National League Previews

By Mark Stillman

Gateshead will be looking to bounce back from last week’s mauling at Dagenham & Redbridge this weekend.

In the ultimate Manager of the Month curse, Rob Elliot’s side were crushed 7-1 in Essex to comprehensively end their unbeaten start. Tomorrow they’re at home to Forest Green Rovers, who are second, though threw away a 2-0 lead to draw with Wealdstone last week.

Wealdstone v Barnet will be on DAZN tomorrow evening. In 1946, this Athenian League fixture was the first live match ever televised. In the present day it sees Dean Brennan returning to the club who he led to National League South glory in 2020.

Barnet sit two points behind league leaders York City, who reached the summit last week with a 3-0 win over 10-man AFC Fylde. They’ll be looking to continue their unbeaten away run at Aldershot Town, whose draw at Boston United last week was aided by a Marcus Dewhurst penalty save.

Rochdale’s four match winning run ended at home to Solihull Moors at the weekend. They’ll be looking to put it right at Eastleigh, who are just two places and one point below in sixth. The Spitfires have lost three of their last four after topping the table last month.

Oldham Athletic ended their four-match run of drawing 1-1 by beating Woking last week, a 3-1 win which took them into the top seven. They host a Yeovil Town side who have fared better on the road this term, the Glovers have won three of their four away from Huish Park.

Conversely, Southend United are without a win on their travels. They head to Solihull Moors, who’ve collected back-to-back successes to rise to eighth. Southend lost in the week at managerless AFC Fylde in a re-arranged game, Fylde’s first win since the opening day. Former goalkeeper Chris Neal is in joint caretaker charge, he’ll be hoping to inspire a leaky defence which has let in a league high 19 thus far. They host Woking at Mill Farm.

Ebbsfleet United claimed their first win of the season last week. New boss Harry Watling takes his side to Sutton United, who returned to form by coming from behind to defeat Southend.

A win could take ‘Fleet off the bottom. They’re level on points with Maidenhead United, who host an FC Halifax Town side unbeaten in four. Braintree Town take on Tamworth in another clash between those in the lower reaches. Braintree have only lost one of their four at home but have scored a joint low five goals, while Tamworth’s one goal and one point on the road has kept them in trouble.

Hartlepool United are unbeaten and winless at home. Four draws from four at the Prestige Group Stadium has kept Pools in mid-table with tomorrow’s opponents Dagenham moving ahead of them on goal difference after last week’s hefty win.

Altrincham v Boston United rounds off the fixtures. Boston have picked up some eye-catching away wins at York City and Sutton United since their return to Step 1.

Tomorrow fixtures (KO 3pm unless stated otherwise):
AFC Fylde v Woking
Aldershot Town v York City
Altrincham v Boston United
Braintree Town v Tamworth
Eastleigh v Rochdale
Gateshead v Forest Green Rovers
Hartlepool United v Dagenham & Redbridge
Maidenhead United v FC Halifax Town
Oldham Athletic v Yeovil Town
Solihull Moors v Southend United
Sutton United v Ebbsfleet United
Wealdstone v Barnet (5.30pm)

Read up on all the games in Sunday’s NLP!