 0-1 Brackley Town: 1,257
Guiseley 2-4 AFC Fylde: 537
Hereford 0-1 Farsley Celtic: 2,108
Kettering Town 1-0 Bradford (PA): 762
Southport 2-2 Gloucester City: 801
York City 1-2 Kidderminster Harriers: 2,019

Bath City 3-0 Billericay Town: 1,180
Braintree Town 1-1 Oxford City
Concord Rangers 1-0 Dorking Wanderers: 408
Dulwich Hamlet 1-1 Chippenham Town: 1,922
Eastbourne Borough 0-5 Hampton & Richmond Borough: 710
Ebbsfleet United 5-1 Tonbridge Angels: 1,132
Havant & Waterlooville 3-0 Welling United: 867
Maidstone United 4-2 Hemel Hempstead Town: 1,805
Slough Town 1-0 Chelmsford City: 639
St Albans City 1-3 Dartford: 1,010

PHOTO BY SIMON HOWE

Where next?

Just The Ticket! Now Wrexham Want To Be A Box Office Watch If anyone would have told Wrexham fans a year ago that the club were no longer selling season tickets in the build up to the new campaign, most would have feared the very worst.

The National League North And South Are Back With A Bang! The National League North and South clubs returned to action for the first time in six months - and many sides made up for lost time.