Top 10 teams after today’s games, Sat Apr 22nd 2017
DARLINGTON....... 1-0 Telford
Boston................. 0-3 FYLDE
Bradford.............. 0-2 STOCKPORT
HALIFAX.............. 3-0 Curzon
Gainsborough...... 1-1 KIDDERMINSTER
Gloucester........... 2-2 CHORLEY
HARROGATE........ 1-2 BRACKLEY
Stalybridge.......... 0-4 TAMWORTH
Worcester............ 1-2 SALFORD
The Top 10 in the Vanarama National League North, Sat Apr 22nd 2017 (Gloucester added)
.......................... Pd .W D L..W D L....F..A....GD...Pts
1. Fylde ............. 41 12 7 1 13 3 5 105 58.. 47.. 85
2. Kidderminster. 41 15 2 3.. 9 5 7.. 73 40.. 33.. 79
3. Halifax ........... 41 12 5 4 11 3 6.. 79 43.. 36.. 77
4. Darlington ..... 41 14 2 5.. 8 8 4.. 88 62.. 26.. 76
5. Salford .......... 41 12 7 1.. 9 4 8.. 74 43.. 31.. 74
6. Chorley ......... 41 13 4 3.. 7 10 4 60 39.. 21.. 74
7. Stockport ...... 41.. 9 7 4 10 8 3.. 58 40.. 18.. 72
8. Brackley ........ 41.. 8 6 6 11 7 3.. 61 41.. 20.. 70
9. Tamworth ..... 41 14 2 4.. 6 4 11 71 66. ... 5.. 66
10. Gloucester ... 41 10 3 8.. 8 6 6.. 68 60.. ..8.. 63
11. Harrogate .... 40 10 4 7.. 5 6 8.. 67 61.. ..9.. 55
Top 10 Head to Head, updated Sat Apr 22nd 2017
............................ Pd W D L...W D L...Pts
..1. Kidderminster. 18 5 2 2... 4 1 4.. 30
..2. Fylde ............. 18 4 4 1... 4 3 2.. 30
..3. Halifax ........... 17 4 2 3... 3 3 2.. 26
..4. Darlington ..... 17 5 2 2... 1 4 3.. 24
..5. Tamworth ..... 18 5 1 3... 2 2 5.. 24
..6. Brackley ........ 18 2 3 4... 4 3 2.. 24
..7. Stockport ...... 18 2 4 3... 3 4 2.. 23
..8. Chorley ......... 17 2 4 2... 3 3 3.. 22
..9. Salford .......... 17 2 5 1... 1 3 5.. 17
10. Harrogate ..... 18 1 2 6... 2 3 4.. 14
Comments in current full league table order,
Top 10, games, played, outstanding etc
Fylde, 18 played, remaining fixtures, NONE.
3-0 away win at Boston. A penalty in the 40th min, 2 more second half goals for a comfortable away win, congratulations to Fylde on winning the Vanarama National League North. Saturday, home to Worcester.
Kidderminster, 18 played, remaining fixtures, NONE.
1-1 away draw at Gainsborough. Trailing 1-0 at half time, Kidder bring on sub Andre Brown who scores in 50th min, but are unable to score a winner. Saturday, home to Bradford, Kidder need to win to hold onto second place with Halifax closing in.
Halifax, 17 played, remaining fixture, away at Chorley.
3-0 home win over Curzon Ashton. Two first half goals, a third after the break, Halifax enjoy a comfortable home win. Saturday, away at CHORLEY.
Darlington, 17 played, remaining fixture, away at Salford.
1-0 home win over Telford. After a scoreless first half against a well organized and physical Telford who hustled and harried Darlington players in possession, with only some challenges called for free kicks, Darlington were awarded a penalty kick when a beautiful back heel by Nathan Cartman directed the ball into the path of David Ferguson. Before Ferguson could line up a shot, he was bundled over in the box. Mark Beck scored from the penalty spot in the 53rd min, he later almost added a second before Telford with a couple of late attempts were denied by excellent goalkeeping from Adam Bartlett. Saturday, away at SALFORD.
Salford, 17 played, remaining fixture, home to Darlington.
2-1 away win at Worcester. Leading 1-0 at half time, Worcester equalised after an hour. On 81 mins, Salford sent on sub Nick Haughton who shoots home the winner in the box five minutes later. Salford rise to fifth place with Chorley’s draw. Saturday, home to DARLINGTON.
Chorley, 17 played, remaining fixture, home to Halifax.
2-2 away draw at Gloucester. Chorley slip to sixth place in the table after today’s result. Trailing 2-1 to Gloucester, they had a player sent off before equalising just before half time. In the second half neither team was able to find a winner. Saturday, home to HALIFAX.
Stockport, 18 played, remaining fixtures, NONE.
2-0 away win at Bradford P.A. Two goals in the last ten mins from Josh Amis and Danny Lloyd lift Stockport to victory. They remain in 7th place, needing (Salford to lose with a County win) or (Chorley to draw with a County win of three goals or more) to get the last promotion place. Saturday, home to Gloucester.
Brackley, 18 played, remaining fixtures, NONE
2-1 away win at HARROGATE. Brackley led 2-0 and hold onto to victory. They remain in eigth place but cannot catch any of the top 6, so no playoffs this season. Saturday, home to Stalybridge.
Tamworth, 18 played, remaining fixtures, NONE.
4-0 away win at Stalybridge. Three goals in the first 17 mins as Tamworth win easily. Saturday, home to Altrincham.
Harrogate, 17 played, remaining fixture, home to Brackley.
1-2 home loss to BRACKLEY. Harrogate’s home record of 1-2-6 against Top 10 opponents doomed any playoff hopes this season, 5 points out of a maximum 27. Tuesday, at Stalybridge , Saturday, at Telford.
Forecast for the end of season positions
2nd place Kidderminster (Prediction, 82 points, Saturday 3-1 home to Bradford P.A.)
3rd place Halifax…………….(Prediction, 80 points, Saturday 2-1 away to Chorley.)
4th place Darlington……….(Prediction, 79 points, Saturday 2-1 away to Salford.)
5th place Stockport………..(Prediction, 75 points, Saturday 1-0 home to Gloucester.)
6th place Salford…………….(Prediction, 74 points, Saturday 1-2 home to Darlington.)
7th place Chorley……………(Prediction, 74 points, Saturday 1-2 home to Halifax.)
Salford will have superior goal difference to qualify!!!! In sixth place.
The race for 5th place for 6 teams, their results have been added, the gaps show their outstanding games. For each team their home results are listed first, followed by their away results, all against their opponents, sequenced by the table on March 1st.
........................ Darlington...... Halifax....... Stockport.... Tamworth..... Harrogate...... Brackley
........Team........... H.... A.......... H..... A......... H.... A.......... H..... A.......... H..... A........... H..... A
.1. Fylde............. 1-1.. 1-4...... 0-1.. 2-3...... 1-2.. 0-0...... 1-0.. 1-3....... 3-3.. 1-2....... 1-3.. 1-1
.2. Salford........... 2-2.. ..-....... 4-2.. 2-2...... 2-1.. 1-1...... 2-0.. 2-1....... 3-3.. 0-0....... 0-1.. 1-1
.3. Kidderminster. 0-1.. 1-2..... 2-0.. 2-1...... 0-1.. 0-2...... 3-4.. 0-6...... 0-2.. 0-1....... 2-0.. 2-1
.4. Chorley........... 2-0.. 1-1..... 2-1.. ..-........ 0-0.. 1-0...... 0-1.. 1-1...... 2-1.. 0-1....... 0-1.. 1-1
.5. Halifax……....... 3-2.. 2-2..... xxx.. xxx...... 1-1.. 0-0...... 2-6.. 0-4....... 0-3.. 1-0........ 0-0.. 3-1
.6. Stockport........ 2-1.. 3-3..... 0-0.. 1-1...... xxx.. xxx...... 2-2.. 1-2...... 0-1.. 1-1....... 0-3.. 4-2
.7. Darlington....... xxx.. xxx..... 2-2.. 2-3...... 3-3.. 1-2...... 2-1.. 2-3...... 1-4.. 3-2....... 2-2.. 0-1
.8. Tamworth........ 3-2.. 1-2..... 4-0.. 6-2...... 2-1.. 2-2...... xxx.. xxx...... 3-4.. 2-3....... 0-0.. 1-2
.9. Harrogate....... 2-3.. 4-1..... 0-1.. 3-0...... 1-1.. 1-0...... 3-2.. 4-3....... xxx.. xxx...... 2-1.. 2-1
10. Brackley......... 1-0.. 2-2..... 1-3.. 0-0...... 2-4.. 3-0....... 2-1.. 0-0...... 1-2.. 1-2....... xxx.. xxx
11. Gloucester...... 2-0.. 2-1..... 0-1.. 2-0...... ..-.... 1-0....... 3-1.. 0-2...... 3-1.. 1-1...... 3-0.. 3-1
12. Curzon........... 1-3.. 2-1..... 3-0.. 2-4...... 3-1.. 2-1....... 3-2.. 5-1...... 2-2.. 0-1...... 2-0.. 0-0
13. FC Utd Man.... 4-2... 3-2..... 3-1.. 3-0..... 2-1.. 0-2....... 1-1.. 0-1...... 3-1.. 2-2...... 1-0.. 2-1
14. Nuneaton....... 1-2.. 1-1..... 2-0.. 3-2...... 1-1.. 1-1...... 1-2.. 0-1...... 3-1.. 1-2...... 2-1.. 2-2
15. Boston........... 4-1.. 2-1..... 0-0.. 4-1...... 1-1.. 2-0....... 1-0.. 0-3...... 2-0.. 3-0...... 0-0.. 3-2
16. Telford............ 1-0.. 0-2..... 1-1.. 2-1...... 1-1.. 0-0....... 2-1.. 0-1...... 2-1.. ..-........ 2-1.. 6-0
17. Alfreton.......... 3-4.. 3-0..... 1-0.. 0-1...... 4-3.. 1-1....... 4-1.. 5-2...... 6-3.. 0-1...... 2-3.. 0-0
18. Bradford......... 1-0.. 2-1..... 4-0.. 3-1...... 1-2.. 2-0....... 5-1.. 0-0...... 1-0.. 3-2...... 2-0.. 1-2
19. Gainsborough. 5-2.. 3-3..... 2-1.. 2-3...... 1-0.. 1-0...... 1-0.. 2-3...... 1-3.. 2-0...... 0-0.. 1-1
20. Worcester....... 5-1.. 2-2..... 3-0.. 2-1...... 1-0.. 0-0...... 1-0.. 1-1....... 3-0.. 2-2...... 0-2.. 2-1
21. Stalybridge..... 4-1.. 1-0..... 1-0.. 0-1...... 3-1.. 3-1...... 2-1.. 4-0....... 3-1.. .-......... ..-.... 1-0
22. Altrincham...... 3-1.. 2-2..... 2-2.. 1-0...... 3-0.. 3-2...... ..-.... 2-1....... 2-2.. 0-0...... 1-1.. 3-1
The remaining Top 10 games
25/04 Tuesday
Stalybridge.......... vs HARROGATE
29/04 Saturday
SALFORD............ vs DARLINGTON (3.00)
BRACKLEY........... vs Stalybridge
CHORLEY............ vs HALIFAX
FYLDE................ vs Worcester
KIDDERMINSTER vs Bradford
STOCKPORT........ vs Gloucester
Telford................ vs HARROGATE
TAMWORTH........ vs Altrincham
Thoughts
A tough game against Telford, playing with 8-9 behind the ball in the first half, trying for an opportunist goal from big No 9 Lee Hughes. Telford were more aggressive than FC United and Alfreton who I’ve seen in the last 7 days, not letting players settle on the ball. A neat back flick from Nathan Cartman for David Ferguson resulting in a clumsy challenge that was rewarded with a penalty, that was enough. It was good to see the team still committed, even with some robust tackles that the referee allowed.
Thank you to everyone at the club, Darlofansradio for making my week so much fun, being able to appear on the two games has been a wonderful opportunity and experience.
What to make of the ‘off the field’ week.
Last week at Alfreton, I saw a little ground of 3,600, 1,500 seating, a team that has been around since 1959, in a small town of about 10,000. Nice people, nice club, nice ground, maybe the mindset is, ‘We are Alfreton, we are happy existing in the Vanarama National League North’
I see a fan base at Blackwell Meadows, I see a mindset ‘We are Darlington’
What is ‘We are Darlington’??
In my opinion, ‘We are Darlington’ is a Football League mindset, because for as long as everyone living is concerned, we were there for decades, and we lost our way, leaving Feethams being a very pivotal moment, regardless of intentions.
Our mindset is not to settle for Vanarama National North, it’s get to the Vanarama National, then get to the Football League.
As we have to build up our infrastructure,
1) improve the pitch
2) realign that pipe
3) add additional seating
4) add additional terracing
As well as provide funding for Martin Gray to improve the squad, with a possibility of 1-2 years going full time if we continue to progress on the field as we have,
There are only four solutions
1) Have a majority of fans give a small chunk of their monthly money to the club (not sustainable and costs will rise)
2) Have a local guy come forward with millions today, and continue to donate out of the goodness of their heart (if that person exists, where has that person been since 2012??)
3) A fan wins a big lottery, and keeps supplying cash annually (we can keep waiting)
4) The dreaded businessman/men (like Fylde, Kidderminster, Salford etc), who can bankroll team upgrades, ground upgrades (Salford) with lots of disposable income.
I fear option 4 is the only option, it will be nice if it’s someone Martin Gray or David Hodgson knows, but if that person is a moneybags like Steve Gibson at the Boro, that’s what we need. Someone who will give for 20 years and stay with the club. It will be nice to stay a club owned by the fans, but even clubs like Hartlepool, regardless of the mess they may get / have got into, have more access to large amounts of money than we have. It’s not a level playing field for ordinary fans like us, one rich businessman is worth more than a thousand committed Quakers fans. My opinion does not have to be liked, it’s just my opinion.
‘We are Darlington’, it’s about the club, not always our feelings, we can hate an owner / chairman, but if that person(s) puts up the money for us to be in the Football League, time will help us to come around to them if their intentions are honest for the club. It might be the only way we can back to where we believe we rightly belong.
Thanks
I'm on the plane back home tomorrow, thanks again to everyone at the club, I'll be listening to darlofansradio at 7am on Saturday, hoping to hear my 2-1 win prediction come true. Cheers