2019/20 National League North

[DarkSithLord]

Gone! Bradford PA have sacked manager Garry Thompson after back to back 5-0 defeats. I predict a long tough slog of a season for BPA

 

[Harrier94]

Gone! Bradford PA have sacked manager Garry Thompson after back to back 5-0 defeats. I predict a long tough slog of a season for BPA

They'll still probably beat us Saturday

 

[Quakerz]

Gone! Bradford PA have sacked manager Garry Thompson after back to back 5-0 defeats. I predict a long tough slog of a season for BPA

They will find a few hundred thousand down the back of the sofa, and continue to "surprise" everyone on how well they are doing on a "shoe string"

 

[Quakerz]

Star right back and England C international Luke Trotman unfortunately ruptured his achilles last night and is out for the season.

Massive blow to us and gutted for the lad.

 

[GuiseleySteve]

They'll still probably beat us Saturday

Not a chance!

 

[DarkSithLord]

They will find a few hundred thousand down the back of the sofa, and continue to "surprise" everyone on how well they are doing on a "shoe string"

Dont think so this time.

 

[GuiseleySteve]

Dont think so this time.

On the plus side they have installed a perimeter fence around the pitch now so fans can get closer to the action and the pitch looked really good, the best I've ever seen it.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Gone! Bradford PA have sacked manager Garry Thompson after back to back 5-0 defeats. I predict a long tough slog of a season for BPA

Replaced by a Interim management Team of Marcus Law (Ex Kettering and Lee Fowler Ex Nuneaton and Ilkeston)

 

[GuiseleySteve]

Replaced by a Interim management Team of Marcus Law (Ex Kettering and Lee Fowler Ex Nuneaton and Ilkeston)

They must have hired a successful sofa exploration team

 

[Harrier94]

Not a chance!

You didn't see us Tuesday

 

[GuiseleySteve]

You didn't see us Tuesday

They do have some threat going forward but are hopeless in defense.

 

[Darlo On Tour]

A 1-1 draw tonight between Darlington and Gateshead, in front of 1,989 fans.

I think it was a fair result, Gateshead I reckon will be top half, they look organised and close players down quickly. I thought they controlled the first half as they gave us no time on the ball, whereas we were the better side in the second half.

Saw some encouraging signs at times from us but very much a work in progress.

Unfortunately injuries are already piling up for us as we started the season without David Atkinson and Joe Wheatley, and tonight Jamie Holmes and Luke Trotman were injured - Trotman pretty seriously by the sounds of things.

I thought it was a well deserved point even though we left it late from Lidds . A vast improvement from Saturday's performance down at Farsley.

I thought the referee swallowed his whistle he was an absolute joke.

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Didn't post last night as I probably would have put my fist through the frigging laptop screen I was that pissed off. What could have been a decent derby game was ruined by a ref so far out of his depth it was embarrassing. Right from the kick off, for both sides to be fair until the red card, any kind of contact at all he blew up and gave a free-kick. Spoiled the tempo of the game.

Jake Jackson got clattered early on and reacted stupidly, kicking out. He got red carded, not really going to argue with that one. But Cullinane-Liburd then stamps on him, shoves him over and pushes another City player over - he only gets booked?! Another Hereford player runs across the pitch to get involved and grabs Jackson around the neck. Didn't even get spoken to! And that's basically how the game went...

Kieron Thomas fired Hereford ahead with us down to ten, decent finish in off the post. But not long afterwards he goes in flying two footed in the middle of the pitch. The ref has a chat and nothing. It was a red all day long. Fabien then is slightly late with a challenge, any other ref would have spoken to him and warned him one more and it's a yellow - it was his first offense. Nope he's booked.

Second half Fabien then pretty much does the same challenge, the ref couldn't wait to pull out his red card and we're down to nine. Despite their numerical advantage, Hereford continue with the safety first approach and barely threatened us. Really reminded me of when we played East Thurrock under Richards in the South when they went down to 9 (Which I posted in the south thread last season) where we could have really done some damage but continued to play mainly defensive, drab football to get 3 points. No wonder Hereford fans don't rate the Richards/Harris combo (but then tbh neither did we).

The penalty decision was an utter farce, Styche theatrically dived as everyone in the stadium could see. Ref waits literally 5 or so seconds before making his mind up and then points to the spot. The fact that even fans on the Hereford forum say they are embarrassed by that decision and dive says it all.

Have to say, Hereford's number 6 at the back (Josh Gowling) was the best player on the pitch. Looked very calm and assured. Decent player by the looks of it. But going forwards Hereford offered very little, Liburd did absolutely nothing until he was subbed.

1,570 attendance, a record at Evesham's ground I believe. Would have been 700 more if it was in Gloucester. And I'd certainly argue that some of those decisions would have been dramatically different if it was....

Welcome to the NLN Clem! The referee's are exceptionally good in this league. But they do now and again have their off day's hite........

 

[GuiseleySteve]

Make of it what you will

 

[DarkSithLord]

Home to Lee Clark`s Blyth Spartans tomorrow.

Ideal opportunity to register our first league win of the season that we need to take really. Got a great record against Blyth since their promotion back to this level so fingers crossed that continues.

 

[GuiseleySteve]

N

Home to Lee Clark`s Blyth Spartans tomorrow.

Ideal opportunity to register our first league win of the season that we need to take really. Got a great record against Blyth since their promotion back to this level so fingers crossed that continues.

NO better time after their losses this summer.

 

[Bluandwite]

Chester 2-1 Farsley

Comfortable enough, created plenty of chances and should have put a few more away. Made slightly hard work of it though conceding a needless late penalty. Tough conditions with the wind, that strong that a hoofed clearance from our own half nearly sailed straight in the net over their keepers head after he misjudged it but scrambled back and clawed it off the line. Jackson and Waring scored for us and both caused havoc all afternoon.

Farsley will be fine. Looked a typical mid-table side to me.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Alfreton 3-0 Blyth Spartans

A comfortable win against the worst Spartans side I have seen in many a year.

Took our time to get going in a poor first half but once we took the lead we never looked like relinquishing it.

Could have been a few more and the second was a screamer from the Impressive Bobby Johnson who doesnt score tap ins!

On to a much tougher challenge on Tuesday night at Moss against Alty who dont appear to have had the greatest start?

 

[Harrier94]

They do have some threat going forward but are hopeless in defense.

Well we won. Sounds like it would've been more if it hadn't been for the atrocious conditions. Not getting ahead of myself as it was only BPA who look like they'll be the whopping boys but hopefully we'll take the momentum and push on from this.

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Saturday 10 August 2019 National League North Results

Att. 1,045 - AFC Telford United 0 Gateshead 0
Att. 460 - Alfreton Town 3 Blyth Spartans 0
Att. 379 - Bradford (Park Avenue) 0 Kidderminster Harriers 3
Att. 1,601 - Chester 2 Farsley Celtic 1
Att. 1,344 - Darlington 3 Kettering Town 0
Att. 305 - Gloucester City 1 Altrincham 1
Att. 1,148 - Kings Lynn Town 3 Hereford 1
Att. 385 - Leamington 1 Curzon Ashton 1
Att. 937 - Southport 3 Guiseley 0
Att. n/a - Spennymoor Town P-P Boston United
Att. 2,039 - York City 1 Brackley Town 0

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Darlington 3 Kettering Town 0

An outstanding team performance today from the lads with each and everyone of them putting in a solid shift. I lost count the amount of chances we created in extremely blustery conditions.

The first goal will easily be a contender for goal of the season from man of the match Thommo!! What a beauty. The scoreline reads 3:0 but could easily have been 6 or 7 if it wasn't for Kettering's goalkeeper White who made some great saves to keep the scoreline down.

Gotta mention Bascome should definitely be playing on Monday at Curzon. He ran the show.

Another improving display after last Saturday's woeful performance down at Farsley.

Next stop Curzon on this performance we haven't nothing to fear!

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

Does anyone know the reasons why Spennymoor have two postponed games already??

 

[Railway Blue]

I thought it was a well deserved point even though we left it late from Lidds . A vast improvement from Saturday's performance down at Farsley.

I thought the referee swallowed his whistle he was an absolute joke.

Get used to it. You rarely see even a half decent ref in this league.

 

[Clem Fandango]

Dreadful conditions at Evesham with the totally empty field we play on being battered with high winds. First half was dreadful, easy goal for Alty. Second half better from us, great free kick from Hanks to equalise. Both sides had chances to win it but a draw a fair result. Kiddy on Tuesday but we're without two due to suspension - Jake Jackson who was poor yesterday so imagine Kotwica will take his place and Fabien who we will miss. Hopefully Myrie-Williams is fit and can slot in there.

 

[JE93]

Does anyone know the reasons why Spennymoor have two postponed games already??

They have done some major pitch renovation works in the summer, slightly leveling the slope, adding new drainage, added a new sprinkler system and re seeded the pitch. On the advice of the experts who have handled the pitch reseeding and how long it would take to bed in. They asked the National league to ensure their first 4 games would be away from home. But the national league refused for some reason.

Seems like blyth agreed to postpone to a week day in Sept. Boston seem to have been unable to come to an agreement when the rearranged fixture would be played. Wonder if they are holding out for one of the free FA cup or FA trophy Saturdays should both teams be knocked out the competition.

Not a huge spennymoor fan find them a bit 'holier than thou', but it does seem odd the league didn't allow them 4 games away from home. They were given due notice. Can understand a league being annoyed if they started asked for more or over running etc but in the first instance the request seemed reasonable.

 

[chipmunx]

They have done some major pitch renovation works in the summer, slightly leveling the slope, adding new drainage, added a new sprinkler system and re seeded the pitch. On the advice of the experts who have handled the pitch reseeding and how long it would take to bed in. They asked the National league to ensure their first 4 games would be away from home. But the national league refused for some reason.

Seems like blyth agreed to postpone to a week day in Sept. Boston seem to have been unable to come to an agreement when the rearranged fixture would be played. Wonder if they are holding out for one of the free FA cup or FA trophy Saturdays should both teams be knocked out the competition.

Not a huge spennymoor fan find them a bit 'holier than thou', but it does seem odd the league didn't allow them 4 games away from home. They were given due notice. Can understand a league being annoyed if they started asked for more or over running etc but in the first instance the request seemed reasonable.

as it's the start of the season couldn't Blyth and/or Boston have agreed to switch the home and away fixtures round anyway?

 

[Quakerz]

Darlington 3 Kettering Town 0

An outstanding team performance today from the lads with each and everyone of them putting in a solid shift. I lost count the amount of chances we created in extremely blustery conditions.

The first goal will easily be a contender for goal of the season from man of the match Thommo!! What a beauty. The scoreline reads 3:0 but could easily have been 6 or 7 if it wasn't for Kettering's goalkeeper White who made some great saves to keep the scoreline down.

Gotta mention Bascome should definitely be playing on Monday at Curzon. He ran the show.

Another improving display after last Saturday's woeful performance down at Farsley.

Next stop Curzon on this performance we haven't nothing to fear!

Agree with all of that, the team is improving rapidly - that could have easily been 7-0 or 8-0 - and unlike last season we seem to have options all over the place, I'm not worried about rotating these players, or us getting injuries (unless there's loads) as we have players to step in.

To think we were missing Trotman, Holmes and Atkinson, yet still had the likes of Heaton, Donawa, Holness and Wheatley on the bench speaks volumes. Donawa looks a great find and it just feels like this squad already is light years ahead of the one assembled by Wright last season, and as a bonus the manager knows what he is fucking doing!

To think, our squad is now Darlo's best players from previous seasons - Galbraith, Heaton, Trotman (though unfortunately out for 6 months), Thompson, Wheatley + the spine of Blyth's play off team + Campbell, O'Neill, Holness + some Bermudan internationals, who knows what could happen? Especially given that our stated aim is to just finish top half and hopefully have a cup run, that takes the pressure away as well.

By the way, it has to be noted, Kettering are abysmal - a season of struggle ahead for them I think.

Curzon away on Monday, I always dread playing these as without doubt they are our bogey side. If we can grab a win there, then that for me sends a signal as to where our season is going. I'd happily take a draw, given that they are no mugs.

 

[chipmunx]

Agree with all of that, the team is improving rapidly - that could have easily been 7-0 or 8-0 - and unlike last season we seem to have options all over the place, I'm not worried about rotating these players, or us getting injuries (unless there's loads) as we have players to step in.

To think we were missing Trotman, Holmes and Atkinson, yet still had the likes of Heaton, Donawa, Holness and Wheatley on the bench speaks volumes. Donawa looks a great find and it just feels like this squad already is light years ahead of the one assembled by Wright last season, and as a bonus the manager knows what he is fucking doing!

To think, our squad is now Darlo's best players from previous seasons - Galbraith, Heaton, Trotman (though unfortunately out for 6 months), Thompson, Wheatley + the spine of Blyth's play off team + Campbell, O'Neill, Holness + some Bermudan internationals, who knows what could happen? Especially given that our stated aim is to just finish top half and hopefully have a cup run, that takes the pressure away as well.

By the way, it has to be noted, Kettering are abysmal - a season of struggle ahead for them I think.

Curzon away on Monday, I always dread playing these as without doubt they are our bogey side. If we can grab a win there, then that for me sends a signal as to where our season is going. I'd happily take a draw, given that they are no mugs.

I wonder if Wheatley is related to Danny Wheatley who played for Barrow in the late 1980's, he was a winger from the North East

 

[Alty Pieman]

Dreadful conditions at Evesham with the totally empty field we play on being battered with high winds. First half was dreadful, easy goal for Alty. Second half better from us, great free kick from Hanks to equalise. Both sides had chances to win it but a draw a fair result. Kiddy on Tuesday but we're without two due to suspension - Jake Jackson who was poor yesterday so imagine Kotwica will take his place and Fabien who we will miss. Hopefully Myrie-Williams is fit and can slot in there.

Only got ourselves and the ref to blame for not winning that, should have been 3 up by halftime and how the ref missed a stonewall pen second half god knows. Still, with 3 key players missing a draw isnt a disaster but last year we'd have won that by 5. Hopefully things will improve tuesday when we get everyone back.

 

[Inactive]

Leamington unlucky not to win against Curzon, despite going down to 10 in the first half. Curzon equalised with four minutes to go - always hurts late on!