Non-league football

[Paullow]

I was just about to do a NPL East round up, but aye, not a great set of results for the local sides. I was going to go to the Heaton match, but sacked it off as the weather didn't look great, but will definitely try and get to one of their games before the end of the season.

 

Heaton and Bridlington were both on 36 points, so a massive win for the visitors. Consett also lost at home to a team in and around the drop zone, Brighouse, so another disappointing result down there. Ashington were away to the league leaders, but another defeat for them. Thankfully the bottom 3 all lost (including Liversedge at home to Bishop Auckland), but it really is starting to look like Ashington vs Heaton on Easter Monday will be pivotal in terms of avoiding the 4th and final play off spot(12pm kick off).

 

 

[Paullow]

Another great win for Stockton in the league above, and in front of 1135. They beat 6th place Ilkeston 1-0 and are now 7 points clear in the playoff places (with just 6 games to go), a proper 6 pointer.

 

 

 

 

Edited Saturday at 17:49 by Paullow

[Optimistic Nut]

3 hours ago, Pilko said:

Gateshead have absolutely shat the bed. In real danger of pissing away their playoff place.

 

First thing Anichebe needs to do is try to convince Williamson or Elliot back as Manager.

 

From Magnay's comments after the game they're going to be busy in the market on Monday. 

[Dr Venkman]

I was at Hillheads today for WBFC v Carlisle, bit of a stinker TBH but good result for the the bay.

[Big Geordie]

Another defeat on the road for Blyth Spartans, yesterday. Think it's something like 1 win in 30 games now. Ashington also lost away from home. 

[Wallsendmag]

Berwick 1-2 Tranent. Another awful display by Berwick who are in increasing danger of dropping into the obscurity of the East Of Scotland League. First time I've seen the fans start to really get on the players/managers/Chairman's back and it was getting very tetchy at times to the point where the club have had to issue a statement today.

 

Attendance 410.

[Paullow]

2 hours ago, Wallsendmag said:

Berwick 1-2 Tranent. Another awful display by Berwick who are in increasing danger of dropping into the obscurity of the East Of Scotland League. First time I've seen the fans start to really get on the players/managers/Chairman's back and it was getting very tetchy at times to the point where the club have had to issue a statement today.

 

Attendance 410.

It's a bit confusing relegation from that league. Seems like there could be 0, 1, or 2 that go down. I see Gretna finished 2nd bottom last year on 12 points, but stayed up, but all depends on the playoffs into the Scottish football league.

 

I know the club and large parts of the town consider themselves Scottish, but if they were to be relegated into the 6th tier, and even then, still travelling over 100 miles to the likes of Luncarty then you'd think it would be better to move down to the Northern League (and eventually NPL at a push), with the option to play the likes of Alnwick, Bedlington, Ashington, maybe Morpeth down the line, and a Blyth team etc.

 

 

I was reading the Berwick thread on the Pie and Bovril forum the other day after your post about you going to this match, and it's quite an interesting read and have just saw that you occasionally post on there as well.

 

[Wallsendmag]

15 minutes ago, Paullow said:

It's a bit confusing relegation from that league. Seems like there could be 0, 1, or 2 that go down. I see Gretna finished 2nd bottom last year on 12 points, but stayed up, but all depends on the playoffs into the Scottish football league.

 

I know the club and large parts of the town consider themselves Scottish, but if they were to be relegated into the 6th tier, and even then, still travelling over 100 miles to the likes of Luncarty then you'd think it would be better to move down to the Northern League (and eventually NPL at a push), with the option to play the likes of Alnwick, Bedlington, Ashington, maybe Morpeth down the line, and a Blyth team etc.

 

 

I was reading the Berwick thread on the Pie and Bovril forum the other day after your post about you going to this match, and it's quite an interesting read and have just saw that you occasionally post on there as well.

 

 

They're out on a limb geographically really. Even in the Northern League they'd have a fair few 100 mile trips to the Teesside teams. It was mentioned on that forum and on a fans Facebook page about moving down to the NL but it was shot down in flames. Geography is another reason they can't attract the quality of players or have to overpay for them.

 

The relegation issue is very confusing and depends on a load of permutations. They do now have an American Millionaire on the board of directors. If they can stay up I think he might put his hand in his pocket for a summer rebuild.

 

https://hellorayo.co.uk/greatest-hits/borders/news/berwick-rangers-chris-butler-joins-board/

[Paullow]

1 minute ago, Wallsendmag said:

 

They're out on a limb geographically really. Even in the Northern League they'd have a fair few 100 mile trips to the Teesside teams. It was mentioned on that forum and on a fans Facebook page about moving down to the NL but it was shot down in flames. Geography is another reason they can't attract the quality of players or have to overpay for them.

 

The relegation issue is very confusing and depends on a load of permutations. They do now have an American Millionaire on the board of directors. If they can stay up I think he might put his hand in his pocket for a summer rebuild.

 

https://hellorayo.co.uk/greatest-hits/borders/news/berwick-rangers-chris-butler-joins-board/

Yeah, I saw that from the forum and about lots of the town considering themselves Scottish. Obviously in Scotland, if they did sort themselves out and had a potential backer as you were suggesting then they could potentially work themselves back into the league (and maybe 3rd tier as they have in recent memory), and with that more of a shot at a cup giant killing, like when they beat Rangers, but IF the 6th tier was going to be their level going forward then you'd think Northumberland derbies against some of the aforementioned sides would be more interesting generally than playing the likes of Luncarty, Jeanfield Swifts, St Andrews United etc. but yeah, not that much difference when you consider the likes of Guisborough, Northalleton, Redcar, Marske etc. in the Northern League, but from a complete outsider perspective, the English system would seem more appealing / attractive if that was going to be their level, and it is hard to get back into the Scottish football league as shown by the likes of East Kilbride who have been going for it for years, and then lots of former league sides like Albion, East Stirling, Cowdenbeath etc. not setting the world alight when they drop into non league. Brechin are doing a bit better in the Highland League, as they often do, but they still have to pass Brora, then beat East Kilbride, and then beat whoever comes bottom on League Two, so it is really hard to get back in once you drop.

[Wallsendmag]

9 hours ago, Paullow said:

Yeah, I saw that from the forum and about lots of the town considering themselves Scottish. Obviously in Scotland, if they did sort themselves out and had a potential backer as you were suggesting then they could potentially work themselves back into the league (and maybe 3rd tier as they have in recent memory), and with that more of a shot at a cup giant killing, like when they beat Rangers, but IF the 6th tier was going to be their level going forward then you'd think Northumberland derbies against some of the aforementioned sides would be more interesting generally than playing the likes of Luncarty, Jeanfield Swifts, St Andrews United etc. but yeah, not that much difference when you consider the likes of Guisborough, Northalleton, Redcar, Marske etc. in the Northern League, but from a complete outsider perspective, the English system would seem more appealing / attractive if that was going to be their level, and it is hard to get back into the Scottish football league as shown by the likes of East Kilbride who have been going for it for years, and then lots of former league sides like Albion, East Stirling, Cowdenbeath etc. not setting the world alight when they drop into non league. Brechin are doing a bit better in the Highland League, as they often do, but they still have to pass Brora, then beat East Kilbride, and then beat whoever comes bottom on League Two, so it is really hard to get back in once you drop.

 

Aye they said for years before there was relegation from Scottish League 2 that many of the Junior teams (that's what they call Non League teams for those who don't know) were stronger than a lot of the league teams and it's proven to be the case.

 

First thing's first they need to stay in this league. Then this American Millionaire needs to show his hand. Pump a few quid in, invest in the squad and see what happens. Personally I feel they're better off in the Scottish League. At the moment they are a League below the proper league and as you say there's always the chance of a cup game at Ibrox or Parkhead in front of 50,000 which would generate ridiculous money for them.

 

Just separately from all this I had a good 10 minute chat with the Chairman before the match yesterday. Asked if I'd been to the Cup Final. Said I had. Told me he had a tear in his eye when we won it. Couldn't have been prouder for the Region. Said it before but they're great people up there.

 

 

Edited Monday at 07:41 by Wallsendmag

[Paully]

Boldon vs Jarra pour moi, ce soir (it actually fits in perfectly with the song!)!

[Paully]

Boldon 0-3 Jarra 

 

That’s Jarra guaranteed play-offs I think! 

[Paullow]

20 minutes ago, Paully said:

Boldon 0-3 Jarra 

 

That’s Jarra guaranteed play-offs I think! 

 

It seems they have been guaranteed a play off place for a while now. Tonight was a cup match anyway.

 

 

Jarrow surely won't catch Horden as it will likely take a 3 game swing and there's only 3 games left, but they are guaranteed a home playoff semi final match, but the main thing for them in the final 3 games will be to try and catch Yarm to get a potential playoff final at home as well.

[Paullow]

Good away win for Dunston tonight in the NPL East and they are now second. Very hard for them to catch the leaders and go up automatically, but like Jarrow 2 leagues below, they are looking good for a home playoff semi final and possibly the final as well. Dunston beating Sheffield was great for Ashington and Heaton as well as Sheffield are currently bottom, but had been getting a few results recently.