Everyone is loving Hull City right now. And with Kettering Town, a similar thing is happening for the neutral non-league supporter. Before Rushden fans and long-ball loathers start shouting at me I know it’s not totally widespread. Steve Evans for one made it perfectly clear that he’s not a supporter of that style of play (he had though just been beaten by Histon, a team with a similar approach) but if we look solely at the table and the fact that a newly-promoted club are topping it halfway through October then it’s simply a refreshing sight. And you have to take your hat off to Mark Cooper. He’s clearly a talented guy and as I’ve said before in a previous blog, he is definitely one you’d back to make it higher up the pyramid. So, Kettering lead the lot and from a personal point of view I think it’s great. Yes Aldershot played really pretty football (and they still are, I went to their game with Brentford at the weekend) and they certainly deserved to lead the division last season from roughly this stage until the end. But I like an underdog and for that reason it’s great to see Kettering up there. Whether they stay until May I’m not sure. But I don’t see why they can’t aim for the play-offs.
The destination of the title is surely the hardest to predict out of all 5 divisions. And that’s why this season is so exciting. Rarely does a weekend go by without a few double-takes at the results. Take last Saturday. Histon beat Crawley and even more surprising perhaps was Oxford’s win against Burton Albion. I still can’t work out Oxford so I’m not even going to try. And what about York’s victory over Rushden? I haven’t seen enough of either side to know if that is a surprise but judging from what the Rushden fans are saying, I don’t think it was. It appears Garry Hill has a bit of an unexpected uphill task at Nene Park. And clearly he feels former Grays boss Justin Edinburgh can help having just appointed him as his new assistant. But they’re 12th and need to put a run together soon to ensure they’re with the chasing pack going into Christmas.
Gulls are on the up
Torquay are on a tremendous run and suddenly are up to 5th. How did that happen? It feels only like last week that they were struggling to pick up points and conceding late goals. Those who backed The Gulls to win the league pre-season had gone quiet but they’re piping up again now! And then you look at Salisbury, who we cover next at home to Crawley, and they’ve gone in the opposite direction. Football is such a weird game. The ups and downs is why we love it and that makes it impossible to predict.
Everyone loves the FA Cup
We are on a break from the league this week because of the FA Cup and that’s something I’m really looking forward to. Everyone loves the FA Cup, and so it’s great news that Setanta will be covering it right from the first round all the way to Wembley. We have actually covered the tournament from day one and have made pieces for Football Matters with the likes of Sunderland Nissan, Metropolitan Police team and AFC Wimbledon. And this week our reporter Richard Adams is with Chipstead as they make the journey down to Torquay. But the live games start on the weekend of the 7th-9th November and we’ll hopefully be bringing an Access All Areas style to it, just as we cover the BSP. Keep an eye out on the website for which games we choose to cover live and we hope you can tune in.
To Alan Carter – You must have enjoyed that! And like you say, to do the double over Stevenage, well I’m not sure how many teams will be able to boast that come the end of the season. I think Eastbourne will be just fine this season. It won’t be easy but I don’t see you going down. With the likes of Armstrong and Crabb amongst others you will hold your own as you just about are at the moment.
To Ian Lawn – thank you for your replies and also I read out an email from you on Football Matters a couple of weeks ago too I think! I know, Torquay really are looking impressive now. Do you think they will last til May? Fall away or get stronger? Chris Hargreaves says he still thinks about last year and how hard that final week from hell was for everyone at Torquay. That will spur them on I believe. A bit like Exeter last year, they are taking a bit of time to get going but I’m not sure you’d bet against them now. Oxford though? I give up.
Hi Jambo – great to have you on the blog. And I’m really glad you enjoy our coverage…like you say, your own team are not living up to things this season. We talk about the Newcastle’s and the Tottenham’s but being a Hearts fan over the past few seasons will have tested anyone! As for which BSP games we cover, they should always be right here on the website. And the next batch will be out quite soon. Salisbury against Crawley is on Thursday 30th October but it’s hard to get things in the schedule at this time of year because of the FA Cup and Setanta Shield. But keep a lookout on the website. And keep watching!
To Martin – Hiya! Hope the bubbly went down well. Why haven’t you come back?! You’re welcome on the show anytime, just book in. It’s good to have a Liverpool fan from Merseyside! As for getting a copy of the show if you haven’t already, try emailing footballmatters@setanta.com To rdfc4eva – the inconsistency continues then…although according to one of your fellow fans Tom who’s replied, it’s not even inconsistent. It’s just rubbish. Agree?
To Colin V – maybe you’re onto something there Colin. It is weird isn’t it? Torquay go on this great run but on TV they don’t look too impressive, we know about Oxford… Although Burton did beat Mansfield I suppose. I just think it’s the craziness of the league, everyone beats everyone else. But some players also freeze.
To Minsterman – I agree, what is going on with these fixtures? That never seems to happen in other leagues, there must be a reason for it but no one seems to be mentioning it except you and I! Maybe I’ll bring it up in my NLP column. As for York, good win against Rushden. But I’m not sure you’re the force I thought you were going to be. And Richard Brodie’s just gone to Barrow on loan? He’s not been in the goals too much so will it be a big miss?
To Glyn – What’s happened?! I’m backing you lot for a Play Off place but you’ve got to start putting some runs together. An FA Cup run is always welcome and brings a buzz to the place. And yes if you get through to the 3rd round and get Palace, I’ll see you there!
To Tom B – Hi Tom, thanks for your message. Ok so is Justin Edinbugh a good appointment as assistant do you think? Why did Clare not start against York? I thought the plan would have been him and Clare. But now you’ve got Leon Knight, but he is a handful off the pitch. And an expensive one. He’s got to start performing. How is he doing?