NON-LEAGUE National League season kicks off
- Details
- Created on Saturday, 03 October 2020 07:22
- Last Updated on Sunday, 04 October 2020 08:03
- Published on Saturday, 03 October 2020 07:22
- Written by ROSS REID
Like the leagues above it in the English football pyramid, the National League is not - yet - able to permit fans into grounds.
The global COVID pandemic has had a far-reaching, negative knock-on effect on sport, not just football.
In fact grassroots non-League football - at step three and below - has fared better than most with leagues resuming and a limited number of fans permitted at games.
With that in mind it's fair to say grassroots non-League football and touchline support is enjoying a resurgence in popularity.
When the only "live" football on offer is your local step six side... then supporting your local step six side becomes your new gameday destination.
This season there are three regional sides competing in the top tier of non-League football as Dorset side Weymouth - under the stewardship of former boss Mark Molesley - completed back to back promotions, rising from the Southern League to the National League in quick succession.
The 39-year-old's eye-catching success earned him a summer switch to Southend United in League Two, securing three promotions in two seasons for the talented head coach.
Molesley's successor at Weymouth is another young manager and experienced former Football League midfielder, Winchester born 38 year old Brian Stock.
Stock's first league game in charge of the Terras, making a much-heralded welcome return after 11 years to non-League's top flight, is set to be away at Altrincham in Greater Manchester tomorrow.
Gary Johnson's Torquay United are set to start at home to another Greater Manchester side, Stockport County, while Darell Sarll's Yeovil Town - fourth in the table when last season was ended prematurely on April 22 - visit King's Lynn Town, newly promoted from National League North.
Former Stevenage boss Sarll is 37. Experienced former Yeovil boss Johnson, 64.
National League Fixtures
Saturday October 3, 2020
Altrincham 0-0 Weymouth
Barnet 1-5 Eastleigh
Dover Athletic 1-0 Notts County
FC Halifax Town 2-0 Dagenham & Redbridge
Hartlepool Utd 2-1 Aldershot Town
Macclesfield Town P-P Bromley
Sutton United 3-0 Maidenhead United
Torquay United 1-0 Stockport County
Wealdstone P-P Chesterfield waterlogged
Woking 2-1 Solihull Moors
Wrexham 2-1 Boreham Wood
King's Lynn Town 2-2 Yeovil Town
Follow Brian Stock's newly promoted Weymouth FC's progress on twitter @theterras
Follow Gary Johnson's Torquay United on twitter @TUFC1899
Follow Darell Sarll's Yeovil Town on twitter @YTFC
Saturday October 3, 2020
Altrincham 0-0 Weymouth
Barnet 1-5 Eastleigh
Dover Athletic 1-0 Notts County
FC Halifax Town 2-0 Dagenham & Redbridge
Hartlepool Utd 2-1 Aldershot Town
Macclesfield Town P-P Bromley
Sutton United 3-0 Maidenhead United
Torquay United 1-0 Stockport County
Wealdstone P-P Chesterfield waterlogged
Woking 2-1 Solihull Moors
Wrexham 2-1 Boreham Wood
King's Lynn Town 2-2 Yeovil Town
Follow Brian Stock's newly promoted Weymouth FC's progress on twitter @theterras
Follow Gary Johnson's Torquay United on twitter @TUFC1899
Follow Darell Sarll's Yeovil Town on twitter @YTFC
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