With the start of the National League campaign only a few days away, a number of sides are gearing up for it with the aim of winning promotion to the EFL.
A crucial aspect of a side winning promotion is scoring goals. Over the past eight seasons, five of the golden boot winners have helped their respective sides to a top three finish in the league.
With this in mind, it is clear to see how important having a player scoring goals is to success in the National League. This article, using stats from sofascore, will take a look at five players who could finish as the fifth tier’s top scorer by the end of the 2025-26 season.
Regan Linney – Carlisle United
Having suffered back-to-back relegation, Carlisle United will be looking for an instant return to League Two this season. With this aim in mind, they have added one of the sharpest strikers in the National League to their squad this summer.
Regan Linney joined the Cumbrians from fellow National League side Altrincham on a three-year deal. The 28 year old has consistently scored goals throughout his career and scored an average of a goal every 2.1 game during his 93 appearances for the Manchester side.
The striker finished last season as the league’s second top goalscorer with 23 goals. His total over the season averaged out at 0.5 goals per game and a scoring frequency of 143 minutes.
The 28 year old managed to score goals against a number of top sides including Oldham Athletic, York City, Southend United and FC Halifax Town (all of whom finished in the play-off places). On top of this, Linney was a consistent goal threat for Altrincham, having an average of 2.8 shots with 1.3 of these shots on target per match.
With the likes of Elliot Embleton, Stephen Wearne and David Ajiboye creating chances around him, it is likely that we will see Regan Linney challenging for the National League golden boot this season.
Ollie Pearce – York City
Having failed to win promotion from the National League after accumulating 96 points last season, York City will be aiming to go one better this time around. One player that will be crucial to that is the 2024-25 golden boot winner, Ollie Pearce.
The 29 year old joined the Minstermen at the start of last season having scored an incredible 46 goals in 51 games for National League South side Worthing. Pearce carried on his impressive goalscoring record last season for Adam Hinshelwood’s side.
Last season, the York striker scored 31 goals at an average of 0.7 goals per game. His scoring frequency ended up at a goal every 136 minutes and scored against three (Barnet, Rochdale and Oldham) of the top five in the division.
Having totalled eight assists, it is clear that the 29 year old is capable of getting into positions in-and-around the goal from which he can capitalise on. Similar to Linney, Pearce tested opposition goalkeepers throughout last season, having an average of 2.4 shots per game.
With numerous additions to the squad, including the likes of Greg Olley and Alex Newby, it is likely that York will be amongst the leaders for goals and chances created this coming season. With this in mind, it would be foolish not to place Ollie Pearce in the mix to retain his crown as National League top scorer.
Alex Reid – Hartlepool United
Having secured the services of experienced manager Simon Grayson this summer, Hartlepool will be looking to return to the EFL after relegation from it in 2023. As part of this, the Monkey Hangers have added significant quality to the squad with one of those players Alex Reid.
The 29 year old hasn’t had the greatest scoring record in the fifth tier having only reached double figures for goals in two out of nine seasons at the level. Despite this, the striker arrives at Victoria Park on the back of a successful season with Wealdstone.
Reid spent the majority of the 2024-25 season on loan in West London from Oldham. Despite the Stones being threatened by relegation for the majority of last season, the 29 year old managed to find the net a total of 16 times.
The former Oldham forward scored a goal on average every 0.5 games with a scoring frequency of 198 minutes. Despite fighting relegation with his previous club he managed to provide a goal threat in games with an average of 1.9 shots and 0.9 shots on target per match.
His pace and dribbling ability allow him to get into good areas and score goals at National League level. During the 2024-25 season, Reid completed 88% of dribbles attempted at an average of 1.1 per game allowing him to create chances on his own to score.
If Hartlepool are to challenge for a play-off place come the end of the season then much will rely on the goalscoring of their new striker. Given Reid’s successful campaign last time out, it is fair to suggest that he could be competing to be National League top scorer after his move to the North East.
Ashley Nadesan – Sutton United
One striker returning to the National League after a successful loan spell could be a surprise name to challenge for the league’s top scorer. Having spent last season on loan at Sutton, Nadesan has made the move permanent after his release from Gillingham.
Despite only reaching single figures last season with eight goals, the 30 year old could be in for a more successful season this time with the U’s. The South London side’s top scorer from last season, with 20 goals in all competitions, Will Davies has departed which leaves a position to be filled up front.
With this in mind, Steve Morison has hinted that Nadesan will be playing in his preferred striker position during the 2025-26 season having spent most of his time out wide previously. The 30 year old has blistering pace which the U’s could utilise to run in behind opposition defences.
With the likes of Lewis Simper and Jayden Harris playing in behind Nadesan, it is possible that the chances created for Davies last season will fall the way of the former Gillingham striker this season. With this in mind, the 30 year old could be in for a successful season in South London.
Emmanuel Dieseruvwe – Rochdale
Another player who has moved clubs this summer that could challenge for the golden boot is Emmanuel Dieseruvwe. The striker has switched the North East for the North West, signing for Rochdale ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Despite playing for a mid-table Hartlepool side last season, Dieseruvwe bagged a total of 16 goals in the National League. These goals came at an average of 0.3 per game and a scoring frequency of 258 minutes.
The 30 year old ranked ninth in the division for total shots per match and tenth for shots on target per match with an average of one. Given that the striker is now moving onto a side that finished in the play-offs last season, it could be that Dieseruvwe will improve these statistics and therefore his goal output across the season.
Having won an average of 4.7 aerial duels per match, the 30 year old is one of the best in the air in his position. Given his strength and prowess in attacking areas it is possible that Dieseruvwe will be challenging for the National League golden boot at the end of the 2025-26 season.
