‘Old on
Micky Mellon, the new Oldham Athletic manager, has promised fewer hair-raising games after a 4-3 win at Rochdale in his first game in charge. After cruising to a 2-0 lead, the Dale hit back to level on the
hour. The Latics opened up another two-goal lead before defender Jimmy Keohane completed his hat trick as Rochdale pulled the score back to 4-3. The score stayed that way, but Micky commented after the game that he wanted ‘less heart attacks’. Fewer, Micky. Fewer.
It’s all downhill from here
In the battle of the hills, it was Hilltop that toppled Knaphill in the FA Vase 1st Round Proper. Was the Knaphill team too old and over the hill? The score was 1-0 to Hilltop, with Walid Rashid the scorer. Man of the match, Cabdiraxaman Ahmed, did not add to the 1-0 lead. Hilltop’s sponsors One 2 One Cars were probably disappointed that Hilltop hadn’t won 2-1.
Humble Hamble
The humble Monks from Hamble in Hampshire managed to stick away seven goals in their FA Trophy match at Wantage Town. The final result was 7-2, with a hat trick from Clayd Roach. Besides being humble in victory, I can’t help wondering what happens when someone shouts for ‘hand ball’. Doesn’t it sound like Hamble? Hampshire’s humble Hamble happy halftime huddle hollers, hinting handball, heightening happiness. (Thanks ChatGPT)
Yorkshire’s Norfolk clinches win in Lincolnshire
Confused by the title? Well, Bridlington Town from Yorkshire came back from 2-0 to win 3-2 at Grantham Town in the Northern Premier East Division with three goals in the last 15 minutes. The scorer of the winner was Andrew Norfolk, helping to produce a result that lifted The Seasiders off the foot of the table. Still, it’s good to see Bridlington Town ‘Riding’ high.
Not just cobblers
There’s a shout-out this week for the Northamptonshire Football 
Podcast. They proudly state that they cover from grassroots to Football League. It’s tempting to say that changing their strapline to ‘from grassroots to the Premier League’ may be some way off, but recently, there was an interview with Justin Walley, the communications director for the Marshall Islands Soccer Federation. The Northamptonshire Football Podcast is clearly spreading its wings way beyond the Premier League. I’m just wondering how Mr Walley landed a dream job like that, although his CV includes trying to take Matabeleland to the CONIFA World Cup. Find out more here.
Ites a knock-out
There were some intriguing FA Cup ties for non-League clubs, which will take place between 3rd and 5th November. One of those is Sheppey United v Walsall. TV cameras sometimes come to the Isle of Sheppey to record the visits of migrant birds, but on Friday 3rd, they will be heading there for the first of the 1st Round Proper ties. The Ites overcame Billericay Town in a penalty shoot-out to meet their ‘mighty’ League opposition. A potential banana skin for the Saddlers?
Leisurely win
The non-League with the most occurrences of the same letter is Debenham Leisure Centre, with six Es. The club plays football in the
Thurlow Nunn East Counties Football League First Division North and currently sits one place off the bottom. For consonants, Peterborough Northern Star (5 Rs), Kidderminster Harriers (5 Rs), Royal Wootton Bassett Town (5 Ts), Heaton Stannington Town (5 Ns) and Dinnington Town (5 Ns) lead the field. However, Royal Wootton Bassett Town deserves to win the consonants category for having four pairs of double letters.
Hornets stung
Having witnessed Horsham’s impressive win over mighty Dorking Wanderers in the 4th Round Qualifying of the FA Cup, I have been keeping a keen eye on prospects for their FA Cup 1st Round Proper tie away to Barnsley. It seems their big day out to the League One high-flyers may be thwarted for many fans as South Yorkshire Police has insisted on switching the game to Friday night. It will mean many Hornets’ fans will be unable to travel and reduce the revenue generated from the tie due to the game being played on a Friday night.
Off to Bed
Finally, with pubs abounding about cots, cribs and beds in recent weeks, a reader has pointed out that Bedworth United deserve a name check. Indeed, they do, but let’s deal with this matter properly. So, let’s put this matter to bed and give a mention to Bedfont Sports, Bedfont & Feltham, Bedlington Terriers (a dog bed, even), Cottesmore Amateurs, Codicote, Ascot United and Prescot Cables. Right, that’s the end of this topic; we now start with a clean sheet. Good night.
