2016/17 National League North

[Harrier94]

Curzon 0-5 Kidderminster

Room for improvement I suppose.

We just playing into their hands with a tippy tap game lacking any power and strength. They have miles better control, first touch and strength.

Still our bread and butter will be other games

I genuinely went into the game expecting it to be close maybe even you guys edging it.

 

[Harrier94]

Not a bad start

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

We were only 5 goals off the draw.

Kiddy just massively better team today, we lack strength

 

[eightiesrobin]

2-2, fair result really. A penalty each in the dying minutes, Darlo equalising.

 

[SamScfc]

I doubt we'll see a better game this season than the one at EP today. We were 2-0 up, 3-1 up back, to 3-3 then a last minute winner

First half we were brilliant, our front three clicked straight away and they all scored. Alfreton came out in the second half and played more aggresively, scored a goal off a long throw just after HT and that's what they needed and scored a screamer to make it 3-3, which showed how bad we are at the back, they won everything in the air and all the second balls.

Then they got a stupid second yellow and we nicked it at the end, think we maybe just edged it but need to massively improve at the back.

Alfreton are a pretty poor side, dirty aswell.

 

[Prodigal]

Really enjoyed the 3 - 3 draw with FCUM, poor defending gifted em 2 goals but team spirit showed through and after going 3-2 down we got the equaliser after missing a penalty, (Jason Walker again!). Very pleased with Carver and Gonzales up front for us. Will be a big test next Saturday at Kidderminster.

 

[DarkSithLord]

DarkSithLord Only 4 players on the bench for you? Is your squad that small?

In one word yes. Although we have one other player who is not match fit (New signing Adam Priestley) I have detailed our squad in the Squad Lists thread.

 

[KHFC_Shaun]

Never have I saw such a gulf in class in two teams if i'm being honest. The first half was sensational, our incisive passing play carved open Curzon a number of times and obviously we were clinical on the day.
I have sang Ngtwalala's praises for a while now and he is not Conference North standard, I will probably bequestioned for saying this - but he is in the same bracket as Joe Lolley, he is that good. If we can keep him & Gnuohoa it is going to take a very decent team to beat us. I thank Dave Hockaday for them two!

Onwards to Tuesday.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Stockport 4-3 Alfreton

Where do I start with that?! Quite some afternoon to start the season.

First half words cannot describe how poor we were in the first 25 minutes. All down to poor preseason preparations. We where a couple of yards off the pace and my god did it show. Joe Doyle was skinned alive by Lloyd who I was very impressed by. Was glad to see him taken off in the second half.

First 20-25 minutes it was all Stockport. We were atrocious.

We did finally actually begin tto play as the half went on and half the deceit on half time through Paul Clayton only for Joe Doyle to be caught out for umpteenth time by Marsden who set up Odejayi for 3-1 at the break.

Nicky changed things around at the break. Jordan replaced Doyle and Heaton went to right back and we were a totally different animal. Stockport were shell shocked as Tom Allan and an early contender for goal of the season from dan Bradley brought us level at 3-3.

We had chances to complete the remarkable turnaround but Hinchcliffe saved well from Westcarr.

Stockport finished strongly in the final 10 minutes and Tom Allan was sent off on 83 minutes for time wasting. Looked harsh to me but then I didnt see the full incident. Think that costs us as our heroic effort wasnt quite another Stopforth popped up with a late, heartbreaking winner.

Think today told us a lot about where we are than anything in preseason and all my pre match concerns at Right back and the fact we need a defensive midfielder and they were all proven true.

If we can tighten up defensively and find a new GK I think we have a decent side as we looked extremely dangerous coming forward.

Think both sides we need to book there ideas up defensively though. Can see why you would say we are dirty, we were desperate to get out with the draw I think and the proffesional fouls racked up.

 

[Clem Fandango]

Salford 1 Gloucester 1

We kinda robbed that point but glad about that as it kept happening to us last season. Not sure on names but the two wingers for Salford are quality and are going to cause a lot of problems this season. Corners wise their deliveries are on point. Constant threat. Their goal was coming but was quite lax defending from us, our equaliser came from sub Joe Parker who showed great pace to beat Salford's defence and beat the keeper. Ethan Moore failed a fitness test with a knee injury and we missed him, the replacement (Hopper) was poor.

Salford is weird. Over a thousand there but only our fans making any noise. Literally no encouragement from their fans, it's a hobby club. Last ten minutes they were all over us and yet loads of them were leaving, maybe that's a bad habit from going to Old Trafford. Gary Neville was there and fair play, approachable chap. Didn't see any of the other class of 92 however.

I cannot believe that Salford's stadium met ground grading however. There was one turnstile open and we were queuing for ten minutes down the road at 2pm to get in! You come into the ground by a big open grass mound basically with one (yes one) blokes toilet. The other loos are on the other side of the pitch. The small covered terrace down the side is falling to bits, corrugated iron panels flapping about etc. The "main stand" looked awful, lots of bench type seating. Both ends are open and no banking/crush barriers. The bar is small and if you get served within 20 minutes you should feel lucky. They might have spent a fortune on the pitch but the stadium has definitely been neglected.

 

[Pliny Harris]

Stockport 4-3 Alfreton

Where do I start with that?!

I swear you start all your match reports with that question.

 

[Harrier94]

Never have I saw such a gulf in class in two teams if i'm being honest. The first half was sensational, our incisive passing play carved open Curzon a number of times and obviously we were clinical on the day.
I have sang Ngtwalala's praises for a while now and he is not Conference North standard, I will probably bequestioned for saying this - but he is in the same bracket as Joe Lolley, he is that good. If we can keep him & Gnuohoa it is going to take a very decent team to beat us. I thank Dave Hockaday for them two!

Onwards to Tuesday.

Can't say Elton is Lolley class yet. He is by far our best player but Lilley carried us that season, I don't think we'd do as well without Elton but we'd still compete.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

Salford 1 Gloucester 1

We kinda robbed that point but glad about that as it kept happening to us last season. Not sure on names but the two wingers for Salford are quality and are going to cause a lot of problems this season. Corners wise their deliveries are on point. Constant threat. Their goal was coming but was quite lax defending from us, our equaliser came from sub Joe Parker who showed great pace to beat Salford's defence and beat the keeper. Ethan Moore failed a fitness test with a knee injury and we missed him, the replacement (Hopper) was poor.

Salford is weird. Over a thousand there but only our fans making any noise. Literally no encouragement from their fans, it's a hobby club. Last ten minutes they were all over us and yet loads of them were leaving, maybe that's a bad habit from going to Old Trafford. Gary Neville was there and fair play, approachable chap. Didn't see any of the other class of 92 however.

I cannot believe that Salford's stadium met ground grading however. There was one turnstile open and we were queuing for ten minutes down the road at 2pm to get in! You come into the ground by a big open grass mound basically with one (yes one) blokes toilet. The other loos are on the other side of the pitch. The small covered terrace down the side is falling to bits, corrugated iron panels flapping about etc. The "main stand" looked awful, lots of bench type seating. Both ends are open and no banking/crush barriers. The bar is small and if you get served within 20 minutes you should feel lucky. They might have spent a fortune on the pitch but the stadium has definitely been neglected.

when i went to Salford for the play off final i had alot of the same views.

but alot of the 'fans' going to watch them just go in a hope of bumping into one of the man utd players and are not interested in the game.

but the ground is shocking, it is why i said on here a while back i think Salford may be moreso after consolation and progression this season than promotion because that ground needs alot of work before it could host a conference level game......its going to struggle to host the Stockport and FCUM games.

 

[Harrier94]

"I don't think we came up against a side as good as that last year" Curzon Manager John Flanagan, that gives me a bit of hope for the season.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

I am just very frustrated that blooming Kiddy could not bother scoring 2 late goals so i could achieve my dream of going home to my partner and doing this....

 

[Harrier94]

I am just very frustrated that blooming Kiddy could not bother scoring 2 late goals so i could achieve my dream of going home to my partner and doing this....

There's always next game

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

Don't say that.........i cannot afford new doors!

Think the 'highlights' are already on youtube if you go to Curzon live twitter for link.

Will post it later, but currently on bus

 

[Coaster]

Very happy to get the win yesterday. After loosing the playoff final was very important to get the new season off to a good start.

Signed Keeper Rhys Taylor and looks to be a fantastic signing.

We move into our new stadium on saturday and it is looking fantastic. Means easier trips to games now and can get the train into kirkham and wesham. Very exciting times ahead

 

[Darlofan97]

Salford 1 Gloucester 1

Salford is weird. Over a thousand there but only our fans making any noise. Literally no encouragement from their fans, it's a hobby club. Last ten minutes they were all over us and yet loads of them were leaving, maybe that's a bad habit from going to Old Trafford. Gary Neville was there and fair play, approachable chap. Didn't see any of the other class of 92 however.
.

Watch the highlights of Salford City v Manchester United (U21's I think it is) this pre-season. There is a bloke stood behind Salford's goal with a Salford City top on that celebrates when United score their 3rd or 4th I think.

Weird club, ran by a backward Chairwoman in Karen Baird who will occasionally run her mouth on social media and then de-activate her account.

 

[Josh Butler]

Boston 0-1 Stalybridge. Att- a rather dismal 1023 (7)
Staly offered little up top but an error gifted them an early chance which they took. They were organised though
Lamin Colley hit the worst penalty I've ever seen.
Stalybridge went down to 10 in after an hour yet we struggled until last 10 mins to create any real chances.
Poor

 

[KHFC_Shaun]

Can't say Elton is Lolley class yet. He is by far our best player but Lilley carried us that season, I don't think we'd do as well without Elton but we'd still compete.

Elton has everything a playmaker needs to have. His ability to beat a player is just as good as Lolleys - hes quick, agile and sharp on the turn. His range of passing is exceptional and his unpredictable nature makes it very difficult for defenders. Gnuaoha's one-on-one goal yesterday was all because of Elton's class.

I think we will struggle to keep hold of him if i'm being honest, but I would expect a big fee. Heard whispers that Crystal Palace were taking a look yesterday afternoon.

 

[DarkSithLord]

I swear you start all your match reports with that question.

Really do I? Cant say I have noticed but it was certainly apt to describe yesterday

Highlights Stockport 4-3 Alfreton

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

highlights for well the Kiddy fans and not me.

 

[SamScfc]

highlights for well the Kiddy fans and not me.

You support 2 teams then? Unusual but I won't judge...can I ask how you ended up supporting Curzon?

 

[SamScfc]

When I first saw that Kidderminster won 6-1 I thought they could mean business for this season but after watching them highlights, and not taking anything away from them but I think it was more how bad Curzon were, the amount of space they gave them was ridiculous.

 

[Pliny Harris]

Really do I? Cant say I have noticed but it was certainly apt to describe yesterday

Highlights Stockport 4-3 Alfreton

Perhaps not then!

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

You support 2 teams then? Unusual but I won't judge...can I ask how you ended up supporting Curzon?

I only really support Carlisle. I moved to Manchester in march and just cannot afford, nor have time to go to Carlisle every other Sat.

Left me a choice of being an armchair fan (no chance) or following someone local.

With only 250 fans at conf north level and not a bankrolled team I felt Curzon need new fans more than other conf north sides so went with them.

Seems I brought them the luck!

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Really do I? Cant say I have noticed but it was certainly apt to describe yesterday

Highlights Stockport 4-3 Alfreton

First Alfreton goal should have been given as offside under the new more complicated rules, and the second goal came from a foul throw.

 

[eightiesrobin]

Already a bit of unrest on the Alty forum. I was bit cheesed off at the time (only natural with a 95th minute penalty equaliser), but it's difficult to know what to expect, watching your team start with 7 debutants, playing a newly-promoted team you've never seen before.

Good turnout by Darlington btw, delaying the reality of National League North crowds until next week, when Fylde come on a Tuesday night.

 

[Alty Pieman]

Already a bit of unrest on the Alty forum. I was bit cheesed off at the time (only natural with a 95th minute penalty equaliser), but it's difficult to know what to expect, watching your team start with 7 debutants, playing a newly-promoted team you've never seen before.
Good turnout by Darlington btw, delaying the reality of National League North crowds until next week, when Fylde come on a Tuesday night.

Please ignore a few armchair morons who expect a title winning side in 10 seconds.
I thought Darlo were strong, direct and you could see they had a settled side, however they were very one dimensional until they equalised in the 80th min from a corner they hadnt had a single shot on target, and by then we hade missed 3 great chances. Their 95th min penalty (there were 4 mins added time) was extremely dubious, their lad stood on the ball as it was cleared and fell over, just think the ref bottled it and wanted to even it up but our 89th min penalty was a nailed on pen. Much to be positive about for first game of the season. We will play worse and win this year.
As for Darlo, they will be top half and pushing on the PO door I suspect, dont expect us to be any higher either if I'm honest especially with our tough start. Fair play to Darlo very well supported 400 in the away end and probably 50 in the stand in a crown of 1500.