What Happened On Saturday In The National League?

Day one was full of shocks and surprises as some of the fancied sides came up short.

One of those teams on many people’s lips after a productive close season of good business was Stockport County.

But they fell to a late defeat at Torquay United, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans gave Gary Johnson a winning start but County as County had two chances cleared off the line.

Notts County, beaten Promotion Finalists last term, were tipped to beat Dover Athletic on the first day after the Whites’ tricky summer.

But Harry Ranson had other ideas and he notched a winner in the final moment to hands the Magpies a losing start.

Yeovil Town couldn’t win either as BT Sport were served up an opening day belter.

King’s Lynn Town twice came from behind to snatch a point in a 2-2 draw.

Luke Wilkinson nodded in Carl Dickinson’s free-kick just after half-time before Dayle Southwell made it 1-1.

Town lead again through Courtney Duffus late on but prolific Adam Marriott climbed off the bench to secure a deserved point.

Solihull Moors want promotion this time, but they threw away a lead to lose at impressive Woking.

Alan Dowson’s team won it 2-1, Kane Ferdinand on the hour was the difference.

Boreham Wood - another of those hoping for a push up the top - were defeated 2-1 at Wrexham, who themselves hold promotion hopes.

Reece Hall-Johnson and Luke Young gave the new-look Dragons the perfect start.

Dagenham are well tipped to challenge at the top end this time around but they fell to a 2-0 defeat at FC Halifax.

Luke Summerfield converted from the penalty spot before Jack Earing made it safe.

But it's excellent Eastleigh who are top of the pile - they thrashed Barnet 5-1 to record an incredible first day result at The Hive.

Tyrone Barnett, Abdulai Bell-Baggie, Cavanagh Miley, Alex Wynter and Ben House were all on target in the rout.

Rhys Oates marked his return to Hartlepool with a late winner in a 2-1 victory over Aldershot.

Sutton United started with a storming 3-0 win over Maidenhead. Callum Kealy then came off the bench to score his first league goal for the club.

Newboys Altrincham and Weymouth fired blanks while Wealdstone’s debut at home to Chesterfield fell foul of the weather.

National League results:
Altrincham 0-0 Weymouth
Barnet 1-5 Eastleigh
Dover Athletic 1-0 Notts County
FC Halifax 2-0 Dagenham & Red
Hartlepool United 2-1 Aldershot
King’s Lynn Town 2-2 Yeovil
Sutton United 3-0 Maidenhead U
Torquay United 1-0 Stockport County
Woking 2-1 Solihull Moors
Wrexham 2-1 Boreham Wood

PHOTO BY MIKE PETCH