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Banbury United 1-0 Bradford Park Avenue (National League North) So not without controversy the World Cup is underway in Qatar. I didn’t watch the opening game as was out for a family meal on Sunday at the Lord Nelson in Burton Joyce but enjoyed England thumping Iran for six on Monday before casting eye over the Dutch and of course USA v Wales and that spine-tingling rendition of the Cymru national anthem… If it were a singing contest, there would be only one winner. On Tuesday morning I’m up with a coffee, laptop over the knees, TV on as I tweet ‘about to watch the Messi show’ it’s business as usual thanks to an early penalty for Argentina but somehow, Saudi Arabia claw themselves back in the game and take the lead, somehow, they hang on, and create history with an unbelievable performance, as big as any shock I’ve seen in the World Cup, reminiscent in my lifetime of the Friday afternoon I raced home from school to see Cameroon beat Argentina in 1990, when all I was expecting on that day in Milan was a Maradona Masterclass. After a quick spot of lunch, I take a passive interest in Denmark v Tunisia before setting off roughly after 4pm, by now Mexico v Poland is on my car radio as I’m out the door, heading for Oxfordshire and another new football venture, a sixth tier National League North Game between Banbury United and Bradford Park Avenue, about as south as you can get for a northern league fixture. I’m down the M1 in the rain looking for signs for Daventry and junction 18, passing the International Rail Freight Terminal I’m heading south down the A361 in pitch darkness and through Byfield and Chipping Warden before crossing the M40 as the traffic builds. Guillermo Ochoa has saved a penalty for Mexico which is great news for my fantasy team, a clean sheet too, as I pull into the rather busy looking Banbury Railway Station car park, I realise I’ve gone wrong, head for the exit and continue down a single-track road behind a number of factories before finally pulling into the dimly lit car park of the Spencer Stadium, where a steward leads me in. The Venue I’ve got time so sit in the car as some of the players start to arrive, from the outside it’s pretty bleak, it feels very non-league, very isolated and very industrial as a train rushes by on the Paddington to Manchester West Coast line, the Spencer Stadium has been forever home to Banbury United, who originated as Spencer Sports Club in 1931. By now the build up of metal in the car park has left me blocked in, I wonder how I’m expected to get out at full time, luckily, I don’t have to rush back, but anyone wanting an early exit would be pretty screwed, as each motor is packed in tightly to ensure no space goes unturned. After ten or fifteen minutes in the warmth whilst scrolling on my phone I decide it’s time to enter fort, out of my car, on with the hat, the coat zipped up, laptop bag over my shoulder I head for the turnstile where I take out my phone, zapped in thanks to a mobile ticket I was provided on Sunday night, “Complimentary” says the turnstile operator… “I am today” I explain myself with a feeling of guilt. Upon entry I take a walk around where I get a real feel for the place, walls painted in predominantly red and yellow with quirky dated stands, pitch flat, wide, a number three all over, immaculately green considering the earlier downpour, it feels like I’m at the home of Melchester Rovers, surely this place had an influence on the great Roy of the Rovers comic of years gone by? A single old red seated stand on the halfway line with pillars in view obstructing anyone who’s sitting at the back. To the right a low roofed terrace behind the goal backing on to a WW apexed style roofed factory behind, giving the ground a real distinct and classic Subbuteo style look, to the right of that, a colourful looking tea bar which is where I’m heading next, a cuppa and a hot dog with onions, paid via contactless, I park up behind the goal and start to eat and drink my nights fuel. “Have you driven here” some old chap says to me… He thinks I’m a Bradford fan as I’m wearing a green bobble hat. “I was trying to find if the club were running a bus but nothing, they were going to segregate the away support tonight but apparently there’s only going to be fifteen away fans”. He’s retired, now a groundhopper living in West Yorkshire who was at Heybridge Swifts on Saturday, originally from Chester we get talking about some Welsh grounds and he recommends “one the side of a mountain” at Blandy Park, home of Garw SBGC, although he’s not yet been himself. The Game I’m by now sitting at the top of the John Nicholls Stand, the match being broadcast on Puritans Radio as the venue starts to fill nicely, I’m next to a guy from BBC Radio Oxford who’s having a night off. His only job is to do a 30 second recorded report after the match. He tells me Banbury were promoted last season losing just two games in the Southern League Central, gaining 102 points it’s their first ever season in the National League North, I ask is their rise down to the manager, the players, or if they have a decent budget, “definitely the manager” he says, “the club’s budget is pretty low compared to some in this league” he continues “they started really well this season, lost a couple of games and squad depth has been tested recently”. Banbury beat Stowmarket Town 6-0 in the FA Trophy on Saturday to set up a third-round home tie with Bognor Regis. Bradford were knocked out against local rivals Farsley Celtic and are struggling in the league, near the foot of the table. Gut feeling is home banker. The Score As the teams appear and the game gets into its stride it’s soon noticeable that Banbury are a really nice pleasing on the eye footballing team, they play simple short stuff on the ground, and knock it about really well without the intention or need to panic and rush, watching them play almost feels like watching a good football league team in action, playing at a canter they start slowly, happy to give the opposition time to play themselves, and when they get the ball, they have eleven competent footballers, who like to knock it across their backline, through their midfield and out wide to their pacey wingers (Acquaye & Babos) who on each side are a real direct threat. What they lack in height, they have in quality, their centre halves Williams and Radcliffe are very comfortable in possession. Josh Smile in midfield is a delicate footballer looking to pick the ball up off his defence, captain, Giorgio Rasulo beside him, looking to drive from midfield with the ball often glued to his feet. Rasulo even has his own song, to the tune of the recently viral Charlie Patino effort created by Blackpool fans, which ends in “f*cking hate Brackerrrrley” I get the feeling Banbury is a real cult club. The fans are young, boisterous, there’s been a bit of trouble recently hence the requirements for segregation, one of the ends is sponsored by The Terrace, a clothing website which sells retro football gear, and is based in the town, the music played pre-game and at half time includes New Order and Duran Duran. It’s at half time where the game is goalless and with chances few and far between, I feel the away side is probably the happier, having contained Banbury to a couple of half efforts without looking any danger themselves. I say “the more this game stays at nil nil the better chance Bradford have”. A young Banbury official walks back to his seat having heard the half time team talk, he says “the manager isn’t happy” Andy Whing is the Banbury gaffer and was a blood and guts full back in his day playing for the likes of Coventry, Brighton & Oxford United. He won’t like the lack of intensity shown by his side in that opening forty-five. You can tell the Managers choice words have had an effect, as Banbury start the second half well, a little more fire in the belly, they press harder, run that little bit more, do things that bit quicker, but Bradford by now are up for the fight. Sam Fielding is very good at centre half before an injury see’s him replaced, I’m most impressed with right back Lucas Odunston who looks competent and confident in and out of possession, they’re game and work tirelessly, but in Jacob Blyth and Jordan Preston up top, they never really look like scoring, the side has a severe lack of pace and creativity. Despite this, the later the game goes I say “Banbury might be happy with just not losing here” signifying “It’s one of those nights, you’ve not played well, but you still don’t want to lose” but as some folk head for the exits to sit in the car park and wait for others to move their motors to eventually leave, a last corner for Banbury offers feint hope of a late winner, and an unlikely hero is that Jay Williams, who I’ve been most impressed with at centre half, pops up to volley an all important decider, as the Park Avenue players sink to the ground, Williams and his team-mates are jumping into the crowd who celebrate their victory goal like mad. The Stars Man of the Match Williams still only 22, has football league experience with Northampton and Harrogate, and whilst looks stereotypically too small to be a centre half, has a calming presence and reads the game so well, he is very comfortable on the ball, perhaps too comfortable, but aside a big defender, would easily play at a higher level. A small team, Banbury don’t seem to have anyone bigger than Williams, I struggle to search a six footer, they have diminutive attacking options, neat footballers who will win more games than they lose, but I would like to see how they fear on the slope at North Street, against a tall nasty long ball team like Alfreton Town. Slavi Spasov went off injured, a player who I was most looking forward to seeing play, but Giorgio Rasulo and in particular Josh Smile gave me nice moments, the simplicity of Smile’s play not to be underestimated against his constant off-ball movement. For Bradford, it looks like a long tough season for them, whilst right back Lucas Odunston perhaps looked their best player on the night, they were gutsy, hard-working, but lacked quality in going forward, maybe Jamie Spencer offering their best hope of attacking threat on the wing. The Verdict The non-league St Pauli? I certainly feel a cult element to Banbury United, like that of Clapton FC or Dulwich Hamlet, a trendy team with a traditional but imposing old ground, inspired by a classic and colourful kit, one who’s fans are vocal, one who’s players plays good football, I think it’s a pretty cool time to be a Banbury fan. Or a Puritan, as they are affectionately and equally as coolly known. Whether they’ll have what it takes to make the next step? The National League as Kings Lynn recently found out, is a tough step up in quality when you have limitations in finance, but Banbury play good enough football to beat anyone on their day, and if they make the playoffs this season, it would surprise no-one who’s seen them play. For Bradford, five of the thirteen fans predicted never even made it to Banbury, just eight, in the end, in total, showing up, all welcomed by the bloke on the tannoy, after the match for a drink in the clubhouse, I feel a long painful season ahead for them, if they can avoid relegation, it won’t be done without change. The Teams Banbury United: Jack Harding, Connor Roberts, Sam Brown, Ben Radcliffe, Jay Williams, Josh Smile, Giorgio Rasulo, Slavi Spasov (Callum Reilly 17), Ben Acquaye (Josh Dugmore 90), Jak Hickman (Jack Stevens 72), Alex Babos. Bradford Park Avenue: George Sykes-Kenworthy, Lucas Odunston, Reece Staunton, Luca Havern, Sam Fielding (Harrison Hopper 51), Jamie Spencer, Will Lancaster, Simon Richman, Thomas Angell, Jordan Preston (Will Longbottom 79), Jacob Blyth. 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 22nd November 2022, Spencer Stadium, Banbury (att 501)

Alfreton Town 2-2 Peterborough Sports (National League North) I’m shattered after getting home from Wembley at 1am, the McDonalds at Watford Gap prior to midnight could possibly have been avoided, but I’m ready to go at it again, back to the day job, no beers tonight, just me, my laptop and a couple of mobile phones. I’m off to Alfreton Town in Derbyshire, a club I’ve been to on a couple of occasions previously. I actually ran the line there once during a closed doors friendly between them and Grantham Town who I was coaching at. In fact that’s probably the last time I was there, way back in 2013. It’s a National League North game and Peterborough Sports are in town. I know the name but have never seen them play, they’ve climbed up the divisions in recent years and have a bit of cash I’m told, but are relatively small fodder at this level, Alfreton meanwhile have been at step six of the English pyramid for a good eight years since relegation from what was known back then as the Conference. The Venue I leave Nottingham at 5:15pm as I’m told to be at the ground (which is an hour away at most) an hour before kick-off, not trusting the traffic, I hit the ring road before coming to an infuriating standstill, trudging up to Junction 26 which I finally reach near 6pm. Thankfully the M1 is a doddle before coming off at J28, hitting the A38 and following the sat nav to North Street which is just before you get into the town’s centre. Parking at the ground is £3 so as I’m early, I decide to park on street, there’s roads stating ‘no football parking’ but North Street itself looks good, I stick the Merc outside someone’s semi-detached house and hope they’re not peering out the window annoyed. As I walk through the gates, I ask the stewards where to get my pass and they point me to a nice bloke in a tie who sends me through to reception, from there my names on the list and I’m told I can sit anywhere I like, I’ve plenty of time so grab a coffee and a quick steak pie as I’m dinnerless tonight. The ground is open ended behind one goal with a slight slope down and low covered stands painted largely red with blue seats. It’s quaint and leafy and more importantly proper grass surface, although the tannoy is pretty loud in playing their chart classics. I set myself up five seats high on the halfway line opposite the tunnel and dugouts before realising the one seat I’ve picked is directly in front of an 82 year old season ticket holder’s pre-reserved space. We get chatting and turns out he played for Heanor and Eastwood in the 1960’s, he’s had the same spot for seven or eight years and was one of those who previously stood behind the goal on the terraces. The Game As the old boy points out a few to watch, he tells me there’s an Egyptian on show, Matt Rhead who I know, and about a boy called Clackstone who can throw. As the game gets under way it’s soon apparent this is no England v Germany, I moaned the night previous about the lack of intensity at Wembley, I cannot fault the players endeavours tonight, head, kick, chase, tackle, repeat, it’s a hot potato going from one centre half to another. Far from pretty it’s feisty, gutsy and horrible viewing, X-rated in parts as the Referee battles to keep peace, proper non-league football in England, no tit for tat, just gerrit forward and put a tackle in. The fitness levels impress me, the odd player has trickery and skill, but it’s largely no necessity to have quality on the ball, more a need to be able to hold your own, in physique, effort and determination. The Score It’s actually a non-league classic which ends with an injury time leveller. Alfreton have a late first half lead which they probably, but for a couple of scares on the break, deserved. Fraser Preston dancing his way through the Turbines defence to score, he’s like a young John Robertson, fat arse, short and stocky but has some quality, Scottish too. In the second half, it’s more of the same, Alfreton with more of the so called possession, scrapping relatively better than their visitors, but a corner on the counter-attack which is headed in unmarked by Fryatt and suddenly it’s the away side on top. Peterborough push on for a winner and with three minutes remaining an Alfreton player decides to fly like superman to punch the ball inside his own box, Lawlor steps up, scores and sends the travelling army of nine or ten, into raptures. Smash and grab? Not quite, Peterborough have deserved their lead and have probably been the better side on the night, overall. But still late drama to come, as the fourth official signals five minutes, a soft free kick conceded was played into the box and whilst Matt Rhead was credited for the goal, it soon becomes clear that Dom Smith got the last touch with a header to save his sides bacon. The Stars Whilst most of Alfreton’s best work came through their impressive right winger Preston, the number seven deservedly winning the home sides man of the match, the veteran centre forward Matt Rhead was a constant menace, screaming for every decision and having a right old ding-dong with Peterborough’s centre halves. In return, defenders Dan Lawlor and Richard Jones, who I remember from their days playing for Stamford, were equally up for the scrap, whilst the trickery of Dion Sembie-Ferris and Ky Marsh Brown although in minimal splatters, could be very effective if given time and space, something they didn’t have much of, although both had chances to score. The Verdict I was told ticket prices for Alfreton Town without concessions are £15, but the old boys season ticket who sat near me said his works out around £7 a game which I think is a snip. What I love about the level is an honesty and pride in what they do, from steward to catering staff, Chairman to player, fan to fan, it’s a real community which is built on an ethos of hard work for not really much profit, other than ones love for the game. The football was, let’s face it, crap, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t even more enjoyable than seeing the talented superstars which I witnessed on Monday night, because whilst between England and Germany I left the stadium, felt thinking at least one of those teams could have done more, on Tuesday night at Alfreton, I walked away from North Street, knowing that everyone of those players on the night, gave their absolute 110% for a point a piece which leaves both teams eleventh and twelfth respectively in the sixth tier of English football. The Teams Alfreton Town: George Willis, Josh Clackstone, George Cantrill (Connor Branson 65), Ahmed Salam (Lewis Whitham 65), Dom Smith, Dwayne Wiley, Fraser Preston, Adam Lund, Matt Rhead, Danny Preston, Bailey Hobson. Peterborough Sports: Peter Crook, Ryan Fryatt, Richard Jones (Lewis Hilliard 65), Nathan Fox, Dan Lawlor, Lamine Kaba Sherif (Michael Gash 65), Josh McCammon (Abduramane Sano-Sani 75), Connor Kennedy, Mark Jones, Ky Marsh Brown, Dion Sembie-Ferris. 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 27th September 2022, Impact Arena, Alfreton (att 363).

Notts County 3-1 Altrincham (National League) The wife’s arranged a dog walk with the neighbours at 9am on Saturday morning. I can’t sleep knowing I’ve got to be up early and ready for a marathon ramble which takes me down the Grantham Canal and into West Bridgford for an alfresco bite at Portobello Lounge where a sausage cob and coffee provide a much needed pick me up before the final lap up the green line. I’m looking at my watch like I have to be somewhere but it’s not yet 11am. Sat with a Notts County fan on the Avenue discussing how his team are doing, I’m actually off to see the Magpies later today, It’s first glimpse of ‘the hottest striker in England’ and a man outscoring even that of the freak of nature that is Erling Haaland. The leading scorer of the top five divisions in the country, Macaulay Langstaff, is on fire after his summer move south from Gateshead. Visiting Meadow Lane is little old Altrincham. I’ve driven through a couple of times on route to Old Trafford but know relatively little about them, a non-league staple since as long as I’ve been born, they’ve never played beyond the fifth tier of the English pyramid, and it’ll be the first time I’ve seen them play in the flesh. The Venue I’ve already done my 10,000 steps for the day as I ask the wife to drop me at Wilford Lane lights as she heads to her mums for an afternoon cuppa in Radford. It’s little after 1pm and I’ve got plenty of time, walking over Trent Bridge in the sunshine, it’s a quaint walk which I’m used to doing when watching my beloved Nottingham Forest play. As I turn right to head down Meadow Lane, the ground appears almost at the same time as the smell of burgers and onions hit my nose, on the left, backdrop to a statue which has former County boss Jimmy Sirrel sitting on a bench next to his old sidekick Jack Wheeler. As I’m early, I take a look around in the club shop, it’s proper old school, none of that fancy bollocks, like an old independent sports shop that only sells necessities like studs and shinpads, in Nottingham we had Mapperley Sports and Redmayne & Todd back in the day, it felt like the 80’s and being back in there getting measured out for my school PE kit. A couple of replica shirts on hangers, some out-dated programmes for sale, a towel, a beach bag, black and white tie, a couple of old sporting books and some pin badges behind the counter. Proper stuff, a proper shop. It even smelt like 1989. On walking out, I head for the turnstile and took out my mobile phone to get zapped on the way in. Technology even at National League level means you don’t need paper tickets these days. Appropriate and simple yes, but gone are the days of collecting and saving matchday tickets. I went to the Euros final and got nothing but a screenshot as memory… It’s a shame you can’t get a stub no more, the simplest things we take for granted, now taken away. Meadow Lane is an impressive arena, certainly for the level, and for a few above too. Just over 20,000 is capacity, it’ll be well short of that today and as I walk in to grab a coffee I’m the only person bar the catering staff underneath the Derek Pavis Stand. A Douwe Egberts is served for a couple of quid and after a good stir and bit of sugar it’s perfectly drinkable. I take my seat which is near the dugout and the green grass is immaculate beneath the blue skies, the black seating of the stands offering me a panoramic view, Kop on the left, Jimmy Sirrel Stand opposite, Haydn Green Stand to the right, the Alty players on the pitch having a walk around and a giggle. I take my pew on row two and decide because of the top of the dugouts I can’t see half of the pitch. I ask a steward if it’s possible to move higher, he points me to a wing where he says they’ll be plenty of room. The Game The ground slowly fills as kick off nears, old boys, like me, on their own with plenty of space around them, families sitting in packs, not talking, mates together, standing, laughing, fathers and sons, fathers and daughters, questions asked on this and that as fast food is fed by all. The two sets of players appear and I get my own game day head on. Altrincham in a rather jazzy navy number with yellow diagonal stripe across their shirt. Notts more predominantly white than black. The visitors with kick off boot it straight out of play. ‘Welcome to the National League’ I mumble to myself. But any thoughts on whether these two teams can play or not soon disappear, Notts patient, passing between their back four, Slocombe their goalkeeper probably has more touches with his feet than any other player? Altrincham look to break against the Magpies high line, their pace on the counter almost gets them through. The styles contrast, but both try and play. Notts have a free kick from 30 yards out, cries of shoot from the fans after Castro scored a screamer against York last week. He tries his luck again and the ball comes crashing down off the bar. It’s nip and tuck until five minutes before half time and Cedwyn Scott, socks rolled down his ankles looking like a modern day Steve Claridge, tests the goalkeeper with a low fluffed shot which is spilled and bounces off the on rushing Langstaff. Goal number 13 for the season, it’s only his second touch since bringing the ball down impressively on the seventh minute, I’ve hardly seen him at all. Moments later the place erupts again. Adebayo-Rowling has one objective down the right wing, to get it and run at the full back, he beats his man and scuffs a shot against a post which rolls back to him to pull back to that man again. Langstaff goal and number 14 for the season, in what is only his eleventh game. “I had a wheelbarrow” is now being sung by the Kop, it’s the first rendition of the day, County two up at half time and cruising. People leave their seats for a pint and a pee whilst I check the half times on my bat-phone. The Score Notts have a lethargic look about them which could perhaps allow opponents back in to games from seemingly dominant positions, no less than a couple of minutes into the second half do they give the ball away and allow Altrincham in down the wing. The impressive Chris Conn-Clarke on loan from Fleetwood, fleet footed, whisks a low ball into the box for Dinanga who scores to the joy of fifty or so travelling fans. Notts high line offers a real opportunity to pace to get in behind, defensively they aren’t particularly good, but going forward, they are more than competent, and should certainly be up there for promotion this season because of that. Adebayo-Rowling again causing trouble down the right, crosses into Langstaff after beating his man, the striker flicks towards goal as Chicksen dangles his leg out to deflect it home, it’s certainly not a hat-trick, although all the papers tomorrow will credit it to the in-form man of the moment for the Magpies. The last twenty minutes is played as a procession, Slocombe has one soft shot to save before being taken out by a Jordan Hulme lunge as he tries for the umpteenth time to play out from the back. A yellow card for the substitute is about as exciting as it gets, Notts play keep ball before wrapping up a routine win for the home side, the visitors just happy to get back home with a relatively low scoring defeat. The Stars Whilst Langstaff will rightly take the plaudits, plenty on show to be impressed with elsewhere. Cedwyn Scott looked busy and Adebayo-Rowling a constant threat down the right. County’s strings pulled however by the composed Matty Palmer, who is comfortable on the ball and links well with star playmaker Ruben Rodrigues who was quiet, but you can certainly see the quality he brings, strong and technical, he could certainly play higher. For Altrincham, they look decent on the break with pace in Dinanga and Colclough, whilst Conn-Clarke looks like a player that can do credible work in the football league. The Verdict The National League has some decent football sides and surprising at the level is just how well the best sides keep the ball. Not the kick and rush we expect from lower league/non league football, but that’s what you get when the majority of the division is now full time. As stadiums go, Meadow Lane is one to chalk off for any fans of National League clubs who might want a trip to Nottingham and in particularly a pre-match drink at Hooters. I doubt Notts will be too long further lasting at this level so get in while you can, even though it’s a tough league to get out of, they have too much quality to be in the doldrums for too long. It's certainly a team punching well below their weight. The Teams Notts County: Sam Slocombe, Richard Brindley, Connell Rawlinson, Kyle Cameron, Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, Matt Palmer, Quevin Castro (Sam Austin 55), Adam Chicksen (Aaron Nemane 71), Ruben Rodrigues, Cedwyn Scott (Ed Francis 55), Macaulay Langstaff. Altrincham: Oliver Byrne, Ross Barrows, Toby Mullarkey, Jake Southern-Cooper, Ed Jones (Liam Brockbank 51), Josh Lundstram, Chris Conn-Clarke, Bradley Jackson (Ben Pringle 66), Elliot Osborne, Ryan Colclough, Marcus Dinanga (Jordan Hulme 66). 3:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 1st October 2022, Meadow Lane, Nottingham (att 6,458).

York City 1-1 Chesterfield (National League) My last visit to York was eleven months ago, back in November for my forty something birthday, staying in a plush, quaint, romantic retreat with the wife, close to the Minster, we walked down the cobbled roads of the Shambles and into York Christmas Market with a mulled wine and minced pie in hand, ate tapas at Ambiente, drank tea at Bettys, and left a day later, after a quick shopping stop at York Designer Outlet, where I brought myself two flowery Hugo Boss shirts and a pack of three Ralph Lauren pants all at a knocked down price. This year I haven’t time for shopping, because Chesterfield are in town… It’s the Spireites against the Minster Men, the battle of the steeples, Churches v Cathedrals, the National League teams separated by five points and five places, both in the hunt for promotion, bidding to return to the promised land of the football league. For the visitors, it’s their fourth season in the fifth tier of English football. For York, they have had six years outside the 92, and last season only gained promotion back to this level after beating Boston United in the final of the National League North playoffs. It's just under two hours’ drive from my home to the LNER Community Stadium, but I plan to leave with plenty of time in hand. I’ve worked out the automatic speed settings on my new car, so am heading up the M1 without the need for any fancy footwork, just a click of the button as I pass Bolsover Castle on my right and ironically, the sign for junction 29 and Chesterfield to my left. Coming off at the M18 where I hit a bit of traffic, I’m soon on the A1 heading past signs for Doncaster, Rotherham, Barnsley and interestingly Wakefield, the largest city in England to never boast a football league club. Onto the A64, I’m heading down the outer York bypass to the cities farthest north-eastern point, it’s a newly built retail centre that has everything you need from Primark to the Range, Next to M&S, American Golf to Yorkshire Hydraulics, I park up at the Vangarde Shopping Centre and grab a Costa before moving on to ask a steward in orange where I’m supposed to park for the match. The Venue I’m told to head for the Hollywood Bowl car park, the York City Stadium is within a newly built leisure complex that includes a swimming pool, gym and impressive looking five-a-side football centre amongst many other first-class fitness facilities on offer. The stadium itself is largely hidden by the surrounding buildings, some even attached to it, there’s a Nando’s a Prezzo, a Starbucks a Cineworld, all within touching distance of the football club, I get the feeling it’s more like going to a gig than a game, a much nicer, pleasant, modern family styled environment without an imposing yobbish dated ‘home supporters only’ pub in sight. On asking how to get in, I’m told to walk towards the main reception but notice a single guarded door to the left which says ‘Press & Media’… Waving the steward inside to open it, I ask where I’m supposed to head, luckily, I’ve hit gold, he looks down his list and my names on his sheet… Did I say it’s like going to a gig? A fellow steward then takes me down a concrete passageway beneath open ducting before walking me through and into the concourse of the stand, it all feels very much ‘backstage pass’. He points me to the stadium open where I’m met by another steward who tells me where to sit, but before that, I take a gasp as I wow at the surroundings, my first visit to an arena that is less than two years old, it’s bright, modern, enclosed, impressive, spacious, I was expecting something like Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium which in itself is quaint, but I feel like I’m in Latvia or Albania and in a modern Eastern European venue, the arena's multi-coloured seats, impressively lit, it’s another level to any small all-seated ground I’ve previously been to. I head up for my spot in the media section, cushioned surface with arm rest, table in front, next to the radio commentators, match reporters and tweeters already perched ahead of the game. The Game As kick off nears to the playing of John Denver's take me home, country roads, the stadium slowly builds to an impressive turn out from both home and away fans, as I read the matchday programme I notice that gates have been very good this season, York often topping 6,000 plus, tonight is no different, Chesterfield fans on the far side and behind the goal to my right, have sold out their allocation, the venue capacity at around 8k. It’s my first viewing of either team, ever, in fact, but I’m immediately impressed with Chesterfield, after a bit of ‘quick out the traps’ home pressure, the away side settle and dominate the entirety of the first half. A free kick is conceded dangerously on the edge of the area which gives the visitors a real opportunity to take the lead in the opening ten minutes. Right back Jeff King already has four for the season, turns out he’s a set play specialist, as he curls home into the bottom corner. The aftermath is home side frustration, York can’t get going, they can’t keep the ball, their decision making often poor, as Chesterfield cruise in third gear, knocking it sideways before unleashing their pace down the flanks. The pony tailed skipper Jamie Grimes plays out from the back, composed at centre half, often with (too much) time on the ball, comfortable in possession, the midfield trio of Banks, Oldaker and Jones look too physical for the miniature Minster Men midfield in opposition, the pace that Chesterfield have in attack is frightening, Uchegbulam down the right is rapid, Asante on the left no slouch, Tshimanga the number nine, always waiting to pounce. There’s not too much to talk of in the first half, it’s competitive and going the away sides way, Chesterfield manager Paul Cook is constantly talking to his side, telling them to press, his 4-3-3 looks like a formation that really works with his personnel, whilst York City look to me like strangers, Gaffer John Askey cross armed on the edge of his technical area, his side not always playing on the same wavelength, I’m impressed with centre back Max Kouogun who does the simple things well, but not much else takes my shine. The Score York do improve during the later stages of the first half, and during the opening minutes of the second, they force a corner, but decide to play it short, it’s those kind of decisions that really frustrate, the opportunities that John Askey’s side have to get the ball in the box, or have a pop at goal, are often over-complicated, un-necessarily, I wonder if they’re being over-taught, when in reality, if they stick to the basics, they’ll have much better opportunity to score more goals. The longer the game goes on the more I feel this is Chesterfield’s to lose, an injury to midfielder Ollie Banks, a player who I remember from his younger days at FC United, is probably where the game starts to take a change, no longer are Chesterfield dominant in the centre of the park, York get more of a foothold, and with two substitutions, through the leggy Immanuelson Duku and crowd favourite, Mitch Hancox, they find themselves back in the game after a good move down the left is turned home by Hancox with little more than ten minutes to play. The home side are good value, they’ve been the better beast this half, but for an early scare when King’s low cross evaded everyone, there’s no question I believe Chesterfield are a better team, better drilled, but they take their foot off the gas, it’s hardly been fully pressed all night, and York deserve their leveller. Much better during the second 45 is the diminutive duo of Olly Dyson and Dan Pybus in midfield, whist Maziar Kouhyar on the left wing dazzles. The Afghanistan international is slight but technically gifted and it’s his pass which leads to Hancox scoring. The late stages of the game really pick up pace with both sides searching for a winner, it’s proverbial end to end stuff and late on Doku lets fly but for Fitzsimons in the Chesterfield goal to brilliantly tip round the post for a corner, a save out of the top drawer, that ensures his side at least take something from the game. It should have been three points, they'll be annoyed with one, they would have been distraught with nothing. The Stars There’s plenty to be impressed with, for the home side the eye-catching skills of Kouhyar earn himself a sponsor’s man of the match, I really like Kouogun at centre half who quietly goes about his business with a calming presence, former Harrogate right back Ryan Fallowfield is an old favourite of mine, he’s technically good and always looks to get forward. For Chesterfield, I feel there’s more to come, a team that is probably better than its performance suggests, defensive duo Grimes and Williams look assured and solid, their attacking trio a real threat on the break, young Nigerian born winger Jesurun Uchegbulam, only recently signed from Matlock Town, he started his career at AC Milan, and I’ve not seen many faster with my own eyes in the flesh. The Verdict Football is changing, and whilst you can still do your Frickley Athletic’s and your Pontefract Collieries of this world, non-league football is moving modern fast, like the game in the upper echelons, to a more family orientated, occasion out, rather than the grubby spit and sawdust pie and pint, cash on the gate type of Tuesday night you became used to with the lads. I can’t help feeling, a lot of these people inside the venue, mums, children, grandma's, parents, together, on a cold dark night in October, probably wouldn’t have come, if the game was at the old Bootham Crescent, but this family feel, inside a new spectacular purpose built entertainment facility, on a carpet like part synthetic perfect green pitch, gave a real feeling of theatre, and that after all is why we watch football, to be entertained by the occasion. The stadium is a must to tick off for any groundhoppers who have not yet been, the football in the National League is at a bloody good level too, and I’ll certainly be watching York, and Chesterfield, again, in the not too distant future. The Teams York City: Ethan Ross, Ryan Fallowfield, Max Kouogun, Sam Sanders, Alex Whittle, Dan Pybus, Gus Mafuta, Olly Dyson (Mitch Hancox 72), Luke James (Nathan Thomas 72), Lennell John-Lewis (Immanelson Duku 77), Maziar Kouhyar. Chesterfield: Ross Fitzsimons, Jeff King, Jamie Grimes, Tyrone Williams, Branden Horton, Darren Oldaker, Mike Jones, Ollie Banks (Tom Whelan 65), Jesurun Uchegbulam (Liam Mandeville 70), Kabongo Tshimanga, Akwasi Asante (Armando Dobra 70). 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 25th October 2022, York Community Stadium, York (att 6,325)

Boston United 1-0 Alfreton Town (National League North) I was at the NFL on Sunday. Watching the UK’s ‘recommended’ franchise at Wembley Stadium in Jacksonville Jaguars, they lost a low scoring and largely dull match with Denver Broncos in front of what was a record European crowd for American Football, neither side I care for much, but it was the only tickets I could get this year, with my preferred option of Green Bay Packers and New York Giants selling out in minutes upon launch before the black market started offering seats at £££’s per billet. The following night I was dog sitting, at least Monday night football was an entertaining Devon derby between Plymouth and Exeter, the Pilgrims winning 4-2 in the rain, which tediously links me towards my next destination. Tuesday night football in Boston, nope, not for more NFL action, this of course is not New England, but old Lincolnshire, the Jakemans Stadium and my own Pilgrimage to a team that share their nickname with the greens of Argyle. Boston United of course were a football league club in the early noughties, financial troubles followed and for the last thirteen seasons they’ve been in the sixth tier National League North. Their opponents today are Alfreton Town, who have been at this level for eight seasons, two staple diets in the division, the Reds are going well, in the playoff places under Billy Heath, whilst Boston have largely been disappointing under Ian Culverhouse, they sit worryingly near the bottom of the table. It should be straightforward, I can annoyingly hear the traffic of the nearby A52 when my bedroom window is open, the town of Boston is little more than an hour along the A52, what can go wrong? I set off at 5pm in the dark and rain, programme the sat nav for safe measure and head East, towards the North Sea, knowing if I reach that, I’ve gone too far. As I get to the outskirts of Grantham, Sat nav’s directing me to join the A1, it’s found a quicker route, so I oblige and follow. Problem is, it’s now telling me to come off at an exit which is closed for roadworks, I’m now following the worst route guidance in German technology I’ve ever had the pleasure to sit with, it’s taking me towards a village which also has signs for ‘no through access’, I spin it and do what I should have done from the start, plug in google maps. I’m back on track, bouncing up and down country roads in pitch black, before finally re-joining the winding single carriageway A52, it’s flat is Lincolnshire, every time I drive in this part of the world I feel as if I’m in the American Midwest, nothing for miles bar fields and the odd strangler standing drunk on the hard shoulder. The Venue I finally get to the pancaked suburb of Wyberton where there’s a little life to settle my nerves, the club’s ‘new’ stadium is on the A16 which I spot thanks to its rather quirky shaped floodlights already fully powered. Outside is a Burger King, Starbucks, Costa and a modern looking 3g training facility, I drive up to the club’s main entrance where I ask where to park, the steward in yellow tells me ‘pretty much anywhere but here’. I circle back and park up over the road near a housing estate, a good five minutes’ walk, crossing over the A16 up Pilgrims Way, the stadium getting closer is modern, bowl like, glass backed, bright, I’m looking for an entrance for ‘press’ but am tempted by the rather plush looking sports bar underneath the main stand. Everything is new, nice, a scaled down version of my visit to York last week, I’m told to head to the ticket office where I sign in, grab my ticket, and walk through the turnstile where I’m impressed with what’s inside. I’m starving, so I grab a steak pie, chips and gravy for £2.50, it comes on two separate trays, both get demolished whilst watching Porto v Atletico Madrid on a large mounted TV. Under the stand is brightly coloured in orange and black, historical moments etched into the walls, players CGIs on every pillar, a large kiosk for food opposite nothing more than a partition for both male and female toilets. Walking out to feel the fresh and nippy sea air you see the venue fully lit, perfect green grass pitch the lads out warming up, the far side and left behind the goal has low roofed standing area even the corners are filled in, to the right, not yet completed, you can see the training facility beyond the car park, the stand I’m in, the piece de resistance, also the second French phrase I’ve already used in this blog! I walk up to my seat eleven rows up, Radio Lincs sat behind me, I’m shortly joined by the Alfreton chief tweeter, in front of me the fans are parking up too, I ask ‘what’s going wrong this season’ as one replies “We can’t defend”. The Game I’m expecting the away side to be tough, awkward, nasty, chucking balls into the box at every given opportunity and taking the game to Boston who failed to win a league match in October, Fraser Preston was a player I was impressed with during my last outing at North Street, I ask chief tweeter why he’s only on the bench, he replies “Dayle Southwell’s been playing better than him”. Another player on the bench is their long throw specialist Adam Lund, that doesn’t stop George Cantrill throwing one in from the halfway line in the third minute though, it seems the tactic is still towards getting it up to big striker Matt Rhead as quickly and as directly as possible. Boston Centre half Lebrun Mbeka is marking number nine Rhead, he’s doing a bloody good job against an awkward thick set opponent too, we get to half time with nothing doing in a pretty drab first half with defences on top, I turn around to the Radio Lincs commentator who’s on his break and I ask him ‘where did they sign Mbeka from?’ His reply “they sent him out on loan to Guiseley and recalled him two days ago, he’s quality.” I question why they would send their best player out on loan? later reading that Guiseley were unbeaten for the seven matches he played there. The Score The best chance of the first half fell to Boston’s Scott Pollock after good work down the right wing by Keenan Ferguson, his low cross found the inform striker who’s shot bounced off the goalkeeper and out for a corner. In fairness the home side look up for it, each player is doing everything which is asked of them, and in the second half, they continue to work hard, graft, dig in, they’ve been expecting a tough physical battle and are up for the challenge, and so far it’s the home side who’ve been the enforcers of the night. Johnson Gyamfi is on loan from Peterborough United, the 20-year-old carries the ball well with giant strides, he’s away from his marker on the half-way line who tries to bring him down, balancing himself back on track he’s racing down the right before squaring to Scott Pollock who buries home past the goalkeeper, George Willis a former Pilgrim player of the year can do nothing about that one. It’s what Boston have deserved, a real team effort, they have really impressed me the way they have gone about their business tonight, 49 minutes gone, there’s still plenty of work to do. But do it they do, I have the pleasure of listening to the Radio guys behind me, injured Boston striker Jordan Burrow is on co-comms and he’s echoing every thoughts I have, the work rate and effort is magnificent, they nullify the away sides main threat, although it’s nervy moments late on as Adam Lund, he with the huge throw, and Tom Denton, he, who is simply huge, at 6ft8in, enter the field of play. Denton’s first touch is to head Lund’s throw into the box straight, to the relief of the home fans, at Sam Long in the Boston goal. The away side launch missiles, but Mbeka is magnificent, he’s helped by Ben Pollock who grows in authority and confidence throughout the game, like a fine wine improving with age as every second of the match counts more, he’s putting big tackles in, clearing his lines, rallying his troops. He'll probably go home and punch his sofa tonight. Gyamfi at the other end is proving a real menace to the Alfreton back line who I detect, struggle with pace, the Alfreton tweeter agreeing “It’s one thing we don’t have” as the winger slaloms through some tackles to cross low, suddenly Jordon Crawford has the chance to wrap things up, but his shot straight down the middle of the goal is saved, thankfully for him, it mattered not. The Stars Whilst Alfreton have really disappointed me, I expected a much more physical, direct and ugly encounter than what we got, I can’t help feeling that was down to the way that Boston’s players were tuned in for the challenge ahead, credit to the Coaching staff, the most prepared team on the night, were deserving winners, and with that comes credit to a number of their players too. Centre backs Lebrun Mbeka and Ben Pollock were brilliant, a chalk and cheese duo, Mbeka with pace, physicality, good in the air, but calm in what he does, Pollock who’ll come crashing through forwards, to tackle and smash, less gifted in possession. Belehouan in the heart of the mix, also solid. Man of the match awarded by the sponsors went to Tom Platt in midfield, although I’m also impressed with Sam McLintock who puts in the tackle of the match, a meaty full stretch challenge on halfway which gets the nod from his team mate on radio duty behind me. Scott Pollock does what he does best with the goal, he has around 80% of the Pilgrims notches this season, and how can I fail to note that United’s line-up has a pair of Pollocks in it, a joke that went down badly pre-game. Johnson Gyamfi looked like he had lots of potential and was always positive in what he was trying to do, at one stage trying to dribble out from his own corner flag, he scored on his debut on Saturday and continued that fine form through this cold Tuesday night with a warming performance for those that watched. For Alfreton not much to take away from the game other than a couple of decent moments from Bailey Hobson, George Willis perhaps their best player with two big saves towards the end of each half. The Verdict Like the NFL on Sunday, for the neutral, it was a pretty-drab uneventful game, but unlike the NFL where I don’t totally understand the rules or enjoy the art of defence, in football, the round ball game at least, what I really appreciated was the work ethic and organisation from Boston United, who at times kept the ball impressively and worked their wings well, to supply the busy hard working forwards they have in attack. The home side did a job on their opponent, and that I respect. Now twentieth in the league they’ll be hoping to use that as a springboard towards safety, they’re certainly good enough to be much higher than they are. As for Alfreton, well I get the feeling it was just one of those nights, a nice wide pitch in good nick, at a nice ground with facilities including working showers in good nick, is probably something that doesn’t suit their style? They need something to annoy them to get the best out of their ethos. Get them back at the tight old North Street playing on the slope, throwing balls in to two six foot plus centre forwards, and they’ll be nicking points off others in and around them, I’ll tip them for playoffs at best, but on their day, a mid-table team who nobody in the division likes playing against, luckily for Boston, today, wasn’t Alfreton’s day, which was largely down to how the home side, impressively performed. The Teams Boston United: Sam Long, Keenan Ferguson, Alex Brown, Tom Platt, Lebrun Mbeka, Ben Pollock, Jean Leroy Belehouan, Sam McLintock, Johnson Gyamfi (Tom Solanke 90), Scott Pollock, Jake Wright (Jordon Crawford 55). Alfreton Town: George Willis, Josh Clackstone, Dominic Smith (Adam Lund 67), Dwayne Wiley, George Cantrill, Danny Preston, Ahmed Salam (Tom Denton 82), Conor Branson, Dayle Southwell (Fraser Preston 70), Bailey Hobson, Matt Rhead. 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 1st November 2022, Jakemans Stadium, Boston (att 1,108)

Boston United 2-1 Kidderminster Harriers (National League North) I’m back in Boston. Just seven days from my first ever visit to the Jakemans Community Stadium, I find myself travelling to Lincolnshire again, to cast eye over the Pilgrims who since last Tuesday’s win against Alfreton, are starting to turn the corner in the National League North. I didn’t get chance to go to any games over the weekend, but that’s not to say I didn’t get my football fix. On Saturday I watched Connor Wickham score from the halfway line for Forest Green in the FA Cup verses South Shields, but that wasn’t the highlight of the game, which for me was instead seeing BBC pundit Chris Waddle sporting a mullet, just like old times, the grown back re-enactment of his iconic 80’s hair style thirty something years later, made me even sing aloud a couple of lines of Diamond Lights in joy. On Sunday I hardly moved from the sofa, was really impressed with Arsenal at Chelsea, staying locked on Sky Sports, in between cooking a roast dinner for the family, I watched Newcastle looking like a team to be taken seriously in the Premier League with a 4-1 win at Southampton, who in turn had to finally let their likeable Manager Ralph Hassenhuttl go. After a mini-blip, Liverpool and Mo Salah were back to doing what they should be doing with a 2-1 win at Tottenham, although I really question Antonio Conte’s tactics, and how he sets up with caution at Spurs own attacking expense. I ended the evening watching Conte’s old lady friend Juventus beat another of his ex flaunts Inter Milan 2-0 thanks to a largely terrific performance from Filip Kostic, who had two assists and a goal ruled out, anyway that’s enough about the big leagues, back to Boston, and Tuesday’s travels. After making at least four U-turns last week, I’m opting to continue on the A52 tonight, regardless of what my underwhelming German sat nav says, from my home in Nottingham, no let-up in Grantham, straight through the one way system, although navigating the town’s awkward route and unclear signage by eye is more difficult than I imagined in the dark, once up the Somerby Hill though I’m past the Prince William of Gloucester Barracks and on the straight and narrow towards the coast, the sky is clear, the moon big and bright, in the East, follow that and I’ll be ok. At least I know where I’m going this time, as I take the back route through Kirton End and Wyberton, parking up in the same place as I did seven days ago, before walking over to get my ticket from the collections desk inside the stadium. The Venue I’ve plenty of time as I walk out of reception with my ticket, the Kidderminster Harriers bus is parking up in the car park, so I walk over to the Costa where I nip to their toilet before ordering an Americano to take away. I sit down briefly on a table next to some old guy in a Kidderminster body warmer, he’s talking to a couple about the clubs struggles in dealing with naughty young fans who like to pyro party and the cost in not just finance, but reputation, their misdemeanours have on the club. It seems he feels sadly powerless to stop them. Kidderminster are currently sitting mid table in the National League North but have lost their last two games all be it against promotion contenders in Scarborough and Darlington. Boston in twentieth drew at Peterborough Sports on Saturday, I have the away side as favourites but expect a close, keenly fought and tightly contested encounter. Walking over towards the turnstile I marvel up at the unusual floodlights which I really do admire, curved looking down on the pitch as they sit perched above nothing more than a construction site behind the goal, an uncompleted stand which has not yet even started, I don’t know when it will? The ticket fails to scan on the reader as I attempt to walk through the turnstile but regardless, the steward lets me in, I’m through the entrance underneath the stand to view the vast green pitch and up to my seat, a couple down from where I were last Tuesday, Radio Lincs are here along with LCR 103.6 fm, it’s with them I get the pleasure to listen to commentary this week, as they’re sat directly behind me. The Game It’s another healthy thousand plus crowd for two non-league teams of long standing history, Boston in orange and black, Kidderminster red and white, the match kicks off and ding dongs for two minutes before Amari Morgan-Smith and Jean Leroy Belehouan go up for a header together, crashing their pallets against each other’s foreheads they fall straight to the ground, credit to the Referee Ben Tomlinson who immediately stops the action, the physios racing on in numbers, the game stopped a good five minutes with concerns to Belehouan of Boston who seems to have come off worse. Dusted off, both play on as we endure a continued stop start opening with plenty of early free kicks for fouls, Boston win a succession of corners before Belehouan takes a seat on half way, he has to come off, not fully recovered, before Kiddy captain Shane Byrne feels a niggle, twenty minutes gone, two subs used and not a lot of football played at all. The switch for Boston see’s Lebrun Mbeka, who started in midfield, move back to centre half, and the home side start to look the more comfortable of the two in possession. Sam McLintock, a young Rolls Royce in the Pilgrims midfield, is purring, placing the ball wherever he likes, often with little back lift, the front two of Scott Pollock and Jake Wright remind me of a diminutive duo of the past, I can’t think which though, Robbie Keane & Defoe perhaps? Romario & Bebeto? Not quite? But they excite me in a way that I’m glad to see two similar styled strikers under 6ft partnering each other up top, harrying the Harriers defenders, pressing and probing, always looking to get in behind. The Score The Referee has seen some shenanigans in an umpteenth first half corner for the home side which results in him giving Boston a penalty on 28. I’m not sure why it’s given but the home crowd behind the goal certainly appreciate it. Scott Pollock fires it straight down the middle to put the Pilgrims ahead. There’s no doubt they deserve it too, but Kidderminster strike back within five minutes, right back Joe Foulkes who’s been arguably the away sides best player on the night, puts a peach of a delivery into the box and debutant Tom Nixon, on loan from Hull City, himself playing right back but for Boston, puts through his own net. At half time a roar goes up from the old guy in front of me who’s won on the team sheet raffle, “It’s the first time I’ve ever won” he cries, I tell him “You’ll probably spend your winnings all back on the club”. I’m impressed with Boston who try and play it around a bit, their centre half duo Mbeka and Ben Pollock are again solid as they were last Tuesday, Mbeka actually loses more headers to the Kiddy strike duo of Morgan-Smith and Ashley Hemmings than he did all night against Matt Rhead and Tom Denton last week, but he oozes class, he provides assurance and gives confidence that the back line is well marshalled with him. I revisit the story to why he was sent on loan to Guisely and hear that Mbeka was sent off early in the season, after which then Manager Paul Cox, sent the player packing before he got sacked and replaced by Ian Culverhouse, who by recalling the defender has struck gold, his return improving the fortunes of the side ever since. On 53 minutes a through ball by Tom Solanke who’s also played well in the Pilgrims midfield, finds Scott Pollock who’s running in on goal, he takes two touches and although the goalkeeper gets hands to his shot, he can’t help it from going in, Boston have the lead, the crowd in jubilation, this time will they stay ahead? The match at times threatens to boil over, but never really gets to melting point, a couple of bookings for Kidderminster players are largely through frustration, Jake Wright for Boston plays always on the edge, fans hearts seemingly in mouths, one word from him, one misguided tackle, and the Referees at this level are prone to showing him a card. “Sub him before he’s sent” a fan shouts. For Kidderminster’s endeavour, it’s in the final third they struggle to offer much hope for their small travelling army of fifty or so supporters. Yusifu Ceesay down the left looks to be their most creative outlet, fast and direct, Keziah Martin is technically gifted, but never really looks to penetrate the opposition defence from midfield. A couple of scares as Boston goalkeeper Sam Long slips when clearing a ball, before regaining under pressure from an attacker, recently called up for the Scotland U21 squad, he’s on loan from Lincoln City and looks confident for his age, just nineteen, he then drops a deep cross before pouncing on it late on, to the relief of the home fans who gasp with hands over their eyes. Despite Long's efforts to entertain at the expense of his own fans, the last few minutes however belong to Boston, Pollock blazes over his hat trick opportunity before Referee calls time without much real fight from Kiddy in attack, the sounds of Sweet Caroline blast out of the tannoy as the home team huddle together, you feel it’s a big win, now unbeaten in three and up to nineteenth, I feel at home they’ll be a match for anyone this season, as Kidderminster trudge off, I can’t help feeling I expected more from them. The Stars Scott Pollock has already eleven goals for the season, the former Hashtag United star is still only 21, and having signed this summer from Northampton Town, I expect to see him back in the football league before too long. His partnership with Jake Wright is accommodative of each other, the duo a nuisance in attack, hard working with plenty of pace and keen eye for goal, a strike pair that sniffs when to create danger. Boston’s defence looks strong, led by Lebrun Mbeka who by now you’ll know I’m in love with. In midfield I see elegance in Sam McLintock, aged 21 he only signed from Telford in October, but already looks like a cracking piece of business, a player with a lot of potential, one who plays beyond his young years. Special mention to Jordon Crawford who came on for the last ten minutes and ran around like an absolute nutter, the sort of thing every fan wants to see, your hard work certainly not going un-noticed, quite a popular figure within the stands and rightly so. For Kidderminster Harriers, Joe Foulkes on loan from Walsall at right back swung in a couple of lovely crosses and at nineteen looks like a prospect to keep an eye on. Spanish winger Yusifu Ceesay was a real handful with pace and power all be it lacking end product, Keziah Martin was technically probably better than anyone on show, whilst Tom Owen-Evans at times, although not enough, shown glimpses of class in the centre of the park. The Verdict On recent performances, I only see Boston United heading one way, and that’s up, maybe even towards the heights of their failed playoff push last season, but I wonder on their pitch, at home, in front of their own fans, where they are allowed to play, they’ll certainly take points, but can they do it away from home on those not too neat surfaces as much? Can they do it on a cold Tuesday night in Chorley for example? For Kidderminster, they’ll be ok, they have decent players and decent backing, are a team made for the level and even perhaps the one above, although I don’t see them as promotion fodder from what I’ve witnessed at the Jakemans, they only look a couple of additions away from being a really good side in the division. They have been unlucky recently to face some teams in form, one of which Boston, are perhaps starting to take off? The Teams Boston United: Sam Long, Tom Nixon, Jean Leroy Belehouan (Will Atkinson 16), Ben Pollock, Keenan Ferguson, Lebrun Mbeka, Tom Platt, Tom Solanke (Jordon Crawford 68), Scott Pollock, Jake Wright, Sam McLintock. Kidderminster Harriers: Tom Palmer, Joe Foulkes, Krystian Pearce, Tom Leak, Caleb Richards; Shane Byrne (Zak Brown 19), Keziah Martin, Ashley Hemmings, Tom Owen-Evans, Yusifu Ceesay, Amari Morgan-Smith (Ethan Freemantle 82). 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 8th November 2022, Jakemans Stadium, Boston (att 1,316)