Nick Montgomery takes his Hibs' side to Rugby Park tomorrow, accompanied by around 1,800 fans. Any points scored in this difficult game will be most welcome and Hibs often play well on the artificial pitch. We'll see if Montgomery's different style has an immediate effect - the new manager bounce. There's no doubt that Lee Johnson wasn't taking the players with him in his tactics and attitude. Many of the players will be aware that they might be playing for their futures at Easter Road in the next three months or so and will give their all for the team.

Killie have had a couple of poor results recently, mainly due to a lack of goals, and will have been glad of the international break. They haven't lost many goals though and this could be a close low-scoring encounter with one goal in it.

Fylde 1-2 Eastleigh
Aldershot 0-3 Gateshead
Bromley 1-1 Oldham
Ebbsfleet 3-4 Chesterfield
Halifax 0-2 Dorking
Hartlepool 1-1 Woking
Maidenhead United 0-0 Boreham Wood
Oxford City 2-1 Dag & Red
Rochdale 1-3 Barnet
Wealdstone 2-3 Altrincham
York 2-1 Southend
Kidderminster 0-2 Solihull Moors

League Table After Matchday 8

Amelia - 180
Spireitematt - 179
St Charles - 140
Dancing - 138
SaltergateBorn - 132
Lord Snoots - 127
Devon - 94

The international break is finally over, and in fairness it probably couldn't have come at a worse time for Town. Fresh off the victory away at West Brom, Town would have been forgiven for wanting to keep the games coming to try and get a run going. It wasn't to be and we have had to wait what feels like ages to get onto the next game. Oh well it has given a bit of time for players to recover from knocks and get a bit more training into the squad, lets see if it has worked and if any of the minor problems we were having have been ironed out. That being said, Rotherham too, would have liked the season to keep rolling on as they also registered a surprise victory,  a 2-1 win over David Wagner's Norwich City,  who had put 4 past Town the weekend before. That put the two sides on equal points in the league with Town just below on goal difference, although there is very long way to go in this season and I am sure the league table will look different on a number of occasions over the course of the season. There is normally one early runner that drops away and one slow starter that comes up on the outside when no one is looking. Who will those be, who knows.



Rotherham began last season as one of the favourites to go down having just won promotion from League One. Things weren't helped when Paul Warne elected to leave the club to drop back down a division in order to manage Derby County. This just put the bookies even more assertive that Rotherham would end up in the drop zone, but the South Yorkshire side proved them wrong by achieving a 19th placed finish under the guidance of former Exeter manager Matt Taylor. The Chorley native is still in charge of the Millers and has overseen a relatively busy transfer window. There was a number of incomings at The New York Stadium, with Fred Onyedinma checking in on loan from Luton, former Forest winger Arvin Appiah joining on loan from Almeria of Spain, whilst youngsters Sebastian Revan and Dexter Lembikisa made the the trip up from midlands side Aston Villa and Wolves respectively. On a more permanent front, midfielder Christ Tiehi joined from Slovan Liberec of the Czech Republic, keeper Dillon Phillips joined from Cardiff of the Peoples Republic of Wales, Grant Hall joined from Middlesbrough, Andre Green returned to these shores after playing for Slovan Bratislava in Slovakia, Cafu joined from Forest on a free transfer, whilst the big move from Rotherham in this window was to sign striker Sam Nombe from Exeter.



As for outgoings, Joshua Kayode moved on loan to Carlisle, Peter Kioso made the switch to Peterborough, whilst Jamie McCart made the trek north to Barnsley. Permanently they saw veteran Richard Wood leave for Doncaster, Josh Vickers moved to Derby, Wes Harding was tempted to the capital to play for Millwall and last seasons top scorer Chiedozie Ogbene saw out his contract and joined Premier League new boys Luton Town. Their main outgoings saw Conor Washington also join Paul Warne at Derby whilst Ben Wiles joined us near the end of the window and arguably enabled Rotherham to complete the Nombe deal.



Just a little quiz to get your grey matter cogs whirring, all these are famous Millers, unfortunately Windy didn't make the cut.

1- Not sporting, lists films like Layer Cake, 21 Bridges and GI Joe on their acting CV
2- Scottish international forward, that had an ill fated spell at Town that didn't last too long
3- Irish midfielder that has teams such as Celtic, Sunderland and Manchester United on his CV
4- Wrote a play regarded as one of the best in his country. Had a famous wife that is still an icon and an Oscar winning actor as a son in law
5- Retired midfielder that was old when he came to Town, but offered an experienced head in a promotion winning side




In terms of head to heads, it is a picture that is very much in the favour of Town with the Terriers winning 50% of the fixtures played. For reference that is 30 wins, with 18 draws and 12 defeats. The first fixture between the two sides came back in 1952 when Town won 1-0, but most recently last season Town won at home 2-0 thanks to goals from Duane Holmes and Jordan Rhodes. The fixture in New York earlier in the season saw Rotherham get the better of Town through goals from Washington and Georgie Kelly either side of Danny Wards goal.



Town appear to be going with the same squad as before the break, however Tom Lees could feature having played for the B team midweek, whilst David Kasumu and Sorba Thomas are expecting to be ready come the weekend. Ollie Turton remains the only real long term absentee for the coming game. Could little Kyle Hudlin be given a chance this weekend after scoring for the B team against Newcastle? who knows.

As for Rotherham, they too seem to be at full strength with Jordan Hugill once again expected to lead the line against Town, although Nombe may get a bigger role after having a couple of weeks with the squad now.

Huddersfield Pre match presser



Rotherham

https://www.themillers.co.uk/


played for both anagrams

1) Lean Ale
2) Repel Elite
3) Seniors Manor
4) Moot Tracks
5) Thy Floor Afro
6) Hollower In Satin
7) A Mod Shrunk

Felipe Rodriguez-Gentile has been named in the Argentina U17 squad who are preparing for the FIFA U17 World Cup.

North End’s 16-year-old forward, who burst on to the scene after scoring five in an FA Youth Cup clash against Rotherham United in December 2022, has joined up with the national team today.

They will spend time training before playing a friendly against Boca on the morning of Wednesday 13th September, as they look to get ready for the FIFA U17 World Cup taking place in Indonesia between November and December later this year.


It’s the first time Felipe – who has been on the PNE bench for every competitive match so far this season – has been involved with the Argentina national side.

Congratulations, Felipe and good luck!

THE MATCH

SATURDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER KO 3:00PM

v

LAST MATCH



We finally got on the board as we managed a draw at Leeds. Both teams had there chances, Leeds a few more than us, but either shots went wide or the keepers made a save or two. Onto the 2nd half and again both teams had chances, Vasquez making a couple of saves, while Smith had a shot saved and then Paterson put one over the bar from a corner. Iorfa made a clumsy challenge in the box but the ref didn't give a penalty. Leeds had a chance to win it near the end but Vasquez made a comfortable save.

THE MATCH



Back home and Ipswich make the journey north. While we have made a poor start to the season, Ipswich have done the opposite, winning 4 of there first 5 games, just a 3-4 defeat to Leeds there only blemish. There squad is still basically the same with several additions made over the summer. They are managed by Kieran McKenna, who took over just under 2 years ago. Broadhead and Ladapo are there early leading scorers with 3 each. Be interesting to see if Ipswich can maintain there early form as the season drags on, if they can a playoff spot at the least should be within reach.

ALL TIME H2H

OWLS 21
IPSWICH 20 
DRAWS 16

CURRENT FORM

OWLS              -                                                                                        

IPSW               -                                                                              

EFL STOOGES

DOES IT MATTER THERE ALL CORRUPT  

JAMES LININGTON
Jonathan Hunt and Mark Russell
Fourth Official : Leigh Doughty

THE TEAM

Vasquez
Pato Diaby Iorfa Berrnard Plamer
Delgado Bannan Byers Windass
Smith

SCORE & SCORER (HOME TEAM SCORE FIRST)

1-3 Broadhead

WEDNESDAYS FIRT GOAL TIME

55

ATTENDANCE

25689

BML LEAGUE

Maddix 2
Owlkev 1
Washington 1
Imre
SCO

BMPL

Stateside 1
Wereham 1
Pei -12

OTHER GAMES OF MILD INTEREST

Man Utd v Brighton
Cardiff v Swansea
Derby v Portsmouth
Wrexham v Grimsby
York City v Southend

AAHHA

THE MUPPETT LEAGUE




KATE BECKINSALE TRIBUTE PIC

Hibs have tempted one of the Australian A-League's top managers to sign a 3-year deal. Nick Montgomery, English by birth, played for Scotland Under-21s way back in 2003 and has proved himself at Central Coast Mariners, winning the A-League Championship this year.

Former Hibs' favourite, Jason Cummings was one of Montgomery's star players and maybe, just maybe, will finish up at Easter Road before long.  During his playing career, Montgomery has played alongside David Marshall, who will hopefully finish his career at Easter Road before long.

Montgomery brings with him Sergio Raimundo (assistant) and Miguel de Oliveira Miranda (goalkeeping coach) from the Mariners. SDG retains his role as first-team coach.

Down to the Southern League Premier South Division, Chesham United are clear at the top with seven wins out of seven. The Non-League Paper's report this week and pictures featured who else but Ricardo German, who grabbed a hat-trick and a star man award for them. What quirk prevented him making it somewhere? He was a good captain of our Junior side. He steps up and scores from the penalty spot no bother. He's physically strong, he's got a turn of pace, he's got a shot on him, he's a proven goal scorer, he can head the ball. What did we do to him, or did he do to himself? Chesterfield isn't the only place he's ended up failing ..... all the way to the Grenada international team so far, but he's got the ability and he could still do it much higher and full-time if he'd always translate his real self into performances on the pitch.

Go to National League South and leading the line for Maidstone United is Levi Amantchi, another young forward we developed almost to breaking point, then let go.

Over to our own league Mani Dieseruvwe proved himself last season at Halifax and is continuing in the same vein at Hartlepool. Always on the verge with us weren't you Mani?

Down to National North, whoever takes over the managerial reins at Darlo will be relying on Jacob Hazel to start scoring again to propel them up the table. Was it two brief appearances we gave you Jacob?

We seem good at coming up with goal scoring forwards. It's just that none of them get there for us. Jake Beesley even scored for Rochdale and Blackpool in the EFL, but never really made it on our voyage. Maybe, unlike John West, it's the fish we reject that stop us being the best.

Aside from all that, Derbyshire does seem to be doing rather well at football. Buxton 1-2 up at leaders Scunthorpe managed to get their match abandoned in the 95th minute for rain. Would someone have drowned if the ref' had played out the closing seconds? Nevertheless in National North their local rivals Alfreton sit just outside the play-offs after hammering Boston United 4-0, whilst far down south in the Southern League Central Premier, Mickleover, which used to be known for just one thing, now sit proudly top with a 100% record, and though Long Eaton are bottom they managed their first win on Saturday. Back in the Northern Prem' Matlock grabbed a 5-0 win to go above Ilkeston who crashed 1-2 at home to Worksop. Lot of teams going okay for a small county.

League One side Fleetwood Town have appointed former Hibernian boss Lee Johnson as their manager.

The 42-year-old joins having been sacked by Hibs on 27 August, following a slow start to the Scottish season.

Johnson replaces Scott Brown, who left on 3 September after five defeats from their opening six league games.

"We are delighted to attract someone with the calibre and record of Lee Johnson - we see it as a real statement of intent," said CEO Steve Curwood.

"During the process, we made it clear we were looking for an experienced manager who can help take what we feel is a very good squad up the table, and help to develop the club as a whole."

Former Oldham, Barnsley, Bristol City and Sunderland boss Johnson took over at Hibs from Shaun Maloney in May 2022 and guided them to a fifth-placed finish in his first season in charge.

He also helped them secure a Uefa Conference League qualifying place, by virtue of Celtic also winning the Scottish Cup, however they were thrashed 5-0 by Premier League side Aston Villa in their play-off first leg.

Johnson - whose contract length has not been disclosed - joins a Fleetwood side short on confidence, with the club second from bottom of League One and having earned just one point from their first six League One games.

Analysis
BBC Radio Lancashire's Philip Gittins

Lee Johnson has already amassed more than 500 senior matches in football management.

He was named the youngest manager in the English Football League when he was handed the reins at Oldham Athletic aged 31 in March 2013.

Subsequent spells at Barnsley, Bristol City and Sunderland have seen him gain extensive managerial experience, particularly in League One, which has undoubtedly been a huge contributory factor in the decision to offer him the chance of steering Fleetwood out of troubled waters.

There are no two ways about it, having finished in a comfortable 13th position last term, and with Scott Brown handed a contract extension in the summer, there were grounds for optimism that a top-half finish was more than a distinct possibility for Town this time around.

But having secured a point on their opening-day trip to Carlisle, no further points have been accrued as a lack of goals and a propensity to self-destruct defensively has led to the precarious early league position.

One glance at the Fleetwood squad does at least offer grounds for optimism, with a healthy blend of youth and experience in situ.

With the combined talents and experience of seasoned campaigners such as Jayden Stockley, Josh Vela, Jay Lynch, Jack Marriott, Danny Mayor and Josh Earl allied to exciting young talents such as Will Johnson, Phoenix Patterson, Promise Omochere and Scott Robertson, there is absolutely no reason why the Cod Army should not feel confident that calmer waters lie ahead.

But as good as things look on paper, the key now - as a new dawn begins on the Fylde Coast - is for Johnson to find a winning blend from his underachieving squad that will lead to brighter days ahead.