FA Vase Quarter-Final: 18 Feb 2017 – Coleshill Town 2 Sporting Khalsa 0

The FA Vase is a competition that is constantly writing new stories. With so many clubs spread across these lower levels of the English pyramid, the opportunity to appear at Wembley could be described as a huge even playing field. In North Warwickshire, there is a new side re-writing their own history books in the form of Coleshill Town. The Midland League side comfortably beat fellow league opposition Sporting Khalsa by a 2-0 scoreline to progress into the Semi-Finals, and they can begin to dream of a big day out at the National Stadium. Continue reading…

National League: 11 Feb 17 – Solihull Moors 3 Sutton United 0

There will be quiet whispers in the Solihull area that the National League newcomers could be there to stay for quite some time under the stewardship of new boss, Liam McDonald. Saturday’s 3-0 victory over FA Cup giant killers, Sutton United, showed that McDonald is making a positive imprint on his new side, and that they are moulding into a unit that will not be rolled over easily. All three goals came from debutants Regan Charles-Cook, who bagged a brace, and Dapo Afolayan in a comprehensive victory. Continue reading…

FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round: 15 Oct 16 – Stamford 1 Wrexham 1

Stamford earned the right to a replay with National League side, Wrexham, thanks to a 1-1 draw in front of a record crowd of 1,264 at the Zeeco Stadium. The Northern Premier League Division One South team levelled proceedings thanks to Lee Beeson’s 58th minute penalty, after Shaun Harrad gave the visitors a sixth minute lead. Stamford can count themselves unlucky to not be through to the First Round having been the better side on the day, as well as wasting two one-on-one opportunities in the second half. The two teams will now battle again at The Racecourse Ground on Tuesday evening. Continue reading…

FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round: 01 Oct 16 – Halesowen Town 1 Nantwich Town 1

Halesowen Town and Nantwich Town played out a competitive 1-1 draw at The Grove, a result that ensures their FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round tie will now require a replay on Tuesday evening. Kaiman Anderson gave Halesowen the lead in the 62nd minute with a fine finish, but the hosts were brought back onto level terms via Josh Hancock’s header for the visitors. Hancock deflected a Sam Hall strike from outside the box into the net for the Dabbers with fourteen minutes remaining to send the tie into a reverse fixture. Continue reading…

Southern Division 1 South & West: 29 August 2016 – Hereford 4 Bishops Cleeve 0

A glorious Bank Holiday Monday saw me embark on Edgar Street for Hereford’s home clash with Bishops Cleeve. The pheonix club came into the game armed with a 100% record after recording victories in their opening five league encounters, including a 2-0 away win over Barnstaple Town 48 hours previous. The hosts set foot on their own patch for the first time after an eventful FA Cup Preliminary Round clash with Alvechurch – eventually winning 4-2 after going two goals down early on. Bishops Cleeve were also boosted coming into the game after picking up their first three points of the campaign in their last match with a 3-2 home victory against AFC Totton.

National League North: 27 August 2016 – Tamworth 5 Bradord Park Avenue 1

Tamworth brushed aside Bradford Park Avenue with a convincing 5-1 victory at The Lamb Ground. The hosts maintained their 100% home record on their new 3G surface thanks to an impressive second half display. Tamworth went into the half-time break with a slender advantage with goals from Connor Taylor & Jack Lane coming either side of Michael Monaghan’s strike for Bradford. The Lambs ran away with the tie in the second period however as Jed Davies, Louis Briscoe & Ross Dyer, added their names to the scoresheet to secure an emphatic victory. Continue reading…

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round: 06 August 2016 – Shildon 6 Bedlington Terriers 1

Shildon came from a goal behind to ease to a 6-1 victory against Bedlington Terriers in their FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie. Bedlington took an early lead thanks to Marcus Brown, but Shildon soon found their rhythm to dominate the tie, especially after Brown saw red halfway through the first half. Goals from Lewis Wing & Samuel Hodgson gave the hosts a half-time lead, before Shildon ran riot in a crazy four minute period in the second half. A hat-trick from David Ferguson plus a goal from Ben Wood all came in the blink of an eye as Bedlington went from a goal down to a mauling almost instantly. Continue reading…

Pre-Season: 28 July 2016 – Stratford Town 7 Coventry Sphinx 0

Stratford Town trounced Coventry Sphinx by seven goals to nil as they emphasised their superior league status at the DCS Stadium. The Southern League side proved too hot to handle for their Midland League opponents, who offered very little in front of goal on the night. Richard Gregory helped himself to a hat-trick for the hosts, but further ammunition was provided by a brace from Edwin Ahenkorah, as well as goals from Will Grocott & Charlie Evans, as Stratford coasted to victory. Continue reading…

Pre-Season: 09 July 2016 – Hednesford Town 1 Chasetown 0

My latest intake of Pre-Season action saw me travel to Keys Park, the home of Hednesford Town, as they contested a local derby against Chasetown. A solitary Ashley Sammons goal was enough to edge past a hard-working Chasetown outfit in a highly competitive affair, as both teams contested their first pre-season fixture. Continue reading…

The re-emergence of Maidstone United FC

Football fans will follow their team’s journey every single step of the way through a range of emotions, but the thought of your team going out of business is almost unimaginable to most. More often than not a newly reformed side will rise up from the ashes sooner or later, with Maidstone United being another fine example of how the glory days can be achieved once again. The Stones will ply their trade in the National League next season, one league below where they were before dissolving in 1992, which is their reward after 24 years of a somewhat nomadic existence. Continue reading…

FA Vase Final 2015/16 – Hereford 1 Morpeth Town 4

Morpeth Town claimed their first ever FA Vase triumph with a stunning 4-1 victory against much fancied favourites, Hereford. Morpeth fell behind in just the second minute following a magnificent Rob Purdie strike, but they survived a torrent of chances to turn the game around, and romped to victory in doing so. Goals from Chris Swailes, Luke Carr, Sean Taylor & Shaun Bell ensured that the Northern League side upset the odds to mark a fantastic start to the inaugural Non-League Finals Day. Continue reading…

Southern Premier Play-Off Final: Hungerford Town 2 Leamington 1 – 02/05/2016

Hungerford Town turned around a 1-0 half-time deficit to defeat Leamington by two goals to one, and secured promotion to the National League South in the process. Leamington took the lead thanks to a goal from Courtney Baker-Richardson, but goals from Stefan Brown and Mike Jones were enough to send the home fans into delirium. The Crusaders will now join champions, Poole Town, in the National League system next term. Continue reading…

Northern Premier League Division One South Play-Off Final:

Shaw Lane Aquaforce 1 Coalville Town 3 – 30/04/16

Coalville Town will be enjoying life in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier next season, after they came from a goal behind to see off Shaw Lane Aquaforce by three goals to one. Shaw Lane went into half-time with a 1-0 advantage thanks to a header from Lee Bennett, but goals from Nathan Watson, Callum Woodward & Luke Smithson ensured the visitors would be the ones plying their trade at Step 3 of the Non-League pyramid next season. Continue reading…

Essex Senior League: Ilford 2 Basildon United 3 – 16/04/16

A late Callum Leahy strike gave Basildon United what could be a huge three points in their quest for the title as they defeated a spirited Ilford at Cricklefields. Continue reading…

Midland Football League: Walsall Wood 1 Rocester 1 – 31/03/2016

The Non League Fan Zone website is keen to publish Non-League football articles from any level of the game and here is a piece by Simon Evans from the Midand Football League: Continue reading…

National League South: Oxford City 1 Truro City 2 – 30/03/2016

Truro City secured all three points with a comfortable victory against Oxford City, in a crucial encounter involving two teams vying for a play-off place. Two early goals from Isaac Vassell and Matthew Wright were enough to see off the hosts, despite Marlon Jackson halving the deficit a minute shy of half-time. Oxford City huffed and puffed in the second half without too much of an impact, as Truro produced a defensively sound display to secure the win. Continue reading…

Jim Harvey: FC Halifax Town’s saviour

On 14th November 2015, FC Halifax Town suffered a humiliating 6-3 defeat to Braintree Town, with an immediate change of management required. Darren Kelly was sacked as a result of this loss, which led to the appointment of Jim Harvey on an initial caretaker basis. The form that FC Halifax Town have displayed since Harvey has joined the club has been nothing short of remarkable. With the club destined for relegation to the National League North, Harvey has turned fortunes around to reach the FA Trophy Final, and has given the club a fighting chance of survival. Continue reading…

FA Vase Semi-Finals Second Leg Review:

Hereford & Morpeth Town set up Wembley date

Hereford FC sealed their place at Wembley in the FA Vase Final with a 2-1 away victory at Salisbury, winning the semi-final tie overall 3-1 and booking a trip to the famous arch in May against Morpeth Town. The hosts took the lead through defender Steve Walker but Hereford hit back before half-time through Mike Symons. The Bulls dominated the second period but Mustapha Bundu’s missed penalty increased nerves before sub Joe Tumelty made sure of progression with a cool finish. Continue reading…

National League South: Oxford City 3 Wealdstone 2 – 19/03/2016

A magnificent solo goal from Conor McDonagh sealed all three points for Oxford City, after they came from 2-1 down to produce a vital victory. Wealdstone were ahead twice with goals from Jonny Wright & Bradley Hudson-Odoi, but Kynan Isaac, Bradley Bubb and McDonagh ensured The City remain well and truly in play-off contention. Wealdstone on the other hand saw a nine-match unbeaten run come to an end with mid-table more than likely to be their destiny this season. Continue reading…

FA Vase Semi-Finals First Leg Review:

Hereford 1-0 Salisbury & Bowers & Pitsea 2-2 Morpeth Town – 12/03/2016

Ahead of the much anticipated FA Vase Semi-Final first leg, Pete Beadle reverted mainly to the side that won at Loughborough last Saturday after several changes at Highgate on Tuesday. The only change was top goalscorer John Mills dropping to the bench with Mike Symons taking his place in the starting XI.

With a fourth 4000+ Edgar Street attendance of the season, the record Hereford FC attendance was broken for a second time this season as the Whites entertained Salisbury this afternoon. Continue reading…

National League: Woking 0 Dover Athletic 1 – 05/03/2016

A headed goal from Jack Parkinson was enough for Dover Athletic to seal three points on their travels, as well as keep them well and truly in the hunt for a play-off spot. The Whites lie five points off the final play-off place, but possess three games in hand on their rivals. The loss for Woking was a fifth in a row in the National League, a run which also includes no win in seven in the league, as their slide down the table continues. Continue reading…

National League South: Hayes & Yeading 2 Dartford 2 – 01/03/2016

Hayes & Yeading threw away a two goal lead against play-off contenders Dartford, who fought back well to earn a share of the spoils. All four goals were scored in an exciting first half, with Hayes & Yeading going two up thanks to strikes from Elliot Benyon and Shepherd Murombedzi. Soon afterwards, Dartford ensured they went into the interval level with goals from brothers, Elliot and Tom Bradbrook. The second half failed to see either side make the breakthrough, although Benyon hit the post for the hosts in the dying embers of the game, in a half dominated by the hosts. Continue reading…

Essex Senior League: Bowers & Pitsea 7 Sawbridgeworth Town 0 – 01/03/2016

Bowers returned to league action on Tuesday night with a home game against Sawbridgeworth Town at their adopted home of Concord Rangers Aspect Arena stadium as the Pitsea sides pitch wasn’t up to scratch.

Bowers of course were sitting in seventh spot but due to their Vase heroics plus postponed league games in the last couple of months or so have almost a dozen games in hand on others above. The visiting Robins sat six points and two places above the hosts prior to kick off so a tight encounter was expected. Continue reading…

1 2