2018-19 National League North

[eightiesrobin]

I'll take the 3 points all day long, but what a dull game and unconvincing performance. I fear for Ashton on that showing today, they looked better last season in the Evostik.

 

[ForeverUnited]

Two and a half months since our last league win but a better performance today. Had plenty of chances but didn't take them and ended up costing us big time. Onto Telford.

 

[Prodigal]

All good things must come to an end, well done to BPA today, probably just about deserved the points, Chorley not quite at it today, but the good news is most of the chasers dropped points too so less damage than it might have been. Time to start a new run on Tuesday.

 

[AnimoEtFide]

Another dreadful home performance. By Gannon's own admission, today (as with every home game) we set up to contain teams. Yet today we concede two goals to a team in the bottom three, and when there second goal went in they were down to ten men. And if it wasn't for Hinchliffe pulling off some decent stops in the first half, we could have been three down at half-time.

I get the feeling that if it was anyone but Gannon the manager would have gone by now. Which is strange because there isn't exactly a lot of support for Gannon in the stands anymore.

 

[Railway Blue]

One less striker to worry about for the trip down to Leamington, Matt Stenson (6 goals) has joined Solihull Moors for the usual secret undisclosed fee following his submission of a transfer request to the club.

That's a shame for Leamington. I always watch Nick Leek's videos and Stenson looks a real prospect.

 

[JackCFC]

I know Billy Heath has a reputation for a certain style of football, but today we witnessed new levels of shithousery! How on earth do you watch that every week?!

Zero attacking intent, only interested in kicking lumps out of the opposition and time-wasting on a different level. One of the worst refs you've ever seen allowed them to get away with much more than he should have, but delighted we prevailed in the end.

The game didn't really have much rhythm to it, and it was littered with mistakes. But I thought in the brief spells the ball was actually in play, it was clear we were the better side and probably deserved the win.

Bern and Jonno are doing a really good job. Given the injuries we've had and the Blyth debacle to recover from, to be 8th with 2 games in hand is some achievement.

 

[Railway Blue]

Great result for us with so many others nearby slipping up.

We were bad on the day though after three weeks off, full of daft mistakes and gifted Alfreton two stupid goals. Ref was terrible as well, for both teams. Harshly sends off Clifton for them but then evens it up somewhat by letting Nathan Hotte stay on after a filthy challenge on Stopforth.

Mad game, kicked off after the final whistle as well.

Justice done today at Deva with that last minute penalty awarded for a foul on Mani Desie. Man of the match Gary Roberts (hat-trick) admitted after the game that it was his worst ever performance for Chester, but his 2nd was worth the admission price alone. We were awful after the 3 week lay-off and Alfreton were the dirtiest team I can remember and I've been coming for nearly 60 years. The referee was a complete joke. The entourage of Alfreton directors never came into the lounge after the match. They must have been embarrassed by Heath's tactics. Absolutely shameful.

 

[Alty Pieman]

I'll take the 3 points all day long, but what a dull game and unconvincing performance. I fear for Ashton on that showing today, they looked better last season in the Evostik.

Yes we sat back a lot more and let them have the ball and counter attacked, but they created nothing and Alty came very close to a couple more. Losing Poole to injury so early didnt help as Richman looked very rusty having been out himself for ages. Defensively we are really much better now, just lost a bit of that spark we had. PP still doing a good job.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Great result for us with so many others nearby slipping up.

We were bad on the day though after three weeks off, full of daft mistakes and gifted Alfreton two stupid goals. Ref was terrible as well, for both teams. Harshly sends off Clifton for them but then evens it up somewhat by letting Nathan Hotte stay on after a filthy challenge on Stopforth.

Mad game, kicked off after the final whistle as well.

Very fair assessement.

But have to say very disappointied with my experience today at the Swansway We as the away press were made to feel very unwelcome and forced out of the press box despite originally being promised we were allowed in due to the fact some home directors were to be sitting in. Dont you have an desiginated home director area? We were then forced to sit in with some of the home faithful which wasnt too enjoyable with how the game played out and all the bad feeling.! Not an enjoyable afternoon or one I want to dwell on too much.

As for the ref. Never seen a display of such ineptitude from a match official. Incompetent or worse. It had to be seen to be belived. Billy Heath was seething after the game

He got pretty much every decision wrong.

Never a Red for Jimmy Clifton or a penalty at the death. Clean tackle from Gowling.
Didnt see the Hotte incident but to be honest I thought Josh Wilde was lucky to stay on the pitch in the second half for us.

Styche had a great debut and I thought we played well in what little football was played in a spectacle totally ruined by the ref.

Moving swifty on to an absolutely huge game at FC United who seemed to have picked up a bit.

Our run of 5 straight league defeats has to be arrested.

 

[CFC4LIFE]

I know this has nothing to do with this forum, but my thoughts and prayers are with Glenn Hoddle, the Brighton fan who passed away at the game and with those affected by the Leicester helicopter crash. Puts things into perspective really, today isn't about the result.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Justice done today at Deva with that last minute penalty awarded for a foul on Mani Desie. Man of the match Gary Roberts (hat-trick) admitted after the game that it was his worst ever performance for Chester, but his 2nd was worth the admission price alone. We were awful after the 3 week lay-off and Alfreton were the dirtiest team I can remember and I've been coming for nearly 60 years. The referee was a complete joke. The entourage of Alfreton directors never came into the lounge after the match. They must have been embarrassed by Heath's tactics. Absolutely shameful.

Hi Railway Blue. Our directors did not come in to the lounge due to the fact we were made to feel distinctly unwelcome.

Both penalties were soft I thought particualry the one at the death which was just a total joke really. The ref just made the game all about him and ruined the game to be quite frank. Clifton`s tackle was a honest challenge for the ball and never a red. Didnt see the Hotte incident but thought the ref should have sent Wilde off in the second half.

 

[Bluandwite]

Very fair assessement.

But have to say very disappointied with my experience today at the Swansway We as the away press were made to feel very unwelcome and forced out of the press box despite originally being promised we were allowed in due to the fact some home directors were to be sitting in. Dont you have an desiginated home director area? We were then forced to sit in with some of the home faithful which wasnt too enjoyable with how the game played out and all the bad feeling.! Not an enjoyable afternoon or one I want to dwell on too much.

As for the ref. Never seen a display of such ineptitude from a match official. Incompetent or worse. It had to be seen to be belived. Billy Heath was seething after the game

He got pretty much every decision wrong.

Never a Red for Jimmy Clifton or a penalty at the death. Clean tackle from Gowling.
Didnt see the Hotte incident but to be honest I thought Josh Wilde was lucky to stay on the pitch in the second half for us.

Styche had a great debut and I thought we played well in what little football was played in a spectacle totally ruined by the ref.

Moving swifty on to an absolutely huge game at FC United who seemed to have picked up a bit.

Our run of 5 straight league defeats has to be arrested.

Ah, sorry you had a bad experience, that’s not a complaint I’ve come across before but we do have a lot of media covering us, with two local papers, two radio stations, club radio, live text and the lads who write the match report up for the website.

I do think the late penalty was justified personally, had a pretty good view of it and looked a clear trip. As I said before the ref was horrendous for both teams though and hideously inconsistent throughout. Howson was guilty of exactly the same as your lad did earlier in the second half yet polar opposite punishments.

A lot of our momentum was stopped when you brought Hobbo on who caused chaos at the back for us late on. He seemingly doesn’t have a good rep with most but he did some good things for us and that was a good cameo. He came down to the bar afterwards and had a chat with plenty of our fans.

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Saturday 27 October 2018 National League North Results

Att. 1,384 - AFC Telford United 2 York City 1
Att. 930 - Altrincham 3 Ashton United 0
Att. 1,137 - Boston United 3 Hereford 1
Att. 554 - Bradford (Park Avenue) 1 Chorley 0
Att. 1,619 - Chester 3 Alfreton Town 2
Att. 1,858 - FC United Of Manchester 1 Brackley Town 1
Att. 697 - Guiseley 0 Kidderminster Harriers 0
Att. 765 - Leamington 2 Darlington 2
Att. 820 - Southport 0 Blyth Spartans 1
Att. 564 - Spennymoor Town 0 Curzon Ashton 0
Att. 2,802 - Stockport County 2 Nuneaton Borough 2

 

[Darlo On Tour]

After travelling back to Darlington from today's match i kinda got the impression with aftermath thoughts on today's game we absolutely well and truly fucked it up. I would have been content with a point away from home normally, but not today that was a complete fuck up. I'm not sure what goes on in the dressing room at half-time with TW's pep talk, but we only had ourselves to blame in the second half, if it wasn't for Maddison we could have lost it.

Should have had this game wrapped up in the first half i lost count of the chances that we created, and missed. I'd say at least 5-0 the scoreline should have been going in at the interval. We were absolutely brilliant with some great football, carved Leamington right open on numerous occasions.

Turning point in the pissing rain was Thommo! Couldn't see from the distance how on earth he handled the ball, but that was the Brakes back in the game. I wasn't happy with the substitutions in the second half, wasn't sure what happened with Tom Elliott? But taking off Henshall was a joke it's the best I've seen him play all season.

Once again Liam Hughes was my man of the match, pure quality. Henshall, Trotman, Saunders and Wheatley also had brilliant games. Maddison pulled off a couple of good saves, just a moment of madness of no chance getting to the ball caused an hairy moment.
Galbraith was absolutely abysmal, and Nicholson couldn't hit a barn door.

Leamington were their for the taking, but credit to them they got stuck in and earned a hard fought point, the sods nearly stole the game.

Worth a trip to Leamington just to see the barmaids in the clubhouse

 

[Railway Blue]

Hi Railway Blue. Our directors did not come in to the lounge due to the fact we were made to feel distinctly unwelcome.

Both penalties were soft I thought particualry the one at the death which was just a total joke really. The ref just made the game all about him and ruined the game to be quite frank. Clifton`s tackle was a honest challenge for the ball and never a red. Didnt see the Hotte incident but thought the ref should have sent Wilde off in the second half.

Many of our fans agreed that the actual sending off was a yellow, but the other yellow should have ben a red and the tackle on Mooney when he was free on goal and would have scored was definitely a red, so you ended with more players on the field than you deserved. Our sending off was a joke. There was a atmosphere there because of the of your team. Styche apart that was the case and if you don't agree with that you are deluding yourself. That's not the way to play a football match. 4 minutes added when your goalkeeper wasted about 10 minutes. Tempers were running high because of the amount of thuggery from your team that was going unpunished. Sorry if you don't like it, but I hope we never have to play you again at the Deva Stadium. You got the result you deserved.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Many of our fans agreed that the actual sending off was a yellow, but the other yellow should have ben a red and the tackle on Mooney when he was free on goal and would have scored was definitely a red, so you ended with more players on the field than you deserved. Our sending off was a joke. There was a atmosphere there because of the of your team. Styche apart that was the case and if you don't agree with that you are deluding yourself. That's not the way to play a football match. 4 minutes added when your goalkeeper wasted about 10 minutes. Tempers were running high because of the amount of thuggery from your team that was going unpunished. Sorry if you don't like it, but I hope we never have to play you again at the Deva Stadium. You got the result you deserved.

Love you too. Indicative of the attitude of the Chester supporters (Bluandwite apart)
Take your rose tinted glasses off.
Unfortunately for us referees have pre conceived ideas of Billy Heath`s style and I need to see the highlights clearly but perhaps we were naive and a little rash in the box which didnt help our cause but at least one of the pens was soft.
If you cared to read my post I admitted that Josh Wilde (who caught mooney) should have been sent off in the second half.

I hope I never have to visit Deva Stadium again either but I wouldnt be surpised if we were both in this league again next year.

You were very rusty, could hardly string a pass together and posed little threat for large periods against 10 men.

A weak ref and an unstoppable screamer have won you the game.

What a game though eh?

 

[Soup Ladle]

Is Chester vs. Alfreton the new GRUDGE MATCH?

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

Great point for Curzon, read like an even game and we had most of our attack options out.

If they can capitalise Tuesday at a terrible Southport side (and they should) it would set them up well for the big home game vs Stockport.

Wonder if two Curzon wins may see two managers sacked

 

[Harrier94]

GuiseleySteve did you go yesterday? If so what was it like there? Didn't sound great listening to it.

 

[Railway Blue]

Love you too. Indicative of the attitude of the Chester supporters (Bluandwite apart)
Take your rose tinted glasses off.
Unfortunately for us referees have pre conceived ideas of Billy Heath`s style and I need to see the highlights clearly but perhaps we were naive and a little rash in the box which didnt help our cause but at least one of the pens was soft.
If you cared to read my post I admitted that Josh Wilde (who caught mooney) should have been sent off in the second half.

I hope I never have to visit Deva Stadium again either but I wouldnt be surpised if we were both in this league again next year.

You were very rusty, could hardly string a pass together and posed little threat for large periods against 10 men.

A weak ref and an unstoppable screamer have won you the game.

What a game though eh?

I usually get a team sheet, but they'd run out yesterday, so I didn't realise you were alluding to that. Where your directors sat is where away directors usually sit and the only time there is any bother usually is when we play Wrexham. Someone I know who sits just in front of that area was upset yesterday by something that had happened between your directors and a Chester fan. Not sure what it was, but I can understand it with the Heath's tactics.

 

[JackCFC]

Love you too. Indicative of the attitude of the Chester supporters (Bluandwite apart)
Take your rose tinted glasses off.
Unfortunately for us referees have pre conceived ideas of Billy Heath`s style and I need to see the highlights clearly but perhaps we were naive and a little rash in the box which didnt help our cause but at least one of the pens was soft.
If you cared to read my post I admitted that Josh Wilde (who caught mooney) should have been sent off in the second half.

I hope I never have to visit Deva Stadium again either but I wouldnt be surpised if we were both in this league again next year.

You were very rusty, could hardly string a pass together and posed little threat for large periods against 10 men.

A weak ref and an unstoppable screamer have won you the game.

What a game though eh?

Surely you don't actually believe that? He let you get away with murder all day.

I'm a firm believer in playing whatever style of football gets you points, but do you honestly enjoy watching your players carry on like they did yesterday?

 

[DarkSithLord]

Surely you don't actually believe that? He let you get away with murder all day.

I'm a firm believer in playing whatever style of football gets you points, but do you honestly enjoy watching your players carry on like they did yesterday?

Let us get away with murder?! He penalised for two penalties and sent our player for a fair challenge? Yes we perhaps should Wilde should have seen red in the second half.

Our disciplinary record isnt too bad. I think it was a clash of two teams who like a physical/combative style yesterday with a weak ref who couldnt control a piss up in a brewery.

Certainly be very interesting return at the Impact on the final day if there is something riding on the game thats for sure

 

[Andy Harrier]

Let us get away with murder?! He penalised for two penalties and sent our player for a fair challenge? Yes we perhaps should Wilde should have seen red in the second half.

Our disciplinary record isnt too bad. I think it was a clash of two teams who like a physical/combative style yesterday with a weak ref who couldnt control a piss up in a brewery.

Certainly be very interesting return at the Impact on the final day if there is something riding on the game thats for sure

Bit of a contradiction here. If referees are going in with a pre-conceived idea of Heath's style, then wouldn't your disciplinary record be worse than it 'should' be? We all know the referee's aren't great at this level and on the whole it probably just about evens out for everyone (even though we all always remember the ones that go against our team), but I don't think referees are going in to games with the intention of over-penalising one team based on how they think they'll be.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Bit of a contradiction here. If referees are going in with a pre-conceived idea of Heath's style, then wouldn't your disciplinary record be worse than it 'should' be? We all know the referee's aren't great at this level and on the whole it probably just about evens out for everyone (even though we all always remember the ones that go against our team), but I don't think referees are going in to games with the intention of over-penalising one team based on how they think they'll be.

Your right. But the ref yesterday a Ben Speedie has officated us twice this season and given 4 penalties and a red against us and we also had a lets say strange sending off against Guiseley.

As you say though refs arent great at this level and seem to be detirating. People say it evens out of the course of a 42 game season. I only hope thats the case.

Again though I am not solely blaming the ref for yesterday as he doesnt control our tendency to dive in when there was little danger and our inability to keep clean sheets.

 

[GuiseleySteve]

GuiseleySteve did you go yesterday? If so what was it like there? Didn't sound great listening to it.

No I was away this last week. My dad went and said Kiddy are the best team we've played so far this season. He was pleased with a point and a clean sheet although a bit disappointed that we lacked much attacking threat. I would have taken a draw before kick off so happy days.

 

[Inactive]

Leamington come back from 2 down (and 10 men) to draw with Darlington. Darlo should've been out of sight first half and will be kicking themselves for not winning this one. Was a very good game to watch. Great point for Leamington given their form at the moment and losing their star striker earlier in the week. Could perhaps have even won! Darlo fans are a good bunch though, credit to their club.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Highlights of the game now up

Very good highlights package.
The first penalty was not a penalty.
James Clifton should not have been sent off.
Nathan Hotte was lucky not to be sent off.
the Josh Wilde incident in the second half on Mooney was NOT a Red. We looked to have a defender round on the cover.
The penalty deep in added time was a penalty. Why Gowling is diving in there I will never know. Think he needs to be dropped.

 

[Lucky Bobble]

Highlights of the game now up

Very good highlights package.
The first penalty was not a penalty.
James Clifton should not have been sent off.
Nathan Hotte was lucky not to be sent off.
the Josh Wilde incident in the second half on Mooney was NOT a Red. We looked to have a defender round on the cover.
The penalty deep in added time was a penalty. Why Gowling is diving in there I will never know. Think he needs to be dropped.

Regarding the last minute penalty - doesn't he get the ball? Looked like it to me....? Hotte's tackle was awful.

 

[Bluandwite]

Just to add, I don't think Howson should have been sent off either, it looks like Hobson actually fouls him.

We can all agree that it was an absolute mess of a performance from the ref though, totally lost control of the game.

 

[JE93]

Leamington come back from 2 down (and 10 men) to draw with Darlington. Darlo should've been out of sight first half and will be kicking themselves for not winning this one. Was a very good game to watch. Great point for Leamington given their form at the moment and losing their star striker earlier in the week. Could perhaps have even won! Darlo fans are a good bunch though, credit to their club.

Nice to visit Leamington (baring the result) your fans were a friendly bunch both in the old library pub in Leamington and in the clubhouse before the game.

Don't really know how we threw it away on the day. Best half of football we've played all season in the first half. We looked very good. Scored two decent goals. Think your 9 was rightly red carded. Went in shin high on Ainge. Bit daft because he looked a tricky lad to play against.

Had we scored one of our other chances in the first half or early in the second maybe Holleran would have shut up shop and gone for damage limitation but we just didn't match your determination second half. Stupid penalty to give away and then your lad wanted it more to force it over the line from the corner.

I still think we should have had a penalty at the end as the CB pulls back Ainge as he turns him to shoot but by that point you more than deserved your draw it would have been harsh on you.

Neutrals would have been entertained. I'd imagine we'll both be seeing each other again next season. Look forward to our next visit.