2019/20 National League North

[Swedes]

York 1-1 Southport

Frustrating match as we were the better side. Took the lead through a typical David Morgan strike, and it was nice to see him pushing up the pitch again. We conceded just before half-time thanks to goalkeeping stupidly, then went on to dominate the second half only to keep hitting wayward shots from distance.

If York are meant to be one of the best sides in this league then standards really are slipping, and the title should be there for the taking for any half-decent side that hits a good run of form.

 

[Alty Pieman]

10 games in and Kings Lynn are the surprise team, but maybe not such a shock as I note they have some very experienced NL players. Some inconsistent results all round and it looks like the league will be more open maybe this year. Boston and Alfreton look much stronger, Brackley will be up there, not sure if KL will keep it up?

Alty lost 2 more key players to injury today in the first 20mins and it seems we just can't get a settled side but we still blew away Leamington with ease despite having to play some players out of position. Another frustrating ref again,.. it does worry me how low the standard has got.

 

[Swedes]

Another frustrating ref again,.. it does worry me how low the standard has got.

Our referee today was the first one I've seen this season who did ok. He tried to let the game flow, didn't make the game all about him, and got all the key decisions correct. Unfortunately, like good players at this level, good officials move up very quickly and we end up stuck with the dregs.

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Saturday 7 September 2019 National League North Results

Att. 473 - Alfreton Town 3 Curzon Ashton 2
Att. 1,025 - Altrincham 5 Leamington 0
Att. 796 - Blyth Spartans 1 Kidderminster Harriers 1
Att. 1,110 - Boston United 2 Bradford (Park Avenue) 1
Att. 545 - Brackley Town 1 AFC Telford United 1
Att. 1,989 - Chester 3 Guiseley 1
Att. 525 - Farsley Celtic 3 Kettering Town 2
Att. 437 - Gloucester City 2 Darlington 1
Att. n/a - Hereford P-P Gateshead
Att. 1,063 - Spennymoor Town 2 King's Lynn Town 2
Att. 2,748 - York City 1 Southport 1

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Seems Spennymoor arent the force they were. Whats happened there?

I wouldn't say they've ever been a force after one lucky season. Albeit expectations were pretty much high for this season. It looks like Uncle Brad will have to dig deep and dip into his savings once again to turn this season around, cushty to be bankrolled.

They've lost Glen Taylor (striker) he's out for three to four weeks due to an ankle injury.

 

[Lucky Bobble]

Alfreton 3-2 Curzon Ashton

Amari Morgan Smith has been an absolute revelation. A brilliant treble with a missed pen and its 10 goals in 10 games now. Only Aaron Martin of Guiseley (11) has more.
Curzon never got a chance to impress their physical approach. We completely dominated for 85 minutes. Then a complete ridiculous sending off for Danny Clarke for a harsh handball at close quarters which even the accessor said was not a second yellow gave them a sniff. Another in the final minute of added time made the scoreline flatter Curzon. Very similar to Tuesday night but with the roles reversed.


Well Ten games in and couldnt have asked for a better start. Morgan Smith has been magnificent. Defensively we look solid. Only concern is our squad is thin (could only name 4 subs today) Although Billy did hint at reinforcements this week.

4 subs! Sheer luxury. We had 3, and 1 of those is a striker I imagine we're paying peanuts and clearly is going to get 5 minutes game time a match at most and then be released. Hard to keep up with clubs with squads of 23 like York or Chester (according to their websites) over the course of a season....

 

[Lucky Bobble]

10 games in and Kings Lynn are the surprise team, but maybe not such a shock as I note they have some very experienced NL players. Some inconsistent results all round and it looks like the league will be more open maybe this year. Boston and Alfreton look much stronger, Brackley will be up there, not sure if KL will keep it up?

Alty lost 2 more key players to injury today in the first 20mins and it seems we just can't get a settled side but we still blew away Leamington with ease despite having to play some players out of position. Another frustrating ref again,.. it does worry me how low the standard has got.

Wish I shared your optimism. We vary between being excellent, average and plain poor from match to match. That same Leamington team you blew away beat us 2-0 and deserved to win in one of our less good performances. Chester and York look favourites with their squad size and FT status (are Chester FT?). Thought Telford looked a lot better today than their results show. Strong centrebacks who won everything in the air.

 

[Lucky Bobble]

4 subs! Sheer luxury. We had 3, and 1 of those is a striker I imagine we're paying peanuts and clearly is going to get 5 minutes game time a match at most and then be released. Hard to keep up with clubs with squads of 23 like York or Chester (according to their websites) over the course of a season....

PS - What's up with Alfreton's attendances? When Brackley are getting more fans in then you, you know you've got a problem.

 

[Bluandwite]

Wish I shared your optimism. We vary between being excellent, average and plain poor from match to match. That same Leamington team you blew away beat us 2-0 and deserved to win in one of our less good performances. Chester and York look favourites with their squad size and FT status (are Chester FT?). Thought Telford looked a lot better today than their results show. Strong centrebacks who won everything in the air.

Not full-time. Hybrid - four training sessions a week, two day & two night.

 

[Darlo On Tour]

So they stripped back their budget then thought it was a good idea to appoint Lee Clark? Only themselves to blame.

Totally agree, they don't half saddle themselves with some shite. I don't think Clark is the guy to take em forward.

 

[Clem Fandango]

We came into yesterday's game with 3 key players out, Darlo however were missing six and subbed a player who got a head injury during the game.

We could have been two up fairly early on when Hanks and then Parker went very close, game settled down after that and was pretty even but Hanks finish into the far corner broke the deadlock. Fabien Robert and Joe Parker got a lot of joy down the flanks. Darlington scored a bit later after our 17 year old on loan keeper (who is covering for his teammate Zach Jeacock's International call up) spilled a shot and it was taped home by Campbell from a couple of yards. Surprised he wasn't flagged as it looked offside but goal given.

Second half Darlington started to fade and we got some good fortune with Hanks scoring again, albeit a big deflection. Eight goals in ten now for him from midfield. That said we really should have scored more. Alun Armstrong was complaining about a penalty shout near to the end but I was actually pretty close to that and it was never a penalty. Wasn't any big shouts from players or fans at that end.

Think when Darlington actually get some players back they should push up the league. Thought Laing was immense for you at the back, won everything. Hatfield also looked a good player.

 

[JE93]

We came into yesterday's game with 3 key players out, Darlo however were missing six and subbed a player who got a head injury during the game.

We could have been two up fairly early on when Hanks and then Parker went very close, game settled down after that and was pretty even but Hanks finish into the far corner broke the deadlock. Fabien Robert and Joe Parker got a lot of joy down the flanks. Darlington scored a bit later after our 17 year old on loan keeper (who is covering for his teammate Zach Jeacock's International call up) spilled a shot and it was taped home by Campbell from a couple of yards. Surprised he wasn't flagged as it looked offside but goal given.

Second half Darlington started to fade and we got some good fortune with Hanks scoring again, albeit a big deflection. Eight goals in ten now for him from midfield. That said we really should have scored more. Alun Armstrong was complaining about a penalty shout near to the end but I was actually pretty close to that and it was never a penalty. Wasn't any big shouts from players or fans at that end.

Think when Darlington actually get some players back they should push up the league. Thought Laing was immense for you at the back, won everything. Hatfield also looked a good player.

Fairly fair assessment. Think 1-1 would have been a fair result. As neither team did a great deal to trouble the others keeper. The difference being on one of the the few occasions either team got into position to shoot, it takes a deflection and goes in to the opposite corner with the goal keeper no chance.

Was impressed with your left winger albeit he was playing against a CM playing at right back. But he wa positive on the ball and created plenty. Your LB was man of the match for me, gave whichever wide player was on his side nothing all game. Strong in the tackle and good on the ball, looked like he could play higher.

As you say injuries took their toll on us. We would be a very different team with Trotman and Liddle at full back. Also 2 youth players on the bench, (trotman, Liddle, Atkinson all injured, Bascombe and Donawa on international duty). Add to that none of that first team have really had a rest in 10 games because of all the injuries. Hopefully now going to a game a week we can get some players back as I agree with you with a bit of rest and players returning we could be a better team than that league position suggests.

 

[Clem Fandango]

Left back is Vince Harper, he's on loan from Bristol City. 18 so a bit raw defensively at times but going forwards his pace has really caused some teams problems.

 

[Minstermen central]

We were awful yesterday point a fair result.
Injuries are piling up,Burrows out yesterday joining McGuire,McNulty,McLaughlin,plus Bond banned for Darlo they are probably our main 5 players.

 

[DarkSithLord]

FA Cup Draw

National League North

Southport v Scarborough Athletic or Markse United
Chester v Altrincham
Curzon Ashton v Blyth Spartans
Bradford Park Avenue v Morpeth Town
Irlam v York
Trafford FC v Darlington
Gateshead v Ramsbottom United
Guiseley v Stockton Town
Lancaster City or Northwich Vics v Spennymoor Town
Runcorn Town v Farsley Celtic
Alfreton Town v Kings Lynn Town
Stamford v Boston United
Leamington v Chasetown
Kettering Town v Sutton Coldfield Town or Redditch United
AFC Telford United v Nantwich Town
Kidderminster Harriers v Stafford Rangers
Hereford v Truro City
Brackley Town v Cinderford Town

 

[Clem Fandango]

Kidlington v Gloucester City btw. .

 

[The Lost Riots]

FA Cup Draw

National League North


Kettering Town v Sutton Coldfield Town or Redditch United


A home tie against lower league opposition.......we may actually win a game!!!!

 

[DarkSithLord]

Missing Marcus Law?

Looking forward to first visit Saturday

 

[DarkSithLord]

Lee Clark and Blyth Spartans

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Tuesday 10 September 2019 National League North Result

Att. 1,217 - Spennymoor Town 5 Blyth Spartans 0

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Lee Clark and Blyth Spartans

Surely his day's are numbered after another defeat.

 

[Clem Fandango]

If the reports are correct that their budget is around 3,500 a week and he takes 800 of that then it's their own fault.

 

[The Lost Riots]

Missing Marcus Law?

Looking forward to first visit Saturday

Yes we are.
The ground is not up to much but it is much better than it was 3 or 4 years ago.
We will probably be the better side for an hour again and then give you a penalty and an own goal so you can have the three points!!!!

 

[DarkSithLord]

Cash Flow issues at Kidderminster https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co...minster-harriers-coaches-paid-halves/?ref=rss

 

[Vanni]

FA Cup Draw

National League North

Southport v Scarborough Athletic or Markse United
Chester v Altrincham
Curzon Ashton v Blyth Spartans
Bradford Park Avenue v Morpeth Town
Irlam v York
Trafford FC v Darlington
Gateshead v Ramsbottom United
Guiseley v Stockton Town
Lancaster City or Northwich Vics v Spennymoor Town
Runcorn Town v Farsley Celtic
Alfreton Town v Kings Lynn Town
Stamford v Boston United
Leamington v Chasetown
Kettering Town v Sutton Coldfield Town or Redditch United
AFC Telford United v Nantwich Town
Kidderminster Harriers v Stafford Rangers
Hereford v Truro City
Brackley Town v Cinderford Town

Just saw this; thanks DSL for posting the fixtures in a neat and tidy format. Good job

I'm assuming you're not happy with the draw seeing King's Lynn is a decent side, though they are probably thinking the same thing. Chester v Alty is a tough one to call as well, but I think Curzon should beat Blyth (??)

 

[Harrier94]

Cash Flow issues at Kidderminster https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co...minster-harriers-coaches-paid-halves/?ref=rss

Water is wet .

We're becoming a laughing stock. Paper thin squad takeover that seems to be lasting months. Fans are becoming more vocally frustrated by the day.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Just saw this; thanks DSL for posting the fixtures in a neat and tidy format. Good job

I'm assuming you're not happy with the draw seeing King's Lynn is a decent side, though they are probably thinking the same thing. Chester v Alty is a tough one to call as well, but I think Curzon should beat Blyth (??)

You presume correctly. Dissapointed with the draw and as I really fancy us for a cup run. Probably the worst draw we could have got. We only played them last week and one of our players was racially abused. Should be tasty.

 

[Railway Blue]

4 subs! Sheer luxury. We had 3, and 1 of those is a striker I imagine we're paying peanuts and clearly is going to get 5 minutes game time a match at most and then be released. Hard to keep up with clubs with squads of 23 like York or Chester (according to their websites) over the course of a season....

Our squad of 23 includes about 4 youngsters who are all out on loan.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Alfreton have signed former Bradford PA man Conor Branson from Altrincham for a undisclosed fee.

Good to see our chairman backing Billy in the transfer market. Rare we pay a fee for a player.

Need to be targeting three points at Kettering tomorrow who seem to be struggling to adapt to this level.

 

[doveranddover]

You paid for a PA man?