AUGUST: Key dates in the National League, North and South

The fixtures for the 2019/20 National League season have been released – let’s take a look at some of the key dates in the opening month.
Our opening day analysis can be found here and our Christmas run-down here.
August will see each club play EIGHT fixtures in 29 days which can set the tone for the season.
On Tuesday 6th, one of the standout fixtures in the National League is Notts County against Stockport. A big crowd will be expected at Meadow Lane as two of the division’s new clubs go head-to-head. Meanwhile, Woking host local rivals Aldershot Town at Kingfield.
In NLN, Chester welcome Altrincham in a tie between two promotion hopefuls while in NLS, there are two Essex derbies between Concord Rangers and Chelmsford City and Braintree Town versus Billericay Town.
The second Saturday of the season will see Yeovil Town look to avenge last season’s FA Cup defeat when Stockport County roll into town again.
York City against Brackley Town is another fixture to look out for on August 10th as is Havant’s trip to Dartford.
On Saturday 17th, Bryan Hughes’ Wrexham head to Notts County as Yeovil face a mammoth trip to Barrow. After another play-off defeat last season, Rod Stringer and Chelmsford will be vying for promotion and they face an interesting trip to Havant that weekend.
August 26th, Bank Holiday Monday, sees Hartlepool host Wrexham and Harrogate visit AFC Fylde in ties between clubs fancied to be battling at the top end of table.
Steve Watson, at York, faces his old club Gateshead while Gloucester make one of their shorter trips to Brackley.
The final fixture weekend of the month on the 31st has the two relegated sides Yeovil and Notts County facing each other. A big crowd will be expected at Wrexham against Stockport too.
Other interesting clashes include: Bradford PA v AFC Telford, Gateshead v Brackley, Spennymoor v Chester, Chelmsford v Bath and Wealdstone v Maidstone.