Non League Focus: Week 1 - The Return Of Adam Le Fondre And More - 10th August 2024

Football has returned this weekend, much to fans’ delight. To celebrate the return of non-league football, we will look at the five best moments from an enticing weekend of football across the divisions.

1. Seven Goal thriller as Worthing victorious in Weston Super Mare

After finishing last season in superb form and managing to acquire a third-place finish in the National League South, Worthing were keen to push on as they look for promotion to the fifth tier this campaign.

An absolute thriller ensued, with Weston Super Mare taking the lead through Emlyn Jones Lewis. Weston Super Mare won a penalty from a shirt pull on Joel Colbran, from which Luke Coulson converted.

Coulson then made it three before the break, however, Worthing were not looking to go down without a fight and began a masterful comeback to make the opening day of their National League South campaign one which would never be forgotten.

From what was a glorious free kick, Jack Spong converted from 20 yards out, wrong-footing the goalkeeper in the 53rd minute. A second goal and a route back into the game was created when Joe Cook’s phenomenal run and cutback found Harrison Smith, who flicked on for the incoming Danny Cashman, who converted to make it 3-2.

Incredibly, there was a third just minutes later for The Rebels, as Spong lined up another free kick which flew in from a similar distance to his first and saw Worthing remarkably draw level.

As if this was not enough, Worthing added a fourth, the winner, in added time, to send the away end into ecstasy, after Ollie Banks won a penalty which was converted by Cashman for his second.

2. Veteran Le Fondre is already an FC United of Manchester Star

Whilst the two giants of Manchester battled it out at Wembley, Adam Le Fondre was the star of the show as FC United of Manchester managed to claim three points in their opening encounter of the season

Le Fondre has had a career which has seen him play across the EFL, and he has even some appearances in the Premier League, notably for Reading FC. At age 37, Le Fondre has also had spells in India and Australia, making him a true journeyman.

564 fans saw Morpeth host the Manchester-based side in their Northern Premier encounter- and Le Fondre sent the away fans into hysterics after his 56th minute winner was the game's only goal.

Le Fondre will be hoping that this goal will be the first of many in what has the potential to be a very rewarding season for the veteran striker.

3. Scunthorpe start as they mean to go on in emphatic victory

If you had told Scunthorpe fans ten years ago that they would be beginning the 2024/25 campaign in the National League North, they might have laughed in your face. However, The Irons now find themselves embarking on their second successive season in the sixth tier after losing in the play-off semi-final last campaign to Boston United via a penalty shootout.

However, it is not all doom and gloom for Scunthorpe, as they found themselves breezing past Brackley Town in their opening encounter of the campaign, winning 3-0 in the process.

After 17 minutes, The Iron opened the scoring after a low driven shot from Kian Scales was palmed out by Jonny Maxted whose save only found the feet of Iron striker Alfie Beestin, who tapped home into a gaping goal.

A second goal came from the Iron as club captain Michael Clunan’s cross found the head of Beestin, who finished once again for his second of the game. Captain Clunan was once again the provider for the third goal of the game as he swung a delightful ball into the six-yard box, where Andrew Boyce had made a run to the far post, before heading home for a third Scunthorpe goal.

The Iron will be hoping that they can push on from this as they look to regain National League status.

4. Gateshead bounce back after last season’s disappointment

In an alternate universe, Gateshead may well have just played their first-ever EFL game, however, somewhat controversially, the Tynesiders were not allowed to play in last season's National League playoffs, despite qualifying for them.

The EFL described the situation as “avoidable” and did not budge on their decision, despite The Heed fans’ protests against the association.

However, it is not all doom and gloom for the northern side, as they opened their National League campaign as they wish to go on, with a 5-1 demolition of Ebbsfleet United, in a game whereby Greg Olley managed to score a hat trick, and the fourth and fifth goals in particular (both scored by Olley) being critically acclaimed by journalists and fans across the country.

Gateshead fans will be relieved to see that on the pitch, they look incredibly dangerous to the rest of the division.

5. Southport Start Strong

After the tragic events last month that broke the town of Southport, the opening game of the season gave fans a chance to pay their respects to those who were affected by the attacks.

Southport were eager to get their season off to a flying start, seeing as since the Big Help Group’s takeover of the Sandgrounders in November 2023, the Merseyside team have been on the up and will be looking to improve on last season’s 17th place finish.

They hosted midlands side Alfreton Town in their opening encounter of the season.

The Sandgrounders opened the scoring from a free-kick, with Danny Lloyd’s looping ball causing chaos in the box before Danny Philliskirk tapped it in.

The highlight of the club's 3-1 win was undoubtedly Philliskirk’s second, a screamer from a long distance.

Another dangerous free-kick courtesy of Lloyd was the cause of the third Southport goal, in which was attacked at the far post by Thomas William Moore, making it three.

Alfreton managed to score a consolation goal in the 70th minute, courtesy of Billy Whitehouse, however in the grand scheme of things did not mean anything to the result.

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