After a full slate of National League and National League South & North action on Bank Holiday Monday, we have another round of fixtures on the last weekend of summer.
After shifting to professional status last summer, Eastbourne Borough struggled early in the season, leading to the departure of manager Mark Beard. Adam Murray was appointed manager after leading AFC Fylde to the National League North title.
The appointment of the 42-year-old saw an upturn of form as the Sport survived comfortably. This summer’s window saw an abundance of new signings, with Eastbourne signing top talent from across the league.
In their opening five games, their only defeat came away at a Farnborough side who are expected to challenge at the top end of the table. Borough have won two in a row and will fancy their chances in front of a packed crowd at Priory Lane.
Dorking were relegated from the National League after a disappointing campaign. Like Eastbourne Borough, Wanderers are on 10 points after three wins and a draw.
The squads look to be evenly matched ability-wise, but with Eastbourne’s home advantage, the value lies with the hosts.
Best Bet: Eastbourne Double Chance @1.83 - bet365
Truro struggled late in the season due to the backlog of fixtures, owing to their waterlogged pitch. However, with a fresh pitch and fresh optimism, Truro have started this season fantastically.
Under the stewardship of the highly experienced John Askey, Truro are now four unbeaten after losing the opener to Dorking. Since then, Truro have beaten Maidstone away and drawn to Salisbury. Their two home games since saw them beat Enfield Town 3-1 and last-seasons defeated playoff finalists Worthing 5-0.
Chelmsford are one of four teams in the league without a victory, with Robbie Simpsons’ side losing their two away games when they faced Weston Super Mare and Chelmsford. They also drew all three games home games 1-1.
The Clarets will be dreading the near 12-hour round trip to the UK’s southernmost city and Truro will fancy their chances of taking another three points.
Best Bet: Truro to win @ 2.25 - bet365
After losing in the playoff Quarter Final on penalties to Boston United, Alfreton are targeting another playoff campaign in a highly competitive National League North.
Billy Heath’s side opened the season with a 3-1 defeat to Southport but have remained unbeaten since. 2-2 draws with Leamington and Chester were sandwiched in between wins against King Lynn (3-0) and Needham Market (0-2).
Four of Alfreton’s five games have seen over 2.5 goals, the only exception being the 2-0 win over a Needham Market side who have scored just twice this season.
The visitors to the Impact Arena are a Farsley Celtic side punching above their weight in 6th place. Managed by EFL journeyman Clayton Donaldson, Farsley have had to play all five games away from home and have won three games against Rushall (2-3), Marine (0-3) and Warrington (1-2), as well as losing to Scarborough and Buxton 2-1.
All five games for Celtic have seen at least three goals, with 1.72 a great price for it to land again.
Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals @1.72 - bet365
Scarborough had a season of consolidation under Jonathan Greening, finishing in 13th place, 14 points clear of relegation and 11 points off playoffs. This year, The Seadogs are in third place after five games.
An opening day 3-3 draw at newly promoted Radcliffe was followed up by wins against Rushall (3-0), Chorley (1-2) and Farsley (2-1). A dramatic game against Chester, in which Kurt Willoughby scored a last-minute thunderbolt, saw Scarborough lose their first game of the season. All five of their games have seen at least three goals.
Despite being heavily backed financially, South Shields have started the season in poor form and currently sit in 16th place. Elliot Dickman’s side opened the season with a 3-0 loss at Hereford and a 1-2 loss at home to Curzon Ashton. Wins against Warrington (2-1) and Oxford City (1-4) followed, before a 0-2 loss at home to league leaders Scunthorpe made it three losses from five.
The Mariners have seen at least three goals in four of their five games, struggling to score against Scunthorpe who have conceded just one goal.
Best Bet: Over 3.0 Asian Goal Line - Yet to be priced
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