Match Preview | The Long North And South Wait Is Finally Over This Weekend!

It was back on Tuesday February 16 that the final ball was kicked before the season was declared curtailed.

The pandemic which strangled clubs last time out may not have totally gone away, but clubs are back on Saturday - and so too are the fans.

But will it be a case of teams carrying on where they left off, or will the new campaign bring fresh life and different challengers at the top?

We left things in the National League North with Gloucester City leading the way.

Paul Groves’ team will want to prove a point by getting off to the perfect start up at Southport.

AFC Fylde will point out that they were second and had played three games fewer than the table toppers when the campaign was cancelled.

Jim Bentley is back in charge as the Coasters travel to Guiseley, while another of the fancied teams Boston United wanting to show why they are being talked about - they’re at their plush new home, welcoming Spennymoor Town.

But the game of the opening weekend is surely at another of the new grounds.

York City expect a huge crowd as the LNER Community Stadium plays host to fans for a league game for the first time.

Former Minsterman Russ Penn and his Kidderminster Harriers side stand in their way of a winning start at their new base.

Elsewhere, Hereford and Farsley Celtic meet at Edgar Street, with AFC Telford United - who have had an impressive summer of recruitment - heading to Darlington.

Click here for all the Vanarama National League North fixtures.

One thing is for sure, it’s all going to be very interesting again in the Vanarama National League South.

Dorking Wanderers were well ahead of the rest when the curtain came down in February.

Now Marc White’s team want to finish the job - and are prepared to go the distance to earn yet another promotion.

They begin the new campaign this weekend with a tricky looking trip to Concord Rangers.

Dorking may be well-tipped, but there’s plenty of discussion about Dartford again.

In second place when the season was called off, Steve King has made up for lost time - and convinced goalscoring expert Jake Robinson to lead the Darts’ line could be a managerial masterstroke.

Will they begin brightly at St Albans City? Ian Allinson’s team were in the top seven when play was halted, and fancy another push for promotion.

More is expected of two of Kent’s big clubs this time around.

Maidstone United welcome Hemel Hempstead Town on game day one, while there’s a derby in store for Ebbsfleet United as Tonbridge Angels pay a visit.

Bath City have made some great signings, including tricky attacker Elliott Frear and centre-back Ben Gerring.

Jerry Gill will want to be near the top and the Romans start at home to Billericay Town.

Havant & Waterlooville are in good shape according to their manager Paul Doswell, and Welling United stand in their way on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Slough Town and Chelmsford City cross swords while last season’s away-day specialists Hampton & Richmond Borough go to Eastbourne Borough, Danny Bloor’s team in third when the rug was pulled from under them in February.

Click here for all the Vanarama National League South fixtures.