TheNE40

Same here mate, fingers crossed England manage to get there - should be a good experience all the same. Very interested to see if the city idea works.

Were you at the game on Monday against the Uni? Saw they turned it round after the Stan went 2-0 up after 5 mins.. No but wasn’t expecting that after seeing they were 2 up. Surprisingly big crowd there too given the Uni have no links to where they play. Think they've been developing Cochrane into a 4G and have plans to move back to there after their lease is up at Prudhoe. A decent attendance for them in their first game at NL level though will be interesting to see whether it continues going forward.

Was also at this one - cracking goals by Ryton and Phil Hodges! Didn't realise he had that in his locker! Also heard there was a controversial penalty at North Shields which won the game for NE29 Paully[/member], that true?

Bet you the sale of Krafth beers in Newcastle goes up after this...

Were you at the game on Monday against the Uni? Saw they turned it round after the Stan went 2-0 up after 5 mins..

Another good win for Hebburn last night. Seems like there was a lot of drama up at Ashington (red card, 1 sin bin) and 2 penalties (1 given, 1 rescinded). Shildon had another big win over Ryhope CW. First win for Billingham Town at NL1 level with what appears to be a deserved win over the Bay. Goals galore at Bedlington Terriers (4-3 to Tow Law) and a good win for CLS (3-1) over Washington. More excellent attendances at both with 403 at Shildon in NL1 and 201 at CLS in NL2!

What's the code for the league chaps?

Not a penalty, but a nice screw up: https://youtu.be/sdhAd57wzqg?t=576 This is from Bournemouths last friendly vs Lyon on saturday. Interesting. Still baffled as to why he ran across the box when he found himself in danger. As you're always told, if in doubt...

I watched the Leeds game yesterday and whilst Bamford scored (and allegedly had a better chances created ratio than Kemar Roofe last season), I've never been totally convinced by him and certainly don't think he'd cut it in the PL for the likes of us. Having said that, watch him now go and score 20+ goals this season and for Leeds to be promoted as champions...

Solid start for Gateshead at the weekend against Southport. By all accounts it was a fairly low key affair with a point just about the right result. In other news, it was very pleasing to see that Mike Coulson has returned to the club. A dedicated and true Gateshead FC man, hopefully his return will coincide with a strong season this time round.

Was an excellent result for Shildon this one. Seems like Thornaby and Billy Town both struggled in their first games at their new level against established NL1 sides. Goes to show the vast gap between NL1 and NL2. Long way to go but could be a long season for both sides. Strong results for York and arguably Spennymoor as well, with Gateshead, Darlington and Blyth fans probably feeling a bit disappointed after Saturday's games. That said, only one game down, plenty more to go.

Which games are people planning on going to tomorrow? I'm tempted by Whitley Bay v Benfield

Ryton only get 2 men and a dog in, wouldn't bother with them. They don't get many in but they've got a far better squad this year than previous years and I'd back them to do well having seen them in pre-season. Friendly committee and always looking to increase attendances. Whickham as well are ones to watch as their team gels over the course of the season, and Dunston will be another exciting watch given they've kept the vast majority of their squad from last year (and strengthened) and they're at the Evo-Stik level for the first time. All good options.

Northern League and Wearside League seasons kick off this coming weekend. Be very intrigued to see how many disillusioned Newcastle fans make a trip to their local club.

Believe other clubs around the country have done this and have been successful, but I think that would involve them becoming completely separate from the First Team (which doesn't seem to fit in with their strategy / blueprint). Guess it'll be another good opportunity to get some silverware and build on last season for the Reserves.

Always been a fan of Jarra - the best pitch in NL2 (like a carpet), some excellent people behind the scenes and a good team on it. Fancy Hebburn Town Reserves to be in the reckoning again for the Wearside (and potentially get promoted to NL1). Mad that they're playing their first team tonight as well though! It's unreal - I know a load of the lads who play for them and who play for Perth on a Sunday there and it's immaculate! The likes of Jimmy, Davie Bell etc do wonders there! Really do mate - to take them from the Wearside to the top end of the NL2 in the time they have is outstanding. Given the state of some of the Sunday pitches round the region it's madness Perth Green play on that on a Sunday - it's an absolute carpet!

At the minute the NL don't accept reserve sides although they might have to once next season's restructure is complete. Very true, though I'd imagine with Hebburn Town First Team most probably getting promoted this season (though I appreciate a ball hasn't been kicked yet so it's premature to say) and the restructure they'll most likely be in the reckoning to come up.

Good win for Gateshead on Tuesday against Harrogate. Would imagine it'll be another one on Saturday against Scarborough Athletic - be a stern test and you'd imagine they'll bring a fair few fans with them as well.

Saw Dunston managed to get a win last night which is an excellent result tbf - you manage to go / hear much about it? Yeah I was there. Spennymoor had a few missing and took few off at half time. Played a few out of position second half and had a trial keeper in goal both halves. However. Dunston looked very good at times. Especially the second half. It was a good competitive game in fairness. Dunston deserved the win in the end. One of their players got what looked like a nasty injury too so hopefully he is fine Sounds like the norm for pre season, though still a great result for Dunston all the same. Hope the lad is alright, always horrible to get injured before the official season has started. Fancy Dunston to do well this season, they've got a great squad there and have made some impressive changes to the ground - they look very well equipped for their first season at EvoStik.

Always been a fan of Jarra - the best pitch in NL2 (like a carpet), some excellent people behind the scenes and a good team on it. Fancy Hebburn Town Reserves to be in the reckoning again for the Wearside (and potentially get promoted to NL1). Mad that they're playing their first team tonight as well though!

Saw Dunston managed to get a win last night which is an excellent result tbf - you manage to go / hear much about it?

Agree with that mate, sincerely hope it's a good one for the folk at Blyth. Great people and have done exceptionally well over the last few seasons. Deserve a good cup run after all of the recent upheaval.

Makes sense with Blyth I guess, given the huge exodus and overhaul of the squad they have had since Armstrong left. Gives them a chance to test out some of the Trialists (most seem to be from Northern League) to see if they're good enough and can manage the significant step up. Good on them for doing so, but I fear they could be in for a long season. Hope I'm wrong though.

Whickham seem to be having a very indifferent pre-season so far. A great result against Dunston (1-1 draw) this week has been sandwiched in between a 3-1 loss to Blue Star (Alliance Prem) and a 6-0 loss last night to Blyth (who by all accounts battered them all game). Appreciate they'll have played three games in a week when they play Birtley Town tomorrow, but the interview post game by Asst Manager Andrew Bulford doesn't paint a rosy picture at the very least. Could take a very long time for the additions to bed in and be a difficult start for the Lang Jacks.

It'll definitely take a very long time for it to bed in and to be accepted by everyone. Problem is fans will no longer want to celebrate goals (or anything else) for fear that it can easily be ruled out / taken away by VAR. Whilst it will get the correct decision 99.9% of the time, it'll take the drama out of the situations and ultimately I fear the viewing experience could suffer.