There were 37 goals across the opening day, seven in a thriller at the Woodspring Stadium.
Worthing were the victors, coming from 3-0 down at half-time to beat Weston-super-Mare 4-3. They’re away to St Albans City, a fixture reversed following continued works at Worthing’s stadium. The last three meetings have produced a staggering 23 goals.
The NLP‘s Game of the Day is Chesham United v Boreham Wood. It’s Chesham’s first home match at this level and they began with an encouraging draw at Eastbourne Borough. Wood have recorded five clean sheets in a row following on from last season. Tyrone Marsh’s 80th minute strike saw them defeat Bath City last week in Ross Jenkins’ first game in charge.
Dorking Wanderers hit the headlines last week, having been forced to play with their shirts inside out for most of their 2-1 victory at Truro City. They shouldn’t encounter similar issues against the Bluebirds of Chippenham at Meadowbank.
Farnborough and Torquay United are two of 10 sides tied at the top. They meet in Hampshire in Paul Wotton’s first away game for the Gulls. Their miserable away form last year nearly resulted in a second successive relegation, while Farnborough’s late surge saw them just miss out on the play-offs. Each won 2-1 last week, Boro’ at Chippenham and Torquay over newly promoted Enfield Town.
Another former Step 3 side, Hornchurch, were the only team to win by more than the odd goal. They recovered from a goal down to overcome Hampton & Richmond Borough, despite ending with 10 men. They host Eastbourne Borough in their first home National League South match since 2013.
Bobby Wilkinson makes a hasty return to Weymouth. The Hemel Hempstead Town boss departed the Terras in March, his revamped Tudors side came from 2-0 down to draw with Salisbury on day one while Weymouth lost 3-2 at Tonbridge Angels.
Chelmsford and Hampton both lost games having led at half-time on Saturday. They meet at the Melbourne Community Stadium, Chelmsford’s first home game since their ninth play-off failure at this level in May. FA Cup giantkillers Maidstone United also fell at the semi-final hurdle last term in the play-offs. Truro make the long journey to Kent this weekend.
Welling United finished comfortably clear of relegation after Rod Stringer’s appointment midway through last season. They’re at injury-hit Bath City, who could only name four substitutes on Saturday and saw Zac Smith stretchered off in defeat at Boreham Wood.
Aveley, who lost at Welling last week, were the surprise package last season and are looking to shock opposition again in Step 2. Their first match at Parkside of 2024/25 is against Tonbridge Angels.
Enfield Town’s first home game in National League South is against Weston-super-Mare, with both looking for their first point of the campaign. Finally, Salisbury’s home return to National League sees them take on Slough Town in Wiltshire.
Saturday’s fixtures (all matches KO 3pm):
Aveley v Tonbridge Angels
Bath City v Welling United
Chelmsford City v Hampton & Richmond Borough
Chesham United v Boreham Wood
Dorking Wanderers v Chippenham Town
Enfield Town v Weston-super-Mare
Farnborough v Torquay United
Hornchurch v Eastbourne Borough
Maidstone United v Truro City
Salisbury v Slough Town
St Albans City v Worthing
Weymouth v Hemel Hempstead Town
Read up on all the games in tomorrow’s NLP!
