Non League latest....

CharltonKerry said:

Darts lose 3-0 

Disappointing scoreline that. Need to make sure it's just a blip

Michael Cheek spent 9 years in the National League as a consistent goal scorer, before at the age of 32/33 finally getting his chance in the EFL, and he's continued scoring in L2 at the same rate. 

The gap between NL and L2 is probably smaller than any of the gaps between the EFL leagues, and tiny when compared to the chasm between the PL and Championship.

killerandflash said:

Michael Cheek spent 9 years in the National League as a consistent goal scorer, before at the age of 32/33 finally getting his chance in the EFL, and he's continued scoring in L2 at the same rate. 

The gap between NL and L2 is probably smaller than any of the gaps between the EFL leagues, and tiny when compared to the chasm between the PL and Championship.

Perhaps Cheek is a modern day Paul Benson.

Swerve said:

Wings at Tonbridge last night, a poor and  disjointed 2-0 defeat. One well saved shot early in the game, and that was it.

Head still just above the water but nothing from that is looking very promising. 

There were a couple of other chances early on that perhaps they should have done better with, plus the very good save you mention. However, as soon as Tonbridge scored the Welling goal "threat" seemed to dry up. They were largely outplayed in the second half and it was a comfortable win for the Angels. I think it's going to be a relegation battle right to the wire this year, and I am not convinced they will survive.

Welling have just let their assistant manager go.
Strange one as he seemed more tactically nous than the manager.
Done well when asked to step up in Rod Stringer’s absence 

Welling let a 2 0 advantage slip against Slough, ends up 2 2. Back in the relegation positions 

stoneroses19 said:

DaveMehmet said:

Welling let a 2 0 advantage slip against Slough, ends up 2 2. Back in the relegation positions 

Fortunately, St Albans conceded in 94th minute, and dropped back below Welling. 

Nice one, I missed that 

Hamlet lose to Lewes 3-1 after leading 1-0.

Kap10 said:

Hamlet lose to Lewes 3-1 after leading 1-0.

Justafan said:

I have to ask the question and see what other people’s thought are?
is it better to be playing say step 2-3-4 men’s football as a 17/18 year old or be in an academy? For me unless your in cat1 environment it maybe better to be playing men’s football

Play non-league. I'd argue it's better for development than any Academy football. Even the likes of Chelsea players have benefitted hugely from playing non-league. It's not just the physicality that's important....it's the pressure of getting results and coping with situations. I've seen so many Academy boys come to Hendon who couldn't handle it. I've also seen a fair number who have come and done really well. It's survival of the fittest. 

Saw both sides of the coin when I was at Worthing. Had plenty of Brighton academy youth players on loan being on their doorstep and it was really sink or swim. The one that stood out an absolute mile and you could tell within the first couple of games that he'd make it is Carl Rushworth , fantastic shot stopper , excellent with his feet but it was being bullied every game by sides that would launch long throws and set pieces on top of him every time that really helped. 

Was some that had the technical ability but got completely overwhelmed by the physicality coming from academy football and older wiser players that know every trick in the book. 

I understand why Chris Lock doesn't want to loan out some of the U21s but someone like a Pat Casey who's got an outstanding scoring record at age group level but hasn't yet made the leap to the first team could probably do with an NLS loan somewhere. 

MarcusH26 said:

Saw both sides of the coin when I was at Worthing. Had plenty of Brighton academy youth players on loan being on their doorstep and it was really sink or swim. The one that stood out an absolute mile and you could tell within the first couple of games that he'd make it is Carl Rushworth , fantastic shot stopper , excellent with his feet but it was being bullied every game by sides that would launch long throws and set pieces on top of him every time that really helped. 

Was some that had the technical ability but got completely overwhelmed by the physicality coming from academy football and older wiser players that know every trick in the book. 

I understand why Chris Lock doesn't want to loan out some of the U21s but someone like a Pat Casey who's got an outstanding scoring record at age group level but hasn't yet made the leap to the first team could probably do with an NLS loan somewhere. 

There's a balance for players between the physicality of playing men's football, and the technique required to play at the top level, so a mixture of academy and "proper" football is idea.

With keepers at the top level needing to be good with their feet, that's not something they're going to be able to learn in non league football, where the players don't have the technique to play out from the back, and the pitches not good enough either. Plus the opposition forwards are unlikely to have the speed of rocket powered 19 year old academy forwards in a one on one situation. But on the other hand, it's perfect for learning the physical side, and how to deal with crosses in a crowded penalty box.

A higher level, but we saw that on Saturday where the Orient keeper ruined an excellent display with 2 bad decisions on whether to claim the ball or not. 

West2003 said:

killerandflash said:

With keepers at the top level needing to be good with their feet, that's not something they're going to be able to learn in non league football, where the players don't have the technique to play out from the back, and the pitches not good enough either. Plus the opposition forwards are unlikely to have the speed of rocket powered 19 year old academy forwards in a one on one situation. But on the other hand, it's perfect for learning the physical side, and how to deal with crosses in a crowded penalty box.

A higher level, but we saw that on Saturday where the Orient keeper ruined an excellent display with 2 bad decisions on whether to claim the ball or not. 

Interesting this because both Manchester City and Manchester United have sent out highly-rated goalkeepers on loan to clubs in the National League North this season (Elyh Harrison to Chester; True Grant to Buxton).

PL teams can play the long game with their young keepers. At 19 they're years away from playing from the first team, if they even make it that far, I imagine their academy coaches think that now is the time to toughen them up!

Welling were hanging on in 20th place, but realised they've now dropped into relegation.