2017/18 National League North

[B2TF]

Tried that. Ended up with more boardroom buffoons. Then tried it again, and got different buffoons. Tried it once more, ended up with no-one in the boardroom at all, until another set of buffoons turned up, got bored and let some scouse buffoon run the place until he got bored too. Or something. I've genuinely lost track of who's running us now

Time for a fans operation then (think Wrexham, Chester, Hereford....... ) ? What's the worst that could happen?

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

Games to play this week.......couple of big games.

Monday:
Curzon vs Telford

Tuesday:
Southport vs FCUM
Brackley vs Nuneaton
Gainsborough vs Blyth
Harrogate vs Chorley
Alfreton vs NFU
Tamworth vs Boston
Spennymoor vs BPA
York vs Darlington
Kidderminster vs Leamington
Salford vs Stockport

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

Game we need to try and win tonight, although to be fair to Telford it is for me hard to judge their start because they got a start from hell.......i doubt many of us would do much from a start playing York, Brackley and Salford.....3 strong title faves.

They probably look at tonight as a chance to see if they are strong or poor, we really need to win these home games because our away fitures next few weeks are tough..............we need to simply start burying the chances.

 

[Prodigal]

Can't say I am optimistic about the trip to Harrogate and fear we might take a beating, however, we have had a difficult start with games against Kiddermister and Salford, plus our bogey team Curzon, whilst Harrogate gave played Nuneaton, North Ferriby and Stockport, so apart from Stockport a much easier start. Perhaps will get a measure of our potential tomorrow, still worried we don't score enough.

 

[Inactive]

Highlights between Leamington & Southport

 

[DarkSithLord]

With all due respect, I wouldn't be putting that tenner on anytime soon.

We probably should have gone 3-1 up at HT, after Beck hit the bar, Syers had a shot tipped wide & Elliot almost dropping the ball in his net!

Second half we added another two, and Elliot had to save well from Gillies (x2) & Ferguson.

Pick of the bunch for Alfreton had to be Wood & Westcarr. Disley did OK, but expected a bit more. To me you are similar to what you were last season, shaky at the back but better going forward - but to a lesser extent now there is no Hearn, Monkhouse or Bradley.

Thought Elliot in goal looked really poor. Good distribution but struggled a bit.

Sorry about my delayed reply. Went away for a few days straight after the game!

Your absolutely right. We were absolutely awful on Saturday. Think McDermott needs to learn some lessons and quick. He has been naive in tactics in playing two wingers away from home who are luxury players who arent interested in tracking back which leaves us open. As you say. Just as bad as any away performance last year. To concede so soon after getting the perfect start was really poor. Taking nothing away from you guys thought who were superb. How is Josh Gillies not playing at a higher level?!

No excuses tomorrow v North Ferriby. 3 points required.

 

[MWS]

Entertaining game at EP on Saturday.

Harrogate were miles better in the first half. Looked a much fitter, sharper and more composed outfit. Simon Ainge's 1st goal was a stunning volley, Superb technique and his second was poor from our respective as the left back was given time and space to swing in the cross. Take nothing away from Ainge's header though, a very good header back across goal.

Gannon must have given the players the hairdryer treatment at half time as we came out much more purposefully in the 2nd half. Pulled a goal back through Oswell getting in front of his man to finish Sam Minihan's cross at the near post.

Equaliser wasn't too dissimilar. Another low cross from Minihan which the goalkeeper parried into the path of Oswell who finished first time into the empty net.

We move onto Sal£ord tomorrow night which is arguably one of the toughest tests of the season. I'm hopeful of a solid performance and take something back to EP (preferably all 3 points!)

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Sorry about my delayed reply. Went away for a few days straight after the game!

Your absolutely right. We were absolutely awful on Saturday. Think McDermott needs to learn some lessons and quick. He has been naive in tactics in playing two wingers away from home who are luxury players who arent interested in tracking back which leaves us open. As you say. Just as bad as any away performance last year. To concede so soon after getting the perfect start was really poor. Taking nothing away from you guys thought who were superb. How is Josh Gillies not playing at a higher level?!

No excuses tomorrow v North Ferriby. 3 points required.

I think on Saturday we didn't make the mistake of leaving the back door open as we did on Wednesday night against Gainsborough. We played the game at our own pace, and kept possession a lot.
Yeah Josh Gillies can be a bit hot and cold, but on Saturday against you guys he was absolutely fantastic.

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Entertaining game at EP on Saturday.

Harrogate were miles better in the first half. Looked a much fitter, sharper and more composed outfit. Simon Ainge's 1st goal was a stunning volley, Superb technique and his second was poor from our respective as the left back was given time and space to swing in the cross. Take nothing away from Ainge's header though, a very good header back across goal.

Gannon must have given the players the hairdryer treatment at half time as we came out much more purposefully in the 2nd half. Pulled a goal back through Oswell getting in front of his man to finish Sam Minihan's cross at the near post.

Equaliser wasn't too dissimilar. Another low cross from Minihan which the goalkeeper parried into the path of Oswell who finished first time into the empty net.

We move onto Sal£ord tomorrow night which is arguably one of the toughest tests of the season. I'm hopeful of a solid performance and take something back to EP (preferably all 3 points!)

I hope you do beat them and take all 3 points! Now is the time with their ever increasing injury list.

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Monday 14 August 2017 National League North Result

Att. 380 Curzon Ashton 1 AFC Telford United 0

 

[Floreat Salopia]

Monday 14 August 2017 National League North Result

Att. 380 Curzon Ashton 1 AFC Telford United 0

AFC Tinpot losing to the mighty Curzon Ashton in front of a crowd under 400. How brilliant

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

380 is a pretty good crowd for us....usually on mondays we get about 190!!

Our back line won us that one last night. Very even game really between two sides who will have problems all season trying to score goals i think. Worrying thing for me is we have lost pretty much all of our midfield play.....it was a very basic game consisting of much long ball and not sure it suits us really.

First half very even, both sides having a go, but neither really having a great chance. We played too much long ball and our only really dangerous player Leonard was played far too deep last night, almost in midfield....even so our 3 best first half chances all came through him with good shots outside box. Telford frankly offered next to nothing going forward, they had play around the edges of the box, but our centre backs dealt with it all comfortably.

second half both sides seemed fired up and Telford went close early before we produced an excellent 5-6 pass move to open telford up and score. At 1-0 telford made some subs and then rest of the game was nearly all Telford with the ball, the play, the attacks.....but our 3 centre backs dealing with absolutely everything once it got inside the box and really for all their huff and puff Telford never really had a good chance to equalise and we held out for the win.

Vital win, but i do worry about how poor our midfield is at present, much damage done with the lass of Alex Brown and Ryan Hall and we really struggle to keep hold of the ball and thus end up playing long balls to stranded forwards........Leonard looks the business but ws played too deep and ends up being marked out of the game so we have work to do going forward.

On the plus side the signing of Howson from Salford and Regan from Stalybridge have really boosted our back line and teams will find it very hard to score against us this season unless they have some fast/tricky players.

 

[Prodigal]

Dave, sounds like you watched a repeat of Saturday, said that Howson was outstanding that day. You have a very solid central defence, but like Chorley, you can't score either!
Will be interesting to see how we fare tonight at Harrogate, not optimistic, but they had two fairly easy opening games so we will see how good they are too.
Good start for Curzon though.

 

[Harrier94]

So tonight its Kidderminster v Kidderminster MKII.

Think there was 6 ex Harriers players in the Leamington squad on Saturday.

Looking forward to the game and expecting a win.

 

[Luke Imp]

Has Caton featured much yet, Darlo fans?

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Yeah he scored on Saturday against Alfreton, he's currently partnering Mark Beck up front.
I like James Caton he adds something different up front, certainly has a few tricks up his sleeve on more than one or two occasions. He's playing very well for us at the moment.

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Well I'm getting ready off to York City tonight, I would imagine will be our biggest test so far.
Hoping for a decent following with 3 wins under our belt.

 

[Darlo On Tour]

For any Stockport County fans travelling to Salford City tonight, who like to have a few beers they will be serving alcohol in the away end or at least they did when we were their, at a cost of £3:00 a can.
If that's any good?

 

[JE93]

Has Caton featured much yet, Darlo fans?

He's looked good so far. He's been played as a CF partnering one of our most consistent performers in Mark Beck ( 6'5 CF and in my opinion one of the best target men / strikers in the league). You can tell he's been played wide previously. He's good with the ball at his feet and very comfortable running the channels. He looks a good asset.

Tbh slightly off point but don't think we've ever had any better resale value in our side. David Ferguson (23), Josh Gillies (27), James Caton (23) and Mark Beck (23) could all play at a higher level and all are on contracts for 2 years. Added to that we have both Syers and Turnbull , who again are capable of playing higher. Who have given up the full time game to pursue careers away from football.

 

[DL5]

I'll take that 0-0 away at York, over 1000 Darlo made the journey too, sounded like York shaded it but plenty of chances at both ends

 

[YorkieLiam]

I'll take that 0-0 away at York, over 1000 Darlo made the journey too, sounded like York shaded it but plenty of chances at both ends

First half we were dominate, Darlington should have been down to 10 men and we had chances a plenty. Second half it all changed and Gary Mills proved why he won't win this league, substitutions far too late and Darlington should have won it in the second half.

Fantastic following from Darlington. A draw was probably a fair point on the face of it.

 

[Harrier94]

A comfortable win against Leamington they started well but never really threatened. Their number 5 seemed very angry about something at the final whistle. Shoutout to Tony Breedon going up for a corner when they were 1-0 down in the 4th match of the season, allowed Manny Sonupe to score from 45 yards. Also a clean sheet and Ironside off the mark as well.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Alfreton 1-0 North Ferriby (Priestley 70)

Goodness that was an terrible performance. We huffed and puffed and made all the headway against an extremely limited and poor Ferriby side but never really looked like scoring. Ok we should have a penalty in the opening 5 minutes but despite our utter dominance I cannot exactly reel off a host of missed chances. Think the ferriby keeper had perhaps one save to make other than picking the ball out of his net. Lack of plan and direction with our play and a poor final ball. Then Adam Smith comes on with 25 minutes to go and the first thing he does is deliver a peach of a cross for Billy Priestley to head home.

Thats another goal from a centre half. Not convinced by us on a numbers of levels though. Pre season optimism beginning to fade.
However a win is a win and its 3 more points on the board.
First real test on Saturday on our patch v Southport who have surprised me so far.

 

[CFC4LIFE]

Shit.

 

[Harrier94]

Shit.

You guys just unable to score this season? And what happened defensively? Didn't expect you guys to ever concede more than 2 let alone 4.

 

[Minstermen central]

First game of season and got to say a great match.
York should of had game finished by half time,Darlo keeper was excellent.
2nd half Darlo probably shaded it,manager changed system to stop York threat.Darlo seemed very strong and organised team but play to much through big striker,they def will be top 4.
Great to see a big crowd and 1000 Darlo fans.proper club.
York have a good team but mills never makes subs early enough to win the league.
Parkin was badly missed he would of put one of all them chances away.

 

[Darlo On Tour]

First half we were dominate, Darlington should have been down to 10 men and we had chances a plenty. Second half it all changed and Gary Mills proved why he won't win this league, substitutions far too late and Darlington should have won it in the second half.

Fantastic following from Darlington. A draw was probably a fair point on the face of it.

We got absolutely battered in the 1st half by York It was just backs to the wall with constant pressure. But I would after say we could have won the match in the 2nd half with one or two chances that went begging, after the first 20 minutes or so York should have been at least 2-0 to the good.

But Adam Bartlett was outstanding with a couple of quality saves from out of the top drawer.
Great match and a fantastic advert for non league football, with both teams going for the jugular.

Agree, I think a draw was a fair result in the end. Great support from Darlo for a Tuesday night game.

 

[CFC4LIFE]

You guys just unable to score this season? And what happened defensively? Didn't expect you guys to ever concede more than 2 let alone 4.

Cause we are so so so predictable, we play the same week in week out, no plan b and we don't have anything different, like some pace, skill or creativity in our squad, just the same week in week out

 

[CFC4LIFE]

We just need a fairly easy game to get us going in the right direction and a team we can switch it up against and score a few goals, but our fixtures are tough, Boston away, brackley home, BPA away and then York home hardly what you want when your in poor form

 

[Darlo On Tour]

National League North Results Tuesday August 15 2017.

Att. 371 - Alfreton 1 North Ferriby United 0
Att. 530 - Brackley Town 1 Nuneaton Town 0
Att. 559 - Gainsborough Trinity 2 Blyth Spartans 4
Att. 676 - Harrogate Town 4 Chorley 1
Att. 1,465 - Kidderminster Harriers 2 Leamington 0
Att. 2,358 - Salford City 2 Stockport County 1
Att. 1,270 - Southport 3 FC United of Manchester 3
Att. 755 - Spennymoor Town 3 Bradford Park Avenue 0
Att. 702 - Tamworth 2 Boston United 1
Att. 3,944 - York City 0 Darlington 0