York City 5-1 Aldershot Town (National League) I was in New York last weekend for a shopping and show birthday getaway with the wife, this weekend it's old York and back to the matchday grind. I tell her 'if it weren't for the football we wouldn't get these luxurious long haul trips away' which at least appeases her to release me when we haven't got something 'better' to do. York are going well in the National League under Stuart Maynard, Aldershot aren't, under a new Manage

Barwell 5-2 Stratford Town (Southern League Central Division) Formed in 1992 as a merger between Barwell Athletic and Hinckley, Barwell FC became Founder members of the Midland Alliance in 1994 where they joined Stratford Town in the division, and the two teams would play each other, at least twice, every season, until 2009/10 when the Leicestershire side would become champions, thus moving to the Northern Premier League Division One South. That same year, Stratford finished

Forest Green Rovers 3-1 Gateshead (National League) I'm feeling a bit guilty cooking sausages for breakfast ahead of visiting the world's first vegan football club today. Forest Green are going well under Robbie Savage, third in the National League a point behind leaders Carlisle whilst their opponents this afternoon Gateshead are struggling this season in nineteenth, just six points above the drop zone. Kick off time has been put back to 3:03pm which is a statement by the Na

Tamworth 0-1 Woking (National League)   It's Saturday and they're talking long throw ins and set plays on the radio ahead of the lunch time kick off between Tottenham and Manchester United. The modern game has gone direct with coaching focussed on beating the low block. It seems the only way to conquer it is by getting the ball into the opposition box.   Arsenal are the direct daddies, averaging over 30 touches per game in the opposition box this season, whilst Burnley are b

Carlisle United 2-1 FC Halifax Town (National League) I've had a weekend of wall to wall FA Cup action. I hardly moved from my sofa on Sunday as I watched Shrewsbury beat South Shields on telly, I also saw Port Vale see off the lowest ranked outfit Maldon & Tiptree and Accrington edge Northern Premier League Gainsborough Trinity to annoy the TNT cameras who were no doubt looking for a shock. on Monday night Leyton Orient silenced Tamworth at the Lamb to ensure another league

Scunthorpe United 2-1 Aldershot Town (National League) Aldershot have a new Manager. John Coleman won't be taking charge today, leaving duty to Alan Dowson and James Henry in caretaker control, but I'm sure the announcement will make an impression on his new team. Having spent ten years at Accrington Stanley, Coleman knows what it takes to get out of this division, leading the Reds from the Northern Premier League to the third tier of English football during two spells at th

South Shields 4-0 Scarborough Athletic (National League North) The rain is pelting down on my car, that tinny sound it makes sounding harder than it actually is as I drive back down the A19 and through the Tyne Tunnel (£2.50 again) in rush hour with windscreen wipers on the go after my quick stop and go at Starbucks. South Shields are leading the National League North. A team with ambition since Geoff Thompson took on the club in 2015. The Utilitywise founder, owner of a Bri

Boston United 1-1 Scunthorpe United (National League) I've dropped the dog off at the mother-in-law's and am driving through Nottingham against traffic which is heading to the Forest and Chelsea game. Midday on a cool and cloudy October's Saturday, I'm heading again to Boston, but for a Lincolnshire derby against another side I know a bit about in Scunthorpe. Last season they were a division apart, but they did play each other the season before when Boston in the end gained

Scunthorpe United 3-1 Morecambe  (National League)   Scunthorpe United fans know all about suffering concerns of their clubs uncertain...

Scunthorpe United 0-1 Carlisle United  (National League)   I'm fully invested in the National League promotion race right now. Having...

Boston United 0-2 Boreham Wood  (National League) In three of the last ten seasons, Boreham Wood have finished in the playoff places in the National League. In 2018, they lost to Tranmere Rovers in a Wembley final, the nearest they have come to reaching the Football League. In 2020 they were fifth when their season was early curtailed by COVID with just nine games to play, whilst in 2023 they were beaten by Notts County in the playoff semi-finals after a sixth placed finish,

Ilkeston Town 0-3 Cleethorpes Town  (Northern Premier League) It’s the penultimate round of the County Championship. Nottinghamshire are at Surrey playing out a huge match in Division One to determine who’s most likely to win the league, whilst I’m at Derbyshire who face Glamorgan in a third verses second battle in Division Two. Like last week, when in Sussex ahead of my trip to Lewes, I’ve worked out on a Tuesday night, I can probably make it to a game of football, and Ilkes

Lewes 0-1 Chichester City (Isthmian League Premier Division) I'm at the cricket between Sussex and Hampshire this week, staying in Hove, I now have the perfect excuse to take a Tuesday night game in at the Dripping Pan. Football's bucket list venue for non league nerds and groundhoppers like me. I've never been before, but it's long been one to chalk off, the venue often appearing in 'great ground guides' and 'top 100' homes of football to pay a visit, as well as on many soci

King's Lynn Town 0-1 Kidderminster Harriers (National League North) Speaking of road signs ( see last night's visit to Chelmsford )... As...

Chelmsford City 2-5 Farnborough (National League South) Welcome to Chelmsford. Birthplace of radio. A road sign I pass in the pouring...

Brackley Town 2-1 Rochdale  (National League) Brackley Town were promoted to the National League last season. They were the best team in...

Boston United 0-1 FC Halifax Town (National League) A club I have frequented plenty in recent seasons is Boston United, who opened their National League campaign at the weekend with a 3-2 win at Aldershot. Graham Coughlan has a much changed team from the one that did well to survive relegation during the last campaign, their successful return to level five of the pyramid, they do have injuries to several key players but have acquired smartly in the summer window, and hope to

Harborough Town 1-1 Spalding United  (Southern League Central Division) I’ve spent the day ranting on X to Miguel Delaney of the...

Redditch United 1-0 Stratford Town  (Southern League Central Division) Yesterday I was at Lords watching Middlesex v Sussex from one of...

Hemel Hempstead Town 1-1 Maidstone United  (National League South) I’m at Merchant Taylor’s School for the cricket and Middlesex women...