The National League may be renowned for its competitive spirit, with teams battling it out every week. Games can often be close affairs with not much between the two teams.
However, down the years, there have been several games where teams have recorded big wins, running away with matches. Here are the biggest recorded victories in the National League:
Tranmere Rovers 9-0 Solihull Moors (April 8th, 2017)
The biggest recorded win came in April 2017, when Tranmere hammered Solihull Moors 9-0 at Prenton Park. Two players, Cole Stockton and Connor Jennings, bag a hat-trick apiece in the rout.
The game was a harsh lesson for the visitors, who had only won promotion to the National League the previous season. Tranmere finished as runners-up that season, with Solihull Moors finishing just five points above the drop zone.
Forest Green Rovers 8-0 Hyde United (August 10th, 2013)
Forest Green Rovers romped to an 8-0 home win over Hyde United at the New Lawn on the opening day of season 2013/14.
Winger Marcus Kelly enjoyed the most prolific game of his career, as he scored a hat-trick during the encounter, with Matty Taylor also grabbing himself a brace.
The game was a sign of things to come for Hyde, who endured a woeful campaign, finishing bottom of the table while recording just one win all season and collecting ten points. The nadir of their season came in a 12-game losing streak.
Luton Town 8-0 Hayes and Yeading FC (March 27th, 2010)
On March 27th 2010, Luton Town hammered Hayes and Yeading FC 8-0 at Kenilworth Road. Former QPR striker Kevin Gallen scored a brace, with Claude Gnapka and Tom Craddock also getting two goals apiece. The victory was the Hatter’s biggest win since the Second World War.
Despite the hammering, Hayes and Yeading beat the drop after their promotion from the Conference South in the previous season.
Luton Town finished second place and lost in the play-offs, with Oxford United winning promotion to the top flight along with leaders Stevenage Borough.
Rushden and Diamonds 8-0 Gateshead FC (March 13th, 2010)
On March 13th 2010, Rushden and Diamonds fired home eight goals past Gateshead without reply.
The star of the show when it came to goals was the much-travelled Jefferson Louis, who scored a brace. Jamie Stuart, Max Porter, Mark Byrne, Lee Tomlin, Craig Farrell and Simon Downer also got on the scoresheet.
Unfortunately for Rushden, they could only finish in the play-off spots in the Conference that season. Newly promoted Gateshead avoided relegation from the fifth tier by just a point.
Mansfield Town 8-1 Barrow AFC (Feb 9th, 2013)
On February 9th 2013, Mansfield hammered Barrow AFC 8-1 at the One Call Stadium. Striker Matt Green enjoyed an excellent day, as he grabbed himself a hat-trick while attacking midfielder Lee Stevenson scored a brace.
The victory showed Mansfield’s quality, as Town went on to finish the season as champions and win promotion to the EFL with 95 points.
It was also an indication of Barrow’s lack of quality, as the north west team suffered relegation to the sixth tier of English football.
Grimsby Town 7-0 FC Halifax Town (October 13th, 2015)
On October 13th 2015, Grimsby Town recorded a 7-0 home win over FC Halifax Town. Irish striker Padraig Amond enjoyed a highly successful day, as he got on the scoresheet four times. Fellow striker Omar Bogle also scored a brace.
Grimsby finished third place in the table, losing in the play-offs, while Halifax finished ninth place in the table, 13 points off the play-off spots.
Havant & Waterlooville FC 7-0 Maidenhead United (October 30th, 2018)
Havant & Waterlooville enjoyed an excellent day on October 30th 2018, hammering Maidenhead United 7-0. Alfie Rutherford and Alfie Pavey scored a brace each as the home team cruised to victory.
The game was a high point for Havant & Waterlooville FC, who had won promotion in the previous season. They were relegated from the fifth tier, as they finished 22nd place in the table.
However, the defeat was not the lowest point for Maidstone in that season, as United finished the campaign bottom of the table, scoring a league-low 37 goals and conceding the second-most goals in the division.
Bristol Rovers 7-0 Alfreton (April 25th, 2015)
On 25th April 2015, Bristol Rovers recorded a 7-0 victory against Alfreton at the Memorial Stadium.
Matty Taylor scored a brace, with Jake Gosling, Ellis Harrison, Lee Mansell, Andy Monkhouse and Tom Parker also on the scoresheet.
The game was a good indication of how both team’s seasons had gone. Bristol Rovers won promotion by finishing second place in the table after winning the play-offs, with a 20-game unbeaten run playing a pivotal role in their promotion.
Meanwhile, Alfreton finished 21st place in the table and suffered relegation due to an inferior goal difference to 20th place Welling United.