Big Macc are back
It’s been a good start to the season for Macclesfield FC. After Macclesfield Town were wound up in 2020, local businessman, Robert Smethurst, bought the old club’s assets, allowing Macclesfield to play in the North West Counties League in the 2021-22 season. This season, after four games, they sit at the top of the Northern Premier League West Division, having gained maximum points. At the foot of the table, however, are AFC Liverpool, sitting a few places lower than Klopp’s Army in the Premier League.
Welling up
I recently visited Welling United FC for the visit of my friends from Cheshunt. Welling ran out 2-1 winners in a game that Cheshunt deserved more. In a
two-minute second-half period, Cheshunt hit the post, had a goal disallowed for offside and a player given a red card that was later rescinded. As I returned to the car after the game, I passed a distraught woman. I asked her if she was OK. “Not really”, she confided. “I’ve just seen my boyfriend coming out of the football ground. I thought he might be seeing another girl”. After a minute or so, she said she was OK, but I am still unsure whether she was more upset about him watching Welling or seeing another woman.
Cricket meets football
Many cricket fans will remember the lilting tones of TV commentator John Arlott. They may remember one of his quotes: “Wine is a successful effort to translate the perishable into the permanent”. Step forward, Shepshed Dynamo striker, Dempsey Arlott-John. He may not be able to turn water into wine, but he opened the scoring in last weekend’s game against Harborough Town after two minutes. But, Shepshed were undone by some luck o’ the Irish in the shape of James Ireland, who weighed in with two goals. 2-1 to the visitors was the final score.
Earning their stripes
Obscure fact of the week: the last English team to play an FA Cup game in Scotland was Brigg Town. In the 2001-2 season, Brigg Town faced Gretna and won 2-1 after a replay. Brigg Town, nicknamed the Zebras, are past winners of the FA Vase, winning the competition in 1996 when they beat Clitheroe Town. They were drawn at home for every round of the FA Vase in their victorious year. What about the final at Wembley, you might ask. There is no draw for the final.
New Salamis
One of the teams that I am following in this year’s Virtual FA Trophy trail is New Salamis. Your ignorance about New Salamis must be cured, of course. The club is on the up. As past winners of the FA Sunday Cup in 1996, they have moved forward quickly in recent years. Having finished second in the Hertfordshire Senior League in 2019, they have gained two promotions over the Covid seasons to play in the Isthmian North Division. They have started this season well with three wins and a draw. We look forward to meating them in the FA Trophy soon. Oops, sorry.
Book nearly booked
The book following last season’s FA Trophy trail From Hashtag United to Wembley should be ready for purchase in the next two weeks. There will be a few snippets in next week’s Weekly Review. Stand by.
The Iron pressing on
Scunthorpe United fell out of the Football League after 70 years at the end of last season. Things are going no better this season as The Iron are now one place from propping up the National League with three points from six games. They are surrounded by other former Football League clubs, Torquay United, Halifax, Gateshead and Aldershot Town. Above those five clubs are Altrincham, which might be one of the unluckiest clubs when it comes to gaining entry into the Football League. In 1996, having won the National League, they were one vote short of being elected to the Football League. At the election, two clubs that had promised to vote for Altrincham failed to do so for strange reasons. Luton’s vote was lost due to the club’s representative being delayed en route. More strangely, a Grimsby representative was in the wrong part of the room at the time of the vote. Now, that is tough luck.
