Search this site

Barnsley 4-3 Derby County  (Friendly) The last time I was in Barnsley, One Show Presenter Jermaine Jenas was scoring for Nottingham Forest in a 4-1 thumping from Sean O’Driscoll’s side. A lot has changed since, but this is a proper football town. Why? Because you wouldn’t come here for any reason at all, unless you’re coming to watch football. Size-wise, the town is actually smaller than Mansfield, which is testament to the success the club has had in once, reaching the Premier League in 1997/98, but more frequently, playing second tier football in the English football league since election from the Midland League in 1898. These days the Tykes are in League One and have a new Manager at the helm in Darrell Clarke, last season they fell in the playoffs to Bolton, as tonight’s opponents Derby County gained promotion from the very same division. The Rams have former Rotherham boss Paul Warne at the helm these days, a two-time champion of the English elite, back in the seventies, they’re a long way off where they need to be and have lost against Chesterfield (4-0) and Shrewsbury Town (2-1) in the last week, which has caused some annoyance with fans. I’m out the door for five, up the M1 and coming off at what I was once told is the longest slip road in the country, Junction 37, within minutes I’m in Barnsley town centre and pulling up outside some terraced houses on Oakwell Lane, it’s a short walk through the car park to the stadium. The Venue Sat proudly on a hill as I walk through the huge grey tarmac car park, the stadium feels like a real centre of community to this small town, to the left terrace housing, to the right trees and wasteland, far in front is the clubs training ground which backs on to the stadium. I’m walking around to the East Stand, a huge stand built in 1993 and one that matches the two either end, large red seated stands all separate and classical looking, but the piece du resistance is the original West Stand, apex roofed like what you would see at a racecourse, stunning, gorgeous, old, propped up by posts, the tunnel in the centre could hardly fit a young Neil Redfearn through it (certainly not an old one). That thin narrow tunnel is no longer used, these days the players come out of the corner of the North Stand waved in by child flag bearers, but this place has real character, as my seat at the back of the stand allows me to view the town and hills in the distance, this venue often gets overlooked as great classical English football homes, but Oakwell is up there with one of the best for me. The Game It soon becomes apparent that neither side can defend. After a good start by Barnsley full backs Callum Styles and Corey O’Keefe they are too often exposed by Derby’s balls over the back-line, the Rams look organised and solid early doors but Conor Hourihane, on his Oakwell debut, against his old club, lets fly from 25 or more yards away, he trickles a daisy cutter low into the corner of the net, it travels an age before passing Vickers in the Rams goal, you can’t help feel he should have kept it out. At the other end Derby are looking dangerous down their right as Kane Wilson and Kaden Jackson often link up to similar wavelength, the latter crosses low to Yates who looks to be offside, the ball half cleared to the feet of Mendez-Laing who makes no mistake from the edge of the area to level up the scores ahead of half time. The Score Derby take an early lead in the second half with perhaps the goal of the game, Mendez-Laing bursting down the left is set free by Jerry Yates who sends the striker one on one, that cool, calm goal sparks a number of substitutions before Adam Phillips levels up at the other end, bundling the ball over the line after a harmless looking cross into the box. More subs lead perhaps to more confusion, Barnsley’s high fragile defensive line is again exposed out wide as they are done on the counter-attack, this time two subs combine for Derby, Barkhuizen set free down the left beats Goalkeeper Killip to the ball, he crosses into an empty area where James Collins is standing to nod into an equally empty net. That should be it, but Derby’s own fragile defence fails to see the game out, a minute later Kyran Lofthouse heads unmarked through the goalkeepers failed sprawling arms, then as Barnsley Manager Darrell Clarke decides not to replace injured winger Jalo Fabio, his ten men go find a winner, with one minute left Aidan Marsh heads home and inflicts another painful defeat to lower league opposition on the Rams this summer. The Stars For long periods Derby looked the better of the two teams and they have a real gem in young midfielder David Ozoh, who they have recently signed from Crystal Palace. Just nineteen, he was strong and solid in midfield, kept his positional shape well and his ball use sensible, Kane Wilson also impressing from right back whilst Nathanial Mendez-Laing was a niggly threat up top. Despite the win, Barnsley didn’t have too many stand out performers, Corey O’Keefe put a lovely whipped ball in from the right, but his defending wasn’t brilliant, Luca Connell or Adam Phillips perhaps the pick from midfield, Sam Cosgrove working hard up front without much service. The Verdict Derby look to have goals in them but they look to be flaky enough to concede just as many, they’ll play forward thinking direct football and will catch a few out with their slightly niggly nature and naughty tactical nuances from their Manager, whilst Barnsley should win more than they lose at the level, their defence against Championship attackers too often exposed, which they might get away with more in League One? Is Oakwell a stadium that you should chalk off? 100% it’s a fabulous true football home, not sure if there’s anything else to do in Barnsley? It’s certainly not a club where you would expect any Chinese or American tourists any time soon, that in itself probably makes it worth coming here, one for the football purists. The Teams Barnsley: Jackson Smith (Ben Killip 46), Corey O’Keeffe (Barry Cotter 58), Callum Styles, Mael De Gevigny (Kacper Lopata 71), Marc Roberts (Conor McCarthy 71), Josh Earl (Aidan Marsh 71), Luca Connell (Matty Craig 58), Conor Hourihane (Jon Russell 58), Adam Phillips, Max Watters (Kyran Lofthouse 71), Sam Cosgrove (Jalo Fabio 46). Derby County: Josh Vickers, Kane Wilson (Ryan Nyambe 60), David Ozoh (Liam Thompson 60), Sonny Bradley (Corey Blackett-Taylor 60), Eiran Cashin (Ben Osborn 60), Jerry Yates, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (James Collins 60), Kenzo Goudmijn (Dajuane Brown 60), Kayden Jackson (Tom Barkhuizen 60), Callum Elder (Craig Forsyth 60), Ebou Adams. 7:45pm Kick Off. Wednesday 31st July 2024, Oakwell, Barnsley (att 3,138).

Hull City 2-2 Fiorentina  (Friendly) It’s forty degrees outside. Bloody hot, but we shouldn’t complain as summer has finally started it feels, long due after a pretty underwhelming June and early July. Tonight, I’m back in Hull as they take on Fiorentina in a pre-season friendly at the MKM Stadium, the Italian Giants yet to win on their mini tour of England having played Bolton Wanderers (1-1) and Preston North End (1-2) as they warm up ahead of their 2024/25 Serie A campaign. La Viola  are one of my favourite teams having been an avid fan of Serie A in the 80’s and 90’s… Rui Costa, of course Batistuta, Luis Oliveira, Enrico Chiesa, Dunga, Berti, Di Chiara and some bloke called Baggio all fondly remembered in those all purple shirts, shorts and socks often via my portable bedroom JVC colour TV and through monthly magazines of Channel 4’s Gazzetta, back in the day. Hull City’s past players aren’t quite so extravagant although they did flirt with sexy stars when they signed the likes of Geovanni, Jay-Jay Okocha and Bernard Mendy during some lofty years that reached Premier League heights between 2008-10. I much better associate the Tigers with Match and Shoot posters of Dean Windass, Duane Darby and Billy Whitehurst, true working class heroes who were more your spit and sawdust type footballer to your elegant brand of sophistication in names, nature and birthplace. The Venue I’ve made it over the Humber Bridge and I’m on Boothferry Road, it seems to be a golden mile of pubs and takeaways which starts at the Fiveways Boozer, a good healthy walking distance from the ground. There’s the Three Tuns, the Silver Cod, the Malt Shovel, the Albert and New Griffin before you get to Parkers on the corner of Walton Street and Anlaby Road, that’s where you cross into the West Park and walk the leafy last few yards to the stadium itself, a beautiful modern structure, it feels friendly around here, people are nice and quite relaxed, a steward says ‘alreet’ as I scan my mobile ticket on the zapper for entrance via the turnstile, up a few steps, not many, and inside the stadium, still early there’s plenty of room, it’s arena-like, modern, bowl shaped, a great view regardless of your seat, those that remember the old Boothferry Park ground, will say it’s ‘chalk n cheese’. The Game Fiorentina are classy, they’ve reached back-to-back Europa finals and their experience and quality shows, with 99 on his back you can’t get the ball off Christian Kouame, he’s bossing the midfield with a turn of skill, some technique and a trick or two. The away side control the pace at their own leisurely Italian manor, often playing between their back five which involves the goalkeeper, often beating the press and breaking, stretching the Hull back line and they’ve had a couple of sniffs already, chipping balls into striker Moise Kean who’s headers cause panic, he’s won all his aerial duels against Hull’s six foot plus central defenders. After some prodding and probing, Kean this time with the ball at his feet looks to have ran it out of play, his clumsy size elevens big enough to wrap around the sphere and stop it going out for a gaol kick, he stands one up for Dodo at the back post who arrives late, Hull are fuming, linesman’s flag failed to be raised, la Viola one up to a chorus of boos. The Score That’s how it stays until the break and early into the second half Fiorentina double their advantage when Dodo repays the favour to Kean, he chips into the box for the big number twenty to head home emphatically, he’s been a handful all night, it’s just what Raffaele Pallardino’s side deserve. But typically Italian in philosophy, Fiorentina aren’t interested in winning friendlies, they’ve been much the better team tonight and are trotting at a canter towards the finish line, but Pallardino makes two subs in particular, replacing best players on the night Dodo and Ranieri, within a minute Hull force a free kick on the edge of the box, Omur curls home and suddenly the home team peckers are up. As the Tigers press, Ryan Longman manages to creep one home with less than ten remaining, Hull’s resurgence buoyed by Fiorentina’s subs, but in their credit, they don’t stop and are typically British in the way they harass and push for even a third which eludes them ahead of the full time whistle. The Stars Fiorentina are classy, and classier than most is left sided defender Ranieri who looks like that stereotypical suave Italian in the classical mould of Maldini, Baresi, Nesta, Cannavaro. I liken him more to a left footed Christian Pannucci, a player who looks like a classic old fashioned full back, who doesn’t venture forward, but knows how to defend expertly, he played centre half but in his own little pocket to the left, picking up the ball with time and composure and casually intercepting danger in all too natural notion. The old Teddy Sheringham yard of pace in his head syndrome. Christian Kouame was another player who stood out, silky smooth he’s now 26 but a proper athlete of Ivorian ancestry, good engine, had a bit of swagger with skill, but strong as an ox in the centre of the park, Hull just couldn’t get the ball off him. Another player impressing was Croatia defender Marin Pongracic, recently signed from Lecce, he looks to fill the void left by Nikola Milenkovic who has recently left for Nottingham Forest, Dodo at right back brilliant going forward with an engine like a Mazda, Biraghi at left back solid and dependable more your uninspiring Volvo, Kean up top looks to have filled out and this could be a year when he starts to fulfil some of his undeniable potential. Think Alfa Romeo and all it’s problems, there’s something unique under the bonnet. Hull City will be happy with their new goalkeeper who is probably one the clubs best players in possession, which doesn’t say a lot about what I think of them this season, but local(ish) lad Matty Jacob, Barnsley born but Academy bred, did well in a gutsy, tiresome performance from left back, Abdulkadir Omur shown what he can do from a set play, he’s neat with a trick when on the ball too, Regan Slater was as busy as he was at the weekend in midfield, the players are certainly willing to put a shift in for their new Manager Tim Walter. The Verdict Whether a shift will be enough for Hull this season is another question? I think they lack creation from their outgoings of last season (Delap, Greaves, Philogene to name three attacking forces who exit) and probably aren’t that solid defensively either? A tough campaign awaits perhaps? Unless they make some signings soon? Fiorentina look in good shape to improve on last seasons achievements in finishing eighth, reaching the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia and losing in the final of the Europa Conference League to Olympiacos, they have been savvy in the market with the arrivals of Kean and Pongracic, another couple of additions and they could be close to silverware. The Teams Hull City: Ivor Pandur, Cody Dramah (Brandon Fleming 80), Alfie Jones, Sean McLoughlin, Matty Jacob, Jean Seri (Ryan Longman 46), Regan Slater, Xavier Simons, Abdulkadir Omur, Oscar Estupinian, Ryan Giles. Fiorentina: Pietro Terracciano, Dodo (Fabiano Parisi 70), Cristiano Biraghi, Marin Pongracic (Leonardo Baroncelli 83), Josip Brekalo (Jonathan Ikone 63), Luca Ranieri (Pietro Camuzzo 70), Moise Kean, Michael Kayode, Rolando Mandragora, Antonin Barak (Alessandro Bianco 83), Christian Kouame (Maat Caprini 83). 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 30th July 2024, Hull City Stadium, Kingston upon Hull (att 5,455).

Hull City 1-0 Barnsley (Friendly) It’s been pissing down all day. I’m on dog duty waiting for the wife to get back from Leeds for 5pm so I can head up north to the East Riding town of Kingston-Upon-Hull, a couple of hours drive it’s the Tigers v Tykes tonight, Championship side Hull City take on their Yorkshire rivals Barnsley of League One in a pre-season friendly. Hull finished clear of safety last season in fifteenth after former player Liam Rosenior took over to steady a sinking ship left by Shota Arveladze in November, they ended the season losing just two of their last twelve games, but it seemed they couldn’t turn draws to wins, the Tigers drawing sixteen times in all last season, only Luton and Rotherham achieved more spoils shared. For Barnsley, they were agonisingly beaten by Sheffield Wednesday in the playoff final at Wembley. A last-minute Josh Windass goal in extra time concealing the Tykes to another year in League One after Adam Phillips was harshly sent off halfway through that game, they finished fourth in the table and will be confident that under Neill Collins they’ll be there or thereabouts again come May. She’s back, it’s 5:10pm, but better late than never, a quick kiss on the cheek and I’m straight out the door, down the A52 and A46 towards Lincoln where I get up to some speed as I aim to make up for some lost time. Sat nav says I’ll be there by 7:15pm but I’m in no mood to hang around, the dual carriageway is empty and I’ve a full tank (for now) of petrol, the rain has stopped the sun is out and I’m listening to Bolton fan Paddy McGuinness on TalkSport who calls up an old friend in Sam Allardyce to talk about the good old days of Jay Jay Okocha et al . By the time I’ve hit the A15 I’ve already got the predicted ETA down to 6:58pm as I pass a couple of protesters with placards saying ‘Save RAF Scampton’, the drive down these quiet roman roads of rural East England more pleasant than last week’s tedious long attempts down the packed M5 & M40, I’m on the M180 for a junction before back onto the A15 and the approach to the beautiful Humber Bridge, my first ever crossing in fact. I’m in awe of its magnitude as I head towards the huge structure and cross over the wide Humber Estuary high up as the sun shines on the water glistening in one of my eyes as I look left but keep two hands nervously on the wheel. The road seems higher up than the sidewalk below and it wouldn’t take much to drop off the edge, I’m sticking to 50mph in the right-hand lane before reaching the toll booth where I’m charged £1.50 to cross. The Venue It’s still a bit of a drive to Hull City’s MKM Stadium, down the A63 running back parallel with the river towards the city centre in the east before turning left onto Ferensway and then Anlaby Road. It’s leafy as I turn right at ‘The Old Tram Station’ onto Walton Street where there’s a huge car park which I enter £5 a car ‘cash’. The short walk-through West Park is idyllic and serene before reaching the stadium, following the fans quietly chatting in amber and black replica tops, the back of the ground appears white panelled, looking like a huge modern leisure centre, I’m walking around behind the bland backdrop to the Chris Chilton Stand ahead of asking a steward if I’m going the right way. “Any of these turnstiles” he says as I scan my phone barcode and enter through the electric barriers, up the short number of stairs to the concourse where I grab a quick wee and a Lion Bar washed down with a paper cup of Yorkshire Tea. The concourse is wide and the attendance is sparse, a lower league opposition friendly won’t attract many tonight, but those who have come, have brought their kids, a real family feel in these parts, pleasantries in the air and not an ounce of animosity or trouble, just time with the loved ones to watch the game they love, just how it should be. Tea cup in hand I walk out to the stand entrance and I’m impressed with what I see… My first time here and the stadium is beautiful internally, much better inside than out, the pitch green with darker green markings covering up the white lines used for rugby matches, the stand opposite arch roofed and two tiered, the rest of the ground sweeping around, bowl like with black and white seating the stand to the right bearing the words ‘Hull’ etched into the plastic in sloping italic font. I’m up at the back of the stand with a fantastic view, two electronic scoreboards behind each goal, the tannoy music is pleasingly set really low, the sun brightening up the playing surface as the two sets of players casually warm up with a few stretches. The Game By now the stadiums well under a quarter full as the two teams walk out, Hull lining up in amber and black stripe fronted shirts but their back is completely black, as are their shorts and socks, Barnsley in Real Madrid all white, red numbers on their behind as the Tigers fans sing along to Elvis Pressley’s ‘Can’t help falling in love’ for kickoff. The Yorkshire Galactico’s start well, they keep the ball and out pass their hosts slowly playing out from the back with some good one and two touch stuff, I’m trying to spot the Referee as a break of play allows him to swap shirts, his black top clashing with that of Hull’s kit, he’s now in sky blue and much easier to see. It all has real expectable friendly pace, neither side pressing much but Hull slowly begin to pick up their performance, I like their simplicity of style, 4-4-2, they get it wide to their wingers and quickly, two target men up top who they try and deliver crosses into, nothing too fancy, nothing too overcomplicated. Quicker into their stride Barnsley have a couple of sniffs early on, the round chested James Norwood lets fly from the edge of the area brilliantly tipped around the posts by Ingram, he’d earlier tried to catch the goalkeeper off his line with a cheeky long-range effort. Hull gain a foothold though, and in particular through right back Lewis Coyle and centre midfielder Ryan Woods who start to dictate the pace with regular smart interchange of passes, their roles to get it to wingers Will Jarvis and Ryan Longman as quickly as possible, on 32 Longman is sent away down the right, crossing low to Jarvis at the back post who taps home the opener. The Score Hull end the half the better team and might have added to their advantage, Oscar Estupinian, awkward and gangly up top, heads over an effort that flicks off the top of the crossbar. At half time Barnsley change a significant number of players but Hull stay the same, the pace slows to pedestrian levels but the better side by now are the home team, ever encouraging is their speed to seek out their wingers who look to cause trouble to the opposition full backs. Tykes sub Fabio Jalo tests Matt Ingram from a free kick but it’s the best that Barnsley have to offer, the Tigers do make eleven changes with fifteen minutes remaining but that only increases their intensity, the blonde haired Harry Vaughan who I last watched a year ago playing for Republic of Ireland under 19’s very busy, very bright, very bubbly, unlucky not to have assisted Manchester City loanee Liam Delap for a goal late on, he should have done better to see a close range effort blocked by Jack Shepherd when it looked easier to score. The Stars The wingers of Hull City stood out for their pace and direct approach, Will Jarvis lightening down the left and Ryan Longman a constant thorn down the right, late on Harry Vaughan shown just as much technical ability and buzz as those two, the Hull way this season very much looks like getting it wide, the old fashioned way, the way that Liam Rosenior wants them to play, I just hope it doesn't become too predictable. At right back, skipper Lewis Coyle was exceptional and I liked the look of Ryan Woods in midfield and Andy Smith at centre back who both kept things simple and did their jobs well, whilst I was expecting to be seeing really good things from striker Oscar Estupinian I was largely disappointed. Yes, you can see how he scores goals but much of his approach play has a lot to be desired. For Barnsley, down the left in the first half Nicolas Cadden looked decent whilst against his old club Herbie Kane ticked things along in midfield, in the second half youngster Jean Claude Makiesi looked busy but the side were largely a level below what I found Hull to be. The Verdict I’ll be interested to see how Hull kick on from last seasons improvements and I certainly see enough to suggest they can be a danger to most teams in the division next season. Whilst anything in the Championship is a guess between 1st and 24th I certainly see hope that they can at least trouble the top six, whilst Barnsley are orgainised, solid, well drilled and will out play most of their opponents in League One, they’ll have a sniff at going up if they get off to a good start which will undoubtedly build confidence levels higher after their playoff exit in May. The Teams Hull City: Matt Ingram (Thimothee Lo-Tutala 75), Lewis Coyle (Cyrus Christie 75), Sean McLoughlin (Jacob Greaves 75), George Cox (Brandon Fleming 75), Ryan Woods (Jean-Michel Seri 75), Ryan Longman (Allahyar Sayyadmanesh 75), Oscar Estupinian (Liam Delap 75), Xavier Simons (Regan Slater 75), Andy Smith (Alfie Jones 75), Benjamin Tetteh (Ozan Tufan 75), Will Jarvis (Harry Vaughan 75). Barnsley: Ben Kilip, Kacper Lopata (Fabio Jalo 46), Liam Kitching (Jack Shepherd 46), Nicholas Cadden (Alex Joof 46), Herbie Kane (Aidan Marsh 46), James Norwood (Charlie Winfield 46), Oli Shaw (Theo Chapman 46), Barry Cotter (Trialist 46), Nathan James (Hayden Pickard 83), Adam Phillips (Trialist 46), Luca Connell (Jean Claude Makiesi 46). 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 18th July 2022, Hull City Stadium, Kingston upon Hull (att 4,548).

Bognor Regis Town 1-1 Portsmouth (Friendly) God help my motor who’s asked to clock up another 400 plus miles on a Tuesday night after HQ decided ‘not’ to give me Retford United v Mansfield Town or Alfreton v Burton Albion to instead, send me to the Sussex seaside resort of Bognor. The last time I was here was the 1992 Easter Festival of Football where I set up the winner (now known as assisted) against Glossop North-East before watching Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest in the Rumbelows Cup Final aired on the big projector at Butlins. We had earlier beaten Epsom Dodgers but lost to Barking Colts a day later to miss out on a place in the final, no shame in that, Barking were a good side and had some decent lads in their team. Funny enough, Portsmouth were also on the Butlins big screen that bank-holiday weekend, losing on penalties on Monday night football in the FA Cup semi-final replay against Liverpool. They had a great side back then, managed by Jim Smith with players like Darren Anderton, Guy Whittingham, John Beresford and Martin Kuhl. Pompey famously, eventually went on to win the competition in 2008, under Harry Redknapp when money was seemingly no object, they beat Cardiff City with a star-studded side that included matchwinner Kanu, alongside Sol Campbell, David James, Lassana Diarra and Niko Kranjcar amongst others. Since those glory days of eleven seasons stationed in the second tier (admiring the likes of Robert Prosinecki and Paul Merson) before seven years of Premier League football, some silverware and a few great European nights too (including a thrilling unforgettable match with Milan at Fratton Park), Portsmouth have fallen from grace but now look to be at last heading in the right direction again, under John Mousinho, a former Burton Albion centre half in his first managerial role. Portsmouth finished eighth in League One last season and there’s an air of optimism about this present bunch with ten new signings so far, striker Colby Bishop is one of the hottest stars in the division and finished 2022/23 as clubs top scorer and player of the season, he’s a Nottingham boy and little does ‘anyone’ know that I was part of the managerial side that gave him his first ever taste of men’s senior football, for Grantham Town, aged just sixteen he came on for us in a friendly against Linby Colliery Welfare in 2013, and even back then it was evident he would go on to much better things. Bognor Regis have a good relationship with Pompey and had a couple of players on loan from them last season. Separated by just a 40-minute A27 journey it’s a handy arrangement that works for both clubs, the piece du resistance is regular pre-season friendlies, last year the tie ending 1-1 at Nyewood Lane. It's little short of four hours to Bognor, I’m off down the A46 and M1 before crossing the M69 south of Coventry to the M40 hitting the Oxford & Newbury bypass at junction nine, the A34 to Winchester is long and leafy ahead of joining the busily traffic coned M3 to Southampton. It’s a long old drive, I’ve had a short stop off at Sutton Scotney services but the last leg is the M27 towards Portsmouth, a mini Dubai of sorts as I spot tall buildings on the seafront in the background, lots of water and nice looking boats as the motorway bridges to four lanes passing Portsbridge Creek and Chichester Harbour. I’ve finally made it, listening to a cracking interview on TalkSport as Boxer Steve Collins describes his wins over Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn in a wonderful era for British (& Irish) boxing in the 90’s, he said he took up boxing because he was rubbish at football, wanting to punch the lights out of all the lads who nicked the ball off him during his early school days growing up in Ireland. The Venue I’ve pulled up outside a Co Op on Hawthorn Road which is a ten minute walk to the ground. The odd Pompey fan getting out of their car, I walk slowly towards Nyewood Lane where I see a huge sign for Bognor Regis football and cricket clubs on a mesh fence in front of a field. It’s a nice-looking residential area, large green space with decent facilities for cricket, I walk past a bowls club and turn right as stewards are pointing people where to park, a long driveway towards the turnstiles where I’m given the choice to pay cash on the gate, pay by card or scan my prepaid ticket, which I of course, choose to do (I wouldn’t have driven 200 miles ticketless). On entrance in the corner of the ground it's modern looking, flat, spacious, pleasant, there’s a kiosk for programmes and a huge queue for drinks with lots of fans in blue shirts, I walk to the toilets before heading for my seat in the stand, walking down the side of the pitch behind the players dugouts to my right, the tunnel to my left under a green corrugated steel roofed stand. Five or six rows deep the press area is in the corner with wooden desks at impossible to use 90 degree angles, it’s a tight squeeze as I’m met by the Portsmouth match reporter and a guy from Radio Rocks who’s on the PA today. Looking around the place, filling up nicely, it’s a real pleasant venue, to my left a large new looking scoreboard lit up in green, low roofed terrace behind the goal, the opposite end has a quirky cantilevered roof above standing room only, across from me is another low roofed standing area with a TV gantry sitting high above, the pitch is flat, wide, spacious, in good nick, as the Pompey players come out and sign a few autographs for fans. The Game Colby Bishop hasn’t made the away team’s squad, he’s being rested for bigger and better things probably, but Portsmouth are strong, we get wind ahead of kick off that they’ll play two different teams in each half, Bognor are pretty much full strength with a couple of trialists on the bench. The start is slow and although the crowd is packed in the noise is low, no beef between these two teams you feel, suddenly to my left there’s a couple of fans kicking off behind the goal? “Probably Worthing fans” says the PA guy, Pete is ‘Mr Bognor’ with his pile up of club duties, he can’t do Rocks Radio today as there’s too many people in the press box and he’s also on PA duty, imagine breaking during commentary to fully announce “the owner of a car registration number” to the 3,000 inside the packed full arena? He's still providing running commentary for us in the stand though as he names every player before listing their previous five clubs, I’m disappointed to hear a couple of loanees have moved on since the last time I watched Bognor, centre half Cameron Black from Dorking has been since shipped out to Cray Wanderers on loan, Alfie Bridgman who was on loan from Portsmouth has since left to Eastbourne Borough, I'm impressed however with Tommy Lee Higgs who puts a shift in up top, and another new signing Lucas Pattenden who has some pace down the right. The Score Portsmouth are in no rush, I ask their media guy if they’ve played anyone else this summer, he says “they’ve just got back from a training camp in Marbella and beat some team from Gibraltar 1-0” Marlon Pack is in midfield and dictating the play from side to side, Sean Raggett at centre half is spraying balls around, Josh Dockerill looks lively down the right, linking up with the talented but tiny Tom Lowery, but Bognor are game, skipper Calvin Davies who apparently got booked sixteen times last season, is nibbling away, foul after foul, Sam De St Croix beside him in midfield working tirelessly, the best chances actually come from them, PA Pete is upbeat but says “the fitness will tell in the second half”. At half time Pompey stay out on the pitch as the first half eleven warms down, the second XI warm up, Bognor gather their thoughts under the stand as gaffer Robbie Blake is no doubt delighted with their efforts. A much changed eleven for John Mousinho’s men gives a few new signings a run out with a number of youngsters from the academy, Portsmouth are gifted a penalty when Terry Devlin has his heels softly taken away, Paddy Lane steps up and his softly taken spot kick is easily saved by Ryan Hall. The former Aldershot goalkeeper is called into action on a couple of occasions and stands up to the task well, at the other end Josh Oluyawemi shows powerful wrists to deny a couple of efforts from the Rocks. The game is in the balance, before the home side make a number of changes themselves, they bring on a couple of trialists and one of them gifts Portsmouth a late penalty as he brings down the lively Sam Folarin inside the box. This time second half skipper Joe Morrell stands up, a Welsh international of 36 caps, he makes no mistake, blasting it home in true captain like fashion. That should end the game in a comfortable workout for the League One side with a win over the plucky part-timers but late on Oluyawemi is called into action with another save which leads to a corner, the following set play headed home by the very trialist who gave away the second penalty, quite the night for him. The Stars The Pompey pros played in third gear and I’m sure there’s more to come from them as the weeks near the season start? The usual suspects, solid and dependable, Marlon Pack, Connor Ogilvie, Sean Raggett, Ryley Towler, standing out in the first half alongside youngsters Dockerill, Harry Jewitt-White and Koby Mottoh who all put a shift in. In the second half I really liked the look of left back Jack Sparkes who got to that by-line and curled crosses dangerously into the box whilst Sam Folarin was a real nuisance in attack, always on the end of things, he missed a few good opportunities, at one stage I blurted “he’s got to score eventually tonight”. For Bognor, they look a real good side, competent, organised, defensively they held their own with Kieran Douglas in particular solid at centre half, in midfield they played decent stuff in spells, often through the talented De St Croix who likes no more than a couple of touches tops, out wide Lucas Pattenden shows a good clean set of heals whilst Tommy Lee Higgs, not yet signed by Bognor, but apparently a player who lost confidence after being released by Southampton, aged 18, socks rolled down his ankles, with a point to prove, is more than good enough if chosen to lead the line next season by Robbie Blake. The Verdict Passing practice for Portsmouth and a chance for some of their new signings to familiarise themselves with their recently acquainted team-mates, plenty of dusting off from a good workout and probably a few beers in Spain last week, they’ll be fine this season, maybe even reaching the playoffs and getting back towards somewhere closer to where they feel they belong, a good young coach in Mousinho, they have a good young side and good feel about them, if getting up close and personal is anything to go by. For Bognor, they’ll do alright too, whilst ambition is solely to do just ‘that’… PA Pete tells me there’s a lot of teams with big budgets in the Isthmian League this coming season, and because of that, it’ll be hard to challenge at the top, but Bognor are a team that feels to me well organised, well managed, well supported, and those are three qualities that many clubs throwing cash around, might not particularly have. Don’t rule out a playoff push, and those dizzy heights of National League South football returning? In Robbie Blake we trust! The Teams Bognor Regis Town: Ryan Hall, Harvey Whyte (Tom Holland 73), Kieron Douglas (Trialist 73), Craig Robson (Danny Howick 73), Jude Mason, Lucas Pattenden (Trialist 73), Ben Anderson (Kyle O’Brien 54), Calvin Davies (Joe Briffa 66), Sam De St Croix (Josh McCormick 66), Tommy Lee Higgs (Isaac Olaniyan 54), Jasper Mather (Trialist 73). Portsmouth: Will Norris (Josh Oluwayemi 46), Josh Dockerill (Zak Swanson 46), Sean Raggett (Haji Mnoga 46), Ryley Towler (Conor Shaughnessy 46), Connor Ogilvie (Jack Sparkes 46), Tom Lowery (Terry Devlin 46), Marlon Pack (Joe Morrell 46), Harry Jewitt-White (Paddy Lane 46), Koby Mottoh (Sam Folarin 46), Anthony Scully (Denver Hume 46), Liam Vincent (Ben Stevenson 46). 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 11th July 2023, Nyewood Lane, Bognor Regis (att 2,500).

Notts County 1-5 Stoke City (Friendly) For the first time in my life, I’ve had the hayfever jab this year. £120 for a double dose back in late May and it seemed to be doing the trick, but it’s now starting to rub off… The nose is twitching the eyes are itching, didn’t help sat in the sun all day yesterday, watching the Blaze take on Northern Diamonds at Chesterfield’s stunning Queens Park in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy (if you ever get chance to watch cricket up there, do it). I’m up early on Saturday morning, me and the wife are walking a dog for a friend on holiday, so Bruce has some company as we head up to Rushcliffe Country Park before rumbles of thunder cut our journey short. Back home by 10am for a bacon and tomato baguette, I’m writing the squads down for today’s friendly between Notts and Stoke, two of the oldest professional football clubs around. The Potters finished sixteenth in the Championship last season and have strengthened this summer with a couple of new signings, Enda Stevens heads in from Sheffield United on a free whilst Paul Gallagher joins from Preston, he had a couple of seasons on loan at the Britannia/Bet365 stadium previously and is one of those Championship stalwarts, now aged 38, who’s remarkably been kicking around for years. Another familiar name to the cruiserweight tiers of English football is David McGoldrick. He’s re-joined his boyhood club just 35 years young after a decent season at Derby last year. The Magpies back in the football league after four years away, their race with Wrexham for the National League title last season one of the biggest stories in British football, Notts eventually holding their nerve to go through in the playoffs after the Welsh celeb backed billionaires pipped them to the title. It’s little over 3 miles from my house to Meadow Lane. I’m down the Melton Road over Trent Bridge and pulling up on Victoria Embankment in under ten minutes. A quick walk across the London Road and I’m through the turnstiles as Notts new tannoy system announces the ground is open at 1:30pm. The Venue Entering through the corner of the Derek Pavis Stand entrance I walk to the elevated A block exit where a steward is standing pitch side, setting my phone to landscape to take a picture of the beautiful playing surface he says “the pitch is recently laid, it looks magnificent doesn't it, I just hope they try and play football on it and don’t kick it long”. He tells me about Haydn Green who died in 2007, the man who the family stand is named after and about his allegiance to Notts, his story is of bailing the side out during uncertain times, his estate is the leaseholder for Meadow Lane which he purchased in 2003 to ensure that the ground will always be the Magpies home, that lease initially having 140 years to run and plenty still to go. As well as an immaculately laid pitch, the four stands all built during the early nineties, are in superb condition, it’s a ground well looked after, smart, simple looking, even height roofs above 20,000 black seats, two electronic scoreboards at each end and this new sound system which is belting out some classics from the likes of Kasabian and local hero/Notts fan and sponsor, Jake Bugg. The Game I’m up to my seat early, two thirds up near centre, I’ve purchased a cup of tea, PG tips and a kit-kat for just over £3. Fans are starting to arrive, a couple of kids with dads have plastic bags with the new 2023/24 shirt inside, one has even whipped his top off to put on his new acquisition, a blue with white v neck away number that looks very much like a retro Glasgow Rangers top, it seems to be quite popular as although launched yesterday, there’s plenty on show in the crowd. As an old boy tells me he’s moved down a few seats from last season because of a grumpy fella who sat behind him I tell him “good news is that he’s moved down a few too” he laughs “I bloody hope not”. I spot Turbo and Harvey ahead of kick off as they look for somewhere to sit, good friends of mine they know I’m working today, Turbs is an ex-Birmingham City and Swindon Town midfielder whilst Harv played locally for Bassingfield and Blacks Head, both have lads in the Academy at Notts. Small talk over and on with the game, I sit down to note that Notts start well and look confident, strutting their passing stuff all over the field and looking to play on the front foot, Matty Palmer and new signing Danny Crowley getting on the ball in midfield, homecoming hero McGoldrick looking a menace in attack, the only issue is, the back four is leaving huge holes behind them, their high line a risky tactic from Head Coach Luke Williams, especially as Stoke have pace in attack. That pace plays havoc to Notts sluggish backline as the away side time and time again get through, it takes sixteen minutes for them to break the deadlock when more City players line up in the Notts box than home team defenders, the ball eventually passed to Sparrow who has an easy finish. Moments later it’s two, a mistake by Mahovo at left back allows Emre Tezgel to capitalise, he nicks the ball and squares to Tyrese Campbell inside the area to slot his first of the game, his dad Kevin would have been proud of that one. Notts have a lot of the ball and plenty attacking opportunity but they don’t seem to learn? Picked off on the break a cross from the right is low to Campbell who slots home again from close range, the Stoke fans already singing “you must be shit, we’re winning away” before a couple of renditions of ‘Delilah’ and ‘Swing low’. The Magpies do pull one back as an error in the Potters defence allows Langstaff to have his only sniff of the match, which he takes, Campbell however is not to be outdone by the National League’s highest goalscorer last season, he makes it four with a hat-trick goal, firing in low with far too much space to run inside the box unchallenged. The Score It’s all done and dusted by half time, I move seats up to the much quieter top of the stand as I’m surrounded by fans and I can’t stop sneezing with my hayfever, the rain has been pouring down on the pitch, clattering on the roof, before short breaks of clarity, ahead of it starting all over again, a real downpour at times, good for the new grass I guess, not great for my runny nose. Stoke make eleven changes ahead of the second half but it doesn’t detract them for picking off Notts on the counter-attack again, the offside trap is certainly no George Graham’s Arsenal as the arms go up of Kyle Cameron for the umpteenth time, for the umpteenth time ignored by the linesman, this time D’Margio Wright-Phillips races through, another ‘dad’ & 'grandad' would be proud moment as the youngster slots home low into the left corner. That goal leads to ten changes from Notts, a completely different outfield for the final thirty minutes, and one that fairs much better, although that ‘high line’ concerns me, it is a friendly, they do have plenty of time to get it right, but they played this way last season and in the semi-finals of the playoffs in particular, it should have cost them from getting to Wembley and going up. The Stars No prizes for guessing my man of the match in Tyrese Campbell who cut in from that left wing to unleash three good strikes, he plays just like his dad, similar size, similar stature, good speed and a good knack of scoring goals. Defensively I really liked the look of Connor Taylor for Stoke and young seventeen-year-old Emre Tezgel who was busy in attack. Notts actually (in possession) played well and aside from their defence have plenty to be positive about, Matty Palmer was quality in midfield buzzing around and David McGoldrick looks like he can add a real battering ram with some added fire power up top, Macaulay Langstaff scores goals given a sniff and the likes of Aaron Nemane and Sam Austin can provide good creativity for their number nine from wide positions. One lad I did look out for was Madou Cisse who I know from Notts County’s Academy, from first watching him play he’s now grown up but not in size, at eighteen years old he holds the nickname ‘Kante’ for his likeness to the French world cup winner, diminutive and energetic he’s a workhorse midfielder but came on and did a job at right back, it’ll be interesting to see how his game progresses in years to come. The Verdict Cobwebs not entirely dusted off for Notts, at fulltime I walked down the stairs towards the exit where I saw my mate Turbo leaving the ground, he said the “5 or 6% more you get at the levels above does tell” a Notts fan all his life he continued “it’ll probably do the lads good, because now they know they’re not as good as they think they are, and they’ll have to improve defensively if they’re to have a good season in League Two.” For Stoke, it’s tough to say what that result means for them? Good signs from Alex Neill’s team that at least, they have some decent firepower on show, they will certainly take the positives from this performance, they look well organised, strong, quick, powerful, but then that’s nothing new for a Stoke team, who’ll be hoping that they’ll be challenging in the right half of the championship table next season, as opposed to the wrong half, which they ended up in last. The Teams Notts County: Aidan Stone, Lucien Mahovo (Brad McGregor 60), Kyle Cameron (Connell Rawlinson 60), Richard Brindley (Madou Cisse 60), Adam Chicksen (Jodi Jones 60), Aaron Nemane (Tobi Adebayo-Rowling 61), Matty Palmer (Will Randall 61), Geraldo Bajrami (John Bostock 61), David McGoldrick (Sam Austin 61), Danny Crowley (Jim O’Brien 60), Macaulay Langstaff (Luther Munakandafa 61). Stoke City: Jack Bonham (Nna Noekeu 46), Lewis Macari (Tom Edwards 46), Connor Taylor (David Okagbue 46), Ben Wilmot (Luke Bradley-Morgan 46), Josh Tymon (Liam McCarron 46), Matthew Baker (Ben Kershaw 46), Josh Laurent (Jack Griffiths 46), Tom Sparrow (William Smith 46), Emre Tezgel (Dara McGuinness 46), Jacob Brown (Kahrel Reddin 46), Tyrese Campbell (D’Margio Wright-Philiips 46). 3:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 8th July 2023, Meadow Lane, Nottingham (att 4,267).

Hitchin Town 0-3 Barnet (Friendly) Back in the day, July 1st meant back to pre-season, after putting the pounds on from your lad weekends in Ayia Napa & Magaluf, you were expected to be in pretty bad shape all hungover but bronzed “bring trainers only” was usually the cry for the return to training, but not these days, the era of fitness fanatics and football throughout the calendar year, clubs have been back two or three weeks already, and with that a game already, to embrace, as I cut into my cricketing campaign to spectate, a match between Hitchin Town and Barnet, a pre-season friendly that pits Southern League Central hosts, against newly promoted Football League 2 opposition. It's my first trip to Top Field, yesterday I was watching England U19’s play India in the cricket, tomorrow I’ll be doing the same, but today, I’m back doing what I love most, the iconic smell and feel of football in the summer months is different, the air of anticipation sky high ahead of a new long season ahead. I googled “What is Hitchin famous for” and my AI response was Hitchin Market, Hitchin Lavender, Musician James Bay, Footballers Kevin Phillips and Jack Wilshere were born here, whilst several episodes of Dr Who have been filmed in the town. Not much else has ever happened in this Hertfordshire home of just over 35,000. On the pitch, Hitchin have spent most of their history in the Isthmian League, but have been in the Southern League since 2004 and have been in the Premier Central Division since 2018, their best performance in the FA Cup is twice reaching the second round whilst famous players include Dave Kitson, Jimmy Holmes, Don Martin, Reg Smith, and former Republic of Ireland international Stephen Gleeson who is currently their star attraction. The Venue I arrive early, already whetting myself with anticipation for my first game of the summer, so park up on Lancaster Avenue, around the corner from the ground, before walking over to the Angels Pub, where I go for a wee, I'm all for a pre-match drink and a seat in the sun too but decide not to order a pint, after being annoyed by the queuing system of mothers single file lined up taking time to order food for their wild uncontrollable kids (If they queued normally, i.e. at the bar, and didn't have kids, I would have stayed). Instead, I went for a walk in the evening sunshine, across the Fishponds Road is an outdoor swimming pool which looked busy full of youngsters on their way out, on a humid day where a dip would be much obliged for all enjoying the fine weather. Sweaty and sticky myself, I entered the Canary Club at the ground, a real friendly buzz of locals sitting in and outside before the game, I was told to walk back around to the clubs turnstiles where I scanned my ticket on entrance, and inside I felt wowed by the spacious but stunning old venue, back lined by trees. Quirky curved stands behind one goal, open terracing giving a great elevated view opposite, a green roofed seating area to my left. A wooden floored number to my right, a bit of every delight for nonleague nerds like myself, good vantage points, good character, the sun beaming down, as I walk around the perimeter, a low mesh fence separates the pitch, which is large and wide, slightly humped in the middle. The Game I grabbed a team sheet from the club shop at a cost of 20p before standing up in the sunshine alone, behind the dugouts in the wooden posted stands, both teams playing completely different elevens over each half, with both starting strong, Barnet including the likes of Hartigan, Collinge, Glover, Kanu, it’s no surprise in their purple and white away strip, Dean Brennan’s side start strong. Fast tempo, the Football League newcomers are on the front foot, and take the lead early on, when new signing Galvin is played through, his cross shot finds Rhys Browne who taps in from close range. In fairness to Hitchin, they break well, one and two touch in attack, they look to play quickly and are direct in possession, but are too small and slender for Barnet, who’s bigger men, ball playing, are having fun, even Goalkeeper Evans is dropping shoulders as he frequently hovers outside his box looking to take on attackers. The Score On 20 minutes Rhys Browne makes it two, he dances into the area and wins a penalty before dispatching it with ease past the stone cold keeper Kamara standing still, and then on 26, Adam Senior, who’s lively on the left side of defence, he’s ventured forward and into the box, heading home from a Kanu cross, a debut goal after a summer move from Halifax. It’s a little harsh on Hitchin as I don’t think they play badly, Barnet just clinical at the other end, although in Anthony Hartigan, they have a midfielder spraying the ball with swagger, in Ryan Glover, they have an exciting talented footballer who takes players on, he runs through the whole defence at one point but blazes high and wide when he just had the keeper to beat. In the second half there’s wholesale changes with both elevens completely different, and although the tempo is high, the quality diminished slightly, Barnet’s best attacks coming down the right, where young Bright Siaw is as his name, very bright indeed, but he’s well marshalled by left back Callum Kane who looks a cracking little player, they both have a good battle offering speed and tenacity, are both tigerish with good quality and desire. A couple of chances at either end, Barnet’s trialist goalkeeper is forced into action with a brilliant save from a long range effort, Barnet buzz with a couple of near misses themselves, but in the end it’s a good workout for all involved, Hitchin hold credit from competing against a team four levels above, the Bees doing the business in the first half, when they looked very professional indeed. The Stars I was impressed most by the attitude of Barnet, professional from the off, they look like a team, together, buoyed by promotion, excited by the new season, a team who just want to get out and win football matches. In defence, Danny Collinge sprayed balls right to left, Adam Senior looked comfortable on the left of three, in midfield Anthony Hartigan ticked things along, he’s a player I remember struggling at Mansfield Town, but is one who seems to be the vital cog of Barnet’s centrepiece, out left Ryan Galvin is positive and direct, on the right Idris Kanu persistent, tricky, the best player in possession is however Ryan Glover, who’s a very likeable footballer to watch, whilst watch out for Bright Siaw who signed his first professional contract at the end of last season. He has pace to burn and is a tricky right winger. For Hitchin, they had moments in attack, which caused Barnet problems, I liked the stocky striker Liam Brooks who put himself about a bit with good feet, whilst off the bench, twenty-year-old left back Callum Kane was exceptional and carried the ball forward whilst being tenacious in the tackle, whilst similarly aged Plamedi Bomolo also did well up front during the second half, he looks to have some exciting factors to his game. The Verdict A good run out, a pleasant crowd in the sun of just under 600, and a great ground is Top Field, a nostalgic quaint southern English non-league football home, what better way to start 2025/26. The Teams Hitchin Town: Tyrese Kamara (Josh Jackman 46), Lewis Franklin (Josh Bowler 46), Kye Tearle (Callum Kane 46), Josh Coldicott-Stevens (Kieron Forbes 66), Charlie Briggs (Trialist 46), Blue Joy (Lewis Barker 46), Will McNeill (Trialist 46), Stephen Gleeson (Trialist 46), Taylor Rhiney (Trialist 46), Liam Brooks (Plamedi Bomolo 46), Charlie McDonald (Trialist 46). Barnet: Owen Evans (Trialist 46), Danny Collinge (Joe Rye 46), Nik Tavares (Ollie Kensdale 46), Adam Senior (Trialist 46), Anthony Hartigan (Romoney Crichlow 46), Scott High (Mark Shelton 46), Zak Brunt (Rohat Matyar 46), Ryan Glover (Emmanuel Osadebe 46), Idris Kanu (Pat Matesko 46), Rhys Browne (Oliver Hawkins 46), Ryan Galvin (Bright Siaw 46). 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 1st July 2025, Top Field, Hitchin (att 590).

Newcastle United 4-1 Paris Saint-Germain (UEFA Champions League Group Stages) I’m straight from the game at Gateshead to St James’ Park where the biggest most keenly awaited match in the last twenty years of Newcastle United’s history is taking place. It’s the first home Champions League tie since 2003 and the fans have been talking about this one for a while, the toon had a respectable goalless draw in Milan to open their group F campaign whilst PSG beat Dortmund on matchday one and sit top of the group. It’s a game I just had to do… Those who remember speaking of ‘special nights’ like the time they beat Barcelona thanks to a Tino Asprilla hat-trick, you feel something of similar ilk is brewing in the air, the traffic as I attempt to cross Tyne Bridge at little after 5pm already at standstill. The Venue I park up at the Grosvenor Casino and walk up St James Boulevard where there’s already huge numbers of black and white shirts making the same journey north. The pubs and eateries are packed as I get close to the corner of Gallowgate, the huge cantilevered roof of the Jackie Milburn Stand is daunting, imposing, domineering on the top of the hill in front of my very eyes. I’ve got time so walk around the stadium perimeter, the queues outside Shearers bar already building, fans everywhere as I walk down the famous Strawberry Place, the well-known pub opposite the ground full to the door, they all are, people are getting their pints of Newky Brown in before getting to the ground ahead of the game, as I hear in the background a charging bull like roar of PSG fans en-route to the stadium in droves of a thousand or so police guarded, all in black shirts, ultras walking through the enemy lines chanting like soldiers. I’m off out of trouble as I walk up behind the Leazes Terrace for a browse, the classic East Stand backs on to Georgian style houses where it seems more serene and quiet as a student walks out of his digs in pyjamas for his Uber eats. Back in the thick of the action on Strawberry Place the crowds ever more busy as a band starts up on the corner, I’m heading for the UEFA Office which is opposite the players entrance already packed with fans as I battle through to pick up my accreditation from floor two of the impressively swanky Milburn Suite. It’s all a bit carnage, I have pity as I know it’s Newcastle’s first Champions League match in a while but I’m upstairs, downstairs, through doors and through crowds back asking the same faces the same questions as I stand for some time in the press room waiting, packed with photographers and journalists an hour and a half before kick off to be told where I’m sitting. It’s a hub of anticipation and excitement though as the press guys pick up a souvenir programme to take home, I’m asked if I want one but for some knee jerk reason decline. Finally, Mr UEFA takes me to my seat, tall suited and Swiss he’s walking me through the press centre to the stadium concourse and out into the open where the huge stadium mostly empty in black and grey takes my breath away. The magnitude of the Leazes Stand on my left which drops down to the East Stand bearing the words Newcastle United along its roof opposite, whooping to the right and the Gallowgate End and back up to my own seating position in the press area, it’s huge, cauldron like, certainly daunting, deafening too as I’m about to find out. The Game The fans are all here inside a good half an hour before kick off but I’ve got bigger issues. I can’t get an internet signal and my phone won’t connect due to a congested network. It’s all very problematic but I’m finally online, by this time I’m looking up to flag waving partisan fans singing Hey Jude. The roar impeccable just to hear the players come out for their warm ups. The atmosphere is insane, never previously have I experienced anything like it and I probably never will… The two teams are out as every seat has a black and white flag waving it feels like the world’s largest tifo, then the music drops. The Champions League theme tune ends with a roar heard as far as Sunderland as Newcastle and PSG are about to do battle, the first fifteen minutes are frantic, fast paced, electric, every tackle is cheered and when Blyth born Dan Burn celebrates giving a throw in away the crowd go wild. I’ve never heard such a roar when players put the ball out for opposition throw ins. That roar however notches up tenfold as a sloppy mistake in the PSG backline has Marquinhos give the ball away. His pass intercepted on the edge of his own area the ball finding Isak who’s hard shot is saved and Miggy Almiron follows up to start the scenes of joyous celebrations. It’s the least Newcastle deserve, the aggressors on the front foot, positive in everything they do whilst Luis Enrique’s outfit caught between two swords, trying to play out they often go back to where they’ve started without any real conviction of game plan. Mbappe is subdued, well marshalled by Kieran Trippier, Dembele their bright spark offering a threat on the break as he flashes wide a chance he should have scored. The Score It all looks good for a slender half time lead and an intriguing second half to come but a Newcastle free kick just three minutes before half time plays havoc inside the PSG area, Donnarumma is called into action as the ball is played back inside the box where Dan Burns heads goalwards and a huge roar is heard but it looks like the goalkeeper has palmed it out from crossing the line. Confusion as VAR checks the goal, it had apparently crossed the line but a Newcastle player may have been offside? A long wait as fans agonisingly look on, most unexpectant of anything better than a PSG free kick, then suddenly the verdict… GOAL! The roof again comes off. That second goal is a killer blow for PSG it seems, they start the second half sluggish, now it’s Sean Longstaff’s turn to get through on goal as another local hero blasts home onto the scoresheet. 3-0 up as the Geordies sing “He’s one of our own”. Paris do get one back as Lucas Hernandez gets on the end of Zaire-Emery’s delicately chipped dink into the box. Arguably PSG’s two best players on the night combining for the only thing they have to celebrate. Dembele races clear with five minutes to go and should have reduced the deficit further, although I never fancied him as I didn’t when he was a Barcelona player when he did the same and fluffed his lines when 3-0 up against Liverpool at the Nou Camp (we all know what happened at A field after). Had he scored that it would have been an agonising last ten minutes of nail biting tension as even with two goals Newcastle fans were getting twitchy, but the icing on the cake was layered when Fabian Schar hit a stoppage time thunderbolt into the roof of the net. ‘What even was he doing 30 yards out from the opposition goal’ I cried. The Stars Man for man Newcastle United simply wanted it more. From goalkeeper to centre forward they were exceptional, although I would argue Nick Pope’s kicking is the worst I’ve ever seen from a Premier League goalkeeper. Man of the match for me was England right back Kieran Trippier who not only kept Kylian Mbappe quiet but also had a hand (like he usually does) in a couple of Newcastle goals. Sean Longstaff and Dan Burn incredible themselves the thoroughbred of this great club, local boys netting but proving they’re more than involved on merit, Jamaal Lascelles also worthy of a mention, he’s still skipper and has had a tough time in recent seasons at the club, but proving his asset in stopping one of Europe’s meanest attacks when called upon. For Paris, I get the feeling it was a night they simply didn’t fancy? They looked laboured and lacking ideas, not really buying into the Luis Enrique game plan. Perhaps youngsters Zaire-Emery and Manuel Ugarte can revitalise a club that is in transition? Ousmane Dembele looked lively but he’s still searching for his first goal, whist for Kylian Mbappe the only thing he’s searching for it seems, is the exit door. The Verdict Can Newcastle United win the Champions League? Well I doubt that’s possible but they can now certainly win the group, and with qualification the luck of the draw could point them to a decent run as dark horse? After all nobody but Geordies would fancy going to St James’. For PSG I fear for Enrique, currently sitting fifth in the French league all be it only two points behind Monaco, he’ll be tested further in weeks to come but if he can survive the test, he’ll be best placed to rise this phoenix through some serious fire of late. The Teams Newcastle United: Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonoli (Elliot Anderson 65), Miguel Almiron (Jacob Murphy 71), Anthony Gordon (Matt Targett 90), Aleksandr Isak. Paris Saint-Germain: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Milan Skriniar, Lucas Hernandez, Manuel Ugarte (Vitinha 64), Warren Zaire-Emery, Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani (Bradley Barcola 57), Goncalo Ramos, Kylian Mbappe. 8:00pm Kick Off. Wednesday 4th October 2023, St James' Park, Newcastle (att 52,009).

Newcastle United 1-1 Barcelona  (UEFA Champions League Round of 16) It was the wife’s birthday over the weekend so no matches for me, luckily the wait is worth it as I was always pencilled in for this biggy between Newcastle and Barcelona in the Champions League. It’s my first UCL game of the season, I usually get a couple each year through UEFA but have had to bide my time as others in my position have been sent to the likes of Anfield and the Etihad whilst I’ve often got Glanford Park in Scunthorpe or midweek matches at Boston United. These two teams did already meet in the group stages earlier in the campaign, a game I watched at home on TV when I wasn't working, which Barca won 2-1 thanks to a couple of goals from Marcus Rashford, now back for a second bite, winner takes all, and moves through to the quarter finals of the continent’s most prestigious competition. Barcelona are massive, I’ve never had the fortune to see them in the flesh before, so I’m breaking my duck, not with a classic era of talent, better days have been under Johan Cruyff in the early 90’s and Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique in the noughties when the likes of Messi, Iniesta and Xavi graced the Camp Nou and beyond, but still under Hansi Flick, they are a force to be reckoned with, if not quite having the resources they once did? Star attractions include Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha, Pedri, Gavi, Olmo, still plenty to whet the appetite, whilst this game brings back memories too, the first time the two sides ever met in 1997 ended in a memorable 3-2 victory for Newcastle, Tino Asprilla scoring an iconic and unforgettable hat-trick. Newcastle have won one and lost four of their five matches between the two, it’s a tough ask for Eddie Howe’s men to progress against a side with such rich history in this competition, not having a great season the Magpies, they are at least often strong at home and will have the backing of their noisy support at St James’ Park. I’m out the door early afternoon as I’ve to drop a birthday present off at my sisters, up the A614 through North Notts to the A1 where it’s pretty much straight ahead until I pass the Angel of the North on my right-hand side just over 150 miles in. The Venue I’ve parked at Times Square Car Park on the banks of the Tyne as it is about as south as I can get from the stadium north of the river, looking for a clean exit down the A189 when I head home later in the evening, it’s a good fifteen minute walk up the St James’ Boulevard to the ground but I break it off with a quick pint in the Leonardo Hotel as I’ve plenty of time to take in some of the town's sights. The walk is fresh as the wind blows in my face, I’m having a good look around the bars and restaurants of Bigg Market before making pilgrimage to a little book shop on St Andrews Street called the Back Page. It has some wonderful football memorabilia, plenty of Newcastle United programmes and a lot of tat, it has old football books and DVD’s, Subbuteo sets, coasters, trading cards, an old wooden rattle is in a glass cabinet with some figurines of players past and present, from Jackie Milburn and Alan Shearer to Eddie Howe, it’s a brilliant book shop in the shadows of the stadium under the Chinatown entrance, it even has a replica Carabao Cup in the window, a trophy Newcastle won in 2025. Sky darkening and crowds gathering, I’m walking over Gallowgate where St James’ sits on the hill, huge, modern, imposing, iconic with its cantilever stands backing on to busy streets now closed to through traffic to allow the large footfall. I’m told to head to the press lounge where I can pick up my accreditation, underneath the Milburn Stand it feels enclosed with anticipation as crowds gather around the players entrance door, as I enter and collect my pass, I sit in the press conference room, busy, noisy and warm, Champions League banners behind the tables in view, I can hear the boos outside of the fans, apparently the Barcelona bus has just pulled in. After twenty minutes or so I’m heading up the steps a good ninety minutes before kick off, outside into the open and up to the top of the lower tier of the huge Milburn Stand, where my seats are, in the commentary gantry, as I’m joined by a fellow scout from Hull, who I’ve seen here before. The view is sublime, set back, high up, you are far away from the action, the crowd slowly filling as the Barcelona fans high up on my left make themselves heard, before the noise erupts minutes before kick off, former Blaugrana defender Juan Pablo Sorin is sat a couple of seats besides me as he’s on comms duty for Spanish TV. The Game There’s a fireworks show before kick off as the atmosphere builds incredibly ahead of the two teams walking out to the famous Champions League theme music, Barcelona in bright orange, I call it the Koeman 92 kit, whilst Newcastle are in their usual black and white stripes. I’m expecting fireworks from Barcelona, keen to set eyes on Yamal for the first time, Pedri for the first time, and they show some nice early touches which have me gasp aloud, but it’s Newcastle who impress the most, Joelinton destructive in their midfield, Tonali with tenacity, these two set the tone and the home team press for opportunity, without really creating anything of note. Hansi Flick’s side are known for their high line in defence which is sometimes exposed against the pace that Newcastle have out wide, Anthony Elanga is getting some joy down the right, and whips a couple of balls in to no avail, but it’s a first half which is played at fast forward pace, a good tempo, without real incident, two decent teams battling it out on the front foot, Barca go back to front much quicker than I had imagined they would, Ronald Araujo at one stage just lumping one forward to nobody, Yamal right often cutting in on his left, Raphinha left cutting in on his right, but Eddie Howe’s team have plenty of bodies to stop them, before racing away and breaking at every opportunity. The Score At half-time it’s scoreless as fans come over to the long haired and still young looking Sorin for photos, I ask my friend from Hull whether Newcastle would take a draw here, he seems to think they need a goal, to give them first leg advantage, as going to the Nou Camp level will not be enough. But as the second half starts it feels like both are settling for a share of spoils, Newcastle attack, but not with as many numbers forward, whilst Barcelona start to slow the pace down, and keep the ball, instead of pressing ahead, as they did in the first 45. On 67 there’s a triple substitution for Newcastle and that enlivens their attack, suddenly Gordon finds Murphy who blasts over, before Harvey Barnes hits a post, the rebound put in by Joelinton is cheered, but the Brazilian is offside. Newcastle are pressing and are wearing Barca down, and finally a move that comes off on 85 Jacob Murphy is set free, he dinks a cross from the right and Barnes is arriving, late, to run onto and smash home, keeper Garcia can’t keep out, the roar from the Gallowgate erupts as the rest of the stadium then follows in celebration, Newcastle have the lead, a lead which they could take to the Nou Camp, advantage to Eddie Howe and his men, how big will this goal be? “Barnes will tear you apart” is sung by all as the board goes up for five added minutes, Barcelona are starting to probe with desperation but have left themselves open, Gordon can pick a pass to set Barnes free but ignores him and instead is dispossessed, one last rally as Olmo weaves into the box, there’s plenty of defenders, defending, but one, who’s been brilliant, Malick Thiaw, leaves a leg out, Olmo is over, penalty is given, and Lamine Yamal dispatches, with the last kick of the game. Painful for Newcastle fans who were seconds away from celebrating a huge first leg lead, it’s probably the only shot on target Barcelona have had, but that goal will now put them in the driving seat, to get the job done where they'll be fancied in the second leg. The Stars Despite their late mistake, Newcastle’s performance was brilliant, from back to front, in goal Aaron Ramsdale is such a better kicker than Nick Pope, he offers a more composed defensive last line and lessens the nervousness around the stadium which has been evident when I’ve previously been here, in front of Ramsdale, Thiaw and Burn were magnificent at centre half handling (almost) everything with care, Lewis Hall at left back very good against Yamal who gave him a real test, he has to be England’s first choice for me. In midfield I would say Newcastle won the battle on the night, Tonali a constant irritant, off the ball snappy, on it always with quality looking to play forwards, Joelinton is that fella who probably shouldn’t be in the team, not technically great, not easy on the eye, but his work rate unmatched, he’s as strong as an ox and simply bullied Barca’s pretty ballers out of the way to often dispossess them. In attack I think Newcastle caused Barca’s high line problems with their pace on the break, Elanga in a few times, did ok down the right, I perhaps think Gordon could have been utilised from the start as he is just as dynamic on the counter, Osula battled well on my first viewing of him, Harvey Barnes ‘always delivers’ and is a player very much underrated, one who should not go without notice. For Barcelona, their goalkeeper flapped at a couple of early crosses but improved, in defence I liked the look of Cubarsi, just nineteen years old, not the biggest, but very confident in possession, Bernal in midfield wearing 22, just 18, big in size, decent in touch, reminding me a little of a novice level Sergio Busquets. Whilst not magnificent, Pedri was productive gliding around and keeping the ball, Fermin Lopes, short sleeves and gloves, floating in the number ten position, played well, Lamine Yamal shown some lovely touches, has electric feet and a real desire to do well for the team which is an underrated talent that is overshadowed by his technique. He's certainly amongst the best in the world. The Verdict It’s all set up for perhaps a long night at the Nou Camp, I do think Barcelona have the edge, but having watched them, a little disappointed, they certainly aren’t the side they used to be. Newcastle have every chance to cause an upset and can do their opponents on the break, their pace is their weapon, and their midfield is perhaps even stronger than Barca’s. Only a fool would write them off, but perhaps I’m a fool to give them a chance as you suspect Barcelona will be much better? I do think we could be in for a very exciting night, one which I’m not yet confident of predicting the outcome, and that is testament to the way Newcastle performed, there's not such a gulf in class between the two, as you would think. The Teams Newcastle United: Aaron Ramsdale, Kieran Trippier (Tino Livramento 67), Malick Thiaw, Dan Burn, Lewis Hall, Jacob Ramsey, Sandro Tonali, Joelinton, Anthony Elanga (Jacob Murphy 67), William Osula (Anthony Gordon 67), Harvey Barnes (Joe Willock 90). Barcelona: Joan Garcia, Joao Cancelo, Ronald Araujo (Xavi Espart 88), Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Pedri (Dani Olmo 70), Bernal (Marc Casado 73), Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez (Ferran Torres 88), Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski (Marcus Rashford 70). 8:00pm Kick Off. Tuesday 10th March 2026, St James' Park, Newcastle (att 52,103).

Boston United 2-2 Woking (National League) Woking have sacked their Manager Neal Ardley after a 1-0 defeat at Marine in the FA Trophy. I had thought Ardley was doing reasonably well having watched Woking win on the road a couple of times this season. The Cardinals went on an eleven game unbeaten run before Christmas but have since won just twice in the league and after four defeats in five games the team are starting to look over their shoulders. No such trouble for Boston who are in fine form since replacing their Manager in January. Paul Hurst's side are unbeaten in seven league matches and have recent wins at Boreham Wood, Scunthorpe and Forest Green amongst their scalps. A mid table battle on paper but Woking have been creeping slowly down the division, their interim Manager Craig Ross is one who has played over 200 games for the club as a goalkeeper, he'll be hoping not to get beat in what looks a real tough match against the divisions form side. It's 5pm and I'm the door. Traffic around Nottingham is horrendous today as a lorry has hit a low bridge in Tollerton. I'm trudging down the A52 before speeding on past Radcliffe-on-Trent, down the side of Bingham and then into Grantham, Lincolnshire, as I keep heading East getting closer to a rather big moon in the distance. The Venue Clear skies, it's dark, a crispy cold spring night as I get out my car with full winter clobber on and head up the road on foot past the Papa John's and Costa towards the Jakemans Stadium which is having some neat work done around the back of one goal. The steel erection is big and bulky as the stand undergoing construction is well under way, the stadium has been home for Boston United since 2020 and in that time it's always been three sided, from next season it'll be complete and when done it will be quite the finish, a sweeping bowl like venue that wraps around to the colour of grey metal and gold seating. Names on the list tonight so I get my ticket without hassle, but as I scan it through the gate it's coming up invalid. It never seems to be straightforward. After a couple of scanning attempts I'm let in and I have a quick wee before debating whether to have a cup of tea or not? There's no queue at the kiosk so I think sod it, I get my brew with a Twix and pay £4, walk up to my seat in the press area, say hello to the Radio Commentator who's in his usual seat behind me, put my cuppa down on the flip down table, before popping my laptop bag down which then flips the flip down table, tea everywhere, lost to the aisles beneath, I didn't even get to take a sup. The Radio Lincs man just looks at me and laughs. The Game By kick-off I'm joined by a local scout from Holbeach, Luton have a scout here watching their on loan forward Joseph Gbode who's in the Woking line-up, he's a player who really impressed me at Forest Green last month. Boston have a couple of new additions in their squad with 20 year old goalkeeper Dan Cameron on loan from Sunderland making his debut, they have some injury issues between the nets and it feels like Cameron is the sixth or seventh keeper they have used this season. There's plenty packed into this lovely arena tonight, just 23 from Woking who stand opposite, play gets underway to a loud roar and it's the visitors on the front foot, within a couple of minutes they have the lead, Aidan O'Brien racing through the offside trap, he looks a million miles off but the flag stays down, his effort is saved by the debutant keeper but Olly Sanderson bangs in the rebound, you can hear a pin drop inside the stadium, not what the night was expecting? It's a good battle as Boston put their starting set back behind them and search for a goal themselves that would soon see them level, they have a lot of the ball but Woking are decent on the break, it's two good National League sides going at it, tackles flying in, plenty of commitment, some last ditched defending but not many shots of worthy note. The home sides best player is Ken Aboh, those old enough might remember Kenny Dalglish, he had a big arse and used to back into defenders and keep them at bay. Aboh is small in size but like Dalglish uses his arse, his arms, his stocky little stature, to shield the ball, and you can't get it off him. He's been brilliant down the left and has a say in the ball falling to Tom Cursons on 38, the Boston forward battering the ball left footed into the roof of the net and we are all square, which looks a fair assessment going into half time. The Score But Woking aren't here to accept failure tonight, they open up the Boston defence on the break as O'Brien is set free again, he cuts inside shoots and with aid of a deflection gets a second. It turns out that team-mate Sanderson got the last touch, wrong footing Cameron in goal, the poor debutant hasn't had an awful lot to do bar twice pick the ball from the back of the net. That gives the away side advantage at the break and they make a change at half time to take off Timi Akinola who's on a booking, the game in the second half ebbs and flows with Boston more dominant, Woking happy to defend and break, Frankie Maguire has been plucky and courageous all night, by now his heads wrapped in bandage (not for the first time this season) and he's full of energy trying to get that goal. A lovely move that again involves Aboh ends up at the playmakers feet, Maguire smashes a shot against the bar, but moments later he's fed through again, and drives low into the corner of the net to send the support behind the goal and all around me, into raptures. There's a rally of notes which follows before both teams decide to shake on a point, Woking's intentions are clear when they take off their own playmaker Harry Beautyman for a centre half in Timi Odusina, the last moments are more of caution than seeing sinks thrown against the wall, both teams happy not to lose, it's after all a good point on the road for Craig Ross in his first game in charge, whilst Boston, twice coming from behind, themselves will be pleased they didn't lose. The Stars Ken Aboh has star quality, strength and pace and he gets better every time I watch him, the onlooking scouts around me will have sure been impressed, as they would with Frankie Maguire, I've been saying it for years but he's a footballer who has the attitude to keep improving and i'm sure we'll be seeing him in the Football League sometime soon. Boston actually have a really good side right now, Jake Rooney on loan from Derby is far too good for this level, not the biggest, he reads the game so well and is more powerful than you think. Jamie Grimes has been a fabulous signing beside him at centre half, a captain, a leader, experienced, a player who makes good decisions both in and out of possession. Connor Teale will learn from playing besides them, he's done well as a makeshift right back but really, he's a decent centre half, whilst Matty Carson at left back has one of the best deliveries in the division. In midfield, Oisin Gallagher on loan from Lincoln is another that is perhaps too good to be playing in the National League, whilst besides him, Jordan Richards, the more I watch him, the more I like him, just casually mopping up, defensively astute, keeping the ball simple, he's the son of former Notts County cult hero Pedro Richards, and it's no surprise that he has educated football DNA. As for Woking, they have some bloody good players too. The Luton scouts might have been disappointed, as I was, with Joseph Gbode who at times shown promise but was largely on the periphery, their real class act is fellow striker Olly Sanderson, on loan from Fulham, he's a goalscorer who I have no doubt will forge a decent career in the game, whilst on the night Jamie Andrews battled well in midfield, Chinwike Okoli was very good at centre half. The Verdict Woking on 39 points sit six above the drop zone and I have no doubt, they'll be ok this season as they have some pretty decent footballers at their disposal, question is, who will they get in to take the reigns on a permanent basis? Boston have got their man, Paul Hurst's side are now seven unbeaten and are not going down, they aren't going up either, but all be it still under construction, heading in the right direction, in some ways their fans will be hoping to crack on to next season already, where excitement about what might happen builds further towards ground and squad completion, if they can keep a few of their loanees and add some more to what they have, they might be serious about a return to the football league. The Teams Boston United: Dan Cameron, Connor Teale, Frankie Maguire, Matty Carson, Jordy Hiwula (Luca Barrington 62), Tom Cursons (Kieren Donnelly 83), Jordan Richards, Jake Rooney, Jamie Grimes, Ken Aboh (Liam McCarron 90), Oisin Gallagher. Woking: Will Jaaskelainen, Aaron Drewe, Caleb Richards, Chin Okoli, Jamie Andrews, Harry Beautyman (Timi Odusina 89), Aidan O'Brien (Jake Turner 68), Tunji Akinola, Timi Akinola (Roy Syla 46), Joe Gbode (Matt Ward 78), Olly Sanderson. 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 3rd March 2026, Jakemans Stadium, Boston (att 1,565).

Scunthorpe United 3-3 Solihull Moors (National League) Another Saturday game and another trip to Scunthorpe United, as I head over to North Lincolnshire to see the Iron take on Solihull Moors, a team that I've not yet seen play this season. The Moors are solid in mid table but aren't in a great run of form right now, just one win in seven and that coming at lowly Morecambe a few weeks back. They did start the year in great form after a 4-1 win over Sutton before Christmas, they beat Tamworth 7-1 on Boxing Day and Aldershot 5-1 in January, they do have goals in their attack. Keeping clean sheets has been their issue, although they did get one against Braintree in a scoreless draw, in their last match at home to Hartlepool they spurned a two goal lead and lost 4-3 at Damson Park. Scunny have also slipped into some disappointing form of late, they haven't won in five and have conceded 16 goals in those games, defeats against Carlisle, Aldershot, York and a 6-3 thumping at home to Boston included in a poor run for what seems like a tiring side following promotion last season. It's midday and the wife is hoovering, just about to start washing the floors so I'm making my exit now, across the A46 to Lincoln and up the A15 where I stop off for a coffee at the newly built Showground services, the weather is good, the skies are blue, I arrive at Glanford Park for 1:30pm, parking inside the official club car park, I don't think it's a busy one today with spaces a plenty as Solihull don't tend to have that much travelling support. The Venue I'm not on the list again. I asked for extra assurance this week which they gave me, but my name's not down. Luckily the old boy on the gate knows me by now. "You need to sack your secretary" he says, before letting me through without issue. Inside I'm met by the sole Solihull matchday commentator, he's a chatty fella who's got his phone out to show me some recent pics of his holiday to Georgia. He even has an Easy Jet pen given to him for being on the first ever flight between Luton and Tbilisi. There's a few regular faces here including the Scunthorpe BBC radio team, Steve Torpey with his head set on sits a few seats down, he scored 76 goals for the club in 280 games between 2000 & 2007. Half full, at best, the pitch is patchy down below, "I love these old grounds" says the young commentator besides me. "I remember when they built it" I reply. The Game Neither team has won a match in a few weeks and I'm looking to see where advantage might lie? Scunthorpe look off it to me. Less spring in their step than usual, pride hurt in recent games, they don't have as much of the ball, normally they are ever reliant on their right sided left footed talisman Cal Roberts, he's had nothing of the football so far, although unlike him, he's hardly asked for it, in truth. Solihull look organised and game, well drilled under Chris Millington, I'm told they often switch defensively from a four to a three, today it's a three and big Alex Whitmore in the centre of it is kicking and heading everything away. The Moors are direct and young Stoke City loanee Darius Lipsiuc at left wing back looks game, he's on the end of a decent move getting forward in the opening fifteen minutes, he's into the box but scuffs his shot, fortuitously landing at the feet of Conor Wilkinson who takes a touch and smashes home left footed. It's a lead the away side deserve. Wilkinson is a good player who leads the line with a bit of class, he's had more clubs than Nick Faldo but looks to be at home wearing Solihull's number ten, working hard and linking team-mates, a few minutes ahead of the break he's in space in midfield and is allowed to carry the ball forward, two touches and he's away from the defenders, before curling home another lefty, from outside the box, it's a fabulous finish. Wilkinson dives onto the floor to celebrate as the home fans boo before heading off for some pies, not quite turning on their team, but you get the feeling they are far from happy with their teams recent efforts. The Score At half time I look to my left with eyebrows raised as I say to the Solihull commentator that there's only one team in it. He's more concerned than I am about a comeback, having witnessed last week, my thoughts are 'surely they can't throw it away again'. But as the second half starts Scunthorpe are resurgent, pressing from the off they look a different team, breading hope into their support which becomes ever louder, shots are blocked, corners are won, one is swung in from the right by Roberts who by now has improved, Boyce gets up to head down and Whitehall on the line prods home. Suddenly there's real belief, more pressure leads to an off ball incident inside the box. "Off, Off, Off" is the cry. I go full Chris Kamara, "I didn't see it" but as the lady Referee consults her lines man, it looks like the inevitable for a Solihull defender, Tyler French red carded for an apparent elbow. Tactical switches are made as the visitors are asked now to dig in, it's all about defending, and seeing if they can fend off this Iron attack, and they do well, against relaxed forward play who are dominant opposition, Scunthorpe patiently keep the ball and keep probing for opportunity. There's just ten minutes left when a chance presents itself, Roberts by now has been taking on his full back at every opportunity on the right, he beats him on the outside, gets a low cross in, and Whitehall is first to it, a brilliant strikers goal, Alex Whitmore his marker, punching the ground as the ball nestles into the netting. From there you feel there's only one winner, and just five minutes later Whitehall is on the end of another Roberts cross, this time to volley home from inside the area, job complete, the comeback kings, but I feel there might be another twist yet. As the board goes up for extras, Moors make one last forage, Lipsiuc again getting forward, he's been tireless, he races into the box and shoots a powerful effort towards goal, tipped over by Jones, but the resulting corner is played into a packed area by Joe Sbarra, Tipton wins the first ball, Isaac Moore the second, he's been brilliant today, and deservedly snatches a late leveller by hooking through a crowd before running to the corner and celebrating with the few travelling fans. The Stars It was a deserved point for Solihull who were good value in the first half, they dug in during the second when it was backs against the walls and never gave up, even when the game looked lost, 19 year old Isaac Moore was brilliant in midfield until asked to do a job defensively when Tyler French was sent off, tall and good in possession, he also reads the game very well and looked equally as comfortable at the back, a player on loan from Coventry City also knows how to nick a goal. Along with Moore, credit the tiresome efforts of Darius Lipsiuc down the left, he at one point won two huge tackles on half way, the sort you can hear thud and crunch as the crowd squinch "ooh's and aah's" before looking away with grimace. Lipsiuc is another youngster just twenty, he has a good goals return since signing from Stoke on loan, but it's the energy and work rate he puts in which hasn't gone unnoticed by those watching. Whilst Conor Wilkinson got his goals, he was a nuisance to deal with especially when Moors had eleven on the park, another creating was Jacob Wakeling who has lovely feet, Ben Worman also doing neat things from midfield. Whilst Scunthorpe United may be indebted to their hat-trick hero, Danny Whitehall is a proper striker, the non league Harry Kane, he has all sorts of goals to his game, from rocket shots from outside the box to headers and volleys and one yard tap ins, Cal Roberts had a hand in all three goals, without them both, I'm not sure where Scunthorpe would be? Two debutants for the Iron today, both subbed early, Zain Tahir on loan from Sheffield United is a left back, who didn't pull up stumps, whilst Leo Farrell on loan from Barnsley, he looked a big thick set lad with decent strength and ability, he had been earning rave reviews on loan whilst at Guiseley and I can see why, the home fans taking an instant shine to his efforts, he could play a big part in the remainder of the season as Scunthorpe look to consolidate a playoff place. The Verdict Perhaps predictable, two teams who can't buy a win at the moment, would end up drawing against each other, but both should take positives, Solihull with a credible comeback having ten men for almost one full half of the match, whilst Scunthorpe from two down, will take pride in how they fought back, not, in how they relinquished their late lead. Both sides with a lot of attacking quality, I'm sure a win for either, won't be far away. The Teams Scunthorpe United: Louis Jones, Ross Barrows, Andrew Boyce, Branden Horton, Zain Tahir (Alfie Beestin 74), Zain Westbrooke, Joe Rowley (Aidan Dausch 65), Oli Ewing, Danny Whitehall (Carlton Ubaezuono 90), Callum Roberts (Joe Starbuck 90), Leo Farrell (Connor Smith 74). Solihull Moors: Laurie Walker, Tyler French, Alex Whitmore, Lewis Baines, Emmanuel Sonupe (Oscar Rutherford 70), Scott High (Joe Sbarra 86), Isaac Moore, Darius Lipsiuc, Conor Wilkinson (Ollie Tipton 70), Ben Worman (Cameron Green 76), Jacob Wakeling (Bradley Stevenson 86). 3:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 28th February 2026, Glanford Park, Scunthorpe (att 4,230).

Nottingham Forest 1-2 Fenerbahce  (UEFA Europa League Play Off Round) As a Forest fan and in doing a bit of freelance work for UEFA, I’ve been asking for a Reds Europa League game all season and finally, I’m given one, in truth I known about it well before the first leg win in Istanbul, in Vitor Pereira’s first game (against his old club) his new side put in a brilliant performance, to all but put this tie to bed. Forest won 3-0 in Turkey to give themselves a real advantage tonight, winner apparently meets either Real Betis or Midtjylland, I’m not entirely sure how the pre-planning of last sixteen Europa opponents works out, but being in the hat for the draw on Friday lunchtime is what it’s all about. Turbulent, I would call Nottingham Forest’s season, from terrible to terrific and back, results have often been edgy with unexpected wins and losses a plenty, Managers have come and gone, Pereira is fourth in charge, a record equalling number for a single Premier League season. The Reds may still go down, relegation is a real possibility, but like Tottenham Hotspur last season, they also have a chance in winning the Europa League. As for Fenerbahce, they were outplayed last week, they have several missing tonight, Ederson, Skriniar, Soyuncu and Talisca injured, Fred and Oosterwolde suspended, they have probably pretty much given up on this tie to concentrate on the league, second in the table behind Galatasaray just two points below their nemesis from North of the Bosporus. A Turkish giant, Fener, nicknamed Efsane  (the legend) are bidding for their twentieth Super lig title this season, they have 28 national championships in total winning the national cup 27 times, their rivalry with both Galatasaray and Besiktas two of the fiercest games in world football. Recently, under Domenico Tadesco the team has signed some superstar names, French World Cup winner N’Golo Kante one of their most recent acquisitions, perhaps not the player he used to be, but still a special footballer for me to see. The Venue I live a five-minute drive on a good day, so leave well within time to get parked up in a little place I know before walking past Trent Bridge Cricket Ground and across the Radcliffe Road into the stadium main gates and car park that backs on to the Peter Taylor Stand. There’s drizzle in the air, it’s dark, just gone 6pm things aren’t too hectic almost a couple of hours from kick off, as I arrive at the media door, and get my bag checked, before heading for the UEFA Office across the way, it’s there I’m told where tonight, I’ll be sitting. I’ve got plenty of time so sit and have some food in the Media Centre where I see an old friend who’s doing commentary tonight, Steve Corry used to play for the club as a Junior, like the clubs previous Manager Sean Dyche, he never made it to first team football, but working in some ways at the City Ground is certainly next best thing. My kebab skewers pleasantly polished off, I make myself a tea and head out to the back of the City Ground’s Main Stand, their oldest of all four seating areas, it’s at the very back I’ll be sitting tonight, next to UEFA’s video data co-ordinator. The low roof of the stand makes it impossible to see much of the venue other than the pitch, luckily I’ve been here before so I know what to expect, the TV screens in front play Celtic’s game at Stuttgart, whilst the likes of TalkSport, TNT, the BBC all sit close by. The Game The buzz begins ahead of kick off as anticipating atmosphere increases bit by bit and moments into the match, the Turkish fans behind the goal to my right decide to throw flairs onto the pitch, they have been noisy bouncing around in blue and yellow, although drowned out during Forest fans stunning rendition of Mull of Kintyre. The smoke and fire puts delay to proceedings but gives a real European atmosphere inside this homely cauldron beside the Trent, there aren’t many better places in England than the City Ground for home & away fan ding dongs and I love it, even if in today’s ‘sterile and serious’ world this sort of shenanigans is far from acceptable. “Dirty Turkish b*stards” is what the Forest fans sing every time another flare hits the pitch, but soon cleared up, after a couple of minutes of stewarding, the smoke thins into the middle English air, and we are off again as the rain hardens onto the carpet like green surface now scorched by a few burn marks. Forest start well, they have made six changes from a team narrowly beaten by Liverpool at the weekend, too many you wonder? Their centre back Murillo is playing left back, their left back Williams is playing right back, they have a novice centre half next to their usual understudy who’s far from a fans favourite, and most of their star assets are on the bench. The home team are hogging the ball, Murillo given license from his usual defensive responsibility down the left, is flicking and tricking into the final third, Hutchinson in front of him is quick, nimble and direct, but the shape is open to the elements, one interception and suddenly Fenerbahce are through, twenty minutes in they are two on two and the leggy looking teen Sidiki Cherif is racing towards goal, he finds Akturkoglu unmarked in the area, the centre forward doing what all good centre forwards should do, taking a touch, slotting home, and running to get the ball straight out of the back of the net. Game on? Suddenly, the visitors, have a sniff. That sends the decibel levels even higher from the away fans who are really having a good time by now, but Forest come forward with Anderson, he drills one hard and low but agonisingly for Forest fans, outside the posts. The Score Fenerbahce finish the first half much the stronger team, as Akturkoglu fluffs a good chance to score, Cherif then has a shot saved by Ortega, that encourages Reds Manager Pereira to make four changes at the break, and although it certainly looks to strengthen his team adding quality to his eleven, it also takes Forest some time to settle, as immediately the visitors go into enemy territory and win a penalty, Akturkoglu felled by Jair Cunha less than sixty seconds into the second half, the number nine stepping up to calmly net his second of the match, and suddenly there’s real feeling that Fener can perhaps do it. Forest however do steady their sinking ship, they grab a stronghold on proceedings and Cunha almost makes up for his error with a shot saved by Cetin, Neco Williams than drives inches over, before finally, something to celebrate, two subs combining, Ola Aina crosses to Hudson-Odoi who takes a touch before shooting into the corner, relief all around the City Ground. "Super Callum Hudson-Odoi" is sang from the A Block to the tune of Estelle's 'American Boy'. That goal takes the tie again away from Fenerbahce with Forest now at 4-2 aggregate advantage, they might have even scored again when Igor Jesus ran through but for his shot to be well saved, then late on Omari Hutchinson raced clear, as the Turkish side gambled in getting bodies forward, he couldn’t score when one on one, Cetin again to the rescue, at least giving his team victory on the night, but over two legs, it was Forest who come through the flares and flames, to victory. The Stars A lot of high level football on show, you can see that despite their league position, in what is an extremely strong Premier League this year, that Nottingham Forest do have an incredibly good football team, that is certainly up there with Europe (and the world’s) best. Elliot Anderson could go on to become World Class, he and Morgan Gibbs-White are interesting the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City, whilst Murillo, a unique superstar that plays to entertain, he’s been linked with Liverpool, these are footballers, some of the finest around right now. I personally think Forest play better when Ibrahim Sangare is in the side, he’s a man mountain who sits in midfield and allows Anderson to run around, and when he came on, it felt the Reds engine room improved, they were after all having to contain with one of the world’s best, in N’golo Kante. Aged 34, Kante isn’t what he used to be, far from it, but despite doing half the miles he once did, he still runs around more than most, but his control and touch, his passing and discipline, they are of an elite level, he does the ugly stuff better than anyone else in football. Fenerbahce were far from full strength, Matteo Guendouzi dropping in for them at centre half, and he did a bloody good job, long haired, he reads the game so well, I would love to have seen Forest sign him. Their full backs, Mert Muldur, and former Derby academy starlet, Archie Brown, both doing well, I'm not sure how he slipped under the radar from Forest fans, and got away without being booed. In midfield I was impressed with the tenacity of Oguz Aydin, whilst in attack they caused Forest real issues, breaking at pace with Nene and Cherif, who at nineteen will be another superstar, in Kerem Akturkoglu they a reliable centre forward that interlinks play well, he has great feet and will get you ten goals a season. The Verdict Getting through is what the night is all about and Forest did that, by hook, or by crook. Did their Manager make too many changes? Perhaps, but did they get away with it? Yes, will they learn from it? Let's hope so. I personally believe Forest have a core of players that need to be on the pitch to give themselves a chance of winning games of football, without them, the drop in those taking their places, is quite significant. Can they go on to win this trophy? Potentially? But I'm thinking their squad is too thin. Can they stay in the Premier League? That is more the question of significance. A quick one on Fenerbache who do have a brilliant squad, missing loads through injury and suspension they would have been a better test, at full strength, but they now can focus on winning the domestic title, and with the squad they have, I certainly think they have enough in their locker, to do it. The Teams Nottingham Forest: Stefan Ortega, Neco Williams, Jair Cunha, Morato, Murillo (Ola Aina 46), Ryan Yates (Ibrahim Sangare 46), Nico Dominguez (Morgan Gibbs-White 84), Elliot Anderson, Omari Hutchinson, James McAtee (Callum Hudson-Odoi 46), Lorenzo Lucca (Igor Jesus 46). Fenerbahce: Tarik Cetin, Mert Mulder, Mateo Guendouzi, Yigit Efe Demir, Archie Brown (Levant Mercan 76), Oguz Aydin (Marco Asensio 63), Ismail Yuksek, N'Golo Kante, Dorgeles Nene (Nelson Semedo 46), Sidiki Cherif (Alaetin Ekici 76), Kerem Akturkoglu. 8:00pm Kick Off. Thursday 26th February 2026. City Ground, Nottingham (att 26,883).

Braintree Town 1-2 Aldershot Town  (National League) I’m back on the road again today, heading south-east, the only way is Essex, but before my match night in Braintree, I’m going to cut the grass, as we’ve had two days of sunshine after three months of rain and it’s finally now firm enough to take the weight of my mower. The Iron are struggling, five points below safety they sit fourth bottom of the National League and since watching them beat Eastleigh here last month, they have picked up just two points from three games plus a postponement at Gateshead. Aldershot have been going a little better, my last viewing of them was during John Coleman’s early days in charge, they were thumped 5-1 at York in November and were facing crisis point dropping desperately down the division, changes made to personnel, they have since resurged up the league, unbeaten in six, one defeat in eleven, 26 points from 33. I was actually here for the same tie last season, a 2-1 win for Braintree but that day the Shots were dominant, before second half sub Kyrell Lisbie snatched the game away from the visitors who were winning for large parts one-nil, to turn things around with a late brace. This season's encounter at the EBB in September, ending 1-1. I’m out the door for 3pm, it’s a good couple of hours and more to Cressing Road and I’m expecting traffic along the way, which I hit on the A1 near Stamford, before parity is restored, I actually arrive for around 6pm so plenty of time to sit in my car, and check my emails, ahead of a quick walk over to Co-Op where I fill up my laptop bag with goodies. Ginsters pies, Peperami’s, Hoola Hoops, a can of Monster, chocolate, sweats, I’ve not eaten all day so am stocking up for the game and for my journey back home, with an hour to go until kick off I head through the housing estate that surrounds the stadium and towards the turnstiles of this hidden little ground, am I on the guest list? I wonder? "Am I eck." The Venue “Can’t see your name on here” says the lady on the gate, who then huffs and scratches her head with her pen, before saying, “go on”. It seems to be a regular occurrence these days, something I’m getting used to, and getting used to getting around. Inside where everybody is smiling, I’m walking around the back of the goal to the largest stand which is tonight split into home and away divided by a bit of rope, expecting a decent number from Aldershot, they are given the open end (the Quag End) to my left as well as some of the seats in the covered Main Stand, sat highest row I’m met by a regular scout who covers Braintree, he by now has already given up on their plight, “the gap looks too big” he says, before confirming “they look like a side who are resigned to going down”. We have a good chat, as the floodlights glaze into my spectacle lenses, the players walk out on the slightly soft grassy surface, just over 800 inside, half are probably away fans, there’s plenty of room here, even if the arena is compact, tight and cosy. The Game From the off, Aldershot in all black, look like a team playing with confidence, they have a few new players since I last seen them play, Sean Patton on loan from Reading leads the line, Sam Inwood on loan from Bolton is at centre half, he’s been chucking balls into the box with his long throw-ins, whilst they have a neat midfielder in Jed Meerholz who they signed from Bristol City, they have a sprightly youthfulness about them, which rubs off on some of the old guard too, Cameron Hargreaves looks a different player since I last saw him play, running forward at every opportunity from midfield to join the attack, James Henry looks ten years younger than his actual 36-year-age, Ryan Hill is bombing on from right back, he’s much better than most in the final third for me, wasted as a defender, he’s linking well with Patton as they bounce balls off eachother inside the opposition box. It’s one way traffic as a Luke Jenkins cross almost loops in over Mason Terry in the Braintree goal, Hady Ghandour has a shot desperately blocked before Henry goes down inside the box, claims for penalties are completely ignored. Patton and Hill link up brilliantly as another shot narrowly escapes rippling the net, before the save of the game, Terry flies left to stop Olly Scott’s pile buster from twenty plus yards. Braintree are poor, they break on occasion through the useful looking Sahid Kamara, but don’t really utilise their lone forward John Akinde who at times is battling with four or five men around him. The Score Somehow, Braintree make it to half time, and in the latter stages of the first half they might have nicked the lead when Taylan Harris heads towards goal, Boyce-Clarke dives to his left and claws it from creeping in. But it’s same again in the second half, Aldershot pressing, Braintree defending, and when James Henry does get a shot away on 50, it takes a huge ricochet off Sean Patton, who amongst bodies stabs home his fifth goal since signing, he runs away as the ball bobbles over the line, it’s certainly not pretty, but it’s probably deserved. “This will be three or four” says my southern based scout friend sitting next to me as Sahid Kamara picks the ball up in space on half way, he has Taylan Harris running forward down the right and finds the winger galloping towards goal, composed, the Luton loanee who’s probably been Braintree’s best attacking player, runs through and smashes home hard and low, “didn’t see that coming” I respond to thy neighbour. The game opens up as Braintree make subs, they take off Akinde for Walker, and Babic for Cooper, Drake for Clampin, they have a stronger team to end the game with than what they started, perhaps Manager Steve Pitt deserves credit for actually setting up his team for this type of scenario, but as it all seems to be in the balance, Nightingale escapes brilliantly to defend a three on one situation and he finds a pass which eventually leads to another Henry effort but it's half scuffed and with plenty of bodies behind it should be comfortably saved by Terry, but isn’t, the on loan goalkeeper spills it terribly over the line and undoes all his hard work, “he’s been Braintree’s best player by far since joining” I’m told, apparently on his sixth man of the match appearance in a row, but tonight, his error is costly, as the ball bounces through him, the mistake matters as Aldershot take all three points. The Stars Despite the error, Mason Terry is handed the home team man of the match, he’s agile, lean, a great shot stopper, usually, and likes to get play started quickly. It wasn’t a great night for Braintree who seem to play without identity, Jacob Pinnington had a tough start, he’s a decent right wing back, not so sure he’s comfortable as a traditional right back, Francis-Clarke and Langston are game at centre half, but quiet, inexperienced, perhaps they need a father figure besides them? I do like Ben Drake at left back, but another young kid, a lot being asked of these boys. In midfield, they struggle to get players beyond the ball, which is their biggest issue, good players individually, collectively the dynamic perhaps not there, James Vennings sits and holds, Manny Omrore does that too, Goran Babic I like, but he does frustrate with his final pass, whilst Taylan Harris does look a good player, direct, busy, positive, Sahid Kamara is one that will get bums off their seats, when least expected, but is one you probably wouldn’t put your mortgage on, when running through on goal. For Aldershot, a lot to like, young Coniah Boyce-Clarke is only 22, unconventional he kept out two efforts with sprawling saves, very athletic, he likes to race out of his box and pretend he’s a quarterback. Ryan Hill is one of my favourite players in the division, he’s a right back who plays like a no10, far better in the opposing half than his own. Will Nightingale solid next to young Sam Inwood, the Bolton player is only 20, left footed, he is good on the ball and has some assets like aerial ability, goal threat and throw-in distance to his game. I liked the look of Oliver Scott at left back who left the building at half-time. In midfield their stronghold was the deciding factor for me, Hargreaves and Henry both very busy, Meerholz caressing between them, Charlie Warren also doing well when he came on, I did like their teen striker Sean Patton who’s a short stubby sod but has great link up play and certainly an eye for a goal. The Verdict Aldershot’s win takes them to twelfth in the table, on last viewing in November I said, “I don't think they have the tools or heart for surviving relegation.” I did redeem myself slightly, by saying “I feel for their Manager John Coleman as it's not his fault, inheriting a team lacking characters, which is what they need to add, if they are to attempt to stay up.” They have added three or four players since then, who have made the difference, which is proof, why you should never write anyone off in the National League. As for Braintree Town, well I’m writing their survival chances right off, however, as noted above, I have been wrong before. The Teams Braintree Town: Mason Terry, Jacob Pinnington, Aidan Francis-Clarke, George Langston, Ben Drake (Ryan Clampin 78), James Vennings, Taylan Harris, Manny Omrore, Goran Babic (Chay Cooper 70), Sahid Kamara (Zavier Massiah-Edwards 79), John Akinde (Lewis Walker 63). A ldershot Town: Coniah Boyce-Clarke, Ryan Hill, Will Nightingale, Sam Inwood, Oliver Scott (Matt Penney 46), Jed Meerholz, Cameron Hargreaves, James Henry, Luke Jenkins (Charlie Warren 62), Sean Patton (Kwame Thomas 62), Hady Ghandour. 7:45pm Kick Off. Wednesday 25th February 2026, Cressing Road, Braintree (att 838).