Risky business
I would play ten forwards with no defenders if I were an Isthmian League team manager. Why? Because I would want to win an Isthmian League Manager of the Month award. The Vita Risk Manager of the Month is awarded to a manager in each division that presumably takes the most risks in life. In February, Danny Scopes scooped the Isthmian Premier Division award as his Aveley side defeated Bowers & Pitsea,
Kingstonian, Potters Bar Town, Lewes and Herne Bay and reached the final of the Velocity Cup. Presumably, Danny drove at 100 mph to the Velocity Cup semi-final.
Coming unstuck
After looking at the Isthmian League managerial awards, I researched the same winners for the Northern Premier League. I rapidly found that Danny Johnson of Ashton United won the Evostik February Manager of the Month award for the Northern Premier League Premier Division. Upon checking Ashton’s results, I noted that Ashton United beat Morpeth Town 1-0 and drew with Stafford Rangers but suffered three defeats. This patchy form hardly seemed to be worthy of an award. Then, I realised Danny won the award in February 2012.
Danny coming unstuck
Danny Johnson resigned from his position at Ashton United after six years in charge in 2013. He joined Nantwich Town in the same league. He said at the time, “There is massive potential at Ashton, but I needed something new, and I think the club needed a new spark as well”. After two years at Nantwich Town, he was sacked. It seems that Ashton United had found a new spark in those two years after his departure, as Nantwich’s 3-1 defeat at Ashton United was the final straw. Danny commented he was at “the wrong club, wrong time”.
Putting opponents to the sword
London Samurai Rovers are on an incredible run in the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Division One. Formed as recently as 2017, they have scored
20 goals in their last four games, winning seven and drawing one of their last eight games. They are currently in third place behind the delightfully-named FC Deporto Galicia and Langley. They have a clash with boringly-named Langley in March and two games with equally-delightfully-named Rising Ballers Kensington before the end of the season.
FA Trophy Round-up
Two of last weekend’s Quarter Finals were decided on penalties. Gateshead proved better at penalty kicks against Farsley Celtic after a 0-0 scoreline, while Barnet edged out Maidstone United when they travelled to Kent. York City didn’t have enough in store to come back from 2-0 down against Altrincham, although John-Lewis pulled back a late goal for York. Despite the goal, it put York’s FA Trophy hopes to bed, which you can find on the third floor next to kitchenware. FC Halifax Town called the shots in their tie at Aldershot, winning 2-0, scoring once in each half.
Fishing for compliments
It’s not the first time I have been thankful for a contribution from Jason Anonymous. The picture in Review 65 had a picture of a catfish due to the reference to Pungus Catfich. This story started in Review 64 when I explored the origins of Halesowen Town’s nickname, the Yeltz. As Jason tells me the picture is a flathead catfish rather than the Pangas catfish, which does not have those “cat’s whiskers”. FA Trophy Review’s sister organ called “Catfish Review” covers this fascinating topic in far more depth. To subscribe, follow this link www.catfishweeklyreview.com. Great work, Jason.
Not a nice morning
The French paper, Nice Matin, was among the first to rumour that Corinne Deacon’s tenure as coach of France’s women’s football team
may end soon. Sure enough, she was shown la porte last Thursday. The governing body of women’s football in France is called the FFF, which coincidentally were Corinne’s first words when she heard about her sacking.
Not all smiles at Marine
Things weren’t ship-shape at Marine this weekend. After taking a 1-0 lead over the visitors, Guiseley levelled with 20 minutes to go. In stoppage time, two goals from Benjamin Smiles-Braithwaite turned the game around, giving the Lions a 3-1 victory. The result damages Marine’s playoff hopes and gives Guiseley an outside chance of promotion.
Rumbling Vowles
There was a strange communication this week. FT (I assume it wasn’t the Financial Times) wrote to me in a most grateful way. “Thank you, thank you, thank you”, the letter began. “It was a real joy to recall the Hendon game, abandoned ‘cos of thunder and lightning but no rain back then. Your information was so hepful (sic)”. FT, I appreciate the gratitude, but I have absolutely no memory of mentioning Hendon or thunderstorms. I notice that Vowles scored for Tiverton Town at Hendon on Saturday. Perhaps, it was rumbling Vowles to which you were referring.
