First Day Flashback As National League North Got Going

Fancied Salford City gave the rest of the division a false sense of what we around the corner.

They stumbled to a 2-0 home defeat to a David Ferguson-inspired Darlington on day one - and it wasn’t the only turn up for the books.

York City, suffering a double relegation, found themselves somewhere they didn’t expect to be.

Life in their new surroundings didn’t begin well, a 1-0 home reverse to an AFC Telford side who would go on to struggle was not on the agenda. Matthew Barnes-Homer’s 42 minute winner proved to be the difference.

Kidderminster felt they had the squad and the manager to mount a challenge, but they fell flat on opening day - losing 1-0 at home to Chorley.

Stockport County needed this to be their year, but it started in the worst possible way - they lost 1-0 at newly promoted Spennymoor Town, a club in Step 5 just four years before.

Southport, Curzon Ashton and Harrogate Town were the big winners on day one.

Steven Schumacher was superb as Port rolled Boston United over 4-0, and it was the same scoreline as Harrogate Town were too good for Nuneaton.

Jordan Thewlis got two goals inside six minutes to make it a perfect first game for Simon Weaver’s men.

There were three clubs who blazed a trail. Curzon Ashton served North Ferriby notice of what was to come - they too won 4-0, Max Leonard notching twice.

Brackley begun well, it was to be a super season for the Saints and they showed against FC United they could win without playing well. A certain Jason Gilchrist found the net for the Red Rebels as they went down 2-1. We would be hearing a lot more about him.

Alfreton had high hopes after a strong summer in the transfer market but their 2-0 win over Blyth Spartans on day one proved to be a false dawn.

Ahmed Obeng got Leamington off to the perfect start, the Southern League play-off winners victorious 2-1 at Gainsborough Trinity.

There’s nothing quite like a first day win sealed with the last kick of the match.

Adam Boyes’ 97th minute winner was perfect for Bradford PA as they hit Tamworth with a late sucker punch.