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Gateshead 2-3 Solihull Moors (National League) Think Anthony Gormley and the Angel of the North, Gateshead Metro Centre, Byker Grove, Diamond League Athletics on a summers Friday night. Gateshead FC have only been established since 1977. I was born in 1978, so I feel we’ve grown up together… A lot of my childhood in the 80’s and 90’s was in sync with this town’s own growth in popularity and structure, which I suppose is ‘why’ I’ve wanted to pay it a visit. I’ve been here twice already this season to watch Newcastle United’s youngsters in the UEFA Youth league, but it’ll be first time watching ‘the Heed’ tonight. A side who have yo-yoed in and out of the fifth tier of English football over the years. A side last season who reached the FA Trophy final at Wembley and are this season facing Peterborough Sports in the quarter finals on Saturday. Also in Trophy action (at Wealdstone) this weekend are Solihull Moors, visitors and opponents tonight, both teams have been going well, in the playoffs zone, should either go on to gain promotion to the football league it’ll be the highest steps ever taken by their own, Solihull’s best ever season in 2018/19 when they finished second behind Leyton Orient before crashing out in the playoff semi-finals (although they did reach the playoff final, losing to Grimsby Town in 2022). Gateshead finished third in the Skrill Bet Premier during 2013/14, a season when Luton Town finished top. Just look what is possible in little under ten years. I’m up the M1 and A1 heading north before reaching Durham services by 5pm. There’s a lad in a Doncaster Rovers tracksuit sitting in a car next to me eating McDonalds, a fan in a Solihull Moors scarf outside the service station doors, I’ve already passed three bus loads of Leicester City supporters as they make way to Sunderland, a quick pit stop and I’m off on the final leg, onto the A194 and Lingley Lane before hitting the Felling Bypass and pulling up outside the venue, parked in an industrial estate on Stadium Road, before getting out of my car and walking the last bits, towards reception. The Venue The back of the Tyne & Wear stand is iconic and another flashback to my childhood, reminding me of Subbuteo sets, it looks similar to the one at Windsor Park or those at Wolves and Nottingham Forest which were all built around a similar time in the 70’s and 80’s. Around the perimeter, a lot has been done to modernise the venue and the reception is huge, a glass fronted sports hall, I’m inside asking where I get my tickets before being given a purple wristband and told to walk to the turnstile and make my own way inside. Through a gate and up the steps, there’s no particular media section at the Gateshead International Stadium but I’m told I can sit on the ‘comfy’ VIP chairs which hog half way, the view highly elevated but panoramic with the pitch in the middle of a red running track, nicely lit up against the dark backdrop of the northern Tyneside sky. The Game I’m perched up near the National League TV cameras as a Gateshead player not in today’s squad, Lewis Knight, sits behind me, he’s had to cut his shuttle runs short as his GPS is not working properly. The two teams out on the pitch are going at it from the off, both attack minded with both looking to get their wingers in play, Gateshead push forward but leave gaps at the back and Solihull counter down the sides where they are particularly strong, in Jack Stevens on the left and Tahvon Campbell down the right, they already cause early problems, but cultured midfielder Ed Francis plays a superb defence splitting pass from midfield and the hosts are away, Kain Adom crosses low from the right, the ball eventually finds it’s way back to Ben Worman who drills hard and low and the home side have early advantage after just three minutes played. The crowd of under 800 are all in this single tiered stand with the Heed fanbase to my right, making all the noise standing up, singing songs in fine flow, a few from Solihull to my left, not quite finding their form just yet, but hats off to them for making the long journey. Those Moors fans soon have something to cheer about. A slip by Louis Storey allows Tahvon Campbell in, he’s running onto a through ball and is inside the box, a cool player in Campbell then calmly dinks home, he’s a special talent with pace, size and technique, a super signing in February from Rochdale, is one that could help Andy Whing’s side secure a playoff spot this season. Another player who’s form will have a big say on where Solihull finish in the table is left sider Jack Stevens. He’s got away on a couple of occasions and is on the end of a decent move to drill low and shoot the away side into the lead. He then gets booked for diving inside the box as he breaks away from Adom, the home team full backs struggling to compete with their opposite winger’s speed. The Score At half time I can’t help feel that the home side have played into their opponents hands, in going for the jugular, they’ve left themselves open and have been done on numerous occasions on the counter-attack. It’s the first time I’ve seen Solihull away from home this season, but it’s the best I’ve seen them play, they look like making something happen everytime they go forward, and after a lively start to the second half which starts with Gateshead attacking, it has Moors again breaking dangerously as Campbell is felled inside the box, soft call but a penalty is awarded, Stevens does the rest to put them 3-1 up. That goal provides the cushion needed for Solihull to defend a little more sensibly and get folk behind the ball, Gateshead can’t break through, as they keep possession, they use substitute Dajuane Brown, on loan from Derby County, who does strike wide as he’s slipped in one on one, but at the other end a post is clattered on the break, both goalkeepers make good saves before a late corner is nodded in by Brown, a looping header that has the away side calling for offside, eight minutes of injury time, but Solihull hang on. The Stars Tahvon Campbell looks a timely addition after Solihull lost their impressive striker Josh Kelly to AFC Wimbledon in January. A 27-year-old journeyman of the lower leagues it’s his second spell at Solihull and one which he looks to be embracing, he linked up well with the talented Tyrese Shade who is on loan from Swindon Town, but star of the show was Jack Stevens who scored two goals and proved a menace down the left all night, often linking well with the spritely Joe Sbarra. For Gateshead, Ed Francis, socks rolled down his ankles, looked to be the main playmaker capable of finding team-mates with defence splitting passes, he had a hand in both goals from midfield, down the left, Luke Hannant looked a threat, whilst Derby loanee Dajuane Brown offered more in half an hour from the bench than Marcus Dinanga did in attack, for the complete 98 minutes and more. Credit both teams goalkeepers who must also be worthy of a mention. James Montgomery is on loan at Gateshead from Spennymoor and he did well, looking to get on the ball and play, as much as any outfield player, often well outside his goal, whilst Nick Hayes, solid, reliable, dependable, a little more old-fashioned with his goalkeeping approach, is a number one (wearing 32) who I really like. The Verdict There’s a good chance both sides will meet again in the playoffs or even cup this season, Gateshead has earlier beaten Solihull on their own patch and in a funny way, both teams are probably better suited to playing away, they offer similar attacking strength from out wide and are happy to go toe to toe. Two good footballing teams who play an entertaining brand of the beautiful game, five goals and plenty of positive perspective from the nights showing, which makes that three hour plus journey home always that bit more pleasurable. The Teams Gateshead: James Montgomery, Mamadou Jobe, Louis Storey (Dajuane Brown 64), Kenton Richardson, Kain Adom, Luke Hannant, Ed Francis, Callum Whelan, Regan Booty (Joe Grayson 72), Ben Worman (Kieron Evans 60), Marcus Dinanga. Solihull Moors: Nick Hayes, James Clarke, Joe Newton, Jamey Osborne, Joe Sbarra, Callum Maycock, Tyrese Shade (Matty Warburton 90), Jack Stevens (Joss Labadie 79), Jon Benton (Kade Craig 68), Tahvon Campbell, Alex Whitmore. 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 5th March 2024, Gateshead International Stadium, Gateshead (att 794).

Solihull Moors 3-0 Woking (National League) Mention Woking and the Midlands in my house and in particular, this very weekend, the opening one of the new year which also points to the world renowned FA Cup third round weekend, I'll give you Tim Buzaglo and a 4-2 win at West Brom in 1991. Etched into the memories of anyone old enough to love football in the country that gave the modern game it's birth. Woking haven't made it so far this year. Knocked out by Ramsgate in round one they have more pressing issues like staying in the National League to think about. Fifth bottom in the division they are in their fifth season at the level. Whilst Solihull Moors, only formed in 2007 are gunning for promotion at the opposite end, they have had eight successive years in the fifth flight and are trying to get out, the right way. I've seen neither previously play so today will be a first. The sun belting down, drying the sodden surfaces of the flooded fields I pass, down the M42, I'm pulling up on a housing estate in Solihull opposite a Jaguar Land Rover factory as I'm told parking isn't brilliant at the ground. The Venue The Armco Arena, or Damson Park to most who know it locally, appears behind the huge factories of Jaguar on the Damson Parkway and sits almost at the end of the runway of Birmingham International Airport. It's all very modern industrial, a lot of metal as you cross beneath a huge covered walkway that connects different parts of JLR. I've walked through the small car park to a ticket collection point where I'm given a wristband, before walking through the gate and past a steward who I flash my arm to. It's little before 1:30pm and I've a touchline view of the green but muddy surface as I walk around the perimeter. Pitch holding up well as I speak to a club official who commends the ground staff for what they've done over the last week to get this game on. It's a homely little venue. One side has three small temporary open air seated stands like the sort you see erected at a major golf event. Behind each goal has low roofed terraced areas but the main stand is quirky, all metal, corrugated and propped up it has two tiers with corporate bits and bobs upstairs and downstairs a blue seated covered view of the pitch which is set back a good width to the touchline. The Game I'm sat behind the away team dugout in the press area which is busier than expected, a few foreign nationals typing away on work experience, Woking in red and white halves as Solihull are yellow and navy so no clash of kit for my poor eyesight. The visitors have been managed by former Coventry City midfielder Michael Doyle since December, they've started well and cracked an outside of the post as the home team who are clear favourites struggle to get any kind of passing rhythm together. I expected more from Andy Whing's side, he played total football at Banbury United last season to get a crack at this job but Solihull is a completely different bunch of players. It soon becomes apparent though as the game clicks into gear, there's a gulf in class as the home side have some authority on their visitors. On 42 James Clarke on loan from Mansfield heads home a corner and the better team lead by the break. A deft touch at the near post a timely intervention, it had been coming. The Score Solihull push immediately after the interval as a long throw in just a few minutes into the second half falls to the feet of Callum Maycock, he sets himself and buries home from inside the eighteen yard box on the half volley. Woking soon after make three instant subs as I watch the two remaining members of the bench trudge down the tunnel beside me. It seems a lonely place for Doyle on his own in the technical area, who's side by now are getting a real lesson in football. Josh Kelly goes close whilst Maycock again forces a save from Andre. The tall and awkward number nine Mark Beck does round things off on 74 after a bit of a scramble inside the six yard box, he's there to poach like good strikers do. Woking have a go and are unlucky not to pull one back as an attempt is cleared off the line late on. Nick Hayes goal is unbreeched as he also makes a good save from Browne but it's his opposite number who's been far busier on the day. A solitary away fan makes for an early exit and shouts as he walks by the back of the dugout 'sort your life's out Woking' as Doyle hears, but looks down to refuse to acknowledge. The Stars Josh Kelly was a real livewire up front and should of had a goal if not two. The much travelled shaven headed Mark Beck besides him physically strong, tall and dominant against defenders who lacked his size. I liked the technique of young left back Kade Craig whilst his forward running had his defence potentially exposed on occasion, another talented footballer who sometimes frustrated was Jon Benton in midfield who’s a neat progressive passer of the ball. For Woking, not much to cheer about. Goalkeeper Alexis Andre their best player on the day which explains a lot. Substitutes Reece Grego-Cox and Dennon Lewis both gave a lively injection in attack. I'll be surprised if both aren't selected for their next game at home to Gateshead on Saturday, from the start. The Verdict The PA man at the ground who had a fair few in chuckles with his camp pronunciations also stated out loud, “2024, this could be our year” for a club of Solihull’s size and stature it's astounding to comprehend that they really do have of pushing themselves into the football league. Testament to how well ran the side has been in recent years, front to back. With Woking, you need to give young Michael Doyle time, a man in his first managerial job and a good personable human being. I have no doubt he has a long future in the game as a coach or number one, he just needs to initially install some lacking identity in this current Woking team, if he's going to be the man to keep them up. The Teams Solihull Moors: Nick Hayes, James Clarke, Jamey Osborne, Kyle Morrison, Callum Maycock, Mark Beck (Jay Benn 73), Josh Kelly (Jack Stevens 82), Matty Warburton (Joe Sbarra 67), Jon Benton, Kade Craig. Woking: Alexis Andre, Luke Wilkinson (Timi Odusina 51), Scott Cuthbert, Sam Habergham, Zak Bradshaw, Tunji Akinola, Paul Osew (Reece Grego-Cox 54), Daniel Moss, James Kellerman (Dennon Lewis 53), Stephan Browne, Padraig Among. 3:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 6th January 2024, Damson Park, Solihull (att 1,243).

Bishop’s Stortford 0-1 Spennymoor Town (National League) I always wanted to be a cricket writer, but they tell me you need ‘big words’ and my vocabulary isn’t up to scratch when it comes to competing with old intellects and University graduates with bachelor degrees. So without my agglomeration of sesquipedalian content I’m left in the summer months, scoring cricket matches for the ECB and Bet Markets sitting aside writers from the Times, Wisden & BBC, listening in to their stories from the Press Box, whilst in the winter, writing my blogs on the games I go to in football, a much simpler sport for simple people, the working class game for those who can hardly understand (or care for) a googly, yorker or a jaffa. Tonight I’m on the road to Bishop’s Stortford. I’ve been here before, once, and the commute (bar the last junction of M11 traffic) wasn’t that bad on memory, 2 hours door to door it’s pretty much Nottingham to Stansted, as I head not down the A52 and A1, but through the idyllic countryside of Melton Mowbray and Rutland, the A606 to Stamford as I’ve time on my hands. Bishop’s have Spennymoor tonight in what is one of the longest journeys in the National League North. The home side haven’t played on their patch for a month following several wet weather postponements and the away team are taking a 4 hour plus drive south to Hertforshire in what is over a 500 mile round trip for them. I’m well into my commute as the gleam reflects of Rutland Water against the darkening sky it reminds me of the time I took the wife to Hambleton Hall and a restaurant/hotel which has the oldest Michelin star in the country. Not one to pay a fortune for food I’ve already stopped off at an M&S in Oakham where I filled up at a BP Garage and purchased a Hoisin Duck Wrap and a packet of cheesy puffs to eat on the go. Finally onto the A1 I’m heading South-East on the A14 towards Cambridge before that road turns into the M11 and before you know it I’m at Birchanger Green Services at 6pm as planes hover over head whilst I nip for a quick wee and a Starbucks. The Venue Like I did last time, I’ve missed the turning onto Dunmow Road, not helped by the roadworks and several hundred red and white cones that don’t allow me to U-turn. I’m driving down the A120 before circling back to where I started, eventually pulling up on Woodside, outside the gates of Bishop’s Stortford Football Club which lies behind a number of industrial units. I’m walking towards a side door which I went through last time only to find it’s locked. The players entrance is my only alternative as I ask a steward ‘why’ the door is not open. He says “this is the door” to use before taking my name down and offering me a free cup of tea in the Directors Suite. Quickly fuelled I’m out the way of the honchos and up through the players tunnel turning right to get up to my seat, back row of the stand where on a couple of occasions I’m asked to move by a girl playing music over the tannoy from her i-phone and the camera man who parks his kit right next to me. The view up here is ok, unrestricted (unlike many grounds at this level) it’s nicely elevated, dead on half way and looks across at a small seated stand far side, two small roofed terraces each end, a lot of wooden fencing in between, but the biggest thing I notice is the pitch, sand everywhere it looks like Blackpool Beach minus the (debatable) donkeys! I know the clubs had trouble in recent weeks to get games on so I turn a blind eye and commend the groundstaff for giving us something playable, as I notice the Referee at the end of his warm up ponder about, lacking only a bucket and spade, I’m hoping he doesn’t get the hump and start critiquing. The Game The girl in front is chuffed to bits as she fades out Fatboy Slim to allow the tannoy man to tell us the teams, the two sets walking out to light applause, it’s far from busy, a couple of hundred here as the blue of Bishop’s Stortford start well against the black and white striped Spennymoor. It’s open with both teams willing to attack, but not much creativity, the best opportunity early on as Will Harris scuffs an effort which is fumbled by the goalkeeper, neither team are particularly great in attacking areas but there’s plenty of guts and graft, the first half ending nil nil and seemingly going by incident free. The Score At half time there’s a raffle. Some guy in front of me has a plastic bucket with what looks like a load of scrabble letters as he somehow gives the verdict over 50/50. A good £70 plus for the winner. As he scrapes the plastic pieces back into a tupperware container the two teams trot out for the second forty five minutes, I’m hoping for slightly better than the flat first half we had, the pitch not helping as the ball bounces with a thud, some of the players finding things tricky out there to sprinkle some magic on the sandy dust. If anything, it’s a mistake that’ll win it, and when Bishop’s centre half Beadle gets caught out Rob Ramshaw runs through and is chopped down 40 yards from goal by last man, keeper Jack Giddens. Surprisingly he’s only shown a yellow which angers the Spennymoor boss Graeme Lee. Referee Eugene Robinson had a cracking first half, but his second leaves a lot to be desired. Robinson then turns away a penalty for Stortford ahead of shaking his head when a Moors attacker goes down inside the box, he’s not giving anything today as tension boils over not just in the away team dugout but in the Directors seating too. But as I count back the years to my last live nil nil (thinking back 100 plus matches to the 2022 FA Cup Final between Liverpool and Chelsea), a last minute corner swung in by Danny Greenfield is dropped by goalkeeper Giddens and prodded home by Ramshaw, justice for the away team, although they’ve hardly deserved the win, a nil nil if ever there was one, snatched simply because poor old Bishop’s are having a season to forget, where nothing seems to go right for them at all. The Stars Bishop’s are bottom of the division by some distance but they weren’t second best by a long way as they attacked in a positive manner, left sider Ryan Charles was quick and right winger Aaron Greene tricky, whilst the likes of Darren Foxley and Zain Walker put in good performances from midfield, Harry Beadle at the back with Sam Robbins were unlucky to be on the losing side, they deserved a clean sheet, despite making one or two defensive errors. Spennymoor themselves defended brilliantly with Brad James’ goal left pretty much untouched, Lebrun Mbeka is one of my favourite defenders at the level, strong, solid, silky smooth, he led the back line comfortably as the best player barking orders, heading and kicking away, he even dropped a couple of shoulders and purred like a Bentley facing a toothless attack or Citreon Saxo’s. I liked Finley Shrimpton in midfield until he was replaced by an even better looking baller in Isaac Fletcher, recently signed from Middlesbrough and with size, guile and style. Rob Ramshaw the match winner, hard working and getting on the end of things, as was Danny Greenfireld from out on the right wing. The Verdict Bishop’s are all but down and simply playing out their minutes to return back to some southern regional stuff that will suit them more than their National League North nightmare since promotion in the summer. 17 points from 33 games they have 13 left and are twenty adrift of safety, they know this season has been a learning curve but officials are still angered to ‘why’ their side is in the ‘north’ when teams like Spennymoor, seem so far away. The Moors up to fifteenth will no doubt be here for another season yet. Might be a while though, before these sides play against each other in the league again. The Teams Bishop's Stortford: Jack Giddens, Lordon Akolbire, Jack Thomas (Gio McGregor 84), Amadou Kassarate, Sam Robbins, Harry Beadle, Darren Foxley, Tosin Olufemi, Ryan Charles, Zain Walker (Kane Crichlow 76), Aaron Greene (Andre Godfrinne 72). Spennymoor Town: Brad James, John Lufudu, Reece Staunton (Scott Pollock 17), Lebrun Mbeka, Will Harris, Rob Ramshaw, Danny Greenfield, Michael Ledger, Corey McKeown (Donald Chimalilo 82), Matty Dolan, Finlay Shrimpton (Isaac Fletcher 60). 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 27th February 2024, Woodside Park, Bishop's Stortford (att 235).

Peterborough Sports 4-0 Rushall Olympic (National League North) What makes a good non-league football ground? Easily accessible? A place to get a beer? Somewhere to get a tea or coffee? Somewhere to get some hot food? Of course you need somewhere decent to sit, a bit of elevation is ideal, the option of a good touchline to stand on so you can be up close and personal to the players on the pitch where you can give them dogs abuse, and a decent covered area for making a racket with your mates? PIMS Park at Peterborough Sports has most of these on offer, but not all, I don’t mind the ground, the club is a nice one, the fans and staff approachable, the team plays a decent brand of ‘no-fuss’ football, but there’s just something missing, everytime I bloody come here I can never find a decent place to sit and watch the game. It's been raining all week, I’ve been checking Twitter now known as X, to see if there’s any doubt around the pitch status, but I’ve woke up on Saturday morning, suns out, frost has hardened the surface, and it looks like we are all good to go. The drive is another thing I like about going to Peterborough, an hour, and a bit, door to door, down the A52, A1, A47, it’s hassle free, not bad for traffic, in fact I can probably count on one hand how many traffic lights I go through, before reaching Lincoln Road, I’ve got a regular parking space now outside the Thistlemoor Medical Centre, on a side street ready for a quick exit, a short walk to the stadium turnstile where only one door is open. The Venue I’ve had to bring my sunglasses out of the car. It’s so bright, hardly a cloud in the sky, spring is springing from what has been a depressing February of wet winters rain, but the issue today is not the pitch, which looks pretty damn fine considering the heavy recent downpour as I walk through the gates and take a look around before a quick stop at the urinals, but my concern is where to sit? Perched five rows up in the Directors Stand I’m looking directly into the sun as the players warm up, I can’t see a thing, it’s not the best view at the best of times, you’re not that high and you can’t see the bottom left touchline, your positioned nearer the 18-yard-box than it is half way as a chap and his kid plonks themselves in front of me to add more obstruction to the cause. The press area is a couple of tables in front of me at ground level, there’s water still on the desks from the weeks rain but sat down there low as players arse level your view is even worse, I’ve had enough as the game is delayed due to an issue with some sticking up turf which is being malleted down by the ground staff, I’m walking over to the other side where I’ll stand on the touchline, in front of a small roofed stand no more than twelve feet wide which I soon realise is full of PSL Ultras. This view is slightly better, next to the away teams dugout but you still can’t see down the touchline of a slightly sloping pitch, opposite the seated stand is half full, the newly built standing area to the right of that, sparsely populated with fans covering their eyes from the sun, as is the stand behind the bottom goal, the one to the left, low roofed, has a crowd near the burger van which smells of smoke, but there’s not many in today, neither team is hugely supported, both teams probably punching above their weight for the level with average regular home gates of 2-300. The Game Rushall have struggled since promotion from the Southern Premier League Central, currently hovering just above the bottom four, Peterborough aren’t too far in front of them but they know a win would pull them nicely away from sniffs of potential danger, the Turbines have an FA Trophy semi-final at Gateshead to look forward to in a few weeks, having beaten Kidderminster in the Quarter Finals two weeks ago. As the two teams come out to pleasant applause it’s ten past three with the pitch issue now sorted, Sports in orange, their new colour of Chairman’s choice, Rushall in purple with red trim, blue skies, green lush pitch, it’s all very colourful as the action gets underway. It’s not pretty, I wasn’t expecting it to be, two players have already gone off injured for Rushall as their ‘female’ physio gets an early run out. With the ultra’s behind me in a tiny tin terraced stand I’m hearing all sorts of ‘banter’ and good old fashioned ‘wolf whistles’ from one caveman in particular, Rushall Manager Liam McDonald commendably turning around and saying ‘have some respect’ which soon hushes them down. The banter soon returns though as from somewhere a drum is perched onto a post behind me, a young lad with a Burberry scarf and a voice pitched deeper than Sean Dyche looks no older than twelve or thirteen, he’s leading the charge and is constantly banging the beat to chants of ‘PSL’ I’m thinking ‘second half I can’t wait to move’ all be it a good noise drummed up by the locals and one northerner who's accent has me wondering 'how' he's a fan of this very club. Despite the racket it all looks to be a non-eventful first half and the away team Manager is happy with how it’s gone, but Peterborough striker Dan Jarvis flicks in a cross from the left to put the home side one up. As the fans behind me start to leave for their midway beers there’s another goal for Jarvis, his shot is saved as he breaks away from his markers but he bundles home the rebound and suddenly the interval team talks are very different from what they might have been at nil nil. The Score I walk down to the Colin Day Stand at half time where it’s much more quiet and peaceful, there’s a scout from Buxton sitting on his phone, a woman sat in front on her laptop looks like she’s doing her coursework, as I’m joined by a few Peterborough players not in todays squad, who sit behind me and chat ‘lad talk’ and good old fashioned subs bench spiel which I’ve not heard in years. The view here is still crap, I can’t seem to get it right as I look up the left wing which is completely blinded, not helped by a training goal parked in front of me, I’m choosing this bottom corner stand in the hope that Rushall come out of the traps and do some pushing, however they offer little threat in what is largely a dull second half. Peterborough are worthy of their lead though and they make it three on 66 when Josh McCammon stabs home after two bites following good work again by Jarvis. Macca is playing left wing back today, usually a centre mid where he’s very effective he’s a solid competitor and always puts in a shift for the team, he’s taking a throw-in on the near side in front of us as the linesman pulls him from making up too many yards “That’ll do Josh” he says… The lads are chuckling behind me, his teammates start shouting “that’ll do Josh” much more popularly known in the changing rooms as Macca, the injured Michael Gash sat in his tracksuit sipping coffee saying “I didn’t even know his name was Josh”. But it was certainly Josh’s day, rumour is he’s not happy playing left wing back as he wants to get on the ball in the centre of the park where he feels more at home but he’s making the new found position his own, he’s in the box as opposite flanker Elicha Ahui bundles a cross into his path, a flying header for his second of the game, suddenly he’s got twenty minutes left and he’s on a hat-trick, he’s playing where he wants as he goes in search of that goal, popping up as a number ten, a number nine, he’s shooting from everywhere, unfortunately it’s not to be, but by the time I’m home I see a post on Twitter by Macca… “Three points, two goals from left back, great win”. The Stars Macca was his usual self, working hard and progressive and positive on the ball but his touch really lets him down from being a player that for me can progressive at the next level, he sorts that out and he could be a mainstay at step five and six for a long time to come. His fitness and his focus his biggest attributes. Dan Jarvis had a good day and was direct himself, causing plenty of issues for Rushall who simply weren’t at the races. The pacey Owen Oseni aside they offered little in attack, and didn’t defend particularly well. The Verdict It’ll be tough for Rushall to stay up as their defeat drops them into the danger zone a point behind King’s Lynn Town. The fight for survival is often about ‘cojones’ and those who have the biggest will get out of trouble, March and April is the time to be winning games like this, the thumpings won’t help confidence at all, but a run of 2/3 wins here and there and suddenly the sunshine is appearing over the horizon. That’s what Peterborough have done, a second win in a row takes them to fifteenth and nine points clear of relegation, they can air a sigh of relief as they look towards a potential Wembley final to crown their second season at this level, a very successful one indeed should they also manage to stay up. If they get there, to Wembley, it will be a super story of this small works club continuing to achieve much more than it really should, a team ten years ago playing parks football, these days very much making a name for themselves as a tough turbine to beat in the National League North. The Teams Peterborough Sports: Peter Crook, Elicha Ahui, Ryan Fryatt, Dan Lawlor, Ashton Fox, Josh McCammon, Hugh Alban-Jones, Rory McAuley (Connor Johnson 84), Gabriel Overtan (Ben Fowkes 68), Dan Jarvis (Sidney Pereira 77), Mark Jones. Rushall Olympic: Jake Weaver, Kristian Green, Alex Fletcher, Jordaan Brown, Sam McLintock, Alex Moore (Tom Edge 17), Owen Oseni, Andre Carvalho-Landell (Owen Farmer 46), Jordan Nkambi-Masidi, Mitchell Clarke, Callum Sullivan (Camron McWilliams 9). 3:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 24th February 2024, Lincoln Road, Peterborough (att 350 est).

Hartlepool United 3-2 Altrincham (National League) It’s been eleven days since my last match. On Tuesday last week I reached Lutterworth before hearing my game between Cheshunt and Margate was called off. Over the weekend I took the wife, dog and in-laws to Norfolk, the nearest I got to football was passing the idyllic home of Wells Town on the stunning harbour front of Wells-next-the-Sea. Although I did watch a bit of Brentford v Liverpool in an Irish Pub in Hunstanton. I’m off to another harbour town tonight, Hartlepool United host Altrincham having picked up some points under Kevin Phillips. Since my last visit to the Victoria, the Pools have had three wins and a draw under the former Sunderland striker’s stewardship. Whilst Alty have been going well under Phil Parkinson, that was until the weekend, when a run of three straight wins came to an end with a 2-0 defeat at Aldershot. I’ve had a car valet ahead of my journey, I’m up the road at 3pm, through the school-leaving traffic of Nottingham towards the M1 and M18, up the A1 and off at Thirsk along the A168 and A19 to Middlesbrough ahead of hitting the A689 to Hartlepool where I arrive shortly after 6pm. The Venue Having been here only a few weeks back, I’m parking on the Lancaster Road which is a short five-minute walk to the stadium, across Middleton Road and down Clarence which runs parallel with the train tracks, closed for thru traffic with the away team bus plonked outside. The stadium is on the right, lit up by huge floodlights as I walk into reception and get my ticket, before walking around the back of the Rink End, through the car park to the turnstiles of the Nirmax Stand, where the press boxes are at the back. It’s a lovely view, set back and out of trouble, a long desk with plug sockets and tube lighting, a wooden partition separating you and the fans below, the two white roofed stands behind each goal and the Cyril Knowles stand opposite. I’m off for a cuppa as I’ve a free hot and cold drinks voucher so head below the tiers where I also grab a steak pie. I’ve added milk to my PG tips brew and taken a bite, but the pie is ice cold. Not one to complain, usually, I’ve no choice but to send it back. “Your pies freezing” I say to the woman behind the counter. She replies, “Do you want a cheeseburger instead?” I tell her “I’ll have a hot dog”. The Game Back up stairs, I’m going through the teams where I notice Altrincham are without five of arguably their best players since my last viewing of them, all on the bench are Newby, Amaluzor, Baines, Linney and Conn-Clarke. All dropped from the weekend’s defeat, it stinks of the Manager ‘making a statement’. With that in mind I have Hartlepool as favourites, as I tell their press guy who hands me the team sheet “this is good news for you lot”. But the match itself does not start to plan. Altrincham with their replacements are strong, dominant, they control proceedings, passing between themselves, Mooney cutting in off the right looks a nuisance whilst Isaac Marriott is spraying balls all over the place. They’ve had a couple of sniffs before the half hour when Matty Kosylo sets his sights from range, he hits one low from distance which is through a crowd and is parried up into his own net by Joel Dixon who should have done better. The Score It’s what the visitors deserve as Hartlepool are booed off by their own fans at the break, but a tweak in their formation from 4-2-3-1 to 4-1-2-1-2 has Joe Grey move up front and make instant impact alongside Manny Dieseruvwe. Within minutes of the restart Grey latches on to a poor defensive header to get to the by-line and pull back to Dieseruvwe who nets his eighteenth league goal of the season. Tom Crawford has been busy, much better than the last time I saw him, now in a more central position he’s threaded the ball through to Grey who is taken down by the keeper and Dieseruvwe nets the resulting penalty. It’s a huge turn around as Parkinson then turns to his bench, trouble is two of his five subs won’t get on tonight. Baines, Linney and Conn-Clarke are all used but the pacey Amaluzor and experienced Newby sit this one out, how Altrincham might regret not having their services to call upon? The home side look a different beast as they hungrily close down every ball. Louis Stephenson a half time sub has made a huge impact on the right, he’s tackling back to the cheers of ‘Stevo, Stevo’ as the home support suddenly back, rather than boo their boys in blue. The atmosphere is electric and goes up a notch when Grey crosses into the box, his low centre is played back by Dieseruvwe and is smashed home by right back Ferguson. 3-1 up and no coming back from here. Altrincham do however net a late goal when a neat move down the left is tapped home by Angus on 90, but Hartlepool see out the game by keeping the ball in the opposition corner, by the time it gets out the five added extra are all but up. The Stars Joe Grey who had a quiet first half, switching from left to right wing before being told to go up top, had an impressive second 45 as an out and out striker, an intelligent young footballer who’s creative in the final third. Hartlepool’s main man is no doubt, Mani Dieseruvwe, who’s a natural born finisher and finished his two chances well, but credit Tom Crawford for a hugely busy match, the former Notts County midfielder was arguably the best player on the night. Altrincham to their own credit played some lovely football, especially in the first half, Isaac Marriott is a lovely midfielder with a range of passing, as is Elliot Osborne who spread the play on occasion, whilst left back Eddy Jones often got forward well. Chris Conn-Clarke’s cameo too little too late, he has swagger and eccentricity and a certain suave when in possession. The Verdict Hartlepool look to be in good hands under Kevin Phillips who did a previous good job in his first managerial role with South Shields. The fans already singing the name ‘Super Kevin Phillips’ and chearing his winning fist pumps after the match. For Altrincham, the question is how now they bounce back from two straight defeats. Manager Phil Parkinson may have dropped five players to rest them ahead of a busy schedule, he may have dropped them to make a statement, either way it backfired, and he’ll now be left whether to stick with his guns, or go back to what he knows. The Teams Hartlepool United: Joel Dixon, Luke Hendrie (Emmanuel Onariase 18), Luke Waterfall, Tom Parkes, David Ferguson, Nicky Featherstone, Brennan Dickenson (Louis Stephenson 46), Callum Cooke, Tom Crawford (Kieran Wallace 89), Joe Grey, Emmanuel Dieseruvwe. Altrincham: Matt Gould, Lewis Banks, Jake Cooper, Sam Roscoe, Eddy Jones, Elliot Osborne, Isaac Marriott, George Wilson (Chris Conn-Clarke 60), Dan Mooney (Regan Linney 54), Matty Kosylo (Lewis Baines 54), Dior Angus. 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 20th February 2024, Victoria Park, Hartlepool (att 3,835).

Nottingham Forest 1-7 Everton (Women’s FA Cup Round Five) It’s Superbowl Sunday and I’m warming up for an all nighter as Forest women take on Everton in the FA Cup. Yesterday, WSL side Leicester trounced Championship outfit Birmingham 6-2 in front of my very eyes. The gulf of class is huge between the leagues in women’s football and Forest are two divisions below Everton who all be it, haven’t exactly been firing on all cylinders this season. The Toffees, tenth in the WSL are huge though, 41 years old they’ve been a mainstay in the top echelons of the game and their side is littered with internationals, most famously in Toni Duggan an England legend of 79 caps and 22 goals, a player in her second spell at her hometown club after a bundle of honours at Manchester City, Barcelona and most recently Atletico Madrid. Forest themselves are in the women’s National League North (tier 3) sitting second behind leaders Newcastle United. They have done supremely well to get this far but anyone expecting them to go further might be away with the fairies… Last time the Reds faced top division opposition in Manchester City they lost 8-0 in the FA Cup fourth round, keeping that potential score down today is about as good as they can hope for. I’ve arrived in Long Eaton for shortly after 3pm, turning in off the Station Road there’s a huge queue of cars for parking, it seems today could be a busy one, as I reverse back, swing it around and pull up on a side street to ensure I get a quicker exit. The Venue Usually free to park, today it’s £5 a car and it looks like the club leasing the venue will make a killing, I’m walking up the driveway of Long Eaton United FC to the ground as cars do what I do and refuse to pay, turning back on themselves to street park and walk the extra couple of hundred yards, luckily they’ve opened a gate in the corner of Grange Park so you don’t need to walk all the way around, as I enter through a Forest logoed gazebo with a glance of my mobile ticket taken by a smiling steward, I’m impressed with the vibe and chaos created, a packed house of young and old, male and female, red and blue, as the players warming up kick balls into the crowd standing at the open ends behind each goal. I’m having a quick cuppa and a twix before walking around, through the people, towards the top of the main stand, where they have desks today, just a couple of media personnel, usually there’s a couple of blue flip down tables at the back of the stand but they’ve installed some temporary measures, although other than the two teams tweeters and a University journalist there’s not many taking advantage of the tables, the seats around packed as people ask already perched viewers to budge up, so they can take a pew. The view from up here is elevated, slightly blinded to the right corner it’s a good view set back, the dugouts widely separated over the other side each end of a roofed terrace that runs the middle, open ends behind each goal, to my left you can see the smoke of Ratcliffe Power Station in the distance, every now and again a train horn sounds, the Nottingham to London service is a regular past the back end of the town. The Game The crowd is bubbling and it seems a real party atmosphere as the players are applauded off from their warm ups with a chorus of ‘You Reds’. There’s a few minor celebs here. Ryhanna Parara a women’s tik-tok social influencer is in attendance, Leicester manager Willie Kerr is here, Toni Duggan is being hugged by some girl in a New York Yankies hat, they look like they haven’t seen eachother for a while, whilst Edin, he who owns Sexy Mama Loves Spaghetti (if you know Nottingham you know), is looking for somewhere to sit. The two teams are back out to roars ahead of the match, the Everton fans behind the goal are signing as Mull of Kintyre quietly plays, and Nottingham Forest get to action, readied by Manager Carly Davies, on the front foot, they press and push Everton back, perhaps it’ll be tighter than first thought? Louanne Worsey fires over from close range, she should have scored, but Emily Batty in the Reds goal is forced into action too. It’s the Reds who’ll be happiest in the early exchanges, then Harkin gets caught napping, Kuhl is running through, Kuhl as you like is the finish. Nil one and no shame in that as Forest press again, the first half is even but a corner is conceded, whipped in and nodded home for a second, Piemonte who’s been caught offside on a number of occasions, heading in from inside the six yard box. It’s been the only difference, a mistake capitalised on and a header from a set play, the Everton girls look bigger, taller, stronger than Forest, they’re neat and sharp on the ball but Forest are first to everything, fighting hard and not giving their opponents an inch, one wonders if all that effort will tire late in the second half? The Score Two-nil at the break there’s still hope for Forest, all be it small, they come out of the traps though and Greengrass gets a sniff, she’s in on goal and pokes it home, the crowd go wild, a real roar as the Reds score, a huge wave of optimism now shared by many inside the ground. But Everton immediately go up the other end and score a third, another corner, another header, this time centre half Justine Vanhaevermaet who’s huge, she must be 6ft2in. Again the difference, the height is impossible to defend from corners which in fairness are brilliantly whipped in under Emily Batty’s bar. The reds continue to push but you sense they’re running out of steam, 73 minutes have gone and they have competed well, Everton just beginning to find more room, more space, suddenly a shot from outside the box rockets off the post, hits Batty on the back, and the away side have a fortuitous fourth, this before another tall player, Emma Bissell also nods home from close range, her family in the crowd enjoying that one. As some fans start to head for the exits, although credit most who stay to the end, Everton are awarded a soft penalty for a trip inside the area, Toni Duggan steps up to score in front of her own partisan fans behind the goal, then late on it’s rounded off, a seventh and one for Hannah Bennison, Everton have come in to their own as the clock ticks down, and started to really run away in rampant fashion. The Stars It’s harsh on Forest who for seventy minutes are more than competitive, conceding four in the last quarter to slightly squander their earlier hard work, but credit their players who put in a shift, and for long periods looked more than capable of creating an upset. It wasn’t to happen, because Everton’s quality came through, Arsenal loanee Kuhl and Italian international Galli impressive in midfield, Bissell was decent down the left, Hope was good down the right, Piemonte in attack a large threat when staying onside but Forest’s Mai Moncaster, Charlotte Greengrass, Sophie Domingo, in fact the whole Garibaldi team, certainly played their part. The Verdict Everton face West Ham in a six pointer next weekend but they’ll now be hoping they can also proceed further in the cup. Forest can focus on league action in the know that these games against the big girls in the big leagues help, they’ll learn from playing against the best as they look to climb the pyramid and one day have a team that can compete more evenly at the top. The Teams Nottingham Forest: Emily Batty, Natalie Johnson, Abbie Cowie, Lyndsey Harkin, Olivia Cook, Louanne Worsey, Becky Anderson, Holly Manders (Ella Haughey 77), Sophie Domingo, Mai Moncaster (Chloe Dixon 77). Everton: Courtney Brosnan, Megan Finnigan, Elise Stenevik, Justine Vanhaevermaet (Annie Wilding 85), Lucy Graham, Clare Wheeler (Hannah Bennison 60), Aurora Galli, Katherine Kuhl (Eleanor Dale 75), Emma Bissell, Katja Snoeijs (Karoline Olsen 75), Martina Piemonte (Toni Duggan 60). 4:00pm Kick Off. Sunday 11th February 2024, Grange Park, Long Eaton (att 1,130).

Ilkeston Town 2-3 Lancaster City (Northern Premier League) As quick as the whistle has been blown at the Pirelli I’m with go faster stripes legging it back to the car which I’m inside ahead of 2pm. Manchester City v Everton is keeping me company on the radio as Erling Haaland nets his first of two goals. My ETA programmed into SAT NAV has me arriving at the New Manor Ground for 2:38pm… Let’s see if I can somehow get that down? I’m quickly onto the A38 and flying down the A50 where I opt for the M1 and Junction 26 which is slightly longer in distance but quicker by the wheel especially as Derby County are playing Shrewsbury and driving past Pride Park might encounter a slight delay, I’m comfortably making progress though and I’m off down the A610 and turning left at IKEA and the Shilo Way before a right onto Awsworth Road where the stunning Bennerley Viaduct glistens above marshland made boggy by the recent wet weather. I’ve done brilliantly for time, it’s 2:35pm and I’ve parked pretty much outside the stadium, walked in through the turnstile with a £12 card payment and sat in my usual spot, in the media section high up in the corner seated stand, where the Lancaster City radio commentary team are already in place. The Ground High up above the playing surface you can see all sorts from this elevated position, level with the eighteen yard box not only do you get a good (but slightly one sided) view of the pitch, you also view the town of Ilkeston high up on the right, to my left a flock of geese or swans in a unused field that’s full of water, an Inter-City train goes by at speed behind that, a rainbow like pattern in the sky which isn’t looped, but rectangular like a spaceship beaming down bright colours in the far distance. The New Manor Ground certainly has character, the stand to my left is one of my favourite behind goal ends in non league, low roofed, full of red barriers for perching up against, when full it can make quite some noise and always generally has a good atmosphere inside. Echoeing vocals upwards into our position left of the clock tower. There’s still a good fifteen minutes to go as I’m writing down the teams, I’m joined by a home fan who used to be a showjumper. He tells me had had horses at Burleigh but never got the judges on his side. Danny is also here, he’s the Ilkeston tweeter and he also controls the music played through the PA… He’s having trouble with his internet though as I ask him how things have been going recently. The Game Lindon Meikle is back in the Robins side. He’s on a dual registration from Tamworth and in January alone I saw him play for both Ilkeston and the Lambs, now aged 35 he’s a good asset for the National League North leaders and has been useful off the bench, but he wants to be playing and Ilkeston offers him more game time. With the former Mansfield Town midfielder at the heartbeat, Ilkeston in red and white start well against Lancaster in all yellow, the better team by a mile early doors as they press for an opener with high intensity and controlled aggression, a corner swung in by Sam Parker left footed, misses everybody and curls in, 1-0 to Ilkeston who already beat ‘the Dolly Blues’ 4-0 at the Giant Axe earlier in the campaign. That goal however seems to have a negative effect. Ilkeston have suddenly stopped playing, no longer are they pressing, probing, pushing, now Lancaster have a foothold and their patient build up is rewarded with a deserved leveller which has looked like coming. 42 year old David Norris, once of Ipswich, Leeds, Blackpool and more, netting from close range. The Score Within a couple of minutes the away side have the lead. Charlie Bailey left footed cuts in off the right and drills home from all of 25 yards, a bullet past Matthew Yates, a turnaround driven by home team complacency and away team intention, they’ve been much the better following a slow start and play some good football on this fast zippy artificial pitch as the rain starts to come down hard. Ilkeston however are not without chances. Tom Curson is not my showjumping friend’s favourite player, “six touches he’s had, all disasters” he shouts, that’s before the player blazes one over from close range after stunning work by Jamie Walker. Curson had scored three in his last two but he’s far from being on this fella’s Valentines card list! Ben Starkie, fresh from AFCON duty also blazes over when he should have done better. The Tanzanian's effort troubling the geese in the field behind more than the goal of Brazilian born Andre Mendes. Lancaster though are deserving of their lead at half time despite those Ilkeston sniffs. As I sit and read the scores from the Premier League during the break, Danny is back, still with internet troubles. He’s left his laptop at the media desk and says “If I’m not back in time for when the players come out, can you press space bar to stop the music”. I’m nervous playing DJ as I don’t want to cut off a song half way through its chorus but luckily as “Jump Around” by House of Pain is coming to an end, some Lancastrian players enter the field and I can close it to a natural stop. Perfectly done if I do say so myself. Not so perfect is Ilkeston’s defending. Only two minutes in to the second half and Charlie Bailey is unmarked, volleying home after a left wing cross by the lively Evangelinos, the away side celebrate in the goal where their fans are now behind, a bad day at the office for the home side who’s own support have gone very quiet indeed. There’s even a moment for a spot of rugby singing… Sam Bailey who’s been brilliant from right back crosses a free kick high, wide and not so handsome, his own fans chant ‘swing low’ which is a timely reminder that England are playing Wales in the Six Nations later today. The game is flat as Lancaster control proceedings, they need no more goals whilst Ilkeston don’t have any real clue, they take off their two best players, Walker and Erratt-Thompson, to perhaps save them for another day, as my showjumping friend heads off to beat the traffic, there is one late lifeline, Lindon Meikle felled in the box, penalty converted by Tom Marshall, and there’s four or five minutes of Ilkeston pressure, but it’s a deserved win for City who go five points ahead of the Robins in the top-middle of the NPL table. The Stars Charlie Bailey will take the plaudits for a couple of cracking taken goals but I really liked the performance of Sam Bailey, a stalwart of 250 games for Lancaster, he had a solid game at right back against arguably two of Ilkeston’s best players (Jamie Walker and Ben Starkie often swapping flanks) and he’s the sort of full back, at non-league level who’s name is first on the team sheet, reliable, dependable, physical, no-nonsense but with a bit of quality, he has a good right foot and is known for his crossing ability. Another good player was Christian Sloan in midfield, thick set and disciplined he controlled proceedings from the centre of the park and sat in front of the back four to give protection, against an Ilkeston engine room who on their day can be as good as any teams in the division. Lindon Meikle was awarded the home team man of the match on the PA but it wasn’t a game where any of the Robins crowned themselves in glory. Matt Yates making a couple of decent saves the only other player even worthy of a mention. The Verdict Lancaster aren’t too far away, just three points from a playoff place, sitting in eighth they have more than an outside chance and are coming to form at the right time, with three straight victories. Ilkeston might have too much to do to trouble the promotion pushers but can easily have their say on who goes up or not, they can beat anyone on their day, but can also be beaten by anyone in the division, they’ll be ok in the middle of the park, but need a little more steel and resilience if they are to compete with those gunning for glory. Next up for the Robins is Macclesfield away, then they’re at home to league leaders Radcliffe, in both games they’ll have to be at their absolute best, if they’re to take anything positive away. The Teams Ilkeston Town: Matthew Yates, James Perch, Sam Parker, Callum Minkley (Alex Marshall 54), Tom Marshall, Luke Cox, Ben Starkie, Declan Erratt-Thompson (Jonathan Wafula 73), Tom Curson, Lindon Meikle, Jamie Walker (Liam Loughlan 72). Lancaster City: Andre Mendes, Sam Bailey, Kyle Brownhill, Christian Sloan, Charlie Barnes, Niall Cowpethwaite, Nic Evangelinos, Bradley Carroll (Edward Elewa-Ikpakwu 60), Dominic Lawson (Jake Connelly 79), David Norris, Charlie Bailey. 3:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 10th February 2024, New Manor Ground, Ilkeston (att 519).

Leicester City 6-2 Birmingham City (Women’s FA Cup Round Five) It's Chinese New Year. Last night I spent an evening at Yumacha in West Bridgford where they had an Elvis impersonator along with a few fireworks and a Chinese Dragon. Today I'm feeling all shook up from drinking too much. A little less conversation about that however, let’s get onto football. Up early and at it, I'm trying to cram two games in but it's a bit of a tough ask as I've got to commute between Burton and Ilkeston in under an hour. I hope I don't get caught in a trap along the way? First up, Leicester v Birmingham in the women's FA Cup. If it goes to extra-time I know I'm screwed, but the aim is once that's finished to go like the clappers and get to Ilkeston v Lancaster for kick off. I've filled a flask of coffee and hit the road for little past 10am as I head down the A50 and into Burton after a short hop on the A38. It's grey out, drizzle in the air, I've pulled up at a Greggs Factory where I've parked in one of their vacant spaces and walked though the car park of the Pirelli Stadium to get myself a ticket. The Venue Against the grey back drop of the skies and in quiet and calm surroundings a good hour and more before kick-off, the stadium is quaint, modern, easily accessible and simple looking from the outside. Internally its three sides of grey covered terracing are no more than ten rows high, the seated stand I'm in is twelve levels of platform, padded with yellow and black flip down chairs. The view is close to the action as the crowd squeezes in. It's the only stand of the four in use as numbers at women's football are often under a thousand, clustered into a small space to try and make some noise and obviously save on stewarding costs too. The Game There's people still taking their seats around me and Birmingham are already one up. Less than a minute played they attack and win a free kick which is floated into the area and Leicester's first touch is that of Missy Goodwin who deflects a header into her own net. The Foxes respond with a good spell of possession and are soon level. Janice Cayman is slipped in from a lovely pass by Takarada to finish inside the box. Shannon O'Brien then let's fly from the edge of the area a stunning goal, but Birmingham are level against the run of play when Libby Smith runs through to delicately chip home, a tidy finish from a tidy player, I’m sure she can do a bit in the WSL. The Score Leicester do though take a lead into the second half, just a minute from Birmingham’s leveller, Shannon O’Brien get’s a second as she’s slipped in by Sam Tierney to slot home unmarked from inside the area, it’s an entertaining first half where Leicester have dominated but have been twice undone, once for a sloppy start and once on a quick counter attack. No such issues in the second 45 though as Takarada who’s the star of the show heads home from close range a minute short of the hour. Canadian winger Deanne Rose then enters the field and with her first couple of touches cuts in from the left and drives home a beauty. Aileen Whelan then caps off a super six performance with still eight minutes to play, one fan shouts “We want seven” as a few kids painfully join in before cutting it all off at “we want 29”. The Stars Japanese International Saori Takarada is a super intelligent holding midfield player, tall in size, athletic in stature, who’s always looking to get the ball off her back four, who’s often looking to play the short and inventive forward pass. She’s been a real star signing for Leicester of late and could help take the team to another level as she knits together the combinations from defence and attack. Another recent signing is Deanne Rose, who joined earlier in the season from Reading, she offers electric pace and netted a fine goal. I like her down the right where she’s very direct but cutting in from the left to get on to her right foot proved to be a masterstroke by Willie Kerr who’s timely introduction of Rose ensured the match would be quickly concluded to give Birmingham (who wore a slightly orange tangy red number) the blues. In opposition, Championship outfit Birmingham had a couple of good moments and were probably a bit better than the scoreline suggested. Libby Smith was brilliant up front on her own, holding it up well, she had pace and strength and took her goal sublimely. Jamie Finn looked to have a bit of ability and worked hard on the right side centre of the park whilst Charlie Devlin who was booed by the Leicester supporters when she came on, an ex-Fox aged just 25, she looked to have some star quality which was otherwise lacking in the away sides midfield. The Verdict A quarter final slot for Leicester gives them a chance for some silverware, they’ll be well safe from the drop this season and have a lot to be excited about looking ahead. Birmingham themselves are only four points from league leaders Charlton in the Championship with a game in hand, a competitive league all be it, they’ll be now able to concentrate on a promotion push, with no side distractions. The Teams Leicester City: Janina Leitzig, Sam Tierney, CJ Bott (Asmeeta Ale 75), Sophie Howard, Jutta Rantala (Aileen Whelan 66), Janice Cayman, Jo Green, Saori Takarada (Emilia Pelgander 75), Missy Goodwin (Deanne Rose 66), Shannon O’Brien (Ava Baker 66), Yuka Momiki. Birmingham City: Lucy Thomas, Ellie Mason, Gemma Lawley, Jamie Finn, Libby Smith (Choe Yu-Ri 63), Christie Harrison-Murray, Lucy Quinn (Ivana Fuso 46), So-Hyun Cho, Claudia Walker (Charlie Devlin 76), Jade Moore (Katie Dungate 76), Neve Herron. 12:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 10th February 2024, Pirelli Stadium, Burton-upon-Trent (att 500 est).

Peterborough Sports 1-1 Chester (National League North) It’s my dad’s birthday today. I’ve driven over to Papplewick to see him and at the same time he’s given me my Christmas present as he couldn’t be bothered to drop it off over the festive period. A set of electric hand warmers which is lucky, as the set my wife brought me last year are just starting to cool down. I’ve left his house by 4pm as it’s a bit of a commute from the North West side of Nottingham to the South East midlands county of Cambridgeshire, stopping off at Bingham garage to pick up a Waitrose wrap and meal deal, I’m heading down the A52 and A1 where out nowhere the rain starts to storm making visibility tricky, luckily with an ETA of 6pm I’m trudging in cruise control at 50mph so can see well in front, to the annoyance of the lorry behind who keeps flashing his lights for me to go faster. I’m soon onto the A47 before coming off at the Bourges Boulevard, a left turn onto Lincoln Road before pulling up on a side street where I sit, rest, listen to the radio and ponder on a good time to get out the car, should the heavens ever close? The rain is falling hard and fast and so much I’ve re-checked Twitter to see if the game is on. An earlier pic posted by Peterborough though has the pitch looking in marvellous nick. I think we’ll be ok. The Venue Finally I pluck up the courage after a good 40 minutes of deliberating and stick my coat and hat on and get out the car, remembering to pick up my new hand warmers straight out of the box. Dad tells me ‘they’re fully charged’. The walk past the Doctors Surgery and Handy Car Wash is short before angling up the driveway towards PIMS Park where I ask a steward about parking. To my right is a huge space I’ve never previously noticed, he says “Don’t park there as we don’t own that. If you want to park you can head around the back where its free, if there’s enough space”. I tell him “first time I did that my car got hit by a ball”. I think I’m safe on the side street. On entrance through the turnstile at the corner of the ground you get an instant whiff of burgers cooking in the cabin to the left. The rain is pelting down as a couple of goalies come out to kick balls. A few in the queue I decide to opt out, I’m walking around to the bar where there’s far more people inside than out, it's a little busy for me so I'm thinking I’ll just pull up a pew and watch the rain fall down. I’m in the Directors Stand which looks opposite the dug outs and changing rooms, the pitch slopes slightly down the left where there’s a couple of new terraced stands and a fancy scoreboard in the corner, the Colin Day Stand is a roofed section around three or four seating rows high between the corner flag and half way, then to the right it’s a bit of a mash up of steel, wood, glass, PVC and brick, a small stand, an office, a scaffold for TV cameras between the changing rooms, toilets and turnstiles, and then a stand to the right behind the goal which is low roofed and cosy. netting above which didn't stop my car once getting hit, It’s all tightly packed in but the pitch feels wide and spacious as both teams now appear for their regulatory warm ups. The Game I’m joined by an old Posh fan who used to support Wimbledon during the days when he lived in South Norwood. He was a regular at Plough Lane and even went to the 88 Cup Final but told me “I woke up on the Sunday after beating Liverpool and my voice had completely gone from all the shouting and cheering. I didn’t get it back until the Thursday”. He also once stood in between Jimmy Greaves and Ron Atkinson in the Plough Lane Main Stand urinals. He now supports Peterborough United having moved up here and having not followed the death of Wimbledon to Milton Keynes (although he didn't mind watching them when they moved to Crystal Palace), but he seems to prefer it at Peterborough Sports than Posh where he can park outside, sit where he likes and get a cup of tea which doesn’t cost half his pension. Ahead of kick-off I’m also joined by a local scout who covers Boston United games and lives in Bourne just north of Stamford. A familiar face he’s chirping that much I hardly notice the match start, Peterborough these days in orange as Chester wear all yellow, the game kicks off at a frantic pace with both sides looking to attack as tackles fly in, rain running down the faces of the young athletes on show, it’ll be a tough encounter to Referee as the Chester lads question his every decision with a scouse twinge of accent, he’s standing firm but issues one early booking which is a good indication to quickly nip things in the bud. It’s end to end is this, Chester look the better side but Peterborough’s nature is every time their opponents attack, to quickly counter with numbers forward, Weeks has a shot cleared off the line as McCammon goes straight up the other end and forces Stanway into action. Gash then clips a post with a header from a corner and despite the away teams possession advantage, the home side have the better chances in a half that could easily have gone either way. The Score Nil nil at the break I discuss the fact in two years I’ve not seen a goalless draw, the old boy is impressed with the action though, he says “both teams are having a go and there’s none of this tippy tappy sideways crap”. Just full-bodied committed football where the objection is to score at one end and keep it out the other. We agree that “Coaches these days over complicate a very simple game”. It’s touch and go as to whether we’ll get a goal as the scout sitting besides me says ‘I’ve cursed it’. Suddenly my mobile phone has frozen and I can’t work out why? A cheer goes up and Peterborough have scored. Apparently McCammon nets but I’ll be honest I didn’t see a thing. It takes a good five or six minutes to sort my Google Pixel but finally I’m all eyes on the football again as the home team look to see the match out, it seems Chester have blown out of puff since the goal, a 1-0 win is on the cards, but I never fancy Sports to see matches through, they don’t seem to have that defensive resilience even though they’ve shown it tonight, and true to a word a last minute corner is off the post causing panic and a player is fouled inside the area, a penalty to Chester, I’m not entirely ensure why? But no doubt that Elliott Whitehouse dispatches to level. That see’s a share of the spoils that ahead of the game both teams might have been happy about. Peterborough in the end disappointed they couldn’t hold on, Chester relieved as it could have been worse. The Stars My first viewing of Chester and there was a lot to be impressed about. A team in the playoff zone and one who play good football, no nonsense from the back but in the final third they come alive. Number 7 Tom Peers a real silky talent, was the one who mainly made things happen, George Glendon in midfield was a solid competitor who had a touch of quality, but a mouth that couldn’t half get him in trouble. He had one yellow, he could have had three. I liked the no-nonsense defending of Matty Williams at centre half and Stanway in goal who came to ‘the Seals’ rescue on a couple of occasions. In fact both goalkeepers played well as Peter Crook dealt with the conditions too. For Peterborough I was impressed in parts with Kaine Felix who as he raced past Chester left back Joel Taylor someone shouted ‘you’re having him for toast’. On a wet and cold filthy Tuesday night in Feb though it was those who got stuck in who shone best. Josh McCammon is a true warrior who I always enjoy watching and if he could pass the ball better he would certainly be a player worth looking at in the levels above, just for the sheer work he gets through, a combative central midfielder who’s committed, intelligent and always leading from the front. Elicha Ahui, Michael Gash, skipper Ryan Fryatt all getting stuck in for the Turbines cause, which unfortunately couldn’t be seen fully through, but a point against the drop will certainly head them in the right direction. The Verdict Chester are safely one the teams to beat and they’ll be a nuisance in the playoffs to the likes of Scunthorpe who might fancy themselves to be the best of the rest below leaders Tamworth. Peterborough should be ok, if they keep doing what they are doing, which is playing attractive ‘proper’ football with only one intent, to score more than the opposition, which is refreshing to see, the way they attack teams and have a go, is after all, what it’s all about! A good score draw and one for the coupon. The Teams Peterborough Sports: Peter Crook, Elicha Ahui, Ryan Fryatt, Ben Fowkes, Josh McCammon, Dan Jarvis (Jordan Nicholson 79), Hugh Alban-Jones, Ashton Fox, Kaine Felix, Michael Gash, Rory McAuley. Chester: Wyll Stanway, Nathan Woodthorpe, Joel Taylor, Declan Weeks, Harrison Burke, Matty Williams, Tom Peers, George Glendon, Charlie Caton, Elliott Whitehouse, Ollie Heywood (Iwan Murray 79). 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 6th February 2024, Lincoln Road, Peterborough (att 400est).

Solihull Moors 0-1 Altrincham (National League) Josh Kelly has signed for AFC Wimbledon. Where will Solihull get their goals from now? Proof that there's plenty of talent in non league football though and it really whets the appetite for people like me when you hear of players at the lower levels making their move to bigger, better, more established clubs. Not that Wimbledon are much older than Solihull Moors of course, the two teams do have significant others in their past lives. Solihull Borough were kicking around since the 1950s and Moor Green even longer, since 1901 in fact, the two teams merging together in 2007 to become what we have today. AFC Wimbledon a mere five years older than Solihull Moors, formed in 2002 after the previous 'Dons' sodded off to Milton Keynes. The originals did have some history of note, formed in 1889, they famously won the FA Cup in 1988. I'm sure Josh Kelly will be told all about it all in good time. No time to dwell on the past though. Solihull are in important league action today against Altrincham and both teams are going well in the National League playoff zone. Alty have one of the divisions best players in Chris Conn-Clarke. Perhaps he'll get a move to the football league soon? Maybe, Altrincham might even be going with him? I've had a Saturday am walk around the National Watersports Centre where the fit, lean and young looking rowers in lycra say hello to me, the wife and our two dogs (one of which I've on loan for the weekend), back to blighty after a quick 5k for a bacon sandwich and I'm out the door at 12. Down the M42 and coming off for Birmingham Airport where I fly past the back of the runway on the A45 before hitting the Damson Parkway and finding a quiet cul-de-sac to park my motor on midst a nice looking housing estate nearby. The Venue On the edge of town it sits next to Jaguar Land Rover does the Armco Arena, looking all modern besides large industrial and ugly units, a soulless back drop of West Midlands manufacturing on a wide and very important scale, it's very 'millennium' around here but apparently Solihull Borough long had this home well before the year of 2007. I'm walking over the Parkway towards the ground, it feels quiet around but some people are at least making an entrance to the stadium as the clock passes 1:30pm. I'm at a ticket collection window grabbing a wristband for media access before walking in past a steward on the gate and taking a quick look at the pitch in front, not bad nick, clouds above it's had a bit of rain which is still in the air but it's mild for early Feb. A nice ground that has had recent improvement and it feels more than adequate for the National League as I sit myself down five or six rows high and watch the Altrincham players make their own way in. The bus was apparently late due to an accident on the M6. It's packing nicely behind me as Alty have brought quite a media team. A good four or five in attendance, one I overheard lives in Kent and does some regular commuting as he relays he 'works often remotely' and picks and chooses the games he attends. He's not been here before so it's one to chalk off. Only my second visit, it's a good view all around, a couple of pillars hide the corners both right and left but a relatively unrestricted view, that is until the tunnel canvas is pulled out and you can't see anything to the right. Fortunately it's only pulled out for a couple of minutes a time, it is one of those annoying quirks about where the media are sat, but other than that, the place puts a lot of bigger and better grounds to shame, although one commentator who arrives late does question whether he'll be able to squeeze his large torso into the tight fitting desk seated area. No such problems for me. The Game No sooner are they rolling back the tunnel canvas are we 'oohing' a missed opportunity as Chris Conn-Clarke first time fires over a curling pass for Justin Amaluzor to run onto. The Altrincham number eleven is electric on the right and bursts away, beating the Solihull high line, he's into the box but blasts wide, he really should have scored. Amaluzor is lively and he's the main threat in a first half of very few incidents. Solihull are just coming into the game with a decent spell of passing but at the other end Amaluzor is in the box, racing to the by-line he crosses low and Alex Newby slides in from close range. An opening goal that has a travelling support of over 80 in raptures all tucked into the far right hand corner of my goal to the left. That goal, scored at the opposite end to the away fans is all there is to cheer in a tight first half. Altrincham are defensively solid but fluid going forward whilst Solihull clearly missing Josh Kelly are neat without looking like scoring. Something needs to change for them in the second half if they're to get back into the game. The Score It's pretty much same again in the early stages of the second 45. Solihull manager Andy Whing however makes his first change on the hour and brings on striker Mark Beck. I was surprised to see him on the bench, he celebrated his 30th birthday in the week and immediately makes an impact with the home side now offering two strikers up front. The game is open as Solihull attack, but Altrincham look to counter and wrap things up. Conn-Clarke is now the biggest menace, Amaluzor has been subbed after running himself out of energy, so it's the little Northern Irishman who's picking pockets and getting on the ball, but even he can't find a way through, before his manager Phil Parkinson decides to take him off for a centre half, and instead of search for another, Altrincham's intentions are to see this one over the line. And that's what they do. Solihull huff late on but a defence marshalled by Jake Cooper and Lewis Baines holds through. It's been the perfect away performance from a side who consolidate fourth spot in the playoffs. The Stars Altrincham's 4-2-3-1 offers the four attacking outlets fluidity, flexibility and movement and some of the stuff they play is really neat and aggressive, in that they get the ball forward quickly and effectively and play to the strengths of there star quality players. Because of that, they have to be disciplined defensively and the back four takes little risks, is solid and dependable player for player and more importantly is cushioned by Isaac Marriott and Elliot Osborne who are two intelligent midfielders who sit deep and provide the side with good defensive shape. No doubt star man is Chris Conn-Clarke who many say is the best in the division. Small and dinky with a big chest and bulging calves, he has a low centre of gravity and can take on opponents either way. He has a good right foot and not a bad left foot. An attacking DNA that is almost Messi like the way he struts his stuff wearing number ten and playing pretty much where he likes. Justin Amaluzor is also a real threat for different strengths, he's all about pace and power and on a couple of occasions had me 'woooh aloud' from his electric burst. Leggy and rangy, he should score more goals than he currently does. Goalscorer Alex Newby is also a huge player for Altrincham and a class act. He grew more prominent during the game and got better as time went on, always making good decisions, a late runner from deep he sniffs opportunity but is also strong and good in possession, a proper player who's brother Elliot also previously played for the Robins. For Solihull. Defensively their centre half pairing of Morrison and Whitmore stood largely firm and in midfield Maycock and Warburton shown glimpses of elegance but they were mostly outdone by Joe Sbarra who looked a lively diminutive threat cutting in from the left to get on his right foot. They played a 451 system and lacked attacking options, Jack Kelly often isolated until the addition of Mark Beck. They'll miss Josh Kelly up front, but they'll miss him more if they only choose to continue with one up front. Andy Whing will probably revert to two up top in future. The Verdict Kelly leaving is a blow to Solihull's own playoff chances, they'll be clinging on desperately to a place in the top seven but with a good sixteen games to go 'clinging on' is not something they want to start doing. Altrincham meanwhile look comfortable playoff fodder. Only three points separates them and Oldham in eighth, but I imagine they have enough star quality, are defensively mean enough and will score enough goals, to easily make the cut. A good team who have the right mix and right system for the players at their disposal. Testament to Phil Parkinson who has previously been earmarked for better available jobs. I can certainly see why. The Teams Solihull Moors: Nick Hayes, James Clarke, Kyle Morrison (Tyler Bruck 83), Alex Whitmore, Kade Craig, Jay Benn, Callum Maycock (Jon Benton 68), Gus Mafuta, Matty Warburton (Mark Beck 61), Jay Sbarra, Jack Stevens. Altrincham: Matt Gould, Lewis Banks, Jake Cooper, Lewis Baines, Eddy Jones, Elliot Osborne, Isaac Marriott, Justin Amaluzor (Dan Mooney 70), Chris Conn-Clarke (Sam Roscoe 86), Alex Newby, Regan Linney (Dior Angus 80). 3:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 3rd February 2024, Damson Park, Solihull (att 1,388).

Scunthorpe United 0-1 Tamworth (National League North) Danny Whitehall has had a vodka liqueur named after him. Apparently, the Potions Cauldron have created a harmonious blend that tantalises the taste buds, saying "The vivid blue hue of Danny Boy is a visual feast, capturing the essence of Scunthorpe United's spirit and dynamism." Scunny will need plenty of spirit and dynamism tonight as they take on league leaders Tamworth who sit a place and nine points above the Irons. Whitehall has 14 league goals this season but will start this one on the bench as in-form Danny Elliott gets the nod. Jimmy Dean’s squad is bulging with quality, but Andy Peaks' side are confident having dropped just two points in their last nine league games. On Saturday they saw off Spennymoor in a professional manner at the Lamb, whilst Scunthorpe beat Peterborough Sports 1-0. Tonight, I'm really excited! As big a game as you'll get in the National League North, and I'm off early, down the A46, going through Gainsborough and past Trinity's Northolme ground which has lights off and no one home. It's dark as the sun sets in the west, I'm heading up straight and boring Lincolnshire country roads before reaching Bottesford over the M180 and past signs for Silica Country Park ahead of turning left onto Doncaster Road and pulling in for Glanford Park by a retail mecca which has a huge sign for McDonalds in front of me. The Venue I’ve pulled into the East Car Park and walked around the side of the metal structure, home of the irons, made of steel, located on the underwhelming and dimly lit Jack Brownsword Way. Glanford Park has recently had its name changed to the ‘Attis Arena’ but it looks exactly the same as the last time I was here, no frills, nothing fancy, not one for your tourists, a working class home for fans of football to gather. I walk past the Iron Bar which is a club/community pub built at the back of the Britcon Stand already filling nicely as a girl with a cash bucket for donations ties her laces outside. I’ve walked to reception where it’s quiet, a glass door past the club and officials’ entrance, where I’m told to head to door number one for my press & media accreditation. It’s very ‘backstage’ as I knock on a painted claret metal double door where I’m ‘eventually’ let in by a steward, showing me to my seat at the top row of the West Stand, the press area is unusual that it has a couple of seats with flip tables at the back of the stand which are in between where ‘upper echelon’ fans and hierarchy will sit. Behind me is the wonderful Glanford Park Restaurant whose glass window looks onto the pitch, panoramic views with internals that smell of gravy, as I write the teams down I can feel my back burning with eyes looking at me through the panels, there’s plenty of people getting three star treatment in the restaurant, luckily during the game that glass window behind me will have its blinds closed. There’s the odd ex-Scunny player here with BBC Radio Humberside sat to my right, the Tamworth radio guy arrives as I look around this bowl shaped venue that has a post in view to my left. Suddenly the Tamworth cameraman appears all hot and flustered. “Bloody nightmare getting in here” he says in a Brummy accent. “I’ve been knocking on that media door for ages”. The Game The cameraman is still setting up, he’s trying to balance his tripod which is too wide for the step we are sat on. By now there’s fans filling the stand we are in, sitting in front of us and between us, one old lady parks her handbag on a press table besides me, it’s all a little chaotic as the two teams come out, the stand to my left behind the goal is rammed and noisy with loud Scunny supporters, the one to my right has little under 300 Tamworth fans who themselves are in full voice. Tamworth in white kick off as the PA plays Hi Ho Silver Lining by Jim Diamond. The fans are still chanting the chorus as the away side win a throw in and Tom Tonks chucks one in which is headed inches over. That would have been interesting had it gone in and interrupted the home backing’s vocals in full flow. The game is frantic, full paced, a lot of pressing, not much passing, I’ve a feeling from the off this won’t end eleven a side, but it’s not dirty, just combative, two sets of players who are prepared to put their bodies on the line in battle for a classical 'six pointer', it ebbs and flows but not in a pretty way. Tamworth have moments, largely on the break, mostly through the pace of Ben Acquaye out wide, Scunny are also decent on their left where they get a bit of space, but they fail to really test Jas Singh in the Lambs goal. Danny Elliott is kept quiet as the home fans sing the name of Danny Whitehall who warms up on the touchline. They also sing ‘You Fat Bastard’ to Tamworth’s Liam Dolman. ‘Heard that one before’ says the cameraman beside me. The Score At half time it’s nil nil and although it’s been full bodied and entertaining it’s not a match for the purists, not many chances with both defences on top. By now the Tamworth cameraman has moved his tripod and buggered off for some chips, although he comes back empty handed saying 'the queues too big.' I’ve a feeling that one goal will win this, which way I still don’t know but less than ten minutes into the second half a Tamworth player is running through, brought down by Tyler Denton on the edge of the area. Is it double whammy? Certainly a clear goalscoring opportunity and a rightful red card, but is it a pen? There’s a delay for some treatment to a Scunthorpe player, eventually the Ref gives a free kick, by now a flare has been set off in the away end, the home fans are irate, the away support is bouncing, the second half is well and truly bubbling, but with huge advantage in Tamworth's favour. That red takes an even looking game and pushes the emphasis on the visitors and they begin to control proceedings with a little more time and space to play, they may have came here looking not to lose, but now they feel they can win, and eventually, it’s their usual suspect that nets arguably their most important goal of the season so far. Dan Creaney has been kept relatively quiet. He may wear number 23 but he’s a number nine in the traditional making, he sniffs opportunity and very rarely moves from between the lines, a corner crossed in is half cleared before Ben Acquaye drills it back, a bit of ping pong in the area has the ball land at Creaney’s feet, slipping back he drills it low through a crowd, 0-1, the fans behind the goal go crazy. Another red flare is let off as the home fans lay silent, the Cameraman next to me who’s been chirping all game is beside himself. He tells me “We might have to go full time if we go up. Problem is Creaney already has a good job”. I reply “It’s a nice decision he’ll have to make”. With man and goal advantage the away team do hang on, a spirited late Scunthorpe response lies short of any answers, the closest they come is when a Tamworth defender trying to clear a low driven cross forces Singh to save to his left, although a desperate diving block by either Willetts or Cullinane-Liburd late on, it was hard to see midst the panic, both were magnificent throughout, denies Danny Whitehall what would have been a last minute leveller. By the time the whistle is blown on minute 99. Many Scunthorpe fans have already left. The old woman besides me picking up her handbag and in wrongly thinking I'm Tamworth media says “Your lot are bloody cheats” before hastily rushing off to catch her bus. The Stars It was a defences on top kind of night and the away side shone best when heading and kicking whatever came their way. Jordan Cullinane-Liburd and Jamie Willetts hardly putting a foot wrong in their centre back positions, in midfield Ben Milnes worked tirelessly with a touch of quality whilst Ben Acquaye on the left backed up a super performance on Saturday by being the outlet that Scunthorpe were most afraid of. Acquaye is quick, technical, powerful, direct. Tamworth have a real blend of strength, pace, power, determination and above all, experience, with players who know the league, know the level, and know what it’s like to win titles. Scunthorpe’s squad may ooze more class. They always looked on paper like the better team, for long parts the respect given to them was that they were the better team, but on the night they weren’t and over the season they haven’t been. Ross Fitzsimons in goal easily their best player on the night, which says a lot about the match and their performance. The former Chesterfield goalkeeper is better than this level, he’s brilliant with the ball at his feet and is a good shot stopper, there’s certainly worse goalies in league football than the 29-year-old. Whilst defensively Max Kouogun and Will Evans did ok, Michael Clunan in midfield got around the pitch well, Alfie Beestin their cultured number eight didn’t have his best night, nor did Cameron Wilson or Kian Scales and neither did Elliott in attack who was eventually subbed for Whitehall. Big, lean, powerful, you might have thought for Scunthorpe’s biggest match of the season so far they would and should have started with Whitehall in attack, they certainly looked a superior force going forward with him on the pitch. He and fellow substitute Dion Sembie-Ferris, recently recalled from a loan spell at his old club Peterborough Sports, he may not have settled in Scunthorpe yet, but he’s a player who threatens opposition defences. Maybe Jimmy Dean wanted to use them late on in a tight game and had planned to do so no matter the outcome, had they entered the field when 11v11 then things might have been different? The Verdict Tamworth now have the title in their grasp, it’s theirs to lose and yes, they’ll be thinking about taking potential steps to going full time and playing once again next season in the fifth tier of English football after this one. For Scunthorpe, pre-season favourites and a side with a budget probably as twice as big as anyone else’s in the division, they need to get out of this league, because 5,000 plus on a Tuesday night in the sixth tier will soon drop to twos and threes if they don’t. The Irons still have a chance, they should be best of the rest and in the playoff race they’ll be the team to beat, but you can’t help feel their championship credentials have suffered a major blow, and for anyone who knew anything about football, at the start of the season, that should never have been in doubt. They’ll be suffering knowing they’re only second best. The Teams Scunthorpe United: Ross Fitzsimons, Reagan Ogle, Max Kouogun, Will Evans, Michael Clunan, Alfie Beestin (Danny Whitehall 66), Danny Elliott (Michael Kelly 56), Cameron Wilson (Dion Sembie-Ferris 74), Jacob Butterfield, Kian Scales, Tyler Denton. Tamworth: Jas Singh, Matt Culley, Jordan Cullinane-Liburd, Jamie Willetts, Luke Fairlamb (Cameron Cockerill-Mollett 90), Tom Tonks (Lindon Meikle 80), Nathan Tshikuna (Ty Deacon 88), Ben Milnes, Kyle Finn, Dan Creaney, Ben Acquaye. 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 30th January 2024, Glanford Park, Tamworth (att 5,277).

Tamworth 2-0 Spennymoor Town (National League North) Spennymoor United were formed in 1905 and spent most of their seasons in the Northern League and Northern Premier League until sadly folding in 2005. Meanwhile, little old Evenwood Town, based the other side of Bishop Auckland and down the A688, they were also having troubles as a Northern League second division team and used their own plight in 2005 to merge with United and form one club between the two Durham communities. Spennymoor Town were born and continued to use 'United's' long standing Brewery Field home ground, they still do to this day. Since 2005 'Town' have had more success than some non-league sides have had in over a hundred years of establishment. The Moors as they are nicknamed, winning the second tier of the Northern League in their second season before winning four Northern League titles in five years and the FA Vase before back-to-back NPL promotions and since 2017 they have held firm in the National League North. Always appearing in the top half of the table. This season has been different, much tougher they sit out of trouble, just, but they are watching over their backs. Meanwhile Tamworth are seemingly romping things at the top. The Lambs have Scunthorpe in a huge game at Glanford Park on Tuesday but before then, they still need to do the business against Spennymoor. I'm at both games and am heading down the M42 well within good time to get my spot on Kettlebrook Road which saves me all of £2 parking. The Venue I'm over Bolbridge Street and Ankerdrive where the huge Tamworth Snowdome is housed before pulling up on a terraced street outside the club’s main entrance. The Spennymoor bus is here, pulling in as I listen to the second half of Ipswich v Maidstone in the FA Cup, before getting out of the car and walking over the wasteland used for parking, towards the portacabins at the back of the ground where I'm let in at reception, allowed to walk straight through, which I do before stopping off for a wee. It's like the river Anker in here. The men's floors are soaked as a pan leaks above the urinals, it's not pretty, it hardly ever is in these places. God knows what the ladies is like but I've a feeling it's the sort of bog my wife would even refuse to go in. A quick wipe of the hands with some cold water and hard paper towels before walking out to the burger van for nothing more than a coffee and snickers. The pitch glowing grey under the skies that have the sun trying to sneak through the clouds, I'm walking to my spot at the press area where I'm asked by the steward if I've a seated or standing ticket. Sat perched at the back row of a small, red seated stand it's a good view, as I discuss with Tamworth FC's home team radio commentator the best and worst of National League North press boxes. He tells me Warrington's is awful, we share our displeasure for Peterborough Sports and Buxton. The latter has a huge pillar in view of one of the goals and the desk is too far from the seats, I'm glad I'm not the only person who has noticed. Unlike Buxton, Tamworth has no restricted views, we're only five or six rows up but close to the pitch, nicely elevated and with good desk space.  Opposite is a covered terrace which tends to slope down left to right. The left goal end is roofed and slightly elevated with the right side open, all backed by terraced housing to give a proper enclosed football venue feel. The Game I like the look of the Spennymoor team today. A few I know from Boston, a couple from Bradford PA. A bit of pace in attack, it's a banana skin for Tamworth and a real test of their patience as the home side struggle early doors for any sort of rhythm. The radio guy earlier said “It’s the best group of lads we've had in a long time" as he states "they all get on really well, there's no big time Charlie's here". I told him 'I really like the team' with its experience mixed with a bit of youth and pace, Andy Peaks boys play direct and get it forward quick, put crosses in and use the pace and technique on their flanks, in Tom Tonks they have a player who can throw it a mile, and every opportunity they get, he chucks it into the area to test the opposition defence. Spennymoor have stood firm, somehow, Creaney has twice headed over from close range before finally breaking the deadlock with a header from a corner just four minutes before half time. The Score Despite the deluge of missiles into the Moors box the first half could have gone either way with Tamworth having the lions share but the away side were decent and game, threatening on the break and looked more than capable of nicking something until Creaney eased the nerves and frustration of the home crowd. With advantage Tamworth are more forceful in the second half but the away team continue to show resilience. That is until Ben Acquaye races through on the break, he's one on one and coolly slides home a second on 75 and that seals victory for the table toppers in red. It’s not been pretty, they have had to dig in, but Tamworth show why they are perhaps favourites to go up. Spennymoor no mugs, they are always in the game until Acquaye scores, the last fifteen however gives comfort in the know that there’s only one outcome from here on in. The Stars Acquaye’s pace and footwork a constant irritant for the Spennymoor defenders, the left sider is quick, direct and travels well with the ball, he’s backed up by little left back Luke Fairlamb who has a brilliant game to claim the sponsors man of the match, I like their centre half pairing of Jordan Cullinane-Liburd and Jamie Willets who seems to have taken over as the go to replacement for the ageing stalwart Liam Dolman. Respect in midfield with Ben Milnes who’s got guile on the ball, Tom Tonks who hasn’t, but who can break up play and do the ugly stuff well, then there’s Nathan Tshikuna who is powerful and technical with an eye for goal, the club have recently sold Jamie Jellis to Walsall, evident they have players who can play higher, but the depth to the side is that even he is easily replaceable. Dan Creaney up front did what he did best, a couple of sniffs before finally netting a typical Creaney headed goal, whilst the talented Kyle Finn was kept relatively quiet, the bench including Kai Williams, Ty Deacon and Lindon Meikle, who I watched play for Ilkeston whilst on loan only last week, they all have legs and attacking intention, good impact players that can be hugely resourceful in the latter stages of bigger games to come. For Spennymoor, as I mentioned they weren’t bad at all. Lebrun Mbeka and Ben Pollock who last year played centre back pairing for Boston, did their usual solid defensive no frills game. Reece Staunton is a left back I like, having previously watched him at Bradford Park Avenue. Callum Ross in midfield was combative and looked to get a foot on it. David Moyo and Jordy Mongoy in attack look to have goals in them and certainly have pace, as does Donald Chimalilo who came on off the bench, on another day they might have got something, but today Tamworth knew what they had to do, and did it in a way that only a confident top of the table team would. The Verdict Nine points now is the gap at the top of the table between leaders Tamworth and second place Scunthorpe. The Irons do have two games in hand, whilst Tuesday night is huge it won’t necessarily define the Lambs season, but get a good result at Glanford Park and it could confine United to only a playoff spot whilst for Tamworth, it's certainly all in their hands, as the players walked off the pitch following victory, the PA's choice of music direct towards the leagues second place team was the Dave Clark Five's Catch Us If You Can. Spennymoor are nineteenth just three points above the National League North drop zone. I’m sure they are too good to go down and have too much in their locker to get dragged in, but football is a funny old game and it’ll be on Graeme Lee and his men to turn things around, starting with a home win against Peterborough Sports on Saturday. The Teams Tamworth: Jas Singh, Matt Culley, Jordan Cullinane-Liburd, Jamie Willets, Luke Fairlamb, Ben Milnes (Lindon Meikle 81), Tom Tonks, Nathan Tshikuna, Kyle Finn, Dan Creaney (Ty Deacon 82), Ben Acquaye (Kai Williams 85). Spennymoor Town: James Montgomery, Dan Myers (Donald Chimalilo 62), Reece Staunton, Callum Ross, Lebrun Mbeka, Ben Pollock, Sam Fielding (Will Harris 62), Rob Ranshaw, Keenan Ferguson, David Moyo, Jordy Mongoy (Danny Greenfield 80). 3:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 27th January 2024, The Lamb Ground, Tamworth (att 1,146).