National League 2024-2025

[JimW]

Didn't get up for the game last night, went behind to a decent Fondop strike early and despite playing pretty well Oldham stood solid. Surprised we started with Quigley, though by all accounts he grew into the game he did apparently miss the sort of chance Doidge has been slotting home for fun. Ah well, on to Pools, who will prbably have sacked their manager by Saturday.

 

[JimW]

Good goal to win it after making four subs in one go, and it was them who made it, great run by Lavinier but pedestrian otherwise even if Pools didn't really look like scoring despite winning a hatful of corners. Can see why they're frustrated with Sarll. They do defend pretty well but if you're never going to score it's not much of a recipe for success. Cardwell also did some good stuff after he came on and was unlucky to see a good headed effort very well saved.

 

[JimW]

Really satisfying away win against a decent Eastleigh side. Went in one down at the half despite making the better chances, but done slower to the second ball after a long throw. Turned it on second half though with three goals all from excellent approach work, including Cardwell's first for us since joining. Eastleigh had a couple of half chances and spells of pressure but we really were good value for that.

 

[JimW]

Sarll gone from Pools after their cup exit then; he'd been hanging by a thread for a while. Sounds like he just wasn't the right fit for the club and they're not in the best of shape off the field either, but have a decent enough squad if someone can get them going. Looked all right against us.

 

[JimW]

Got there in the end against Braintree, Can see why they haven't conceded many, organised and with some threats, so not entirely surprising when they nicked a lead after we'd bossed the opening. Then they sat right back and tried to kill it a bit but we found a way, winner pleasing as one of their lads went down faking cramp but ref allowed the throw in and McAllister banged it home. That speeded them up noticeably and they tried for an equaliser but only the one scare before we saw it out. Joint top!

 

[JimW]

Point away at Woking which didn't look too likely when Innis got a straight red about twenty minutes in. We settled quickly though and defended well, then actually nicked a lead after a good Doidge lay off set McAllister free and he did really well to cut back and bury it. Woking drew level earlyish second half, and it was from a corner that we'd otherwise been dealing with well, so disappointing. You normally wouldn't feel that about a point away with ten men most of the game but really we were well set to see it out and Woking probably looked better against eleven in the early stages.

 

[JimW]

Ultimately comfortable away day at York Road, two up at the half and maidenhead on really one shot of note, Slight nerves when we probably stepped off it a bit and they pulled one back with a good header from a free kick, similar to one they'd threatened with earlier so bit poor, but restored two goal cushion only minutes later then added a fourth in fine style and bossed the closing minutes. Top of the table job home to York next week who are going great guns. Stupid kick off time due to being on the new telly provider at half five.

 

[JimW]

Satisfying win in the top of table clash to go above York. Nip and tuck first half, took it by the scruff in the second. Another great shift from Quigley, did everything but score including hitting the post, though we went ahead after a bit of a keeper error, Fantastic finish though. Needed a second and that was real quality, Couple chalked off for offside too as we got on top. Had York pretty well contained too.

 

[oryx]

You knocked us off the top!

Rinse and repeat!

 

[oryx]

It's such a shame that only one team gets automatic promotion.

 

[JimW]

It's such a shame that only one team gets automatic promotion.

Still tight at the top, think Oldham will be giving us both a run, though Barnet are maybe too open to keep up with the pace. Gateshead seem to be chugging along nicely though Rochdale dropping away. Was expecting better of Southend after all their troubles put to bed but they're floundering a bit lately.

 

[JimW]

C&P from a football forum:

Jez Davies had joined Ebbsfleet on a 28 day loan from Salford City. On the bench for yesterday’s match against Solihull Moors, he came on after 26 minutes for the injured Kwame Thomas. On 43 minutes, he was given a straight red card for a dangerous challenge. This means he gets a 3 match ban and renders the rest of his loan redundant.
This basically sums up Ebbsfleet’s season.

 

[JimW]

Not until perusing the Southend forum before our game away at theirs Saturday did I know Alison Moyet is a supporter and her song Blue is about them, including a name check for Stan Collymore.

 

[JimW]

Shared the points at Roots Hall. Went in ahead after a steady but not spectacular first half that was fairly even, thought we might push on with the wind behind in tough conditions second but Southend adapted better and equalised having been knocking. SC made three changes and we were back in front, Doidge tapping in minutes after coming on but then Southend came at us much better and got a deserved equaliser. they probably looked more likely to go on and win though we did create a few ore chances and had one decent pen shout waved away. Point on the road not to be sniffed at but defence probably a bit shakier that in should have been when someone gave it a go, knocked off the top on GD by York putting four past ten man Yeovil.

 

[JimW]

Nine man Yeovil I see it finished! Can imagine Mark Cooper's face after that.

 

[oryx]

Shared the points at Roots Hall. Went in ahead after a steady but not spectacular first half that was fairly even, thought we might push on with the wind behind in tough conditions second but Southend adapted better and equalised having been knocking. SC made three changes and we were back in front, Doidge tapping in minutes after coming on but then Southend came at us much better and got a deserved equaliser. they probably looked more likely to go on and win though we did create a few ore chances and had one decent pen shout waved away. Point on the road not to be sniffed at but defence probably a bit shakier that in should have been when someone gave it a go, knocked off the top on GD by York putting four past ten man Yeovil.

I hope we keep it up and at least get into the play-offs. This season has come as a (nice) surprise after years of relegation struggles!

Hoping to get to York v Southend on 21 December.

 

[JimW]

Surprise heavy defeat for York, who seemed to have changed the side a fair bit, puts us back top without kicking a ball. Nice. Need to consolidate that home to Halifax tonight. They're in good form so a proper test.

 

[JimW]

Held at home by a well-organised Halifax. We lacked a bit of zip, eventually got the lead but a rare Ward error let one slip under him. Should have won it really but can't argue, resilient Shaymen away showing. Barnet back top.

 

[JimW]

Planning permission finally come through for our new all singing all dancing "Salad Bowl" wooden stadium out by the motorway, no more slogging up Spring Hill for away fans but also farewell to Forest Green itself. Approval also for 95 houses to be built on the site of the current ground (which is only eighteen years old), some of which will be social but no doubt not many. SDC does actually build council houses still though, so maybe better than that.