Graham Rix Was Set For Crawley

New Hearts manager, director fo football, head coach whatever you want to call him was set to fill the vacant position at Conference side Crawley Town, he did howver decide on linking up with Scottish title challengers Hearts last week. The reds are now looking over their other candidates and are expected to make an announcement before this weekends game agaibnst Southport. It is no suprise to me that Rix who has had previous managerial experience at Portsmouth, Oxford and Chelsea, chose the Scottish club over Crawley but fair play to Crawley for trying to bring in such a high profile boss.

Hucknall and Hednesford Play Out Draw

There was one game in Conference North last night. Hednesford and Hucknall met at Keys Park. High winds prevented the game from really getting going, the final result 1-1. Hednesfor took the lead 5 minutes intot he restart, veteran player manager Chris Brindley getting the goal for his side. Their lead lasted until the 70th minute when Mark Ward struck home an equaliser moving his side up into 4th place. Hednesford will be happy with the point gained, even if they were at home as Huknall were 11 places above them at the start of play.

Brilliant Burscough Beat Gillingham

Burscough's big day out in the FA Cup so nearly ended in tears. 2-1 down at home to Gillingham with just 60 seconds left on the clock. The dream was over, enter the magic fo the FA Cup, 89 minutes played and with the ball flying around it hit Ian Cox and went in, a cruel own goal against Gillingham but Buirscough didn't care they forces a replay, or had they? Depp into injury time it was a case of cometh the hour cometh the man, 23 year old Striker David Rowan scoring a late goal prompting amazong scenes at Victoria Park, one of the best upsets in the 125 year history of the FA Cup. I am delighted to say there were others.

Tamworth beat Bournemouth away from home to put themselves into the second round draw. Kyle Storers heartbreak turned to joy on 82 minutes when he converted the rebound from his missed penalty. Ex-European Champions Nottingham Forest suffered a highly embarrasing result at home to Weymouth, the non-league side holding them to a 1-1 draw. 10,305 saw Conference side South Weymouth earn the replay against Brian Cloughs old team, what would ol big head say?

Torquay equalised against Harrogate Town late on to save their blushes. Harrogate will howerver be happy witht he point another money spinnign tie awaits them mid-week. In a day that has seen cup upsets and giant killings, it was sad to see Leamington go down 9-1, yes 9-1 against Colchester. The home side didn't score their first until the 39th minute but a deadly 10 minute spell after half time saw Colchestr run out easy winners. Today the FA Cup has provided brilliant stories and entertainment, the attendances have been boosted, but I just wonder how many of the fans turning up for the cup ties will return when the teams go back to play in the league.

Pictured: Burscough's David Rowan

Chasing The Dream

Today is a huge day for many Non-League clubs, For 125 years the Fa Cup has provided the lower leagues with a source of income and a huge day out for the fans. The 1st round proper is wehre the non-league clubs want to be and today is the big day for many. In particualer Midland Alliance side Chase Town, they don't play today but tomorrow they face the biggest game in their history against League 1 side Oldham. 6 leagues separate the two clubs and realistically Chase have no chance, but that is the magic of the FA Cup anything can happen, who knows Chase may well be in the draw for the second round come Monday afternoon. Anyone who isn't an Oldham fan will certainly be cheering them on.

There are also other potential upsets set to take place today.

Eastbourne Borough have already earnt themselves a shock replay against oxford, a 90th minute Olly Rowland penalty enough to put the home side into the hat for the second round. At half time Burnham are 0-0 with Aldershot. Fixtures to follow later involving non-league clubs are:

Bournemouth vs Tamworth

Burscough vs Gillingham

Chester vs Folkestone Invitica

Chippenham vs Worcester

Colchester vs Leamington

Hartlepool vs Dagenham & Redbridge

Histon vs Hednesford

Kettering vs Stevenage

Morecombe vs Northwitch

Nottingham Forest vs Weymouth

Nuneaton vs Ramsgate

Peterbrough vs Burton

Shrewsbury vs Braintree Town

Southport vs Woking

Torquay vs Harrogate Town

York vs Grays

Let's hope a few of these clubs can perform giant killing acts to show what the non-league is made of.

Non League To You Returns

I have been very busy lately and unfortunately this blog has suffered. No posts for donkeys years. But that will change now Non League To You will become the best and most updated resource for news from all over the non-league. Check back soon non league fans a definitative resource is back.

St. Albans On Downward Spiral

After topping the league recently St. Albans have now lost there last three games suffering a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Thurock on Monday night. All this despite taking the lead inside the first minute through Dean Cracknell. They were however overcome in the second half with two goals from Steve Harper eventually giving the home side the victory. Many expected Thurrock to do well this season but they have really yet to play well and are languising in 12th place. St.Albans may have lost three on the bounce but they still stay 3rd.

The only other game in Conference South on Monday saw Havant & Waterlooville move into 5th place after defeating Hampshire rivals Basingstoke Town 2-0 at Westleigh park. It was Rocky Baptiste who opened the scoring for Havant & Waterlooville just 12 minutes into the match and his goal was followed by a long spell of pressure on the Basingstoke goal. After missing many chances the game was eventually seales when Baptiste made it 8 for the season and 2 on the night. This defeat means Basingstoke are now 13th in the league.

Gazza To Be The Boss

Paul Gascoigne will become the manager of Nationwide North club Kettering once the proposed takeover of the club has been complete. But it isn't all doom and gloom for current boss kevin Wilson who will be assigned a new role as director of football. Kettering has been described by many as a sleeping giant and with Gazza moving into the setup 'The City' (such n interesting nickname) they can surely expect their attendances to rocket. Lets just hope Gazza keeps his boots in the boot room where they belong.

Salisbury Slip Up

Bedford are now only two points off the pace as leaders Salisburys were defeated for the first time this season.Two goals from Dave Gilroy sealed a 2-1 win for Chippenham against the current league leaders. Other results saw me travel for two hours to stand in the rain and watch Gloucester City draw 0-0 with Evesham. Bath City beat Cirencester 3-0 to lift them to 6th in the table. The largest attendance last night was 851 at Chippenham only a few of the season best off 889. Pictured is David Gilroy in his Bristol Rovers days.

Beavers lead Ryman Premier

Hampton & Richmond Borough top the Ryman League Premier Division by two points after beating AFC Wimbledon last night. The 2-1 win leaves Afc Wimbledon in 7th position. The game was however marred by an incident after the game when the assistant referee was struck by an object at the end of the match. Staines Town are second after edging Slough Town 2-1 at Stag Meadow thanks to goals from Fiston Manuella and Tariq Nabil.

Gloucester City In Action Tonight

My team Gloucester City are in action tonight. We have a bottom of the table clash against Evesham in the Southern premier League, Evesham are currently managed by dave Busst formerly of Coventry who suffered that hooror challenge. After a 4-1 win at the weekend spirits are high. I will be going to the game and will report to you tomorrow on the match. Wish us luck, I think we need as much as we can get. Evesham are currently 21st and city 20th a league table can be found here. Pictured is Evesham in the super stadium. Last years encouter between the two side was cancelled because of very strong winds, now you don't get that in the league.

Kiddy Loan Out Youngsters.

Conference club Kidderminster Harriers have sent 19 year olds Jermain Hollis and Russ Penn out on loan. The two will play for Alvechurch in the Midland Alliance league. Neither players have been given a chance in the conference this season and their manager believes "This will give both lads some much-needed experience."

Beadle Takes Newport Helm

As expected ex Gillingham, Tottenham, Watford, Bristol City, Bristol Rovers, Barnet, Team Bath, Clevedon and Taunton man Peter Beadle has been appointed the new manager of Nationwide South club Newport County. Beadle who is 34 has had management experience at Taunton and also filled a coaching role at Team Bath before joining Newport this week. With County currently 21st having only 4 points from their first nine games Beadle has much work to do if they are to avoid relegation.

4th Qualifying Draw

Today the draw for the 4th qualifying round for the FA Cup was made. This is the final hurdle for clubs looking to make it to the 1st round proper and the chance of playing a league club. Here are all the fixtures in a lovely long list. I uggest using the ctrl+f feature if you wish to loacte your club. And yes Gloucester City have already been knocked out. Are you happy with your sides draw? Pictured is Gary Owers who's side Forest Green have been drawn in an all Conference clash.

Harrogate Town v Scarborough
Tamworth v Altrincham
Southport v Kidderminster Harriers
Hucknall Town or Cammell Laird v Burscough
Blyth Spartans v Cogenhoe United or Chasetown
Northwich Victoria v Barrow
Leigh RMI or Gainsborough Trinity v York City
Ossett Town v Leamington
Accrington Stanley v Worcester City
Hednesford Town v Vauxhall Motors
Halifax Town v Farsley Celtic
Burton Albion v Leek Town
Hereford United v Alfreton Town
Bromsgrove Rovers v Morecambe
Crawley Town v Heybridge Swifts or Braintree Town
Canvey Island v Burnham
St Albans City or Kettering Town v Gravesend & Northfleet
Yeading or Dorchester Town v Welling United
Bromley or Mangotsfield United v Aldershot Town
Histon v Hayes
Grays Athletic v Cray Wanderers
Nuneaton Borough or Chelmsford City v Tiverton Town
Exeter City v Stevenage Borough
Woking v Thurrock
Basingstoke Town v Chippenham Town
Cambridge City v Lewes
Merthyr Tydfil v Farnborough Town
Wroxham or Aylesbury United v Folkestone Invicta
Forest Green Rovers v Dagenham & Redbridge
Ramsgate v Cirencester Town
Weymouth v Cambridge United
Bishops Cleeve or AFC totton v Metropolitan Police or Eastbourne Borough

Sorry About That!

Welcome To Non-League Football To You

After the recent launch of www.footballtoyou.com I decided to add to the network and start something for all you non-league fans. Non-league football is cheaper, more accesible and far more open than league football. As a fan of Gloucester City who currently play in the Southern Premier League I thought it necessary to have a place where non-league news could be found and opinions shared so here it is and welcome.