A proven goalscorer could prove difference between a Heed play-off push or a title tilt
After a summer of discussions and delays, the new National League North season finally got underway earlier this week.
Once again, the division looks to be one of the most competitive in the non-league pyramid with as many as 12 clubs seen as viable options to secure a play-off spot at very least.
Looking at the North East representation in the league, it is safe to say that three of the four clubs from the region can be considered in that group.
With off-field development matching the progression on the pitch at Brewery Field, Spennymoor Town will go into the season with high hopes of competing alongside the likes of York City, Chorley and AFC Fylde for a place in the top seven.
No longer the National League new-boys, the Moors are rightly viewed as one of the division’s most dangerous sides – and Jason Ainsley’s impressive summer recruitment will only heighten the belief that they can challenge for a first ever season in non-league’s top tier.
Experience has arrived in the form of midfield Adriano Moke, Jason Kennedy and Joe Tait.
Chorley left-back Adam Blakeman, Guiseley midfielder Jamie Spencer and Stockport County forward Frank Mulhern are battle-hardened in the division and offer Ainsley a number of options.
The Moors were denied a play-off spot in such cruel circumstances last season, but with a squad that looks full of versatility and quality, they should be there or thereabouts this season.
Gateshead were the main beneficiaries of the National League’s decision to calculate their final standings on a points per game basis.
That move allowed the Heed to leapfrog Spennymoor and take a place in the play-offs – before their bid to make an immediate return to the National League came to an end with a semi-final defeat at Boston United.
In the aftermath of that defeat, I wrote about how this season will be a real chance for Gateshead to move on from a season of rebuilding last time out.
Mike Williamson and Ian Watson were forced into a hasty recruitment drive and performed minor miracles as they put together a squad capable of challenging for a top-seven place.
The duo have been given more time to add to their ranks this summer and have made some shrewd moves with the signing of York City duo Kallum Griffiths and Macaulay Langstaff, the return of George Smith and Rotherham defender Jake Cooper agreeing a second loan stint at the club.
Had this column been written last time last week, I would have been stressing the need for the former Newcastle United defender to bring in an experienced goalkeeper.
But that void was filled with the signing of former AFC Fylde and Forest Green Rovers number one James Montgomery and Leeds United youngster Harrison Male.
There is one slight deficiency in the Gateshead squad as they look to build on a positive performance last time out.
Although the likes of Jordan Preston, Ruairi Keating and the returning Langstaff will unquestionably get goals, that there is a need to bring in a consistent goalscorer if the Heed want to challenge for top spot in the division.
That could be the difference between a play-off challenge and a title bid over the season.
Two options would have been former Blyth Spartans striker Dan Maguire and Newcastle United Under-23s frontman Luke Charman.
However, both players will start this season in the black and white of Darlington as Alun Armstrong looks to resolve some of the issues that hampered their push for a play-off place in his first year in charge.
The Quakers flirted with a play-off spot throughout the season and were sat just four points shy of a top seven place when the season was curtailed.
Experience has arrived in the form of former Premier League duo Nicky Hunt and Tony McMahon as Armstrong will hope that they can help get the most out of a talented group of players.
The form of midfielder Will Hatfield and Armstrong’s ability to find the right mix between a plethora of attack-minded players will be key as the Quakers look to take the next step back towards returning to the Football League.
The only one of clubs that cannot be considered as genuine play-off contenders are Blyth Spartans.
Had it not been for the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is safe to say that the Croft Park club would be kicking-off the current campaign in the Northern Premier League after a disastrous season.
New manager Michael Nelson has been busy working within the financial constraints at Croft Park but has made some eye-catching additions to his squad.
Former FA Trophy winner Simon Heslop and Harrogate Town Liam Agnew will be key figures and Gateshead loanee Paul Blackett will be hoping to prove that he can be a reliable source of goals in the National League North.
But it is Nelson himself that will be the biggest asset at Spartans.
His calm, cool and collected approach, coupled with an understanding of the situation at the club, will be essential if his side are to remain in the division for another season.
There is a need for patience and understanding as Nelson and former Hartlepool United team-mate Michael Barron look to coax performances and consistency out of a young Spartans squad.
Big challenges lie in wait for the North East quartet in one of non-league’s most diverse divisions – and the measure of success will be very different at all four clubs.