National League

Turmoil In The North East

by Trevor Knell
written by Trevor Knell

The current situation at Gateshead shows how precarious many non-league clubs still are regardless of the level they play at. As a Heed fan it’s been something of a rollercoaster few years with success on the field not matched by that off it.

It’s a fine balancing act for clubs to keep up off the pitch when things go well on it and we see it time and time again at all levels in non-league and sometimes you’re powerless to stop it.

But sometimes it’s of the own making, I’m not close enough to know exactly how it sits in the far North East but it doesn’t stop looking at the facts, the statements and deciding where your view sits on things.

Six years all clubs had a wake up call when lockdowns shut the world off and no football was being played whilst the bills were still coming in with no income to service them.

That wake up call though hasn’t seemed to have the effect it should have done. Professional football is allowed to run at losses per season in the many millions and no one blinks an eye at it, the figures for some are eye watering and if owners went on strike tomorrow a huge number would cease to exist by the end of the week with more following before a month is out.

It’s been driven by the wealthy and the greedy believing they can keep earning more and squeezing more from every orifice and never stopping. That in turn drives everyone else to try and compete on the same levels but it’s impossible to keep that up.

Trawling through non-league football of the past boards of directors ran clubs, most local and each putting in cash if it was needed. Nowadays the reliance is quite often on one person whose funds more often than not come from their business dealings.

If they go south the football club goes with it unless someone wants to bail out the debts knowing that money is 99% not coming back to them. If owners get bored of no tangible return on their investment they want out and being they are the sole provider of paying wages and bills because club income doesn’t cover the full amount it’s a dangerous line to be walking.

Gateshead aren’t the first and they won’t be the last to face financial ruin, competing in a division whereby clubs falling out of the Football league still have bigger budgets, support and clout to make it tough for the rest to compete.

But for them it’s not just been off the pitch where things have gone south, a series of mis-managed decisions since two summers ago has the club rock bottom of the National League and now managerless as I write this piece.

I still don’t get those in charge who think those with a name in the game will automatically translate to success in the non-league game. It’s so far detached from what they’ve been accustomed to through their playing careers if they’ve not started out there and gone through the levels.

I’m not adding everyone to that basket, however, do your time as the likes of Kieron Dyer have done to get your knowledge and understanding, Lee Catermole was a disaster waiting to happen as per Lee Clark at Hartlepool Utd too, ironic as I sit on the South Coast, Worthing sent two North East managers to the gallows in successive weeks.

The infamous ‘bomb squad’ certainly hasn’t done much for the club profile either, crowds dropping lower and lower in a stadium that doesn’t do much for football itself, that togetherness buzz word is something they need more than anything as it stands.

Any rivalry goes aside when clubs are in trouble and as per Morecambe and Southend Utd in the past I’m happy to give the coverage. I expected the game to lose a few clubs six years ago and losing a single one at any time can have a devastating effect on the local community for one and fans across the country.

The next appointment for the Heed has to be spot on, giving hope for all to cling onto whilst they get themselves in order off the pitch is a must or you can’t see any great escape like they performed last season.

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National League South

Goals Galore But Not For The Faint Hearted

by Trevor Knell
written by Trevor Knell 5 mins read

Regular readers will know there are a few clubs I venture along to once a season every year, this why I believe it never terms me as a ground hopper visiting the same ones year after year.

I don’t always manage it; there are after all only so many Saturday afternoon’s and Tuesday evenings in the calendar to go around and once the midweek games thin out you’ve got to be more selective in your choices.

I feel pretty lucky to have National League football and it’s southern counterpart at Step 2 a smattering of clubs either less than or not much more than an hour away from my doorstep, not everyone in the country has that and whilst they don’t make up the full pyramid the choice to watch all the levels is something to savour when not all can do it.

Dorking Wanderers Meadowbank ground was the destination for the afternoon’s entertainment in the National League South, a division that appears to have almost everyone capable of beating everyone else and making predictions one of the toughest to do.

Their opponents Braintree Town were relegated from the top division last year, one of the smaller clubs at the level struggling to compete against full time outfits and some gigantic budgets.

The weather is still decent in late September during the day, the evenings in need of some warmer attire, it’s like needing two wardrobes of football wear whilst the seasons intertwine heading through the year.

A frantic pace of the game reminded me of the Tuesday night match I had watched between Saltdean Utd and Infinity which produced six goals and four steps higher was producing the same tempo, better decision making in the final third for the home side was on the agenda as the half moved on.

It was the Wanderers who opened the scoring on 16 minutes, summer signing George Nikaj cut in from the right hand side and given the space he curled a delightful effort past George Barrett for the game’s opening goal.

Having got the measure of his full back the home side’s best opportunities came down that right flank and the delivery for a second goal almost came from the scorer.

The full back beaten, skipping into the box, Nikaj’s cross was on a plate for Alfie Rutherford to grab a touch but the pace just eluded the striker.

However, Rutherford was to double the tally on 33 minutes, a flicked header into his path saw the striker stride away and slot the ball past Barrett , a commending half time lead coming up.

Or so we thought, but the Iron had other ideas. They’d had chances but not hit the target throughout the first period, late drama was to come, however. As the clocked to 45 minutes, Fletcher Hubbard out of nowhere unleashed an absolute beauty that most keepers would have struggled to get anywhere near, Braintree with a lifeline before the half time whistle and back in the game.

Well, that bizarrely wasn’t the end of it as a silly free kick given away some similar distance to the goal and Hubbard produced again from the free kick, the scoreline reading 2-2 at the break when Dorking had been comfortably in front some 15 minutes earlier.

With their tails up, the Iron controlled the early parts of the second half and it wasn’t too much of a surprise they added the next goal and took the lead for the first time in the match.

A backline which didn’t step up as one left Anisius Lewis with a free run to goal and a comfortable finish past Glenn Morris to flip the game on its head 65 minutes in.

But the pendulum swung back the other way just two minutes later as substitute Dawid Rogalski grabbed an equaliser on 67 minutes, curling one past Barrett to level the scores once more.

Ten minutes from time, the same substitute drilled the ball home to put Dorking back in the lead once more but with enough time for the visitors to try and steal a point at least, they just about held on to give me a seven goal match after six last midweek.

Quite frankly a bonkers game of football to watch! Dorking were coasting with Braintree having not laid a glove on Morris’ goal and no doubt there were contrasting and changed team talks at half time compared to had the Iron not rattled in one or both goals in the final few before the break.

But credit has to go to Marc White as those substitutions won them the game and the points, two strong finishes from Rogalski which lifts his side to 8th in the table but only three points off top spot.

Braintree will be mightily disappointed they went home with nothing from the game having gotten themselves back into it and then held the lead but it’s certainly the nature of this division, you have to be on it every single week.

Nikaj was outstanding for the hosts and behind him Brennan Camp as solid as usual. For the visitors two excellent strikes from Hubbard that he’ll do well to match again this season, surprise to see former Bee Courtney Senior playing right back, a player that’s struggled to settle since leaving Barnet and he was always then a more advanced player.

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Opinion Piece

Football Doesn’t Stop For An International Break

by Trevor Knell
written by Trevor Knell 5 mins read

 

The first international break of the season is upon us of now and with it you would think football grinds to a complete halt while it’s happening. There is  very little disruption to non-league football although the odd player has jetted off to represent their country whilst their club sides play on.

Social media would have you believe there is no football until 10th October, an enlarged stoppage instead of the usual time off in September as well, the first of it’s kind I believe but whilst the pro’s put their feet up for those not participating you can still go and find football on your doorstep and some might be mightily more enjoyable.

Us non-league fans recognise that there are plenty of people who go and watch a local side when their team is playing away or on one of these breaks and have done so for many years but for those wanting a football fix what can they do?

Well, the choice from non-league’s top table in the National League runs all the way down to the very grassroots up and down the country. Most will kick off at 3pm on Saturday afternoon as they do most weekends with only a handful of games with moved kick off times.

So the choice is vast for those wanting to take in a game and there are various levels to go and attack, not to mention the FA Trophy, the non-league equivalent of the FA Cup for sides from Steps 1 to 4. The FA Cup actually does have it’s next round a week on Saturday, the romance certainly isn’t dead in this part of the competition by any stretch of the imagination.

Not only that, down in Sussex over the same weekend is one of the popular Ground Hop’s that staggers games over three days starting on the Friday evening with the opportunity to watch six different games by mid-Sunday afternoon.

There’s a lot you can do around these games and enjoy that you don’t get elsewhere. Whilst the National League levels will see you segregated as per the professional game; at the rest you are free to move about as you watch and even change ends at half time.

You can grab a beer and bring it to the sidelines and keep on doing that through the 90 minutes if you wish. The food choices are certainly much better than even ten years ago, many clubs think outside the box to whet your appetite and people aren’t shy to show what can be produced.

Programmes are still programmes, not some glossy magazine that will leave you parting with a note instead of some coins. Granted some are digital only, cost becoming an ever increasing factor.

But before you get to all of that, in most cases it’s a reasonable sum you’re parting with as enter through the turnstile and won’t feel like you’ve re-mortgaged the house for a bit of leisure and pleasure time, change in your pocket to enjoy those things above and the bank manager won’t be knocking on the door when you get home either.

You can celebrate a goal as it’s scored, well unless the three officials decide there is an infringement but here we’re down to relying on the naked eye to decide the outcome and not a few more people sitting  in front of video screens dying to find a way to rule out the goal.

And what’s more you’ve probably got enough left in the wallet to go again midweek and be home before the clock strikes midnight, what a time to be alive!

But don’t just take my word for it, check out nonleaguehq.com, footballwebpages.co.uk or search for your local club on social media, they’ll be pleased to have you along and treat you like the individual you are and not just a number at a level where they want your money, not the interest in you.

Give it a try over the next couple of weekend’s and if you reading this already know the beauty of the lower levels, make it your mission to get someone else involved.

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Emirates FA Cup

Second Time Lucky For This Cup Tie

by Trevor Knell
written by Trevor Knell 5 mins read

For those of you who read last week know I was due to head towards Burgess Hill Town last Tuesday evening for their Emirates FA Cup replay with Jersey Bulls.

Air traffic control issues meant the tie didn’t take place and despite the effort sought to play the game the day after, it didn’t materialise and this midweek was very much take two!

A trip to Hanwell Town this coming Saturday was the prize on offer for the two sides to take forward, a short turnaround with the week’s delay and someone else will be missing a league game in a few days’ time.

The Hillians certainly have a few injury problems at the moment but still a strong line up took to the field and the bench wasn’t too shabby either, Jersey forced into a change from the announced team just before kick-off.

The hosts were quick off the mark and were ahead on just seven minutes, a ball in from the right hand side was beautifully headed goalwards by Chris Whelpdale, back across the keeper and into the net.

It was all from the home side with Jersey struggling to get themselves out of their own half and the lead was doubled on 23 minutes, Whelpdale again on the scoresheet cutting in from the right hand side and unleashing a drive into the bottom corner to put Burgess Hill well in the ascendancy.

However, ten minutes before half time Lorne Bickley rifled one off crossbar for the Bulls, just a reminder that they weren’t out of this game by a long shot.

And seven minutes into the second half the visitors were back in it, firing home a free kick from the edge of the box courtesy of Jay Giles. The pressure then came from the Bulls as Hill struggled to get themselves into fluid mode, a glorious chance however for Charlie Lambert one on one with the keeper, who made a fine save down to his left.

The same player was denied not long afterwards with another fine save as Hill sought to make the tie safe, but wary of the Bulls ever increasing attacking pressure threatening themselves to nick the next goal.

But with a minute to play, Whelpdale completed his hat-trick with another header after the keeper had given away a sloppy corner which resulted in the third goal and a trip to Hanwell on the weekend.

Not a bad effort from the 39 year old front man across the ninety minutes, competition is fierce at the top for the Hillians with Shamir Fenlon and Ben Pope on the bench besides Lambert leading the line.

Jersey certainly gave the Step 3 outfit a good test over the 90 minutes, the game nicely poised on a knife edge all through the second half until the last minute.

Great to catch up with Brad Barry before kick-off, coming back from injury and rightly not being rushed back into action but another big player for the Hillians like Glenn Rea and Nicky Wheeler who are also missing.

And good to see the boss Gary Mansell after the final whistle, having gone solo since part way through last season they’ve certainly been getting value for money whether home or away and he recognised the test the Bulls had put his side through on the night.

Nice to have both ask how the Sussex Preview Podcast is going so far, always grateful that when you start a new project people buy into it and take an interest, long may that continue!

The standouts on the night, Yoan Edoukou was a constant menace on the Hillians left wing, Whelpdale will of course get the plaudits for his treble. For the visitors, Watson was at the heart of making everything tick, Bickley managing to win a lot of his duels for everyone else to run off of.

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Southern Combination

Find That Number Nine Before The Chances Dry Up

by Trevor Knell
written by Trevor Knell 6 mins read

Saturday was a trip out East with a fair few podcasts to catch up with on the way there and back. Trying to keep the distance trips for the weekend and not Tuesday nights after work isn’t too difficult to do nor at the point of the season to be seeing two sides in action for the first time.

As you regular readers will know as well, I offer a bespoke programme column service to any non-league club across the country whereby creating a unique column every home game becomes my general Monday every week.

I had wanted to head to Westfield for a couple of years, long before they became a column club for a few reasons. They’re not to be confused with the Westfield who reside close to Woking FC in Surrey, but heading out of East Sussex past Hastings is where you’ll find them.

The Westies are one of those progressive sides in the pyramid that are looking to upset the apple cart, not in a way of bold, brash, aggressive means but challenging the ambition of others to push forward themselves.

Like a lot of clubs at the very grassroots, that progression comes at a price and only two years ago the club were playing at the Parish Field which was never going to help them reach senior status that they held previously.

A new site, a new stadium, known as the Knight & Davey was my destination to see how this club is evolving and of course my way of saying thanks for taking my work.

After winning the double last season, Mid Sussex Premier Division and the Sussex Intermediate Cup, to take promotion back to senior football, the Westies have started reasonably well and were hosting an East Preston side who struggle to find consistency over the course of the last few season’s.

The weather is just beginning to find it’s mixed stage and after Tuesday night’s chill in the air despite the sun being out the breeze was there again but not quite time for the coats to come off the rack.

That wind actually affected the game quite substantially with neither side being able to get much football played, chances were at a premium despite the odd promising move.

The game exploded into life in the final ten minutes of the first half, Westfield were awarded a penalty but Harry Saville blasted his kick against the bar. Minutes later, EP had the ball in the back of the net only to be ruled out by the assistant referee’s flag with the ball having made its way out before being crossed into the box, the scores level at the break but could have been a different story.

The second 45 minutes were that different story. The hosts piled on the pressure of chances but each one either found the palms of visiting keeper Matt Gibb or drifted past the post, one of those afternoons where you wonder if a side will rue not finding the net.

And just after the hour mark that wonder was confounded. Another penalty but this time to East Preston and master marksman Zion McLeod made no mistake from the spot to give the visitors an unlikely lead.

A lead they spent the next ten minutes trying to double as the Westies struggled to recover from the sucker punch but those chances came again, once more however none found the back of the net, the visitors with very much a smash and grab win, the hosts wondering how they failed to at least find the back of the net once.

Most definitely a frustrating afternoon for Westfield who have begun life in the Southern Combination Division One in relatively good fashion. After seven games they sit three points off the play-offs in a league where most seem capable of beating each other and the tightness is reflected in a four point gap from 6th  spot down to 17th in the table, that side just outside the top five is now East Preston.

Having spoken to chairman and injured centre half Jack Stapley whose family are the driving force behind the club along with Wycombe Wanderers defender Steve Cook, a potent number nine is what they are missing and that was reinforced by the missed chances all afternoon, but as we all know they are rare to find in today’s game and they cost a fair whack too when you do find them.

I was impressed with the venue, ample car parking, the introduction of floodlights last year allows them to compete at this level. There is plenty of space to increase in size if it’s needed in years to come, a green covered lovely looking pitch for the players is welcome.

The standouts, Morgan Day for EP at right back before moving further forward later in the game, lovely delivery of a set piece and clean with his other touches, for the hosts Michael Rwabigwi was a handful in the first half but the visitors worked hard to nullify his output in the second 45.

Great to finally get to this one and to catch up with Jack, there are some nice foundations there for the club to keep moving despite being in the shadow of Hastings Utd, there is room for plenty within the pyramid.

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Emirates FA Cup

A Change Is As Good As A Rest

by Trevor Knell
written by Trevor Knell 5 mins read

I’ve managed to get myself back into the routine of picking out my games well in advance having gotten away from doing that last season and finding I often couldn’t make my mind up.

None of them are ever set in stone unless I’ve decided on heading to watch Barnet, I don’t shake the tree for that one, but if something else comes up that raises the eyes from the paper it at least gets consideration.

Last midweek I had decided on where to go, a rare Monday night game for a change. The Emirates FA Cup then changed that after Jersey Bulls held Burgess Hill to a draw on Friday evening, the replay taking place also in West Sussex as part of the stipulations of the Bulls entering the cup.

That was the plan for Tuesday night, only to find I was in need of changing it again after I got in from work. Most of you will be aware of the air traffic issues that plagued the airports and stopped Jersey from flying over to play.

Rather than staying in the county the opportunity was there to head out and about and it was taken, but still with a Sussex theme and the cup as well. Flamingo Park was the chosen destination as Cray Wanderers hosted Lewes, the prize for the winners a home tie with the then National League South leaders Maidstone Utd, a plum tie.

With the Wands having led 2-0 with eight minutes of stoppage time shown on the board the Rooks managed to find the back of the net twice to force the tie to midweek.

A much colder night than expected and the decision for shorts wasn’t the best plan, but a first outing for our new Sussex Preview Podcast hoodie and t-shirt, have to let the people know who we are.

The game for the most part was a very gritty watch, Lewes certainly played the better football but the Wands defended well anything that came their way through the first half, chances were very much at a premium which although not ideal the tie would have been decided on the night one way or the other.

The only goal of the game arrived a minute after the restart, Frankie Raymond’s corner seemed to catch out the Lewes defence and Alex Hernandez in a line with two other Wands completely unmarked had the easiest of headers to open the scoring.

But rather than go in for the kill Cray seemed to sit back and invite Lewes onto them, their goal did lead a charmed life for most of that half. The Rooks Danny Bassett slammed the ball against the bar against his old side and chances were there to take the game to it’s limit, but the Wands held out to progress and the glamour tie of the next round was theirs.

Had that been a league game Lewes certainly did enough to get something out of it but the Wands did just about enough to seal the game and make it through, maybe the luck for the Sussex side ran out after Saturday’s -stoppage 7time.

Being a club I know well and have spent many a ninety minutes watching, always plenty of people to see at Cray, the chairman Gary Hillman giving me the lowdown on the World Cup attendances in front of their superb big screen, Charlie Bradford soon off on his travels to Canada by the time you read this, Tim O’Shea whose done a fine job in the last couple of seasons, Ally Maloney one of the best physio’s in non-league football and not forgetting the man who always reminds me who got him back into football management Neil ‘Smudger’ Smith.

Now you can see why I love getting to these clubs, these people are everywhere to make you feel welcome, hospitable and some even buy you a drink at times, this is my world……….

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Opinion Piece

3pm Blackout, Does It Go Or Does It Stay?

by Trevor Knell
written by Trevor Knell 6 mins read

The 3pm blackout. Any time this is raised it brings about a great debate where each opinion is never right or wrong, because there is so much uncertainty about what the outcome would be if it was lifted.

For some background, it was brought in some 60 years ago under UEFA’s article 48 to very much protect the lower levels of football that we all enjoy today.

We all know the game changes and it changes quickly, sometimes for the better and sometimes not. Not everything works out and a majority of the time not all the stakeholders in the game get to put their views in the shop window.

With the non-league pyramid as it is now, there are a huge number of clubs whose views need to be taken into account, but let’s have a deeper delve into what drives it, why many feel it should be removed and what could happen if it is.

What it actually means at the moment is TV companies can’t show any games in the UK on a Saturday afternoon between 2.45pm and 5.15pm, hence the 12.30 and 5.30pm kick off times. When the top level are yet to  begin a season or it’s an international break then it’s free rein for broadcasting what you wish.

When you look at a fixture list now for the Premier League, very few games at scheduled for 3pm, that brings so many to say lifting the blackout won’t make any difference because of that. It’s a very short sighted view and very simple, because there is no understanding as to why so few are at 3pm.

Games are moved because how would TV companies sell subscriptions if games were in the blackout period? Not too difficult to work out is it! So they move as many as they can to satisfy their armchair fans and very little thought is given to those who travel long distances and now get the wonderful opportunity to do that at inconvenient times just to appease the TV audience.

If it was lifted I wouldn’t expect a host of games to move back to the standard time, but it gives the likes of SKY and TNT the chance to add yet another slot to their roster and that in itself will cause problems for non-league clubs which I will come to shortly.

Another reason people give for the lifting for it is the problem of illegal streaming via whatever means necessary. Currently, you can catch our 3pm games anywhere in the world bar the UK which does push people down this route.

It’s not the only reason, the cost is astronomical to purchase up to four separate subscriptions to be able to watch your club’s full set of season’s fixtures, add that with the blackout and these are your two primary causes.

Many seem to think that dropping the blackout will stop the illegal streaming, absolutely not, price is the problem. But if the TV companies don’t have money to pay the clubs for their mega deals, then there is less leverage for movement, it’s a vicious circle.

With the cost climate as it is, people won’t suddenly drop their firestick for a 3pm kick off, in fact I would expect that industry to boom further despite repeated efforts to stamp it out.

So, what then for non-league football? Would it really have any effect? Would it be minimal, would it be unnoticeable? Let’s have a look and see what might happen, if truth be told it’s extremely hard to predict precisely.

We all know those who go to watch non-league football fall into a few different categories. Those who have always been a fan of a club outside of the professional game, those who have a club they watch or follow when their main team is away because they either don’t want to travel or can’t afford that on top of home games as well, non-league provides the fix of live football.

Then there are those who’ve turned their back on the pro game, disillusioned with anything from VAR, constantly moving kick off times, lack of respect from club owners as a fan, or being financially priced out of the game at that level.

And finally those who will watch non-league football live but be just as happy watching whatever game is on the box as well, there might be others but those are the four I can think of.

There’s really a few ways to look at it and how lifting the blackout might affect the club you watch or not, it’s never a black and white situation as some might have you think.

If you look at an individual club it’s hard to work out what the effect could be. The core fanbase it won’t make any different moves towards, the bread and butter of your club.

When you get to those who follow a professional side and then tag along a non-league club or visit a few locally through the season the impact increases. What you have to remember is it’s not just talking about one individual coming through the gate, it’s likely to be more than two handfuls at a lot of clubs.

And it’s not a case of just gate money that would be lost, programmes, lottery tickets, food, drink and merchandise. Add all that together and multiply it for some clubs by the hundreds and suddenly it takes a right hit to the finances.

Even if you say it’s ten people per club, there are over 18,000 clubs in grassroots football that go beyond the pyramid to Step 6, across the game that is a significant loss of cash which doesn’t receive it’s fair share of as it is.

For some clubs it won’t be much of an impact, in fact some might find that rather than hit the pub people will pay the admission fee to come and watch the game on TV in the clubhouse rather than what was on the pitch.

Sounds daft as I write it, but it really wouldn’t surprise me to see it happen. For other clubs though it will hit hard and that in turns limits what they can afford going forward. Every penny is accounted for in non-league football and attempts to cut off some of that source may not end well further down the line.

You would hope live football rather than TV football wins out the day for the huge majority but it’s not a guarantee, however. Without polling every single fan that goes through the non-league gates then it’s always going to hard to put a figure on what exactly the scene might look like if the blackout is lifted.

My own personal opinion, I do think the blackout is outdated given the strides and changes in the game, but how exactly do you make it work without damaging other facets of the game which are just as important to people as those competing at the highest level?

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National LeagueSouthern Combination

Bank Holiday Round Up Part 2

by Trevor Knell
written by Trevor Knell

Later than I wanted to get this out,  but the second part of the Bank Holiday weekend is in the shadows already with another round of games played out on Saturday afternoon.

The amount of columns I’ve fitted in over the past five or so days since Monday plus a night working for my old firm and the Sussex Preview on Thursday has ended up with me taking the laptop on a weekend away to get things up to date, and that includes more columns as well!

There aren’t too many opportunities in the football calendar to get two games in the books in one day so when a bank holiday arrives I’m taking it with both hands!

Readers who read the first part of the weekend will know I spent Saturday afternoon at Horsham FC as the Hornets unbeaten record went courtesy of Farnham Town.

48 hours later I was back at the Fusion Aviation Stadium as ground sharers Roffey hosted local rivals Horsham YM in an 11am Southern Combination Premier Division derby match.

YM have in the past few weeks lost their management team and most of it’s playing staff, I say lost but they chose to go after three games and it’s been plenty of ship steadying since thanks to 17 year old Archie Cramer stepping up from the Under 18’s to hold the fort.

They’ve held their own, but before the weekend game the club appointed Alex Walsh and Will Hendon as the men to lead the side. Walshy I know from his Langney Wanderers days, Will I saw play plenty at Worthing as they began their rise up the pyramid.

Roffey are expected to be in the mix this season, Naim Rouane appointed in the summer to lead a new era as the club begins work on a new purpose built facility across the road from their Theare of Trees abode.

A contrast in weather from the weekend, mostly sunshine for the 90 minutes brought that Bank Holiday feel but no goodwill from the home side right from kick off.

They were in front after four minutes, Powell with an easy tap in to get Roffey off and running. In between that goal and a second for the hosts scored by Josh Neathey from the penalty spot, YM looked strong going forward until they got to the penalty area, however movements in transition was what was harming them.

Just before the half hour mark Roffey had a third with Neathey’s second of the game and three minutes later he notched his hat-trick scoring on the rebound after his second penalty kick of the game was saved, a commanding half time lead for the Boars.

With a healthy lead at half time, the Boars were able to coast their way through the second half, YM did get themselves on the scoresheet which their efforts deserved, James Fenlon getting the strike, Roffey running out comfortable winners but certainly something for the new incumbents to work with at YM.

Great to see my Horsham mate Lee Wellings for much longer of this game, still wondering how his side lost the match on Saturday afternoon but it’s done for and ready for another.

Onto the final match of four!

And this one was back in the National League for my first look at Worthing in their new surroundings and the side I’ve picked to win the National League, Boreham Wood, a couple of ex-Bees to catch up with as well.

A steady start for the Rebels, an explosive start for the Wood who are right up in the thick of it having come so close to promotion to the Football League back in May, they have to do it all over again.

Worthing were excellent in the first 45 and deservedly in front too, Raz Coleman De-Graft putting his own blocked shot into the net to give the Rebels the lead. Their shape first half was exemplary and Wood as much as they huffed and puffed could not find a way through.

The second half was a completely different story, as the Hertfordshire outfit showed why many expect them to be challenging at the top. However, it took until after the hour mark for them to draw level, Zak Brunt’s clever, dinked ball through and Matt Rush finished for his ninth goal in five games.

The visitors were starting to find space and pockets all over the pitch as Worthing began to tire, and with nine minutes to play ex-Rebel Danny Cashman put the Wood in front. Five minutes later the same player added the gloss to the scoreline but a penalty awarded to Worthing in stoppage time was converted by Coleman De-Graft for his brace, but not enough for Worthing to snatch a point.

Up until that half time whistle, Worthing had the measure. As I mentioned their shape was perfect, dropping in to defend as banks of four but once Wood found a way to release Brunt and Cashman that they couldn’t first half they caused no end of problems and simply ran all over their hosts who couldn’t keep up.

Another learning curve for Worthing, but they won’t come up against sides like that every single week and will most definitely be fine as the season moves.

Great to catch up with Dave Louis and a top footballing mate in Pete Stone, first game we’ve caught together this season and certainly won’t be the last.

Those ex-Bees did feature after the game, had a lovely catch up with Callum Reynolds whose on his way back from injury and when he finally emerged from the dressing room, Brunty!

Brilliant to catch up with the little magician, my little ghoster from Tenerife (if you know you know). A great lad and I hope he wins promotion again, played some great football for Barnet and producing once again for the Wood, one of many integral parts that are key to their title quest.

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Football Writing

Bank Holiday Round Up Part One

by Trevor Knell
written by Trevor Knell 6 mins read

A Bank Holiday weekend packed full of football, what more could you want when it’s something you enjoy writing about! By the time Monday evening arrives I should have watched four games and part of the reason being I won’t be watching another for seven days!

Rather than drop in each one individually I’ll split it in half and this one will give you insights into the first two which took place on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.

I’ve gone back to picking my games in advance per month, although I don’t set any fixture in stone. If I see something better pop up for whatever reason then I’ll change my destination.

Friday night I chose a long while back and the first foray into the National League this season. Aldershot Town was my choice, one of my column clubs and I didn’t make it to them last year so a perfect chance to get in early.

They were facing relegated Harrogate Town who had started brightly on their return to non-league football, the Shots under new management this term in Scott Davies who after a tremendous job done at Slough Town one level lower has his chance at non-league’s top table.

A brisk night, still warm but blowy, set on a lovely looking pitch and a couple of ex-Bees to watch out for (my weekend is pretty much full of them).

The Shots went man for man matching up their northern counterparts and it looked a good choice despite Harrogate creating the early chances which they couldn’t finish.

Slowly though the home side began to grow into the match and took the lead on 24 minutes, a strike pair of Marcus Dinanga and Tristan Abrahams coming up trumps, the former putting his partner clear and the latter finishing well for the game’s opening goal.

It wasn’t long to wait for the second and another for Abrahams just after the half hour mark, this time a smart turn and finish from inside the penalty area doubled the Shots lead and left Harrogate wondering if Friday night football was for them.

The game looked dead as a contest in first half stoppage time as Abrahams completed a well taken hat-trick lashing home from 17 yards to put Aldershot well in command.

As you would expect Harrogate came out strong in the second half and pulled one back within a few minutes through Josh Hmami but despite throwing the works at the Shots backline they couldn’t find any further way through.

Some desperate defending for sure at times but when it’s called for and the ball finds no way through it’s one for the coaches to pat on the back. For those of a Barnet persuasion Nick Hayes had one real save to make in the second half whilst Bailey Hobson looked a shadow of the player we had on loan a couple of seasons ago, talent there which didn’t show one bit on the night.

Cameron Lawless stood out for the Shots, good delivery of a set piece all evening, Abrahams will take the plaudits for his treble, Dinanga worked hard alongside him to create his chances.

Great to catch up with NL FullTime host Rob Worrall, who commentates on BBC Surrey for the Shots, before kick-off. Another man with plenty on his plate and certainly puts in the miles for the love of the club.

And also a chance to see Victoria Rogers, the programme editor at Aldershot, and her family. I always try and get to as many of the clubs who take my work as possible as a kind of thank you for doing so, I didn’t make it last season so it’s in the books this time.

Onto the next one!

Saturday afternoon was down listed for Horsham hosting Farnham since the fixtures were released in early July. It’s a relatively simple journey for me and I’ve a lot of time for both clubs, couldn’t really lose on this one!

They are models for those aspiring to climb the pyramid in much different ways, not always to everyone’s liking but the beauty of opinions in football. The first rainfall for a game this season wasn’t welcome, it’s only August after all and I know pitches are crying out for it but drop it in the evenings please!

Farnham are where Horsham were last year, first season at this level and needing to find their feet in a very, very competitive division of the National League South.

The Hornets began the day unbeaten and second in the table, a tough nut to crack for Town and the early signs were the home side would do their utmost to keep that going, chances galore created including Harvey Sparks hitting the post.

An injury to Tom Leggett forced a change for Farnham, bringing ex-Bee Billy Clifford into proceedings a player I enjoy watching and get on well with. It seemed to bring a measure of calmness to proceedings for the visitors and they were the first to strike on 16 minutes when Jack Spong’s free kick bounced down off the bar, potentially over the line, but Owen Dean headed home just to make sure for the game’s opening goal.

Unfazed though the home side continued to pepper Michael Eacott’s goal and got an equaliser their play deserved, a delicious half volley from James Hammond finding the net to restore parity some eleven minutes later.

But the visitors decided not to sit back on this and went in search of another, which they duly got courtesy of Dean once more, a swift counter attack caught the home side on the hop and the young striker added his second of the afternoon finishing with aplomb.

They should have had a third in stoppage time, Dean was through again and only a smart save from Sam Howes kept the visitors from taking a two goal half time lead.

The second half was a bit like Friday night with Horsham throwing everything at an attempt to level the scores once more, crosses rained into the box at every opportunity but they defended it well along with some wayward finishing, the points heading back to Surrey and the end of Horsham’s unbeaten run.

A brief catch up with good friend Lee Wellings before kick-off but with the rain starting to fall before kick-off I sauntered off to find some cover and it duly remained in place for the full 90 minutes, me declining to stay afterwards to catch up with some of the Farnham lot, save that for another day.

Once again for those of a Bees persuasion, the introduction of Billy Clifford did change the course of the game for me. Able to just take the sting out of the play and knowing he has a killer ball to play when needed brought the control Town lacked in the opening 20 minutes or so, just able to find space where there really isn’t one and pulls opposing players out of position to follow him creating more space to exploit.

Owen Dean took his goals very well, only that save by Howes prevented a treble, his movement in a spell either side of half time caused Horsham a few problems.

Two games on Bank Holiday Monday thanks to early 11am fixtures in the Southern Combination, not often it’s a chance for double bubble so you gotta take it!

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Opinion Piece

How Much Longer Will The National League Wait?

by Trevor Knell
written by Trevor Knell 5 mins read

The saga of Ebbsfleet Utd rumbles on and the question is, will we really get a resolution this coming Tuesday or Wednesday? It would be remiss not to pen a piece about the situation because it’s potentially something that has been coming to a head for a while.

So let’s give a little background to bring us to the beginning of August this year. The season is due to kick off on 8th August and there seems to be nothing untoward in mind or going to happen.

All of a sudden, the midweek before kick off the National League announce that the Fleet are suspended from the opening day and two further games due to an unpaid tax bill along with a winding up order and concerns over their ability to finance themselves over the 2026/27 season.

Not a small matter you will see that’s cleared up in five minutes, but we’re now into the fourth weekend of the suspension from games and if it is lifted next week the club will be six games behind everyone else.

The club has also been trying to complete a takeover which has rumbled on for nearly a year, some have said these things take time and they do to an extent but, and this is just my opinion mind, I think it runs much deeper than that.

My thought is the takeover was ripe with a new ground in the offing, but in the last couple of weeks the council refused plans for a new stadium within the harbourside regeneration plan, something the club needs and the area too.

That would have been an attractive proposition to anyone wanting to broker a deal but with those cards off the table it doesn’t look quite the same. I might not have been to Stonebridge Road in a couple of years but it is in need of some redevelopment, probably at the cost of hundreds of thousands to make it look better on the eye despite the fact it meets the regulations and criteria.

It wouldn’t surprise me if they delayed as much as they could until this decision was made but at the same time, too far down the road to back out of the deal maybe and so it was announced the club changed hands a week or so ago.

It’s well known throughout football circles that Ebbsfleet have spent well, but with very little to show for it on the pitch. Two promotions yes but also followed by two relegations and no further up the football pyramid.

Away from the club the previous owners were linked to a Disney Land style park to be built nearby that has never gotten off the ground, being declared bankrupt, and at times wages late arriving in the club bank account.

The new owners come shrouded in some mystery too, Roddy Collins as a front man which begs the question as per his interview if he is to be the man between the board the staff, is there a place or a need for Damien Irvine now?

Taking over a football club from the top to the bottom, the supporters want to hear from the actual man whose providing the cash to keep everything ticking over. Then bring in or at the same time bring forward the man to bridge the gap, transparency is everything in this day and age.

It hasn’t gotten off to the best start with an announcement at the fans forum that HMRC had been paid off, only for the statement this week from the National League to tell us all otherwise, the club finally admitting afterwards that funds didn’t arrive until after this week’s deadline.

That’s not a show of great faith saying one thing in front of fans and then those finding out a week later it’s all smoke and mirrors. To also find out a week later that the club still hasn’t satisfied the league over concerns on where the money is coming from to finance the season for the club, raises alarm bells as well.

Whether both sides of the ownership believed the other should have settled the outstanding amount, believed to be around £150-160K, is anyone’s guess but why football clubs seems to think not paying it for a certain amount of time is a good idea is deluded, you always get caught out and end up in this kind of mess.

Some would suggest the National League have been fairly lenient in allowing such a delay. Those six clubs yet to play the Fleet have lost out on Saturday revenue which when translated into a Tuesday night comes nowhere near, not to mention other costs such as food, drink, programmes, other printed extras that will still need to be paid for and not covered by anyone, it certainly doesn’t promote anything of goodwill.

The tone of statement from the National League has certainly changed, the first threat of expulsion this time around and we wait to see what happens after the Bank Holiday, Fleet fans are hoping for the better outcome but we also shouldn’t be surprised if it goes the opposite way and the club disappears, worrying times that all should take note of, this is one of those reasons for me why the independent regulator should be covering the full length of the game and not just for the elite.

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