Game Week 7 National League Preview

National League Game Week 7 Team to Watch - Aldershot Town

Before the season started, it felt as though Aldershot may be a totally different side from last season, where they scored plenty, 74 to be exact, but conceded too many, 83, which ultimately cost them a place in the playoffs. There was a perception that they would learn from their mistakes, and tighten up defensively, but also that they may struggle for goals, by virtue of losing their top scorers, Lorent Tolaj and Josh Stokes, who scored 34 goals between them last season, and assisted even more. But it may be a new season, and a new look team in terms of personnel, but it is the same old Aldershot. It seems that the Shots are only capable of playing the game one way; attack, and look to outscore the opposition, a tactic which has proven extremely fruitful over the last 18 months.

Joint top @TheVanaramaNL top scorer with a goal every 66 minutes 🔥

What a start to life in red & blue by James Henry 👏#TheShots❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/QM1gl5LYVQ

— Aldershot Town FC (@OfficialShots) September 3, 2024

They once again top the charts this season in terms of goals; both for and against. They are the division’s top scorers after 6 games, with 15 goals, and have conceded the 3rd most in the league, with 12, meaning they’ve seen a total of 27 goals in just 6 games. They truly are the entertainers of the National League, but are also a side who know how to pick up points. They come up against the side with the best defence in the league thus far, Rochdale, who have only conceded two goals. It will be interesting to see if they can sustain their goalscoring form.

National League Game Week 7 Player to Watch - Brett McGavin

Very few midfielders at this level possess the class that Brett McGavin has. A player who is able to glide around the pitch, McGavin has incredible feet, despite having a sizeable frame, perhaps more akin to being a disruptor in the middle rather than a conductor. But that is something that McGavin is capable of; controlling a game, setting a tempo from midfield. His ability to truly dictate the play is impressive, made more so by the amount of the ball he sees in this Yeovil side, who, under Mark Cooper, employ a very possession based style of play.

AJN Steelstock is delighted to announce that Yeovil Town midfielder, Brett McGavin (younger brother to AJN’s sales executive, Scott McGavin), has joined AJN’s stable of sports superstars pic.twitter.com/BUvv8hVliQ

— AJN Steelstock (@AJNSteelstock) September 6, 2024

But at the weekend McGavin showed the other side of his game; his ability to impact a game decisively. He scored two goals this weekend, including a stunning free kick, reminiscent of Dimitri Payet’s now famous free kick against Crystal Palace, bending the ball to the far side, to ultimately give Yeovil all three points. Despite having a lot of the ball, Yeovil have lacked incision at times this season, so they may fall on McGavin to provide a moment of quality once again; either with a line breaking pass, or another spectacular free kick.

National League Game Week 7 Hot Prospect - Kyrell Lisbie

Son of former Charlton forward Kevin Lisbie, Kyrell is a young attacker who is making a name for himself in non-league. Last season he caught widespread attention during Cray Valley Paper Mills’ FA Cup run, which culminated in him scoring against his father’s former side. He earned himself a move to newly promoted Braintree off the back of his time there, and already the pacey forward has made a real impact at this level.

90 | AND HE'S DONE IT AGAINNNNNNN!!!

IT'S KYRELL LISBIE'S WORLD AND WE ARE JUST LIVING IN IT!!#IRON 2-1 #SHOTS

— Braintree Town FC (@braintreetownfc) August 20, 2024

Quick, direct, and always willing to take on his man, Lisbie has hit the net already; not just once, but on three occasions. That’s an impressive tally in itself, especially when you consider he has made just three starts. But perhaps most impressive of all is that Lisbie is responsible for 100% of Braintree’s goals, a remarkable feat for the 20 year old. A really confident player, Braintree may need to lean on his individual brilliance again this weekend, to end their run of consecutive 0-0 draws. They host Woking, a side who are also looking shy in front of goal, so there may be a chance for someone to make a mark; that player might just be Lisbie.

National League Game Week 7 Game to Watch - Gateshead v Barnet

The two best teams in the National League come face to face this weekend, and whilst it is only six games into a new season, this does have the feel of a potential title six pointer. Even at this early stage the pair have marked themselves out as the teams to beat, with a combination of end product and fantastic footballing performances truly setting them apart from the rest of the pack. Both know how to win games of football; but it is the manner in which they do so, and the style of play, which is most impressive.

Gateshead are arguably the most stylish side in the division, with their possession based style earning plenty of plaudits. They keep the ball in high risk areas, always looking to play on the front foot, allowing their wealth of technically gifted players to combine in the opposition half. Their possession total is only bettered by Barnet, who average 66.8% compared to Gateshead’s 65%. They too look to play in advanced areas, with Dean Brennan’s ethos all about creating one on one battles all over the pitch. They’ve created the most xG in the division, with 10.67, and this is bound to be a game between sides who have an incredible amount of attacking threat. It’s hard to tell who will keep the ball; you’d expect it to be an intense, even battle.