Three clubs go into tonight’s National League matches looking to preserve their 100% winning starts.
Gateshead’s Greg Olley suffered a horrific injury on Saturday which marred their 2-0 success at Woking. He will miss the rest of the season with a broken fibula. His teammates will be determined to make it three wins from three tonight at FC Halifax Town, who lost at home to Aldershot Town at the weekend.
Eastleigh host last season’s play-off finalists Solihull Moors. The Spitfires came back from 2-0 down to beat AFC Fylde 4-2 on Saturday with last season’s free-scoring forward Paul McCallum chipping in with a brace. That made it five wins from six continuing from last term. Solihull Moors defeated Maidenhead United at the weekend for their first points thus far.
Oldham Athletic look to extend their good start against AFC Fylde. The Latics beat 10-man Wealdstone 1-0 on Saturday thanks to Harry Charsley’s late header.
Barnet and Forest Green Rovers have been tipped by many to challenge this term. They meet at the Hive – Barnet defeated Ebbsfleet United 2-0 on Saturday thanks to Callum Stead’s brace, Forest Green thumped Boston United 4-0 with Christian Doidge and Liam Sercombe netting two apiece.
Sutton United hammered Altrincham 5-0 on Saturday in their first home game back in the National League following May’s relegation. Four were netted before the break, they’ll hope to replicate that firepower at a Wealdstone side who have lost two from two.
York City and Rochdale each have four points from two games. Ollie Pearce scored his first for the Minsterman in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Tamworth while Rochdale drew with Dagenham & Redbridge.
Southend United host Boston United with both sides looking for their first win this season. Boston’s return to the National League has been a chastening experience, losing two from two, conceding seven with no goals scored. Southend have drawn both of their matches, they were left frustrated on Saturday with a 0-0 at Hartlepool, who played most of the second half with 10 men.
Like Boston, Braintree are without a point or goal since promotion. They take on Aldershot Town tonight, the Shots have a draw and win from tricky opening games against Forest Green Rovers and FC Halifax Town.
Woking and Maidenhead are both searching for their first positive result, they host Dagenham & Redbridge and Altrincham respectively.
Tamworth take on unbeaten Hartlepool United while the 2023 National League South champions travel to the title holders of the same league – Ebbsfleet United are at Yeovil Town.
Tonight’s fixtures (all matches KO 7.45pm):
Barnet v Forest Green Rovers
Braintree Town v Aldershot Town
Eastleigh v Solihull Moors
FC Halifax Town v Gateshead
Maidenhead United v Altrincham
Oldham Athletic v AFC Fylde
Southend United v Boston United
Tamworth v Hartlepool United
Wealdstone v Sutton United
Woking v Dagenham & Redbridge
Yeovil Town v Ebbsfleet United
York City v Rochdale
