Paullow

It had been coming, lots of warning signs this half before they got their first goal.

First and foremost, they need to make sure they win this match. Shite, that was posted before the decision, but even more so now.

Away days?

Some nice shithousery there from Bedford Town . Spalding beat the other Bedford team in the playoff final today (Real Bedford, as in the Madrid team). Real are owned by bit coin podcasters and have big investment. There were talks to merge the clubs a while ago, but that didn't go through. Doesn't seem like there is much love lost from Town's perspective, ha.

Huge game coming up in Scotland. I'm anyone but Celtic, so probably want Hearts to win here, as Rangers winning would be massive advantage Celtic. They messed up massively last week vs Motherwell.

Not complaining as I've paid countless £10's and even £6 to get into Prudhoe a couple of times this season, but for some reason I thought it was going to be like £3 or something, like when you would watch a Newcastle Youth Cup match there back in the day. I was pretty shocked when I saw £8 . Makes sense in line with other prices at that level, and you've obviously got the ground as well, but I did have to do a double take when seeing the prices. I'll be heading along.

Are you off to the Senior Cup finsl tomorrow @Disco?

Forest are currently 12-1 in their last 3 league games. Incredible turnaround.

Hearts vs Rangers was always the big one today anyway../

There is part of me that wants Chelsea to win. I'm not overly fussed about Forest passing us, which they will if they win today and then beat us on Sunday, and I doubt we will pass Chelsea with their GD advantage, as it is effectively 2 matches, not even including this one, but more that it will be less chance of Sunderland passing them. I can't see us getting into Europe, so I think my main hope is to finish above them, or those not getting into Europe. They have only had 3 top 10 (or 12 to be precise) finishes since 1955, and would be nice for that to continue this year.

It is a brave call. Only 3 points clear after yesterdays result, although they do have a strong GD advantage over West Ham, so effectively 4 points, but it does seem risky to almost pass up on a match at this stage.

I was going to ask if anyone had any preference over the outcome on this one?

Feels like it could be effectively wrapped up come Monday night, unfortunately. It's nothing new, obviously, but it is shit how fixture placement can dictate so much. Aston Villa away is one of the hardest matches of the season in most cases, but not in this case tonight.

Effectively a title decider in the Northern Alliance Premier tomorrow night, Burradon vs Cramlington United, although neither side will be getting promoted. Cramlington applied for promotion, but they have put that on hold for a year while they do stuff to the ground. They'll both have one more match after this, and Burradon's is a lot easier on paper, but both do win most weeks, so whoever does come out on top will be big favourites for the title. Burradon kind of just need a point as their final match is an effective bye. My brothers son plays from Cram Utd juniors and he sometimes watches their match after the boys training. I wouldn't have minded going with them, but the lad is actually on a football trip with the club so won't be back in time.

Worst part is they got new owners in around December 2023, from America, when they were in League One with the intention of Championship football, back to back relegations followed and now another year in non league. The owners mean well and have done a lot of good things to the ground, and there's no real heat on them, it's not like they are chancers or anything, but I bet they wish they never clapped eyes on the club Last time they went down they came up straightaway through the playoffs so this will be their longest spell in non league since getting elected in 1928.

Just the 7 outfield changes for Villa from Thursday.

Pleased it's not a red, they play Sunderland next...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vo9ElvHMeYs Big Karius in goal for Schalke.

Big game coming up in Germany at 7.30pm on YouTube between 2 sides who average over 100,000 crowds between them. Schalke vs Dusseldorf. Schalke will seal a return to Bundesliga after a 3 year absence if they win, while Dusseldorf badly needs points at the other end.

Honking. Hardly worth watching the 2nd half.

South Shields won 1-0. Better in the second half, but a very nervy end, Buxton with another goal ruled out towards the end, hit the inside of the post, and then had one cleared off the line. They are at home to Kidderminster in the final next Saturday.

Shildon 1 West Auckland 2 FT. West with a 95th minute penalty winner after equalising in the 80th. A 3rd year in a row Shildon have finished 2nd but failed in the playoffs.

South Shields ahead from the spot, 1-0 after 40 mins. They've been 2nd best.

Shildon 1-0 up at at half time to West Auckland, so will be joining those whole host of North East clubs in the NPL East as it stands. South Shields semi final with Buxton about to start in 5 mins on DAZN. Winner to play Kidderminster in the final.