Toast
Michael Richardson’s 90th-minute free-kick gave Blyth Spartans a 1-1 draw at home to National League leaders Wrexham in Saturday’s FA Cup tie. It will be a tough replay, but no one doubts Blyth’s spirit. With their long FA Cup history, they went in the hat for the First Round Proper and now have the
chance to face Oldham or Chester. Without that goal, Blyth would have been toast, which coincidentally is John the Toaster’s speciality. John is a Blyth Spartans fan who travels with a toaster which he plugs in at away grounds, presumably to make toast. There’s always room for fans with character in non-League football, so we’ll raise a glass and drink a toast to John. And good luck to Blyth at Wrexham. Hopefully, John can find a suitable socket at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground.
Coast and roast
Bashley set off on a 150-mile journey along the South Coast from the New Forest area to face Tavistock for a Southern League Division One South fixture last Saturday. Sadly, their coach broke down near Honiton, leaving a trail of oil and smoke emerging from the vehicle. A replacement coach couldn’t be summoned in time, so The Bash never got a chance to roast The Lambs of Tavistock. Tavistock, to their credit, were very nice about it. OK, so it’s not a coastal route via Honiton, and Tavistock is 20-odd miles from the coast, but…
Boast
I was at Burgess Hill for their FA Trophy win the weekend before last. On two separate occasions, Hillians’ supporters told me they were hoping for promotion from the Isthmian League South East Division this season. With one win from seven games and sitting only three places above the bottom spot, I took this with a pinch of salt. However, they won 1-0 at Corinthian last weekend to move six points away from the play-offs. It was Champagne Perry time as the scorer of the only goal was Dan Perry with a headed effort. Let’s hope the win doesn’t go to their head.
Host
There was a letter in this week’s Non-League Paper from Richard Green. He went to Drogheda United FC in the Republic of Ireland and was welcomed with open arms. They seem to have been perfect hosts, giving him a tour of the ground and helping with transportation. Mr Green referred to a Drogheda as a club that plays part-time. I have to say the professional team I support mostly plays part-time – or not at all. Still, it’s nice to hear favourable things about a club from across the Irish Sea.
Oast (not oats)
As a resident of Kent, I like to see which clubs are on the way up to the Isthmian League. Two local rivals, Erith & Belvedere and Erith Town, sit at the top of the Southern Counties East League. E&B, which sounds like a George Best advert for eggs to those of a certain age, have won all ten league games this season. Behind the Eriths come Deal Town and Stansfield. Canterbury City may sound like a great team, but they seem to be heading the other way now. For those under 60, “E for B and Georgie Best” was a 1970 slogan in an advert hoping to persuade everyone to have eggs for breakfast.
Most (intriguing)
Three goalscorers caught my eye this week. Wroxham’s defence parted in the dying minutes to allow Moses of East Thurrock United to help his team snatch a 3-2 win. Beere was the only scorer for Carshalton Athletic as they beat Corinthian Casuals 1-0 – a celebration pint afterwards, no doubt. It’s worth noting that both Corinthian Casuals and Corinthian are at the bottom of their respective divisions. Rather than beer, perhaps they need more Corinthian spirit. Finally, my eyes deceived me when I read that Fishbum scored two goals for Morpeth Town to defeat Stafford Rangers 2-1. Having conjured a weird image in my head, I realised that the goalscorer’s name was Fishburn. Seared tuna, no doubt. I need better glasses.
