Barwell 1-0 Banbury United (Southern League Central Division) Non league football can be confusing. Eight years ago Barwell were in the Northern Premier League. Just two seasons ago Banbury United were in the National League North, but here for a second successive campaign will the two teams do battle against each other in the Southern League Premier Central Division. I watched a 1-0 win for Banbury at Kirkby Road early last season. The return fixture was 2-1 to Barwell and

Ilkeston Town 0-3 Hednesford Town (Northern Premier League) It's a local one today as I'm out with friends tonight, so I've told the wife I'll be home by 6pm. Ilkeston is just 12 miles from my house so a nice cushty little number on a Saturday afternoon. The Robins have been slipping of late. The last time I seen them they were awful at home to Cleethorpes in 3-0 defeat, before going on a decent run of seven unbeaten, they have since lost their last six not including a Derby

Carlisle United 1-3 Woking (National League) It's so tight at the top, should third place Carlisle get just a draw tonight they'll go back to the summit of the National League table ahead of a cluster of promotion wannabes. Mark Hughes side are unbeaten in nine in the league but did get dumped out of the FA Cup losing 4-1 at Blackpool on Sunday. Woking themselves are on a fine run under Neal Ardley, unbeaten in nine in all competitions, they last suffered league defeat in Se

Quorn 3-2 Redditch United (Southern League Central Division) I played over 500 games as an amateur, I coached around 150 semi-pro matches and have scouted ‘officially’ including today 257 games exactly, but I only ever managed three matches, when completely left alone to my own devices. My first, was for Netherfield Albion against Westside, in the early 2000’s which we won 3-1 back in the Notts Amateur League, when I was helping out my uncle who was then Manager (he had some

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

Braintree Town 0-1 Brackley Town (National League) I said that Carlisle United's win at the weekend was perhaps the biggest shock in the FA Cup on Saturday, but what I didn't consider was Brackley Town's win against Notts County on penalties, the Saints marching on in the cup after knocking out the League Two side following a 2-2 draw which was largely thanks to a late Callum Stewart leveller in the 96th minute from the spot. Brackley next host Burton Albion in round two but

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...