Round-up: Vanarama National League

As reported earlier, Leyton Orient`s debut saw them lose 2-0 at Gander Green Lane to Sutton United, courtesy of first half goals from central defensive pair Jamie Collins and Dean Beckwith.

Hartlepool United, who came down with the O`s, suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat on their own Victoria Ground patch against Dover Athletic.

Like Orient with Steve Davis, Pools also have a new manager at the helm in former The New Saints boss Craig Harrison and his new-look squad failed to get going and were punished when Dover took the lead on the half-hour mark when Jamie Allen was given time and space inside the area to turn and fire a shot past Scott Loach.

Pools improved after the break, but despite throwing everything at the Whites late on, they were unable to find a leveller.

Of the four newly-promoted teams, only FC Halifax Town suffered defeat, as the three others all drew.

The Shaymen began life back at the top tier of non-League football with a 2-0 defeat at The Shay against a young and vibrant Aldershot Town outfit.

The Shots, who reached the play-offs last season, played some neat, attractive football and while the home side were fairly solid defensively, they lacked a killer touch in attack.

The deadlock was broken on the hour-mark when Shamir Fenelon put Gary Waddock`s side ahead.

And then James Rowe’s late stoppage time penalty handed the visitors a deserved opening day three points.

AFC Fylde, who came up with the Shaymen as champions of the National League North, shared a 2-2 draw at Mill Farm against Boreham Wood.

The Coasters opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Danny Woodards headed the ball into his own net.

But Ricky Shakes pulled one back for the Wood just before half-time.

Kane Smith put Luke Garrard’s side ahead in the 56th minute, but a dominant display from the away side was thwarted by an unstoppable strike from new signing Jonny Smith 15 minutes from time.

Maidenhead United and Ebbsfleet United, who came up from the National League South, both began with draws.

Alan Devonshire`s Magpies travelled to the Gallagher Stadium to take on Maidstone United and shared a 1-1 draw.

Chances were at a premium in the opening 45 minutes which arguably the visitors just shaded.

But it was the Stones who drew first blood 6 minutes into the second period when Joe Pigott curled home a lovely free-kick past Lloyd Pentney.

But Maidenhead snatched an equaliser when substitute Sam Barratt finished off a corner with less than 2 minutes of normal time left to play.

Ebbsfleet United`s return to the National League began with a 2-2 draw at Nethermoor against a Guiseley AFC who only just escaped the drop late last season.

It was a `game of two halves` with the home side prominent in the opening 45 minutes and Fleet improving after the interval.

The Lions led at half-time, thanks to a 16th minute goal from John Rooney, who fired home following a corner.

But Fleet hit their hosts with two goals in 3 minutes shortly after the hour-mark to take the lead.

Firstly, Myles Weston fired home after good work from Luke Coulson.

And then on 66 minutes, Coulson was again the provider for Darren McQueen to race through and beat Jonathan Maxted.

However, Guiseley equalised in the 77th minute when Reece Thompson snapped up a rebound after Nathan Ashmore had made a good save from sub Frank Mulhern`s initial attempt.

One of the promotion favourites Tranmere Rovers, last season`s Promotion Final losers, started the 2017/18 season with a long trip to the South Devon coast and ended the game with nine-men against Torquay United.

But Micky Mellon`s battling side managed to hold out for a goalless draw at the Launa Windows Stadium.

A feisty, often bad-tempered game saw Tranmere hit the woodwork once in each half.

But they had skipper Steve McNulty sent-off for a second bookable offence in the 54th minute.

And then 5 minutes from time, Tranmere striker James Norwood joined McNulty in the dressing room after receiving a straight red card.

But the fact that the Torquay keeper Ryan Clarke was announced as man of the match said much for the overall pattern of the game.

Another fancied side, John Still`s Dagenham & Redbridge, began the campaign with a 2-1 win against a tough-to-beat Barrow AFC outfit at Victoria Road.

The Daggers took an 18th minute lead when Thierry Audel was penalised for wrestling Morgan Ferrier to the ground in the box and Corey Whitely fired home the resultant penalty.

The advantage was doubled just 3 minutes later as new striker from Braintree Town, Michael Cheek, unleashed a thunderous 20-yard effort past Stuart Moore.

And that was that, until the 86th minute when Barrow pulled a goal back through Dan Jones.

Wrexham fans are hoping for a much better showing this season, but were disappointed on the opening day as the Dragons were beaten at the Racecourse Ground by a competitive Macclesfield Town side.

Both teams showed a number of different faces in their starting line-ups, but a terrific strike in the 12th minute eventually separated the sides.

Noe Baba marked his Silkmen debut by firing home from 25 yards.

Another side showing plenty of changes were Woking, and they enjoyed a good 2-1 Kingfield win against Gateshead.

The Cards came quickly out of the blocks and Heed `keeper James Montgomery had to be alert on more than one occasion.

But it came as little surprise when the home side took the lead after 18 minutes when one of the new faces, Inih Effiong, netted at the second attempt after good work from another new boy, Bobson Bawling.

However, Gateshead equalised out of the blue 8 minutes later when Danny Johnson`s shot took a deflection to beat Nathan Baxter.

Right on the stroke of half-time, Woking were back in front when another excellent Bawling pass found Joe Ward, who beat Montgomery from the left of the area.

Gateshead tried to get back into the game in the second half, but were unable to find a leveller.

The day`s other game saw Eastleigh and Bromley – two sides who finished mid-table last term – battle out a 0-0 draw at Hayes Lane.

The Spitfires have a good record on previous opening day matches, but boss Richard Hill will probably be content with a point on the Ravens new 3G surface.