By Sam Elliott
There are a few surprise names at the top of the National League South after the second games were all concluded last night.
St Albans City have won twice in the opening week and they beat fancied Wealdstone 2-1 at Clarence Park, as Zane Banton grabbed the points.
Ian Allinson’s Saints join Truro City, whose 3-0 win at Gloucester City on Monday night proves, maybe, that the National League South is no easier than the North.
The Tigers transferred in the close season but Tim Harris’ team have been beaten twice, while the White Tigers showed their teeth after also beating Welling on the first day.
Truro and St Albans may not be two teams predicted for promotion but Chelmsford City are.
They beat Welling United 1-0 away from home, Lee Barnard with the winning goal 8 minutes from the end after calmly converting his penalty.
Rod Stringer said his players “worked their socks off” to take home the three points to Essex.
Chippenham manager Mark Collier couldn’t contain his delight as his team beat Bath City in their big derby game 5-2.
“That really was a five star performance!” he said. “Full credit to the players and to the fans, they were all fantastic.”
Ryan Moss scored the winner as Alan Dowson’s Hampton & Richmond Borough secured a steady 1-0 win over Oxford City.
Eastbourne Borough have had a slow start and last night’s 3-2 defeat over Havant wasn’t what their new manager Jamie Howell wanted after going down on the first day to the same scoreline.
Hemel Hempstead lost 1-0 to Concord Rangers, Steve Cawley nabbed the winner five minutes after half-time.
Dartford manager Tony Burman was a happy man after watching his team come back from two goals behind to draw 2-2 with Braintree.
Captain Elliot Bradbrook levelled it up 15 minutes from the end and Burman said: “We’ve got to be happy with the spirit having been two down.”
Poole and Bognor played out a thrilling 2-2 draw as Jimmy Muitt snatched a point for the Rocks.
East Thurrock United manager John Coventry was thrilled with his team’s 3-2 win at Whitehawk, who have worryingly now let in six goals already.
“Any three points away from home in this league is hard earned,” the Rocks manager said.
