MAN OF THE DAY
Portsmouth’s Cambridge-baiting Matt Tubbs: taking his goals tally against the U’s to 12 in nine games, now including back-to-back hat-tricks at the Abbey.
GOAL OF THE DAY
Former Sunderland and Middlesbrough ace Julio Arca – rolling back the years to mark Non-League Day with a 25-yard blooter for South Shields against Ryton in Northern League Division Two.
MANAGER OF THE DAY
Micky Mellon was having none of it at half-time, with Shrewsbury 2-0 down to Colchester. He made two substitutions, both scored twice, and they won 4-2.
SPARE A THOUGHT FOR …
Two managers making tough League One debuts: Steven Pressley’s Fleetwood lost to Coventry, the side who sacked him in February, and new Oldham manager David Dunn brought himself on with the Latics 3-2 down to Scunthorpe. They lost 4-2.
CROWD OF THE DAY
3,021 fans turned up at Edgar Street to see Hereford play Long Eaton in the Midland League’s Premier Division – England’s ninth tier.
INCENTIVES OF THE DAY
Among a fine Non-League Day’s best marketing lures: Dover Athletic laid on 30 free quarter-pounders, plus free beer for all home or neutral fans (one pint per customer, per trip to the bar). And at Walsham Le Willows v Brantham Athletic, the first 50 paying customers each received a free box of local eggs. The club distributed the eggs after the match, in case fans showed a “desire to use them for another purpose”.
