Northern Premier League 2016/17

[Jemfy]

Looks like that is it squad wise before the big kick off on Saturday. Peaksy declared himself happy with the squad. No new striker to come in, and I suspect a couple are going out. Pradeep Bahrey hasn't been seen since the first friendly game, and Luke Hipwell has already got himself cup tied for the FA Cup having played for Wisbech in their game.

The first week of the season will be a busy one. First we face Newcastle Town away and then on Tuesday we have our first Northern League home game against Chasetown, with the FA Cup game following against Northampton Sileby Rangers.

Well as if to make us all look silly we've added a GK to the squad - Joseph Haynes. The odd thing is he's 27 rather than a youngster to develop. I imagine we're going to be seeing a split of game time between 'keepers through the season based on who is on form, or one of them will leave to get first team football. Can't see someone in the prime of their career wanting to spend a season on the bench.

 

[JJ1532]

Ilkeston's game v Stafford tomorrow is off. Clearly means they haven't settled their debts at the moment. Wonder how quickly they can get this sorted, what with games coming up thick and fast over the next few weeks.

 

[Jemfy]

So we lost our opener 1-0 with a sucker punch of a goal in the 88th min. We apparently were the better side but didn't put our chances away, and just like preseason couldn't keep the clean sheet in the end. Disappointing really, plus striker Jake Newmann limping off in the first half when he is built to be our main goalscorer. Hopefully nothing too serious.

 

[Jemfy]

I'm obviously going to focus on the D1 South, anyone with interest in the premier division is welcome to carry that flag.

So NPLD1S results:

Bedworth 2 - 2 Spalding
Carlton Town 3 - 3 Loughborough Dynamo
Chasetown 1 - 3 Shaw Lane
Gresley 2 - 2 Rugby Town
Kidsgrove 1 - 3 Belper
Lincoln United 1 - 1 Leek Town
Market Drayton 3 - 1 Stocksbridge Park Steels
Newcastle Town 1 - 0 AFCR&D
Northwich Victoria 2 - 2 Basford United
Sheffield FC 0 - 1 Romulus
Stamford 1 - 3 Witton Albion

Interesting results - lots of high scoring draws - 5 out of the 11 games! Only two teams failed to score, or to look at it from the other side only two teams kept clean sheets. I'll start bothering with the table, or sections of it, after 10 games.

 

[Jemfy]

Well our forum wasn't exactly happy about the chances we created etc on Saturday, and I imagine the fallout from tonight will be much the same - AFCR&D 1 - 3 Chasetown.

It must be said Chasetown appear to have a strong squad and will be right in the mix at the top of the league, but from following twitter we were much closer to losing by more than coming back in to it. At home we should be in any game if we are going to be up there, and it sounds like we were well and truly beaten.

Edit: Oh and our goal came from CB Liam Dolman - so two games in and one goal scored, by a defender at that.

 

[Jemfy]

After Wednesday night's game the full midweek results are here for the NPLD1S

Basford 1 - 1 Lincoln United (Mon)
AFCR&D 1 - 3 Chasetown
Belper 1 - 3 Newcastle Town
Leek 3 - 2 Market Drayton
Loughborough Dynamo 0 - 3 Bedworth United
Rugby 1 - 2 Stamford
Shaw Lane 2 - 0 Sheffield FC
Spalding 2 - 0 Carlton
Stocksbridge 1 - 2 Gresley
Witton Albion 3 - 0 Kidsgrove Athletic
Northwich Victoria 1 - 2 Romulus (Wed)

Northwich losing is perhaps a surprise, expected them to do well. Bit of a wakeup call for us - with a second loss suggesting we're not as good as some thought we were. After a lot of draws on the opening weekend there was only one midweek... make of that what you will. We'll certainly be looking forwards to the break from league action to try and build confidence in the cup. On current form however that could go horribly wrong!

 

[Harrier94]

Ilkeston have had their 3rd game postponed now. The game against Stourbridge this Saturday is off after the Stafford Rangers and Whitby Town games were postponed.

 

[genesimmons]

Ilkeston have had their 3rd game postponed now. The game against Stourbridge this Saturday is off after the Stafford Rangers and Whitby Town games were postponed.

God knows what's going on there wonder what crack is with spennymoor Game

Sent from my Lenovo TAB 2 A10-70F using Tapatalk

 

[Jemfy]

Back to league action this weekend for the NPLD1S. We're in to the bank holiday double headers and all clubs are playing on both Saturday and Monday. Here are Saturday's fixtures:

Bedworth vs Stocksbirdge
Carlton Town vs AFCR&D
Chasetwon vs Belper Town
Gresley vs Leek Town
Kidsgrove vs Rugby Town
Lincoln United vs Romulus
Market Drayton vs Loughborough Dynamo
Newcastle Town vs Basford
Northwich vs Spalding
Sheffield FC vs Witton Albion
Stamford vs Shaw Lane

Still getting to grips with the strengths of the division, so a bit early to call too many of the games. Diamonds really need to step it up with the confidence from the FA Cup win in order to start getting some league points on the board.

On the plus side if we're in a relegation battle finding somewhere to play next season might be easier with lower standards required...

 

[Harrier94]

Ilkeston's game against Ashton has been given the green light to play.

 

[Woodworm]

Tough start that for Ilkeston. Have many players left? What have been doing? Training?

 

[JJ1532]

Lost 2 key players in Liam Hearn and Michael Williams, but it looks like the rest have stayed. Also signed a player today it seems. A few wins early on and they can recover, despite being 4 games behind most of the league.

 

[Jemfy]

Some catching up in the NPLD1S to be done due to the forum outage.

First off results from Saturdays games:

Bedworth 2 - 2 Stocksbirdge
Carlton Town 1 - 3 AFCR&D
Chasetwon 0 - 0 Belper Town
Gresley 1 - 1 Leek Town
Kidsgrove 0 - 1 Rugby Town
Lincoln United 1 - 2 Romulus
Market Drayton 0 - 3 Loughborough Dynamo
Newcastle Town 3 - 1 Basford
Northwich 1 - 3 Spalding
Sheffield FC 0 - 1 Witton Albion
Stamford 1 - 1 Shaw Lane

Diamonds get off the mark with a win at Carlton. By all reports Carlton looked a poor side, but there was much improvement for us and confidence will be starting to flow now.

A full fixture list on Monday saw the following games take place:

AFCR&D 2 - 0 Bedworth United
Basford 1 - 2 Chasetown
Belper 1 - 2 Gresley
Leek Town 2 - 2 Kidsgrove Athletic
Loughborough Dynamo 1 - 0 Lincoln United
Romulus 2 - 1 Newcastle Town
Rugby 0 - 1 Carlton Town
Shaw Lane 2 - 2 Northwich Vics
Spalding 2 - 1 Stamford
Stocksbridge 2 - 1 sheffield FC
Witton Albion 3 - 1 Market Drayton

So AFCR&D make it 6 points from 2 games over the bank holiday weekend to bring out total up to 6! Another improved performance against Bedworth from all accounts, we seem to be starting to find a gear. Finally a clean sheet too. Though looking at the scores from all over the division it seems like a league where there are going to be plenty of goals and few clean sheets!

Some of the early surprises come in the form of Northwich, Basford and Shaw Lane, expected to be three of the main title contenders, all failing to pick up wins.

After 4 games Witton and Romulus have the maximum of 12 points, while only Sheffield FC are yet to gain a point. It looks like a relatively even division on this basis, though it is of course possible that fixtures ensure that it looks even early on. Diamonds now 10th of 22 with 6 points and +1GD.

Most of the league breaks for the first qualifying round of the FA Cup, but teams that have gone out have moved in on the territory to get fixtures for non-league day. The league fixtures set to go ahead are these:

Basford vs Northwich Vics
Loughborough Dyanmo vs Carlton Town
Market Drayton vs Shaw Lane
Newcastle Town vs Stocksbridge Park Steels

 

[Jemfy]

Last night in a league cup tie the worst thing that can happen at a game occurred for Shaw Lane at BrighouseTown, where defender Daniel Wilkinson collapsed on the pitch with a suspected heart attack and later was confirmed to have passed away.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37346820

 

[JJ1532]

Really horrible situation. Must have been horrific for the physios to try and save him, plus for his teammates to witness. Also feel for his friends and family, terrible to lose someone so young. Only 26, same age as me. Really scary and sad situation all round.

 

[Railway Blue]

Jemfy ......... is the Evo Stik League where you've found your level?

 

[Jemfy]

Jemfy ......... is the Evo Stik League where you've found your level?

No, I don't think so, at least not in the regional division. This is only our second season at this level (sideways move from SLD1C). We might find our level at step 3 due to the issues we have with not owning a ground etc, but with a regular attendance between 400-500 we should manage to be an average regional conference side IMO.

If we can get the ground sorted then we can start dreaming of upping those support numbers...

 

[Railway Blue]

Are there any Stourbridge supporters on here? I'm fascinated to know why crowds are up to 4 figures. Are you letting Wolves ST holders in free or something. You don't appear to be mounting a challenge.

 

[Railway Blue]

No, I don't think so, at least not in the regional division. This is only our second season at this level (sideways move from SLD1C). We might find our level at step 3 due to the issues we have with not owning a ground etc, but with a regular attendance between 400-500 we should manage to be an average regional conference side IMO.

If we can get the ground sorted then we can start dreaming of upping those support numbers...

Are you planning to move from the Dog and Duck nearer home?

 

[Jemfy]

Well it's been a while so here's a bit of the status of the league (D1S - if anyone wants to talk about any of the other divisions feel free of course).

There are now huge disparities between the number of games clubs have played with cup competitions in flow. We are the joint lowest on just 7 league fixtures completed while there are teams who have done 11. Stamford and Lincoln United are the only other teams who have only completed 7 league games and they will fall further behind this weekend due to their cup exploits. As if to make it even worse all 3 of us are through in the Trophy. While there are no league fixtures for the next trophy date clubs can move games to the free Saturday, and I am sure many will.

Currently Spalding top the league, unbeaten with 24 points from their 10 games, it's certainly been an impressive start. Gresley are also unbeaten in their 8 games, though they sit in 6th with 16 points as they have drawn as many as won. Shaw lane are up at the top as expected, while ourselves and Basford both are short of expectations currently.

Bottom of the table Rugby Town have already changed their manager, with Jepson having only been appointed during the summer that's a very quick turnaround! Especially considering it was his first management position.

1. Spalding United 10 +10 24
2. Shaw Lane AFC 11 +9 22
3. Newcastle Town 10 +4 21
4. Witton Albion 8 +10 19
5. Romulus 10 +0 17
6. Gresley FC 8 +4 16
7. Stocksbridge Park Steels 10 -1 16
8. Basford United 11 -1 15
9. Northwich Victoria 11 +2 13
10. Chasetown 9 -2 12
11. Bedworth United 8 +2 11
12. Lincoln United 7 +1 11
13. Belper Town 9 +0 11
14. Loughborough Dynamo 11 -6 11
15. Leek Town 9 -2 10
16. Market Drayton Town 11 -8 10
17. AFC Rushden and Diamonds 7 +1 9
18. Stamford 7 -2 8
19. Carlton Town 10 -6 8
20. Kidsgrove Athletic 9 -2 7
21. Sheffield FC 10 -5 7
22. Rugby Town 8 -8 4

Diamonds host Sheffiled FC on Saturday, which should hopefully be a good chance to get some points on the board against one of the worst sides in the division so far.

After a poor start we've really got to be aiming to try and upset the playoff pack and make 5th, which puts us effectively 8 points behind with 3 games in hand - just enough to make it, however it does rely on Gresley dropping points in their games in hand.

 

[Jemfy]

Are you planning to move from the Dog and Duck nearer home?

See the first page of this thread. The short answer is we've been given notice and are looking for somewhere to play next season

 

[Harrier94]

Are there any Stourbridge supporters on here? I'm fascinated to know why crowds are up to 4 figures. Are you letting Wolves ST holders in free or something. You don't appear to be mounting a challenge.

It could be just from previous title challenges, an increase in derby's and decent cup runs over the past few years has attracted some of the locals into going to games.

 

[Jemfy]

Diamonds managed a 2-1 win over Sheffield FC (who I appear to be obligated to mention are the oldest club in the world). It wasn't plain sailing against the second from bottom side however. Diamond gave away a penalty and had a man sent off as a result early in the first half, giving the visitors the lead and their first sight of points from an away game this season. It was only 5 mins until Nabil Shariff got on the score sheet with an effort from his own rebound off the post. The winner didn't come until the 89th min when Diamonds got a penalty of our own for a handball in the area, and Shariff put that one away. Overall despite being a man short AFCR&D seemed to have the better of the play and could have taken the lead earlier but for some good goalkeeping and an effort cleared off the line.

We're up to 13th with the 3 points from that game, and we have a quick turnaround for an away game at Belper on Tuesday night. Unfortunately it's not a chance to catch up on the games in hand yet as most of the league play.

Overall in the league there is a new leader, with Spalding losing at home to Leek it was Shaw Lane who could take advantage and go top. Gresley also lost their unbeaten record away at Newcastle Town, so there are no more unbeaten sides in the league. An impressive and somewhat unexpected start to the season for Newcastle Town.

 

[Jemfy]

8 Tuesday games in the NPLD1S, with one postponed due to Stamford having the audacity to have to go to a replay in order to knock Wrexham out of the FA Cup

Belper Town 1 - 4 AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Chasetown 5 - 0 Loughborough Dynamo
Gresley 1 - 2 Bedworth United
Leek Town 1 - 0 Northwich Victoria
Rugby Town 0 - 3 Market Drayton
Shaw Lane 5 - 2 Lincoln United
Sheffield FC 3 - 0 Basford United
Witton Albion 0 - 0 Stocksbridge Park Steels

Diamonds get an impressive away win, and interestingly enough the goal conceeded came from the spot, meaning we haven't conceded from open play in the last 2 games, despite playing the majority of one of them with 10 men! Another player hobbling off injured however is just par for the course these days! This time it was Richard Bunting, who had not long returned from injury.

Our next opponents Basford United are expected to be a very tough team, I would suggest they probably had a joint effect of the midweek away game absences (without knowing) and underestimating Sheffield. I expect them to give us a very tough game despite the poor result at a team we beat with 10 men. Shaw Lane put things back to normal, but Gresley go from unbeaten to losing two in a row.

Diamonds move up to 12th thanks to the loss for Northwich, with games in hand on everyone except Stamford and Lincoln United. Importantly just 3 points behind 5th placed Chasetown, and with a GD 1 better (n.b also 2 games in hand). It's amazing how much the table changes at this point in the season with just a couple of wins! If we can string in one or two more we'll be right up there in the playoff mix, but we have a tough run coming up, with a visit to table toppers Spalding soon.

 

[F Side Rat]

I was at that Sheffield game last night. Bashford were much the better team in the first half and even when Sheffield scored their first I would have said it was against the run of play. They then collapsed defensively.
Strange game football

 

[Jemfy]

The Basford game was tough as predicted, and like the two previous cup fixtures between the sides, this game was filled with goals. AFCR&D 2- 2 Basford United.

Overall the weekend games were mostly predictable. Spalding spanked Sheffield FC. Shaw Lane heaped misery on Gresley's recent form with a 3-0 away win. Stamford pick up their first home league win of the season while Newcastle Town continue to fly high. Shaw Lane have a 4 point lead at the top of the table having played 2 more than Spalding, but it's Newcastle Town who are the surprise in 3rd, behind Spalding on GD and having played a game more. Witton Albion are a point back with a further game in hand, meaning they are the side with the most potential points in the league. That group of 4 appears to be stating to pull away from the rest of the league, effectively leaving one playoff spot up for grabs. Of course it's too early in the season to determine such things, and these sides need to maintain form.

Diamonds sit 11th, ahead of 3 teams on GD. With tough league fixtures coming up too.

No midweek games to report on in D1S. Over the weekend there will be 5 games of teams who are knocked out of the Trophy and re-arranged. Interestingly Basford are playing the return fixture with Sheffield! Spalding and Newcastle Town are also both in action hoping to make ground up on Shaw Lane

 

[Inactive]

Highlights between Leamington & Mickleover Sports in the FA Trophy

 

[DarkSithLord]

An update on the AFC Rushden and Diamonds Ground situation -

They may be facing homelessness, but AFC Rushden & Diamonds are not letting their impending departure from Wellingborough Town affect their league form.

Diamonds are currently twelfth in the Evo Stik Northern Premier League First Division South, following a switch in the summer from the Southern League, and have achieved Step 4 status only four years after their predecessor club Rushden & Diamonds were wound up.

Having ground-shared at Wellingborough`s Dog & Duck since their inception, they are now facing moving from the ground but have already identified possible new temporary homes at Daventry Town, Rushden & Higham United, and also the former home of Northampton Spencer has reportedly been shortlisted if the ground can be upgraded to Ground Grade C/D status which would mean new stands and a better draining pitch which ultimately led to Spencer's recent demise.

One ground which AFC Rushden & Diamonds will certainly not be using is the former home of Rushden & Diamonds – Nene Park – which is set to be demolished early in 2017 in order to make way for new social housing.

Nene Park has stood empty for many years and the ground has recently been condemned as a safety hazard with a rat infestation also reported by recent council contractors.

“It's very much a case of options open, and we are in dialogue with Daventry Town as well as a number of United Counties League clubs in the Northampton area,” said club Director and treasurer Matt Ward. “Daventry Town would be ideal, as their ground is suitable for the level at which we play – with other clubs we would have to do what Kettering Town did at Burton Park Wanderers and to upgrade their facilities.

“With regards to the former Northampton Spencer ground, it is a possibility but work would have to begin very soon in order to bring it up to the necessary ground grading. New stands, new facilities etc., would need to be on site by March as well as a new better draining pitch and we are almost at the end of the year – a lot of work would need to be done in a very short space of time during a possible wet and cold winter, if we chose this route, and hopefully, funding would be available as we are not a cash rich club.”

A decision on where the club will play next season will be announced just after Christmas.

 

[Jemfy]

Wow, that article took me ages to find for no apparent reason. Here's the link - http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/options-open-for-diamonds-50819/

In short, I think the article is full of rubbish misinformation and old information.

First off - I can categorically disprove that there is any planning permission to demolish the stadium at Nene Park and replace it with housing. There are plans for housing over the road from the stadium. That land is owned by different people, it is not part of the Nene Park site. There is an existing outpatient facility there. Apart from anything else, that land is massively uphill from the Nene Park site, which is considered a flood plane and therefore unsuitable for housing to begin with. The proof is easily found through a quick search of the East Northamptonshire council planning application website. Also that potential housing development is currently under review, and looks likely to get rejected (lack of appropriate school and medical facilities for increased population).

Furthermore I can find no evidence of this rat infestation line. It doesn't mean it's false of course, just that there is nothing online to back it up that I can find.

With reference to the apparent quotes from our treasurer - I seriously doubt he would say these things in public publishable places, but it also reads like some very old stuff that came out at the start of the season when we were initially considering our options. All negotiations are of course handled behind closed doors and the fans are not privy to such details (for the sake of privacy for all parties). The three ground make sense to mention as they are obvious - Daventry is up to standard, Spencer is unoccupied, and Rushden & Higham is the best location actually being in Rushden as well as the former home of Rushden Town.

On the grounds mooted:

- Daventry is really far. It's the opposite end of the county. Closer options include Corby (x2 - Rockingham Triangle and Steel Park) and St Neots. The only advantage of Daventry is proximity to the M1 for travelling north, or players living further north to come to matches/training. The ground is at grade D I believe, meaning it's fine to stay at step 4 but requires improvement to go to step 3. It is the only ground in the UCL that I know of that is currently rated to be suitable for step 4.

- Spencer is pretty much a no-go IMO as it's at the bottom of a valley pretty much and floods every year. Some years are worse than others but it causes a massive fixture backlog. Great bar facilities, but it wasn't enough to keep Northampton Spencer alive. It's also at the back end of nowhere, and has been a target for thieves on numerous occasions. The stadium would also need a lot of work to bring up to the required level before 31st March.

- R&H would be ideal if it were practical to upgrade. But there are numerous massive hurdles to doing so. Not least the fact one side is occupied by a condemned main stand. The ground is rather enclosed. The club there (R&H) would have to consent to us arriving which would involve them dropping their reserve team from the UCL reserve league (Saturday 3pm KO's at a UCL level ground), something they were definitely opposed to in the past.

 

[Jemfy]

In actual NPLD1S news it's been a mixed 24 hours for Basford, who beat Stamford last night before being docked 3 points for fielding an ineligible player earlier in the season in their win over Stocksbridge Park Steels.

I've said it before on here, and I'll say it again. Points should be awarded to the opposition whenever an ineligible player is fielded - the match should be treated as forfeited. That's not what the current rules read, so I'm not decrying the league for this. And in this case, in terms of us chasing a playoff spot, it's good for us that doesn't happen since Stocksbridge are one of the playoff hopefuls. Still morally it should be forfeit.

Tonight we play 2nd placed Spalding. It's going to be a very tough match for us, but we have new signing Ben Ford available, and fitness returning to a number of players. Joe Curtis, Ross Oulton and Lewis Leslie - all our attacking central midfielders - are still out, as is RB Ash Deeney. Matt Finlay, our goalkeeper, had his finger put back in place by an opposition supporter in the 1-0 FA Trophy victory over Coalville, so he could be a doubt if it's sore. Spalding can go top if the win, so they will be very much up for this game.