Dearne & District 1-0 Doncaster City

Dearne & District 1-0 Doncaster City

Central Midlands League

Friday 25th August 2023

Friday Night Football under the floodlights. A crowd of over 700. A great advert for the Central Midlands Alliance League and a fantastic night for Dearne & District FC as they deservedly got the win in this ‘six-pointer’ at the top of the North Division.

Although I’m not massively familiar with Step 7 football, there’s no doubt the Goldthorpe Recreation Ground was the place to be last night and a crowd of 719 (plus quite a few peering over fences from outside) is testament to what this level can sometimes attract.

Both D&D and Doncaster City (the City is BLUE - certainly the case if you look at the new Doncaster Rovers away kit) are amongst the favourites for promotion this season and have ambitions to really kick on over the next few years. Dearne have just moved into their own ‘new’ ground having played just a few hundred yards up the road for the past few years; City have their own plans for a new ground at Bawtry in the near future and have made some top signings - shout-out for Noah Stokes (great lad) and both teams went into this game with 100% records and with only goal difference separating them at the top of the table.

Therefore, something had to give and on this occasion it was to be Dearne’s night - and you’d probably struggle to find anyone who was at this game who’d say they didn’t deserve the points on the night.

The first half was relatively uneventful although shaded by Dearne who, on home soil, looked the more adventurous when they went forward but just couldn’t find that killer chance to make something happen.

Still 0-0 at half-time, I was starting to wonder if I might be about to see my first goalless draw this season (something which usually happens in July for me), but my fears were put to bed early in the second moment as the game’s defining moment came when Bailey Lowe got his head to a cross and produced a bullet header to break the deadlock. Cue a police siren amongst the celebrations that followed.

Had Dearne not won, they’d have cited a massive moment soon afterwards where Donny City ‘keeper Dan Jones pulled off a save and Lowe hit the post from the rebound - with the ball then spinning across the goal-line and somehow staying out the net. 

How it didn’t go in for 2-0 was a mystery but with the hosts looking very resilient in defence and comfortable overall, Donny City weren’t really able to conjure up too much in their search for an equaliser. Their best chance came from an indirect free-kick after a back-pass (debatable as to whether it was one in the first place but the referee made a few questionable decisions over the course of the 90 minutes anyway) but in the end, the visitors effort only hit the wall anyway before it was cleared.

City did get the ball in the net late on but the offside flag had long since gone up - it was never going to count, and after what seemed like an eternity of injury-time (one can only assume the referee has read the directives regarding increased stoppage-time this season), the whistle finally went about 9.40pm and it was the hosts celebrating three HUGE points that they’ll be delighted with.

A really good night and great to catch up with so many familiar faces; from players - including Liam Mandeville and Mason Warren (top lad) amongst a few watching on, to local coaches/managers who were there, to fans as well from various South Yorkshire clubs - and beyond. It was a really good advert for the Central Midlands Alliance League overall and an occasion which I think was enjoyed by pretty much everyone who went.

Long live Friday Night Football!

Sheffield Wednesday (U21s) 3-1 Watford (U21s)

Sheffield Wednesday (U21s) 3-1 Watford (U21s)

Professional Development League

Friday 25th August 2023

My first time watching Sheffield Wednesday’s U21s this season - and a real pleasure to witness this game because the Owls were at their best as they were deserved winners against Watford.

Given the Hornets finished last season with a -35 goal difference and bottom of the PDL (South), coupled with the fact that Sheffield Wednesday have one of the best talismen anywhere in the country at Category Two level in Bailey Cadamarteri (who went into this game with four goals already to his name this term), I had a feeling that it might be a good day for the Owls and I wasn’t disappointed whatsoever by what I saw.

They played some really good football at times; Rio Shipston and Jay Glover were outstanding in midfield and dominated large parts of the game with the quality they showed (very impressive), Bailey Cadamarteri got his customary goal (water is wet), Sean Fusire weighed in with a goal too - and even though Watford grabbed a consolation with literally the last kick of the game (a very good finish as irritating as it was that it spoiled the possibility of a clean-sheet) it was still a really positive day all-round for anyone with SWFC connections.

After a quiet first 10 minutes, the game sprung to life when Sean Fusire received the ball to his feet inside the ‘D’ on the edge of the box and drilled his effort low and hard past Watford ‘keeper Myles Robert - straight into the bottom corner. Cue a celebration with Favour Onukwuli who (I think) got the assist, right infront of the Owls photographer sat just infront of the Leppings Lane End.

Two minutes later, there were some more celebration photos added to the collection because the Owls made it 2-0 - albeit this time Watford’s defence only had themselves to blame.

Although Bailey Cadamarteri headed over from a corner initially, the Hornets ‘keeper chose to try and play out from the back from the resulting goal-kick. The defender didn’t read the situation whatsoever and was dispossessed - and after a few seconds of panic with Watford’s defence all over the place, Rio Shipston found space inside the box, latched on to a ball that was played into him by Djeidi Gassama, and slammed the ball home to double the Owls’ advantage.

Some of the football that Wednesday played in the first half was really good. They used the width very effectively, there was pace and movement everywhere, they were dominant in midfield with Sjipston and Glover, and as a team they looked dangerous every time they got into the Watford half - and it soon could have been 3-0 when Favour Onukwuli got through from the left and saw a low attempt smothered well by the Watford ‘keeper.

The visitors then got more of a foothold and stemmed the flow for a short period around the half-hour mark but when they got chances, they couldn’t take them. Laken Torres (No.10) shanked an effort wide with his right-foot from about eight yards in one move before Jake Watkiss (No.11) curled a free-kick harmlessly over the bar from about 25 yards as the Hornets remained frustrated.

And before the break it was 3-0. Djeidi Gassama was clipped inside the box - an easy decision for the referee and with Bailey Cadamarteri on spot-kick duties, he duly sent the ‘keeper the wrong way to claim his fifth goal already in just three games this season.

And this was all with the half-time still yet to be blown!

It was clear that if either Wednesday carried on in this vein or Watford didn’t improve (or a combination of the two) then the Hornets were in for a proper hammering but the second half proved to be a lot quieter on the whole.

Wednesday had some decent chances to begin with as a driving run by Glover drew a foul on the edge of the box, from where Shipston saw his free-kick deflected wide. Then, a few minutes later, Bailey Cadamarteri - searching for a goal to join Louie Marsh at the top of the current PDL scoring charts, almost got in-behind but a defender managed to recover in time and block his attempt that looked as if it would have been on target.

Aside from a near-post effort which Jack Hall parried away just before half-time, Watford hadn’t done too much up to this point, but in the final 30 minutes, they pressed and probed and had a few chances - their trialist (No.4) had one shot blocked, Adam Adetoro (who came on as a sub for the Owls at half-time) produced a great sliding block to thwart Jonathan Lawson only moments after he’d been booked for fouling the same Watford player, whilst they hit the post in another move where Lawson skewed over the rebound.

It looked as if that Wednesday would hold keep the clean-sheet right until the last kick of the game - and three minutes into injury-time, as a cross in from Watford’s right-hand side came off Mackenzie Maltby and dropped perfectly for the attacker on the edge of the box who produced a stunning strike straight into the bottom corner with pace and power. It was nothing more than a consolation albeit Watford’s No.16 (Prince Sikiru) grabbed the ball and sprinted back to halfway in the extremely faintest of faint hopes that his team could score two more goals in the zero seconds which remained.

The game didn’t even re-start and although conceding such a late, late goal to spoil what would have been a good clean-sheet was irritating, it shouldn’t take the shine off an impressive performance by the Owls and a day filled with positives.

Sean Fusire and Bailey Cadamarteri will be buzzing with their goals, Favour Onukwuli and Djeidi Gassama had a few really good involvements at times and played their part, but the two players I thought were outstanding were Rio Shipston (nice goal too) and Jay Glover (really impressive and full of relentless energy).

I’ve always thought that midfield is the hardest position on the pitch to be a stand-out performer because, sometimes - if not quite often, midfielders can be anonymous and you don’t notice them too much watching from the stands.

That’s why good midfielders stand-out and in this game, both Shipston and Glover were dominant, dictated things, architects of some fantastic balls, heavily involved with their link-up play and it was a genuine pleasure to see them performing with confidence and freedom and look so accomplished.

I’ve liked Jay Glover for a while and, playing in a CDM role infront of the back four, his energy was tremendous for the entire 90 minutes. It seemed like he covered so much ground/distance but, not only that, he also tidied up really well a few times, nipped in to win the ball on various occasions and stop the opposition (one of his best strengths) and he did so many good things in the game. Hence why Neil Thompson was shouting ‘Good Jay’ so many times on the sidelines. His close-ball control was also reminiscent of Oliver Arblaster (absolutely flying on loan at Port Vale at the moment) and whilst there was one early pass which got intercepted and was sloppy on Jay’s part, he won the ball back straight away. He played some delightful balls - special mention for a floated 50-yard ball to feet in the first half, screened well and read the game impressively, and he stood out because he got some good moves going - including one in the second half (about 65 minutes) which set Djeidi Gassama free down the right. He was tidy and good in possession; also had two driving runs in the second half - one of which led to him winning that free-kick on the edge of the box.

I’ll always back my own judgments considering the amount of football I watch and players who I can compare others against, etc, and if Jay is able to find this consistency over a prolonged period, then he’s going to do well and be an absolute asset to a team. He’s earned his new deal at SWFC, this is a big season for him and it was a genuine pleasure to see him going about things with such confidence, doing well and dominating this game.

I’ve huge respect for it because, as I said above, midfield is the hardest position for a player to stand-out and he did that in this game!

And one last Jay Glover observation I have noticed is that wearing his socks above his knees (which I’ve seen him do before) must be a superstition on his part - either that or he’s feeling the cold in August!

As for Rio Shipston then I know what he can do in possession anyway and the impact he can have when he’s got the ball at his feet - and his quality has shone so many times (hence why a lad I know in Burton Albion’s U18s was describing him to me as the best player he’s ever played against recently). 

But Rio’s out-of-possession work in this game, plus his game-management (e.g. laying on the ball at one point in the first half; standing infront of it to stop a quick free-kick in the second) was very clever. He constantly got behind the ball during open play phases; thus making it difficult for Watford to break past him and his general understanding/reading of the game, and showed the awareness to make intelligent decisions and get into good areas. The biggest compliment I can give him is that he’s still 18 and will get better with age/experience but he’s already setting a really high benchmark and better than a lot I've seen out there around the same age.

I’ve got no doubt that a lot of people in football will appreciate his qualities (especially the off-the-ball/out-of-possession work) as he steps up and gets more and more exposure - not to mention the quality he can produce on the ball whether it be from his set-plays (usually good with his deliveries) and also open play.

And again it was a privilege to watch Jay Glover and Rio Shipston dictate the midfield and dominate things in this game. Very, very, very impressed by the pair of them and a day which they ought to feel pleased about given their respective contributions.

I will be at quite a few more Sheffield Wednesday games in the PDL this season and I’m already looking forward to my next visit - whether it be at Hillsborough, Middlewood Road or Stocksbridge Park Steels. 

Team: Jack Hall, Gui Sequeira, Sam Reed, Trialist, Ciaran Brennan, Jay Glover, Djeidi Gassama, Rio Shipston, Bailey Cadamarteri, Sean Fusire, Favour Onukwuli. Subs: Luke Cook, Jay Buchan, Adam Adetoro, Mackenzie Maltby, Cian Flannery.

Derby County (U21s) 3-1 Mansfield Town (U21s)

Derby County (U21s) 3-1 Mansfield Town (U21s)

Central League

Tuesday 22nd August 2023

A first ever visit to Derby’s Moor Farm training ground and a strong performance by the Rams as they were well-deserved winners over Mansfield Town in the opening fixture of the new Central League season.

The Stags have returned to this division this term - something which I think is massively beneficial for the development of their young players, albeit this game was a rude-awakening because they were second-best to a very good Derby team who’ve recruited well, were dominant, and played some good football.

Having not seen the Rams previously at U21s level - and unable to get to the 1-1 draw with Liverpool last week, I was intrigued to learn what they’re all about. 

There was some strong performances across the pitch; Owen Oseni was a menace and deserved his goals (more on him further down), Tony Weston showed his class at times, Max Bardell certainly got better as the game progressed, gets into good areas and has a good delivery and almost even scored himself, Jack Bates had some tidy touches in midfield and looked decent in parts - didn’t mind him, Carlos Richards got into clever areas and deserved his assist for the third goal, whilst Louie Sibley (who went off at the break) was probably the most well-known player in their line-up.

However, on a day of learning about many new faces, it was a player who I really enjoyed watching last season who claimed the opening goal as Ben Radcliffe thumped home a volley inside 70 seconds despite Finn Flanagan (I think) having done well initially to head the ball away on the post following a corner that was turned goalwards. But Radders’ effort was powerful, venomous and needless to say, he was beaming at the finish as the ball flew past Louie Turner who couldn’t do anything about it.

Derby then looked really good and keen to add more goals after their early opener.

Their quality showed. They were sharp and creative whenever they got into the Stags’ half - both through the middle and especially out wide where they posed a big threat from wide areas. They had much more possession as their game-plan was imposed to strong effect and soon enough they went close again - this time hitting the post before Carlos Richards had a chance after he cut inside, whilst another move culminated in Ben Radcliffe flashing a header inches wide of the target from a corner where he was left loose, albeit if it had gone in the flag was up for offside anyway.

Mansfield got the ball forward a few times in the first half but didn’t offer too much which was largely down to how good Ben Radcliffe (solid at centre-back) and Dan Cox applied themselves, dealt with things and defended solidly.

McKeal Abdullah couldn’t get much out of them albeit he did get one shot on target on 19 minutes which was saved but, that aside, Derby ‘keeper Lewis Ridd was pretty much untroubled and untested as Mansfield were largely left frustrated. On the few times they did get the ball forward, Taylor Anderson couldn’t quite find the right quality with his deliveries (one of them days), Ronnie Kokkinos was twice flagged offside (once correctly, once very wrongly - which was pointed out to the linesman) and when they did piece together a short corner routine that worked its way back to Ollie Clarke on the edge of the box, he couldn’t keep his effort down as the ball sailed over the bar.

Soon after that chance - and about five minutes before the break, Derby made it 2-0. 

A ball from deep was sent over the top down the Rams’ right side and although Owen Oseni was a few yards behind his man when he started his run, his sharp pace saw him burst away, get goal-side and then into a one-on-one and bearing down on goal, he showed brilliant composure to slot home past Louie Turner. A very well-taken goal under pressure and with time to think about the outcome before he shot. Clinical and composed - and the two-goal cushion that Derby now held was reflective of things overall at the break.

Such is the scale of Derby’s training complex, this game was played on Pitch 12 (and unbelievably there’s a few more pitches than just a dozen at Moor Farm too) so that meant it was a long trek to and from the dressing rooms at half-time - and as a consequence the interval lasted for a whopping 24 minutes overall.

Something clearly got said in the Mansfield dressing room at half-time which triggered a response because after coming out about five minutes after Derby, the Stags played with a much better intensity for the first five minutes after the re-start and twice went close to pulling a goal back - firstly as McKeal Abdullah got in-behind and flashed an effort across goal which unluckily for him came back off the post and then as Finn Flanagan also got high up the pitch and had an effort that was on target and needed a save. 

It was good play; much better than anything they’d showed in the first 45 minutes and the response now couldn’t be faulted, but to use a football cliche ‘fine margins’ soon came to the fore because Derby went down the other and scored with their first serious move of the second half as Carlos Richards did well to get to the byline, used his strength to cut the ball back to Owen Oseni who was waiting unmarked about eight yards out in a great position and his shot hit the post and just crept over the line; the linesman on the dugout side doing well to spot it and flag that it was a goal. 

At 3-0 the game was now ‘dead and buried’ as a contest. 

Mansfield definitely weren’t staging a comeback and just past the hour mark, Louie Turner came into his own and showed exactly why he’s a good goalkeeper and why I’ve rated him highly ever since I saw him play in the U18s, by producing three good saves to prevent further damage to the scoreline. He got fingertips to one of those awkward cross-shot type efforts from Max Bardell which (although not probably intended as a shot) was creeping in without Turner’s intervention, spring and agility. Then, a couple of minutes later, he got an even slighter touch to tip over a powerful strike by Adebayo Fapetu, and when Derby’s No.9 - Owen Oseni - got into a shooting position with the ball at his feet inside the box and had only one thing in his mind, LT got down low and was equal to that effort too. A better option for Oseni might have been to slip a pass across to one of his team-mates and in a more central position to score but given the circumstances - and especially the fact he was on a hat-trick, you can understand why he had the shot. 

Derby had other chances in the closing stages - including a couple that went over and one by Charlie Lindsay that got blocked (I think by Darien Wauchope), before Mansfield did salvage a consolation right at the end when Abdullah hooked one in at the back-post, via a little deflection, after a cross in from a set-play from the left-hand side. 

Overall, nobody can have too many complaints about the result - not that it’s the most important thing in the world. Had McKeal Abdullah made it 2-1 then it might have changed the momentum; instead the third goal soon afterwards ‘killed it’ and Derby ran out very deserved winners. Their quality shone and amongst the stand-out performers were Owen Oseni who’ll be delighted with his two goals and what he showed; using his pace well, producing the end product and generally being a real nuisance for the Mansfield defence all afternoon, plus Max Bardell who had a very good second half where his quality from high areas and crosses were solid. On another day, he’d have scored but he certainly showed what he can do well.

And then there’s also Ben Radcliffe. I’ve written an article on him before and love him to bits because he’s a class act anyway, but playing at centre-back (new position for me as I prefer him out at RB/RWB - or even CDM) he basically made the game comfortable for himself. Dan Cox complimented him and looked good on the ball too and they worked well together. He got the goal (great finish - just pure venom as he smashed it in on the volley) but Radders best contribution were two sublime 50-yard passes straight to feet (one out to the left, then one out to the right) in the space of about 10-15 seconds midway through the first half. Both superb, another element to his game that underlines his class - not to mention all the other stuff, and if I live to be 100, I’ll never be able to figure out why Burton released him. Madness! But brilliant now to see him absolutely thriving in what seems like a really good environment. Top class!

Despite the scoreline, I think Mansfield will have learned so much from how the game panned out - particularly the out-of-possession stuff and dealing with not having the ball for long spells and I thoroughly expect them to get better in the Central League as the season progresses. 

They did show small snippets of what they’re about. Charlie Carter never wastes a pass (that was spotted - even in this game), in McKeal Abdullah he’ll always get goals and although there’s still loads for him to learn physically (that will come by getting battered about by grizzly defenders in men’s football), his tidy footwork and little bits of link-up stuff to his feet was good. He's got good tendancies that he'll just do within a game - and the way he dropped back at times to help keep the play moving reminded me slightly of Aiden Marsh at Barnsley (another good player).

Finn Flanagan was involved a lot; Darien Wauchope made a good block and a couple of other good contributions in the second half, Tyler Whyle will benefit massively from this game, and when you consider some of the other lads Mansfield have got in and around this level - whether it be Louie Turner, Ronnie Kokkinos, Jakub Kruszynski, Taylor Anderson, George Cooper (albeit with him being older I expect he'll either play first team or, probably, go out on loan again), then the crux of a half-decent team is there already - and as I’ve said I totally expect they’ll get better as the season progresses and the speed/intensity of how Derby played in this game will stand them in good stead when they go on to face Huddersfield, Notts County, Lincoln and Sunderland, who are also in this group.

I think the fact Mansfield have rejoined the Central League in an era when so many Category 3 clubs always cite cost issues as a reason not to do so, is brilliant. It gives the lads a platform to show what they’re about to a wider audience than anything they’ll get at U18s level - the quality goes up a few notches, and in Charlie McParland I think they’ve also got a top coach who’ll bring good characteristics to the fore. It was probably his influence and words that triggered a response at half-time. If there’s something to be said then he’ll say it - that element of the game is needed massively in football, and I’d expect a lot of lads to feel the benefit of his influence and coaching the longer they’re with him. 

So, lots to learn from a Mansfield perspective and a massively beneficial game in their development, but a very good Derby display and a pleasure to watch it.

Derby: Lewis Ridd, Max Bardell, Harry Hawkins, Darren Robinson, Ben Radcliffe, Dan Cox, Tony Weston, Jack Bates, Owen Oseni, Louie Sibley, Carlos Richards. Subs: Keilan Robinson, Harry Evans, Adebayo Fapetu, Rashawn Scott, Charlie Lindsay.

Mansfield: Louie Turner, Taylor Anderson, Darien Wauchope, Finn Flanagan, Tyler Whyle, George Cooper, Charlie Carter, Ollie Clarke, McKeal Abdullah, Jakub Kruszynski, Ronnie Kokkinos. Subs: Louis Bonser, Harrison Leech, Cody Collins, Lewis Warnaby, Cormac Maher.

Guiseley 2-1 Basford United

Guiseley 2-1 Basford United

Northern Premier League

Saturday 19th August 2023

A trip to Nethermoor which wasn’t quite the spectacle I was hoping for as both teams looked pretty average in this game to be honest.

On a lovely afternoon (long may this sunshine last), there were loads of familiar names in both line-ups who I’ve watched at academy level in the past.

Making his debut for Guiseley was Edwin Essel who has just signed for the Lions on loan from Grimsby for a month and he went straight into the starting line-up, was involved a few nice bits of link-up play, but didn’t really get any opportunity to use his raw speed (which he’s renowned for) and show the Nethermoor crowd what he’s all about. That’s just the way the game played out.

Also in the Lions XI was Aiden Walker; an all-round sound lad, brilliant with younger lads and someone who came through the academy at Mansfield where he was a twice North-East Youth Alliance title winner. He was involved in a direct battle with the 6ft5, massive physical specimen that is Emmanuel Ilesanmi which was absorbing to watch - and even included them both kicking one another in the head at different points in the first half. Ilesanmi is no stranger to winning the Youth Alliance either, because that’s what he did at Harrogate last season where he was a massive focal point in their achievement and his arrival at Basford on loan for a month was one of four signings that was announced in the hours before kick-off.

Another was Jaz Goundry (ex-Grimsby, recently at Alfreton - and former team-mate of Edwin Essel) and I didn’t even know he’d signed until he arrived at the ground, whilst Josiah Dyer and Jean Claude Makiessi have both signed from Barnsley on loan too - and played for the Reds U21s in this game against Swansea City the other day.

There were a sprinkling of familiar faces on both benches too including Josh Ashman (not seen him too many times before but know all about his academy days at Sheffield Wednesday) plus Bailey Conway, who came on during the seven minutes of injury-time on his birthday; thus he's now the youngest-looking 21-year-old I’ve ever seen but he makes up for that with crunching tackles, aggression and deserves to be playing at this level having done the hard yards to get here with spells at Rossington and Gainsborough since his days in the academy at Sheffield United. 

And if ‘Mascher’ (as Bailey Conway is known to everyone) doesn’t make me old with his youthful looks then the fact Jack Thomas and Brad McGowan are both 27 nowadays - even though in my head they’re still young lads, that makes me feel ancient. JT made over 50 appearances in the Football League for Mansfield and Brad McGowan is someone I’ve always liked since that same era and I've always thought that had it not been for injuries when he was younger around the time of his spells at Notts County (where he came through) and Boston United (where he was a regular and established) then he could have played a few levels higher.

BMG didn’t actually make the bench though because he was replaced by Tom Angell shortly before kick-off - and he’s someone who had a loan spell at Spennymoor at the end of last season where a certain Reece Kendall (announced as Guiseley’s ‘Man Of The Match’ in this game over the very crackly PA system) was his competitor for the left-back spot.

And if that isn’t enough connections, Basford and Guiseley are the two former loan clubs of Harrison Nejman - another familiar face who I always enjoy watching and know the qualities he can bring to a team.

Who says football isn’t a small world?

Despite all that, both teams looked pretty average in all honesty - neither seem to have gelled yet and based on this one game alone, there’s loads of improvements needed if either side is going to get anywhere near the top and challenge for promotion.

The first 30 minutes was relatively uneventful bar the battles between Aiden Walker and Mani Ilesanmi. The Harrogate loanee started sluggishly, took a bit of time to get going and when he caught AW in the face with a high-boot on the halfway line around the quarter-hour mark, he must have feared the worst, but no yellow card was forthcoming - a sign of the referee’s inconsistency because when they next tangled about 10 minutes later and it was a role-reversal (this time 20 yards closer to Guiseley’s goal), he was flashing a yellow card towards Aiden Walker afterwards.

Basford probably shaded the opening 30 minutes. Jonathan Wafula was lively for them, involved in a few moments in both boxes, Jaz Goundry threatened to cause problems from his long-throw, and when Ilesanmi was persistent and mugged Walker to win the ball close to the touchline and then accelerate towards goal, that could have lead to something too albeit the move petered out. 

But as the half-hour mark passed, Guiseley started to get on top and press forward a bit more - and just a few minutes after Jaz Goundry got his head to a cross, peeled away from the attacker and bizarrely nearly planted the ball into his own net until the defender on the line bailed him out (not sure what he was trying to do there), it was soon 1-0 to Guiseley - and the Lions’ most experienced player, Tom Denton, converted at the back-post with a downwards header that bounced up and in from a Callum Chippendale cross.

The first half felt a bit flat at times - lacking in quality bar the odd few flashes and the second half wasn’t that much better.

Guiseley hit the post just after half-time via Callum Chippendale’s powerful effort before there was a bizarre moment at the other end when Lions ‘keeper Brad Wade had a rush of blood, came off his line and got himself in a tangle with Jameel Ible which resulted in a loose ball and could have led to an equaliser - but with the game largely drifting and the atmosphere flat, there was soon a lengthy stoppage as Jonathan Wafula went to ground to make a tackle, dislocated his shoulder in the process (always a painful one), and had to be stretchered off.

That led to a double substitution by Basford and I think they got it wrong at this point. Ilesanmi was brought off despite the fact he’d looked lively with his footwork and one of the biggest attacking threats in their team along with Wafula who obviously couldn’t continue anyway. He was replaced by Josiah Dyer when a better option might have been to just go direct, use their height/strength and Josiah Dyer’s ability to be unpredictable and cause carnage inside the box - especially in a situation where you’re still chasing an equaliser!

Nevertheless, Dyer barely had any time to get accustomed to the game before Guiseley made it 2-0 as a downfield ball found its way to Gabriel Johnson who showed decent technique to open his body up and take his chance; firing a great effort past Kieran Preston to double the Lions advantage. A good goal.

Basford did muster up a consolation with Ethan Cartwright claiming it but seven minutes of stoppage-time came and went without too much to note; the visitors looked devoid of ideas and knackered, and Guiseley held out for the points.

There was one weird moment in injury-time when a Basford attacker had a low shot which went wide and the referee went chasing after the ball as if he was trying to retrieve it quickly. Brad Wade got there first but… considering officials never handle or even kick the ball at any point EVER in a game, that bizarre sight summed up the way the referee handled this game!

It wasn’t a scintillating spectacle by any means… and he wasn’t a referee you’d want doing your games every week either!

Overall, I think Basford had a few decent players and once they’ve figured out a way of playing together and a style that suits them better than what they produced in this game, they’ll probably put together a few okay results. Jonathan Wafula was bright at times, effective, and it’s a shame he got injured and might now be out for a while. Jaz Goundry (bar that five-minute spell in the first half where everything he touched went awry - one of them things) otherwise had an okay debut and his long-throw can be utilised effectively and cause problems - plus he’s solid and reliable for Step 3. Emmanuel Ilesanmi posed a threat, was persistent (hence why he mugged Aiden Walker in that instance on the touchline when AW looked as if he might break away with the ball at first), he used his physicality to good effect and was lively with his footwork. He wasn’t able to get in any shots (from memory) even though there were one or two occasions when he could have got quick attempts away. He’s got bits to improve defensively and out-of-possession but otherwise - he ought to be pleased with his debut because he made a good first impression, largely, the glimpses of his technique/talent were there and if he’s used with Josiah Dyer then between the pair of them they will make something happen.

If, or when, it clicks then they’ll probably win games such as this but, like anything, it will take a bit of time and patience and there’s lots to work on in the here and now.

It’s the same story for Guiseley. I think they’ll beat Gainsborough (still not scored yet this season) on Tuesday but they’ve got a long way to go if they want to be up there challenging for promotion - as is the expectation amongst some of their fans. Macclesfield have started well, Worksop will get better. Whitby are looking strong with a cohesive unit where everyone is on the same page. Radcliffe are well-fancied. Ilkeston are motoring already and have got a settled team - and these two teams are nowhere near those at the moment.

Next up for Basford is a game against Stafford Rangers on Tuesday - and that’ll be another fixture where Jaz Goundry comes up against a familiar face as a certain Aaron Braithwaite (one of the best out there from the Youth Alliance Hall Of Fame) has just joined Stafford on loan from Grimsby.

I’m not sure where I’ll be yet on Tuesday (no National League North games and all the PDL fixtures are down south - not good), but I’ll be keeping an eye on both Basford and Guiseley’s results and a few more elsewhere.