It's An Intriguing National League Night Ahead Of Us

By Sam Elliott

We could have new leaders in the Vanarama National League come Tuesday evening as table-toppers Gateshead won’t be in action this evening

Title sponsors Vanarama preview Tuesday night’s action as an exciting double gameweek concludes!

That means it is advantage Eastleigh on Matchday 8. The Spitfires, who have made a flying start under Kelvin Davis in his first full season at the helm, are just a point behind the Tynesiders in second.

Eastleigh travel to Roots Hall to face a Southend United side looking for just their second win of the season. Kevin Maher’s side have only been beaten once, though, 2-1 at Barnet.

In hot pursuit are Rochdale, Forest Green Rovers, and York City – all on 14 points after seven games.

Dale made it three consecutive wins in front of the DAZN cameras on Saturday and now host Maidenhead United. They have not won four straight since chalking up five-in-a-row between December 2016 and January 2017 when they were in EFL League One.

Forest Green host AFC Fylde who have not won since their opening-day triumph over Solihull Moors. Steve Cotterill’s side have now won three on the spin – something they did not manage last season as they were relegated from EFL League Two.

York City’s impressive turnaround under Adam Hinshelwood continues apace and sees the Minstermen host Braintree Town at the LNER.

The self-styled ‘Pub Team from Essex’ have the distinction of drawing three consecutive games 0-0. Unbeaten in five, Angelo Harrop’s men have the longest unbeaten streak in the National division, behind only Gateshead (7).

Ebbsfleet United remain the only National League side still waiting for their first win of the season. They dispensed of the services of Danny Searle on Monday as they try to spark a response. Aldershot Town, themselves coming off a 2-0 home defeat to Rochdale, broadcast live on DAZN, have a habit of losing games their fans think they shouldn't be.

The Shots’ form reads won, lost, won, lost, won, lost. No prizes for guessing what Tommy Widdrington will be hoping for from this match-up at the Kuflink!

They have enjoyed mixed fortunes so far but Barnet and Altrincham both secured playoff finishes last term.

They meet at The Hive with the Bees looking to bounce back from Saturday’s 2-0 reverse at Gateshead. Alty put together arguably their most convincing display of the season, 4-0 over Ebbsfleet.

Boston United have won back-to-back road games and now go in search of their first home win, with Hartlepool United making the trip down the A1(M).

Winless since the opening day, Dagenham & Redbridge have lost just twice. A win over Sutton United – comfortably beaten at home by Boston on Saturday – would make for a good start to the campaign for Ben Strevens’ side.

Rob Harker scored three times in four meetings between FC Halifax Town and Oldham Athletic before leaving The Shay this summer.

The Latics will be glad to see the back of him while Town must find a way to extend their four-game unbeaten streak against Micky Mellon’s men without him.

Woking and Wealdstone are both looking to get back to winning ways. Former Card turned Stone Max Kretzschmar has scored four times in the last six meetings between these two sides. Could he have a say again tonight?

Of the four promoted sides, no one has made the step-up to the National division look easier than Yeovil Town.

The seventh-placed Glovers host beaten Promotion Finalists Solihull Moors, who are still finding their feet after Wembley heartbreak.

Vanarama National League fixtures
Barnet v Altrincham
Boston United v Hartlepool United
Dagenham & Redbridge v Sutton United
Ebbsfleet United v Aldershot Town
FC Halifax Town v Oldham Athletic
Forest Freen Rovers v AFC Fylde
Rochdale v Maidenhead United
Southend United v Eastleigh
Woking v Wealdstone
Yeovil Town v Solihull Moors
York City v Braintree Town

Where next?

No New Leaders On A Night Of Big National League Results Eastleigh missed the chance to lead the way after Southend United really got their season up and running.
Bonne Hopes To Pick Up When He Left Off At Southend United Macauley Bonne says he wants to carry on where he left off after returning to the National League.