Opening Days down the years - good + bad

[localboy86]

So in the build-up to Saturday's opening day fixture up at Tamworth, I thought it might be an idea to look back at some of our previous opening day matches that we've had over the years - whether good or bad. It's very hard to look past last season's opening day in fact (a year ago today!) and the 5-1 romping win over Notts County - less said about what was to follow..
I also remember a lunchtime kick-off a few years back against Leyton Orient under Dos and a 2-0 victory (think this was the O's first game after relegation from the league). A word about that opening day at Forest Green in our first fixture as a football league club, yes we may have lost in the last minute but it was a great occasion with tremendous travelling support.

Any opening day memories and recollections from anyone else?

[boomboom]

I've usually an awful memory when it comes to specific matches, but seem to remember an opening day loss at home, under Dos, to Solihull Moors the season after we were promoted from NLS. What I do remember is somebody saying how out of our depth we looked. Moral of the story (as with Notts C): don't take the first match as a reliable guide to the season.

A couple of seasons ago, IIRC was Carlisle at home, a drab 0-0 played in hot conditions, with Goodliffe limping off in the first half. I don't think he was ever the same player since.

[Andy K]

2020. Beating Maidenhead.

On paper, doesn't sound it, but I'll break it down
1) We always lost to Maidenhead. Beating them on that day I recall thinking we would win the league.
2) It was our first game after lockdown. Although we were not there in person to see it, knowing we had football back felt like a bit of relief after what was a difficult few months for so many of us.

Another one. 2011. Getting thumped at home to Woking. Whilst we never like seeing a defeat, I felt it felt like it was the dose of reality to succeed at that level. We ended up back at that level finishing 4th

[presssec]

It was Newport two seasons ago, when Ben was injured, and 1-1 nor 0-0, with both goalscorers called Omar and very nearly having the same surname.

Some of us with long memories still come out in a cold sweat remembering the 4-0 defeat at the Croydon Sports Arena in 1978.

There was another grim one at home to Telford in 1990, but an equally good one at Wycombe in 1981 - both 3-0.

[FaultyyearsaU]

Good memories of our first ever game in the GM Vauxhall Conference. Felt like we were really in the “big time” and perhaps (well for me anyway) more than our first home EFL game , felt more like a big cup tie. Telford were a strong side in those days and we found ourselves 2-0 down. We then managed to turn things around and I believe ( 🥴) it was 2 Pauls, Roger’s and Thornton (??- Rogers first?) managed to secure a 2-2 draw which felt like a win against top opposition .

[boomboom]

Aug 5, 2024 16:52:46 GMT presssec said:

It was Newport two seasons ago, when Ben was injured, and 1-1 nor 0-0, with both goalscorers called Omar and very nearly having the same surname.

Some of us with long memories still come out in a cold sweat remembering the 4-0 defeat at the Croydon Sports Arena in 1978.

There was another grim one at home to Telford in 1990, but an equally good one at Wycombe in 1981 - both 3-0.

Thanks for the corrections.   One out of three, room for improvement!

[davef]

1985/86, reigning champions, away to newly promoted Farnborough. Lost 3-2.
Just 4 points out of 12.

Went on to win the league.

[markf]

We also lost to Slough at home who had cobbled a team together after almost going out of business in the summer of 1998.

Couldn't score and Andy Reilly netted an og.

We won the league that season too.