Non League Football 24/25

[boots60]

14 hours ago, CosbehFox said:

Mad dsy in the Southern Central 

 

I went Barwell v Stamford. I don’t think I’ve seen a more unfortunate performance in a long time. Barwell dominated the first half but couldn’t score. Duffy scores off Stamford’s only chance and they are better side for second half. Until the ref harshly does Barwell’s keeper for a penalty and a second yellow (first looked very dodgy - more in the referees decision making). Stamford miss the penalty and then Barwell give it a right go with one off the line and Stamford’s goalie making a good save. A load of results in the last ten minutes elsewhere kept Barwell out of the bottom four. 
 

You could argue anyone from Harborough’s position might fancy winning the league now. Kettering crumbled in the last minute to concede twice. Halesowen only winners of the top five. While the chasing pack of Leiston & Stamford win, while Harborough about kill off Spalding’s hopes 

First visit to Barwell yesterday.

Good set up & as you say Barwell unlucky to lose, mainly down to bad luck & questionable refereeing.

Good to see Ashley Chambers still giving his all at 35.

All in all, a great afternoon out in the spring sunshine.

 

[Leicesterpool]

Just two wins away from the title for the Nuneaton 'boro' Town. 4-2 win over Coton Green. Quite a tight game and if honest Coton maybe dissapointed to come away with nothing as they created a fair few chances. 561 in attendance not bad again for midland division one. Very entertaining game again, to be honest this league is not to be taken for granted, alot of good teams with some decent players. Its a league that is kind of divided into two you've got top 11 or 12 who really strong then the rest not so much and at times gulf shows. Theres about four or five clubs that are playing at least a level or two too high. 

Edited 9 March by Leicesterpool

[STEVIE B]

2 hours ago, blueharmie said:

Went to Spalding v harborough yesterday.

 

Harborough did what they needed to do and put a shift in second half. From talks of relegation at Christmas to play offs and now even challenging is unreal. We do have the players for it so let's see what happens.

 

Ironically our form and runs started at the Barwell 2-2 when we came back.

 

Hope Barwell stay up this season.

Harborough have had some great results against the 'better' sides, but have occasionally struggled  beating the struggling ones. Hopefully it doesn't cost them.

[blueharmie]

4 hours ago, STEVIE B said:

Harborough have had some great results against the 'better' sides, but have occasionally struggled  beating the struggling ones. Hopefully it doesn't cost them.

Staying in the league was the aim, but where we are is massive testament to the the club and staff.

 

Yes if we beat the teams at the bottom then we'd be right in the mixer for a title challenge.

 

But we were in a field with 10 fans 10 years ago.

Edited 9 March by blueharmie

[STEVIE B]

25 minutes ago, blueharmie said:

Staying in the league was the aim, but where we are is massive testament to the the club and staff.

 

Yes if we beat the teams at the bottom then we'd be right in the mixer for a title challenge.

 

But we were in a field with 10 fans 10 years ago.

Totally agree. I spent a few years at HT as a kids coach (not anymore !). l watch them when l can, still know a few of the hierarchy. It's an amazing story. No longer in debt, paying decent money, have a great facility & are superbly run. 

[Whatever]

Isiah Noel-Williams has left Kettering. Think their gaffer is undoing the good work he did at the start of the season. @Daggers, are you crying? Could always find room for him at Harborough...

[Leicesterpool]

Attended the Nuneaton Town meeting club doing okay finance wise... club have certainly overachieved. Mainly down to the good support they estimated originally only get 200 at bedworth but the average attendance as been around 400. Plus £20,000 made on merchandise which is incredible. New stadium talks, club spoke to council about potential sites in nuneaton club of course need to submit a stadium, meeting shown possible stadium design built club stand with club house, changing rooms and functions rooms etc..

 

A return to Liberty Way out the question landlord not wanting to do business wants the ground for rugby use only even though Nuneaton Nuns RFC have not agreed to anything.

 

Things seem positive

Edited 14 March by Leicesterpool

[Bilo]

Boston were absolutely dead and buried a few weeks ago.

 

They're currently 1-0 at Braintree, on course to have won three of their last five and two points from safety as things stand with 11 left to play.

 

They announced they were going pro in the week and have an absolutely outstanding ground for the level as well, with the fourth stand set to be built soon. 

 

Potential team to watch next season if they stay up.

[Leicesterpool]

Another win for Boro, smashed another record most points the clubs ever achieved following a 3-0 win against Stapenhill. Attendance a good 491. Two more to secure the title. Unless Heather drop points it could be sooner, but they keep winning so have to wait.

[blueharmie]

Harborough winning again...love it 

[Soar Fox]

On 09/03/2025 at 09:37, CosbehFox said:

I heard a figure Ben Stevens is on at Harborough 😳

What about the signing on fee he got….

 

How do suspensions work at step 3 & 5? Barwell keeper suspended for them yesterday but played for Aylestone Park instead with the AP keeper then playing for Barwell.

[Kinowe Soorie]

Went to watch Coalville as one of my lads was a mascot (not @Stadt)

won 1-0. Couple of the younger players for The Ravens, looked quite useful.

[joeybside]

Hinckley LR 0 - 1 Quorn

 

Not one for the scrapbook but one win closer to the title in what was another potential Banana skin with regard to maintaining a 100% record away from home. 
 

Quorn deploying an unusual but tactical 4-4-2 formation resting manager Beswick. A lively start with Notts County Academy prospect Zhani Burgess grabbing the final touch on the only goal after 8 minutes. Allsopp with his usual trademark stunning save keeping the score in Quorn’s favour till HT. The 2nd Half showing the same industry from both teams but lacking the killer finish in front of goal. 
 

5 points needed. Potentially wrapping it up next week against Wellingborough at home 

 

 

 

[Leicesterpool]

With internationals next week could be a decent crowd at Kirby Muxloe next week, no premier league or championship on. Kirby pushing for the play offs while Boro pushing to secure the title. Over 200 from Nuneaton likely expected. Be good for Muxloe if they can a decent amount money on the day. 

[Tuna]

On 15/03/2025 at 16:35, Bilo said:

Boston were absolutely dead and buried a few weeks ago.

 

They're currently 1-0 at Braintree, on course to have won three of their last five and two points from safety as things stand with 11 left to play.

 

They announced they were going pro in the week and have an absolutely outstanding ground for the level as well, with the fourth stand set to be built soon. 

 

Potential team to watch next season if they stay up.

I've been twice to see them in the National League North. You are right, it's a fabulous set up. Grub is nice and cheap as well!

[Bilo]

7 hours ago, Tuna said:

I've been twice to see them in the National League North. You are right, it's a fabulous set up. Grub is nice and cheap as well!

I went to York Street and it was your classic non-league ground; the place had bags of character, a town centre setting but awful facilities and no real capacity for the club to grow. They haemorrhaged money there.                                                                        The new place might be well out of town (the housebuilding company who built the estate over the road also built the stadium and retail park, as well as owning the club) but it'll move the club forward. The fourth stand is going to have a sports hall and education centre for the academy, as well as the pitches out back. Exciting times for the club.

[Durnerz]

Off to Anstey Nomads tonight with Shepshed Dynamo for a fixture that’s been postponed about 4 times already. Here’s hoping we get a full game! 

[Leicesterpool]

On 17/03/2025 at 07:20, Bilo said:

I went to York Street and it was your classic non-league ground; the place had bags of character, a town centre setting but awful facilities and no real capacity for the club to grow. They haemorrhaged money there.                                                                        The new place might be well out of town (the housebuilding company who built the estate over the road also built the stadium and retail park, as well as owning the club) but it'll move the club forward. The fourth stand is going to have a sports hall and education centre for the academy, as well as the pitches out back. Exciting times for the club.

I liked York Street, good setup there and never understood need for Boston United to move. It was only the away end that needed to redevelopment. 

[purpleronnie]

13 minutes ago, Leicesterpool said:

I liked York Street, good setup there and never understood need for Boston United to move. It was only the away end that needed to redevelopment. 

It was like Bilo stated, they had terrible facilities, and limited increased capacity.   The costs were so high moving stadium was the only real option.  

[Bilo]

2 hours ago, purpleronnie said:

It was like Bilo stated, they had terrible facilities, and limited increased capacity.   The costs were so high moving stadium was the only real option.  

They also had the weird situation of owning the stands but not the land they stood on for a time. EDIT: That's how it ended apparently. Their late former chairman's family owned the land.

 

Add in the fact it was surrounded by a petrol station, Matalan, bingo hall and houses, as well as the fact it had literally no usefulness beyond match day, with high maintenance costs, and they basically had to either move or lose the club.

 

Since they've moved, they've really only gone in one direction and you'd think that would continue with going fully professional and the fourth stand/sports and education facility being built. I'd back them to be back in the Football League within five years.

Edited 18 March by Bilo

[Bilo]

On 15/03/2025 at 16:35, Bilo said:

Boston were absolutely dead and buried a few weeks ago.

 

They're currently 1-0 at Braintree, on course to have won three of their last five and two points from safety as things stand with 11 left to play.

 

They announced they were going pro in the week and have an absolutely outstanding ground for the level as well, with the fourth stand set to be built soon. 

 

Potential team to watch next season if they stay up.

2-0 up at play-off chasing Rochdale tonight.

 

Oh, to have a team that doesn't just part their cheeks when relegation comes knocking. 

 

On course for six unbeaten, with four of them being wins.

[CosbehFox]

Big win for Kettering last night at Alvechurch but a huge goalie error by a highly rated keeper from West Brom (England u19 capped!)

Edited 19 March by CosbehFox

[Seventyseven]

Harborough still flying and well within a playoff shout which is remarkable given first season at this level and where we were at Christmas.

 

New stands now in place, two 500 plus home crowds in a row (with no away support) and a great atmosphere now in the ground. 
 

It’s a great place to be. 
 

Away at Bishops Stortford on Saturday, live on Radio Leicester. 

[Lako42]

1 hour ago, Seventyseven said:

Harborough still flying and well within a playoff shout which is remarkable given first season at this level and where we were at Christmas.

 

New stands now in place, two 500 plus home crowds in a row (with no away support) and a great atmosphere now in the ground. 
 

It’s a great place to be. 
 

Away at Bishops Stortford on Saturday, live on Radio Leicester. 

Interesting that radio Leicester are supporting harbs as they rarely did anything for Coalville. 

 

 

[goody2028]

2 hours ago, Seventyseven said:

Harborough still flying and well within a playoff shout which is remarkable given first season at this level and where we were at Christmas.

 

New stands now in place, two 500 plus home crowds in a row (with no away support) and a great atmosphere now in the ground. 
 

It’s a great place to be. 
 

Away at Bishops Stortford on Saturday, live on Radio Leicester. 

Yeah enjoyed it down there for the Biggleswade game a couple weeks ago. Decent turnout for it as well, can see them grabbing a play offs spot.