https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/ Fri, 03 Apr 2026 22:59:06 +0000 MyBB https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=13884 Sat, 09 Aug 2025 18:48:49 +0000 Devongone]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=13884
National League Results Aug 9th

Altrincham 3-2 Aldershot Town
Boreham Wood 0-2 Rochdale
Boston Utd v Morecambe Match Postponed
Brackley Town 1-0 Eastleigh.
Braintree Town 3-0 FC Halifax.
Gateshead 0-3 Southend United
Solihull Moors 2-2 Forest Green Rovers.
Tamworth 1-2 Scunthorpe United.
Wealdstone 2-0 Truro City
Woking 0-2 Carlisle United
Yeovil Town 0-0 Hartlepool United
York City 2-2 Sutton Utd

Despite Brackley Town winning their first game at this level after six unsuccessful attempts to reach it, Mark Hughes managing in non-league and grabbing a good win at Woking, and Hartlepool's Chairman Raj Sin gh having written to all fellow National League clubs asking them to refuse boardroom access to broadcaster and former club President Jeff Stelling, the most telling and sad news has to be the postponed match due to the "crisis" at Morecambe. Boston played a National League Cup game instead.

Former EFL clubs scrambling to regain that status this season look to be setting the tone for the season. Southend cruised to a 0-3 victory after the long journey up to Gateshead, bringing on Andrew Dallas their new loan signing when the scoring was complete. Neil Ardley's high hopes for his Woking outfit were rather crushed by an impressive Carlisle side. Rochdale flattened Luke Garrard's hopes at Boreham Wood with two Emmanuel Dieseruvwe goals announcing his move from Hartlepool, and Scunthorpe celebrated having fought their way back to this level with Danny Whitehall scoring and starring at Tamworth. Twenty Three efforts on goal and nineteen corners saw Robbie Savage's Forest Green still only draw away at Solihull, but goals from substitutes Christain Doidge and Nick Houghton may be signs of even further game domination to come, whilst York City could not capitalise on an early strike form last season's 33-goal star Ollie Pearce slumping to a 2-2 at home due to a late Sutton Utd goal from Brandon Njoku. Yeovil and Hartlepool played out a goalless draw in a game in which there were as many yellow cards over all as shots on target from either side. Halifax, under new management, crashed at self-proclaimed pub team Braintree, under new management too, and Altrincham with Kahrel Reddin being appropriately red-hot proved too strong for Aldershot. Newly promoted Truro who are going to face some long trips (on cold Tuesday nights especially) only managed three shots at Wealdstone and went down 2-0, whilst Brackley deserved their opening win at home to Eastleigh in a game they dominated 1-0.

NationaL League North results Aug 9th

AFC Fylde 3 - 2 Oxford City
Bedford Town 2 - 2 Alfreton Town
Buxton 2 - 1 Radcliffe
Chester 3 - 2 Peterborough Sports
Curzon Ashton 1 - 1 Leamington
Darlington 2 - 3 Chorley
Kidderminster Harriers 1 - 0 Scarborough Athletic
King's Lynn Town 1 - 1 AFC Telford United
Macclesfield 3 - 1 Worksop Town
Merthyr Town 2 - 0 Southport
South Shields 1 - 0 Marine
Spennymoor Town 2 - 0 Hereford

Successful substitutions always earn praise for the manager concerned so when Jon Ustabasi came on just before half time to pull back Fylde's deficit to Oxford City to just 2-1 that change had already succeeded. When immediately in the second half he equalised hope was growing and former Plymouth favourite Danny Mayor obliged with a a curling winner. At Chester a first half substitution also changed the course of the game, coming on at 1-1 against Peterborough Sports it took Dylan Mottley-Henry just five minutes to score, but a minute later his creaky defence conceded again. Nine minutes into the second half he scored what proved to be the winner - just shows what a few games for Chesterfield can do for a player. Makes the cynical wonder why the subs didn't start. Two goals from the travelled Tyrone Marsh might have been enough to give Bedford the points in their new campaign but goals from man of the match Siya Ligendsa and Fewster ensured Alfreton Town shared the points.

Luke Brennan and Connor Kirby scored to give Buxton a 2-1 win over Radcliffe at Silverlands. A debut goal from Miro Pais ensured Leamington a 1-1 draw at Curzon Ashton and Chorley overcame a late arrival at Darlington to win 2-3, despite going down to ten men when Lalkovic was red-carded. But geographically Merthyr were the stars celebrating surprise northern roots with a deserved home win 2-0 against Southport in front of a crowd of over 1,800. Despite a late flurry from Scarborough, title favourites Kidderminster Harriers found a 12th minute goal from Reece Devine was sufficient for a 1-0 home win.

Macclesfield showed that losing Robbie Savage doesn't mean they've lost their fight. Despite going behind to Worksop following a finger-tip goalkeeping save to keep out a Jordan Burrow sizzler which was tapped in by Starcenko, the Silkmen kept a home crowd of over 3,000 happy running out 3-1 winners. Glen Taylor was as usual on the mark for Spennymoor as they eased past Hereford 2-0. Michael Gyasi demonstrated brute strength and some crazy dribbling as well as the ability to score, but the new era in King's Lynn still only opened with a 1-1 draw against AFC Telford. Weathering a Marine storm South Shields were able to gain a 1-0 win when Dan Ward applied the finish to a blistering counter-attck.

[u]National League South Results Aug 9th[u]

Chelmsford City 1 - 0 Horsham
Chippenham Town 2 - 2 Dorking Wanderers
Dagenham & Redbridge 0 - 2 Ebbsfleet United
Dover Athletic 2 - 3 AFC Totton
Farnborough 1 - 1 Eastbourne Borough
Hampton & Richmond Borough 0 - 0 Salisbury
Hemel Hempstead Town 1 - 1 Maidstone United
Hornchurch 3 - 2 Weston-super-Mare
Maidenhead United 1 - 2 Chesham United
Tonbridge Angels 0 - 0 Slough Town
Torquay United 3 - 1 Enfield Town
Worthing 1 - 1 Bath City

Though draws were very much the order of the day throughout the division Chelmsford, with only two survivors from last season's squad after a summer of change managed to avoid that fate, thanks to one of the lucky two, Harry Barbrook, netting his first for the club to down Horsham 1-0. Better things may be on the cards for Chelmsford having now signed Lyle Taylor, formerly of Forest and Birmingham City. The battle of the newly-promoted sides saw AFC Totton run out winners 2-3 at Dover Ath, but two goals from George Nikaj and the late pressure they exerted on Totton suggest better may be to come from Whites. The relegation derby saw Ebbsfleet ease to a 0-2 win at Dagenham, but with a combination of Andy Carroll as minority shareholder and player and impending new Qatari ownership better times might not be far off for the Daggers. Weston Super Mare, after a week in which the town was made made to sound like Desolation Row in a newspaper article, fell to a late Nathan Bertram-Cooper winner at a Hornchurch side boasting Josh Hare and Angelo Balanta in their ranks. 3-2 suggested plenty of entertainment was on offer, as it was at relegated Maidenhead, who went down 1-2 to Chesham for whom Callum Adebiyi was the best of several impressive performers. Torquay, last season's runners-up, rather cruised it at home to Enfield 3-1, with the addition of the experienced Louis Dennis suggesting that this season they might just go one better.

Clever combination between Billy Clifford, who impressed throughout, and Rakish Bingham saw Farnborough come back to draw at home against Eastbourne. The presence of these players in their line-up together with the experienced Dom Poleon and Kai Jennings too could make Farnborough serious contenders. Alfie Rutherford grabbed a late equaliser for Dorking to grab a 2-2 draw at Chippenham. Hampton and Richmond and Salisbury ended in a stalemate 0-0. A 92nd-minute equaliser saw Hemel Hempstead grab a 1-1 home draw against Maidstone Utd, whilst Slough's superiority at Tonbridge Angels didn't make the scoresheet and they must have been disappointed to finish 0-0, whilst another late equaliser saw Bath snatch a point at ten-man Worthing, for whom Joel Colbran was given a straight red for a 35th minute high tackle.]]>
National League Results Aug 9th

Altrincham 3-2 Aldershot Town
Boreham Wood 0-2 Rochdale
Boston Utd v Morecambe Match Postponed
Brackley Town 1-0 Eastleigh.
Braintree Town 3-0 FC Halifax.
Gateshead 0-3 Southend United
Solihull Moors 2-2 Forest Green Rovers.
Tamworth 1-2 Scunthorpe United.
Wealdstone 2-0 Truro City
Woking 0-2 Carlisle United
Yeovil Town 0-0 Hartlepool United
York City 2-2 Sutton Utd

Despite Brackley Town winning their first game at this level after six unsuccessful attempts to reach it, Mark Hughes managing in non-league and grabbing a good win at Woking, and Hartlepool's Chairman Raj Sin gh having written to all fellow National League clubs asking them to refuse boardroom access to broadcaster and former club President Jeff Stelling, the most telling and sad news has to be the postponed match due to the "crisis" at Morecambe. Boston played a National League Cup game instead.

Former EFL clubs scrambling to regain that status this season look to be setting the tone for the season. Southend cruised to a 0-3 victory after the long journey up to Gateshead, bringing on Andrew Dallas their new loan signing when the scoring was complete. Neil Ardley's high hopes for his Woking outfit were rather crushed by an impressive Carlisle side. Rochdale flattened Luke Garrard's hopes at Boreham Wood with two Emmanuel Dieseruvwe goals announcing his move from Hartlepool, and Scunthorpe celebrated having fought their way back to this level with Danny Whitehall scoring and starring at Tamworth. Twenty Three efforts on goal and nineteen corners saw Robbie Savage's Forest Green still only draw away at Solihull, but goals from substitutes Christain Doidge and Nick Houghton may be signs of even further game domination to come, whilst York City could not capitalise on an early strike form last season's 33-goal star Ollie Pearce slumping to a 2-2 at home due to a late Sutton Utd goal from Brandon Njoku. Yeovil and Hartlepool played out a goalless draw in a game in which there were as many yellow cards over all as shots on target from either side. Halifax, under new management, crashed at self-proclaimed pub team Braintree, under new management too, and Altrincham with Kahrel Reddin being appropriately red-hot proved too strong for Aldershot. Newly promoted Truro who are going to face some long trips (on cold Tuesday nights especially) only managed three shots at Wealdstone and went down 2-0, whilst Brackley deserved their opening win at home to Eastleigh in a game they dominated 1-0.

NationaL League North results Aug 9th

AFC Fylde 3 - 2 Oxford City
Bedford Town 2 - 2 Alfreton Town
Buxton 2 - 1 Radcliffe
Chester 3 - 2 Peterborough Sports
Curzon Ashton 1 - 1 Leamington
Darlington 2 - 3 Chorley
Kidderminster Harriers 1 - 0 Scarborough Athletic
King's Lynn Town 1 - 1 AFC Telford United
Macclesfield 3 - 1 Worksop Town
Merthyr Town 2 - 0 Southport
South Shields 1 - 0 Marine
Spennymoor Town 2 - 0 Hereford

Successful substitutions always earn praise for the manager concerned so when Jon Ustabasi came on just before half time to pull back Fylde's deficit to Oxford City to just 2-1 that change had already succeeded. When immediately in the second half he equalised hope was growing and former Plymouth favourite Danny Mayor obliged with a a curling winner. At Chester a first half substitution also changed the course of the game, coming on at 1-1 against Peterborough Sports it took Dylan Mottley-Henry just five minutes to score, but a minute later his creaky defence conceded again. Nine minutes into the second half he scored what proved to be the winner - just shows what a few games for Chesterfield can do for a player. Makes the cynical wonder why the subs didn't start. Two goals from the travelled Tyrone Marsh might have been enough to give Bedford the points in their new campaign but goals from man of the match Siya Ligendsa and Fewster ensured Alfreton Town shared the points.

Luke Brennan and Connor Kirby scored to give Buxton a 2-1 win over Radcliffe at Silverlands. A debut goal from Miro Pais ensured Leamington a 1-1 draw at Curzon Ashton and Chorley overcame a late arrival at Darlington to win 2-3, despite going down to ten men when Lalkovic was red-carded. But geographically Merthyr were the stars celebrating surprise northern roots with a deserved home win 2-0 against Southport in front of a crowd of over 1,800. Despite a late flurry from Scarborough, title favourites Kidderminster Harriers found a 12th minute goal from Reece Devine was sufficient for a 1-0 home win.

Macclesfield showed that losing Robbie Savage doesn't mean they've lost their fight. Despite going behind to Worksop following a finger-tip goalkeeping save to keep out a Jordan Burrow sizzler which was tapped in by Starcenko, the Silkmen kept a home crowd of over 3,000 happy running out 3-1 winners. Glen Taylor was as usual on the mark for Spennymoor as they eased past Hereford 2-0. Michael Gyasi demonstrated brute strength and some crazy dribbling as well as the ability to score, but the new era in King's Lynn still only opened with a 1-1 draw against AFC Telford. Weathering a Marine storm South Shields were able to gain a 1-0 win when Dan Ward applied the finish to a blistering counter-attck.

[u]National League South Results Aug 9th[u]

Chelmsford City 1 - 0 Horsham
Chippenham Town 2 - 2 Dorking Wanderers
Dagenham & Redbridge 0 - 2 Ebbsfleet United
Dover Athletic 2 - 3 AFC Totton
Farnborough 1 - 1 Eastbourne Borough
Hampton & Richmond Borough 0 - 0 Salisbury
Hemel Hempstead Town 1 - 1 Maidstone United
Hornchurch 3 - 2 Weston-super-Mare
Maidenhead United 1 - 2 Chesham United
Tonbridge Angels 0 - 0 Slough Town
Torquay United 3 - 1 Enfield Town
Worthing 1 - 1 Bath City

Though draws were very much the order of the day throughout the division Chelmsford, with only two survivors from last season's squad after a summer of change managed to avoid that fate, thanks to one of the lucky two, Harry Barbrook, netting his first for the club to down Horsham 1-0. Better things may be on the cards for Chelmsford having now signed Lyle Taylor, formerly of Forest and Birmingham City. The battle of the newly-promoted sides saw AFC Totton run out winners 2-3 at Dover Ath, but two goals from George Nikaj and the late pressure they exerted on Totton suggest better may be to come from Whites. The relegation derby saw Ebbsfleet ease to a 0-2 win at Dagenham, but with a combination of Andy Carroll as minority shareholder and player and impending new Qatari ownership better times might not be far off for the Daggers. Weston Super Mare, after a week in which the town was made made to sound like Desolation Row in a newspaper article, fell to a late Nathan Bertram-Cooper winner at a Hornchurch side boasting Josh Hare and Angelo Balanta in their ranks. 3-2 suggested plenty of entertainment was on offer, as it was at relegated Maidenhead, who went down 1-2 to Chesham for whom Callum Adebiyi was the best of several impressive performers. Torquay, last season's runners-up, rather cruised it at home to Enfield 3-1, with the addition of the experienced Louis Dennis suggesting that this season they might just go one better.

Clever combination between Billy Clifford, who impressed throughout, and Rakish Bingham saw Farnborough come back to draw at home against Eastbourne. The presence of these players in their line-up together with the experienced Dom Poleon and Kai Jennings too could make Farnborough serious contenders. Alfie Rutherford grabbed a late equaliser for Dorking to grab a 2-2 draw at Chippenham. Hampton and Richmond and Salisbury ended in a stalemate 0-0. A 92nd-minute equaliser saw Hemel Hempstead grab a 1-1 home draw against Maidstone Utd, whilst Slough's superiority at Tonbridge Angels didn't make the scoresheet and they must have been disappointed to finish 0-0, whilst another late equaliser saw Bath snatch a point at ten-man Worthing, for whom Joel Colbran was given a straight red for a 35th minute high tackle.]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=13093 Sat, 27 Apr 2024 18:31:57 +0000 themaclad]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=13093 https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=12867 Mon, 08 Jan 2024 17:23:21 +0000 themaclad]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=12867
Penn, 38, had been in charge since February 2020, following a short spell as interim boss the previous year.

He led them to promotion last season but they are currently bottom of the National League table.

Penn's departure comes only three weeks after former Wimbledon and Bolton striker Dean Holdsworth was named as Harriers' first technical director.

"This is a difficult decision to have taken," said Harriers chairman Richard Lane. "But one we feel is necessary in our current circumstances."

At three years and just under four months, Penn, whose departure was officially announced by the club late on Sunday, was the longest-serving Harriers manager since Steve Burr was sacked on exactly the same day - 7 January - after four years in charge exactly a decade ago.

In fact, Harriers have now sacked four of their last eight managers on 7 January - Penn, Neil McFarlane,Dave Hockaday and Burr.

Penn talks to BBC Hereford & Worcester in last interview as boss
After two years on Scunthorpe United's books, Penn made 162 appearances for Harriers from 2005 to 2009 during a playing career which also took him to Burton Albion, Cheltenham Town, York City, Carlisle United, Wrexham and Gateshead.

He returned to Aggborough as player-coach under Neil McFarlane in November 2018 and then served under three other bosses, Mark Yates, John Pemberton and Jimmy Shan, before becoming manager himself in April 2020.

Penn enjoyed a fine run to the fourth round of the FA Cup in 2021-22, when Harriers beat Reading in round three and were then only denied victory over West Ham United by an injury-time Declan Rice equaliser.

Despite finishing 24 points behind second-placed King's Lynn last season, Penn then led Harriers to promotion from National League North, after coming from nowhere to win their last nine matches on the trot.

But they have only won four out of 28 league games this term - and Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Rochdale left them two points below AFC Fylde and seven adrift of safety.

Penn's assistant Jimmy O'Connor will remain in post to provide some kind of transition between Penn and his successor.

Harriers' next two matches are at home, against Altrincham in the FA Trophy on Saturday, followed by Aldershot in the league on 20 January.]]>
Penn, 38, had been in charge since February 2020, following a short spell as interim boss the previous year.

He led them to promotion last season but they are currently bottom of the National League table.

Penn's departure comes only three weeks after former Wimbledon and Bolton striker Dean Holdsworth was named as Harriers' first technical director.

"This is a difficult decision to have taken," said Harriers chairman Richard Lane. "But one we feel is necessary in our current circumstances."

At three years and just under four months, Penn, whose departure was officially announced by the club late on Sunday, was the longest-serving Harriers manager since Steve Burr was sacked on exactly the same day - 7 January - after four years in charge exactly a decade ago.

In fact, Harriers have now sacked four of their last eight managers on 7 January - Penn, Neil McFarlane,Dave Hockaday and Burr.

Penn talks to BBC Hereford & Worcester in last interview as boss
After two years on Scunthorpe United's books, Penn made 162 appearances for Harriers from 2005 to 2009 during a playing career which also took him to Burton Albion, Cheltenham Town, York City, Carlisle United, Wrexham and Gateshead.

He returned to Aggborough as player-coach under Neil McFarlane in November 2018 and then served under three other bosses, Mark Yates, John Pemberton and Jimmy Shan, before becoming manager himself in April 2020.

Penn enjoyed a fine run to the fourth round of the FA Cup in 2021-22, when Harriers beat Reading in round three and were then only denied victory over West Ham United by an injury-time Declan Rice equaliser.

Despite finishing 24 points behind second-placed King's Lynn last season, Penn then led Harriers to promotion from National League North, after coming from nowhere to win their last nine matches on the trot.

But they have only won four out of 28 league games this term - and Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Rochdale left them two points below AFC Fylde and seven adrift of safety.

Penn's assistant Jimmy O'Connor will remain in post to provide some kind of transition between Penn and his successor.

Harriers' next two matches are at home, against Altrincham in the FA Trophy on Saturday, followed by Aldershot in the league on 20 January.]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=12479 Wed, 05 Jul 2023 13:00:29 +0000 themaclad]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=12479 Saturday, 5 August

Aldershot Town v Oxford City

Altrincham v Dagenham & Redbridge

Barnet v Hartlepool United

Chesterfield v Dorking Wanderers

FC Halifax Town v Bromley

Gateshead v Boreham Wood

Kidderminster Harriers v Woking

Maidenhead United v AFC Fylde

Rochdale v Ebbsfleet United

Solihull Moors v Eastleigh

Southend United v Oldham Athletic

Wealdstone v York City]]> Saturday, 5 August

Aldershot Town v Oxford City

Altrincham v Dagenham & Redbridge

Barnet v Hartlepool United

Chesterfield v Dorking Wanderers

FC Halifax Town v Bromley

Gateshead v Boreham Wood

Kidderminster Harriers v Woking

Maidenhead United v AFC Fylde

Rochdale v Ebbsfleet United

Solihull Moors v Eastleigh

Southend United v Oldham Athletic

Wealdstone v York City]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=12351 Sat, 13 May 2023 16:33:37 +0000 themaclad]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=12351 Chesterfield 2-1 just into ET

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2 all]]> Chesterfield 2-1 just into ET

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2 all]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=11525 Wed, 06 Jul 2022 13:47:33 +0000 themaclad]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=11525 Saturday, 6 August

Aldershot Town v Solihull Moors

Altrincham v Maidstone United

Barnet v FC Halifax Town

Dagenham & Redbridge v Gateshead

Dorking Wanderers v Chesterfield

Notts County v Maidenhead United

Scunthorpe United v Yeovil Town

Southend United v Boreham Wood

Torquay United v Oldham Athletic

Wealdstone v Bromley

Wrexham v Eastleigh

York City v Woking]]> Saturday, 6 August

Aldershot Town v Solihull Moors

Altrincham v Maidstone United

Barnet v FC Halifax Town

Dagenham & Redbridge v Gateshead

Dorking Wanderers v Chesterfield

Notts County v Maidenhead United

Scunthorpe United v Yeovil Town

Southend United v Boreham Wood

Torquay United v Oldham Athletic

Wealdstone v Bromley

Wrexham v Eastleigh

York City v Woking]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=11366 Sun, 22 May 2022 07:18:48 +0000 themaclad]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=11366
Goals from Lenell John-Lewis and Maziar Kouhyar were enough to secure promotion for John Askey’s side in front of a sell-out crowd at the LNER Community Stadium.

York came into this playoff final off the back of a seven-game unbeaten run and they were full of confidence heading into the game as they looked to utilise home advantage.

Since securing their place in the playoffs, Askey’s side had carried their run of momentum established into the playoffs as wins over Chorley and Brackley Town had ensured that the Minstermen qualified for the final as the highest-ranked side.

Askey made no changes ahead of kick off from the side that featured against Brackley Town last time out, as John-Lewis shook off a thigh injury sustained last weekend to ensure he started up top for the Minstermen.

Boston came into this game hoping that they could go one better and secure promotion after they were defeated in the playoff final two years ago against Altrincham, as they travelled up to North Yorkshire also full of confidence after only suffering one defeat in their previous nine games.

Paul Cox’s side secured their place in the playoffs on the final day of the season and wins over Kidderminster Harriers and AFC Fylde ensured they would feature in their second successive playoff final.

Cox named only one change from the side that secured a 2-0 win over AFC Fylde on Sunday afternoon. Former York striker Jake Wright Jnr was brought into the starting eleven to feature up front alongside top-scorer Danny Elliott, as loanee Ntumba Massanka dropped onto the bench.

The Minstermen couldn’t have made a better start at the LNER Community Stadium as they took the lead after only five minutes. A long-throw into the penalty area by Scott Barrow from the left-hand side was controlled excellently inside the penalty area by John-Lewis, he turned and let the ball drop to his feet before unleashing a powerful effort across goal into the bottom-right corner to score his sixth goal in his last seven appearances.

Boston captain Luke Shiels went close for the visitors moments later with an acrobatic effort but his strike flew well over the bar, before City skipper Paddy McLaughlin turned inside onto his left foot from the right-hand side to unleash a curling effort towards goal for City, but it also curled well over the bar as the Minstermen looked to double their lead early on.

Elliott was unable to steer an effort towards goal as he shot narrowly wide of the target after the home side had failed to deal with a long-throw into the area by Femi Seriki, before McLaughlin fired over the bar again for the Minstermen moments later, this time from distance.

Clayton Donaldson was inches away from doubling the Minstermen’s lead seven minutes before half-time as he controlled the ball superbly on the right-hand side, he cut inside onto his left-foot and curled the ball towards goal, but he was denied by the crossbar as the ball flew out of play for a goal kick.

John-Lewis also went close again for City as the clock approached half-time, but his strike went well high and wide of goal as the Minstermen ensured they lead heading into the break.

Boston started the second half brightly and had the second period’s first chance on goal. A corner from the left-hand side was played into the area and towards the back post towards the head of Shiels, but he was unable to capitalise as he headed well over the bar.

The visitors looked very much on top in the early exchanges of the second half and they had appeals for a penalty turned away by referee Matt Corlett just after the hour mark after midfielder Paul Green fell to ground inside of the York penalty area, before Elliott went close a minute later as he had a curling effort towards goal deflected wide for a corner by a red shirt.

With fifteen minutes to go, substitute Matty Brown was unable to divert his header goal-bound as he rose high to meet a free-kick into the area from Maziar Kouhyar, before Peter Jameson produced a brilliant low save to deny Shane Byrne from levelling the game for Boston as he tipped a low free-kick away for a corner.

The game was put to bed by the Minstermen with four minutes to go as they doubled their advantage. Kouhyar won the ball on the right-hand side of play, he drove forward into the penalty area and produced an effort on goal, which beat Boston keeper Marcus Dewhurst at his near post.

City held on for victory, which sees them secure promotion back to the National League for the first time since suffering relegation to the sixth tier in 2017.



York City: Jameson (GK), Dyson, Kouogun, Sanders, Barrow (Brown 71’), Wright, Hancox, McLaughlin ©, Kouhyar, John-Lewis, Donaldson

Unused Subs: Whitley, Woods, Willoughby, McKay

Goals: John-Lewis (5’), Kouhyar (86’)

Yellow Cards: Kouogun



Boston United: Dewhurst (GK), Seriki, Shiels ©, Garner, Ferguson, Byrne, Abbott (Massanka 60’), Green, Dimaio (F.Preston 83’), Wright Jnr (Hanson 75’), Elliott

Unused Subs: Duxbury, Wright Snr

Goals: N/A

Yellow Cards: Abbott



Attendance: 7,448

Referee: Matt Corlett]]>
Goals from Lenell John-Lewis and Maziar Kouhyar were enough to secure promotion for John Askey’s side in front of a sell-out crowd at the LNER Community Stadium.

York came into this playoff final off the back of a seven-game unbeaten run and they were full of confidence heading into the game as they looked to utilise home advantage.

Since securing their place in the playoffs, Askey’s side had carried their run of momentum established into the playoffs as wins over Chorley and Brackley Town had ensured that the Minstermen qualified for the final as the highest-ranked side.

Askey made no changes ahead of kick off from the side that featured against Brackley Town last time out, as John-Lewis shook off a thigh injury sustained last weekend to ensure he started up top for the Minstermen.

Boston came into this game hoping that they could go one better and secure promotion after they were defeated in the playoff final two years ago against Altrincham, as they travelled up to North Yorkshire also full of confidence after only suffering one defeat in their previous nine games.

Paul Cox’s side secured their place in the playoffs on the final day of the season and wins over Kidderminster Harriers and AFC Fylde ensured they would feature in their second successive playoff final.

Cox named only one change from the side that secured a 2-0 win over AFC Fylde on Sunday afternoon. Former York striker Jake Wright Jnr was brought into the starting eleven to feature up front alongside top-scorer Danny Elliott, as loanee Ntumba Massanka dropped onto the bench.

The Minstermen couldn’t have made a better start at the LNER Community Stadium as they took the lead after only five minutes. A long-throw into the penalty area by Scott Barrow from the left-hand side was controlled excellently inside the penalty area by John-Lewis, he turned and let the ball drop to his feet before unleashing a powerful effort across goal into the bottom-right corner to score his sixth goal in his last seven appearances.

Boston captain Luke Shiels went close for the visitors moments later with an acrobatic effort but his strike flew well over the bar, before City skipper Paddy McLaughlin turned inside onto his left foot from the right-hand side to unleash a curling effort towards goal for City, but it also curled well over the bar as the Minstermen looked to double their lead early on.

Elliott was unable to steer an effort towards goal as he shot narrowly wide of the target after the home side had failed to deal with a long-throw into the area by Femi Seriki, before McLaughlin fired over the bar again for the Minstermen moments later, this time from distance.

Clayton Donaldson was inches away from doubling the Minstermen’s lead seven minutes before half-time as he controlled the ball superbly on the right-hand side, he cut inside onto his left-foot and curled the ball towards goal, but he was denied by the crossbar as the ball flew out of play for a goal kick.

John-Lewis also went close again for City as the clock approached half-time, but his strike went well high and wide of goal as the Minstermen ensured they lead heading into the break.

Boston started the second half brightly and had the second period’s first chance on goal. A corner from the left-hand side was played into the area and towards the back post towards the head of Shiels, but he was unable to capitalise as he headed well over the bar.

The visitors looked very much on top in the early exchanges of the second half and they had appeals for a penalty turned away by referee Matt Corlett just after the hour mark after midfielder Paul Green fell to ground inside of the York penalty area, before Elliott went close a minute later as he had a curling effort towards goal deflected wide for a corner by a red shirt.

With fifteen minutes to go, substitute Matty Brown was unable to divert his header goal-bound as he rose high to meet a free-kick into the area from Maziar Kouhyar, before Peter Jameson produced a brilliant low save to deny Shane Byrne from levelling the game for Boston as he tipped a low free-kick away for a corner.

The game was put to bed by the Minstermen with four minutes to go as they doubled their advantage. Kouhyar won the ball on the right-hand side of play, he drove forward into the penalty area and produced an effort on goal, which beat Boston keeper Marcus Dewhurst at his near post.

City held on for victory, which sees them secure promotion back to the National League for the first time since suffering relegation to the sixth tier in 2017.



York City: Jameson (GK), Dyson, Kouogun, Sanders, Barrow (Brown 71’), Wright, Hancox, McLaughlin ©, Kouhyar, John-Lewis, Donaldson

Unused Subs: Whitley, Woods, Willoughby, McKay

Goals: John-Lewis (5’), Kouhyar (86’)

Yellow Cards: Kouogun



Boston United: Dewhurst (GK), Seriki, Shiels ©, Garner, Ferguson, Byrne, Abbott (Massanka 60’), Green, Dimaio (F.Preston 83’), Wright Jnr (Hanson 75’), Elliott

Unused Subs: Duxbury, Wright Snr

Goals: N/A

Yellow Cards: Abbott



Attendance: 7,448

Referee: Matt Corlett]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=8585 Wed, 12 Jun 2019 14:05:19 +0000 themaclad]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=8585 https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=8167 Wed, 20 Feb 2019 17:05:23 +0000 Devongone]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=8167
Getting the right result?

On Saturday Havant and Waterlooville, fighting to avoid relegation in the National League, played a tough home game against Wrexham and came out 2-3 losers, which put them in some trouble. Then on Tuesday night they were required to travel all the way up to Fylde, who on Saturday hadn’t even been able to score against Chesterfield, but in the night air suddenly became capable of banging in six to more than double Havant’s trouble. Would the score have been 6-2 on a Saturday? Take a look a little higher, our oldest club, Notts County, stretched themselves on Saturday to somehow beat local rivals Mansfield 1-0, but by Tuesday they were playing again in an all-important game and were hammered by Newport County and look like exiting the EFL. And it doesn’t only happen in the lower divisions, The Championship with its 24 teams is at best half-football half-slog. West Brom had to win at Villa on Saturday and were asked to do the same again at QPR on Tuesday. Does succeeding in that make them a potential Premier League team, or just the toughest Championship outfit, probably doomed to slogging their way towards being outclassed one year on? No wonder more and more top Premier sides loan out their youngsters to European leagues where football ability is a higher priority than elastic hamstrings and bulging calf muscles.

Marathon?

Non-League teams continue to cry out for more access to Football League status. Football League teams resist for fear of losing their own status, ignoring the fact that more access would also give them a better chance of returning to former habitual inglories. Meanwhile football hangs onto its antiquated marathon 46 game structure and cup games that present such a remote chance of success that many clubs tend to rely on their fringe players to guarantee an early exit.

A Fifth Division? Would protest strangle it a birth?

Is their something magical about the number 92? It’s the atomic number of uranium, which is worrying. Wouldn’t a more sensible and rounded answer to the number of member league clubs be 100? Reducing the number of teams in the top division by just two when the Premier League was created seemed to improve the standard of football. Reducing the number of teams in the Championship by four might even see promoted teams being ready for the exigencies of the higher division rather than being groomed as automatic relegation candidates. But, of course, if 20 teams in the Championship implies radical change for the few of its teams required to step down a level, the structure changes even more radically once the notion of 20 teams is followed through and necessitates a fifth division. By the time we reach the current Division One potential change means only about nine current teams would maintain their status so we could expect plenty of voices raised in protest once its reality, like Brexit, hoved into view, but wouldn’t the result be better? The fifth division would obviously be welcomed by the whole non-league, because eight of their teams would be involved. Though it might not be universally popular I’d suggest the top four National League teams should automatically join Division Five and I’d return to the old-fashioned system of a ballot of the current 92 to determine which four other non-leaguers irrespective of current form were currently best-suited and ready for league status, simply so that the change and Division Five would start off on the right foot.

Within this structure the National League could retain its current Northern and Southern Divisions so that developing, sometimes part-time, clubs would not face the possibility of regular 900-mile round trips come Saturday, or Tuesday night. Promotion to and relegation from the new five division structure could also be made attractive by the winner of each National League section automatically going up and a play-off system bringing through a third side. Though current League sides would fear the three relegation places, the potential of three promotion places and greatly-reduced travelling expenditure during any exile would soften the blow and open up the entire football structure.

Cup Opportunities

With five divisions it might also be possible to provide a proper, unique role for the secondary cup competition, now the Carabao Cup, which really only becomes popular with Premier League sides if they reach the semi-final stage. The Premier League sides with their major rewards elsewhere could be exempted from it entirely, thus enthusing current Championship sides about winning a Wembley final, and possibly taking advantage of the new thinner programme to structure the cup in a different way (and coincidentally euthanasing the current Checkatrade Distrophy).

Once we are down to a more sensible number of games per season and the League Cup, that everybody forgets about unless Man City and Chelsea turn out to be in the final, is reformed, maybe then we’ll be in a position to suggest something radical to revive that magical competition, the FA Cup. My current favourite solution would be to award a league bonus point for every FA Cup win from the first round onwards. Though a point seems a tiny reward it could decide a division, avoid relegation, qualify for Europe – vanishingly few managers would have the cojones to eschew that point in favour airing all the fringe players they wish they hadn’t signed. (AFC Wimbledon’s run for instance would have seen them pretty much level pegging with their rivals at the bottom of League One, instead of marooned in 24th place.) And wouldn't the crowds be back for cup games once a top club like Liverpool had put on a lame performance in the cup and cost themselves the league too.......?

Thoughts on a slow day in Devon.]]>
Getting the right result?

On Saturday Havant and Waterlooville, fighting to avoid relegation in the National League, played a tough home game against Wrexham and came out 2-3 losers, which put them in some trouble. Then on Tuesday night they were required to travel all the way up to Fylde, who on Saturday hadn’t even been able to score against Chesterfield, but in the night air suddenly became capable of banging in six to more than double Havant’s trouble. Would the score have been 6-2 on a Saturday? Take a look a little higher, our oldest club, Notts County, stretched themselves on Saturday to somehow beat local rivals Mansfield 1-0, but by Tuesday they were playing again in an all-important game and were hammered by Newport County and look like exiting the EFL. And it doesn’t only happen in the lower divisions, The Championship with its 24 teams is at best half-football half-slog. West Brom had to win at Villa on Saturday and were asked to do the same again at QPR on Tuesday. Does succeeding in that make them a potential Premier League team, or just the toughest Championship outfit, probably doomed to slogging their way towards being outclassed one year on? No wonder more and more top Premier sides loan out their youngsters to European leagues where football ability is a higher priority than elastic hamstrings and bulging calf muscles.

Marathon?

Non-League teams continue to cry out for more access to Football League status. Football League teams resist for fear of losing their own status, ignoring the fact that more access would also give them a better chance of returning to former habitual inglories. Meanwhile football hangs onto its antiquated marathon 46 game structure and cup games that present such a remote chance of success that many clubs tend to rely on their fringe players to guarantee an early exit.

A Fifth Division? Would protest strangle it a birth?

Is their something magical about the number 92? It’s the atomic number of uranium, which is worrying. Wouldn’t a more sensible and rounded answer to the number of member league clubs be 100? Reducing the number of teams in the top division by just two when the Premier League was created seemed to improve the standard of football. Reducing the number of teams in the Championship by four might even see promoted teams being ready for the exigencies of the higher division rather than being groomed as automatic relegation candidates. But, of course, if 20 teams in the Championship implies radical change for the few of its teams required to step down a level, the structure changes even more radically once the notion of 20 teams is followed through and necessitates a fifth division. By the time we reach the current Division One potential change means only about nine current teams would maintain their status so we could expect plenty of voices raised in protest once its reality, like Brexit, hoved into view, but wouldn’t the result be better? The fifth division would obviously be welcomed by the whole non-league, because eight of their teams would be involved. Though it might not be universally popular I’d suggest the top four National League teams should automatically join Division Five and I’d return to the old-fashioned system of a ballot of the current 92 to determine which four other non-leaguers irrespective of current form were currently best-suited and ready for league status, simply so that the change and Division Five would start off on the right foot.

Within this structure the National League could retain its current Northern and Southern Divisions so that developing, sometimes part-time, clubs would not face the possibility of regular 900-mile round trips come Saturday, or Tuesday night. Promotion to and relegation from the new five division structure could also be made attractive by the winner of each National League section automatically going up and a play-off system bringing through a third side. Though current League sides would fear the three relegation places, the potential of three promotion places and greatly-reduced travelling expenditure during any exile would soften the blow and open up the entire football structure.

Cup Opportunities

With five divisions it might also be possible to provide a proper, unique role for the secondary cup competition, now the Carabao Cup, which really only becomes popular with Premier League sides if they reach the semi-final stage. The Premier League sides with their major rewards elsewhere could be exempted from it entirely, thus enthusing current Championship sides about winning a Wembley final, and possibly taking advantage of the new thinner programme to structure the cup in a different way (and coincidentally euthanasing the current Checkatrade Distrophy).

Once we are down to a more sensible number of games per season and the League Cup, that everybody forgets about unless Man City and Chelsea turn out to be in the final, is reformed, maybe then we’ll be in a position to suggest something radical to revive that magical competition, the FA Cup. My current favourite solution would be to award a league bonus point for every FA Cup win from the first round onwards. Though a point seems a tiny reward it could decide a division, avoid relegation, qualify for Europe – vanishingly few managers would have the cojones to eschew that point in favour airing all the fringe players they wish they hadn’t signed. (AFC Wimbledon’s run for instance would have seen them pretty much level pegging with their rivals at the bottom of League One, instead of marooned in 24th place.) And wouldn't the crowds be back for cup games once a top club like Liverpool had put on a lame performance in the cup and cost themselves the league too.......?

Thoughts on a slow day in Devon.]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=6381 Mon, 26 Feb 2018 12:48:27 +0000 Devongone]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=6381
Elsewhere, Bostick Premier Thurrock join the list of non-league clubs feeling the financial pinch. Manager Mark Stimson insists he has been informed the club is to fold at the end of the season, but that his players, who achieved promotion in 2016/17, will continue to give their all in their remaining games. The club's owner put them up for sale at the start of the season for health reasons and no buyer has come forward.

Meanwhile York City Supporters Trust and owner Jason McGill are at a stand-off over shareholdings which could leave the club's future in doubt. The Trust owns 25% of the club and McGill 75%. As he and his company are covering the club's losses until moving to their new community stadium in 2019 he has asked for the Trust's 25%. Though the Trust, to protect the club, has offered 20% in a deal that would also see the Trust receive a payment if McGill sold his shares within two years of moving to their new stadium, McGill has rejected the offer. (Bootham Crescent is valued at £4.5 million by the City of York Council which would cover the money loaned by Mr McGill and his company.) The club's auditor speaking on McGill's behalf said that if the Trust refused the offer there was a real possibility of the club going out of business. He believes the shares would reward McGill's efforts at York, but as the shares currently have no value, and if there isn't a surplus from the sale of Bootham Crescent, McGill would stand to gain nothing, questions are being raised as to his motives. Supporters are currently urging McGill to be open about his vision for the club by providing business plans and management accounts for the last two years.]]>
Elsewhere, Bostick Premier Thurrock join the list of non-league clubs feeling the financial pinch. Manager Mark Stimson insists he has been informed the club is to fold at the end of the season, but that his players, who achieved promotion in 2016/17, will continue to give their all in their remaining games. The club's owner put them up for sale at the start of the season for health reasons and no buyer has come forward.

Meanwhile York City Supporters Trust and owner Jason McGill are at a stand-off over shareholdings which could leave the club's future in doubt. The Trust owns 25% of the club and McGill 75%. As he and his company are covering the club's losses until moving to their new community stadium in 2019 he has asked for the Trust's 25%. Though the Trust, to protect the club, has offered 20% in a deal that would also see the Trust receive a payment if McGill sold his shares within two years of moving to their new stadium, McGill has rejected the offer. (Bootham Crescent is valued at £4.5 million by the City of York Council which would cover the money loaned by Mr McGill and his company.) The club's auditor speaking on McGill's behalf said that if the Trust refused the offer there was a real possibility of the club going out of business. He believes the shares would reward McGill's efforts at York, but as the shares currently have no value, and if there isn't a surplus from the sale of Bootham Crescent, McGill would stand to gain nothing, questions are being raised as to his motives. Supporters are currently urging McGill to be open about his vision for the club by providing business plans and management accounts for the last two years.]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=6323 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 15:11:38 +0000 Devongone]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=6323
In 2015, before it was sold, Hartlepool was a debt-free club. Increased Oil Recovery, its owners, had overseen promotion and play-off campaigns, but when the oil dried up so did their finance. Disaster struck when Gary Coxall and JPNG, a recruitment firm took over. Coxall charmed everyone, but by the time he left in May last year the club was in complete turmoil. A late goal from Newport took Hartlepool out of the league and though they have so far avoided going into administration, which would mean a ten point deduction, the debts linger, and a £48,000 tax bill was only paid by a supporter, who set up a JustGiving page to save the club. There is, however, still a chance they will tumble into liquidation. They are officially up for sale, but even an interested local businessman willing to put in £1.5 million reached the conclusion that much more would be needed to make a difference. He withdrew, despite being a life-long fan. Things look bleak.

Look down the table from Hartlepool and you'll find Chester. They know about liquidation. Eight years ago Chester City went out of business and Chester FC, a community owned club, rose from the ashes. Promotions drew the crowds, the club was flourishing and made it all the way back to the Vanarama, before that winning run stalled and crowds began to dwindle. Eventually the club went public and announced that £50,000 had to be raised to survive even another month. Fortunately £45,000 has been raised so far and further events are planned. Resignations at board level and continuing cash injections raise hopes that the club can be saved, but relegation remains a strong possibility.

Further up the table manager John Still was hoping to take Dagenham & Redbridge back into League 2, but  majority share-holder Glyn Hopkin announced he was pulling his funding following a campaign by Daggers fans to remove managing director Steve Thompson from his post. The loss of that money forced Still to sell on three key players. Morgan Ferrier went back to Boreham Wood, Sam Ling headed for Leyton Orient and skipper Scott Doe by mutual agreement ended up at Whitehawk. Hopkin had invested £1 million, renovating the stadium and overhauling the squad to get back in the Football League, but was upset by protest flags displayed by Daggers fans at recent away games. With a wage bill of £40,000 a week suddenly unfunded, Dagenham had to sell players to able to pay the others this month, but it is understood they do have enough to see out the season.

Elsewhere Torquay were struggling even before their lottery-winning owner was forced to sell out. Property developers took over and though encouraging noises about the future emerge from the club it continues to wobble uncertainly along a cliff-edge in Babbacombe, side-stepping first relegation, then financial ruin. Further down the pyramid, several Northern League clubs are known to be financially in danger of emulating their bigger neighbour Hartlepool, and perhaps more disturbing is the tale of nouveau-riche Billericay Town, financed by millionaire Glenn Tamplin, who is currently steering clear of the Bostick Premier leaders as he is at the centre of police investigations into blackmail and threatening behaviour concerning a player. Elliot Kebbie, once a budding star at Man Utd, Leeds and Atletico Madrid was signed by Billericay on £1,000 a week. Two weeks later Tamplin tried to sack him with the offer of a £5,000 pay-off. Kebbie refused the offer and the allegation is that threatening texts started and large unwelcome callers appeared at his family home. Unfortunately for Mr Tamplin, Kebbie's mum has connections with the Metropolitan Police. So now he has an even more protruberant worry than a former player apparently displaying more than his pennant in sex videos .......]]>
In 2015, before it was sold, Hartlepool was a debt-free club. Increased Oil Recovery, its owners, had overseen promotion and play-off campaigns, but when the oil dried up so did their finance. Disaster struck when Gary Coxall and JPNG, a recruitment firm took over. Coxall charmed everyone, but by the time he left in May last year the club was in complete turmoil. A late goal from Newport took Hartlepool out of the league and though they have so far avoided going into administration, which would mean a ten point deduction, the debts linger, and a £48,000 tax bill was only paid by a supporter, who set up a JustGiving page to save the club. There is, however, still a chance they will tumble into liquidation. They are officially up for sale, but even an interested local businessman willing to put in £1.5 million reached the conclusion that much more would be needed to make a difference. He withdrew, despite being a life-long fan. Things look bleak.

Look down the table from Hartlepool and you'll find Chester. They know about liquidation. Eight years ago Chester City went out of business and Chester FC, a community owned club, rose from the ashes. Promotions drew the crowds, the club was flourishing and made it all the way back to the Vanarama, before that winning run stalled and crowds began to dwindle. Eventually the club went public and announced that £50,000 had to be raised to survive even another month. Fortunately £45,000 has been raised so far and further events are planned. Resignations at board level and continuing cash injections raise hopes that the club can be saved, but relegation remains a strong possibility.

Further up the table manager John Still was hoping to take Dagenham & Redbridge back into League 2, but  majority share-holder Glyn Hopkin announced he was pulling his funding following a campaign by Daggers fans to remove managing director Steve Thompson from his post. The loss of that money forced Still to sell on three key players. Morgan Ferrier went back to Boreham Wood, Sam Ling headed for Leyton Orient and skipper Scott Doe by mutual agreement ended up at Whitehawk. Hopkin had invested £1 million, renovating the stadium and overhauling the squad to get back in the Football League, but was upset by protest flags displayed by Daggers fans at recent away games. With a wage bill of £40,000 a week suddenly unfunded, Dagenham had to sell players to able to pay the others this month, but it is understood they do have enough to see out the season.

Elsewhere Torquay were struggling even before their lottery-winning owner was forced to sell out. Property developers took over and though encouraging noises about the future emerge from the club it continues to wobble uncertainly along a cliff-edge in Babbacombe, side-stepping first relegation, then financial ruin. Further down the pyramid, several Northern League clubs are known to be financially in danger of emulating their bigger neighbour Hartlepool, and perhaps more disturbing is the tale of nouveau-riche Billericay Town, financed by millionaire Glenn Tamplin, who is currently steering clear of the Bostick Premier leaders as he is at the centre of police investigations into blackmail and threatening behaviour concerning a player. Elliot Kebbie, once a budding star at Man Utd, Leeds and Atletico Madrid was signed by Billericay on £1,000 a week. Two weeks later Tamplin tried to sack him with the offer of a £5,000 pay-off. Kebbie refused the offer and the allegation is that threatening texts started and large unwelcome callers appeared at his family home. Unfortunately for Mr Tamplin, Kebbie's mum has connections with the Metropolitan Police. So now he has an even more protruberant worry than a former player apparently displaying more than his pennant in sex videos .......]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=5302 Mon, 01 May 2017 08:01:13 +0000 themaclad]]> https://www.sportsbabble.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=5302
Should not really be at this level about five years ago came to Deepdale as top of League 1 they did a lot of bragging before the game, that stopped as they plunged down the leagues. Good manager in Mellon, got promotion at this level once before.

Forest Green Rovers

Artificial club with frig all support, should be disbanded straight away.

Dagenham

Astonishing that they ever managed to get to the league in the first place, not wildly subscibed with support but obviously well run as a club. Decent manager with John Still, plenty of experience have some experience within the squad in Benson and Gutteridge.

Aldershot

Only went there once lost 4-0 season we finished next to bottom of the then league 4, Claridge played for them. Terry Gray was substituted at half time and was never ever seen again. Waddock good manager, picks up young cast offs from other clubs and gives them a chance.

Winners

To close to call, think Trannie should do it, as long as it is not Veggie Burger Rovers.]]>
Should not really be at this level about five years ago came to Deepdale as top of League 1 they did a lot of bragging before the game, that stopped as they plunged down the leagues. Good manager in Mellon, got promotion at this level once before.

Forest Green Rovers

Artificial club with frig all support, should be disbanded straight away.

Dagenham

Astonishing that they ever managed to get to the league in the first place, not wildly subscibed with support but obviously well run as a club. Decent manager with John Still, plenty of experience have some experience within the squad in Benson and Gutteridge.

Aldershot

Only went there once lost 4-0 season we finished next to bottom of the then league 4, Claridge played for them. Terry Gray was substituted at half time and was never ever seen again. Waddock good manager, picks up young cast offs from other clubs and gives them a chance.

Winners

To close to call, think Trannie should do it, as long as it is not Veggie Burger Rovers.]]>