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| Former Bull James Roberts Is Expected To Start For Spennymoor At Edgar Street This Afternoon |
There is a full compliment of fixtures on the first afternoon of the new National North League season.
Blyth Spartans v Gloucester City
Boston United v Chester
Brackley Town v Alfreton Town
Curzon Ashton v Bradford PA
Farsley Celtic v Darlington
Gateshead v Southport
Guiseley v Kings Lynn Town
Hereford v Spennymoor Town
Kettering Town v AFC Telford United
Kidderminster Harriers v Leamington
Given it's the first game of the new season, it's difficult to select a match of the day.
Some may feel the stand-out fixture is at Altrincham, who finished 5th last season, where York (12th) are the visitors. The bookies have made York the favourites to win the league title, currently they are around 9/2. York will be hopeful of winning this game given Altrincham haven't won an opening day home game since 2006/07.
Brackley (3rd last season) are another well fancied club (12/1). They take on Alfreton (15th) and would be expected to win this game.
Chester (9/1 to win the league) travel to Boston. Both teams ended last season in mid-table positions. Perhaps a draw.
One the new teams in the League, Gloucester City, will find out just how far north some of the clubs are situated given they travel to Blyth Spartans (6th). A difficult fixture for the Tigers who play Hereford next Tuesday.
Another of the newcomers, Kings Lynn, have what looks like an easier start with a trip to cash-strapped Guiseley who finished 19th last season.
Finally Hereford (20/1) entertain Spennymoor (9/1) who lost out on penalties in the play-off final just 83 days ago. The Bulls have brought in twelve senior players since the end of last season, how many of them will start this afternoon remains to be seen, whereas Spennymoor hit the headlines when former Bull James Roberts joined them recently.
One interesting stat, recently signed Hereford striker Reece Styche has scored in each of his last three appearances against Spennymoor, twice for Darlington and once for Alfreton.
The game will probably have the highest attendance of the afternoon, whether the majority of supporters will be happy at 4.50 is something else.