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Leamington 1-2 Merthyr Town (National League North) Two days ago I'm sat watching Luka Modric spray balls for AC Milan across the San Siro, tonight I'm in Leamington for the visit of Merthyr Town. How football can so quickly bring you back down to earth. I'm knackered, Monday was about return flight and recovery, flicking channels over to Walsall & MK Dons every time Everton had a corner in their awful match against Manchester United. I saw some complaints of the Premier League clubs jostling which seemed to take a couple of minutes for each and every set play, the tactical margins overtaking the 'fun' and 'flow' aspect that should provide the spontaneity of players playing football, it's too static, too regimented, too organised, the game deep down below is becoming far more watchable than the over-analysed coach driven tripe in the world's 'best' division. It's a reason I probably even prefer Serie A. So far from the quality of the Premier League you actually get a better spectacle of the better players standing out more. After all, defence v attack is more fun than watching defence v counter-defence, it feels limited, with nullified attacking structure that all seems too pre-determined. Back to tonight, Leamington are shite. Bottom of the league their Manager of 16 years Paul Holleran resigned in January, replaced by Chris Knott, the Brakes have lost their last four and are without a win in six, having won just once this year, they have picked up just six points from their last fifteen games. Merthyr meanwhile have been doing ok, that was until the end of January where since the club have won just once in seven, all be it a 7-1 win v Bedford, they lost at struggling Alfreton last time out but still sit third in the division. A 100% fan owned club, Merthyr Town reformed in 2010 as a direct descendent of Merthyr Tydfil FC, who were liquidated with debts of £300,000. Not exactly lying north, located just 23 miles up from Cardiff in the South Wales valleys, the club voted against moving to the Welsh Premier League last year, having won promotion from the Southern League South Premier, their penalty for pleasure was being made to play in the furthest located step 2 league possible to their actual home base, but they are doing more than ok in holding their own amongst northern counterparts, as one of the favourites to go up again, the side has ambition for National League football and beyond. I've done limited research on each team line-up having not yet seen neither this season, head too busy back in work emails from my day off yesterday, I'm racing against time having been stopped by my South African neighbour who wants to talk rugby union after England's ass whooping to Ireland at the weekend, I'm finally out the door for 5pm, heading down the A46, across to Coventry down the M1 and M69, shortly onto the A46 before taking the back roads, the Old Fosse Way to the Your Co Op Community Stadium on Harbury Lane, which is literally, the middle of nowhere. The Venue Otherwise known as the New Windmill Ground (replacing the Old Windmill Ground which was actually in Leamington), the venue is south of the town centre on a country road, no parking nearby other than the clubs official car park which holds over 300 motors (they do also operate a shuttle bus from the town centre), there is a suggestion that they will move to a new home in the town of Leamington Spa, but progress has been halted since purchasing the land back in 2019. Should they eventually move, one thing they must take with them, is their iconic programme hut, which after pulling up, and walking through the turnstiles to this quaint little country ground, was my first port of call, as I said hello to the Welshman who operates the hut, saying "So who are you supporting today?" "Oooh don't you start" he says. "I'm from Aberdare originally. I've been dreading this match all season". The hut is no bigger than a large shed, packed to its rafters with programmes, fanzines, memorabilia and books, it even has celebrity faces often pass by. "Robbie Savage was in here the other week" I'm told. "Lovely fella, god knows what he was doing up here". After rummaging around a few retro magazines I'm off for a walk towards the Mick Brady Main Stand on the far side, a seated roofed section which centre's the sideline, there's about seven or eight rows to it, the back offers a good view partially obstructed by each dugout to the right and left, but you are elevated and well perched, enclosed, with a view of the rest of the place, muddy pitch after weeks of bad weather, low roofed seating opposite, a covered terrace and the clubhouse behind the goal to my left, open ended to the right, I do like the look and feel of the place, if only they could pick it up and move it closer to town. The Game As i'm jotting down tonight's teams I notice more Welsh names in the Leamington line-up, Dan Meredith, Ewan Williams, Owen Farmer, there's a couple of faces I recognise from last season, Adam Walker is their talisman, now 35-years-old he has played for the likes of Telford, Brackley and Solihull Moors in recent years. It's my first ever viewing of Merthyr, they do have ties to a local club in Nottingham where I live, playing Carlton Town annually in a pre-season friendly, which I think is down to a Jonny Owen connection? The only player I really recognise is that of Kiban Rai, a player who I rate highly, who's on loan from Aldershot, Welsh-born he's a playmaking forward aged just 21. As the game starts, you feel the likes of Rai, and another attacking playmaker in Lewys Twamley, have too much for Leamington, they are a level above, gliding effortlessly on a tricky surface, pushing the ball into space with one or two touches, two delightful players behind a bigger man in Cawley Cox who puts a shift in. Despite their quality, however, you feel Merthyr aren't totally at it tonight, they play a slow half-arsed tempo and try one or too many soft passes on this increasingly mudded surface, you get the feeling they feel they just need to come here, and turn up, and they are given a scare early on, when Walker races clear, but when through one on one, he fluffs his lines, he should have scored and put the hosts one up. Leamington you feel lack confidence, in defence they lack leaders, the programme hut guy telling me before the match they have been in plenty of games, but not getting the rub of the green. And despite that lack of confidence, the game is end to end, shots in both boxes, whilst they don't look particularly like keeping a clean sheet, they do look like scoring. The Score On seventeen minutes after an almost identical scare, Cawley Cox runs through on goal all too easily, and is felled by the goalkeeper Eddie Brearley who earns himself a yellow card, no question of it being a penalty, easily dispatched by Lewys Twamley. You wonder what that does for Leamington confidence and for a good few minutes they are all over the place defensively, on 19 they survive another attack by conceding a corner, but the resulting set piece is swung in, stabbed home, Ryan-Phillips the man seemingly taking the applause. It's one sided, suddenly Merythr are showboating, it feels like they are that sort of team, which is why they have perhaps come unstuck during the winter months? They are ok defensively, neat and nice in midfield, but heavily reliant on their attacking options to sprinkle some magic, I can see how they got beat against Alfreton, if they aren't up for it, you have a chance, if you aren't up for it, they'll probably beat you. At half time Leamington are probably happy to get in at 0-2 down, the Welsh fans have been singing all half, it's been like Top of the Pops as I've heard numbers from David Bowie, Elvis, Bob Marley, even Michael Bublé and Danzel's Pump it Up. It's very much a happy away day for the visitors but the second half turns on its head somewhat, two-nil is a dangerous score, and the longer it stays, the more Leamington grow in confidence, suddenly the hosts are putting balls into the box, placing the Merthyr defence under pressure, it's one way traffic and to be fair the Welsh side dig in, but they are up against it, and when Will Glennon stabs one in from Dan Meredith's blockbuster, the game is on, and the final few minutes are like a boxer winning on points, defending his title against a plucky rejuvenated challenger. By now all those technical talents are off, Rai relinquished, Twamley replaced, Merthyr go into defence mode as the Brakes pepper their goal, but it doesn't come, and in injury time all hell breaks loose, a foul on Livermore results in a mass brawl, Merthyr sub Garrick gets himself sent off, so does their coach Craig Reddy, their might even have been a third card shown to a Leamington member of staff, by the time it settles down, the woman in charge is pretty much ready, to blow her whistle, and end it all. The Stars I don't particularly feel Merthyr played well, but I do see some talented footballers in their makeup, star for me was Twamley, an attacking midfielder who likes to get on the ball and pop it around, who maybe small in size but has buckets of quality, Kiban Rai beside him they link well together behind Cawley Cox who's an honest young lad, he'll battle in the nine role and nick a goal or two along the way. Another stand out, the neat midfielder Jacob Maddox, even on this pitch he hardly gave the ball away, an England youth international he started out at Chelsea before dropping down the leagues with Burton, Walsall and Forest Green Rovers, still only 27, he probably should be playing league football at least. As for Leamington, their all action right back Dan Meredith caught my eye the first time I watched him last season, I liked him again in this game, game and busy, he's the swashbuckling type who will rather run through you, than around you, perhaps just as much danger to his own team-mates than his own, if you're in his way, perhaps move, he whacked a clearance directly into the midriff of team-mate Tom Berridge during the first half, before patting him on the back and running back to his spot to defend the resulting throw-in. I liked Owen Farmer, he's a young kid who they signed from Wolves, whilst Max Brogan I was told, has been their stand out performer, he's on loan from Scunthorpe and was one of many who's spirited second half performance provides hope that Leamington aren't quite as bad, as their results may suggest. The Verdict Reverting back to my Welsh programme seller who told me pre-game "We will go down" but in response, I suggested "sometimes a reset isn't a bad thing". The predictable nature of Leamington's destiny perhaps making it easier to plan ahead for next season, the remainder of this is now about improvement, and if the club can keep the basis of what they have, then they aren't at all bad, just a few old heads short of sorting themselves out. As for Merthyr, they are a good team, no doubt about it, can they do it on a cold afternoon at Radcliffe? Or even away at South Shields? We are about to find out next month, before then, a home game with Buxton, which they should win, but although they have the ingredients to beat anyone on their day, I worry that they do have some which suggests that also, anyone can beat them, if they aren't quite on their day. I predict a playoff slot, because they are certainly good enough, but I wouldn't be too worried if I were a team drawn against them. Containing Twamley and Rai is key. The Teams Leamington: Eddie Brearley, Dan Meredith, Josh Quaynor, Will Glennon, Adam Walker, Owen Farmer, Ewan Williams (Joe Clarke 75), Tim Berridge (Frank Tattum 59), Max Brogan, Eric Yahya (Mro Pais 59), Ben Blythe. Merthyr Town: Jacob Dennis, Callum Ryan-Phillips, Tom Handley, Kiban Rai (Tate Xavier-Jones 74), Alex John (Aneurin Livermore 59), Lewys Twamley (Matthew Harris 87), Jack Evans, Noah Smerdon, Jacob Maddox, Cawley Cox (Jordan Garrick 89), Jay Williams. 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 24th February 2026, New Windmill Ground, Leamington Spa (att 432).

AC Milan 0-1 Parma  (Serie A) San Siro has long been on my bucket list, so when hearing of its devastating potential demolition within the next five years, I said to the Mrs, “We have to pay it a visit before it goes”. So at Christmas, I surprised the wife with a trip to Milan and with it, a couple of tickets to the football which was the only catch for me taking her with me. I chose this game as given the option of Inter or AC who both play at the iconic Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (named after a player who played for both clubs but who was largely associated with Inter), there really is no contest. Growing up in the late 80’s early 90’s watching the great sides of Arrigo Sacchi and Fabio Capello, it was probably the first overseas team I truly loved, so much so I can still name the players that beat Benfica in the 1990 European Cup final, Galli, Tasotti, Maldini, Colombo, Costacurta, Baresi, Ancelotti, Rijkaard, van Basten, Gullit, Evani, this was my first taste of I Rossoneri  who won back to back European titles in 89 & 90. A little older, by 1994 I was by now much in love with the side Fabio Capello had built, in beating Barcelona 4-0 in the Champions League they had the likes of Rossi, Galli, Panucci, Boban, Albertini, Desailly, Savicevic and Massaro now added to that continental winning roster, during an epic time of Italian football dominance, Milan were the best in the world. A little later in life I found out that Milan’s founder, Herbert Kilpin, was born in my own home town of Nottingham, he left his family home above a butchers on Mansfield Road to work in the booming lace industry during the late 1800’s, he moved to Milan and co-founded Milan Football and Cricket Club for some recreational pastime, his place of birth is a small shrine to his efforts to this day, hidden partially behind a bus stop, unassuming, there is at least a pub in the centre of Nottingham that now bears his name, and has some lovely photos of AC Milan players in action, upon its walls. That connection has only strengthened my love over the years, not quite a ‘second club’ I have always had affection from afar for Milan, so when choosing AC over Inter, it really was no contest. The second choice was to arrange an opponent, with tickets readily available for most games I could choose (affordably) between the likes of Genoa, Lecce, Como or Parma, the latter, another great name of the nineties and my adolescence whilst growing up during some of Italian football’s most iconic years, no team were more iconic of that era than Parma, twice winners of the UEFA Cup, they had names like Bucci, Apolloni, Fernando Couto, Minotti, Benarrivo, Di Chiara, Pin, Dino Baggio, Sensini, Zola, Asprilla, Brolin, Branca, Mussi, Fiore, just a few of Nevio Scala’s team that beat Juventus in the 1995 final over two legs, but in 1999, they were arguably even better. Under Alberto Malesani they beat Marseille 3-0 to win the final again, with Buffon, Thuram, Cannavaro, Boghossian, Fuser, Veron, Vanoli, Crespo and Chiesa, Sensini & Dino Baggio also played from those who appeared in the 95 team, whilst Asprilla & Apolloni were on the bench. AC Milan v Parma, one of Italian football’s most notorious matches of my own celebrated 90's decade, it had to be that one I chose for probably my first and only visit to the San Siro. The Venue We arrived on Saturday and stayed at Navigli, in a quirky styled Airbnb apartment overlooking the canal with bars and restaurants a plenty, Sunday, matchday, allowed us to take our time, we walked around the antique market which had vintage Gucci and Versace handbags amongst many fine pieces of art and jewellery, sat in sunshine we had a coffee and breakfast before walking to the centre to see the Duomo di Milano and the equally stunning Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping centre, the boutiques inside, Prada, Dior, Louis Vuitton, a little expensive to my liking, so a compromise was to visit the Winter Olympics store in the main square, I wasn’t even aware ahead of booking this weekend away, that the Milan/Cortina games would be on. So an extra buzz around the city as Canadian and USA hockey fans roamed around in their oversized shirts ahead of the Olympic final, we sat down to a large Aperol before taking the Metro to Zona Lotto, and then a good half an hour’s walk to the stadium besides the back of Milan racecourse. It’s a bloody long walk, Milan is the ninth largest city in Europe and bigger than any city in England bar London, I wasn’t aware of its magnitude until walking from A to B, the metro line to the stadium closed on matchdays, presumably to control the huge masses of people congregating on the line? Apparently the trams do work, but they looked as slow as walking, and whilst it was long, the sun out, it was peaceful and serene, until the corner turned and the giant structure appeared. A thing of beauty, the San Siro set back stood alone is nicknamed 'la Scala del calcio (named after a theatre in Milan but this one is for football), as we walked through stalls of endless food and drink catering options it provided the backdrop to a perfect setting, walking through calm crowds slowly growing, a couple of hours ahead of kick off in perfect Italian winter sunshine, I decided to pay a little more for my tickets, to include a museum bar corporate buffet and after, a wind down in the on site sports bar named '1899'. We went whole hog and got fast track tickets to beat the queues at the gates, and once inside headed for a stand alone portacabin with video screen wrapped around it, entering through the dark doors to find a funky lounge playing music with a DJ stationed high above, prosecco on arrival, a trophy cabinet of all the biggest prizes in world football, and a shirt collection behind glass, of some of the biggest stars, Beckham, Messi, Socrates, Maldini even the iconic 2006 world cup final shirt that Zinedine Zidane wore, before head-butting Marco Materazzi in his final act on a football pitch. The lounge is fabulous, the food average but drinks flow free, there’s an Inter section but you feel despite split loyalty, the place feels more AC? I wonder how it is when Inter play here, whether the dynamics of the occasion change some what? Something I would probably be keen to see in comparison. A good half hour before kick off we decide to leave the unattached venue for our seats inside el stadio, sat a good twelve rows up but by the corner in the Anelli Rossi, above to our right in the upper tier, home fans sing and chant, many dressed in black, others topless, the place already packed. The stadium is quite something, steel structured and unique like no other in world football, it feels bigger than all I have been to, and I have been many times to Wembley, which is in actual fact bigger by capacity, perhaps not so in size? The Parma fans are high up in the third tier to my left, in England we feel away fans who travel to Newcastle get a raw deal, I think you can double their step count getting up to the top of the San Siro to their seats. The Game Milan went into this match second in the table but ten points behind leaders Inter who beat Lecce on Saturday, Parma had won their last two but sat middle of the Serie A pack, still with one eye on those below them in the relegation places. As the match settled into stride, in all red as opposed to their usual red and black pinstripes, Milan controlled the tempo, but everything Infront of Parma in their brilliant yellow and blue hoops, is easy to defend, slow paced, predictable, unimaginative, in truth, a little disappointing. Although not on official business, I did a little scouting ahead of this match, I watched Parma v both Juventus and Bologna, and was impressed by young Argentine defender Mariano Troilo, although he did typically get sent off against I Veltri , I am relieved that he returns for some real life flesh viewing after a one match ban. Another player I like the look of is Spanish number ten Adrian Bernabe, whilst Gabriel Strefezza is equally as pleasing on the eye wearing number seven.   The Score Half time is goalless and not much has happened, Milan’s best players have been Modric and Rafael Leao, who hits a post early in the second half with probably the best chance of the game, but opportunity is limited and the longer it goes, the more you feel Parma might nick something, the home support has not stopped singing, the atmosphere terrific, but on 80 a rare venture forward earns the visitors a corner, swung in by Valeri it’s Troilo who rises highest, he heads home to silence the stadium, but the Referee immediately rules out the goal for a push. There's a delay for VAR, near four minutes in total, by this time you sense the Referee could be wrong, he’s soon ordered to his pitch side monitor where he eventually explains his decision to the crowd, it’s all in Italian, but the language of football speaks louder, by now you know, that the goal will be given. On hearing the good news, there’s a huge roar from the fans in the top tier, flags wave as all the Parma players run towards the corner where their fans are congregated, they celebrate like winning a World Cup final, they just know that one goal will be enough, in their defence they trust to see the job over the line. And that they do, they nullify and frustrate their hosts in typical Italian fashion, Fulkrug comes on and smashes agonisingly wide, but in truth, the Milan bench is not one that screams out talent, like it once had. Upon the whistle there’s empty seats, whilst those sat highest of all, are the ones staying for the after party. I also head to the bar, where the mood, inside, is sombre. The Stars Milan were most disappointing but saw a lot of possession, Ruben Loftus Cheek going off early with injury not helping matters, they were gelled together by the ageless Luka Modric, who had many admirers in the crowd with his name across their back, he plays effortlessly, 40 years old, he can last another ten years if he wishes. Other than Modric, it was slim pickings on players who impressed me, Saelemakers and Leao in patches provided positivity and hope, Pulisic and Rabiot in particular disappointing, but defensively I did like the look of Koni de Winter, whilst Davide Bartesaghi looks like he has a good future. Parma must take credit though, not quite the team of the nineties, but I do see some cult heroes pending, in particular their rugged defender and matchwinner Mariano Troilo who is just so typically Argentine in the way he defends and plays, Gabriel Strefezza on loan from Olimpiacos could be a good bit of business, whilst I think young Spanish playmaker Adrian Bernabe could be one day going for a lot of money. Both players seem to glide on the ball and look better in doing things than most around them. One worthy mention is Mandela Keita who is a hard working midfielder who gets around the pitch very well, a Belgian international he's just 23 and looks like the sort of player who would excel in the Premier League. The Verdict Whilst Milan missed opportunity to close the gap on their roommates Inter at the top of the table, Parma's win eased relegation worries and they now have an eight point gap on the bottom three, but this wasn't about today, more about tomorrow, and reflecting on yesterday, to visit a venue so steeped in iconic history, so iconic in its own unique look and layout, so amazing and stand-out as a global amphitheatre of the game we love, to say thank you for the memories, and when you're gone, you'll be so very badly missed. The Teams AC Milan: Mike Maignan, Fikayo Tomori (Zachary Athekame 86), Koni de Winter, Davide Bartesaghi, Alexis Saelemaekers, Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Ardon Jashari 11 (Christopher Nkunku 86)), Luka Modric, Adrien Rabiot, Pervis Estupinian (Strahinja Pavlovic 62), Christian Pulisic (Niclas Fulkrug 62), Rafael Leao. Parma: Edoardo Corvi, Enrico Delprato, Mariano Troilo, Lauraro Valenti, Sascha Britschgi, Adrian Bernabe (Hans Nicolussi Caviglia 59), Mandela Keita, Christian Ordonez (Oliver Sorensen 59), Emanuele Valeri, Gabriel Strefezza (Jacob Ondrejka 76), Mateo Pellegrino (Nahuel Estevez 90). 6:00pm Kick Off. Sunday 22nd February 2026, San Siro, Milan (att 73,017).

Redditch United 5-2 Barwell (Southern League Central Division) It's official, Redditch United have become only the second team in world football to go carbon neutral, matching the efforts of the world's first, Forest Green Rovers, for reducing their emissions footprint. Credit to the Southern League Premier Central Division side who are also doing ok this season in the playoff places, unbeaten in three, they come into tonight's game off the back of two good local derby wins against Stourbridge and Halesowen. For Barwell things haven't been going so great. Jimmy Ginnelly's Canaries have been an ok watch under my eyes this season but without a win in seven they have lost their last five and sit dangerously close now to the relegation places. It's Friday night football for a change, these two usually keep Monday nights free for their home midweekers, flicking things around perhaps in the name of love? Not yet Valentines Day, it allows me to follow my own love for football whilst keeping tomorrow night spare for the wife. I've had an interesting day so far, went to a visit a friend who's recently opened an indoor football centre in Nottingham, it's not stopped bloody raining since the moment I got up and took the dog out, but tonight we guarantee game on, these 3g surfaces do come with assurances, I leave at 5pm down the M42 and get to the outskirts of Redditch in Worcestershire around 6:30. The Venue These West Midlands towns feel all the same to me, ugly ring roads which offer confusion even for Sat Nav to navigate through, a little town centre on a hill which in actual fact, when eventually found, is quite quaint, I'm finally through all the complexities onto the Bromsgrove Road and pulling into the football ground where it's £3 to park. Drizzle is still in the air over dark skies, it's cold and miserable as the tannoy plays music in the background, I'm through the turnstiles into what feels like a modern middle surrounded by nostalgic stands to the sides, the Main Stand red and white painted is sharp edged and very nineties/noughties looking, opposite a covered terrace on a bank, the same behind the goal to the top of the pitch, it's very odd around here that you can't really stand close to the perimeter, so everything feels set back, far away, it's not great for being up close and personal with the players, lacking that smell of deep heat and seeing spit fully fly from mouth to floor, which is usually a major attraction in the non league game. I'm early and hungry so find the catering window beside the main stand and ask if they have any pies. "We've got a cottage pie" I'm told. Quite taken back, not really expecting that answer, I say "yes, why not" and in return for £8 contactless with a cup of tea, am handed a silver tray, the kind you would get your egg fried rice in from the local Chinese, I park myself down and tuck in, to what is pleasantly surprising a good cottage pie. There's a few locals sat around me on the back row of the lower tier of this weird stand, an old guy tells me of the time the club almost merged with Worcester City, and of the benefits that the new 3g surface in front provides the club and community, "It's full of kids playing on here every Saturday morning" he tells me, but my own 3g isn't working with all these people near by, so I move from the seated stand to the opposite end where I park myself behind the dugouts with full phone reception for kick off. The Game I feel unsettled, I sat in this stand last time and it was full of people chatting and laughing around me. It's quite strange, it has one row of seats elevated, but behind that, and in front, you can stand, plus it's set back, with the dugouts in view, you get an obstruction in front of the pitch, not able to see the full playing surface. As the game starts, droves of kids walk in together and collate themselves in the corner, singing songs like "we hate Barwell" and "Barwell's a shit hole". I wonder if some of them can even point to the small Leicestershire town on a map? It's a frantic start and the home side are good, you can see Barwell are playing without any confidence as mistakes too often happen, the left back finds touch more times than a team-mate and the goalkeeper's kicking is atrocious. After a couple of early sniffs for the home side, Redditch go down the left with the lively Danny King, he crosses in to Aaron Bishop who they just announced has signed from Stourbridge today, the striker nets a debut goal from close range. That sets off some pyro below, the young kids in the corner have been singing non stop, everybody around me has been chatting, not really watching the game, but suddenly supporters are going wild with that goal. They feel like a different breed from what I'm used to at the level, more people move across into my eyeline as they try and get away from the smoke. Within minutes it's two. A goal mouth scramble from a Liam Loughlan free kick is eventually prodded home by the reliable number nine Alex Cameron, then Barwell's door is well and truly blown off, when goalkeeper Finn Osborn kicks fresh air, Bishop walks into the empty net for his second and third for United. Jimmy Ginnelly's side have really gone here, and I'm going too, people now standing in front of my seat, I can't see a thing. Concentration on what's happening on the pitch difficult because I'm now too anxious what's going off around me. I can't get a signal in the Main Stand, I can't get a view in the stand opposite, so I move to position number three and try standing behind the goal, elevated, there's plenty of space without cover as the rain eases off, but I'm bloody miles away, I spend twenty minutes moving back and fourth, not really watching any action, before finally finding a seat on the front row, where I didn't want to sit initially, because of the rain. The Score As half time approaches Redditch are still in full flow, Danny King has now rounded the keeper but refuses to shoot, Barwell break with their energetic forward Zayn Hakeem, he loves a step over and does a few before pulling back to Dan Jarvis who curls home a belter from the edge of the box. Jarvis is a player I really rated from Peterborough Sports in the league above. I'm not entirely sure what he's doing at this level, but it seems his talent is wasted at a struggling Barwell, an attacking midfielder who always seems to come up with neatly taken goals. At half time I move again, to the quieter side of the Main Stand right of the players tunnel, where I alas, find peace, next to the commentary team, tonight's game aired on subscription streamer Clubber TV for a pay per view price of £7.99. Still not a perfect pitch with a little rain to fend off, I'm at least happier as the game continues with Redditch still forceful, but Barwell who have made a couple of changes, do break well on occasion, you feel a goal for them will make things interesting, but the games best player, Liam Loughlan finds space, he hits low left footed, a goal which should finish things off. Redditch however soon switch off themselves, Barwell instantly go up the other end and a cross is turned into his own net by Morgan Owen, game back on you feel, but as they wrestle back some serious momentum, Jeavin Seaton starts wrestling with an opponent off the ball, he's sent off and Barwell's night goes from bad, to worse. Within seconds of Seaton walking down the tunnel a left wing cross is headed home by Bishop for his hat-trick goal, it crowns off his perfect debut, a 5-2 win that in the end could have been double figures, no thanks to some horrendous some unforced errors and some pretty poor finishing, it wouldn't have been a shock had Redditch scored ten. The Stars Despite Bishop's hat-trick the left-footed Liam Loughlan is Redditch United's stand out performer for me, he reminds me a bit of James Maddison, white boots, slick hair, wearing number ten he glides around the final third looking to make things happen with sparkle and substance, he's pivotal in how Redditch play, apparently he recently turned down a move to Hereford, to stay at the Valley? Other impressive performers included Danny King on the left wing, I have been impressed with him before, and he's tall and direct, always looking to go on the outside, whilst the new striker Bishop, proven at the level, certainly did what Redditch are paying him to do. Defensively I was less impressed on the night but they do have a good young goalkeeper in Tyrese Warmington, on loan from Birmingham City, and a good centre half in Morgan Owen, who despite his own goal, is no-nonsense and solid. Barwell not so great, confidence lacking throughout their team, one of their best players Ethan Hill going off as early as the eighth minute with injury, perhaps he didn't fancy it? Zayn Hakeem tried hard up front, Prince Mancinelli in midfield feels like a better player than his performance suggested, Dan Jarvis however I feel is too good to be wasted in this team, easily he should be scoring goals regularly at the level above. The Verdict The win takes Redditch to fourth in the table and you feel the club has the ambition, and fanbase, to have a good craic at getting up into the next level. Whilst Barwell are just four points above the drop zone, having played more than those below, I'm really not liking the way they look right now. I don't know if I like Redditch or not? A horrible drive, the town is pretty internally, but externally ugly, the Valley Stadium looks good externally, but internally it lacks viewing vantage, ruined by false flooring, I hated the first half, but quite enjoyed the second half, the club play some good football, I suspect if I come again, I'll just have to find the right seat. The Teams Redditch United: Tyrese Warmington, Joel Shambrook, Morgan Owen, Luke Ward (Dexter Dudley-Toole 87), Finn Howell, Robbie Bunn (Matt Warburton 62), Aram Soleman, Aaron Bishop (Bobby Fielding 84), Liam Loughlan, Danny King (Jack Loughran 70), Alex Cameron (Tyler Bruck 85). Barwell: Finn Osborn (Liam Castle 46), Malaki Reeve (Jeavin Seaton 46), Jiah Medrano (Harrison Iwunze 77), Freddie Cook, Prince Mancinelli, Ethan Hill (Saikou Brown 8), Dan Jarvis, Harry Hawkins, Zayn Hakeem, Ryan Hayes (Tyree Wilson 46), Sonny Singh. 7:45pm Kick Off. Friday 13th February 2026, The Valley Stadium, Redditch (att 386).

AFC Telford United 2-2 Chorley  (National League North) A new ground and a new club tonight, growing up in the 90’s Telford United were a regular on the Grandstand vidi-printer as Des Lynam read out the scores from the GM Vauxhall Conference. A fifth-tier club since the day the Alliance Premier League was formed in 1979, the Bucks stood for 24 years in the same division of English football until financial hardship in 2004. Liquidated with over £4m of debt, but with a brand spanking ground in the New Bucks Head, enter a new name, AFC would form through a supporter’s trust. Since, the club have featured in the Northern Premier League and Conference North, in 2011 they gained promotion to the Conference Premier but lasted just two seasons, winning the Conference North in 2014 they returned to the National League but were relegated the season after, spending eight seasons at level 6 National North before a couple of campaigns in the Southern League Central Premier Division, last season under Kevin Wilkin they gained promotion via the playoffs and have this season returned to National North football, doing ok thus far, eighth in the league a place and a point behind those in the playoffs. Chorley are another club with long history in the top echelons of non-league football, they were in the Conference for a couple of seasons during the late eighties/early nineties but were a Northern Premier League outfit until 1999, dropping down a division before eventual promotion back in 2011, they reached step 2 Conference/National North in 2014 and but for a single season in the National League (finishing bottom in 2019/20) they have been a staple at this level, now in their sixth season in the division. Managed by former Stockport, Bury and Blackpool striker Andy Preece, they are fourteenth in the league and lost a tight derby v Radcliffe last time out, prior to that, they were unbeaten in three, but form has been stop-start this season with eleven wins, eight draws and twelve defeats so far. I’ve had my head in emails all day, I made the batter for some pancake mix and promised the wife I would cook some up for lunch but her patience has worn thin, she’s taking over in the kitchen and doing a pretty good job, teamwork, it’s usually me who does all the tossing on Shrove Tuesday. The Venue Telford from Nottingham is an awkward commute, the quickest is the most expensive across the M6 toll which I don’t want to do, the next best up the M6 past Birmingham where it can get pretty busy, again not what I really want to do, so I choose option 3, no tolls or traffic from the A38 where I pass Burton and Litchfield, the south side of Cannock and the idyllic small town of Shareshill before finally hitting the M54 near almost two hours of driving. The New Bucks Head isn’t actually in Telford, which is the opposite side of the motorway, it’s in Wellington to the North, and it’s eerily quiet around here. I’ve pulled up on Haybridge Road outside the college before walking down towards the ground an hour ahead of kick off. You can see the dim lights in the background of the stadium less than 500 yards away, but there’s not many people, not many cars, it reminds me a bit of Gainsborough, another sleepy town with football heritage. I walk past a Domino’s Pizza and into the West Stand Car Park, the back of the stand is huge, but the lighting is dim, there’s hardly anyone around which prompts me to check my phone and see if the game is in fact on. I’m crossing my fingers that I’ve not come all this way for it to be called off. Luck has it we’re still good, and as I get closer to the turnstiles, I do see a couple of fans waiting outside for the doors to open, a gate opening for disabled access has me chance to ask a steward if I can gain entry, after a bit of deliberation he lets me in. “Media” I tell him. “Have you got your ticket?”… As I fumble for my phone he responds, “It’s ok, I trust you”.. Inside upon my first viewing at pitch level, whilst walking up to the media seats, I’m actually in awe of this large, smart, modern, quite cute looking home that is more than good enough for hosting league football. It has real quirk, the West Stand blue seated is large with boxes at the back as the stadium wraps around with rounded roofing behind each goal, and opposite has a grey brick standalone almost nostalgic looking building that gives a throwback backdrop to what you can imagine is a 1970’s non-league home with players playing in full mudded whites with moustaches and crap hair. I love the place, big wide pitch in smashing condition, homely, intimate, but spacious and modern with all you need, great for viewing the game, even an electronic scoreboard stands tall, as post-millennium stadiums go, this is one of the quirkiest and nicest looking to be built. I’m up to my seat at the back of the stand as I follow a presenter up the steps from Radio Shropshire, the Chorley media team are here, I have a quick chat with them about their form before I’m joined by a scout from Genius called Jamie, he’s wearing a Bayer Leverkusen woolly hat and he’s talkative, a nice lad who hops around from club to club watching football in Wales and the West Midlands. By now the players are out, stretching, the fans are appearing, slowly, the venue filling nicely, this West Stand we are in is packing the punters, as is the one to my left, the David Hutchison Stand behind the goal is where all the noisy fans go, opposite in the open there’s a few hard core braving the cold, to my right, the terrace down below is closed for business, the crowds around here have often been over a thousand this season, there’s room for over 6k inside this building at full capacity. The Game It’s my first viewing of Chorley this season, my first of Telford ever, the home side in all white start passing like Real Madrid, the visitors in cherry red look like Heart of Midlothian, it’s nice to see two classic but simple kits, the all in one number always looks so pleasing on the eye. Telford are very good, they have pace in attack, their right back Ammar Dyer gets forward well, he’s rapid but his heavy touch causes all sorts of problems committing defenders to dive in, if they win the ball Dyer is out of position, if they don’t, then danger. Another dangerman is left winger Charlie Williams, he’s been brilliant, running at defenders and creating opportunity, there’s been a couple of sniffs for the hosts, but Chorley look to have overcome the worst of it, that is, until Adam Henley tries a right to left cross field pass which is terrible, landing at the feet of Remi Walker in the centre circle he sends Dylan Allen-Hadley away and the striker puts on the burners, running past Chorley’s 37-year-old centre half Mark Ellis, to calmly slot home, that was just what the ageing defender needed, to be isolated one-on-one against youthful pace. The remarkable thing is it soon happens again, somehow Ellis has been left stranded alone with Allen-Hadley running through on goal, he’s quick, but probably looks quicker against Ellis, he runs through on 35 to almost identically do what he did on 22, a low calm right footed finish into the corner of the net, it’s all too easy, they need to defend better than that, do Chorley. The Score The away side have had a couple of long range efforts and have a couple of busy players in their own attack, captain Milan Lalkovic is full of running in the ten slot, out left Max Wilson is snappy and creative, but Telford are head and shoulders the better team, dominating a first half and seemingly shifting up the gears as and when they want to. I’m hardly expecting anything bar a routine win but after the half time interval, I’m disappointed with how Telford start. Suddenly Chorley have the ball and are getting it out wide to pepper their hosts goal, Clarke drives low when sent through to force a brilliant stop by Gracey who dives low to his left, he flicks around the post, just, but from the resulting corner, Taelor O’Kane finds the ball falling down to his feet, making no mistake to belt into the roof of the net. It’s deserved for Chorley who look a better more organised team in the second half, they play with more controlled aggression, a bigger more direct team, less technical than Telford, they start to do the basics better and all of a sudden they believe, O’Kane plays with more confidence as he dives in to win a tackle, Lalkovic comes to life and as he’s slid inside the box Jordan Cranston chops him down, even I shout ‘penalty’ it’s that obvious to call, what was the defender doing? Lalkovic does the rest. At 2-2 the game felt like anybody’s as Chorley looked for another, Telford then bucked up their own ideas and during a ten minute spell it could have gone either way, but late on Andy Preece shown his cards, bringing on a bit of experience to see out the match for a solid and valuable point on the road, perhaps it does neither team no good, but it could have been worse, or even better, for both. The Stars There was a lot to like from Telford’s first half performance where they looked like a good front foot footballing team, I really liked Williams down the left and Allen-Hadley took his goals brilliantly, a confident footballer and a classy finisher with pace, looks to be a player that can do it a level above at least. I was disappointed with Remi Walker who’s been Telford’s top scorer this season, the playmaking number ten is neat on the ball and thick set but hardly moved all night, Thakbolo Leshabela did plenty of running in midfield including some for Walker, as did Ammar Dyer from right full back who provided good positive wing play when getting into the final third. For Chorley, a friend of mine had a son playing and he was at least on the scoresheet, Taelor O’Kane is a twenty-year old footballer on loan from Fylde who I believe is capable of big things, a holding midfielder athletic in size, neat in possession, he reads the game well and can apparently also nick a goal. At nineteen and on loan from Preston Max Wilson was busy and lively in attack, whilst their captain Milan Lalkovic worked hard, Warren Clarke on their left side, also doing well from both forward and defensive perspective. The Verdict Telford’s point actually places them in the playoffs at the expense of Macclesfield who have three games in hand following the Silkmen’s recent FA cup run, this is probably why the point wasn’t enough, on the night, against a side they should have perhaps, beat at home. Chorley are fourteenth and they’ll take heart from their comeback second half performance where for large parts they were much the better side, both I think will be seeing each other in the National League North next season, although if Telford can string their first forty five into a full ninety and get a decent run together, I wouldn’t rule them out of being an outside bet for promotion, should they be able to make the playoffs. A good team, some good players, and a bloody good home of football they have. The Teams AFC Telford United: Josh Gracey, Jordan Cranston (Rhys Hilton 84), Jordan Piggott, Alex Fletcher, Charlie Williams (Ricardo Dinanga 79), James Meadows, Dylan Allen-Hadley, Oliver Cawthorne, Thakbalo Leshabela (James Armson 80), Remi Walker (Olu Lawal 84), Ammar Dyer. Chorley: Matt Urwin, Adam Henley, Mark Ellis, Harvey Smith, Jack Sampson (Anjola Popoola 65), Warren Clarke (Jack Moore 90), Taelor O'Kane (Mike Calveley 84), Adam Blakeman, Owen German, Milan Lalkovic, Max Wilson. 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 17th February 2026, New Bucks Head, Telford (att 1,126).

Scunthorpe United 3-6 Boston United  (National League) It’s St Valentine’s Day, but not in my house, as I wake up alone tired and hungover from Redditch United and the night before, the Mrs has already sodded off to the gym, and I’m out the door early afternoon and gone for most of the day, back for my M&S meal for two however, by 6:30pm tonight. It’s derby day, of sorts, Lincolnshire verses Humberside, Boston and Scunthorpe is a match I’ve been lucky enough to regularly attend in recent seasons, and I’m back today at Glanford Park, the Attis Arena, the Pilgrims making their way across county and 60 miles north, I was surprised to hear the distance between the two towns so far. Distance in league positions is also quite wide but Boston’s form of late under new Manager Paul Hurst is very good, Hurst managed Scunthorpe during testing times six years ago and he’s returned to life at Boston with three successive wins, they came from behind to beat Boreham Wood and had back-to-back 1-0 victories against Sutton and Gateshead to win their last three, a few new players added have given fans reason to be cheerful, Tom Cursons, Jamie Grimes and Jake Rooney in particular, have made a huge difference to their spine and I’m half fancying them to cause an upset today, as I see progress in the way Boston now play, a much more attacking brand than previously under Graham Coughlan. Scunthorpe also play an exciting attacking brand of football under Andy Butler which is sometimes open to error defensively and in that, they were picked off during a 3-2 defeat at Carlisle last time out, still in the playoffs, they are perhaps losing grip on any slim chance of automatic promotion, but they still have plenty to do to stay in the top seven as the games come thick and fast against more tough and testing opposition to come. The Iron last beat Boston in the league in 2002 and were knocked out by the Pilgrims in the National League North playoff semi-finals in 2024, the two teams since returning to the National League drew 1-1 at the Jakemans earlier in the season. I did get to see the wife, briefly, flowers swapped for chocs I’m out the door at twelve, the sun is out today, blue skies, crisp, sunshine, the spring springing as I head across the A46 towards Lincoln where everything is fine and dandy until an accident closes the road. There’s panic, I’m having to navigate through Lincoln city centre on a matchday (the Imps face Bolton in League One at 3pm), on a Saturday, and everything is standstill, but finally through the chaos I’m back on the 46 before heading North up the A15 and onto the M180 for a short distance. The Venue Because of the time I chance parking at the clubs car park, I used to often pay online but the service doesn’t seem to be on offer these days so I recently found a street nearby but that’s another five minutes away on my journey, I’m instead asking the nice ladies attending the stadium gates how much to park “£5” they reply, “but if you’re media it’s free”. Bonus, there’s no need to name check, just tell them you’re special and you’re in! It’s the same upon entrance; my name is not even on their list today. “Go on” an old boy says at the turnstile. Free parking and free entrance, I feel like I’ve blagged my way into Glanford Park without showing any identification, no remorse at all, but I am here on official business, my name should be written at least on the entrance list, let’s put it down to admin error from my bosses, again. Inside I grab a quick wee and a coffee as I notice the pitch, patchy, but not at all bad, the green and brown mudded surface is lit up in bright sunshine. The club asked volunteers to move the covers off only this morning, they are helped hugely by the locals here, suggesting a real community spirit about this place, one thing I always get when I come to Scunthorpe, is how the community always seems to dig in and help out. I’m up to my seat with an hour or so to spare, chatting to a fellow scout he tells me of his whiplash from a car accident he had last week, Radio Humberside with former Iron striker Steve Torpey sitting to my right, Radio Lincolnshire with ex-Pilgrim Peter Costello on co-coms one row above, the ground slowly filling with anticipation, square bowl shaped and propped up the venue has charm but is these days showing its age, it seems every part of the steel made structure has an advert emblazoned on it, even the tweets here have adverts, but it’s these local companies, and that community spirit around here, that helps keep this club alive. The Game There’s a presentation ahead of kick off where a cheque for over £2,000 is presented from the supporters club to help the team pay for their overnight stay in Truro when they play in the league later this season, one of the guys presenting is in a full Scunthorpe United kit and sunglasses, every time there’s a game here there’s often many sponsors and corporates on the pitch taking photos ahead of kick off, most are better dressed than this chap who seems to have no shame. Surface finally cleared, the theme tune from Boon sung, the two teams get underway, Boston in gold and black glowing in the sun, Scunny in traditional claret and blue, and it’s a bright start as both teams play on the front foot, we’re about to be in for a cracker. Seven minutes it takes, for Boston to take the lead, a floated cross into the box is cushion headed home by Tom Cursons, he’s recently signed from Harrogate and has already scored match winners in his last two games, he looks a brilliant acquisition, a player who was at Ilkeston Town last season, tall and lean he leans in to nod home with an expert finish that only good headers of the ball are capable of. Boston are 4-2-3-1 and flowing forward but Scunthorpe’s similar make-up makes for an entertaining and attacking start as Callum Roberts, as always, looks to threaten down the right, but the Pilgrims have a corner, on 21 Frankie Maguire disguises a cross which Iron defenders think is going to be drilled into the box, to float towards the edge of the area, I’m thinking in my head ‘Paul Scholes’ as Matty Carson takes a touch, before curling home a beauty into the top corner. My gasp is so loud, the lady sitting in front of me, who’s a Scunthorpe fan, looks around in anger. It’s a brilliant goal, Matty Carson is a top technician with a wonderful left foot, it’s certainly something he’s most very capable of, now getting a run of games in this team, I’m sure it won’t be the last blockbuster we see from him. The boos are ringing around the Attis as the fans suddenly seem shell shocked, but soon after things get worse, as Jake Rooney, back post, scrambles home an effort which the keeper can’t keep out, 23 minutes gone and the home side are 0-3 down. The Score You feel at no point is the game done and dusted with the attacking threat that Scunthorpe have and ahead of the half hour they pull one back as Cal Roberts cuts in and shoots low, perhaps with aid of a deflection. But on the stroke of half time silence again, a free kick floated in by Maguire to Rooney, unmarked, aerially Scunthorpe haven’t been at it and they have been done too easily with balls into their box. However, in deep injury time Scunthorpe are awarded a penalty, soft it seems after a bit of tugging from a set play but Whitehall soon steps up to reduce the deficit, 2-4 at half time and game very much on again. At the break, former Boston player Peter Costello says behind me “the next goal is massive” as I’m half thinking we probably won’t get any more, but within minutes that ‘massive’ moment comes and is finished off brilliantly by Tom Cursons who races in to dink over the keeper, a fab finish on the break, Scunthorpe again have it all to do. They haven't given up though, plenty of shots towards goal, there’s shouts for a penalty as Wogan takes out Roberts but then Scunthorpe do get a second spot kick when the Geordie winger is brought down by a defender, he picks himself up to score his second of the game and with a two goal deficit Scunny continue to push in vain, but late on as legs tire sub Donnelly runs clear, he has Cursons waiting to be slipped in and finds the forward in fine form, the big man doing the rest, 'TC' placing home his hat-trick goal and instantly earning himself a place in Pilgrims folklore. The crowd go wild behind the goal, as the rest of the stadium, starts to empty. The Stars Tom Cursons is a hat-trick hero but anyone from Boston can hold their heads up high following a fantastic performance, despite it being the strangest of games, defensively they dug in and worked hard, all be it in conceding three, the match so open that all attacking elements, and a few defensive ones, have to be praised. I really like the signings of Jamie Grimes and Jake Rooney, On loan from Chesterfield, Grimes knows the level, is solid and reads the game well, has instantly came in as captain and you feel for the first time in a long time, that Boston have a proper centre half that can make a difference, in Jake Rooney beside him, they have a combative young lad on loan from Derby who I think should go on to have a pretty decent career. I like Connor Teale their right back who can play centre half, he naturally covers around and late on tucked in to offer extra central support when the going got tougher, out left Matty Carson did really well against the best player in the league, but it’s going forward himself which is the skillset Carson brings, with his brilliant left foot. In midfield, a player I often overlook is Jordan Richards but he’s been brilliant on the few recent occasions I’ve watched him, next to Oisin Gallagher on loan from Lincoln who’s a fine footballer himself, then the trio in attack behind Cursons, Frankie Maguire, full of running, Jordy Hiwula, ever improving, Ken Aboh, probably the hardest player to knock off the ball in the division, the Boston fans often sing Spandau Ballet’s ‘gold’ to him, he’s certainly 'indestructible' that's for sure. Something Scunthorpe are not in recent weeks is indestructible, they have a good team, but perhaps not a great squad, and it’s starting to show signs of tiredness. I asked about Oli Ewing ahead of the match, “he’s not been great recently” I was told, perhaps that’s down to it being his first full season in men’s football? Tired legs? Ewing was dragged at half time with new signing Connor Smith who didn’t play well, Cal Roberts is their star, if he gets injured I presume it would be Scunthorpe's season end, but Alfie Beestin came on and did well, Danny Whitehall in attack always a goal threat, I do like their defenders as individuals, Branden Horton is a lovely left back, but he’s playing centre half, three goals from headers conceded, I suspect if they had a Jamie Grimes or Jake Rooney today, then things might have been a bit different. The Verdict Scunthorpe are fifth in the table a good ten points ahead of falling out of the playoffs, they should be alright, but I fancy a couple more additions would help bolster their squad depth, they could certainly do with defensive reinforcements. As for Boston, on 39 points they’ll be looking to get to fifty and safety as quickly as possible, they are eleven points from any playoff potential, so probably won’t achieve that this season, but I certainly feel they won’t have anything to worry about from those below. A good team, who played a good game, now to get home and back to the waiting wife. Scunthorpe United: Rory Mahady, Joe Starbuck, Will Evans, Branden Horton (Andrew Boyce 89), Tyler Denton, Zain Westbrooke (Carlton Ubaezuonu 66), Joe Rowley, Callum Roberts, Oli Ewing (Alfie Beestin 46), Connor Smith (Aidan Dausch 46), Danny Whitehall. Boston United: Andrew Wogan, Connor Teale, Jake Rooney, Jamie Grimes, Matty Carson, Jordan Richards, Oisin Gallagher, Jordy Hiwula (Greg Sloggett 72), Frankie Maguire (Ben Grist 90), Ken Aboh (Kieren Donnelly 79), Tom Cursons. 3:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 14th February 2026, Glanford Park, Scunthorpe (att 5,421).

Brackley Town 1-1 FC Halifax Town (National League) I've got the thermals on for a Wednesday night in West Northamptonshire to watch yet another National League game. The Saints of Brackley Town have been doing ok under the interim charge of centre half Gareth Dean, previous manager Gavin Cowan recently left to take the job at Shrewsbury Town at the end of last month, on a limited budget Cowan over-achieved with this small part time squad of players, having won the National League North against the odds last season, they have kept their heads above water in the fifth tier whilst taking a few decent scalps along the way. Unbeaten in four in the league, they are proving hard to beat and resilient, often ugly, but well disciplined, direct and physical, organisation, work rate and structure has long been their makeup. FC Halifax have had a wobble of late, three successive defeats including an FA Trophy shootout loss last month have hampered progress this season under Adam Lakeland who has otherwise done well, to put together a strong no frills side that is hovering on the edge of the playoff places. It's an hour and half drive for me to Brackley, so I'm leaving at 5pm down the A46 towards the M1 and A43 before pulling up at 6:30pm on the Churchfield Way, a short walk towards the ground where I ask the old couple in the ticket office if my names on the list. The Venue "I can't see you on here" I'm told. "pop in reception and they'll sort you out". It's a glass fronted modern reception which leads into the clubs magnificent large bar area, I'm greeted by smiles of two ladies which is always a good sign. "My names not on the list" I tell them. "I was supposed to be here on Saturday too" but that game was called off. "So you're four days late" is the response of the woman sitting behind the counter. They have a giggle and without fuss guide me to my seat, walking through the clubhouse bar to the pitch where I sit at the front of the press area, a couple of rows up, it's always pitch side here at St James Park in such small surroundings, as I'm told "I don't think they'll be many here tonight, they'll be plenty of room for you". The view in truth isn't great, the corner to my right out of sight behind folk standing, the left side partially blocked by a couple of posts on a stand that runs down the side, you get a glare off the floodlights which aren't the brightest, and then there's my eyes which aren't the best. That said, it's a homely little stadium, so many different quirks, small seated stands dotted around, covered terracing behind the goals, as I spot a scout from Carlisle who was ironically here the last time I was. The Game Halifax are one of the teams who Carlisle might face in the playoffs which is why the Cumbrians scout is down here watching, and as he sits down in front of me, the Shaymen in bright hi-vis like yellow kick off, they pass back to Hobson, who within ten seconds is clattered by teenage striker Ben Wodskou who receives the games first booking. I think it's probably the fastest I have seen since Vinnie Jones got one back in 1990 after just five seconds when playing for Sheffield United. Hobson isn't happy, he's had to pick himself up off the ground and within 3 minutes decides to take it out on Danny Newton, carving Wodskou's team-mate down to earn a yellow himself, it reminded me of when Stuart Pearce got a headbutt of Basile Boli in Euro 92 and then decided to take it out instead on the player he was marking in Jocelyn Angloma, "you did that you little bastard" said Pearce. The game has needle and edge as the first half racks up five bookings in total, Halifax you feel are the better team, more possession, they smack the outside of the post through Will Harris, their number nine is a striker I like, whilst at the other end Michael Nottingham who stays up from a half cleared set play, heads over from a fabulous left wing cross by Lowe. A tall leggy defender, Nottingham is a threat in both boxes and with a good record of headed goals, you would have backed him, to make that count. The Score At half time it's honours even and for most of the second half you feel the outcome is deserving of a point a piece, Brackley work really hard and dig in, but they perhaps don't do enough to win, Halifax see a lot of the ball, look the better of the two teams, but again, don't do enough to win. The action is lively with each keeper making a good stop straight at them, but as we are all set for a draw, one scout having seen enough leaves in front of me, Angelo Capello races into the box, gets tugged down and Brackley concede a devastating penalty in the 88th minute. Will Harris takes his time to shoot hard an effort which cannons off the legs of Gregory into the net, and as you feel that Halifax have snatched it at the death, late on, eight minutes are added and chaos in the Shaymen's area leads to a shot blocked by the hand of a defender, Shane Byrne stepping up to coolly level, on the night, it's perhaps a point a piece which both teams deserved. The Stars A lot of good from both teams who I have seen a bit of this season, Halifax who went with their big guys for this one, defended in a 352 but attacked at times with fluidity and movement, I was especially impressed with young AJ Warburton at right wing back, good quick feet, agile and hungry, whilst in attack, David Kawa was very lively, their best player for me though is Cody Johnson who works so hard in midfield, picking up the pieces and doing the ugly stuff better than mostly anyone I have watched in this league. Other good performances came defensively from Shaun Hobson a stallwart defender of the level, Adam Alimi-Adetoro doing well next to him, whilst Jevon Mills came on for the injured Will Smith and did really well, both Angelo Capello and Kieron Morris were lively also, when they came on. For Brackley it was the best I have seen them play this season, which wasn't much having witnessed dire performances at Braintree and v Morecambe, but they looked to put real effort in tonight, showing good commitment and honesty, Scott Pollock full of running, the best I have seen of him in a long while, whilst big Ben Wodskou looked a unit up top, he's on loan from Birmingham, just nineteen, putting that big early 'reducer' on a Halifax defender tells you what he might be all about, but he's technically good and I think he'll get regular goals the more he plays. Another striker in shape, Danny Newton looked like the old player that we saw prior to his move to Harborough Town in the summer, on loan from the Leicestershire based Southern League side he looks to have found his fitness and even at 34 was a persistent menace to contain. The Verdict A point probably does neither much harm as Halifax consolidate their playoff place and Brackley edge further away from relegation. Neither step is quite complete with a lot still to do, Adam Lakeland's side are just two points above Southend in seventh but it's all in their own hands, as it is for Brackley who are now four points above the drop zone with a game or two in hand on those below. The Teams Brackley Town: Cameron Gregory, Kyle Morrison, Scott Pollock (Morgan Roberts 69), Zak Brown (Jack Price 89), Danny Newton (Connor Hall 89), Matt Lowe, Michael Nottingham, Ben Wodskou (Kian Harratt 69), Zak Lilly, Bryon Pendleton, Shane Byrne. FC Halifax Town: Sam Johnson, Adam Adetoro, Will Smith (Jevon Mills 42), Shaun Hobson, Thierry Latty-Fairweather (Owen Bray 90), Cody Johnson, Will Hugill, Josh Hmami (Kieron Morris 75), AJ Warburton, David Kawa (Angelo Capello 75), Will Harris. 7:45pm Kick Off. Wednesday 11th February 2026, St James Park, Brackley (att 539).

Boston United 1-0 Gateshead (National League) I spent a lovely morning on Monday meeting the daughter and granddaughter of a former Nottingham Forest footballer who served in World War II for the Royal Navy, Arthur Hedley Williams was a seaman who also played for Bilsthorpe Colliery and Huthwaite CWS winning the Notts Alliance league title with both. I wrote a full article on the Nottingham Sport website about his amazing story which can be read here . Boston United are undergoing change. They have a new manager in Paul Hurst and are slowly building a new team with recent top quality acquisitions. Defender Jake Rooney comes in on loan from Derby County, as does Jamie Grimes from Chesterfield, whilst goalkeeper Andrew Wogan has signed from Stockport County on loan, Tom Cursons makes up the temporary fillings from Harrogate Town. He scored the winner last time out in a 1-0 win over Sutton United. It's all change at bottom of the table Gateshead too. Rob Elliot has been recently re-appointed as boss and since the last time I saw them play in November at Forest Green, only a couple of faces have survived, star player Kain Adom since moving to Burton Albion, Levi Amantchi, Mark Beck, Ben Radcliffe the most recently added, they have several tonight, who formerly played for Boston United, Brad Nicholson, Keaton Ward, Billy Chadwick, amongst those to previously play in black and gold. Gateshead's form is poor, 14 matches they have lost in a row since beating AFC Wimbledon in the first round of the FA Cup on 1st November 2025 . Over three months of dire straits. They were beaten by Hartlepool last time out 2-1, despite winning the game up until the 81st minute following a twelfth minute Louis Storey goal. That was before the same player got himself sent off. The Venue I'm off tonight with a 5pm check on my phone for cancellations, weather hasn't been too bad in these parts over the last couple of days and Boston's new pitch holds up pretty well, so no plans for inspection and I'm confident we'll get a game on, although as I hit Grantham there's fog in the air. I have suffered fate previously at Boston after making a similar journey East which was eventually called off for bad visibility last year. Luckily all clear by the time I reach Wyberton where I pull up on a side street of recently built houses and walk across to the stunning new Jakemans Stadium, I was only here in January but already works on their empty space behind one goal is taking place, a huge structure that almost dwarfs the rest of the ground is being erected in steel, supposedly it'll hold a gym and function room and at a cost of over £4m will completely finish off this wonderful modern venue. The Game I've been told to take a look at Gateshead's Ethan Fitzgugh tonight but he's not in the matchday squad. The visitors starting with an attacking formation which at times feels like 4-2-4 as Aidan Elliott-Wheeler gets forward from right back, Billy Chadwick is an out and out winger on the left, with two big men in attack, Beck and Amantchi, but the gaps in midfield are huge, Jacob Butterfield and Tyrelle Newton dropping deep to get on the ball as goal kicks go short into their centre halves. Gateshead look to play at every opportunity, mostly in their own third, but don't look particularly good at it. They concede an early free kick on five minutes and as I look down to note that Dylan Hill as gone off temporarily with an injury, I hear a roar as apparently Matty Carson crosses in to Tom Cursons who heads home. There's a bit of debate about who scored the goal but the radio commentators are confident behind me, crediting Cursons with his second in as many matches since signing on loan. The game opens out, I'm impressed with the numbers Boston get forward, more attacking these days under Paul Hurst than they were under previous manager Graham Coughlan, Jordy Hiwula is having his best game under my watch up front, Ken Aboh is brilliant on the right, technically superb, physically strong with pace to burn. The best 'other' opportunity of the half coming when Lincoln loanee Oisin Gallagher takes aim from outside the box, his brilliant thunderbolt right foot drive tipped over by Jameson, Gallagher also has a less lethal attempt on his left foot later that also tests the keeper. The Score Boston have several chances in the first half, they hit a post when a spot of pinball has the ball bouncing in the box, Gateshead's best is early on when Beck forces Wogan into a fantastic save from a good header, the Stockport loanee also reacting to end a break which shown promise when Newton was running through. I'm expecting more open action in the second half but don't really get it, Boston in managing the game, are happy with their lead, they let Gateshead have the ball but chances are few and far between, and in the end it's a home win. A second back to back one nil thanks to Tom Cursons. The Stars Boston are terrific defensively and in Jake Rooney, on loan from Derby, they have a youngster who's combative, he dealt with the tricky Mark Beck very well, and aged 22 looks like a footballer who'll have a good career in the game, his family name after all bodes very well. Next to Rooney at centre half, the experienced Jamie Grimes came in on loan from Chesterfield, he's a player I have always liked, not really getting a sniff these days at the League Two club he's 35 and one that might give some solid service at this level for another year or two. Matty Carson at left back was good, getting a good run of games now, he's one of the best players in the Pilgrims team when it comes to delivery, a lovely left foot and set piece specialist. Whilst United's midfield was its workmanlike self, organised and unspectacular, Oisin Gallgher and Jordan Richards working very well behind Dylan Hill, they were lively up front with Jordy Hiwula playing a central figure, he combined well with Ken Aboh who's on loan from Norwich City and is a player who I think can achieve big things in the game. For Gateshead, they didn't play great, but they didn't play badly, perhaps missing a bit of time to understand each others needs, a new team made up in a matter of weeks, and you can tell by some of the moments in the match, that they don't quite read off the same page just yet. Left back David Ferguson played centre half, he took corners on the right wing, right back Elliott-Wheeler was often as high as the likes of Beck and Amantchi in attack, centre mid Tyrelle Newton would often come and collect the ball deep in his own half, Jacob Butterfieild quiet, again, far too deep for a midfielder. I do like the two strikers, Mark Beck was very good, Levi Amantchi hit and miss, whilst sometimes the ball bounced off his chest, he's certainly a player who's difficult to contain. Gateshead did look lively down the left with Billy Chadwick willing to run at his opponent, and despite wanting him to be a little higher positionally, I did really like the look of Newton who's a good young talent. The Verdict It seems certain now that Gateshead will go down, to me they need to find their identity again, before being able to sit on a par at the National League table, they pass it in their own third, but their best assets are two big men who probably want it played up to them, they can't be both, it all feels like round pegs in square holes. As for Boston, a changing place, they are certainly heading in the right direction right now, up to fourteenth in the table, they are a good eight points ahead of relegation worries, eleven points off the playoff places. The Teams Boston United: Andrew Wogan, Connor Teale, Jake Rooney, Jamie Grimes, Matty Carson, Jordan Richards, Oisin Gallagher, Ken Aboh (Marcel Lavinier 87), Jordy Hiwula (Frankie Maguire 66), Dylan Hill (Kieren Donnelly 66), Tom Cursons (Liam Waldock 89). Gateshead: Pete Jameson, Aidan Elliott-Wheeler (Ethan Moore 76), Ben Radcliffe (Kenton Richardson 88), David Ferguson, Brad Nicholson, Tyrelle Newton (Harry Chapman 86), Jacob Butterfield (Dom Telford 86), Keaton Ward, Billy Chadwick, Mark Beck, Levi Amantchi (Sam Bowen 76). 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 10th February 2026, Jakemans Stadium, Boston (att 1,365).

Nottingham Forest 0-2 Charlton Athletic  (Women’s Super League 2) Annoyingly my match at Brackley Town got called off yesterday, the weather in England is testing the soddened surfaces across the country with persistent depressing rain right now and it’s the second time in just a few days I’ve had a cancellation. I stayed in digs after the Forest Green match on Tuesday night, a quaint pub in the middle of the Cotswolds, to travel the following day down to Taunton, but luckily Town’s match against Wimborne was postponed as early as 10 in the morning, at least I didn’t get all the way to Somerset before realising its fate. No similar worries with the weather as today’s match is on a world class Premier League surface at the City Ground, and it's stayed dry for a few hours this morning, my only concern is getting to the ground, do I walk the 45-minute journey, or shall I take the car and do it in five? Forest were thumped last weekend at Birmingham City, a game which I was at, ironically today they face the Blues title rivals Charlton Athletic, the two having a real tussle at the top of the table, in fact as I set off my journey, Birmingham's 12pm kick off at Durham has them already a goal up, they’ll be looking to keep the pressure on the Addicks who go into the weekend leading the WSL2 table by three points. Decision made, I’ve left it too late to walk, so I’m in the car and heading down towards West Bridgford and Musters Road where you can park without ticket troubles on a Sunday. Nothing around little after 1pm, I’m listening into the last over of England’s T20 World Cup match against Nepal, they need 10 to win but Sam Curran is holding firm, a brilliant last over from one of the world’s finest, ensures England cling on, just, and avoid huge cricketing upset. The Venue Speaking of cricket, I’m walking past Trent Bridge Cricket Ground and the famous Trent Bridge Inn which looks busy inside, across the Radcliffe Road down towards the Main Entrance of the City Ground, a small build up of people congregate outside the ticket office, as I walk through the club’s car park I’m told by a steward why, as if you’re a season ticket holder, the scans upon entrance for some reason are not working. I try my phone code on the doors and have no such trouble, green light allows me straight through and I’m up the stairs of the Main Stand, towards the exact seat where I sat last time I watched the women play here against Sheffield United, bang centrally on the half way line, elevated, in fairness it’s the best view I’ve ever had here, I didn’t even know of it until a couple of weeks ago, and I’ve only been coming since 1987. Why is it great? Set back and high up, you still feel close enough to the action, but it’s under cover, you feel cosy under the low roofed stand, panoramic, well away from any of the elements above, close to the press boxes but even more central, behind the Directors box but that bit higher. The venue is red seated, wrapped around my eyeline, some thousand or so in this very stand, the rest of the place is empty as balls get thudded around in the warm ups. As the pre-game concludes I pop and say hello to an old friend in the press area, then it’s on to the match, a decent crowd around me building, but plenty of vacant seats offer some privacy, as Mull of Kintyre is gently sung by fans holding scarves in the air. The Game I’m hoping to see more of an attacking force from Forest today, all be it against very good opposition at the top of the league, but can’t help feeling I was disappointed in them at Birmingham, they weren’t that great against Sheffield United either, but they have signed some very good players, another newbie, Australian, Alana Murphy is straight in the midfield for her debut. Charlton look solid in shape, defensively resilient they have only let seven goals in this season, I recognise Elisha N’Dow who’s a tall centre half I have been previously impressed with, whilst left back Charlotte Newsham is very good, she carries the ball forward well and is winning her tussle with Reds Canadian winger Deanne Rose, who’s already had the physio’s on for an injury suffered, in the opening stages. It’s been a bit stop start, but Charlton look the better team early doors, they open the scoring on 19 when the ball falls to Lucy Fitzgerald on the edge of the area, she curls right footed into the top corner for a fabulous goal, and within three minutes she adds a second, as a corner crossed in is nodded home, a crowded penalty area has seemingly everyone under the crossbar, but Fitzgerald is the one who gets the final touch. The Score Those two quick goals take the tie away from Forest before they have started to even attack themselves, but they do fight back, and Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah misses a guilt edged chance ahead of half time, free inside the box, but scuffing a volley which she should have smashed towards target. It looks like the Reds have had a rocket up their bums at the break, as they come out firing in the second half, Joy Omewa shooting wide, a cross flicks the crossbar, the Reds have the ball in the net but for offside, more woodwork is hit, before Whitehouse saves brilliantly from Boye-Hlorkah, Forest have been brilliant in the second half, completely dominant, but couldn’t get a goal to trouble Charlton into a nervy finish, it’s a real good effort against a very good, well organised team, but Forest fall short again, to title aspiring opposition. The Stars Charlton are defensively strong and backed by a brilliant goalkeeper in Sophie Whitehouse who pulls off at least one stunning save, they have a defence led by the calm and assured Elisha N’Dow, left back Charlotte Newsham is another who impresses, especially in possession where she’s very comfortable running forward with the ball, whilst Lucia Lobato is solid at centre half next to N'Dow. In attack Lucy Fitzgerald stole the show with two well taken goals, whilst Jodie Hutton was very good on the left of midfield, they had 31% of possession did Charlton, but in shape and off the ball they were very well organised indeed. As for Forest, who also had 11 corners to 2 and 17 shots to 3, they were much better than in recent weeks, I really think Joye Omewa will score goals in England, she made her home debut and was strong physically, a little naughty, she has a nasty streak perhaps, which I liked, she is powerful and contributed to the best moves the Reds made, as a number nine she links play well, but can turn defenders with power, always looking to get a shot off towards target. Also very good, Alana Murphy in debut, getting around the pitch in midfield and making things happen, she put a real good shift in with tireless running, whilst Tove Almqvist played a couple of nice forward passes, I still think Forest are missing a bit of creativity, but their forward play was better, they do keep the ball well in their own third, without really attempting to penetrate opposition quickly enough. The Verdict A late goal for Durham against Birmingham pegged back City to draw which meant Charlton’s win has them top of the table by five points, Forest in seventh, not going up, they aren’t going down either. The title race looks to be keenly contested and could go all the way to the wire, which is ironic because the last game of the season is between Charlton and Birmingham at the Valley. If it all boils down to that, what a thrilling scenario we might have? The Teams Nottingham Forest: Emily Batty, Cerys Brown, Georgia Brougham, Chloe Mustaki, Ebba Hed, Alana Murphy, Amy Rodgers (Rachel Rowe 73), Tove Almqvist, Deanne Rose (Leanne Kiernan 55), Joy Omewa, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah. Charlton Athletic: Sophie Whitehouse, Gloria Siber (Ellie Mason 73), Elisha N'Dow (Kiera Skeels 82), Lucia Lobato, Charlotte Newsham, Karin Muya (Mary McAteer 83), Katie Bradley (Katie Lockwood 73), Keira Flannery, Jodie Hutton, Amelie Thestrup (Gillian Kenney 58), Lucy Fitzgerald. 2:00pm Kick Off. Sunday 8th February 2026, City Ground, Nottingham (att 1,132).

Forest Green Rovers 4-2 Woking  (National League) It’s a bit of a road trip today. I’ve got a last-minute game in Taunton added to my diary for Wednesday night so whilst in the South-West I may as well stop over on the Tuesday, I look for cheap rooms on Booking.com and find the Hunters Hall Inn in Kingscote at just £54 per night, just a ten minute drive from Nailsworth, the Cotswolds home of Forest Green Rovers FC. After a good start to the season FGR have dropped a little of late, under Robbie Savage they are sixth in the National League, comfortably in the playoff race but are falling behind the leaders, York City topping the pre-Tuesday night table, are ten points above Rovers having played a couple of games more. Neal Ardley’s Woking have also dropped off after a decent run which saw them unbeaten in eleven, they have won just one in five league matches although their last two games were victories in the FA Trophy, the Cardinals are comfortable in mid-table, not going down, they probably won’t go up this season either. Having to check in to my hotel ahead of kick-off, I’m out the door much earlier than usual today, around 1pm I head off towards the M5 and by 4pm I’m content with a little stables room adjacent to the pub, a big stone fireplace and wooden beamed ceiling offers a touch of cottage style nostalgia away from home. Kingscote is less than 6 miles from The New Lawn so I set off around 5pm, if anything, to find somewhere to park near the Nympsfield Road which is always a nightmare, the rain is coming down hard so there won’t be many here tonight, but Nailsworth is never the best for parking on matchdays, although I’m early enough, and wise enough, to spot somewhere within walking distance, just across on Nortonwood. The Venue I'm sat in the car as the skies darken, rain still pelting down on my roof, I’ve checked numerous times on X if the game might possibly be called off, but green lights are still on as I eventually get out my car, and make the slow walk across to the stadium entrance, it’s nearly 6:30pm and it feels like nobody is here, the floodlights glowing above the Main Stand which dwarfs the rest of the venue with its green Union Jack flag plastered on its side. Usually there’s a bit of a fan zone with music and food, not tonight, too wet, too little in attendance? I head straight to the ticket window, get my pass and enter through the turnstile, not without getting each pocket of my laptop bag interrogated, I suppose there’s not much else for this steward to do? Last time I was here I noticed a touch screen menu like the ones they have at McDonald’s where you can order food from the kiosk under the stand, I didn’t bother then as I only wanted a brew, but am going for a meal deal tonight, pastie, chips, gravy (or curry) and a coffee, all for £12. No sooner have I flashed my card at the pay screen do the lads behind the desk serve up my dish, black coffee with the option ‘only’ of oat milk which I pour in myself, the pasty chips and gravy all in the same tray. They never told me what sort of pasty it was, so when I take a bite, I’m amused that it’s curried, slightly onion bargy like, perhaps I should have had curry sauce instead? But it’s very good, all the same. Fed & oiled I take up my brew to the press area where there’s a couple of familiar faces from the FGR press team, I have a chat with one about recent form, “we need to win tonight” he says, it seems to be a pre-match cliché which every club now tells me. The view up here is great, ‘almost’ top of the stand, covered, set back, near half way, you are elevated but close enough to the action to hear the Managers in the dugouts below scream aloud, two small roofed stands each side behind the goal, an open end opposite with scoreboard centrally, every now and again you get a light whizz by in the right corner of my eye, the road leading down the hill behind the ground can be seen, dark under wet skies, every time a car passes it looks like a shooting star. The Game The Woking video analyst has joined me, he’s a miserable sod, so after an attempt of conversation I cut it short in favour of silence, Forest Green Rovers are in pink today, Woking in yellow, as I’m initially told by the sullen man besides me that Neal Ardley is ‘pragmatic’ I’m surprised to see how open the game is, the visitors happy to go toe to toe with their opponents, they have a new striker on loan from Luton Town, he looks a unit, Joseph Gbode is quick, powerful, technical, “he’s got a bit about him” I tell my new delightful friend from Woking. “He won’t get bullied at this level” he at least replies. After just ten minutes Woking take the lead, Olly Sanderson is a player I really like, another striker on loan, from Fulham, he’s sent through one on one after neat play by Gbode and Tariq Hinds, you feel even before he puts the ball in the back of the net that the outcome will be inevitable. It doesn’t take Forest Green long to reply, just four minutes later they are level when a free kick floated in is headed by Gabe Kircough for his first goal since joining from Welsh side Penybont, but just a minute later Gbode pops up at the other end, a corner swung in by Turner headed home by Woking’s new star striker. I’m not sure if I’m impressed or sceptical by either teams starts, neither defends that well, both look unsettled on the transition, and I’m surprised at how open Woking are, but perhaps Ardley fancied his attack to cause issue with a Rovers defence that has conceded more than a goal a game this season. Forest Green themselves are fluid going forward, they take risks defensively and aren’t afraid to bring the ball out of defence, Buyabu and Mingi are attacking full backs, their midfielders are happy to shoot on site, quite literally, Nick Haughton will shoot from anywhere, he’s looked lively wearing number eight, and has had a couple of sighters, Kyle McAllister is floating around like a bee, buzzing from wing to wing looking to get on the ball and make things happen. The Score There’s boos at half time as Woking defend their narrow advantage into the break, I’m expecting defensive reinforcements early in the second half as both Tim and Tunji Akinola are surprisingly on the bench tonight, I’m surprised further when the miserable analyst tells me upon getting back from the changing rooms that Woking have made one sub, but it’s Gbode who’s gone off for Aiden O’Brien, I don’t ask why, but I presume it’s for a niggle he picked up in the first half? That change has already had an effect on the power Woking possess in attack, they can’t get on the ball as Robbie’s Savage troops run riot in the opening few moments of the second 45, they have already struck a post before Hinds brings down McAllister on the edge of the area, Nick Haughton their shooting specialist steps up, curls low, a bouncer that beats Jaaskelainen. That goal sets the tone for more Forest Green forward play, Ricardo Rees their striker signed from Merthyr Town nets a fourth goal in as many matches, then Tom Knowles strikes from all of twenty plus yards to really put the icing on the cake. Jaaskelainen, perhaps, should have done better. Six goals scored, the analyst unmoved for any, as he screen caps several clips into his video packaging system. The later stages can be enjoyed by the locals but even Robbie Savage, now drenched in beige jacket, matching shoes and grey trousers, screams at the fourth official as he tells him of the allocated remaining minutes of injury time. “Seven minutes” says Savage. “Where did you get that from”. But with thirty seconds left of that extra allocated time, he can finally relax, as Savage turns to the crowd and clenches his fists, his side not brilliantly defensively, certainly have some firepower, and they shown a resilient side likened to their manager's old playing ethos, to come back and win big, they were truly dominant during a very good second half for them. Fans are going home happy, one in the toilets on the way out, saying "I'll sleep well tonight". The Stars Woking had every chance of nicking something until perhaps, Joe Gbode went off at half time, nothing against Aiden O’Brien, a good, experienced forward, who replaced him, but Gbobe offered size, speed, tenacity, ability, and I don’t think Abraham Kanu the Forest Green Rovers centre back particularly enjoyed their battle in the first half. It’s the first I’ve seen of Gbode a Londoner who started his career at Gillingham, he got 3 goals in 34 league games last season but since moving to Luton has struggled to break into the side, just five apps for the Hatters, he is, however, too good for the National League. He shown great control early on to put the ball through an opponent’s legs at fluid speed, before running away, his power and pace in the final third at times frightening, and he capped off a good 45 minutes with a goal. Next to him, Oliver Sanderson is a different type of striker, tall, cultured, more off the centre halves shoulder, you give him a sniff, he’ll probably score. Woking have plenty of good players, Joshua Osude coming off the bench to put on the burners, he's very fast indeed, Jack Turner and Jamie Andrews are neat ball players from midfield, they were joined by Roy Syla, a recent signing of Albanian heritage, he’d been playing out in his homeland but prior to that had spells at Barnet, Brentford, and even Ayr United in Scotland. I was surprised they didn’t start with a solid big back three (or five) with Tunji Akinola at centre half, I wasn’t clear on what position Tariq Hinds was actually playing, the little guy ran around a lot, sometimes down the left, others more centrally, but had they gone with something bigger and more robust, more formative, dare I say it, more pragmatic, they might have reduced Forest Green to limited chances. Instead, the home side flowed in forward running fashion whenever possible, Jili Buyabu their left back is an attacking menace of high quality, Tom Knowles came on at right back and offered a similar forward threat, better even than Jay Mingi before him, in midfield Nick Haughton and Chibby Nwoko worked tirelessly hard, in front of Laurent Mendy, a leggy holding midfielder that does the basics well, Forest Green actually turned down a recent bid from Scottish league leaders Hearts for him. The Verdict It seems you are guaranteed goals when watching Forest Green Rovers, but it’s at both ends which concern me, I wonder if they are defensively strong enough to last the pace of the promotion race, they probably won’t win the league, new leaders Rochdale now nine points above them (with three games in hand) after beating Boteham Wood, so if the playoffs are par, then those tight affairs when digging in and dirty, might really matter, I certainly think they are fun to watch, with plenty of attacking flair, but can they do it on a cold rainy night at Eastleigh? I would like to see how they scrap when things become a little more tight. Robbie Savage’s side have York City next, then Rochdale, then Carlisle, then Boreham Wood, if they can come through that unscathed, then I might be more willing to back them more. As for Woking, eleventh in the table, they certainly won’t go up, they probably won’t go down, so all they need to do for the remainder of the season is try and raise a smile from their video analyst. The Teams Forest Green Rovers: Harry Isted, Laurent Mendy, Kyle McAllister, Nick Haughton (Harvey Bunker 81), Jayden Clarke (Christian Doidge 81), Jay Mingi (Tom Knowles 29), Jili Buyabu (Elijah Morrison 87), Gabe Kircough, Chibby Nwoko, Abraham Kanu, Ricardo Rees (Kairo Mitchell 87). Woking: Will Jaaskelainen, Aaron Drewe, Caleb Richards, Chinwoke Okoli, Timi Odusina, Jamie Andrews, Tariq Hinds (Tunji Akinola 66), Roy Syla (Timi Akinola 66), Jack Turner (Harry Beautyman 80), Joseph Gbode (Aidan O'Brien 46), Oliver Sanderson (Joshua Osude 66). 7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 3rd February 2026, The New Lawn, Nailsworth (att 1,081).

Birmingham City 5-1 Nottingham Forest  (Women’s Super League 2) Another Sunday watching Forest women, but this time it’s across the A42 and to Birmingham as I’m given the green light by the Mrs to work my two day weekend in the cause of our summer holiday fund. During the ‘Karen Carney’ years, Birmingham City were a major force in the English game, twice finishing Women’s Super League runners up, they won the FA Cup in 2012 and made a number of League Cup finals too. They had England internationals like Rachel Williams, Rachel Unitt and Laura Bassett, whilst Nottingham Forest at the time if memory kids me right, were kicking around the regional leagues non affiliated to the men’s football club like it is today, playing on local pitches just for the love of the game. Forest’s rise in recent years has seen them, like their men’s team, become a bit of a disrupter, throwing their Greek owned cash around to dominate the third tier National North which they twice won in 2022/23 and then in 2024/25, to eventually gain promotion to the second tier of English football. This season has been good, they have (like their men’s team) brought in a huge number of transfers, over the last week or so incomings include Libby Smith, Joy Omewa, Rebekeh Dowsett, Lianne Kiernan and Cerys Brown, men or women it always seems hard to keep up with ongoings at the City Ground. I’ve walked the dog, got back home and chilled for a bit, but I soon notice that Villa are at home against Brentford today, and that kick off is 2pm like the one between Blues and Reds at St Andrews, so I get in the car for midday and head out, in the know that the traffic around Spaghetti Junction and the A38 will be (as always on matchday) a nightmare. Luckily I’ve found another way, after heading across the A42 and shortly onto the M6 I’m off at junction 5 where I hop onto the Fort Parkway besides Jaguar Castle Bromwich, which runs parallel with the motorway, it takes me down the Heartlands Parkway and through Duddleston before joining the Lawley Middleway, all the while I’ve been getting nearer to a magnificent curved rail bridge under construction for the long going HS2, it’s huge, as I finally drive besides it, I see a man underneath taking pictures. The Venue I’ve pulled up at the top of Kingston Road which gives you a panoramic view of Birmingham city centre to the west, the cantilevers of St Andrews Stadium's Gill Merrick Stand roof (above the houses) to the east, it’s a short five minute walk up the Coventry Road to the ground, parking, as always when the women play in these stadiums, often plentiful. I’m through the club car park where I spot the Forest bus, huge tree logo emblazoned on its side. You get the feel this place these days, once a rundown stadium that hardly looked appealing to visitors, has had a real lick of paint, and some care due attention, the new owners, SCL, a US consortium ran by Tom Wagner with a well-known minority investor in NFL star Tom Brady, they have really spent to clean this old home up, it feels newly loved, appreciated, underneath the Kop stand which I’m in is a nice redone eatery area, I can’t not have a pie and brew, something to line the Sunday early afternoon stomach. I take my steak pukka pie outside and sit down midway between halfway and the eighteen yard box, just twelve rows up, in the mix, still early, there’s girls warming up, not many fans have yet taken pews. Just the Kop in use today, the rest of the stadia empty, the two ends feel huge, vast, it’s very open here, blue is the colour, the stand opposite, the Main Stand, like when I was at Forest in the week, is an old one, but you feel they’ve really given it a makeover, the clock in its centre is stunning, the words Birmingham City – Football Club, either side along the roof. Up on the big screen at each end there’s an endless loop of a video promoting the much anticipated new stadium, it looks like something between Spurs and Everton’s super new homes, but with several chimneys on top, it’ll certainly be iconic, standalone, it looks stunning, but you can’t help feel they’ll be many regulars who will miss this place, if that 62,000 monster ever gets the go ahead. The Game I’ve finished my pie and it’s probably the most satisfied I’ve ever felt after eating food, severely underrated are Pukka and what they do for the English game, a staple, that if you are not from this country, you must try, if ever sitting watching a football game. The girls come out of the corner of the ground and walk out to fireworks, as dads and daughters, mums and sons, all applaud, there’s a total number of 1,553 inside this near 30,000 seater stadium, but plenty of atmosphere, as a few Forest fans sat in front of me sing, one has a tambourine which he uses every now and again to rally his troops into voice. Birmingham in all blue are the early enforcers, Forest sit off, I’m impressed with the hosts who look dangerous down both flanks, I find all their best football in the Forest third, whilst all Forest’s best football is played in Forest’s own third, it’s a big gulf in class which is weird, because Forest have plenty of highly regarded footballers, Birmingham though could go second with a win, they are a real strong challenger to return to the top flight, the Reds just happy this season to get to grips with the league they are in. It doesn’t take long for Birmingham to score, Greek international Sarri races down the left and shoots low, her shot takes a nick off Georgia Brougham along the way, the Blues deservedly one up. It’s attack verses defence but Reds keeper Batty has little to do in the first half, Birmingham combine well down the right with McKenna overlapping the talented looking Crosthwaite, both are very good, the home side have sniffs to increase their advantage, but Forest every now and again break themselves, in Deanna Rose, in new signing Joy Omewa, they have a couple of outlets who seem to carry the ball single handily into opposition territory, and on the stroke of half time, it’s Omewa who’s sent racing away, she belts the ball hard and low and Forest are level. The Score You feel the goal is against the run of play, out of the blue, it’s a bit smash and grab, but certainly tactic of a good away performance, to soak up pressure and hit a decent football side on the break, but despite one or two entries into the Birmingham box, it’s been largely controlled by the Blues, and in the second half, parity is soon restored, just a couple of minutes in, Sarri crosses brilliantly from the left, Liedhammer heads home from close range, and the Blues supporters all race back from under the stands to see their side again in front. Forest make a couple of changes as they go for a leveller, they are by all means not out of this game, and have their fair chunk of possession without really penetrating much, but out of nothing, Lotta Lindstrom shoots low from 20 yards and adds a third on 72, Forest then fall apart in six crazy minutes, Lindstrom is sent through to blast home her second after a defensive mistake, she then adds a third on 78, her hat-trick goal in super quick time, the 21 year-old Finn flying is then substituted to a standing ovation. There’s still time for Hurtre to hammer the bar, the Reds themselves have a few near misses after Birmingham step off the gas, by the final of the sixth minute of injury time is allocated, you feel it’s like a one-sided boxing match, which should have been stopped, a long, long time ago. The Stars I was disappointed with Forest having watched them win last week, they have a lot of good players, in the prime of their careers, but none of them perhaps good enough to get in this brilliant Birmingham side, perhaps with the exception of Joy Omewa, a 23-year-old striker from Nigeria, she has a fantastic record in Denmark, playing for Fortuna Hjorring, a strong physical centre forward with a bullet finish, she might enjoy playing over here in England, she'll certainly score goals. Deanna Rose again is one that could potentially play at the level Birmingham are at, disappointing at Leicester in the league above, she carries the ball forward well and is a decent outlet on the right, Chloe Mustaki having a good game at the back, a combative defender who despite the score line, did well. For Birmingham City, they had plenty of positives from an assured goalkeeper to lethal centre forward, the star of the lot, was Lotta, of course, she had a good game up until her goals, and taken her chances very well, she’s on loan from London City Lionesses. I really liked a lot of what the Blues did, Rebecca McKenna a true warrior but with speed and good ball skill, she started at right back, played brilliantly, and ended up at centre back where she was equally as good. McKenna teamed up well with Lily Crosthwaite a right sider with plenty of ability, whilst the tall Shannon Cooke at centre half was brilliant, as was the shorter more diminutive Asato Miyagawa in midfield. As a forward force though, the Blues were too much for Forest, often linking up well through Wilma Liedhammar, who would often find left sider Veatriki Sarri, who was always a threat, even the bench looked strong for Birmingham who had young French star Oceane Hutre who they signed in the summer from Paris Saint-Germain. Some really good players at Coach Amy Merricks disposal. The Verdict Like Forest, you feel Birmingham City is a club that under good ownership, is really going places, unlike Forest, I feel they are a little more advanced with their women’s team, and they could be going places this very year, promotion now looks like a realistic possibility to the WSL. Birmingham are now just three points off leaders Charlton but second place goes up into the expanded WSL for next season, whilst third also guarantees a playoff against the bottom side in the division above (probably Liverpool). For Forest, well this was, at least, good learning, they didn’t look out of place against a strong Birmingham side, perhaps a little too much respect given, they were simply blown away in six lethal Lotta Lindstrom minutes, asides that, they still have a bit to do if they are to break into the bracket above, their signings will need time to settle, if they can finish mid table this season, then next, is perhaps a year they can really progress? The Teams Birmingham City: Adrianna Franch, Rebecca Holloway, Neve Herron (Martha Harris 45), Shannon Cooke, Rebecca McKenna, Chelsea Cornet (Lee Geum-Min 78), Asato Miyagawa, Wilma Leidhammar (Shanade Hopcroft 58), Veatriki Sarri (Oceane Hurtre 78), Lily Crosthwaite, Lotta Lindstrom (Batcheba Louis 79). Nottingham Forest: Emily Batty, Georgia Brougham, Chloe Mustaki, Deanne Rose (Leanne Kiernan 73), Amy Rodgers, Tove Almqvist (Libby Smith 64), Ebba Hed, Rachel Rowe, Joy Omewa (Hollie Olding 64), Cerys Brown, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah. 2:00pm Kick Off. Sunday 1st February 2026, St Andrews, Birmingham (att 1,553).

Braintree Town 2-1 Eastleigh  (National League) The games are coming thick and fast, a busy month ending in Essex ahead of plenty more action to come in February. I last visited Braintree on Bonfire night where there were plenty of fireworks, but not much on the pitch in a dire single goal defeat to Brackley, I’ve seen their results have hardly improved, Steve Pitt’s side have lost their last three, including a penalty shoot out defeat in the National League Cup at Truro City on Tuesday night where on loan goalkeeper Mason Terry scored a last minute leveller, he’s been I’m told, very good since joining from West Ham, but without a win in five, not many others have been, in Iron colours of orange and blue. I watched Eastleigh play at Boston at the start of the month and thought they were excellent in a 2-1 win, however, they have fell off a cliff, losing all four games since then, Scott Bartlett’s side will be hoping not to get drawn into a relegation scrap, starting the day five points above the drop zone. Eastleigh to Braintree is 134 miles and a two and a half hour drive up the M3 and across the M25, my journey a similar distance from Nottingham, I’ve worked out though I actually only need to take six roads from my house (minus getting out the cul-de-sac which I don't usually need a map for). The A52, A1, A14, M11, A120, and turn left at the McDonalds roundabout on to Cressing Road. A simple but lengthy journey, I’m happy to get the miles in and it’s an easy run on a Saturday where traffic is lighter than midweek, I’ve eventually pulled up at the Orange Tree pub which I park outside, ahead of walking across the suburban lightly coloured housing estate and through the gates of the Rare Breed Meat Co. Stadium tucked away hidden, on the Clockhouse Way. The Venue It’s a real quaint old scruffy ground with its clubhouse behind the goal, open standing areas at each end, a long low roofed stand backed by trees opposite a larger middling seated stand with cover, and a gantry above it. I’ve arrived with plenty of time, so go for a wee where I notice a fabulous piece of artwork on a wall, I had seen it before, but usually more rushed, probably paid less attention to what it was all about, it’s a funky portrait of Prodigy lead singer Keith Flint, who died in 2019, I google famous people from Braintree and apparently he was one, his band formed in this very town and the club restored the mural recently which was originally a tribute to his death, fabulously produced by another local man, artist Dave ‘Gnasher’ Nash. Other famous people of Braintree include John Ray, said to be the father of English Natural History, James Challis, a nineteenth century astronomer and Louie Spencer, a rather camp dancer from the TV show Pineapple Dance Studios. Hands washed, I’m up to the press seats where the Eastleigh media team are here, I’m soon to be joined by a scout who I remember from my last game here, and a local reporter who both give me the lowdown on recent goings off. The view is great, a couple of pillars slightly obstruct the pitch, but I’m near ten rows up, set back, well covered, although I’ve brought far too much clothes today, the coat and hat are already whipped off, the sun is bright, the pitch in good grassy nick, the feeling of spring around the corner. The Game It’s a funny one today, the Eastleigh tweeting team sat beside me don’t seem confident, one of them is a Spurs fan, he tells me the Spitfires have become very ‘Spursy’ of late. The locals around me see this as a must win home match, but as the two teams kick off, it’s the boys in Jade Green who dominate early possession, Bartlett's boys are strutting it around as Braintree sit off, the home side look passive, indecisive, unforced errors are plenty, they don’t look confident at all as Eastleigh’s big strong powerhouses come forward from the back, for every long throw in or free kick opportunity they have. The two teams are matched up in shape, the hosts 3-5-2 with your traditional wing backs pushing forward, where there seems to be a lot of space in behind, Eastleigh also three at the back, three big guys in Pierre, Eweka and Fernandez, in midfield they are neat, Kieron Evans playmaking whilst Lloyd Humphries, bald headed, does the ugly stuff, they have three forwards, Sam Pearson on the left, works hard, Aaron Blair on the right, has real technique, Harvey Saunders down the middle, adding a bit of size. Braintree’s on loan goalkeeper Terry has already been called into action diving to stop an effort from Cousins, before Blair takes a lovely touch and shoots over, at the other end Elliot Thorpe runs powerfully forward and shoots over to offer some attacking threat alas, but it’s short lived, Eastleigh push again, they win a free kick, Evans low effort is pushed back by Terry, put in on the rebound by Fernandez, but the goal is ruled out for offside, the Eastleigh guys beside us however, hold up their laptops to show us, perhaps it was not. It’s not the most enthralling half of football, half paced, in sunshine, the brightest thing is perhaps the Braintree kit, the Bristol Rovers style halves but in orange and blue, it looks great glistening against the green floor and blue sky, and as you feel they’ve done well to keep the score down to nil going into the break, they are given a chance themselves, from Eastleigh's own throw in, Walker somehow ends up prodding a shot goalwards, it’s cleared off the line, he should have probably scored himself, but Chay Cooper on the follow up smashes home, it’s not entirely against the run of play, but the best team you feel is behind. The Score “Braintree will be happy with that” I tell the reporter sitting besides me at half time, “they just need to keep it tight in the second half, slow the game down” he says. Eastleigh however, have other ideas. The away side are immediately on the front foot, their centre halves are playing as inverted wingers, every chance they get they bomb forward, they’ll leave just one back as the rest are told to ‘go get that goal’ and it makes for the most entertaining match. Braintree are naïve, typically young and hungry, Sahid Kamara is lively on the break and there are plenty of opportunities for the home team to get in behind, so every time Eastleigh push forward, Braintree see opportunity, it’s like a basketball match as through the away sides frailties, Braintree who’s joint top goalscorer this calendar year is their goalkeeper, suddenly look like an expansive attacking force. They get lucky, when a brilliant run forward by Evans ends with Saunders smashing home, but he’s offside, more laptops are held up, this call again looks close “get some lines drawn” I say. The hosts have chances though, Langston hits the bar from a corner, Cooper fires over, Kamara shoots straight at Townsend when through one on one, then at the other end Blair gets half a yard, a cross from the left finds the former Braintree striker, who runs in unmarked to level up and score against his old club, I take a look at the linesman, but no flag this time. “It’s been a great half” I say aloud and it still has half an hour to go, but as both teams tire the intensity wears down somewhat, Braintree had a long trip from Truro midweek, Eastleigh have had a long trip here today, but they both battle well and put everything into it, by now the home team are very much the counter-aggressors, which is a turnaround from how they started the game. “I would get Walker off now” says the local reporter besides me, but the Iron bring on Ryan Clampin, a left sider who’s been out injured for most of the season, his first touch is to cross a super ball into the box, there’s a bit of a scramble, the ball not cleared, suddenly it’s bouncing towards Walker who does the rest from six yards out, Braintree have the lead, “that’s why you’re not over there in the dugout” I tell the reporter. The last twenty five is defence verses attack, Eastleigh are pumping balls into the box with ten men in their opponents half, but Braintree hold out well, Lundstram gets loose and fires an effort at Terry who miraculously saves, before a header by Saunders in injury time is even better kept out, flying to his right to push away from danger, the scout next to me says “swap over the keepers and Eastleigh would have won this 4-0 today” In the end, Braintree held on, big John Akinde even coming on in the later stages to take some pressure off, the home side who started badly, ended brilliantly, player for player they grew into the game and got better with each minute, a big win that eases their own relegation concerns. The Stars Ahead of the game I asked about Braintree’s right wing back Jacob Pinnington and was told “he’s been one bright spark this season”. Good going forward, comfortable on the ball, you feel even if Braintree aren’t at this level next season, he, at least, will be. Defensively they were good, but also rode their luck, often indebted to Mason Terry in goal, George Langston a big central defender played his part, whilst in midfield Chay Cooper and James Vennings played well, too little tigerish footballers who like to play the right way, Cooper especially, having a really good game. I liked the look of Elliot Thorpe who adds a bit of size and style in the number ten position, whilst Sahid Kamara started badly, he got better, he certainly has technique and pace, is a live wire aged 21, still very raw, if he can improve on his decision making and become more clinical in front of goal, he could have a very good career in the game. For Eastleigh, for long periods they were very good, I actually like their system and their assets, although I felt today, they were a little gung-ho in style, Temitope Eweka and Aaron Pierre are huge defenders, solid and aggressive, Lloyd Humphries as always, a real battling irritant in midfield, lucky perhaps, not to have a booking, or three, Kieron Evans the cultured Welsh midfielder who drove with the ball, shown invention, and had a couple of free kicks cause panic, up front I really like Sam Pearson on the left, hard working, unflashy but sensible on the ball, Aaron Blair on the right, a real danger man with a great touch, his effort in the first half would have been one of the goals of the season, had it gone in. The Verdict The defeat leaves Eastleigh now looking over their shoulders, sixteenth in the National League but just three points above Braintree who sit still in the bottom four, they would be a little frustrated that others around them got good results today, but what that does is bring others into play, seven points separate twenty first and eleventh and any one of twelve or thirteen could probably still go down. Can Braintree get out of it? Potentially yes, they have bottom of the table Gateshead next, who I think will certainly go, then Sutton United, who are a place above, level on points with two games in hand. Can Eastleigh get sucked in? Potentially yes, but I feel they’ll have too much, and will come out of this mini slump sometime soon, but they’ll have to do it quickly, next up they host Wealdstone in a match they should win, if they don’t, they might start to become quite nervous, with Solihull Moors and Boreham Wood offering tougher tests, after that. The Teams Braintree Town: Mason Terry, Aidan Francis-Clarke, George Langston, Ben Drake, Jacob Pinnington, James Vennings, Elliot Thorpe (Goran Babic 81), Chay Cooper, Callum Logan (Ryan Clampin 73), Sahid Kamara (Zavier Massiah-Edwards 90), Lewis Walker (John Akinde 89). Eastleigh: Nick Townsend, Lloyd Humphries, Luis Fernandez, Temitope Eweka, Kieron Evans, Aaron Blair, Harvey Saunders, Aaron Pierre, Sam Pearson (Jake Vokins 88), Jordan Cousins (Josh Lundstram 45), Archie Harris. 3:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 31st January 2026, Cressing Road, Braintree (att 1,000 est).

Nottingham Forest 4-0 Ferencvaros  (UEFA Europa League Group Stages) As I don’t often get the chance to watch them, I’ve been looking at ticket prices all week to see my team Nottingham Forest play their final Europa League group stage match of this season, they’ve already qualified for the playoffs, not much riding on this one, so it’s annoying to find out prices are around £60/70 per ticket for what is pretty much a meaningless match. A couple of seasons ago fans were moaning that paying £30 was too much, now it seems every top tier game is minimum £60 and we are expected just to put up with it. Modern football hey? I refuse to pay, as much as I want to go, I’m not parting with £60… So I’ll settle for watching it on the box, until, that is, the phone rings, my Mrs mate who has a season ticket has a couple of spares available, I can take the lad and watch it with him for free. Ferencvaros are one of those old historical names that pre-date generational Premier League & Champions League followers, in 1965 they won the equivalent of this very competition, beating Juventus in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, before losing the final to Leeds United over two legs three years later, the great Florian Albert was part of their team in both magnificent cup runs. A Hungarian giant, they have 36 league titles, their most recent last season, under Robbie Keane, the Irish star is new to management but led Maccabi Tel Aviv to the Israeli Premier League in 2023/24, after taking the job in January 2025, he led Ferencvaros to the title last season, they have been doing brilliantly this season too, unbeaten in Europe, flying in the Hungarian league, until defeat on Sunday against fellow title rivals Gyor, leaves them third and four points below top place. Forest have European history, the two-time European Cup winners are amongst the favourites to go far in this competition, but they have faltered along the way, with defeats to Midtjylland and most recently Braga, last week they were disappointing in defeat but since bounced back by beating Brentford in the Premier League. Reds fans are hoping they can continue their European run towards Istanbul (where the final is held) having already beaten the likes of Porto, Malmo and Utrecht, they drew commendably in their opening fixture at Real Betis, less so impressive was a 0-0 in November at Sturm Graz. It’s 7pm, an hour until kick off, I’m leaving my home just 3 miles from the ground, I’m parking up in West Bridgford and walking down Central Avenue, past the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground as the crowd of people increase, me and the lad checking the betting form as we cross over Radcliffe Road and towards the Brian Clough Stand where our seats are in the P block cornered up on the left wing. The Venue Walking through the packed car park, the stadium lights up the night sky with those huge floodlights dwarfing the bulky looking stands below as people push by to get their place, the queue to get in to the upper tier turnstiles is long, but moving, as we enter with a pre-sent pass on our mobile phone. I love the steps to the upper tier of the stand, it reminds me of my youth, when Dad first took me to these games, back then the stand to my left was open ended, the Trent End down below right was tiny, pitch roofed, you could see the river above it, the Main Stand opposite, ironically, still the same, today, on finding our seats in the corner of this beautiful red blooded football home, where it all seems to be safe standing in this section, it’s already filling inside, the away following largely dressed in black, a couple of thousand at most, congregated below in the lower tier of the Bridgford End, one has a Derby flag with them, which annoys a few up here, the stand to my left curving around bowl like, the Trent End to my right much bigger these days, two tiered, imposing, the Main Stand, well it’s had a lick of paint, at least. Rich has arrived, he’s the guy who’s got us tickets and he’s telling me of his time in Braga, where it pissed it down for the whole three days. “It was nothing like Seville in the sunshine” when they played Betis he says. The Game Mull of Kintyre is about to be sung as the two teams appear to warm applause, lining up with some Europa music before huddling in circles ahead of kick off, as Forest fans clear their throats with a Paul McCartney (Wings) number. It’s an open start, Ferencvaros have come to play, but you feel they don’t have the tools to really trouble Forest, although I also felt that about Midtjylland and Braga, they are neat, attractive, but physically smaller, slower, the Forest boys look stronger and more powerful, but a chance for the away side is crashed against the bar early on. A short near post corner flicked against the upright by Zachariassen. At the other end, every time Dan Ndoye gets the ball on the left wing, his marker stands off, shaking in his boots, Ibrahim Cisse gives the Swiss star far too much respect, Ndoye already has the beating of him, he’s teased himself into the box and forges an opening, but goalkeeper Grof does well. Forest by now have a spell on top, they come forward from midfield but don’t really support Igor Jesus in attack, Ryan Yates wins the ball and drives before crossing into the box where there is no-one, all bar defender Bence Otvos who puts through his own net. Suddenly Ferencvaros look like they have been punched by Anthony Joshua, they are all over the place, holes appearing in their defence as Yates again supplies Jesus, on the edge of the area, his low shot finds the corner and gives Forest a comfortable advantage. The Score Sean Dyche’s team look good, they have control in midfield, Ryan Yates and Sangare far too fit and strong, defensively Morato and Milenkovic bully their opponents, but it’s the creative spark, Dan Ndoye, James McAtee, two players that have found it tough this season, they are having good games, Ndoye straight line speed and running at the defenders, McAtee neat, left footed, looking for angled passes and invention around the opposition box. At half time you feel it’s pretty much job done, but a goal would make things nervy, Forest however come out of the traps with intent, Ryan Yates runs forward, he’s like peak Bryan Robson playing against a kids team, bossing it with strength and tenacity, he’s had a shot palmed away, before Jesus heads wide, then Sangare who’s been restrictively brilliant, plays a beautiful lofted ball forward, Jesus needs one touch, he volleys low into the corner, the boy from Brazil is certainly some finisher. By now the fans are 'again' singing “Igor Jesus walks on the Trent” as those in black below have long stopped bouncing, this is ‘what’ a Premier League team should be doing to much inferior opposition, all be it with great history, the Reds fans chant “Champions of Europe, you’ll never sing that” Oh if only they could be bothered to learn about 1965. Robbie Keane’s side don’t give up, they in fact crash a bar when a Dele header cannons off the woodwork, but late on Forest are gifted a penalty for a pull inside the box, James McAtee steps up to take it, he’s been brilliant, having had a pretty poor start to his Forest career, you feel the whole crowd are willing this one to go in, not just to gloss more on Forest’s score, but because football fans have feelings, emotion, and we all know what he’s been going through, as the former Manchester City youngster runs towards the ball, a sigh of relief is heard when he smashes home, a big moment for a footballer who might be warming the fans over. The Stars Ferencvaros were poor, not surprising to the see the gulf of class so big, against Premier League opposition, they had moments which were probably more due to Forest players not doing their own jobs properly, than themselves breaking down the Reds barrier with talent, Julio Romao was niggly, snapping, and put a shift in the midfield, fellow Brazilian Cadu down the left shown a good engine, Lenny Joseph off the bench looked particularly quick, whilst Dele in attack seemed to be their main goal threat, perhaps Robbie Keane rested a few, knowing the league is more important, I would have liked to have seen 21-year-old forward Zsombor Gruber start, he came on as did former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita, for a late cameo. Player for player, Nottingham Forest were brilliant, as you would expect with a 4-0 win, they have a good goalkeeper in Matz Sels, Milenkovic and Morato were at physical ease against inferior weaklings, Neco Williams is becoming a brilliant full back, he can play right, or left, whilst Zach Abbott, a highly regarded centre half from the youth team, he’s been doing well at right back, if and when asked to fill in on first team duty. In midfield, Ibrahim Sangare has stepped up to become one of the clubs most influential footballers, he offers strength, assurity, confidence, he reads the game exceptionally well, plays passes and gets about with ease, whilst had Ryan Yates been playing in the Hungarian league for the last five years, he would probably have picked up five footballer of the year awards, he was so much better than anyone of his opponents, often overlooked are the powers he possesses, not always the best on the ball, but with energy, tenacity, work rate, size and strength, there’s not many better at what he does, not even in the Premier League. It was great to see James McAtee enjoying himself with invention and creativity, I have looked at him previously and wondered if he has the strength, he certainly hasn’t had the confidence in his early time at Forest, but I do think he’s on a wavelength, yet to be found by others, hopefully they are starting to understand now what he can do. Dan Ndoye was another lively player on the night, perhaps not the physical and direct threat that Anthony Elanga was? But an honest footballer, with pace, and goal threat, whilst Igor Jesus really does walk on the Trent, he’s a striker linked recently to Atletico Madrid, now I would love to see him evolve at the City Ground for a few more seasons yet, but I can certainly picture him in a Diego Simeone side, paired up with Julio Alvarez, he could become one of Europe’s most feared attackers. The Verdict Forest provided confidence to their fans with that performance, so many pluses, all be it against a side that probably had an eye on other things? Ferencvaros could have qualified for the round of sixteen had they won at the City Ground, but realistically I don’t believe, that they had the belief, to do so, Forest too good, too strong, too organised, too rich in talent, it was in fact their biggest win in Europe since 1979, a year of course, when they went on to win European glory. The Teams Nottingham Forest: Matz Sels, Zach Abbott, Nikola Milenkovic (Murillo 76), Morato, Neco Williams (Ola Aina 66), Ryan Yates, Ibrahim Sangare (Morgan Gibbs-White 66), James McAtee, Dan Ndoye, Nico Dominguez (Dilane Bakwa 84), Igor Jesus (Callum Hudson-Odoi 66). Ferencvaros: David Grof, Ibrahim Cisse, Bence Otvos, Gabor Szalai, Cebrails Makreckis, Julio Romao (Benjamin Golik 90), Gabi Kanichowsky (Naby Keita 73), Jonathan Levi (Lenny Joseph 46), Cadu, Dele (Zsombor Gruber 73), Kristoffer Zachariassen (Adam Madarasz 83). 8:00pm Kick Off. Thursday 29th January 2026, City Ground, Nottingham (26,304).