Very Mini Match Thread 24-25th November

[DarkSithLord]

Just three games in the National League this midweek so one of the smallest Match Threads of the season is in order

Tuesday

Chester v Dover
Woking v Tranmere

Wednesday

Boreham Wood v Lincoln City

So under pressure Steve Burr will be to quickly forget about Saturdays defeat to Woking when Dover visit Cheshire. The Kent side will be a tough proposition though and a win for Chris Kinnear and his men would propel them up to third in the table.

Elsewhere Tomorrow Night another Under pressure Manager Gary Brabin takes his Tranmere side to Kingfield to face Woking. Tranmere will be keen to improve on their away form which has seen them just register 3 away league victories. Gary Hill will be keen to build on Saturdays morale boosting success at Chester - a first league win since the 10th of October v Halifax.

And finally on Wednesday Lincoln face yet another trip down South to Boringwood sorry Boreham Wood. Lincoln can perhaps be regarded as genuine promotion contenders for the first time since relegation so they will be desperate for all 3 points to keep the pressure on the teams above them.

National North

Tomorrow is also a vital night in the National North with several eye catching fixtures that deserve a mention

Fifth place Harrogate host 4th Place promotion favourites AFC Fylde
The top two meet at Grange Lane as North Ferriby host Nuneaton fresh from a eye - catching 3-0 success over Fylde at the weekend.
And over at Edgeley Park Stockport will be desperate to get their season back on track in a huge game against a Solihull Moors side who are still unbeaten in the league

and I have mentioned the North so I better mention the South

Concord Rangers v Maidenhead
St Albans v Gosport
Weston S Mare v Havant and W

 

[Boz]

The North and South Nationals have arguably the more interesting fixtures, with a key bottom of the table clash between Weston Super Mare and Havant & Waterlooville as well as those high-lighted in the National North.

When Rovers narrowly beat Woking in a competitive opener, both sides would have been expecting better than the current mid-table placings. The Cards have been unfortunate with injuries in a small squad, while Rovers indifferent form is harder to explain. The hosts have Josh Quigley on loan who scored for Wrexham against us. We'll probably have the best central defensive pairing in McNulty and Hogan starting for the first time. A hard game to call.

 

[Luke Imp]

Our away weekday games so far this season have been Braintree, Gateshead (admittedly on a Bank Holiday), Welling, Barrow, Aldershot and now Boreham Wood.

As for the game, Sparrow back from suspension and that's all. Doubt Hearn will play 3 games in a week so I expect Wootton to come in for him (unless Sparrow does and we go 4-3-3) with Hearn back in on Saturday.

 

[Bluandwite]

We'll probably go and do something daft and beat Dover tomorrow, and those who've thrown a wobbly will go and miss a decent game, as that's how football bizarrely seems to work.

No idea what the tactics lottery will spew out, Sharps is suspended and not sure what's going on with Kay, so I don't think we have anyone to genuinely partner Heneghan in the centre of defence. Hopefully Luke George will be back, he was injured again on Saturday and we look worryingly hopeless without him.

Not sure what fag packet the idea to get six of us randomly playing this midweek was drawn up on either.

 

[CrazyImp]

No, I don't want any mention of the P word thanks, not yet anyway. Our level has been very good so far this season, but we have to be even better yet to be considered in the same bracket as the likes of Cheltenham and Grimsby. I'm not going to allow any undue expectation placed on us.

That said, we have to strike while the iron's hot, and I would be disappointed not to be over the 40-point mark come 10pm on Wednesday. We look confident and organised at the minute.

 

[FishyMackem]

Lincoln have looked better of late from what I've seen of them. As much as it pains me to say, they'll be above us in the league come 10pm tomorrow.

 

[Sparrow]

Hopefully we can build on Saturday's result against Tranmere tomorrow. Need Quigley and Holman to drag McNulty into wide areas and expose him. Never rated him and hopefully he shows why tomorrow. Unfortunately I'm missing this one. Massive part-timer, me.

 

[1884 Belmont]

Woking were very difficult to play against on the opening day and were pretty impressive to be honest. I'm not sold on McNulty yet either, but he was better on Saturday to be fair to him so hopefully he is starting to settle in. He's painfully slow, but that's not a shock to anyone is it? As for us, we played well on Saturday without looking like we got out of second gear. It's strange, but hopefully we can do our first double of the season tomorrow. We need to really or it will be meltdown material come 10pm again.

Elsewhere Tomorrow Night another Under pressure Manager Gary Brabin takes his Tranmere side to Kingfield to face Woking. Tranmere will be keen to improve on their away form which has seen them just register 3 away league victories.

That's very harsh considering we've only lost twice and we've been to Cheltenham (1st - W), FGR (2nd - W), Grimsby (3rd - D), Lincoln (5th - L), Wrexham (6th - D), Braintree (8th - D), Gateshead (12th - W). It's definitely our home form that's done for us so far.

 

[ShrewdBlue]

Not sure I agree Steve Burr is under pressure DSL. We're sitting comfortably in mid-table which is where I and most others expected us to be.

Due to our centre back situation - Dover to win quite comfortably.

 

[Sparrow]

We'll probably go and do something daft and beat Dover tomorrow, and those who've thrown a wobbly will go and miss a decent game, as that's how football bizarrely seems to work.

No idea what the tactics lottery will spew out, Sharps is suspended and not sure what's going on with Kay, so I don't think we have anyone to genuinely partner Heneghan in the centre of defence. Hopefully Luke George will be back, he was injured again on Saturday and we look worryingly hopeless without him.

Not sure what fag packet the idea to get six of us randomly playing this midweek was drawn up on either.

Dover are a very physical and direct side with about seven players in their starting XI over 6ft, so after seeing how lightweight Chester were on Saturday it could be difficult for you. Play it on the ground and don't get frustrated by their constant fouling when you get into their half or drawn into their direct style, and you might get something out of it.

Lastly, pray the ref refs them out of it because they're a part-time side around the play-offs.

 

[fifaking]

Fancy 3 away wins for the promotion and play off chasers. Must be decent odds, will have a gander tomorrow.

 

[Bluandwite]

Dover are a very physical and direct side with about seven players in their starting XI over 6ft, so after seeing how lightweight Chester were on Saturday it could be difficult for you. Play it on the ground and don't get frustrated by their constant fouling when you get into their half or drawn into their direct style, and you might get something out of it.

Lastly, pray the ref refs them out of it because they're a part-time side around the play-offs.

Yeah, I went to the away game at the Crabble earlier in the season, where we somehow came away with a point.

He's hinted at changes today but not convinced he can do much with this small squad really, change in shape will simply do for me keeping it simple with two up front, where he'll probably start Hobson for a bit of extra height.

 

[Back in the DHSS]

I've taken all leave of my senses and am traveling down to Woking today by train, overnighting and returning tomorrow. Could of invested in a new smart phone with the outlay.
Woking were one of the better footballing teams when we played them earlier in the season and if Goddard had laced his boots up properly they would of left Prenton park with 3 points.

Any decent ale houses in Woking? Any recommendations would be appreciated thanks.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Woking were very difficult to play against on the opening day and were pretty impressive to be honest. I'm not sold on McNulty yet either, but he was better on Saturday to be fair to him so hopefully he is starting to settle in. He's painfully slow, but that's not a shock to anyone is it? As for us, we played well on Saturday without looking like we got out of second gear. It's strange, but hopefully we can do our first double of the season tomorrow. We need to really or it will be meltdown material come 10pm again.

That's very harsh considering we've only lost twice and we've been to Cheltenham (1st - W), FGR (2nd - W), Grimsby (3rd - D), Lincoln (5th - L), Wrexham (6th - D), Braintree (8th - D), Gateshead (12th - W). It's definitely our home form that's done for us so far.

Fair enough, I didnt realize you away fixtures had been so tough. The fact remains though and you will want to turn some of the draws in to wins.

 

[Son of Cod]

Lincoln have looked better of late from what I've seen of them. As much as it pains me to say, they'll be above us in the league come 10pm tomorrow.

Weirdly, I'd like Lincoln to keep this form up. It adds to the excitement having a bit of rivalry up there and right now things are shaping up nicely for the match on December 28th. Obviously, I don't want them above us though, so a draw this week will do.

 

[SamScfc]

We're set to sign a keeper today so if we do we can get a point at least, if Ian Ormson starts we'll concede at least 2 and we can't score more than 1 against decent sides so we'll lose.

Still think we'll go up though.

 

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

Fancy 3 away wins for the promotion and play off chasers. Must be decent odds, will have a gander tomorrow.

One of them is guaranteed to fuck up. My money is on Dover.

 

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

Although Dover are 7/4, seems a tad long.

 

[Railway Blue]

The lowest crowd since reforming expected at The Deva Stadium tonight. I've not missed a home game since Harrogate Railway Athletic in Season One (2010), but I'm giving it a miss tonight. I'm afraid my 'watching dross threshold has been breached'. I was at the Crabble earlier this season and yes we stole a point there. Hoping that they'll upset the form book by my not being there. Btw I'm a season ticket holder so the club aren't losing out.

 

[Aberstone]

The lowest crowd since reforming expected at The Deva Stadium tonight. I've not missed a home game since Harrogate Railway Athletic in Season One (2010), but I'm giving it a miss tonight. I'm afraid my 'watching dross threshold has been breached'. I was at the Crabble earlier this season and yes we stole a point there. Hoping that they'll upset the form book by my not being there. Btw I'm a season ticket holder so the club aren't losing out.

I know the weather will put a lot of people off but for those not in the loop, Chester are 8th in the Form guide and 13th in the league so how can it be so dross? Are you mugging teams off for points time and time again?

 

[Bluandwite]

I mentioned this the other day, our fans have forgotten what mid-table is, and how it feels.

Our recent record:

07-08 - League 2 - Relegation battle, escaped penultimate game.
08-09 - League 2 - Relegated
09-10 - Conf - Relegation battle - eventually liquidated
10-11 - Evo North - Promoted
11-12 - Evo Prem - Promoted
12-13 - Conf North - Promoted
13-14 - Conf - Relegation (later reprieved)
14-15 - Conf - 12th

First time for quite a while there hasn't been any drama. We're winning plenty enough games but just not particularly exciting to watch.

 

[Sparrow]

The lowest crowd since reforming expected at The Deva Stadium tonight. I've not missed a home game since Harrogate Railway Athletic in Season One (2010), but I'm giving it a miss tonight. I'm afraid my 'watching dross threshold has been breached'. I was at the Crabble earlier this season and yes we stole a point there. Hoping that they'll upset the form book by my not being there. Btw I'm a season ticket holder so the club aren't losing out.

Blimey. Happy to enjoy the three promotions in a row but as soon as the going gets tough, no where to be seen.

 

[Pliny Harris]

You can borrow one or two of our hammerings if you want, Railway.

1,479 there at Chester tonight. Oh, for a world where 1,450 is our lowest home attendance since reforming.

 

[CrazyImp]

Chester 0-1 Dover
Woking 2-0 Tranmere

That's probably that for Brabin.

 

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

Glad I had a last minute change of heart and put Dover in my accumulator over Tranmere...

 

[Back in the DHSS]

Little bit harsh getting beat 2-0 ht, Started off quite brightly but Woking on top since they scored the 1st. Ref likes his cards too.

 

[Etty Abrics]

Impress your hipster anorak friends by referring to it as merely Crabble, and not 'the Crabble'.

 

[Reginald Fodstain]

Firstly, Back in the DHSS - fair play for going, you must be mad, sir!
Secondly, we're not particularly good...

 

[CrazyImp]

1-1 in Chester right on HT.

 

[Tranmerewhite]

Hopefully we go bust in the summer so I don't feel morally obliged to watch Vanarama North football next season.