(Picture: Action Images via Reuters)
By Matt Bishop
After another thrilling weekend of National League action, Tuesday has already rolled round… meaning it’s so nearly time for another set of midweek fixtures.
On Saturday, early pacesetters Aldershot extended their perfect start to the season with a 6-0 mauling of struggling Guiseley – a victory shots boss Gary Waddock said completed a “good day all round.”
“A clean sheet and the goals for column is very important when you get the chance.” added the 55-year-old. “I’m very pleased with the first week of the season but we always want more.”
Tonight, Waddock’s men travel to The Gallagher Stadium to take on Maidstone United, who are still looking for their first win of the season after losing 2-0 to Leyton Orient at the weekend.
The O’s had to be patient against a stubborn Stones outfit, but second-half goals from David Mooney and Rommy Boco secured Steve Davis’ side three points for the second game in a row as they prepare to visit Bromley tonight.
Davis has a fully-fit squad to choose from, but hinted after Saturday’s victory that Craig Clay, Josh Koroma and Boco could be handed their first starts of the season, so expect to see a fresh Orient XI this evening.
FRONT: Orient Express!
Mooney and Boco get @leytonorientfc rolling at Brisbane Road #lofc pic.twitter.com/gYoYHD9Dxv
— The Non-League Paper (@NonLeaguePaper) August 13, 2017
Further down the table, pre-season title favourites Tranmere Rovers are hoping to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat to Paul Doswell’s promising Sutton side.
The U’s manager, who was named our ‘Top Boss’ of the weekend, was delighted after the victory, telling Sunday’s NLP: “From one to eleven I thought we were excellent. To take six points from a difficult first week is an outstanding effort from all the players.”
However, while Sutton hunt for their third win of the season this evening as they host Macclesfield, Rovers are struggling for consistency and will hope for three points against Guiseley tonight. “We had plenty of the ball,” said Micky Mellon after Saturday’s defeat, “but on the day we came up short.” An improvement will be needed tonight.
It’s a battle of the National League new boys at AFC Fylde this evening, as the National League North champions, who were pegged back in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Ebbsfleet on Saturday, take on Maidenhead United.
Last season’s National League South winners sealed a Dave Tarpey-inspired win over Hartlepool United on Saturday, with the record-breaking striker netting a brilliant brace to silence his doubters and earn three precious points.
Pools meanwhile are still desperately searching for a first win in the National League following their relegation from League Two, and after their defeat in Berkshire, Craig Harrison’s side play Chester tonight.
Speaking to The NLP on Sunday, former TNS boss Harrison was disappointed with his side, saying: “We have the players who know this standard of football. When you go behind you don’t give yourself a base to work with.
“We just weren’t good enough.” Will Hartlepool claim an elusive three points tonight?
Tonight’s fixtures in full:
Safe journey to Maidenhead, Dover, and Gateshead fans who have long trip to watch their teams play tonight ?? pic.twitter.com/J8lY4KrpAP
— The Non-League Paper (@NonLeaguePaper) August 15, 2017
