2018-19 National League North

[eightiesrobin]

The homer officials ruled our first half goal offside! I agree, 1-1 was probably fair enough, we should have finished better.

Anyway, I probably walked past you at the start of the game and again at half time - no dog with you?

 

[Bluandwite]

Not as frustrated as we Guiseley fans with the most homely of homer officials we've ever had the misfortune to stare at in disbelief!
Halls must have spent most of last season in the Chester gymnasium he's bulked up with muscle so much. He's far better at center back than midfield.
Pretty even game I thought two contrasting styles (I thought you passed it about well in spells) but could have been far better entertainment without the dolt in the middle.

Halls is a personal trainer who spends all day in the gym lifting. He was a right back but after bulking up so much a more central will suit him now. His better games for us came at centre back as well.

 

[GuiseleySteve]

The homer officials ruled our first half goal offside! I agree, 1-1 was probably fair enough, we should have finished better.

Anyway, I probably walked past you at the start of the game and again at half time - no dog with you?

Probably!
I don't risk taking the dogs away as most grounds are service dogs only

 

[AnimoEtFide]

Ben Hinchcliffe is a quality keeper. Would have been a much bigger scoreline if it wasn't for him. On the game, Stockport had one tactic which was hoof it up to their big number 9. We dealt with it for 99% of the game and the one time we didn't they scored off it. Defensively they look awful Chambers, Williams and Richards had a field day running at them and they couldn't handle it. Like I said earlier if it wasn't for Hinchliffe the scoreline would've been even bigger.

Worst side i've seen us face so far that Stockport side.
Still unbeaten but still not convinced by us so far this season although I am taking much more of a liking to the new boss than Eustace.

Well, apparently that was one of our better performances, so you can imagine what's been served up so far.

What was the challenge on Turnball that caused him to go off like? Our commentators were surprised there was no booking. In three games this season we've had players go off early in games due to challenges. I wouldn't mind doing a bit of that ourselves as I've got bored watching us try to tickle teams into submission and winning the fair play award.

 

[CFC4LIFE]

Another win against a tough Curzon side. We are much better at scoring this year and this game would have been a draw/defeat last year.

 

[Fyldefan]

Chorley win again. Well the hell has happened there. At this rate we’ll be renewing our rivalry next season. Kiddy fans, how has Bradley performed? Croasdale is top draw as I’m sure you know

 

[DarkSithLord]

Alfreton 3-1 Southport

Wow. Great three points today. Beginning to really believe we are a force to be reckoned with and could be going places this season.

We were really strong in the first half. Should have been further ahead than 1-0 at the break. Tom Platt was excellent and fully deserved his goal.

To be fair to Southport they came out second half and gave it a really good go. They were awarded a penalty a few minutes in to the second half after a foul on Former Red on Priestley after another former Afreton player, Jordan Richards had hit the post moments earlier.

Sam Ramsbottom though produced a stunning save low down to his left plaming it away with a strong hand.

Southport did perhaps just about deservedly level when Obsourne scored direct from a freekick with 14 minutes to play.

That however spurred us on and we went up another gear. Denton struck with his sixth in seven matches to restore the lead on 79 after great work down the left by Chettle.

We then won a penalty of our own to seal the game on 89. Bobby Johnson who has been quality since he moved from North Ferriby confidently sending the keeper the wrong way. Johnson was clearly wasted in that Ferriby side last year.

Southport will be fine this season. Far two many good players at this level. Just need to try and gel them as a team. Whether Liam Watson is the man to deliver is another matter. Looked unsure of their roles in the first half.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Well 7 games in and couldnt be happier with our start all things considered.

First time we have won 3 consective league matches since 2015. Away wins at fancied York and Stockport and up to fourth all ready.
Early doors and my feet are very much on the ground but the early signs are good.

Polar opposite of last season. For the first time in what feels like years we have natural wingbacks, a superb work ethic off the ball. 3 or 4 MOTM candidates every game instead of scraping the barrel like the past two seasons.

On to Darlo on Saturday who seem to quite loose at the back like they were in 2016/17. Can see us causing them problems.

 

[Andy Harrier]

Chorley win again. Well the hell has happened there. At this rate we’ll be renewing our rivalry next season. Kiddy fans, how has Bradley performed? Croasdale is top draw as I’m sure you know

Bradley had a slow start due to injuries, but finished last season brilliantly scoring 8 in our last 11 games. Started well this season with a goal against Alfreton, but then got himself idiotically sent off for starting a fight after being fouled. Today was the final game of his suspension, but his replacement has been great so it'll be interesting to see if he goes straight back in.

Croasdale is the one player we haven't adequately replaced this summer and we're really missing him keeping things ticking over in midfield. He was always destined to move on at some point though.

 

[Josh Butler]

Lost to an early pen at Bradford
They could argurvthey did enough on first half chances

We dominated possession but did little with it as on Saturday. Hit the bar from a free kick was our only real shot on goal

 

[Minstermen central]

First game since awful match against Alfreton,credit to Blyth actually tried to play football and a good game.
Not sure about new formation York are playing,but seemed to create a lot more chances than under Gray,
Tait and Griffiths excellent today maybe should of got more players from Spennymoor?
Defence seems more organised with Tait by god could of done with him last season but for 3rd year running desperately short again in centre midfield.

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Ainge will dominate those Ashton defenders. Loft some crosses on and you'll score.

He didn't dominate them today at Hurst Cross, he had a reasonable game that's about it.

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Monday 27 August 2018 National League North Results

Att. 546 - Alfreton Town 3 Southport 1
Att. 1,149 - Altrincham 1 Guiseley 1
Att. 456 - Ashton United 2 Darlington 2
Att. 573 - Bradford Park Avenue 1 Boston United 0
Att. n/a - Chester P-P Hereford
Att. 1,571 - Chorley 2 Curzon Ashton 0
Att. 1,756 - Kidderminster Harriers 2 Stockport County 1
Att. 812 - Leamington 2 AFC Telford United 2
Att. 480 - Nuneaton Borough 1 Brackley Town 3
Att. 863 - Spennymoor Town 2 FC United Of Manchester 0
Att. 2,696 - York City 2 Blyth Spartans 0

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Ashton United 2 Darlington 2

Slight improvement from Saturday's gutless display, only difference from Saturday was that the lads rolled their sleeves up and came out after half-time and gave a great spirited fightback in the second half. I thought we were very unfortunate with some poor refereeing waving away 3 penalty claims, he caved in on the fourth claim and that wasn't as bad as one of the others.

I don't think we could have too many complaints with the Ashton goals, they were a couple of beauties. Only reservation i have we shouldn't have gone 2 goals behind and give ourselves an uphill task in the second half. But credit to the lads they fought their way back into the game, albeit, with a goalkeeper error i thought he should have done a lot better, thankfully he's one of our own was in the right place at the right time.

Be interesting seeing the highlights when Ashton rattled the crossbar and bounced on or over the line? On that one the defending was atrocious, the space he had to turn and strike, we were lucky as fuck!

I thought overall Ashton can count themselves unlucky not to take all three points, they did have a chance to go 3-0 to the good, then again we had chances to kill the game, and also the penalty shouts.

Standout player for me was easily Jordan Nicholson, along with Elliot and Syers.

We gave it all on the terraces and kept the lads going right till the end, that Ashton keeper must be thick skinned. I didn't like the look of TW's body language on the touchline today he looked worried as fuck.

We've still got a lot of work to do within the team, but at least we salvaged a point from a disastrous start.

 

[Darlo On Tour]

First game since awful match against Alfreton,credit to Blyth actually tried to play football and a good game.
Not sure about new formation York are playing,but seemed to create a lot more chances than under Gray,
Tait and Griffiths excellent today maybe should of got more players from Spennymoor?
Defence seems more organised with Tait by god could of done with him last season but for 3rd year running desperately short again in centre midfield.

We should have hammered Blyth the other Wednesday night, I thought they were awful.
Gray has been found out now he's not good enough, I think York will do well now and the play-offs should be a formality this season.

He's a big bruiser Tait, definitely loves a fight and a battle he could be just what you need.

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Well 7 games in and couldnt be happier with our start all things considered.

First time we have won 3 consective league matches since 2015. Away wins at fancied York and Stockport and up to fourth all ready.
Early doors and my feet are very much on the ground but the early signs are good.

Polar opposite of last season. For the first time in what feels like years we have natural wingbacks, a superb work ethic off the ball. 3 or 4 MOTM candidates every game instead of scraping the barrel like the past two seasons.

On to Darlo on Saturday who seem to quite loose at the back like they were in 2016/17. Can see us causing them problems.

Bloody Tom Denton we are shitting ourselves

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Another win against a tough Curzon side. We are much better at scoring this year and this game would have been a draw/defeat last year.

It's curtains for us just go and put one hand on the left handle and one on the right and raise the silverware aloft

 

[Quakerz]

He didn't dominate them today at Hurst Cross, he had a reasonable game that's about it.

That's because he was playing at the back for us and was up against the Ashton forwards

 

[Josh Butler]

Lost 1 nil at bpa
A game of few clean chances. Settled by an early penalty
Annoying for us that our supposed hot forward line have gone 2 games without troubling the opposing keeper despite the team having more than enough of th eball to do something with it.

Perspective it has still been a decent start we can compete with these decent sides Spennymoor and bpa but need to be more clinical up top. 2 games where draws would have been about right had we done so. But so much potential to get better and we're 6th so not doom and gloom
But need to start picking pts up against tougher opponents kiddy Stockport and Chester in coming weeks

 

[Josh Butler]

Kiddy 2-1 County.

Sounds like it was an improvement on Saturday, but still not very good. We don't create chances and we can't keep clean sheets. I think we must have had circa 10 shots on target since playing FCUM first game of the season.

Leamington, Boston and Telford coming up. If we don't win any of those convincingly I think Gannon may be on his way, and I wouldn't be too bothered.

All 3 sides you mention are above you......think each of them would say a missed opportunity if they don't beat Stockport

 

[Swedes]

Alfreton 3-1 Southport

Wow. Great three points today. Beginning to really believe we are a force to be reckoned with and could be going places this season.

We were really strong in the first half. Should have been further ahead than 1-0 at the break. Tom Platt was excellent and fully deserved his goal.

To be fair to Southport they came out second half and gave it a really good go. They were awarded a penalty a few minutes in to the second half after a foul on Former Red on Priestley after another former Afreton player, Jordan Richards had hit the post moments earlier.

Sam Ramsbottom though produced a stunning save low down to his left plaming it away with a strong hand.

Southport did perhaps just about deservedly level when Obsourne scored direct from a freekick with 14 minutes to play.

That however spurred us on and we went up another gear. Denton struck with his sixth in seven matches to restore the lead on 79 after great work down the left by Chettle.

We then won a penalty of our own to seal the game on 89. Bobby Johnson who has been quality since he moved from North Ferriby confidently sending the keeper the wrong way. Johnson was clearly wasted in that Ferriby side last year.

Southport will be fine this season. Far two many good players at this level. Just need to try and gel them as a team. Whether Liam Watson is the man to deliver is another matter. Looked unsure of their roles in the first half.

Can't argue with the assessment of the match. I'm not sure we'll be fine though, we've got some massively underperforming players on healthy contracts, and it's going to be hard to shift them out to enable others to come in. We've signed some talented players who are coming back from serious injuries, and seem unable to play regularly. Our main tactic seems to be to lump it long to Samspon, and hope he can hold it up long enough for others to eventually come to support him. We keep making stupid errors defensively (all three goals yesterday were entirely avoidable), and there have been few signs of improvement so far. It's not looking good.

 

[AnimoEtFide]

All 3 sides you mention are above you......think each of them would say a missed opportunity if they don't beat Stockport

I'm sure they would, and I haven't seen anything in the past six games to suggest they won't beat us.

However, the club said at a pre-season fans forum that we have a top 3 budget, meaning we should be able to compete with these teams. If we can't, then the management team has underperformed, regardless of whether the ownership is also underperforming, and if a better alternative is out there then it should be considered.

I dont know if there is a better alternative because I dont know enough about this level or those below. If we're still in a mess come November when we play Curzon away at least John Flanagan will be able to make his annual, rather undignified pitch for the job.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Tom Greaves has resigned as manager at FC United of Manchester

 

[Luke_1884]

Well 7 games in and couldnt be happier with our start all things considered.

First time we have won 3 consective league matches since 2015. Away wins at fancied York and Stockport and up to fourth all ready.
Early doors and my feet are very much on the ground but the early signs are good.

Polar opposite of last season. For the first time in what feels like years we have natural wingbacks, a superb work ethic off the ball. 3 or 4 MOTM candidates every game instead of scraping the barrel like the past two seasons.

On to Darlo on Saturday who seem to quite loose at the back like they were in 2016/17. Can see us causing them problems.

How's Craig King started for you lot?

Seems to have been missing for the past couple of games, injured?

 

[DarkSithLord]

How's Craig King started for you lot?

Seems to have been missing for the past couple of games, injured?

He has started well. Solid pre season. Hasnt done anything wrong but there is great competiton for places and some very good players are struggling to get even a place on the bench.
He hasnt picked up a knock as far as I know.

 

[Luke_1884]

He has started well. Solid pre season. Hasnt done anything wrong but there is great competiton for places and some very good players are struggling to get even a place on the bench.
He hasnt picked up a knock as far as I know.

Ah I see. I was gonna come down next weekend when the International break is on but might have to wait a bit to see if he can nail a place down in the team first.

Hope it works out for him so will be keeping a close eye on your games.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Ah I see. I was gonna come down next weekend when the International break is on but might have to wait a bit to see if he can nail a place down in the team first.

Hope it works out for him so will be keeping a close eye on your games.

Understandly our manager is reluctant to change a winning team at the moment. Sure Kingy will force his way back in,

Be nice to see you down whenever you can make it.

 

[Inactive]

Thanks for the video. I've seen more of Leamington games than my own team this season. They look to be improving. Bad mistake by Tony B, but Stenson looks a real find.

No problem! Yes, Stenson has just been put on contract. We are fearing that he will be snapped up pretty quickly. Tony B, bad mistake but he always makes up for it for Leamington. Always winning points for Leam.

 

[Inactive]

Good game between Leamington and AFC Telford on Monday. Leamington took the lead with a very questionable penalty. Telford hit back with a decent freekick just before HT and then immediately at the start of the 2nd half. Leamington fought back to make it 2-2. Immediately from kick off, Telford went up the other end and won a penalty! I'm talking like, 45 seconds from the restart maybe? Penalty saved! Leamington continue their good start, as do Telford. Worth a watch.

 

[Railway Blue]

I sometimes wonder if Michael Rankine hadn't fired over the bar from 2 yards back in February 2016 when the 2 teams last met, we wouldn't have gone down and the last two years could have turned out very differently.

Going down was the best thing that could have happened to you. You are now on an upward trajectory.