Part Two Of The New Season Packed With Big Matches

Not all those who hosted last weekend are on their travels. Because of Forest Green Rovers’ pitch renovation works over-running, Steve Cotterill’s side must travel again meaning it’s an early season home double for Boston United.

After being undone quite convincingly by Rochdale at the Jakemans, they get the chance to show their supporters they’re going to make a good fist of Step 1 seven days after their eye-opening welcome.

Rovers aren’t the only ones needing to play away for the first few matches.

After leaving FC Halifax defeated, Barnet are taking another trip and hope for better fortune at Ebbsfleet United who will be happy to be on home soil following their first day disaster at Gateshead.

Needless to say, that five-goal salvo shot the Heed to the top of the early standings. They’re at Woking, who went down to a first day defeat at Altrincham.

The Robins will be the first National League club to visit Gander Green Lane since Sutton United’s title triumph in 2021.

Now with Steve Morison at the helm, many of their fans will be seeing most of their 17 new players take to the field for the first time and they are one of the big promotion tips.

Braintree and Yeovil Town both had starts to forget and the teams promoted from the National League South together last term will know plenty about one another.

York City and Tamworth both claimed satisfying 1-1 opening day draws and go hunting for their first victory. So are Solihull Moors and Maidenhead United, who meet after fluffing their first game lines.

Hartlepool United started with a fine win in the west country, a long trip well worth it for Darren Sarll. Now Southend United prepare for a day on the road nearly a year to the day they won a thriller at Pools, Charlie Seaman scoring a second half winner.

Oldham Athletic started impressively - they head to Wealdstone for Matt Taylor’s first home league match while FC Halifax “will get better” after beating Barnet. Will Aldershot find that out for themselves?

Meanwhile Rochdale face Dagenham & Redbridge with both sides going in on a high and it’s the same story when Eastleigh make the mega trip to AFC Fylde.

Saturday’s National League fixtures

Boston United v Forest Green
Braintree Town v Yeovil Town
Eastleigh v AFC Fylde
Ebbsfleet United v Barnet
FC Halifax Town v Aldershot Town
Hartlepool United v Southend United
Rochdale v Dagenham & Redbridge
Solihull Moors v Maidenhead United
Sutton United v Altrincham
Wealdstone v Oldham Athletic
Woking v Gateshead
York City v Tamworth

PHOTO BY PAUL PAXFORD