Northampton O.N. Chenecks 4 v 1 Letchworth Garden City Eagles

Saturday 25th November 2023, Kick-off 15.00

Spartan South Midlands League Division One

Old Northamptonians Sports Ground, Northampton

Admission: £6.00

Programme: £1.00 and online 

Attendance: 40

This was not my intended destination today, as I had planned and was heading towards Long Buckby for their Northamptonshire FA Junior Cup tie against Northamptonshire County League outfit Blisworth. But as my train approached Northampton, the conductor announced that the train would be terminated there, as the line beyond was closed due to a fatality on the line, and passengers should wait at Northampton for further information about onward travel. With no indication about when the line would reopen, I abandoned my journey and headed instead for Northampton O.N. Chenecks, a club that has been on my radar to visit for some time. As it turned out, the next train to Long Buckby did leave half an hour later, but fortunately my alternative arrangements proved most enjoyable.

The Old Northamptonians Sports Ground is about a 40 minute, 2 mile walk eastwards from Northampton train station, an easy to follow and mostly straight and flat walk, although buses are also available along the route. The football ground is part of a smart and tidy sporting complex, comprising of two rugby pitches and a cricket square between the rugby and football pitches. An imposing building is located on the complex, with a spacious clubhouse on the first floor with an impressive range of drinks, multiple big screens showing various sports, and a great atmosphere with long rows of tables. A balcony stretches along the front, and gives an excellent elevated view of both the main rugby and the football pitches, the latter from one corner. The football pitch is accessed behind one goal, paying admission at a window through an arch. To the left of the entrance is a tea bar hatch, while along one length, there is stands either side of the dugouts, one all-seater, the other containing a few steps to stand on. There is no hard standing along the remaining end (a junior pitch with permanent dugouts is located behind this end) and length (behind which are the rugby pitches). All in all, it's a pleasant place to spend a few hours, even if pitchside facilities are on the basic and open side.

After finishing as runners up last season, in what was their first season in the Spartan South Midlands League after over fifty seasons of continuous membership of the United Counties League, Northampton ON Chenecks are having an even better season so far, coming into this game unbeaten in the league and top of the table, following 13 wins and three draws from their 16 league games so far, and had not conceded in their last four league games, a run which started with a 0-7 away win at today's opponents Letchworth Garden City Eagles last month. Letchworth Garden City Eagles, who have achieved twelfth place finishes in each of their first two seasons since their promotion to the National League System, have had a fairly slow start to their season, coming into this game in 16th place, following three wins and four draws from their 16 league games.

On a gloriously sunny, but very cold afternoon, it soon became clear that this game would run true to form, as the home side opened the scoring in the third minute, when Jonny Muddiman crossed the ball from the left, Tyron Primus headed across goal and a Letchworth defender got into a bit of a tangle which resulted in the ball deflecting over the line apart from the occasional break by the visitors, ON Chenecks dominated proceedings, but did not double their lead until the 35th minute, when Lewis Irwin ran onto a long ball, and although he took a touch which seemed to go to close to the keeper, the keeper fumbled the ball and Irwin was able to stroke the loose ball home. They should have scored their third on 42 minutes, when a free kick was met with powerful free header by an unmarked Muddiman, but the ball went over the bar. But within a minute, the ON Chenecks did score their third with an excellent if unusual goal, Kelvin Moyo striking an excellent free kick on the half way line, with the ball coming back off the underside of the crossbar, before bouncing off the keeper to send the ball over the line.

The game felt as good as won by half time, and another thumping win for Chenecks against Letchworth looked very much on the cards. But perhaps unsurprisingly, the second half was a much quieter affair, although the home side scored their fourth on 56 minutes, when some lovely quick passing towards the penalty area ended in Irwin receiving the ball through on goal, and he cooly dinked the ball over the keeper and into the net. Somewhat out of nowhere, Letchworth pulled a goal back on 69 minutes with an excellent goal, drilled into the top right corner from just inside the penalty area. The game rather petered out, as the home side saw out a comfortable victory to extend their lead at the top of the table to nine points - and no doubt, Letchworth will be glad to not have to face them again this season, in the league at least.

FC Halifax Town 2 v 2 AFC Fylde

Tuesday 21st November 2023, Kick-off 19.45
National League
The Shay, Halifax
Admission: £15.00 (discounted price EFL and EPL season tickets, otherwise £21.00)
Programme: £3.00
Attendance: 1,677 (62 away)

During my latest work trip to the north of England, with my last appointment on Tuesday being in Stockport and my first on Wednesday being down in Northampton, a game in the Midlands would have made more sense today, but a very pleasant looking hotel within walking distance to a former Football League stadium, to tick off my 20th ground in the National League pointed me towards this game. The deal was sealed for me when it was announced by FC Halifax Town the day before that season ticket holders of any EFL or EPL club would be admitted at a discounted rate.

After checking into the quirky Shears Hotel, and where I enjoyed a hearty pre-match steak pie meal, I then made my way up a steep hill to The Shay. Quite surprisngly in the day and age, not only were tickets not available in advance, but cash was the only option at the turnstiles. With only two of four stands open this evening (and indeed most of Halifax's games these days), I chose to sit in the main stand, which offers mostly unobstructed views, and unallocated seating. A small section at one end was allocated to away supporters. Very similar looking large covered terraces are behind both goals, with only one in use tonight. A much older all-seater stand is located along the remaining length, with a grass bank to one side, and indeed the backdrop of this length has quite a rural appearance, with the stand built into a hill and trees surrounding it despite its urban location. Pleasingly, a very decent printed programme was produced, and printed team sheets were also freely available.

A glance at the table suggested that the home side would be strong favourites for this game, coming into this game in seventh place in the table, following eight wins and seven draws from their 20 league games played, while AFC Fylde, promoted as champions from the National League North for this season, seem to be struggling to adapt to life back in the National League, coming into this game second bottom, following four wins and four draws from their 20 league games.

A match report can be read by clicking here, also copied and pasted below.

Video highlights of this match can be viewed by clicking here

FC Halifax Town were held to a 2-2 draw against AFC Fylde this evening at The Shay Stadium.  

The Shaymen started with a golden chance to take the lead with Kane Thompson-Sommers showing great strength in midfield. He found Millenic Alli at the left-hand side, the Town forward played in his fellow partner Aaron Cosgrave who took a heavy touch around the keeper and the ball slipped over the line.  

Alli looked to make more progress from midfield but was halted by a harsh challenge by Emeka Obi who was booked in the 17th minute. 

The away side looked to show a response on the other end with Connor Barrett making a run down the left-hand side, but Adam Senior stood firm in the penalty area with a strong challenge to end the attack.  

Cosgrave, Thompson-Sommers, and Florent Hoti all tried their luck outside the box in a matter of minutes, but all three attempts didn’t trouble the Coasters’ goalkeeper Theo Richardson. 

It was the away end who snatched the lead with Josh Kay finding Sam Graham in the penalty area and his cross met the head of Taelor Okane in the 27th minute. 

Town looked to counter-attack after a Fylde free kick and Tylor Golden was sent through in the final third and a challenge from Barrett raised anger from the home fans as referee Steven Copeland missed a potential foul.  

Jordan Keane was added to the book along with Sommers in the 40th minute after a challenge on Luke Charman.  

Jon Ustabasi looked to double the lead after a dangerous cross into the area met the midfielder’s head, but Sam Johnson comfortably collected it into his palms. 

The Shaymen looked to fight back on the other end with Cosgrave’s attempt inside the box blocked and the loose ball landed on the feet of Golden, but once again his attempt hardly troubled Richardson.  

The second half kicked off with Hoti being substituted for Rob Harker in the 46th minute. Chris Millington looked to add more firepower to the Town attack in hopes of an equaliser.  

Alli was once again halted by a poor sliding challenge, this time made from Nelson Khumbemi, and the home fans were sent into outrage again. This time, Copeland didn’t book the Fylde midfielder which was the second questionable call of the night.  

The Coasters made their first change of the evening with Max Conway replacing Emeka Obi in the 56th minute. The away end looked to add to their lead with Kay being caught offside. He’s caught time wasting but once again, the referee looks the other way. 

The home end finally got the goal they craved with Jack Hunter brilliantly turning his man with his strike which bounced off the post in the 63rd minute. 

Town looked to take the lead almost immediately with Aaron Cosgrave finding Alli inside the 6 yard box but his effort crashed into the crossbar making a lucky escape for Fylde.  

Fylde made their second change of the night with Danny Ormerod in the 70th minute and looked to make a sudden impact, but his attempt was dealt with by the Town defence.  

Both sides made their 3rd and final changes. For Town, it was Andrew Oluwabori coming on for Cosgrave in the 73rd minute. For Fylde, it was Khumbeni being replaced by Nick Haughton in the 77th minute.  

Millington’s changes looked to pay dividends as Summerfield found Harker at the edge of the box. Once again it was a brilliant turn and finish to take the lead for Town in the 79th minute. A welcome return from injury. His first goal since September and his 4th of the season.  

Danny Whitehead was given a straight red in the 86th minute after kicking back at Harker.  

The fourth official indicated 6 minutes of added time to set up a tense finish at The Shay.  

Alli’s foul gave Richardson a late free kick and after Town’s attempts to clear the ball, it was another cross that met the head of Okane who snatched his second of the game. This moment snatched a crucial point for the away end. 

In the end it was both sides sharing the points. A frustrating result for the Shaymen who let the win slip right at the end. 

The Shaymen are back in action this Saturday against Aldershot Town away from home with a 3pm kickoff.  

FC Halifax Town:

1 Sam Johnson ©, 16 Jordan Keane, 3 Ryan Galvin, 2 Tylor Golden, 6 Jamie Stott, 5 Adam Senior, 8 Jack Hunter, 14 Kane Thompson-Sommers (4 Luke Summerfield 64) 18 Florent Hoti (9 Rob Harker 46), 11 Millenic Alli, 19 Aaron Cosgrave (22 Andrew Oluwabori 73)

Subs: 17 Max Wright, 21 Tom Wilson

AFC Fylde:

25 Theo Richardson, 17 Connor Barrett, 15 Sam Graham, 5 Emeka Obi (21 Max Conway 56), 14 Josh Kay (29 Danny Ormerod 70) 22 Nelson Khumbeni (10 Nick Haughton 77), 23 Danny Whitehead, 4 Harry Davis ©, 19 Jon Ustabasi, 34 Taelor Okane, 9 Luke Charman

Subs: 7 Joe Rowley, 16 Kieran Glynn

Referee: Steven Copeland

Goals: Okane 27, 90+6 Hunter 63, Harker 79

Yellow Cards: Obi 17, Thompson-Sommers 29, Keane 40

Red Cards: Whitehead 86

Attendance: 1677 (62 away)

Battle Town 5 v 0 Crawley Devils

Saturday 18th November 2023, Kick-off 14.00

Mid Sussex League Premier League

Bexhill College, Bexhill-on-Sea

Admission: Free

Programme: None

Attendance: 10 (head count)

A combination of factors - ongoing heavy rain most of the week and today meaning that most games to be played on grass were at huge risk of postponement, along with my needing to stay fairly local in order to make my way to visit family in the evening, with no new grounds in the National League System within doable range - meant that this was to be my destination today.

Battle Town have led a fairly nomadic existence since entering the Mid Sussex League, with the Battle Recreation Ground not currently sufficient to host games at that level. After sharing Eastbourne United's ground last season, this season they are playing their home fixtures at Bexhill College, about seven miles away from Battle. The football ground is a typical 3G cage on school grounds, with spectators only allowed along one length, with no cover available, which was a concern with rain forecast, but fortunately only occasional very light drizzle fell during the game. 

A glance at the league table suggested that the visitors would be slight favourites for this game. After a fifth placed finish last season, Battle came into this game down in eleventh place in the 14 club division, having won three and drawn four of their 12 league games so far. They have certainly known where the back of the net is lately, having drawn their last two games 4-4 and 3-3, and won 5-0 before that. Crawley Devils were promoted as runners up from the Championship division for this season, and have had a decent start at the higher level, coming into this game in seventh place, following five wins and a draw from 12 league games, but they lost their last league game 0-4 at Westfield last week. The two clubs have already met in the league this season, back in late August, with Crawley Devils winning 5-2.

On a very dull and overcast afternoon, considering the league tables, this was a rather surprising game which proved to be very one sided throughout in favour of the home side. After coming close on several occasions, Battle scored their first in the 15th minute, with an excellent goal, a diagonal ball into the box was headed across goal, and then headed past the keeper's outstretched hand. Battle kept on creating good chances, before they were awarded a penalty in the 38th minute for a handball, which was converted into the bottom right corner, sending the keeper the wrong way. And within a minute, Battle scored their third, when the ball was lumped up and into the box, a defender and the keeper couldn't deal with the ball effectively and was eventually bundled in. Crawley Devils had a rare chance on the 42nd minute, when a long throw in was powerfully headed over the bar, but the game looked as good as won by half time.

And indeed, the second half continued in a very similar manner, and Battle added their fourth in the 66th minute when the ball was crossed from the left and headed home at the far post, and three minutes later, they made it five following a run down the right, a low pass into the box found a Battle player, who took a touch before drilling the ball low and across the keeper. Not surprisingly, Battle seemed to ease off from this point and the game rather petered out. The result elevated Battle up to seventh place, but have played more games than most clubs above them.