Paullow

Shank!

Hornchurch beat Torquay after extra time in the National South playoff final to play in the National League for the first time next season (old or new club).

I turned back to my laptop after the player slipped thinking the chance had gone and then heard the comms getting excited, ha. Finally a goal in the playoffs.

Andersen will miss our match now on the final day.

VAR check for a penalty to Sunderland, not given. Odds started 11/5 vs 6/5, but both now 13/8 after their respective starts.

Wow, Steve Evans half the size he was during his managerial peak. Looks really gaunt and unrecognisable now.

Are you based in Dusseldorf? Wins for both Magdeburg and Braunschweig (vs Dresden) today, so a lot of teams still involved come the final day next week. Magdeburg and Dresden will be safe tomorrow if nether Furth or Dusseldorf win ahead of their huge shootout on the final day.

Aye, a shame for Shields. A really hard league to get out of. Finished 2nd, home advantage in both playoff matches, but gonna be another year in the league, bar a stunning comeback. I assume one of the Hebburn vs Shields matches will be on Boxing Day, so I'll look to go to the other one, regardless of who is at home. Should be some good occasions and big crowds.

Should have scored there as well (Saints).

Think Saints have been the better team in the second half, and have just hit the bar now, but aye, Boro were all over them in the first half and could have easily been 3 up.

Aye, would be a shame to see them drop to the 3rd tier given the size of the place / stadium. I see they play Furth on the final day, which I'm not sure is a good or bad thing, ha. Magdeburg are currently 3-0 up so that should hopefully be them safe if they see if out, although Kiel are coming back into it a little.

Decent day of live football today. Liverpool vs Chelsea will be taking a back seat for me at 12.30pm as there's 3 other matches I'm interested in. I'll have Middlesbrough vs Southampton on the TV, and will have the South Shields vs Kidderminster final on DAZN on my laptop since I took out a £20 month subscription last week specifically for the semi finals / finals (hoping Carlisle would get there...). Plus there's also my relegation threatened German side Magdeburg playing their crucial penultimate league match on YouTube at 12pm. It's pretty tight down there...

All that would end up happening, if anything was to change, would be the men's moving away from SJP, which would be a shame, but probably seen as a 'win' for equality. https://www.northumberlandfa.com/cups-and-competitions/cups/2025-2026/womens-cup/results Ponteland ended up getting to the semi final on the back of 3 earlier walkovers. Bye, Bye, Bye - you'd be forgiven for thinking it was more of an NSYNC song than a cup competition

Wise Men Say? Think I'm turning more towards Millwall

Howay 'ull. Love the playoffs.

It'll be interesting to see where he ends up, especially after being top scorer in the league, despite his advancing years. I'd imagine there should be plenty of interest from north east non league sides.

I see Alnwick Town Ladies not happy about their Senior Cup final being at Croft Park when the men's was at SJP. This on the back of Thornaby getting their women's North Riding equivalent final back at the Riverside. https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/sport/alnwick-town-ladies-8513538 What are people's honest thought on this?

I was just going to say before that goal that I hate watching these type of matches where the team you don't want to win are pretty dominant and just feels a matter of time.

Feels like a Villa goal isn't too far away.

Sounds a cracking atmosphere.

Aye, and Newton Aycliffe, who lost a lot of players at the start of the season, and Blyth Town could more find their level again. Wish whoever decides would confirm the leagues soon next year, there was talk of Kendal going back to the North West Counties league, which they are desperate for due to travel and expenses. Plus Prufoe don't seem to have a clue if they will get a relegation reprieve or back to the Alliance next season.

Would you say there would be more supporting Stan or Bay there? It is strange to think around 2012 Bay had not long completed their Vase treble and were always in around the top 3 of the Northern League, while Stan were still an Alliance side back then, whereas now Stan seem to have established themselves as a regional step 4 side. Hopefully Whitley can get into the NPL East soon, although the Northern League does look very competitive next year with the 3 teams coming down, Shildon messing up the playoffs again, and Blue Star ending the season with 10 wins from 11.

Gyok doing that silly celebration even when he misses now.

I'm not really feeling the match tonight. I've not actually been to SJP this season so that's pretty much the only reason tempting me to go. It is a bit crap how Heaton only played 2 matches, including one against a step 6 side last time out and are now back in the final. They should run with 16 teams, even if that means getting some of the top end Alliance sides in like Burradon (who did win the league last night), Cramlington Utd, Wallington etc. even if it was largely to make up the numbers. Most of those better step 7 sides would likely beat Prudhoe anyway. Just feels a bit naff winning 2 matches and then back at SJP. I'll probably wait to see how the weather is looking and how I'm feeling around 6pm before making a decision. Probably just as well it was only pay on the gate.

Aye, but the blackout rule prevents matches being shown between 2.45pm and 5.15pm, so even matches overseas starting at 5pm would join in progress on the Saturday. Man Utd vs Liverpool was 3.30pm on Sunday.