Opening Day Drama Served Up As New Season Starts

By Sam Elliott

The opening day of the National League was as eventful as expected after the curtain was raised on the new season in style.

Solihull Moors turned on the style on the first day of the season.

A simple 4-1 win at Aldershot Town, pictured, was the perfect response to last season’s Promotion Final heartache.

Joe Sbarra, Callum Howe, Ben Coker and Andrew Dallas’ goals send Moors top of the fledgling table.

There was high drama at Dorking as they came from 2-0 down to grab a point against Chesterfield - but only after Lucas Covolan was red carded.

With no keeper on the bench, midfielder Ollie Banks took the gloves but veteran Luke Moore couldn’t make it a day to remember as he made it 2-2.

Nearly 10,000 saw Elliot Lee scored twice as Wrexham came from behind to beat Eastleigh.

Macauley Langstaff was at the double for Notts County on debut as the Magpies of Nottingham beat the Magpies of Maidenhead 3-0.

York City are back with a bang - Michael Duckworth put the seal on a 2-0 win against Woking.

A wonderful winner from Jacob Butterfield saw Scunthorpe United win their first National League game. The BT Sport victory over Yeovil Town was “well earned” said manager Keith Hill.

Jack Cook got the winner as Wealdstone won on the opening day, they beat Bromley 3-2 while Junior Morais’ 90th minute goal saved a point for Dagenham at home to Gateshead.

Nicke Kabamba marked his Barnet bow with a goal in the 2-0 win again FC Halifax Town.

Boreham Wood had nine men but still won at Southend United, Danny Newton was deadly at Roots Hall.

Oldham and Torquay United fired blanks at Plainmoor as Chris Conn-Clarke nabbed a point for Altrincham at home to Maidstone United.

It was some opening day in the National League North for Southport - they won 5-3 in a belter at Boston United.

Jordan Archer was the star of the show despite the Pilgrims putting on a late show on strength.

AFC Fylde got off to a winning start - reliable Nick Haughton got the winner against Kettering Town.

Ashley Hemmings’ 53rd minute goal was enough for Kidderminster to leave Blyth Spartans with three valuable points.

Tom Denton got two goals as Alfreton Town bit back against Chester.

George Carline marked his Brackley debut with a goal, they saw off Scarborough while Devarn Green struck for AFC Telford as they beat Chorley.

Leamington started with a superb 4-0 victory over Farsley Celtic. Dan Turner hit a hat-trick.

Elsewhere there were first day wins for King’s Lynn Town and Darlington

In the National League South, Dartford started strongly with 2-0 win at Bath City.

New arrivals Cheshunt came from 2-0 down to defeat Hampton & RB 3-2, the hero was Rowan Liburd.

Darren McQueen secured Ebbsfleet’s 3-0 win over Chippenham Town.

Goals from Jake McCarthy, James Roberts and Paul Rooney made it a flying start for fancied Havant & Waterlooville as they saw off Slough Town.

Greg Luer was among the goals as Eastbourne Borough left Oxford City with a 3-1 win.

Hemel Hempstead defeated Farnborough 1-0 and it was the same scoreline as Concord Rangers won at Hungerford Town.

Sonny Miles scored as Tonbridge won 3-1 at Weymouth.

Worthing vs Dover, St Albans City vs Chelmsford and Dulwich Hamlet against Braintree all ended 1-1.

PHOTO BY DICKY KING

For all today’s results, click here.

Where next?

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