Here we go again! Tomorrow, the new non-league season gets underway with seven fixtures across six divisions throughout step five and six. Here’s a little info on each fixture, with my prediction for each one. Apologies for any team that I’ve predicted a loss for, please take comfort that I’m notoriously bad at predictions of any kind.
In the Northern Counties East Football League, Garforth Town and Hemsworth MW meet in a premier division clash with the home side looking for a repeat of their 3-1 win last season. Garforth finished 3rd in the table and will be looking for a strong start to this year’s campaign.
Prediction: Garforth Town 2-0 Hemsworth MW
Further north, in the Northern League Division One, Heaton Stannington (promoted from step 6 last season) face a tough test with West Auckland Town the visitors to Grounsell Park. The away side finished sixth last season and will be hoping to hit the ground running and have another push at the top end of the table.
Prediction: Heaton Stannington 1-1 West Auckland Town
At the opposite end of the country, Phoenix Sports, who were relegated from the Isthmian South-East division last season face a tough test as they travel to Erith Town. The hosts finished 7th in this division last season and will be a tough start for the visitors.
Prediction: Erith Town 1-0 Phoenix Sports
Lutterworth Town and Rothwell Corinthians face-off in a United Counties, Premier South fixture tomorrow night. The corresponding match last season finished as a goalless draw, but I can’t see that score line repeating itself this time around. Lutterworth finished 6th last season, and Rothwell will be hoping to improve on the five matches they were victorious in their last campaign.
Prediction: Lutterworth Town 3-1 Rothwell Corinthians
In step six, there are two fixtures in the Eastern Counties (Division One South). May & Baker will be looking to improve upon their top half finish last season, entertain a promoted side from the league below. Cannons Wood (rebranded from DTFC for this season) won the Essex Alliance division at step 7 a few months ago and will prove a tough opening fixture. Another promoted side, NW London, who came up through the Middlesex County Football League face a tough first match, as they host Barkingside, who will be looking for a better finish than their 11th place last time around.
Prediction: May & Baker 1-1 Cannons Wood
Prediction: NW London 1-3 Barkingside
Back up in the North-East, Prudhoe Youth are the third promoted side featuring on the opening night of the season after finishing second in the Northern Alliance last year, to earn their spot in the Northern League Division Two. However, they face a tough trip to Blyth Town who finished 15th in this division last season.
Prediction: Blyth Town 2-1 Prudhoe Youth
Whatever the outcome of these matches, it is so good to see league football back up and running, and I can't wait to see how the season unfolds. From tomorrow night through to the end of August, there are only six days without a league match somewhere in the country, so it’s all systems go from here on in.
Please keep checking in with the site, as Andy and I frantically attempt to keep things up to date. If you spot anything that appears wrong, or would like to see something else, please drop us a message.
Enjoy your season!
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