2018-19 National League North

[Quakerz]

FFS, I hate Curzon.

Every time. Every time.

Thought we were going to win easily after going 1 up and having several other chances.

But then we conceded a soft goal on 25 minutes, our keeper dropping the ball into his own net to make it 1-1, and suddenly it looked like Curzon believed they could get something.

2nd half we looked like a team of strangers. We gave the ball away countless times, were sloppy and deflated. A very poor ref annoyed the home fans on several occasions as fouls on us went unpunished.

We hit the woodwork twice searching for an equaliser but Curzon defended pretty well and time wasted of course.

In the end we were lucky not to lose 3-1with Curzon exploiting the gaps as we pushed forward. Maddison saved a penalty and pulled off an excellent save just after.

Curzon deserved the win.

 

[Quakerz]

Oh look. We lost. But its ok, the lads who got us relegated two seasons ago will click eventually, the huge contract extentions were totally justified based on an FA Trophy win.

To be fair you have new signings, mostly players who nearly got Gateshead relegated, it has to be said.

 

[ForzaCounty]

Two late goals against FCUM made it 5-1 to County, but those goals only helped the scoreline reflect the game. They were f#####g abysmal. Could've (should've?) been ten.

A lot of great performances today - I wouldn't agree with Minihan being MOTM, not 'cos he didn't play well, but 'cos being out wide means he was reactive more than anything, it wasn't him that made us tick well. That was down to Walker & Turnbull in the engine room, who absolutely ran the show... but again, they were allowed to, since FC offered nothing against them whatsoever. Palmer and Warburton were also prime candidates, they were superb.

Got a horrible month ahead now - York on Tuesday, then Southport, Guiseley, BPA, Alfreton and Kiddy... County might be top o'th' league right now, but if we're still top 7 by the end of August I'll be delighted.

 

[TheMinsterman]

To be fair you have new signings, mostly players who nearly got Gateshead relegated, it has to be said.

We do, but the fact Heslop, Newton, Bencharif and co are still first team regulars with others on the bench says it all, we've never had the real clean out we needed, instead we've rewarded mediocrity.

 

[ForeverUnited]

Good win today. We bossed the first half, could have been 3 or 4 before halftime. Blyth looked better after the break but the third goal killed it.

Overall, Blyth could really struggle this season based on today.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Alfreton 3-3 Kidderminster Harriers.

Cracking game. Great advert for the National North.

Just about a fair result I think but Kiddy fans might disagree.

We were fortunate to come in at the break 2-1 up. Dan Bradley scored a belter. Got to be honest I was a little disappointed to see him celebrate. We started ok but Kiddy came in to the game strongly but we fought hard and equalised when Tom Platt glanced home a Bobby Johnson corner. Kiddy posed a threat throughout but we went in 2-1 up after some brillant work by Craig King before he delivered a cross begging to be headed in and Denton obliged.

We were caught sleeping at the beginning of the second half as half time sub Kane Richards brought Harriers level with his first touch.

Harriers full time training came to the fore and they began to take control. Ironside poked them infront on 66 and they had a number of chances to extend the lead before James Clifton was lucky to not be sent off for taking out Richards on the hakf way line.

We never game up though and our determination was rewarded when Josh Wilde was brought down after good play from Bateson. The very impressive Bobby Johnson who looks a really find from Ferriby convereted the penalty past Hall who did get a hand to it to earn a hard fought point.

Was very impressed by Kidderminster and McFarlane. Think they will defo be up there and they were very complimentary about us which was fair.

Happy to take the point and move on to Tuesday. Hopefully we can make it 4 wins from 4 visits to Brackley. But it will be another tough game.

 

[AJS]

Alfreton 3-3 Kidderminster Harriers.

Cracking game. Great advert for the National North.

Just about a fair result I think but Kiddy fans might disagree.

We were fortunate to come in at the break 2-1 up. Dan Bradley scored a belter. Got to be honest I was a little disappointed to see him celebrate. We started ok but Kiddy came in to the game strongly but we fought hard and equalised when Tom Platt glanced home a Bobby Johnson corner. Kiddy posed a threat throughout but we went in 2-1 up after some brillant work by Craig King before he delivered a cross begging to be headed in and Denton obliged.

We were caught sleeping at the beginning of the second half as half time sub Kane Richards brought Harriers level with his first touch.

Harriers full time training came to the fore and they began to take control. Ironside poked them infront on 66 and they had a number of chances to extend the lead before James Clifton was lucky to not be sent off for taking out Richards on the hakf way line.

We never game up though and our determination was rewarded when Josh Wilde was brought down after good play from Bateson. The very impressive Bobby Johnson who looks a really find from Ferriby convereted the penalty past Hall who did get a hand to it to earn a hard fought point.

Was very impressed by Kidderminster and McFarlane. Think they will defo be up there and they were very complimentary about us which was fair.

Happy to take the point and move on to Tuesday. Hopefully we can make it 4 wins from 4 visits to Brackley. But it will be another tough game.

Couldn't believe it when I saw a Billy Heath side conceded 3 goals in one game! He always set up not to lose with us and that's what cost him his job in the end. Were Kiddy that good going forwards or were you dodgy at the back?

How did our old boys get on? Reckon they will all do well at that level

 

[DarkSithLord]

Couldn't believe it when I saw a Billy Heath side conceded 3 goals in one game! He always set up not to lose with us and that's what cost him his job in the end. Were Kiddy that good going forwards or were you dodgy at the back?

How did our old boys get on? Reckon they will all do well at that level

A mixture of both. We switched off for 2 of the 3 goals which Heath was furious about. But Harriers were very good. They were a real threat from set pieces and passed it well on the deck around the penalty area like previous seasons.

Denton was Denton and Josh Wilde impressed. Nathan Hotte struggled to get to the game though.

 

[AJS]

A mixture of both. We switched off for 2 of the 3 goals which Heath was furious about. But Harriers were very good. They were a real threat from set pieces and passed it well on the deck around the penalty area like previous seasons.

Denton was Denton and Josh Wilde impressed. Nathan Hotte struggled to get to the game though.

Play to Denton's strengths and you will score plenty of goals. Wilde is far too good for that level. Wish he was still with us. Surprised about Hotte, very underrated whilst with us. I'm sure Clarke will put a shift in whenever he is called upon. Riley could be good if you keep him fit. For your sake, I hope your number 1 keeper doesn't get injured or suspended. Nicholson is potentially the dodgiest keeper I think we've ever had

 

[GuiseleySteve]

Boston 1-0 Guiseley

A bit of a borefest really neither team troubling the opposition keeper much at all. Both teams hit the bar once and Boston's sub striker (Johnson) used his pace late on to get in behind for the only goal.
Guiseley set up to stifle Boston rather than play our own game. Throughout preseason we've played wingers and scored from their creativity. Today we had no width and resorted to pumping high balls and long throws into the Boston penalty area - without success. Wingers were only introduced after conceding, far too late to be effective as Boston sat in deep to protect their lead.
Our defence is much improved from last season, Garner and Moyo are like a cut above what we've been used to.

Hopefully we will show a bit more intent at home on Tuesday against Chorley.

 

[Bluandwite]

Chester 0-0 Spennymoor

Fair result, we had a few really good chances to seal it but would have been harsh on Spennymoor who looked a bit more composed in possession than us. We had three big players in Burton, Green & Hughes missing which didn’t help. Not really a fan of the system we're trying to play with the players we have, doubt that will last.

Up to Curzon on Monday next.

 

[eightiesrobin]

Should have won that, IMO. Leamington don't look very good, but our 2nd string defence looked very brittle. Good to see Tony Breeden still around

 

[AJS]

Boston 1-0 Guiseley

A bit of a borefest really neither team troubling the opposition keeper much at all. Both teams hit the bar once and Boston's sub striker (Johnson) used his pace late on to get in behind for the only goal.
Guiseley set up to stifle Boston rather than play our own game. Throughout preseason we've played wingers and scored from their creativity. Today we had no width and resorted to pumping high balls and long throws into the Boston penalty area - without success. Wingers were only introduced after conceding, far too late to be effective as Boston sat in deep to protect their lead.
Our defence is much improved from last season, Garner and Moyo are like a cut above what we've been used to.

Hopefully we will show a bit more intent at home on Tuesday against Chorley.

7

Garner is class at this level. Only time he will struggle is against pacey forwards. Against average or slow strikers he'll dominate them. Moyo is very good physically but tends to go wandering. Sort his positional awareness out and he'll be a very good player at that level

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Chester 0-0 Spennymoor

Fair result, we had a few really good chances to seal it but would have been harsh on Spennymoor who looked a bit more composed in possession than us. We had three big players in Burton, Green & Hughes missing which didn’t help. Not really a fan of the system we're trying to play with the players we have, doubt that will last.

Up to Curzon on Monday next.

How did you line-up?

 

[Bluandwite]

How did you line-up?

Three centre backs with wing backs, Gary Roberts and Stopforth in the middle of midfield with Mooney just behind Dudley and Tuton up front.

Some of the players just looked out of position though.

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Saturday 4 August 2018 National League North Results

Att. 1,274 - AFC Telford United 1 Southport 0
Att. 754 - Alfreton Town 3 Kidderminster Harriers 3
Att. 1047 - Altrincham 2 Leamington 2
Att. 273 - Ashton United 0 Nuneaton Borough 0
Att. 1,231 - Boston United 1 Guiseley 0
Att. 369 - Bradford Park Avenue 1 Brackley Town 0
Att. 2,191 - Chester 0 Spennymoor Town 0
Att. 1,520 - Chorley 1 York City 0
Att. 1,488 - Darlington 1 Curzon Ashton 2
Att. 2,836 - Hereford 3 Blyth Spartans 0
Att. 4,577 - Stockport County 5 FC United Of Manchester 1

 

[Harrier94]

Alfreton 3-3 Kidderminster Harriers.

Cracking game. Great advert for the National North.

Just about a fair result I think but Kiddy fans might disagree.

We were fortunate to come in at the break 2-1 up. Dan Bradley scored a belter. Got to be honest I was a little disappointed to see him celebrate. We started ok but Kiddy came in to the game strongly but we fought hard and equalised when Tom Platt glanced home a Bobby Johnson corner. Kiddy posed a threat throughout but we went in 2-1 up after some brillant work by Craig King before he delivered a cross begging to be headed in and Denton obliged.

We were caught sleeping at the beginning of the second half as half time sub Kane Richards brought Harriers level with his first touch.

Harriers full time training came to the fore and they began to take control. Ironside poked them infront on 66 and they had a number of chances to extend the lead before James Clifton was lucky to not be sent off for taking out Richards on the hakf way line.

We never game up though and our determination was rewarded when Josh Wilde was brought down after good play from Bateson. The very impressive Bobby Johnson who looks a really find from Ferriby convereted the penalty past Hall who did get a hand to it to earn a hard fought point.

Was very impressed by Kidderminster and McFarlane. Think they will defo be up there and they were very complimentary about us which was fair.

Happy to take the point and move on to Tuesday. Hopefully we can make it 4 wins from 4 visits to Brackley. But it will be another tough game.

Couldn't make the game unfortunately but I'm actually pleased with a draw. Billy Heath knows how to get a team in and around the playoffs and I imagine you'll be up there. Can imagine the reason Bradley celebrated was because he didn't celebrate at your place last season.


Think our intent is to outscore the opposition this season so our games should be a lot more entertaining and putting 3 past a Billy Heath team shows our attacking talent.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Three centre backs with wing backs, Gary Roberts and Stopforth in the middle of midfield with Mooney just behind Dudley and Tuton up front.

Some of the players just looked out of position though.

I don’t really know anything about Mooney but the other players would fit in that formation wouldn’t they?

Having said that, Jonno and Bernard adopted that formation for a few games at Salford and it never went particularly well from memory. They obviously liked it because Chorley always did so well with it against them.

 

[AnthraxDaveHUFC]

First post for a while!

Not sure if we were that good today, or if Blyth were just terrible.
Should have been 4 up at half time. Blyth had about 2 shots on target all game.

Good start for us. Hoping for upper mid-table.

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Darlington 1 Curzon Ashton 2

Boooooooooooo!!! What a load of fucking shite, we mean it maaaaaaaaan.

First 20 minutes or so we were absolutely on fire, and then for no apparent reason it all went Pete Tong! From a distance i couldn't actually see what went wrong with our keeper Maddison collecting what looked a reasonably simple catch. Was he impeded?

A very flat and boring performance with some inept displays from one or two of our players.
I'm totally confused with our formation, the pre-season games have totally been a waste of time and effort - I don't think the players actually knew each other.

Hughes looks dreadful, Elliot looks like a decent signing, but should have buried his chance, Nicholson offered very little going forward, and Maddison i thought was easily man of the match with some fantastic saves.

Overall no complaints from me Curzon Ashton came and did their homework on us and said thank you very much game over.

Well, life always offers you a second chance it's called Spennymoor!
Roll on Tuesday night. Come on Darlo!

 

[AnimoEtFide]

Well, that's us nailed on for champions. Good luck in the play offs lads.

FCUM really were dire. Hopefully this will be the season we finally see naff tribute act drop and replaced by an actual football club.

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Well, that's us nailed on for champions. Good luck in the play offs lads.

FCUM really were dire. Hopefully this will be the season we finally see naff tribute act drop and replaced by an actual football club.

I'm glad you beat them i hope finally we can kiss goodbye to MUFC this season.

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Very good result for us, just short of a second goal as a clincher. Have to say Belford did very well, 3 very good saves today, overall not impressed by York considering they are full time and Tait is a real clown.

He's a lovely bloke in he Tait. I bet he wanted a fight with a few Chorley fan's.
He's a first class dick-head.

 

[CFC4LIFE]

He's a lovely bloke in he Tait. I bet he wanted a fight with a few Chorley fan's.
He's a first class dick-head.

He was shite, was down with cramp for 5 mins which was probably one of the more entertaining moments of the second half. Their no.10 Jake Wright was a bellend.

 

[Bluandwite]

I don’t really know anything about Mooney but the other players would fit in that formation wouldn’t they?

Having said that, Jonno and Bernard adopted that formation for a few games at Salford and it never went particularly well from memory. They obviously liked it because Chorley always did so well with it against them.

I just think if you play with three centre backs then the wider two need to have a bit of pace as they can often be drawn out wide. Grand coped well to be fair but Howson didn’t, was a bit surprised that Moran was on the bench as he has to play in that system for me. Smalley looked a bit lost at right wing back as well, often drifting inside upfield. Mooney’s a right footed winger as is Mahon who replaced him in the second half, neither looked comfortable inside either.

Didn’t play badly, just not to our strengths. Needs some tweaking.

 

[CFC4LIFE]

He's a lovely bloke in he Tait. I bet he wanted a fight with a few Chorley fan's.
He's a first class dick-head.

It wouldn't have been the first time a member of a football club had tried to start a fight with a fan. A certain Anthony Johnson wanted to scrap a fan on the car park after he was asked what the score was in our 2-1 win a few seasons back. He had already hit Jansen and been sent to the stands! Small man syndrome imo

 

[Darlo On Tour]

It wouldn't have been the first time a member of a football club had tried to start a fight with a fan. A certain Anthony Johnson wanted to scrap a fan on the car park after he was asked what the score was in our 2-1 win a few seasons back. He had already hit Jansen and been sent to the stands! Small man syndrome imo

He'll have been reflecting on his thuggery days of standing as a club doorman.

 

[Harrier94]

Sorry eightiesrobin looks like Hulme actually plays for us

 

[eightiesrobin]

We've been away too long, the NLP has forgotten about us

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

So the next games on the list:

Monday:
Curzon vs Chester

Tuesday:
Blyth vs BPA
Brackley vs Alfreton
FCUM vs Ashton Utd
Guisley vs Chorley
Kidderminster vs Telford
Leamington vs Boston
Nuneaton vs Hereford
Southport vs Altrincham
Spennymoor vs Darlington
York vs Stockport