National league North 2021-22

[BigDaveCUFC]

How are Curran & Thomas getting on? (can't remember if we have any more ex-players at yours)

curran has done ok, Thomas for me is our best player this season and seems to be really in form, been given a very advanced wide position in a front 3 and given lots of room to go at sides.

had afew knocks though of late.

 

[ForzaCounty]

Yep that's the best spot for him, nobody more dangerous running into the box from the right hand side. I missed him until we signed Crankshaw who's just a step above this level

 

[Stocky]

Great lad Adam Thomas. Still think he could have done a job for someone at this level but I guess location is a factor and unless Altrincham came for him (unlikely he'd be quite on Wrexham's list), I don't see where else he could have gone if he's North West based. Curzon's gain, glad he's doing well there. He'd walk in to some of the Southern teams in the middle- bottom of this league.

Weren't Walker, Bully, Stephenson, Dan Cowan all at Curzon at some point in the last year or two? A real 18-19 title winning reunion.

 

[Harrier94]

Back to the league now. Going to be a tough game tonight. Farsley will be well up for it after their loss to Darlo and there's every chance we'll be distracted. I trust Penn will keep everyone feet on the ground but it's going to a be a tough job. We should still win tonight to try and keep the pressure on the top 4.

 

[Railway Blue]

Can't beleive it hasn't been mentioned, but we are in danger of having to play our games behind closed doors because the Welsh Government has declared that because our pitch is in Wales we'll come under their regulations. We've been here 32 years and its the first time they've taken an interest. It's making Drakeford look a bit of a plonker.

 

[Kenneth Dodd]

Chester v Brackley has been been called off along with the youth team cup game against Halifax which was going to attract a decent crowd even before the recent problems, makes sense and gives all parties time to come up with a workable solution.

 

[Lucky Bobble]

Brackley 1 - 0 Kettering. Horrible game. Plus Brackley could only name 2 subs and a reserve keeper... But just about got the 3 points.

 

[Bluandwite]

Can't beleive it hasn't been mentioned, but we are in danger of having to play our games behind closed doors because the Welsh Government has declared that because our pitch is in Wales we'll come under their regulations. We've been here 32 years and its the first time they've taken an interest. It's making Drakeford look a bit of a plonker.

It's all in the Coronavirus thread.

 

[hardbutfair]

Brackley 1 - 0 Kettering. Horrible game. Plus Brackley could only name 2 subs and a reserve keeper... But just about got the 3 points.

A game where the result and points mattered more than the quality. Scrapping for points when not playing well/ covid reduced, sign of a top side. Kettering could feel justifiably that they should have had at least a point, but for once we took the chance that the opposition did not. Ten day break probably coming at a good time before we "entertain" Chorley.

 

[EnglishRed]

Can't beleive it hasn't been mentioned, but we are in danger of having to play our games behind closed doors because the Welsh Government has declared that because our pitch is in Wales we'll come under their regulations. We've been here 32 years and its the first time they've taken an interest. It's making Drakeford look a bit of a plonker.

Its all in the Coronovirus thread. It's not been mentioned in 32 years because there hadn't been a reason to mention it. As soon as Covid regulations are a thing of the past it won't be relevant again either.

And it's not the Welsh Government suddenly declaring the stadium is in Wales. It is in Wales and Chester City, as was, knew that when they applied for planning permission to a Welsh planning authority in 1990.

It was a good decision to postpone the Brackley game and hopefully the ban on sporting events will be lifted soon so it won't be an issue anyway.

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Monday 10 January 2022 National League North result

Att. 341 - Bradford (Park Avenue) 2 Gateshead 4

Tuesday 11 January 2022 National League North results

Att. 555 - Brackley Town 1 Kettering Town 0
Att. 1,842 - Kidderminster Harriers 2 Farsley Celtic 1

 

[Darlo On Tour]

A game where the result and points mattered more than the quality. Scrapping for points when not playing well/ covid reduced, sign of a top side. Kettering could feel justifiably that they should have had at least a point, but for once we took the chance that the opposition did not. Ten day break probably coming at a good time before we "entertain" Chorley.

I'd take these results all day long. At the end of the day job done. And your right that this small squad is really digging deep when it matters. It's a good result.

 

[Darlo On Tour]

Brackley really are very catachable... we're winning a lot of close games, and at any point that could fall away. Two really important games coming up - on paper should win them both and therefore be 10 points ahead of Chorley before we meet, but who knows... Am not worried about our matches vs the top teams in the league - hopefully we'll get enough points from those top 7 clashes to remain competitive - it's the results against the likes of Blyth, Farsley and Kettering that concern... Also squad depth - the best it has been in many years - but still thin, and now its pretty much a case that if you're fit and haven't got covid you're playing

Well that's Kettering out of the way with a 1-0 win. It's gonna be some game against Chorley on Saturday 22nd January. Then again Gateshead could be top of the league with Hereford away and Telford at home before that date.

 

[Darlo On Tour]

They had 2635 against us and apparently only took 450 despite being our biggest away following of the season.
1171 is a big drop.

They live in cloud cuckoo land

 

[Harrier94]

Scrappy game last night we started well but Farsley's first attack caught us off guard. The rest of the half was awful. Farsley started time wasting from the 5th minute and it took a lucky bounce for us to equalise. Started quickly in the second half and a brilliant goal by Freemantle got us a much needed win.

The team definitely looked leggy after the weekend and Darlo on Saturday is going to be very tough. Would probably take a point right now.

 

[JE93]

Scrappy game last night we started well but Farsley's first attack caught us off guard. The rest of the half was awful. Farsley started time wasting from the 5th minute and it took a lucky bounce for us to equalise. Started quickly in the second half and a brilliant goal by Freemantle got us a much needed win.

The team definitely looked leggy after the weekend and Darlo on Saturday is going to be very tough. Would probably take a point right now.

You should really rest Morgan-Smith, Austin, Sterling, Carrington and anyone else important to your good form this weekend. Leave them in the Midlands, it's cold up north and you wouldn't want them missing for the West Ham game haha.

On a serious note, we seem to have brought our A-game for the title contenders this season (Gateshead being the exception, though it was our second game in 2 days against a FT team that hadn't played in a week). Charman being suspended is a blow for us, but putting 6 past Farsley with 4 different scorers shows we have goals in the side when we get it right. Should be a decent game, but we probably need the points more than you at this stage if we're to really push on for the final play off place in the second half of the season.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

Does anyone know what the hell has gone wrong at Telford?

only noticed how seriously rubbish they have been this season other day checking table……they really at present need a stroke of luck to survive this season and if it had been 3 down than just 1 they would be gone.

just poor management or more to it? They should not be heading down with their crowds and set-up

 

[Clem Fandango]

They've got new investment now but two recent signings are former Gloucester players and were both very poor for us so you question just how much money they do have - Jordan Piggott came in on loan from Solihull and was all over the place for us at the start of the season with Groves, constantly looked nervous and shaky. Was sent back fairly quickly. Andre Wright is arguably one of the worst players I've ever seen in our shirt, and there's plenty to pick from.

 

[Prodigal]

Its all to play for, still think Gateshead and Fylde are the ones to beat, like Brackley last night we only named 4 subs against Gateshead and one of them I thi k was just filling a place as there was no chance he would be used having not played due to injury for weeks.
Again like Brackley we have no game on Saturday so both sides should be fresh for the game on Saturday week.

 

[Harrier94]

You should really rest Morgan-Smith, Austin, Sterling, Carrington and anyone else important to your good form this weekend. Leave them in the Midlands, it's cold up north and you wouldn't want them missing for the West Ham game haha.

On a serious note, we seem to have brought our A-game for the title contenders this season (Gateshead being the exception, though it was our second game in 2 days against a FT team that hadn't played in a week). Charman being suspended is a blow for us, but putting 6 past Farsley with 4 different scorers shows we have goals in the side when we get it right. Should be a decent game, but we probably need the points more than you at this stage if we're to really push on for the final play off place in the second half of the season.

We are going to rotate to some extent as we've got 6 games between now and West Ham on the weekend of the 5th. We physically can't keep playing the same 11. And our squad depth isn't great. Morgan-Smith didn't play yesterday for example.

I had noticed an upturn in form for you guys and I can imagine it will be great game we've scored a lot but got one of the best defences as well. I'm not sure how many will travel honestly. Our home to away fans aren't great honestly I reckon somewhere between 50-70.

 

[Harrier94]

Its all to play for, still think Gateshead and Fylde are the ones to beat, like Brackley last night we only named 4 subs against Gateshead and one of them I thi k was just filling a place as there was no chance he would be used having not played due to injury for weeks.
Again like Brackley we have no game on Saturday so both sides should be fresh for the game on Saturday week.

Can't rule is out yet. IF (and its a very big if) we win all our games in hand one each team we would be level with Brackley, 1 point off Gateshead, 4 points ahead of you and 3 points ahead of Fylde.

 

[Minstermen central]

Just a random signing from Irish league big Cameroon born centre half,
Slightly worried 80% of footage seen is of him heading against teams that play like Kettering.
Probably absolute shit with his feet.
Anyway wonder which one of our centre backs will be signing for Chester?

 

[MattRheadFingersDonuts]

Does anyone know what the hell has gone wrong at Telford?

only noticed how seriously rubbish they have been this season other day checking table……they really at present need a stroke of luck to survive this season and if it had been 3 down than just 1 they would be gone.

just poor management or more to it? They should not be heading down with their crowds and set-up

Cowan was god awful but the team isn't exactly competitive either.

Brad Bood is a bright spot and was on trial at Stoke earlier in the season, playing a couple of U23 games in PL2 for them. 18 yr old LB/LWB.

They have no real style of play, Oswell isn't exactly a beanpole but they use him as a target man with Kian Williams off him (apparently 'lightning quick' but I've seen faster acceleration from paraplegics)

Elliot Durrell was the only player who looked likely to do anything creative, the fans shat all over him because of inconsistency - which is dumb, if he was consisent he wouldn't be a bloody Step 2 player in the first place - and he's gone to Grantham.

McHale has shown flashes of ability but has been in and out the team.

Recruitment has been awful, all the loanees have been wank. Typical loanees from league clubs that everyone says is gonna smash the league and end up being bland nobodies who make sideways passes for 90'. Cameron Antwi and Tom Sparrow fall under that bracket. We had Kory Roberts from Bromley and he's now at Rushall a league below which says it all.

It's just been shite, all of it. When I last went v Farsley there was a spider infestation in the stand to top it all off. Fuckers were falling from the roof like a horror film.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Cowan was god awful but the team isn't exactly competitive either.

Brad Bood is a bright spot and was on trial at Stoke earlier in the season, playing a couple of U23 games in PL2 for them. 18 yr old LB/LWB.

They have no real style of play, Oswell isn't exactly a beanpole but they use him as a target man with Kian Williams off him (apparently 'lightning quick' but I've seen faster acceleration from paraplegics)

Elliot Durrell was the only player who looked likely to do anything creative, the fans shat all over him because of inconsistency - which is dumb, if he was consisent he wouldn't be a bloody Step 2 player in the first place - and he's gone to Grantham.

McHale has shown flashes of ability but has been in and out the team.

Recruitment has been awful, all the loanees have been wank. Typical loanees from league clubs that everyone says is gonna smash the league and end up being bland nobodies who make sideways passes for 90'. Cameron Antwi and Tom Sparrow fall under that bracket. We had Kory Roberts from Bromley and he's now at Rushall a league below which says it all.

It's just been shite, all of it. When I last went v Farsley there was a spider infestation in the stand to top it all off. Fuckers were falling from the roof like a horror film.

Thought you supported Gateshead?

 

[MattRheadFingersDonuts]

Thought you supported Gateshead?

I do but Telford are my 'local' after moving down here. Just isn't possible to get back up to heed games every week as I don't drive so decided to passively support the nearest Step 2 team to get a fix of football on weekend.

Blasphemous as it may be.

 

[Yorkidding]

Fair play, it's better than people jumping on the prem/championship bandwagon, I don't even watch that on tv now. In these leagues where it pays players mortgages, the passion is there and proper volunteers keep clubs afloat

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

While following your main team is really what you should do I can relate to following a local side due to distance, can only see Carlisle about 5-6 times a year and cannot afford on basic wage with a house and kid regular trips up north……got to have that breather from normality that you get when at a game.

saying that Tameside in Manchester is a weird area of 6 (well now 5) teams all within a small area playing about the same level, all officially rivals but with fans who frankly go about watching one side as their main but watch others in area when their side away.

have afew watch Curzon go watch Stalybridge, Mossley, or even Ashton United just to take in a game…….anything that isn’t watching tv football.

wonder if it is like that in London

 

[Minstermen central]

While following your main team is really what you should do I can relate to following a local side due to distance, can only see Carlisle about 5-6 times a year and cannot afford on basic wage with a house and kid regular trips up north……got to have that breather from normality that you get when at a game.

saying that Tameside in Manchester is a weird area of 6 (well now 5) teams all within a small area playing about the same level, all officially rivals but with fans who frankly go about watching one side as their main but watch others in area when their side away.

have afew watch Curzon go watch Stalybridge, Mossley, or even Ashton United just to take in a game…….anything that isn’t watching tv football.

wonder if it is like that in London

I went to Hyde v Matlock on Tuesday night was impressed with set up at Hyde and they had a decent crowd.Good entertaining match,also went to see liversedge v Pontefract, New Year’s Day.
Would rather watch these kind of games than premier league every day.
Trying to go round grounds,since lockdown been to Tadcaster Albion,Pickering,Marske,Hyde,Liversedge,Frickley,Brighouse,Matlock,Buxton,Whitby & Worksop when York are not playing and not seen a bad match plus try to play football.It’s the dinosaur manager like Heath & Cox who piss me off.

 

[Harrier94]

Don't often post specific goals but this was a ridiculous turn from Freemantle to score the winning goal against Farsley

https://twitter.com/x/status/1481394213153611781

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

Kettering away Saturday for us, not an easy one.

Cox team so no doubt big lumps to kick ten bells out of us, grubby tight pitch, longer grass etc etc.

nit the teams we will fare well at as we like to stretch teams and press them into their own half, am unsure we can do that Saturday, at least we should match the fight and effort and can win a lot in the air but are going to have to try and turn the game into an on ground battle.