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Braintree Town 2-3 Scunthorpe United  (National League) I’m knackered today, after getting back from Denmark via Bristol around 9pm last night, I’m back down south for a National League match this afternoon, a couple of hours and more journey time I need to be heading off for 11am, so after a quick dog walk and recharge with full flask of coffee I’m heading to Essex, to watch a couple of sides I’ve seen a bit of this season. Nicknamed the Iron, Braintree are in the relegation zone, they have one of the smallest squads in the league and one of the lowest playing budgets so it’s no real surprise, the club have stuck with their 77-year-old Manager Steve Pitt and in fairness his team have never gave up the fight despite being limited in personnel, they rescued a point at Morecambe last time out with on loan goalkeeper Max Terry getting an assist, he’s been making a name for himself in both boxes since joining from West Ham, often voted as fans man of the match he has a couple of late goalscoring contributions this season having also netted a 95th minute leveller in a cup match at Truro in January. Also nicknamed the Iron, Scunthorpe are going well in the playoffs. Better than most predicted? They only came up from the National League last season but they have a fair sized budget and pedigree, a former Football League regular they get decent crowds at Glanford Park usually over 4,000 and I keep saying it, they have the best player in the league in Callum Roberts. Apparently it’s their Manager Andy Butler’s 100th game in charge today, I don’t think they have ever played in Braintree before, I’m told they stopped at nearby Colchester last night to ease themselves in to the surroundings, the sun is shining as I make my own journey towards Cressing Road, down the A1 and M11 before crossing the A120 at Stansted, listening live to the Premier League game on the radio where Brighton are beating Liverpool thanks to a couple of Danny Welbeck goals. The Venue It’s a gorgeous spring day and one that is perhaps too warm for my Gillet, but I keep it on in any case as the back of the stand at the Rare Breed Meat Co. Stadium is well shaded. I’ve pulled up by the Orange Tree pub and walk across to Co-Op for some goodies, before heading on foot down Clockhouse Way towards the venue entrance, the Scunny bus reverses into a tight space in the car park as I head for the turnstiles where there’s a queue, navigating through that I aim for the cash only counter where the girl with the guestlist sits, my names not down but my acting-on-behalf of is, “they’ll only be one of us here today” I tell the nice lady, “so if anyone else says they are from us, don’t let them in”. You enter in the corner of the ground, it’s serene at this early stage, sun shining there’s a couple of paramedics sitting down outside their first aid cabin, a few players out walking the pitch as the groundsmen look at the condition of the goalmouth which has a bit of sand inside the six yard box. I walk around to the Main Stand where the Scunthorpe officials are already here, suited, there’s a friendly scout who I know, he goes with them everywhere but didn’t make it to Truro or Yeovil recently, the South West perhaps a bit too far for his stiff neck which he suffered in a recent accident. “7 hours drive” he tells me it took some fans on Tuesday night just to get to Cornwall, Scunny won 2-1 with goals from Leo Farrell and Alfie Beestin. Sat here at the back of the stand there’s a good few hundred Scunthorpe fans here already, some behind the goal to my right, some even with their shirts off, they have their flags planted onto the fencing behind and someone is banging a drum, a few are sat in the stand to my right, those of an older, quieter generation mostly, whilst their Directors are starting to sit down to my left in the reserved section for corporate people, it feels there’s more Scunny than Braintree here today. The Game I’m joined by a local journalist who tells me he didn’t come to the last home match here because he got sent to Dagenham & Redbridge which was a bigger news story as KSI became a minority stake holder of the Daggers, he got to sit up close and personal with the Youtuber and Andy Carroll, which I’m sure would have been fun. Not as fun as today though. As the players make their way out from behind the goal to my left, Braintree in bright orange and blue, Scunthorpe in black, the fans of the home side start also to drip in from the clubhouse bar, there’s a good thousand here in total which adds a few coffers to the clubs credit bank, “£25 a ticket today” I’m told, as I notice a man with a bucket of beers walk by, he's no doubt encouraging the away support to spend some more. Braintree kick off and immediately Drake sends a long ball over the top of Scunthorpe’s early high line, big John Akinde is running onto it, big Andy Boyce is treading water behind him, he can’t catch the sixteen stone forward, Akinde through on goal slides home an opener, there’s less than 60 seconds gone and the home team are in front. It’s a terrible start for Scunthorpe but I’ve never been a fan of their defensive duo, Boyce is good in the air but relatively slow, he’s playing next to Branden Horton who is relatively slow but not so good in the air, Horton is actually a decent left back, but the club keep playing him in the centre. It’s a start which gives confidence into the relegation threatened hosts armour, they chase everything down as Scunthorpe misplace passes and struggle for composure, they have star player Cal Roberts as well as top goalscorer Danny Whitehall on the bench, “brave to be without both their primary goal source” I tell the journalist sitting next to me. Scunthorpe however pair a new duo in tandem, Patrick Jones has signed from Chester and he looks lively in attack, willing to take on his man and work defenders, he’s besides Leo Farrell who looks a cracking player on loan from Barnsley, and the two combine as Jones drills in a low cross for Farrell to bundle home on 39, Braintree have had the better chances but Scunthorpe more of the ball, both go into the break level and perhaps a little annoyed not to be holding at least slender advantage. The Score Cal Roberts is expectedly introduced after half time, he comes on for Alfie Beestin and from that moment I have more faith that Scunthorpe might win this match, and they improve after a turgid first half for them where they hardly tested Terry, Roberts immediately hitting a post from a tight angle, at the other end Akinde is denied a second by Jones, but Scunthorpe get the goal their persistence deserves, Oli Ewing in space, composed, inside the area, he shoots low to place home right footed. You feel that might be the blow to put out Braintree’s fire but the hosts immediately fight back, a wicked corner swung in by Drake causes problems and Lewis Walker prods home on the line, defensively Scunthorpe exposed again, the game set at 2-2. It’s a stop start second half as at one point two Braintree players collide on halfway to receive treatment, Roberts has a free kick on the edge of the area which he swings left footed against the underside of the crossbar, a huge goalmouth scramble at the other end leads to panic in the visitors’ defence and Jones does well to keep out an audacious overhead by substitute Massiah-Edwards, but ahead of the board going up for ten added minutes, Cal Roberts cuts into the area with yet another jinking run, he’s tripped with the Referee having no option but to give a spot kick, Roberts steps up, scores, and celebrates with the fans behind the goal. There’s still a bit to go but the Roberts winner is enough for Scunthorpe to hold onto, Jean Belehouan comes on to provide extra defensive support in the closing stages, he’s huge and immediately wins a header against John Akinde which has been by no mean feat for others to achieve, “perhaps they should have started with him” I ponder, by now the Braintree fire has been well and truly extinguished, a brave effort, but Scunthorpe simply have too much goal threat and in a footrace of Iron-awe they are purposely designed to outscore inferior National League opponents like these. The Stars Patrick Jones looked a real livewire up front for Scunthorpe in my first viewing of him since moving from Chester, he’s just 22-years-old and works hard, is direct and loves the left channel, getting to the bye-line and taking his man on the outside, he’s leggy and quick and offers Scunthorpe a different dimension to simply relying on Cal Roberts cutting in from the right and Danny Whitehall scoring from seemingly everywhere. On an unassuming afternoon until Roberts entered the fray, Oli Ewing was perhaps the other best of a bad bunch for Scunthorpe, but despite defeat Braintree had plenty of positives, Aidan Francis-Clarke on the right defended well but for a mistake which led to the first Scunthorpe goal, young Ben Drake played with real determination and possesses a lovely left foot on the left side of a three, their debutant Ryan Battrum one of three on loan from West Ham played well left of midfield next to former Ipswich youngster Manny Okunowo who I really like in the holding role, another debutant having a solid start to his Iron career, Callum Harriott in attack, “he reminds me of Julian Joachim” I tell the journalist sitting next to me, whilst John Akinde and Lewis Walker caused trouble up front with their size and strength all afternoon. The Verdict I don’t rule out Braintree from survival just yet, as I see plenty of character in their play, just too many mistakes made, they gifted Scunthorpe all three of their goals from errors of judgement, and you can’t do that against teams who are clinical in attack, a tough ask ahead, Braintree have a huge six pointer at Brackley Town on Tuesday, before facing Carlisle, Southend, Woking, Forest Green, Rochdale and Tamworth to end the season. Scunthorpe should make the playoffs, they sit fifth with a nice twelve point cushion on Southend who are the best just outside with the rest, whilst one of Rochdale and York City are fighting for the title, whoever fails won’t fancy playing Scunthorpe with their attacking quality on show, as I said to their scout before he said goodbye and headed back home north “Scunthorpe can beat anyone in the National League on their day”. The Teams Braintree Town: Mason Terry, Aidan Francis-Clarke, Ryan Clampin (Elliott Thorpe 68), James Vennings (Emmanuel Omrore 75), Ryan Battrum, Lewis Walker (Zavier Massiah-Edwards 75), Tommy Smith, John Akinde, Ben Drake, Callum Harriott (Chay Cooper 59), Emmanuel Okunowo. Scunthorpe United: Louis Jones, Branden Horton, Andy Boyce, Alfie Beestin (Callum Roberts 46), Joe Rowley, Patrick Jones (Aidan Sausch 59), Oli Ewing (Jean Belehouan 90), Joe Starbuck (Ross Barrows 23), Zain Westbrooke, Leo Farrell (Danny Whitehall 59), Tyler Denton. 3:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 21st March 2026, Cressing Road, Braintree (att 1,021).

Leicester City 0-1 Brighton & Hove Albion (Women’s Super League) I got back at 11:45pm which I didn’t think was too bad after leaving Hampden Park shortly after 7. The boxing on the radio ensured my drive south would go quickly, well done to Moses Itauma, is he really the real deal? The clocks have gone back, so I’ve lost an hour as I take the dog for a walk on Sunday morning, the wife has gone to stock up at her monthly Boots shop, I do get chance to at least have a cuppa with her before she’s out for dinner at her mums, and I’m off to Leicester, a much shorter journey today down the A46. I was there last week, and in all honesty, it was crap, as Rick Passmoor’s side passed more than enough in defeat to Aston Villa, but they failed to create enough shooting opportunities, which is a big issue as the side sit bottom of the league, having scored just nine all season long. I think they are doomed as I tell my mates to ‘back Brighton’ in the know that Leicester won't score. Albion in mid-table have the likes of Fran Kirby and Japan international Kiko Seike in attack, whilst former Chelsea midfielder Jelena Cankovic also has good pedigree. It’s a 3pm kick off, so I’m out at 1:30pm, Nottingham to Leicester is little more than 30 minutes drive on a Sunday where traffic is far from bad, I’ve arrived looking for spaces on Brazil Street and Lineker Street (around the old home of Filbert Street) before chancing it below a sign which says ‘No Stopping on Events Days’ on Burnmoor Street.. Is today an event? I wonder. A few hundred people may suggest so. But I don’t think it’s big enough to be classed as one where they would bother sending anyone in hi-vis out to tow my car away. In fact, god help the tow trucks as I’m suddenly boxed in either side, so without further ado, I jump out the car and leap across the Raw Dykes Road to the King Power Stadium, in drizzle, it’s grey, it’s always bloody grey here, but it’s a convenient club to visit is Leicester, and it pays the rent, which keeps the wife happy. The Venue The same teqball table than last week is set up outside as a girl and her dad try desperately badly to play a foot style of table tennis which leads to them running dangerously towards the road more often than not, chasing after the bouncing sphere as it bounces down the tarmac. There’s all sorts going on, I’ve noticed a sticker swap shop, as kids come out of a tent with their panini albums filled. It’s brilliant what they do here, but whatever they do it never seems to get enough interest, I walk straight to the turnstiles and the concourse has just one kiosk open in the stand, a cup of tea and a twirl later I’m up to my ‘usual’ seat at the top corner of row Z (MM aisle seat 138), away from the screeching kids and back pack wearing parents, there’s around 500 here in total, the stadium holds 30,000. I suppose the football isn’t that great, which doesn’t help, the side being bottom is hardly appealing, but I do think the women’s game can evolve to bigger and better, even at little old Leicester. The rain lashes down as the players warm up in the cold, Alisha Lehmann is shooting towards goal with her shorts shorter than most, the pitch in great nick, the stadium is brilliant, but bland, not much going on but blue seats under white roofing, video boards at each end have the players names which I find useful, but other than a couple of Kasabian classics, there seems to be a lack of spark inside the arena. The Game Maybe I’m just too negative when it comes to women’s football? Ideally I want my days off on a Sunday, but the wife likes the money, and if I say I don’t enjoy it, I’m probably lying, after all the game is technically very good these days, the coaching second to none, the discipline is as acute as the men’s game, even if the execution is not always on par. It’s all very nice, as the two teams patiently build up between themselves, Brighton wear a pinkish kind of grey which makes me struggle with their white numbers, Leicester in blue look like a lost cause going forward, they have nothing, in defence they are very good, in midfield they are quite tenacious, but in attack they can’t keep the ball, Alisha Lehmann can finish, but she can’t pass, Hannah Cain can run, but she can’t do it all alone, Shannon O’Brien offers little as the central target girl, Missy Goodwin does little on the left, which is a shame, because I like her. Sam Tierney is skipper, she played her 150th game last week, and apparently it was her who scored the winning goal that got Leicester promoted to the WSL a couple of seasons back. She’s bloody brilliant, hard working, full of energy, gritty, a proper CDM but is not helped by those in front. I also like Emma Jansson sitting even deeper beside her, whilst centre half Chantelle Swaby is a really good player, she reads things well and plays with composure, but the fact they have nothing up front, means Leicester can only defend for so long. Seike rounds the keeper and misses for Brighton, Fran Kirby is pulling strings, but Leicester cling on in what is a drab first half, Janina Leitzig my new nemesis is the Leicester keeper, she went down like she did last week, half way through the half, untouched, for what looks like a technical time out, which only dragged the first 45 on longer, much to my annoyance. The Score You feel a goal will soon come as Brighton were dominant in the first half and little more than a few minutes in to the second 45, a really neat move has the Seagulls deservedly ahead, Fran Kirby breaks the lines and threads one through, Rusul Kafaji who’s a really entertaining player, passes to Seike on a plate, she can’t miss. That goal is the difference, Brighton do attack and probe some further opportunity at times, but Leicester don’t and as the clock slowly trudges towards last orders it all seems inevitable, that the Foxes won’t ever score, and Brighton will gain all three points. There’s little more to tell you because little more happened, Janina Leitzig was sometimes worked in the home goal, on occasion, whilst Chiamaka Nnadozie in bright Brighton orange, wasn’t worked in the Brighton goal, nearly enough. By the time the whistle went, I was already running down the steps towards exit, I wasn’t the only one, as some three year old sitting with their family nearby took off before me, the poor girl glad to get out of there, perhaps equally as bored as I was. The Stars As mentioned, Leicester do have good players but just not enough in their attacking department for me. Chantelle Swaby is a Jamaican international, a tall defender who works well next to Julie Thibaud. City left back Ashleigh Neville has huge experience in the women’s game, whilst Sam Tierney is perhaps their best most efficient player on the ball, I do keep like what I’m seeing from Liv McLaughlin when she comes off the bench. For Brighton, much better going forward, it was Fran Kirby their experienced England international who always looked most influential and likely to make something happen. She's good on the ball, picking it up in pockets, probing and passing forward, often taking set plays and swinging corners and free kicks dangerously in, often finding the lively Seike in attack who plays very much off the shoulder of defenders, whilst I was at times enjoying the fun that Rusul Kafaji was having, she is a technical and talented right winger with a trick, who moved to Brighton from Arsenal, just 22 she's already a Swedish international. The Verdict Brighton are ok, a good rounded team with attack and defence, they'll be in the WSL next season and I have no doubt they'll be middle of the pack, like they always seem to be (both women and men). Leicester are not ok, I worry about the club, not just in the women's department, but the men's too, and my concern is that funds aren't being put into either team, and if you don't speculate, you won't ever accumulate. They will go down this season, whether they come back is a big question, they certainly won't return under their current owners, which is a huge problem for the fans, the staff, the city, I wonder how long the women's team will even keep playing at the King Power, because if it's not cost-effective, it's not going to last forever. My shout would be, if you live in Leicester, go watch the girls play, but even your hard earned money is spent regularly here on a Sunday afternoon, under the current regime, I doubt it'll make a difference. The Teams Leicester City: Janina Leitzig, Sarah Mayling, Julie Thibaud, Chantelle Swaby, Ashleigh Neville, Sam Tierney, Emma Jansson (Olivia McLoughlin 70), Hannah Cain, Alisha Lehmann (Rosella Ayane 86), Missy Goodwin (Noemie Mouchon 70), Shannon O'Brien (Rachel Williams 80). Brighton & Hove Albion: Chiamaka Nnadozie, Rachel McLauchlan (Marit Auee 89), Caitlin Hayes, Moeka Minami, Marisa Olislagers (Maelys Mpome 73), Maisie Symonds (Nadine Noordam 73), Rusul Kafaji (Olaug Tvedten 89), Fran Kirby, Jelena Cankovic, Madison Haley, Kiko Seike. 3:00pm Kick Off. Sunday 29th March 2026, Leicester City Stadium, Leicester (att 500).

Scotland 0-1 Japan  (Friendly) I’ve cut short my enjoyment at Albion Rovers to beat the traffic and head down the M73 and M74 towards Hampden Park from Coatbridge, I’m wanting to get there a couple of hours ahead of kick off so I can park up in a little spot I know which has a decent exit strategy for getting back home to England 'more' quickly. My last viewing of Scotland was ‘that match’ against Denmark. I said to myself the journey was too long to keep doing but the money is good, and I do rather enjoy my road trips, made better by having at least a couple of games (like I have had this weekend) to watch. Japan I’ve only ever seen during a friendly ahead of the London Olympics when their U23’s played Mexico at the City Ground in front of about 300 people on a Friday afternoon in 2012. Hajime Moriyasu’s team are World Cup veterans these days and have a few familiar players, Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma perhaps the best known on these shores? Daichi Kamada of Crystal Palace and Ao Tanaka of Leeds United also well known to Premier League audiences whilst Celtic fans will be fond to see Daizen Maeda in action. I’ve pulled up on King’s Park Avenue which is about a ten minute walk or so to the stadium, the weather has been changeable today so I wait for the rain to stop and a break in the clouds before making my way, across the Aikenhead Road and through the housing estate down Kinghorn Drive to the main entrance of this magnificent long auld home of Scottish football. The Venue From the outside it appears only just above the rooftops in this hilly district of south Glasgow. It seems all the football grounds in Scotland I visit are on the side of a hill, as I walk down towards the Main Entrance and through a car park, Lesser Hampden to the left has some sort of fan park blearing out music, I’m up the steps not through main reception, but a glass door besides it which is the media entrance, where thankfully my lanyard is saved to one side and waiting for me. I’ve got a real head cold today so can’t stop sneezing as I walk into the press lounge to potentially grab a drink and some food, it’s packed in here, I’ve never seen it so busy with quite a few in from Japan, I pour myself a coffee and sit for a while before my nose starts twitching, I really don’t want to be making too much of a show of myself in sniffling and sneezing, so I get upstairs for some fresh air, with still an hour to go until kick off. From the top looking down underneath blue skies by now the pitch looks fabulous, red and blue seating add colour to the backdrop, as the stadium slowly fills, I love that you can see the roofs of the houses in the background, it holds 51,000 does Hampden, it’s a huge bowl like authentic stadium but doesn’t look intimidatingly big from inside or out, but a proper football ground it feels, and I know from experience, a cauldron when full, the big games produce the biggest and best of atmospheres. The Game I’m not expecting a big atmosphere today, and in fairness I don’t get it, the two teams come out to warm applause after the pre-match songs that are sung much softer than usual by this largely family based crowd. The posh seats behind me aren’t even full, as James McFadden takes his pew for BBC comms, Shunsuke Nakamura sits in front of me, glowing long dark hair which puts my own receding barnet to shame as at 47 he’s only a year younger than me, there’s plenty of interest for him with Japanese and Scottish fans all trying to get selfies, he of course played four years at Celtic winning three titles along the way, he was Scottish Players Player, Writers Player and SPL Player of the Year in 2006/07. I certainly still remember that stunning free kick he scored against Manchester United, a set play specialist from outside the box. It’s a soft rendition of Flower of Scotland in comparison to the last time I was here when something was on the game against Denmark, the anthems are all very respectful, Japan bring that calmness and respect as always with them, a dignified nation whose fans singing in the corner are very upbeat and noisy today. Scotland in a salmon number that takes you back to 1999 press early doors against Japan in white and black shorts, as the sun shines on the green pitch it all feels rather colourful as Scot McTominay darts into the box unmarked and gets on the end of a John McGinn cross only to shoot straight at Suzuki in goal. Other than that really good chance, most of the first half has Japan keeping the ball and probing against the stern Scottish defence lead by Scott McKenna and Jack Hendry, Kodai Sano comes closest, cracking the top of the crossbar as they often look the better team, all be it playing the match at half tempo, it’s far from classic as little happens in the friendliest and flattest of first halves. The Score Three changes are made by Japan at half time as both sides begin a half of reshuffling and game time giving, for spells Scotland threaten as Andy Robertson goes close, his jinking run ends up with a left foot shot which is pushed wide of the posts by a goalkeeper who I really like the look of. By now there’s kids screaming excessively behind us, one of the BBC media team (off air) is getting it in the neck “C’mon Scotland” is the scream, not once, but every ten seconds for the next half hour, he’s sitting directly in front and is smiling to himself in anger, I’m sure he wants to punch the kid behind, which I’m sure would be frowned upon by most, but certainly not by me. As the game closes into what seems to be a scoreless handshake there’s a few scary moments for a by now much changed Scottish eleven as Junya Ito runs through and forces Angus Gunn into some work. Japan are lively late on as their changes provide positivity and they force a clearance off the line before finally they break the deadlock, a neat move, all their moves are neat, finished off by Ito inside the area, bleach blonde haired he takes a touch, before prodding at goal an 84th minute winner which bounces in off the legs of Gunn. Not much else happens bar the kids in the posh seats continuing to scream at will, as the added time board goes up I’m now feeling sorry for the man on BBC duty, sitting in front of them. On the whistle I tell him “you’ll still have that noise constantly ringing in your ears when you’re in bed tonight”. He says "the screaming was all they could hear on comms through James McFadden's earpiece". The Stars A match that was designed for minutes ahead of the World Cup in the summer, meant the score was pretty irrelevant, the performance not totally important, but it did highlight a few issues that Scotland have, and that is questioning ‘do they have enough firepower’ to break down opponents, like Japan, who are good, technical, organised. Some good, Andy Robertson is world class, so too is Scot McTominay and arguably John McGinn, all will have a big say on how Scotland play in the World Cup, but some bad, I hardly noticed Lyndon Dykes and Tommy Conway in attack, George Hirst looked much better leading the line when he came on for the final half hour. Japan have some lovely neat footballers, Leeds United’s Tanaka was brilliant, picking the ball up deep in midfield, starting moves, slowly, progressing passes forward, Yuito Suzuki also playing well, they brought on Doan and Junya Ito, in fact ten subs in total, the fresh legs in the end the deciding factor in getting them a deserved win. The Verdict I think Japan are a team that are going places, perhaps only lacking a Harry Kane type forward and some real class cutting edge, I wonder for all their neat play, do they have enough in attack, are they indeed nasty enough to compete with the elite? But technically brilliant, well drilled, superbly set up, I believe they can go far into the competition, and wouldn’t rule out a last eight, or even surprise semi final run? For Scotland, I think hopes will be pinned on finally getting out of the groups, something never achieved in Euros or World Cup finals previously, there might be some questions over their team selection, and even some concern that Steve Clarke’s football is perhaps not attacking or exciting enough, but they do have some star players in their make-up, and with Haiti, Morocco and Brazil to play, and three spaces up for grabs from four, it might seem harder not to qualify for the last 32, than to go out in the first stage again. The Teams Scotland: Angus Gunn, Nathan Paterson (Anthony Ralston 81), Andy Robertson (Kieran Tierney 71), Scot McTominay (Billy Gilmour 71), John McGinn (Ryan Christie 63), Lyndon Dykes (George Hirst 63), Jack Hendry, Lewis Ferguson, Tommy Conway (Findlay Curtis 81), Kenny McLean, Paul McKenna. Japan: Zion Suzuki, Yukinari Sugawara (Ritsu Doan 62), Ayumo Seko (Daiki Hasioka 77), Tsuyoshi Watanabe (Shogo Taniguchi 46), Joel Fujita (Kento Shiogai 78), Yuito Suzuki (Junya Ito 63), Daizen Maeda (Keito Nakamura 62), Ao Tanaka (Daichi Kamada 78), Jodai Sano (Kaoru Mitoma 46), Hiroki Ito (Junnosuke Suzuki 46), Keisuke Goto (Ayase Ueda 63). 5:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 28th March 2026, Hampden Park, Glasgow (att 44,644).

Morecambe 2-3 Hartlepool United (National League) Boston to Morecambe is just short of 200 miles so it's another lengthy road trip East to West between fifth tier stadiums as less than 24 hours do I watch one National League match between two evenly balanced teams, do I take on another viewing, between two with varied ambition this season. Morecambe are in a relegation battle after a turbulent couple of years, the Panjab Warriors expected bigger and better upon their late takeover in the summer but what the club have found is tough transition after dropping in to the National League, survival is not as easy as it sounds, with Gateshead winning against York last night that's now even more difficult with a six point gap on the safe spaces above, you feel anything less than a win tonight will heap pressure on the chances of Jim Bentley's team surviving. Bentley isn't to blame for all of this, only recently taken over from the failed appointment of Ashvir Singh Johal, the Shrimps had won three and drew one of their last six before defeat at Yeovil at the weekend. More bad news hit the headlines today too as a winding up petition had been served against them following an old debt unpaid by the previous regime. If Morecambe are a mess, than Hartlepool, who have had their troubles in the past, are one with brighter ambitions, sitting poised to pounce in the middle of the table they are closing in on the playoff places above and are in a decent run of form after back to back 1-0 wins at Truro and at home to Eastleigh. Nicky Featherstone is the popular Pools manager, he played almost 500 career games at United and since taking over from Simon Grayson in October has slowly stabilised the side who are solid and structured in defence, but have been lacking goals in recent weeks, scoring just two in their last four, conceding only three, I'm hoping they'll be a little more ambitious in attack tonight. It's mid afternoon and a 3 hour drive awaits, I'm across the A50 through Stoke and up the M6, a quick stop off at Charnock Richard Services as the sun comes out, a cold chill in the air, the final leg is less than 30 miles away and I pull up on a side street around the corner from the Mazuma Mobile Stadium with plenty of time to play. The Venue It's a five minute walk to the ground as I head down Westgate past a couple of caravan sites before turning right into Christie Way. The white backed Main Stand hogs the eyeline as I head straight for the reception doors and ask where to get my accreditation, it's an easy one tonight as the lady on the front desk passes me a lanyard, "upstairs and through the bar" she tells me. The bar area for corporate members is a bit like Phoenix Nights as I walk through to grab a coffee, it opens up on to the pitch glass fronted and elevated with people sitting on rounded tables drinking beer as a local man with a suit and red scarf around his neck goes through some sporting quiz questions over the microphone. As I walk out onto the veranda you get a lovely view of the pitch down below, not dissimilar to the position I was sat in at Midtjylland last week, nicely lofted but close up to the action, as I ask an old steward where my seat is, he hasn't a clue, asking everybody in office whilst taking me with him, I probably could have found it myself much quicker without him. The Stadium itself feels open, this big seated stand with corporate facility feels airy and to the elements, if you catch a bad day I doubt the roof would save you from the wind or rain. Opposite is a strange unfinished like terraced section with no roofing nicknamed 'the Berlin Wall' due to its long running row of breeze blocks behind, a burger kiosk window sits alone lit up on half way, either side three or four rows of steps where just a few are brave enough to congregate in the cold. Each end is a roofed terrace, the one to my right empty and not in use, but the one to my left packed with Morecambe fans having a good sing song behind the goal. The Game I'm met by a scout from Kendal who's a regular in these parts, he tells me to watch out for Morecambe's on loan striker Chris Popov who's been playing well since joining from Leicester. Hartlepool have brought a couple of hundred fans with them, sat and stood to my right as we are told to squeeze in, I'm moving up one from the seat I'm allocated to allow a couple of the clubs media hierarchy in. The visitors in white knock it about well in the early stages, they're on top and are buzzing around with confidence, but Morecambe in red break well, they get joy down the flanks and in particular through Gwion Edwards and Jack Nolan who are both bloody good players. It ebbs and flows and is a really good game as both sides trade attacks before a corner is won by Morecambe after good work by Lewis Payne. Jack Nolan finding Popov who finds Edwards with a clever routine, he strikes through a crowd on the edge of the area and puts the home side one up. You feel it's deserved as Morecambe play some good stuff with the lively Popov a real menace in attack, but at the other end Hartlepool always look like scoring and take their chance on 34 when Charlie Caton gets on the end of a deflected cross, the former Chester striker is a player I like. He's on loan from Accrington where he's not quite made the grade at League Two. The Score I'm impressed with how both teams play during an entertaining first half. Morecambe 3-4-1-1 look a little loose defensively but they have good talented footballers who are definitely good enough to be playing at this level. Hartlepool are solid looking defensively but can be got at, they have good footballers in midfield and rely on their wingers to cause panic with two out and out strikers up front. Jack Nolan is one of the best players on the pitch and it's he who gives Morecambe the lead on the hour when the ball falls kindly into his path to volley home and wrong foot the goalkeeper who's already on the floor, but Hartlepool never feel out of it, and when Sinclair crosses to Reid we are all square with fifteen still to play. Subs are made but it hardly effects the flow, another good move this time involves Cameron John down the left and he again finds Reid, right place right time, the away fans go wild. You think that's it for poor old Morecambe who don't deserve to lose but they do create a couple of late chances, Jack Nolan cuts inside to curl a beauty right footed goalwards but his brilliant belter is headed off the line superbly by John, the resulting corner causes carnage as Shrimpers goalkeeper Jamal Blackman goes up, another shot is deflected over before a further corner is cleared, as Hartlepool break Blackman trots back half paced with no intentions of trying to save a goal, I'm in hysterics as he's stood on half way hands on hips as the away side attack is caught offside. It's a comical ending to a decent game of football, you feel for Morecambe who aren't as bad as the table suggests they are. The table, however, especially at this stage of the season, does not lie. The Stars If Morecambe do go down, and it's likely, several of their players will certainly get snapped up, too good for National League North are the likes of Jack Nolan, Gwion Edwards and Miguel Azeez. Nolan has 16 goals in 33 games this season for the divisions second worst team. He's powerful and technical and probably too good for the National League, let alone Morecambe. Skipper Edwards may hang around as he's coming to the end of his career but at 33 still has a lot to offer at the level. He provides pace (still) and quality on the left hand side whilst Miguel Azeez is a wiry number eight who tends to get better the later the match goes, unfortunately after a slow start, and on a booking, just as he was starting to come good, he was substituted. As for Chris Popov, I really like his eagerness to be involved, he reminds me of a video game character, moves with his head pointed down and takes off like lightening, enjoys the hustle and bustle but is only light in frame, he's scored 7 in 14 for Morecambe so is certainly one to watch for the future. Hartlepool too have some brilliant players, both full backs impressing me on the night, Cameron John on loan from York, quick and technical, he was probably at fault for the corner leading to Morecambe's first goal but redeemed himself with an assist and headed clearance off the line which in the end saved all three points. Jay Benn at right back was also magnificent. A solid display with composure and great athleticism, whilst in midfield the guvnor Nathan Sheron ticked things along sitting in front of the back four, allowing the likes of Jamie Miley and Matty Daly to get on the ball and play, two talented young lads, Daly with plenty of league experience largely at Harrogate whilst Miley is rebuilding his career after leaving Newcastle for good, in the summer. Plenty of quality in attack too, the experience Alex Reid twice netted. The talented Charlie Caton also on the score sheet whilst Tyrese Sinclair caused problems all night down the left, he likes to cut in on his right and strikes a ball sweetly. The Verdict The win for Hartlepool has them now just two points behind Southend who are seventh in the last remaining playoff spot which is very gettable for those chasing. You feel on 68 points Forest Green in sixth should hang on to achieving a playoff place themselves with six games to go but Southend (62) have the same points as Halifax having played two games less, any slip ups by the Shimpers and that could lead to the Shaymen or even Hartlepool nicking the last spot on offer. Morecambe are facing the probability of relegation again, in worrying times for the football club their people seem upbeat, they just crack on with a smile still on their face in true northern fashion, it must be tough having fallen from the third tier in English football to the fifth, it might be tougher soon to be falling to the sixth, but the key is that the football club survives, and continues to serve up a community that goes beyond just what happens on the pitch. As long as there's football in Morecambe, the Morecambe fans will always have hope. The Teams Morecambe: Jamal Blackman, Lewis Payne (Tommy Fogarty 78), Harlee Dean, Gwion Edwards (Kyle Jameson 90), Miguel Azeez (George Thomas 72), Liam Hogan, Paul Lewis, Dan Ogwuru (Mo Sangare 72), Timothy Akindileni (Ben Tollitt 90), Jack Nolan, Chris Popov. Hartlepool United: Nicholas Hayes, Jay Benn, Cameron John, Max Kouogun, Nathan Sheron, Jack Hunter, Jamie Miley, Alex Reid (Vadaine Oliver 89), Matty Daly (Adam Campbell 80), Charlie Caton (Sam Folarin 80), Tyrese Sinclair. 7:45pm Kick Off. Wednesday 25th March 2026, Morecambe Stadium (att 2,565).

Boston United 2-2 Altrincham (National League) It was a tale of two penalties the last time these two teams met earlier in the season at Moss Lane. Jordi Hiwula missed his spot kick for Boston on 32 whilst only four minutes later Elliot Osborne scored his, to give Altrincham a 1-0 home win in November. Tonight's game is likely to be another tight affair, Boston in thirteenth are a point above Alty in fourteenth but the Pilgrims did get beat 6-2 against Carlisle at the weekend to crush a superb run of just one defeat in ten under Paul Hurst. Frankie Maguire was sent off for handball on the line with Boston 2-1 up at Brunton Park and the rest, as they say, is history. The Robins have been bobbing along in good nick with five wins and a couple of defeats from their last seven played. Last time out Neil Gibson's side beat Southend 1-0 thanks to a first half Liam Humbles strike. Neither can go up, nor will they go down, so this is as 'mid table battle' as it gets, apparently the last under the lights of the season at the Jakemans, no more midweekers at home for Boston who will at least save on their electricity bill. I'm off shortly after 5pm and across the A52 through Grantham, the drive is roughly an hour and half tonight as I get to base for 6:45pm, an hour before kick off, I notice the wind has picked up to blowing a gale as I try and open my car door against the elements, parked a five minute walk across on a housing estate it's a short breezy commute to the Boston Community Stadium which is along the Pilgrims Way on the edge of town. The Venue Extensive works are continuing behind one goal to finish this modern facility off, as I walk into the ticket office and get my pass, the doors of the clubs reception fly open with the wind, I say to somebody waiting in the queue "this could have a nasty effect on the game tonight". The gusts continue to blow strong as I walk towards the turnstile, inside I order pie chips and gravy at the kiosk along with a cup of tea for £9 and perch up against a wall to eat tonight's dinner which is lovely, before walking up the steps to the press seats, the usual numbers are here as standard, Radio Lincs, Christian on PA, a couple of commentators from Altrincham and some Data Scouts I know from some rival firms. The pitch down below in good nick, rain starting to swirl above, the stadium enclosed filling nicely, there's around 35 visiting fans standing opposite well covered, but the rest of the three sided stadium looks toasty as folk are huddled together leaving not much gaps in between, the quirky circled lights shining onto the green surface as Boston in gold, and Altrincham in red, walk out to begin proceedings. The Game The wind is a factor, so obvious that Altrincham who are kicking against it first half are suffering. They can't get out their own half as Boston press forward, controlling proceedings and creating chances, the visitors goalkeeper Hutchinson is kicking it in every direction, he's tried lifting them to no avail, even tried the low driven firm passes like David Raya, "he's now got his three iron out" says Peter Costello on co comms behind me. Some have hit the stadium roof, many have been lumped out of play for throw-ins, most have failed to reach half way. With plenty of pressure imposed it's no shock that Boston take the lead, what is a surprise after three failed free kick attempts at goal is that it's a stunning strike to break the deadlock on 12, Luca Barrington cuts onto his left foot from outside the area and bends one with power into the top corner. A brilliant goal from a talented boy who's only five games into his Boston career. It's a funny old game, the first half of the first half is all Boston but the second twenty minutes or so is stop start as the Altrincham goalkeeper goes down for a timely technical time out. Someone angrily says something to the Altrincham Manager from the crowd and a statement is taken from the stewards, the Referee is over, it's a lengthy ordeal, Christian on PA announces across the tannoy "there's no room for foul and abusive language" which gets a round of boos from the home supporters, finally play restarts but there's a couple of bookings to end the half as tension rises, the football not very good as the finicky man in the middle hardly lets a moment go without a good blow on his whistle. The Score You feel the wind will play a part in the second half too, and to Altrincham's advantage no sooner do they kick off, do they find themselves level. Declan Howe is sent through racing clear, I've seen plenty of Howe as a former Gainsborough player who's on loan at Altrincham from Scunthorpe. "He won't miss this" i say as he runs through one on one with nobody near him, up against the keeper he softly dinks the ball up and over the onrushing last man in net, cool, calm, classy, he's one of the best finishers on the non league circuit. Howe has played well, really lively tonight, often pick pocketing opponents, keeping possession for his team who have struggled to keep it, but it's roles reversal in the second half, Altrincham finally find competency, they keep the ball better than they did in the first 45, pass and probe, Isaac Marriott starts to dominate in the centre of the park, Tom Crawford besides him playing well, he receives a card after a scuffle with Jordan Richards before Jimmy Knowles scores against his old club, right place, right time, it's what he does. As the rain suddenly falls down to unprecedented levels you wonder if the game will even finish at all, a real shower of magnitude imposes itself on the playing surface as the players grin and bear the wet and windy weather, there's still tackles flying in, it's niggly, stop start, unattractive on the eye, with Altrincham now leading subs come on and interrupt the flow some more, Boston have had six players booked, it looks a lost cause as they are beaten by perhaps the better team of this half, Boston better in the first half didn't take their chances, and it's that perhaps costly on them getting nothing out of the game thus far, but a late corner is swung in on 93, the ball from Carson looks to have gone out, it's bounced off the crossbar, then down onto the head of Tom Cursons standing pretty much on the line, he nods home, like he usually does, and runs away celebrating a leveller, I'm not sure if the ball completely stayed in play from the corner kick, the Referee consults with his linesman and confirms, Cursons to the rescue, at least the rain has stopped, can we all go home now for a much needed lie down. The Stars In an entertaining but unorthodox and unusual evening I'm impressed with a few from Altrincham on my first viewing of them this season. Kahrel Reddin worked hard as a right wing back before a tactical switch had him further advanced, a quick energetic player with good control he has plenty of battery life and looks capable of playing one or two positions on the park. His pedigree past of Aston Villa and Stoke. Joshua Grant at centre half was calm and assured up against the much bigger Lenell John-Lewis in attack for most of the evening, whilst Isaac Marriott grew into the game, he's a classy deep lying number eight who gets on the ball and keeps things ticking. Good work from Tom Crawford and Liam Humbles in the midfield alongside Marriott, star man however was Declan Howe who led the line well and took his goal brilliantly. Always a threat off the shoulder, he doesn't have huge stand out qualities other than being very honest and very composed in front of goal. He's scored four in eight games (plus two assists) for the Robins since moving on loan from Scunthorpe, I was surprised the Iron let him go. For Boston, there were moments of class from Luca Barrington who faded in the second half, but you can tell he has ability, he is a technical boy, whilst Matty Carson has a wand of a left foot, he did a couple of cross field passes which had the crowd (and myself) ooh with appreciation. Tom Cursons was the man to rescue a point with yet another goal, but big news was the return of Jacob Hazel from injury, he played the later stages after picking up a long term knee issue in the summer, it was his first game of the season and he came on to a rapturous applause. The Verdict In the end it hardly mattered, as both teams will be going nowhere anytime soon, but a strange game on a weird night of wind and rain, a lad from Lincs scoring against a team from his own county, a player who used to play for Boston netting against his old club, a screamer, a debatable goal, eight bookings, nine subs, eleven corners, four goals, spoils shared, I suppose it could have been much more miserable than that, as I leave the stadium scratching my head to what just happened. The Teams Boston United: Dan Cameron, Connor Teale, Marcel Lavinier, Jamie Grimes, Matty Carson, Oisin Gallagher (Arjan Raikhy 85), Jordan Richards, Jordy Hiwula, Luca Barrington (Ken Aboh 69), Greg Sloggett (Jacob Hazel 85), Lenell John-Lewis (Tom Cursons 75). Altrincham: Luke Hutchinson, Kahrel Reddin (Charlie Kirk 75), Samuel Barnes (Dan Sassi 75), Joshua Grant, Eddy Jones, Tyler Golden, Tom Crawford, Isaac Marriott, Liam Humbles (Lucas Weaver 84), Jimmy Knowles (Sam Read 84), Declan Howe (Jake Cooper 90). 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 24th March 2026, Jakemans Stadium, Boston (att 1,465).

Leicester City 1-2 Aston Villa  (Women’s Super League) I raced back from Braintree last night to pick up a takeaway from Cuzina which is a nice Greek Restaurant close to the City Ground and Trent Bridge, home for 7:30pm the wife put the new Peaky Blinders film on Netflix and we both fell asleep to wake up and find Tommy Shelby was dead.   Spoiler alert! Today is another game of football and one at least a little closer to my south Nottingham home, half hour away in Leicester as the lady foxes play host to Aston Villa.   Both teams have been struggling of late; bottom of the table Leicester have lost six in a row whilst ninth placed Villa are six without a win, losing five in a row before a courageous draw against league leaders Manchester City last time out.   I'm missing a good day of football action to be here as Newcastle host Sunderland in the Tyne/Wear derby, Forest are at Tottenham in a relegation six pointer whilst it's the League Cup final where Arsenal play City, to top it off there's a rugby match on at Leicester Tigers so I'm struggling to find somewhere to park.   The Venue   It's a 2:45pm Kick off, the rugby over the road is 3pm, and the usual roads around the ground are packed, having forgotten to pre pay for parking I'm scratching around for spaces and chance it in a back street car park on Burnmoor Street, it's ran by NCP who went into administration last week, there's a huge sign saying on the entrance ‘private parking Monday to Friday’, it's little wonder NCP are going under by not charging folk close to two major sporting arenas at weekends. I chance parking my car in there as there’s nothing to say I can’t, others are just as confused as they try and download an app and struggle to wonder if they ‘can’ or ‘can’t’ after parking their vehicles in the should be closed but clearly open car park.   It's just a short walk over the road where there's a bit of a fan zone outside the ground, a head tennis table looks to be a bit of a disaster with kids kicking balls everywhere whilst there's various games including one where you can kick a ball through holes which I like the look of. It doesn't look like the winner gets a cuddly prize though so I give it a miss, and continue to walk around the back of the stadium towards the turnstile.   The ground is big and white and blue from the outside underneath greying skies above grey pavements, your typical modern styled soulless bowl with no real quirks other than some cantilevers sticking out from above.   It's a quaint enough walk around the back of the stadium where you can hear the River Soar soaring in the background, a quick hello to the intimidating looking stewards who let me through without a search, I'm inside the spacious blue coloured concourse having used my phone to scan myself in, there's a self-service beer machine which looks newly installed, a counter at the kiosk is empty so I grab a steak pie and cuppa, but after tasting both I probably wish I didn't bother.   Up the stairs to my seat, the usual view out of harm’s way is high above the kiddy chaos of flag waving and screaming screeching fans yelling below, I'm sat on my own facing the corner flag with a nice panoramic view of the largely empty blue seated venue, only the stand I'm sat in is in action today, and it's not even half full for kick off.   The Game   As a couple of girls football teams take their seats in full kits down below, the players come out to a couple of songs from Kasabian and a fans favourite called When You're Smiling which was originally sung by Seger Ellis and Louis Armstrong before being recorded by a local singer Jersey Budd, it’s been the clubs adopted anthem since the 1980’s but this present version is as recently made as 2022.   Villa in all black, Leicester in all blue, it’s not one for the colourblind fans as from a distance it’s hard to tell who’s who, one striking player in the Leicester squad today is former Villain Alisha Lehmann, with her blonde ponytailed hair long down her back.   And after a good half an hour of a first half where not much happens it is Swiss international Lehmann who gives Leicester the lead. Kirsty Hanson has just missed Villa's best chance after rounding the Leicester keeper and hitting the side netting, up the other end the lively Hannah Cain breaks out right, she centres for Lehmann who makes no mistake, the home crowd go wild. "Leicester, Leicester" is often the cry from the girls down below, they've had selfies, some have brought placards, some have just left to get their half-time Ribena's and upon arriving those who stayed berate them because they missed the goal. Near me there's a couple of Chinese kids running around waving flags, it feels pretty lawless, children running around and chasing each other on the stadium steps as the action continues, parents nowhere to be seen. The Game At half time I'm checking the results from elsewhere, Sunderland have shocked Newcastle to win the derby, Forest are thrashing Spurs in London, I'm sat freezing cold watching kids run around me and waving flags in my face having witnessed two shots on target all half. I'm hoping for better in the second half and immediately at least, get a goal, A Lynn Wilms corner is swung into the near post and it's Anna Patten who looks like she's got the last touch, poking the ball through a crowd to bring Villa level. I suppose it's what the away side deserve, they have been marginally the better team without being very entertaining or enthralling, I really like their centre midfielder Oriane Jean-Francois who's a French international, she's got good feet playing the intellectual holding role, keeps possession and reads things well, whilst in attack, I say 'get it to Grant' as Dutch international Chastity Grant is clearly their most productive forward player, she glides past opponents with good ball control and speed. I'm really disappointed with Leicester who I've seen a bit of in recent years, they are defensively solid but offer very little going forward, Hannah Cain on occasion getting the better of her marker on the right, but they fail to register a single shot at goal in the second half after having just two (scoring one) in the first half. So when their centre half Chantelle Swaby hobbles off with an injury late on, you fear the worst, as Sam Tierney, a good gritty midfielder is asked to sit in the back four, City lose two of their best players at least in their best positions, and Villa go up the other end, Hanson is set free, this time she makes no mistake with no one around her, sliding in a winner below Leitzig. There's ten minutes of injury time but there's no way Leicester are coming back, the second half has been more stop than start and it's an agonising watch, I'm infuriated with the tactical time outs taken by goalkeepers going down for no obvious reason, my newest bugbear in football, please IFAB, FIFA, the FA, can you sort this mess out! The Stars Villa in fairness are organised and solid throughout, Coached by the classy looking Natalia Arroyo she's trendy in her chocolate brown flairs and trainers, barking orders from the touchline in baggy clothing, I like their centre half duo Anna Patten and Lucy Parker, the full backs are solid in Nighswonger and Wilms, whilst my favourites are either Jean-Francois or Grant who for me make the team tick moving forward. For Leicester, it's going to be a tough old ask on Rick Passmoor to keep them up, defensively they are good, they have a good goalkeeper in Leitzig, Ashleigh Neville who recently signed is a stallwart of this level, a solid right back, Asmita Ale a good young left back, Thibaud and Swaby decent defenders centrally, Emma Jansson, Sam Tierney, even Liv McLoughin who came off the bench late on, gritty in midfield, but it's further forward where issues lie, Lehmann, famous for her looks, is too inconsistent in possession, Shannon O'Brien and Missy Goodwin might be good WSL2 level strikers at best? Hannah Cain has pace the clubs best forward threat, is limited to not being able to do it all alone. The Verdict Leicester sit bottom of the table three points adrift of West Ham United but with a game in hand, my concern is do they have enough goals in them to win their game in hand? Having only scored NINE in seventeen games this season. No such problems for Villa who's win will steer them clear of any safety concerns, they have twenty points and are eleven clear of Leicester in the only relegation space on offer, next season the league expands by two teams, I wonder will that be without Leicester City? On this showing, I would very much believe so. The Teams Leicester City: Janina Leitzig, Ashleigh Neville, Julie Thibaud, Chantelle Swaby (Rosella Ayane 80), Asmita Ale, Emma Jansson (Olivia McLoughlin 73), Hannah Cain, Sam Tierney, Alisha Lehmann, Missy Goodwin (Rachel Williams 69), Shannon O'Brien. Aston Villa: Ellie Roebuck, Lynn Wilms, Anna Patten, Lucy Parker, Jenna Nighswonger, Oriane Jean-Francois, Miriael Taylor (Ebony Salmon 46), Chasity Grant (Rachel Grant 89), Lucia Kendall, Noelle Maritz, Kirsty Hanson. 2:45pm Kick Off. Sunday 22nd March 2026, Leicester City Stadium, Leicester (att 600 est).

Midtjylland 1-2 Nottingham Forest (UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg) *0-3 pens aet Mid-Jutland is the central section of Denmark's largest peninsula. Translated to Midtjylland in Danish, the area is home to a team that was only founded as recently as 1999 when both Ikast FS and Herning Fremad joined forces. Based in Herning, Midtjylland are the region's formidable force and are one to be reckoned with amongst Europe's elite, having spent the last 25 years in the Superliga winning four titles and two Danish Cups along the way. In fact, almost adding more to that, they have four failed attempts as cup runners up and six second place finishes in the championship too. A mighty force, created from two lowly ranked rivals to gift the region something to celebrate in soccer, they have been doing well in Europe in recent years but have never reached a quarter finals, they have however twice beaten Nottingham Forest this season already. I was at the game last week where they rode their luck at times and nicked a late goal to take a 1-0 advantage back home for the second leg at the MCH arena, and I'm here tonight as I get my first Forest away day gig of their Euro excursion, a match which might be their last on the continent for some time. It's been a difficult season for Reds fans (like me). Forest have a must not lose game against relegation rivals Tottenham on Sunday and are only just keeping their heads above the Premier League water levels which are rising every time West Ham United pick up points, they have done ok in Europe so far and a continued run is not to be sniffed at, despite seeking domestic safety number one priority. It's a long old journey for me, I'm flying from Bristol Airport to Copenhagen where I pick up a hire car from a lovely Swedish lady at Budget and I cross country with a three hour journey west, the stunning Storebaeltsbroen the highlight, the Great Belt Bridge (in English) connects Zealand with the Danish mainland, crossing the sea between Halsskov and Nyborg before I head on past Odense and North towards Herning on the E20 and E45. The Venue I've arrived at a hotel in the sleepy town of Lind just five minutes drive from the ground, so after a quick freshen up and bit of relaxation I'm back out and pulling into the MCH Arena a good hour and half before kick off. Already busy with fans the car park is huge and free to park, you feel it has more spaces than the stadium probably has seats, it's a brilliant set up, modern, sleek, efficient, clean and fresh, the sky is clear, blue, it's been a sunny afternoon but there's a real nip in the air. After a quick look around the clubs superstore I'm meeting a guy from UEFA who gives me my matchday pass, leading me directly to my seat, the commentary positions are at the back of a small but steep seated stand which is lined by glass windows and a huge corporate section which I later get to enjoy with a few free beers courtesy of a couple of rowdy Forest fans who have somehow snuck in. I'm nicely perched on a comfy padded seat with a great view on half way. Radio Nottingham have been shoved down the other side with Colin Fray and James Perch ready for action, Talk sport and TNT are here, Joe Hart is having selfies with fans, he's doing co-comms for the TV. The stadium itself is fabulous, bowl like square edged with all stands connected it looks larger but apparently only holds 12,000. The Forest fans in the far corner of the stand to my left, opposite end is the home team hardcore dressed in black, already bouncing and loudly banging no doubt the same drum that was in Nottingham last week. Opposite me is a fabulous high stand again with corporate facility, the floodlights either side retro looking huge metal rectangular pylons. The Game The two teams appear from beneath as the home fans unveil a huge tifo behind the goal, Midtjylland in red and black, Forest in an off white cream number which looks very classy. Vitor Pereira has shuffled his pack with a much changed side from the one that drew with Fulham on Sunday, at least eight of his usual starting XI are rested, but with Lorenzo Lucca, Dilane Bakwa and James McAtee given a chance to shine, it's an attacking line-up skippered by Ryan Yates, and it's he who almost puts Forest in the lead after a bright start, getting on the end of a lovely curved McAtee pass to volley against the crossbar and over. The away side look physically bigger in personnel than they did in the first leg when they were outdone by size and they go close following a corner which is headed back across goal, Morato's prod eventually cleared off the line by Billing, before Lucca blazes over from close range when he should have done better, but finally Forest's persistence pays off, a short corner headed back across goal by Milenkovic looped in by the nod of Dominguez, Midtjylland XG at half time is 0.01 as Forest go into the break deserving of their lead. The Score At times Mike Tullberg shouting on the touchline is clearly infuriated with his team's play and he makes a couple of heated changes at the break. The Wolves have been organised and have a couple of real classy players, Bravo, Castillo, Osorio, especially, but Forest are stronger and continue to push forward for a second as Ryan Yates who's been brilliant takes aim from twenty yards, left footed, falling back, he rifles one in on the stretch and stretches the Reds lead to give them aggregate advantage in the tie. The Forest fans go bonkers. The lead however doesn't last long, Midtjylland respond as big defender Erlic is still up top from a set play, as the ball is pumped into the box it rebounds into his path and he smashes home an unstoppable strike past Ortega, Coldplay comes over the tannoy with the sound of Wolves howling as the home fans decibel levels leap up to silence of those in Garibaldi corner. With the tie deadlocked the remainder of the 90 is cagey as neither dares lose from here, Ortega does deny Cho with a great save but the remaining ten or fifteen are uneventful and we enter a dreaded extra half hour before the inevitable penalties. In fairness extra time is good, Forest by now have their foothold in forward thinking and late on Ryan Yates looks to have won it when he heads home in front of the away following. I'm up punching the air to be told Yates is offside. A VAR check confirms and we are down to penalty kicks. You can feel the tension in the stadium as both teams group together as players pep talk each other ahead of the shootout, Forest go first, Gibbs-White scores, Cho up second, he hits a post. The third penalty is calmly scored by Sangare but Aral Simsir hits a post with his effort for Midtjylland, Neco Williams puts Forest three up and Edward Chilufya steps up to save the match. He only came on in extra time and runs up to the ball before slipping, the leather sphere probably landing in the car park at my hotel, it's the easiest penalty shootout win I've ever watched. The Stars Forest will have a lot of positives from their performance and in their captain Ryan Yates they don't only have an ambassador but a great servant who is willing to give 110% every time he plays. Yates hasn't played much football recently but cruised through 120 minutes which is testament to his fitness levels and mindset. Others who did well included the big defender Morato, who I was very judgemental about the week previous, whilst Dilane Bakwa, one who's looked so out of sorts since signing for Forest in the summer, he had a few positive moments, hopefully there's still a future for him under Pereira. For Midtjylland they have a lot of good footballers that the Premier League should look at. I really like the right sided centre half Ousmane Diao whilst in midfield Pedro Bravo is real talent with panache and pedigree. It was good to see Denil Castillo play well, a gritty midfielder with athleticism and a super engine, he wasn't great in the first leg, looked better in the second, he looks destined for big things and like Bravo is aged just 21. The Verdict Nottingham Forest will be relieved to get through a sticky tie but attention now draws to more pressing stuff in the league. The question all Forest fans are being asked right now, would you take winning the Europa League over relegation? Success, or survival? No fears of falling for Midtjylland who remind me a little of Brentford, well run, friendly, organised, Danish owned like the Bees, similar size in stature with a quirky little home, they certainly punch well above their weight. Stick them in the Premier League and I have no question that these boys could certainly hold their own. Midtjylland: Elias Olafsson, Ousmane Diao (Adam Gabriel 91), Martin Erlic, Mads Bech Sorensen, Victor Bak, Philip Billing (Aral Simsir 46), Pedro Bravo, Denil Castillo, Valdemar Byskov (Han Beom-Lee 46), Dario Osorio (Edward Chilufya 103), Junior Brumado (Cho Gue-Sung 56). Nottingham Forest: Stefan Ortega, Zach Abbott, Nikola Milenkovic (Murillo 61), Morato, Dan Ndoye (Neco Williams 61), Ryan Yates, Nico Dominguez (Ibrahim Sangare 91), Dilane Bakwa (Ola Aina 75), Omari Hutchinson (Morgan Gibbs-White 61), James McAtee (Elliot Anderson 75), Lorenzo Lucca. 6:45pm Kick Off. Thursday 20th March 2027, MCH Arena, Herning (att 10,554).

Nottingham Forest 0-1 Midtjylland  (UEFA Europa League Round of 16 First Leg) I really wanted to attend more of Nottingham Forest’s Europa League matches this season but at £60 a ticket I’ve been priced out of watching the club I’ve supported for well over 40 years. It’s not just me either? This week, the club came under scrutiny from fans who weren’t prepared to be ripped off, with thousands of unsold tickets ahead of the Reds second home match with Midtjylland this season, they eventually succumbed, and dropped their prices, I ended up paying £35 for my seat, whilst they gave hundreds away to schools for free, at least they listened, but there are lessons, still to be learned. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you. What is supposed to be a season of celebration, Forest’s first in Europe for nearly 30 years, is one that has been exasperating for fans, four managers, in fact they have had more managers than their strikers have scored Premier League goals, recruitment has been awful, outgoing Sporting Director Edu largely to blame, the side a pittance of what they were under Nuno last season, 17th in the Premier League currently, they have already been beaten by Midtjylland when under Ange Postecoglu and a lot of fans would rather see them beaten again tonight, in order to focus on survival ahead of domestic matches with Fulham and Spurs upcoming. The Danes maybe small in name but are big in nature, they have a team of giants and have been a powerhouse in the Superliga since first winning it in 2015, four Danish titles in ten years, six times runners up and twice Danish Cup winners, they have been making a name in Europe having also appeared in the Champions League but are hoping to go further than they ever have before by reaching the Europa League quarter finals stage. Forest last achieving that status in the equivalent UEFA Cup in their previous nearest season in Europe back in 1996/97. To compare, Midtjylland weren't even formed back then. I’m actually off to Denmark next week, for the second leg, which is why I wanted to do some unpaid scouting tonight, as well as support my team, scarf wrapped around my neck, it’s a last minute decision (helped by the reasonable(ish) last minute ticket pricing) but I decide to nip down the road and sit on my own in the dark, wind, and rain to cheer on the boys. The Venue I’ve a five minute drive to the bottom of Melton Road where I pull up outside George’s Chip shop, It’s a good 45/50 minute walk from my house is the City Ground but slightly longer on the way back, up the hill towards Edwalton, that’s why I’ve driven half way to ease commute, and walk twenty minutes or so down the Musters Road, across the back of Trent Bridge Cricket Ground and over Radcliffe Road into the Main Stand car park, it’s wet, drizzling, very windy today, not the nicest of nights, perhaps a bit of a game wrecker, but at least I’m covered up, sitting nice and centrally, back of the Peter Taylor. Inside I grab a cup of tea and a snickers duo, I’m an hour early but sit down in the seat on row M, high up with a great view but for a post to my right, well covered here as I check the odds on my phone for Cheltenham tomorrow, the rain in the distance lit up by the floodlights which are out of view because of the low roof, you can see the bottom tiers of the Trent End, Clough Stand and Bridgford End but not much above, as the players come out to warm applause to do their warm ups, the ground slowly filling to full capacity ahead of kick off, the Danish fans, a couple of hundred of them, all seemingly dressed in black, making some noise as their ‘leader’ repeatedly bangs a drum. The Game Despite the fans packing in the atmosphere feels flat tonight, I wonder if the clubs shambolic ticketing strategy in the run up has in fact dented that bit of pride in those that are here, not much singing as the two teams come out, a few decibels rise as the pre-match anthem gets into gear but I’m wondering is anyone here actually bothered about the outcome of this game? Do we want it ahead of pressing matters in the league, enough? And that seems to transcribe onto the pitch as Forest’s start is flat, they don’t particularly press, and aren’t very high in tempo, Midtjylland are well drilled, they do the ugly stuff well, but they slow the game down, make it a scrap, they aren’t scared of leaving out an elbow, or giving ones shirt a tug. I respect it, they look more of a ‘team’ than Forest who are playing centre half Morato at left back, he’s awful, lacking confidence and competence in possession, he lets the ball bounce which is criminal for a defender, he’s looking a liability and then to top it gets booked, already worsened by Forest losing another defender in Jair Cunha after nine minutes through injury. The Reds do however look to have more technical ability and talent than their opponents, Elliot Anderson is buzzing around effortlessly as is Morgan Gibbs-White, on the break Omari Hutchinson shows signs of direct pace, he tests the goalkeeper with a decent long range effort, before Aina does, then Anderson, there’s been chances, but well contained by keeper Olafsson and his defence. Midtjylland have a couple of sniffs, their danger is aerially which Forest know all about as the Danes scored a couple from set plays when they beat the Reds 3-2 here earlier in the campaign, and they might have taken an early lead after Morato’s error lead to Billing crossing to Junior Brumado who should have done better with a header that was eventually cleared by Murillo. They have real size and stature, Erlic and Diao offer Igor Jesus little time on the ball as big no-nonsense centre backs, Castillo and Bravo are solid along with Philip Billing pulling strings in midfield, Brumado up top has size, Simsir on the left side of attack is a little tubby fella, but he whips a real good ball in to the danger zone. The Score At half time it’s nil nil and you sense the way the game is played it feels like both teams would take this going into the second leg in Denmark, but Forest come out in the second half with a surge of upbeat positive play, Neco Williams has by now replaced Morato at left back and he combines with Hudson-Odoi to pull back to Anderson who fizzes another long range effort wide, but a whopping surge of rain fall hits hard as the heavens open to shower down, I’ve never seen water like it Trentside, you start to wonder if the game will even complete. That downfall stops any momentum Forest have as the ball slows on the sopping pitch, their Brazilian striker is certainly not feeling it, and it’s the Danes who come forward, Byskov tests Sels from range, why not, the shot skidding along the surface saved but with panic as the big Belgian goalkeeper gets down and pushes around his posts, the following corner falls to the same player, this time Byskov crashes against the crossbar from the edge of the area. As the rain eases off, Anderson should do better when he cuts inside the opposition area to shoot straight at the keeper, but a killer blow for Forest at the other end, with ten minutes remaining a hopeful ball pumped into the box by Diao, has Aina is napping, Cho nips in, he heads down to a silence around the ground, the Midtjylland players are celebrating in front of the technical area, it's another huge scalp beside the Trent. The Stars I think Nottingham Forest have no more than nine really good footballers, a few not so good ones, and the rest are probably not good enough, in Murillo and Milenkovic they have the foundations of a good solid base, in Neco Williams they have an excellent full back who’s playing well, in Ola Aina they have an excellent full back, who’s playing badly, since injury without confidence, he looks like he needs an arm around his shoulder. Whilst Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White are head and shoulders the clubs best two players, I feel they offer a more solid base when Sangare is in the team, and whilst Nico Dominguez runs around a lot, the goal threat is minimal, Igor Jesus had a bad night, but he’s been asked to do a lot, alone, this season. For Midtjylland I heard one fan say after “why have we never gone in for Philip Billing” as he’s a player who always does well against Forest, a big unit who is a better footballer than given credit for, he was useful in both boxes and a constant irritant in the centre of the park snapping at Anderson and Gibbs-White. Mike Tullberg’s side look a well drilled set up, defensively I really like Ousmane Diao, just 21 years old, next to a big Croatian Martin Elic, whilst their skipper, a left sided defender Mads Bech Sorensen is gutsy, Swiss international Kevin Mbabu offers good athleticism down their right, Castillo and Bravo good legs in midfield, whilst both Byskov and Cho did well when they came on. The Verdict I still don’t think the tie is over, no Premier League side has ever beaten Midtjylland in Herning, so Forest will have to do something special to change that fact, but as they did against Fenerbahçe, they are well capable of doing something special, just not on a consistent basis. I personally fear that Forest are not too good to go down, and they have important league matches that might take priority next, but I wonder if they have the confidence and goal threat to beat Premier League opponents, they certainly however, should be beating inferior Danish opposition. Midtjylland do have something though, inner belief, power, height advantage, a good blend of squad, probably down to good recruitment and good coaching, something which is most certainly an advantage over Forest right now. The Teams Nottingham Forest: Matz Sels, Jair Cunha (Nikola Milenkovic 9), Murillo, Morato (Neco Williams 46), Ola Aina (Dilane Bakwa 82), Elliot Anderson, Nico Dominguez (Ibrahim Sangare 69), Callum Hudson-Odoi, Omari Hutchinson, Morgan Gibbs-White, Igor Jesus (Lorenzo Lucca 69). Midtjylland: Elias Olafsson, Ousmane Diao, Martin Erlic, Mads Bech Sorensen, Kevin Mbabu (Lee Han-Beom 59), Denil Castillo (Valdemar Byskov 46), Philip Billing, Pedro Bravo, Victor Bak, Junior Brumado (Cho Gue-Sung 57), Aral Simsir (Mikael Uhre 57). 8:00pm Kick Off. Thursday 12th March 2026, City Ground, Nottingham (att 29,502).

Leamington 0-1 Buxton (National League North) The start of a busy week as I head to Denmark for a Europa League match between Midtjylland and Forest on Thursday, before games at Braintree and Leicester over the weekend, I'm off to Boston then Morecambe next week before covering two Scottish international matches north of the border, the silly season is here as football compresses into the final few months where the business end separates the men (and women) from the boys (and girls). Leamington have a new Manager. Scott Easterlow joins from Racing Club Warwick who are doing ok in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division, in his first game in charge the Brakes lost 1-0 at Darlington at the weekend, he joins with a long term plan that will very much be about getting his new team back up to this level next season, cut adrift at the bottom of the table it looks very much like Leamington will be going down. Buxton are sitting pretty in mid table and a win tonight can take them to within two more victories of a playoff place, under John McGrath since 2024 they have become a staple at the level in their fourth season in National North, the odds are with them to be playing a fifth campaign in a row next term but if they do go up, somehow, with a late push, it'll be the highest run on the ladder they have ever been. It's a good hour or so drive to Leamington's ground on Harbury Lane in Warwickshire, but I've had to drop the dog off north of the river and I'm now stuck in traffic on the M1. After leaving at 5pm I finally reach the M69 by 6pm where thankfully it's clear, taking the South Coventry ring road and Oxford Road through Princethorpe past their rather posh looking private school and up the Fosse Way where I spot some digging not for bones, but for the new HS2 line (coming soon). The Venue I've arrived a good hour ahead of kick off, tonight's game is 'pay what you like' with free parking and of course it's St Patrick's Day with four Guinness for £20 also offered, so a big crowd is expected, I'm glad to beat the rush as I head through the gates of this quaint little countryside retreat before heading to the clubs brilliant programme selling hut, I've brought some spare change with me tonight but the main man is not in, so nobody knows the prices of anything that's not already listed. I take a shine to a book written by Brian Glanville in 1959 describing international football back then, he calls Argentina 'Argentine' and mentions about Spain not playing in the 1938 World Cup due to their civil war. The shop is brilliant, not just filled to its small rafters with non league programmes, it has second hand books on football grounds and facts, it has a Roy of the Rovers and a Shoot annual from the seventies, some Rothmans Year Books and other who's who guides, there's even a hard cover coaching manual written in the 1970s with Glenn Hoddle sharing tips on volleying, Dennis Tueart explaining how to shield the ball, there's even a section on Graham Taylor going long. I can't decide what to buy so tell tonight's shopkeeper I'm off for a coffee for a think, but by now there's a queue at the kiosk, so instead I head straight for my seat to get ready for the game. I've said it before but it's a lovely ground, just sat awkwardly on the edge of town not near anything else, it's modern and built up from the noughties, but has character with metal stands that all look different, it is small and intimate and feels friendly, although the crowd can still get close to the pitch and jeer opponents, some stood up by the barriers with beer as most of the limited seating is taken tonight. The Game It's my first viewing of the Bucks this season, I was recently here when Leamington played Merthyr when a fight broke out recently, but with a new manager bounce I'm expecting tonight to be competitive, and Scott Easterlow is presented to the crowd ahead of the game, receiving a warm applause as he heads to the dugout alone, one solitary fan besides me shouting "Go on Scotty Son" as Scott looks back and waves. I wonder if the bounce has worked at all just a few minutes into the game, Buxton have started dominantly with their trio of technical attacking talent in tandem plus one, Johnny Johnston, Cian Coleman, Luke Brennan, all talented stylish footballers, all combining to inflict early misery on Leamington, the yellow shirts can't get the ball out from their own box, by minute eight, Johnston runs down the right, crosses low for Brennan and he taps in, more than deserved, will this now open the floodgates? I'm expecting five or six here as Buxton look up for it, tormenting in attack, technical in midfield, they seem to be scratching around a bit in defence with the dreadlocked Kieran Burton playing left back, he's usually decent in a more central position, the away fans are singing about his attractiveness and how they would allow him to sleep with their wives, but despite the joys of the early goal the pressure eases, Buxton step off the gas and Leamington come more into the match, troubling Young from range when Williams shoots low and inches wide. It's a good game, well contested, but not a classic, Adam Walker, sleeves rolled up, shirt tucked into his shorts, he's been brilliant in the home team midfield but they don't have a lot ahead of him, the plucky Owen Farmer is keen to impress on the left of attack but goals have been their problem this year, just 27 in total scored. The Score At half time it's a slender lead on paper but there's a decent gulf between the two, Leamington are gutsy and committed, Buxton without playing well, just have better players in their team. The Bucks even have the luxury of bringing on a Liverpool loanee, Josh Davidson comes on at half time for his debut and instantly runs around like a mad man, he's already cut holes in the back of the socks which might be ok at Mellwood, but at little old Buxton that will certainly piss off the kitman. Davidson smashes into an opponent to earn an early booking and looks lively down the right side, bombing forward, but it's another young defender I'm really impressed with tonight, Max Bardell signed from Derby County in the summer, he's brilliant, commanding, winning every header, showing authority and composure for one so young. That authority is lacking in the Leamington line up, Walker aside, perhaps Dan Meredith at right back gives it in doses, but not many else sparks enthusiasm, every time the ball goes near Will Glennon at centre half I'm nervous, I'm not all that confident in Theo Streete besides him? But the home team keep plugging away, they have given themselves and their supporters a real charge in the second half, often lumping balls in to the Buxton box for them only to be cleared away, it's a gallant effort but in the end, like on Saturday, that goal eludes them, more bookings than shots on target from this one, Bucks Manager John McGrath will certainly be relieved to take the three points, whilst Scott Easterlow should take pride in performance despite defeat. The Stars My man of the match by a mile is the 23 year old blonde haired defender Max Bardell who looks competent to kick on to bigger and better things than already playing his home games at the highest ground in England, it wasn't a great night for talent spotting Buxton players who include some usually fine footballers, Connor Kirby quiet in midfield, their forward line always a threat, if not having that much of an overly productive night. Johnny Johnston is a little old-skool winger who runs directly with pace out right, Luke Brennan a more cultured larger left sider is neat with a trick and likes to cut in, Cian Coleman with ten on his back, doing ten things, looking pretty combining with those in front. For Leamington, their number ten Ewan Williams did ok and had a couple of sniffs from range, Owen Farmer on the left grafted until the end, their most productive forward player however was their 35-year-old centre midfielder Adam Walker, he had a brilliant game, always available for a pass, always putting the ball in good areas, carving and creating, he was as busy as anyone, unfortunately he couldn't do it all alone. Dan Meredith again impressed out at right back, a swashbuckling defender who does everything at 100 miles an hour, he took a late booking for smashing into an opponent which sparked a few handbags, but often got forward well, and he whips a dangerous right footed ball in too. Ben Blythe on the left side of defence also doing well, he's a centre back on loan from Spalding United, he gave his all and looked a robust young defender. The Verdict Leamington simply don't have the fire power and their relegation announcement is only a matter of time, and time is now needed for their new Manager, a good pre-season and his own DNA added this summer, let's then judge if they are good enough to bounce back and reach this level again. Buxton are one of those teams who I feel can beat anyone on their day, they can probably lose to anyone too, which is why they are sat mid table, but they have some good footballers, they always seem to attract good players, and they will keep doing Buxton things, sitting pretty high on their hill in the Peaks, I just wonder, is National North, about as high as they can go? The Teams Leamington: Eddie Brearey, Dan Meredith, Theo Streete, Will Glennon, Ben Blythe, Adam Walker, Ewan Williams, Miro Pais (Frank Tattum 63), Joe Clarke (Max Brogan 73), Owen Farmer, Eric Yahaya (Tim Berridge 72). Buxton: Joe Young, Will Trueman (Josh Davidson 46), George Ward, Kieran Burton, Johnny Johnston (Deniche Hill 90), Connor Kirby, Cian Coleman, Luke Brennan, Ashton Mee, Max Bardell, Connor Douglas (Joey Dawson 78). 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 17th March 2026, New Windmill Ground, Leamington Spa (att 602).

Alfreton Town 0-2 Peterborough Sports  (National League North) The games are coming thick and fast as we reach the business end of the season and perhaps under the grand scheme this is the most important non-league match I’ve covered so far in 2026, both Alfreton Town and Peterborough Sports are battling for their lives in the National League North relegation zone and should either lose ground on those above today, it’ll heap pressure on their survival chances with little more than six weeks of the season left. Peterborough have actually shuffled their managerial cards since I last watched them, Phil Brown their well known former Premier League boss has decided to move upstairs, Sports in a horrific run of six straight defeats and no win in nine have turned to Michael Gash, a club stalwart who’s held the reigns before, but the Turbines come off a 4-0 loss at Kidderminster last time out, they have however signed Watford defender Ian Kamga on loan, perhaps he’ll help sure up their leaky defence. Alfreton are a place above, third bottom with four games in hand on second from bottom Peterborough but their form is marginally better, two wins, two losses and a draw in their last five, they got a valuable point at home to Radcliffe last time out with a late George Cantrill leveller, and I’m told they could have even stole it at the death, although it would have been a real smash and grab had they did. I’ve not seen Alfreton play all season but have been in touch with a couple of members of the club, I’m always willing them to do well as it’s a friendly place for us who frequent their media hospitality section, so I’m looking forward to my short long-awaited trip over the border to Derbyshire, I’m leaving at lunch after a leisurely Saturday morning, up the Nottingham ring road and towards the M1, although a traffic incident at junction 26 has me re-route across the A610 to Codnor before heading up towards Riddings and Somercotes towards the south of Alfreton where I turn left off the Nottingham Road down Pease Hill before pulling up on Brooke Avenue at the bottom of North Street, the road name home of Alfreton Town Football Club, recently known as the Impact Arena, now called the Solana Stadium. The Venue It’s changed its name as the club has a new owner who came in during the summer, apparently an American investor who’s into his crypto currency, which was what made him rich enough to buy into the Reds, his idea is to run a budget type Wrexham story by the sounds, he’s upgraded his media personnel with videos that go fly on the wall and has even took a fan vote on what beer the clubhouse should provide, but as I walk up in sunshine towards the old ground, it all looks the same as before, a traditional football home in the midst of plenty of semi-detached houses, quaint and classical, a chalk board standing up beside a cone on the corner of the ground entrance with the words £5 parking written. The Peterborough Sports team bus is in the car park, it has a lovely logo of the clubs new emblem on its back window, as a few of their suited hierarchy gather outside the clubhouse, the supporters club sitting outside of the actual ground, as I walk through a small door which says reception, besides the turnstiles, where I’m let through by a cheerful lady with a clipboard. “It’s always sunny here” I say as I enter in the stadiums corner, grass fluffy, pitch slightly sloped, only a few staff inside as I take a photo of the corner flag which I’m stood near, a single old boy sits down besides his decorators table which is full of pin badges for sale. I’m off to the media seating where there’s a few old faces gathered, Liam is here who’s the club’s tweeter, I’m offered tea, and cake, as I always am, I stick £2 in the coffee kitty, “That’s too much” I’m told, “where else will I get tea and cake from for just £2” I say. Standing level on half way but slightly elevated in the low roof stand where the media seats are situated, you get a great compressed view, but the sun is in your eyes, it’s a lovely spring day, the pitch in half decent nick following a couple of postponements recently, an open end to my left, a standing terrace that climbs up towards a roofed bank on my right, a small seated stand opposite with a scaffold built TV gantry that sits above, the chat is about “whoever wins will stay up” as we discuss the recent form of the two struggling teams, it all feels a bit like extra time and sudden death ahead of the inevitable penalty shootout. Whoever loses, they'll be tears. The Game There’s a guy from Reading sat to my right who’s been travelling the world watching tennis for his data analytical company, one to my left originally from Cyprus, who’s giving me a low down on the Cypriot second tier as he watches his team in action on his tablet, he also works for Derby County and has been casting an eye on Burton Albion this season, he tells me their stand out player has been Charlie Webster. Action is under way and when I was last here, Billy Heath had a nasty old side that went back to front very quickly, known for doing the ugly stuff, direct football, set plays and long throws, they tried to get away from that at the start of the season when a new guy came in, he lasted just a handful of games and Jake Buxton, the old Derby County defender who once had a spell on loan at Alfreton, he’s taken the reigns and has brought them back to blighty, it’s like I’ve never been away, as Alfreton lump it long, Max Hunt and Adam Lund are nasty niggling centre halves, George Cantrill my favourite Alfreton player, long hair, beard, socks rolled down his ankles, grafting in centre mid, battling away with his one man press, they even have a big lad up top, on loan from Rotherham, Josh Ayres looks a real nuisance, good touch, plenty of power, and in recent matches, an eye for goal. Peterborough are in terrible form, they look bright in a pink and purple number and have made changes today, I chatted to the Alfreton videographer before the game, “teams always change their line-ups against us” he frustratingly says, annoyed that his expected Turbines XI had the likes of Jez Davies and Sam McLintock in it, ball playing centre midfielders, but Sports like many others who come to Alfreton, mix it up in selection, go for size and experience, they try and stay solid with those more up for a battle than picking the technical kids, it’s testament to Alfreton Town Football Club that teams often do this when visiting North Street, they all expect a hard afternoon's work, and that’s what they all get, even if results, this season, haven’t gone the way that they usually would. There’s a few long throw-ins and Alfreton win a couple of corners, Lewis Salmon has an early chance tipped around the post, Max Hunt then hits the crossbar and Adam Lund heads inches wide, the home team have the better of the first half but not much really happens, other than some fans kicking off besides us when Kieron Freeman is booked for a deliberate foul on half way. The Score “Their bench has scarred me a little bit” says my tennis friend from Reading at half time, he’s not used to all this foul language directly blasted out in front of him, at Alfreton you are right on top of the away team dugout, which is brilliant for hearing every word said by the coaches, Michael Gash is mostly fine, but his assistant Charlie Tonks is constantly at it with the fourth official. “It’s football” I say, as we sit down for the second half, not much has happened bar someone calling someone else “a mong” and “an idiot” somewhere close by, “there’s been more action in the stands than on the pitch” I say to a Peterborough news reporter. But as Alfreton come out of the blocks with immediate intention to get a goal, they push players forward and a long ball by Stewart is picked up by Booth, he takes a touch and smashes home from the edge of the area, the lively forward has looked most likely Peterborough’s main threat of ammunition, and a regular goalscorer this season, he delivers a net buster that matters, to put the away side one up. From there on in it’s a scrap, but a bloody good game, as Alfreton knock on the door, time and time again, Bayley McCann has a shot saved whilst big Josh Ayres scuffs two opportunities, one from five yards out, he clears the crossbar when it looks easier to score, there’s persistence in pressure as Alfreton pump balls into the box, but lead brilliantly by on loan Watford centre half Ian Kamga, next to Anthony Stewart, the away side deal with most which comes at them, Peter Crook in goal isn’t forced into making too many saves of note, and in the final minutes another break, the ball falling to Luca Miller, who absolutely belts the ball as hard as can be, into the roof of the net, to spark off celebrations in front of us, an away win, that gives Peterborough Sports a National League North survival lifeline. The Stars Top of the pops, I thought tactically Michael Gash got his team spot on and I really like him as a young Manager, brought back in he was relinquished of the job he started, which I thought was done very well along with Luke Steele before Phil Brown got the job, the fact he stayed on at Peterborough during Brown’s spell shows what he means to the club, and what the club means to him, and if anyone can keep them up in the division, he can. Anthony Stewart and Ian Kamga were brilliant at centre half, Stewart hardly ever took more than one touch, playing percentages and getting rid at all costs often thumping the ball up and away into the clouds, whilst Kamga even played a couple of diagonals which I suppose only those still associated at Football League clubs would do, when on loan playing at the likes of Alfreton, he's very composed and reads the game well. Both solid and quick at centre half, if they play like that for the rest of the season they have a good chance of keeping afloat, by not conceding goals. I like their left back Connor Wood who’s gutsy, in midfield they brought on the silky duo of McLintock and Davies late on, but before that, Elliott Whitehouse and Dan Jarvis battled very well, Whitehouse on loan from Macclesfield looks a very savvy signing, Maliq Cadogan out on the left looked very quick and direct, whilst Kaine Felix on the right played well, he has a long throw for such a small frame, offering pace down both flanks, the difference on the day, which Peterborough had, which Alfreton didn’t. For Alfreton, despite the result I thought they played really well, and on another day might have scored three or four, they switched off after the break when conceding, and were hit late on when sending numbers forward, but centre halves Lund and Hunt battled well, Lund in particular is a really good player for the level, a threat in both boxes, and has that huge throw which is part of Alfreton’s DNA. In midfield George Cantrill never lets me down in effort, whilst despite the chances missed, Josh Ayres, on loan from Rotherham, looked a real big battering ram of a number nine, Luke Alker coming on off the bench, looked like he could play a bit, but the lack of pace is something that needs to be addressed, if Alfreton are to survive. The Verdict Despite sitting 23rd of 24 teams Alfreton Town still have 12 games to play, they have four games in hand on some above and are just six points adrift of Oxford City who are currently safe in 20th, I do perhaps think Alfreton will fall short, unless they can get a dramatic upturn in results, of which they would probably need a boost in personnel. Had they beat Peterborough they would have given themselves a great chance of getting out of this seasons mess unscathed, but the result dents confidence, whilst giving hope to the Turbines, who had they lost, would probably have been resigned to going down. Peterborough, have 36 points from 38 played with eight to go, they are three points below safety, but despite being above Alfreton, and despite winning against them, I feel they probably have just as much hard work to do, to survive. In the end, today might not have mattered at all, but last chance saloon, if Michael Gash can get this team to safety, they’ll probably build a statue, on Lincoln Road. The Teams Alfreton Town: Charlie Casper, Nathan Newall, Adam Lund, Max Hunt, Billy Fewster (Gerry McDonagh 62), George Cantrill, Josh Ayres, Lewis Salmon (Luke Alker 80), Bayley McCann (Sam Osborne 77), Sam Newell, Kieron Freeman. Peterborough Sports: Peter Crook, Kaine Felix (Shaun Jeffers 90), Dan Jarvis (Sam McLintock 64), Max Booth (Shaq Coulthirst 73), Ian Kamga, Luca Miller, Marcel Oakley, Maliq Cadogan, Connor Wood, Anthony Stewart. 3:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 14th March 2026, North Street, Alfreton (att 581).

Reading U21 1-4 Monaco U21 (Premier League International Cup Group Stages) Erik ten Hag has been sacked from Manchester United. No surprise, the big news of the day for me is that Ian Culverhouse has also left his post at Boston. I did the Pilgrims last home game last week and said by the time of my return to the Jakemans (which will be 9th Nov v Dagenham & Redbridge) that Culverhouse won't be in the dugout. Turns out I was right. Tonight it's U21 action as Reading take on Monaco in the Premier League International Cup, I always enjoy watching young new talent and am excited to see what Monaco in particular have to offer. The principality that gave us Henry, Trezeguet, Mbappe, Amoros, Petit, Thuram and many more, are as good a school of football as there is in Europe. Reading haven't been bad in recent years either, Michael Olise, Omar Richards, Alex McCarthy, Hal Robson-Kanu, Shane Long, Simon Cox all graduating from their Academy, the Royals punch above their weight taking the pick from a large catchment area across mainly Berkshire from London and the Chilterns to Wessex and the South Downs. I'm off at 3pm for this 7pm kick off, dropping the dog at the mother in law's and heading south down the M1 which comes to a standstill at Leicester whilst some idiot is talked out of jumping off a bridge. Back moving, eventually, I'm across the A43 past Silverstone to the M40 and along the Oxford Bypass before reaching the M4. The Venue The Select Car Leasing Stadium is just off junction 11. A modern facility in a modern part of town full of wide roads, warehouses and retail parks. It was built in 1998 by then Chairman John Madejski and is like any other built around the same time, bowl-like and some would say soulless, I could be sitting in Leicester City's King Power for me? It's very hard to tell the difference. But inside you get a good view and it feels when full, it can create a good noise, just under 25,000 it's homely and certainly better than it's current status hosting League One football. Much better (although some would disagree) than the old Elm Park too. The Game I know little about either team ahead of kick off so am intrigued to see how both set up and play. Reading are high line and don't particularly press which spells for trouble, Monaco comfortable on the ball in all areas, 4-3-3 with technical, talented footballers dropping in pockets, they're caught offside on a number of occasions before left back Platret breaks the lines, he plays a neat ball to Lucas Michal who slides to Tincres who cannot miss. A brilliant team goal. For all their possession, Monaco don't really look like adding to the tally in the first half. I'm impressed with their little and large centre half duo. Nibombe is very tall and reminds me of Antonio Rudiger of Real Madrid, Bery next to him is tiny, but he sprays it like Franz Beckenbauer, surely too short for centre half but what an array of passing he has. As we approach half time there's a bit of a scuffle when one or two handbags are thrown after a heavy challenge on a Monaco player in midfield, three yellow cards I count, are issued, it could easily have been more. The Score Reading come out guns blazing in the second half, they look decent, going at their opponents and giving them less time in possession. It's the best spell of the game from them as they put balls into the box and win a fair number of corners, but at the other end Monaco look good on the break, again the Royals high line fails and Michal races through, he's taken down by goalkeeper Boyce-Clarke, it looks to be outside the area but the Referee points to the spot. Baranik makes it two to really put the game to bed before Tincres finishes off another lovely move by dipping one over the keeper for his second with 12 to play. Reading do get a penalty themselves which is dispatched by Okine-Peters but Michal finishes things off late on with a low left footed shot that cannons in off the post. The Stars I really like Monaco who have a lot of technique and tenacity, right back Babai is tiny, talented, tenacious, left back Platret is full of running with real end product in the final third, wiry centre back Nibombe looks to have Premier League potential whilst Bery who played next to him, probably better suited as a holding midfielder due to his small size, is intelligent, calm, possessing a wonderful right foot, the best on show of the evening. In midfield I liked their no8 Baranik who reminded me a tad of João Moutinho, Bamba their number seven had good size and stature and did the ugly stuff well. Up front their star was the long blonde haired Bouabre who glided like an Olympic ice skater, looked golden like Beyonce, but what a talented boy he is aged just 18. For Reading, they had talent too, just not as technical as their opponents, their ability was more about their heart, desire and combative nature that's traditional with the English game. I liked their heart on sleeve skipper Michael Strickland who put a couple of big tackles in at centre half, Sam Harrison next to him looks to read the game well, whilst left winger Emmanuel Osho looked to be creative just lacking a bit of explosion to get away from his man. In midfield Wellens and Spencer did well. It was a quiet night though for Jeremiah Okine-Peters who scored four v Tottenham at the weekend, but he did at least get on the score sheet from the penalty spot. I expected more but against classy opponents he may have met his match. The Verdict Despite the result, Reading should be relatively happy with how they played against a bloody good side and this sort of game has been set up to help improve English youngsters, they'll learn from facing such smart and talented opponents. For Monaco, they'll no question continue to churn out world class potential and the big boys will always come knocking with the cash. Bouabre, Michal, Tincres, could easily become the next Henry, Trezeguet, Mbappe, it'll be exciting to see how some of these wonder-kids progress. The Teams Reading: Coniah Boyce-Clarke, Jacob Borgnis, Boyd Beacroft (Maddox McMillan 83), Shay Spencer, Michael Strickland, Sam Harrison, Emmanuel Osho (T'Shay St Louis 83), Charlie Wellens (Carter Bowdery 83), Jeremiah Okine-Peters, Lynford Sackey (Jack Senga-Ngoyi 67), Joe Barough (Kai Source 76). Monaco: Yanis Benchaouch, Nazim Babai, Aurelien Platret, Samuel Nibombe (Enzo Couto 83), Jules Bery, Mayssam Benama, Mohamed Bamba (Boubacar Dembaga 76), Florian Baranik (Pape Cabral 67), Joan Tincres, Saimon Bouabre (Amal Boura 76), Lucas Michal. 7:00pm Kick Off. Monday 28th October 2024, Madejski Stadium, Reading (att 1,500).

Cambridge United 1-0 West Bromwich Albion  (Friendly) The heatwave continues as we deepen into pre-season, just a week away from the Football League kick off and I’m off to Cambridge for a Friday night football feast between Garry Monk’s U’s and Carlos Corberan’s Baggies. Problem is, West Brom have a game at Birmingham tomorrow so tonight they’ll be bringing their kids. A chance to see the future however is not one to be passed up, I love an opportunity to unearth some new gems. West Brom came close to promotion last season, after finishing fifth in the Championship they lost in the playoffs to Southampton. Cambridge, eighteenth in League One, survived relegation by just four points. Garry Monk took over the role as Manager in March and has brought in some new players this summer already, Shane Lavery, James Gibbons, Korey Smith and Kelland Watts all starting tonight. The Venue I’m off at the A14 and through Cambridge town centre, driving over the Midsummer Common I notice a couple of decent looking Yacht clubs on the River Cam. The traffic is busy during Friday night rush hour, I’m driving down the Newmarket Road where I see the huge metal floodlights of the Abbey Stadium, I’ve google mapped Wadloe Road as my potential parking space which is a ten minute walk from the venue and near a McDonalds which I think would be a useful spot for some tea. Parking up, sun beaming down, it’s warm as I walk through the McDonald’s car park, inside it’s busy, too busy, kids everywhere and football fans now queuing at the touch screens to make their order, I have a quick wee and think sod it, as I noticed a kebab house opposite the stadium as I earlier drove past. Pipasha is the restaurant, a Bangladeshi with a take-away section and I’m impressed with the quality of food, even if the quantity for my £14 is a little tight, I’m eating a lamb & chicken doner kebab with ‘real’ grilled meat, washed down with an orange fanta as one West Brom fan chats to another about the troubles he’s had in finding somewhere to park. Fuelled and filled I’m over the road and queuing up for the turnstiles of the Main Stand, Abbey Stadium is quaintly located beside some large semi-detached homes, it’s old school but well kept, the Apexed roof Main Stand is the oldest of the four sides by far, the others low roofed, standing room only to the right and opposite where the away fans are kept, to the left a large seated stand which is 97% empty. I’m off for a cuppa and head to the back of the stand through the car park before returning to block B and the back row to fill out tonight's teams, sun shining, water sprinklers sprinkling, pitch perfect it’s a good view but for a post or two, you feel there can be some good football played on this lush wide surface, which perhaps wasn’t the case back in the day of Dion Dublin, Jon Beck and all. The Game The West Brom players are out on the pitch before Cambridge, the home team have entered the field by themselves, they line up by themselves too as the Baggies kids don’t seem to know the rules? They’re all ready for kick off as the Referees shake hands with the Cambridge players, but the two sides do circle around the centre for a minutes silence remembering former West Brom midfielder Craig Shakespeare who sadly died this week. I don’t know any of West Brom’s young players, why should I? But they start really well and right back Deago Nelson crosses to Modou Faal who impressively bullets a header into the corner of the Cambridge net for an opener, only to be ruled offside. That’s a moments scare for the home side who have all the experience in their favour, Faal is causing them problems up top, but their three man defensive line get to grips, often baiting him into fouls, it’s a niggly start and the U’s midfielder James Brophy puts a couple of big tackles in, in fact Shane Lavery does the same, they have one or two nasty buggers which at the level they’re at, can only be a compliment. With ten minutes clocked, Lavery has a shot well saved as I look down to take some notes, next second the goalkeeper has given the ball back to the striker before bringing him down inside the box, Lavery dispatches and Cambridge lead one-nil. The Score The first half is even but Cambridge look in control, that bit stronger and more manly than their younger opponents they seem to have that bit of experience and nous to keep them at bay. But the second half is a different matter, West Brom keep the ball well and have opportunities to level, Reyes Cleary the best of them, racing through unmarked to have a shot saved by Vincent Reyes. He should have scored. That’s the best moment of a pretty drab half of football, a pretty drab game in fact, Cambridge have a couple of sniffs themselves but rarely test their opponents goal enough, West Brom in the end content with losing 1-0, commendable, as the Referee blows just a few seconds past ninety. The Stars For Cambridge I like their back three, all solid competitors, Okedina on the right is tough in the tackle, Watts on the left is tough all around, Ibsen-Rossi is the elegant tall central defender who can play a bit, decent feet for a big lad. He looks like he has the guile and technique to play as a ten. In midfield they have a bit of nastiness with James Brophy who’s busy running around and dictating orders and equally as snappy up top is Shane Lavery who's chasing all causes, they’ll be a tough team to turnover this season, they can play a bit too. For West Brom, their tall number nine Modou Faal reminded me of a young John Fashanu, socks rolled down he’s slim, agile, technical, good with his back to goal, had a real fight with the Cambridge back line who really struggled during the sixty minutes he was on. Another player impressing was right back Deago Nelson just eighteen years old, he was tidy and composed and often came away from danger with the ball still at his feet, only slight in size but cultured in the way he did things with good pace and a nice right foot. The Verdict West Brom look to have some good quality and size in their young teams and a lot to be hopeful of, they have youngsters who can certainly hold their own against experienced Football League sides and one or two you hope will come through the system this season. Cambridge have experience in their squad and Manager Garry Monk has them, as you would imagine, well drilled. A solid looking shape, they can play in patches, can mix it in others, they’ll be a tough team to crack especially at home this season, I’ll predict they finish comfortably middle of the division and take some scalps along the way. The Teams Cambridge United: Vincent Reyes, Danny Andrew, Kelland Watts, James Brophy, Elias Kachunga, Sullay Kaikai, Korey Smith (Peter Holmes 46), Jubril Okedina, Zeno Ibsen-Rossi, Shane Lavery, James Gibbons. West Bromwich Albion: Joe Wildsmith (Tedd Cann 60), Deago Nelson, Caleb Taylor (Muhamed Diomande 46), Reece Hall (Souleman Mandry 60), Cole Deeming, Matt Richards, Kevin Mfuamba (Idrissa Dauda 60), Eseosa Sule (Adriel Walker 60), Fenton Heard (Devine Onyamachi 46), Akeel Higgins (Dan Chemeziri 81), Modou Faal (Reyes Cleary 60). 7:45pm Kick Off. Friday 2nd August 2024, Abbey Stadium, Cambridge (att 3,203).