I had planned to pop a blog out on Monday evening leaving Tuesday open for a game to watch but feeling under the weather I was in bed by 6.30 and football is a no-go for tonight.
I missed out on Saturday as well with the youngest’s birthday weekend away but whilst life goes on, the football wheel keeps revolving to keep everyone on their toes.
There is almost some kind of big news that surprises you or results that make you look more deeply into especially with the cup competitions in full flow alongside the league games.
So, what’s been happening then? Grab the special offer for yourself and find out below.
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I take a keen interest in the three National League divisions to see how my predictions are fairing so far. A maximum of eight games played isn’t much of a barometer yet, but already it’s caused one or two to lose their job.
Some clubs are outperforming what I expected, others have yet to get started but time is on their side to be able to make moves up the table or in the opposite direction.
Just underneath that, there are some barn storming things going on that might have missed catching your attention. Up in the North West of England a little club by the name of Lower Breck are catching the eye.
I say little because their history is short, they’re a club I write a programme column for and went toe to toe with former Football League club Bury FC in the North West Counties League at Step 5.
Bury finished on 109pts, Breck just three behind and won through the play-offs to head into Step 4 for the first time ever. Looking at the early table they lead the way unbeaten at the time of writing after playing six matches and in the mix with some sides I’ve seen play at National League levels over the years.
It would be quite easy to think the names of some clubs leaves you a bit in awe but for a club that literally sits in the shadow of Liverpool’s Anfield ground, they are making themselves known so far.
Back down in the South at Step 3 the change at Billericay Town was possibly expected but still surprising. Having gone so close last season and some big reinforcements arriving at New Lodge a matching record of won two, drawn two and lost two signalled the end for Gary McCann. There’s always a manager in waiting for any job that becomes available and Danny Scopes is back in the game.
Wonders worked on smaller budgets at Aveley to get them into the National League South Scopes this time around has more tools to deliver a return to that level the directors crave at that football club.
What was the unexpected twist in the tale in Essex was Adam Drew leaving Chelmsford City and heading across to form a duo with Scopes. Drew is well known for his recruitment process dovetailing with former boss Robbie Simpson and I did wonder if the full time process there would suit his methods long term.
Town though have been full time in the past under Glenn Tamplin, more sustainable these days with a solid fanbase and the potential to move upwards.
Every Monday lunchtime it seems there’s another draw for the next round of at least one of the FA competitions. A few clubs out there will be playing some super catch up by the time the end of this month comes around with progress in the Cup and Trophy or Vase.
Add in County and League Cups also getting underway and there’s plenty of football to be choosing from to watch every Saturday and Tuesday. My eyes are all over a variety of leagues, from those I write columns for to the ones I visit at least once every season because of the people or players I like to catch up with.
We are heading to the time though where it won’t be long until the big coats, hat and gloves make their first appearance of the season and maybe some of those above might tail away or they might continue on along their merry way and keep surprising one or two as it happens, the beauty of football at times………..
