It was one of those occasions when every one of the 1,600-plus crowd could say “I was there” . . . you know, similar to THAT Welling game or knocking the Poolies out of the play-off semis or THAT Wembley game. Unfortunately, for those 1,600-plus fans it was a game in which the 0-3 score was almost incidental to the manner in which it occurred.
You had to be there . . . no, seriously, you HAD to be there!!! To say it was inept is being kind . . . it was so bad that there was a kind of end-of-the-road quality about it; that we’d reached a tilting point in the club’s history and future. The team, going behind to an early soft goal, seemed to lose any heart and enthusiasm to the task in hand and were bereft of ideas how to get back in the game. A carbon copy second goal ensued followed by a shot from outside the area sealing The Quakers’ fate . . . with many fans leaving well before the end.
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A really sad point in Darlo’s long trek – let’s hope for better things at home on Saturday.
So, what happened in the serious world of predicting match scores? Well, 189 managers believed that Southport would either get a draw or be beaten. Five managers thought Southport would win and of those, none believed the scoreline would be 0-3. Consequently, the new league table would have to be examined by forensic scientists for microscopic clues to spot the points and position changes.
Check out the latest Prediction League Tables here
Our intrepid five managers who gathered in three points each are: Graham Wakeling, Harry Pape, Jane Lucas, Liam Pape, Toby Corum 2
Saturday is gonna be one of trepidation for fans, players, manager and owner – what kind of team performance will be on show? 1-0 victory with the ball rebounding in off three defenders would do me . . . playing well would be a welcome bonus.
Pete
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Thursday 29 September 2011
AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGH!!!
That Wembley win seems so far away right now, after another point-less game away at Cambridge. A goal in each half condemned Darlington to 16th place in the Blue Square Premier League and now 7 points behind a play-off place. It’s a MUST WIN on Tuesday for The Quakers (think I’ve heard that one a few times this season already).
Even if Darlo aren’t on top form, we have Damian Dickson who is . . . two maximums in a row have catapulted him to the top of the table on 44 points, six clear of early leader Sarah Walton who has 38. James Houghton has 36 in third, while Malcolm Cundick’s third team is showing how it’s done in fourth on 35 after his max score.
Liam Pape has jumped into major contention with his eight points and is now on 28 in 13th place. Kev Leatherbarrow is not far behind on 25 points with his max score. Keith Appleton has moved into the top quarter of the table with his 8-pointer on 22 along with me (still Shocking Defending, mind!). David Welton is on 20 points and Ricky Kelly has shot away from the foot of the table and now has 11 points.
It’s left only four managers on 3 points in the league’s bargain basement – Billy Cass, Ethan Vallis, Richard Soul and Thomas Jackson – let’s hope they can pick up form . . . just like Darlo!!!!
Pete
Even if Darlo aren’t on top form, we have Damian Dickson who is . . . two maximums in a row have catapulted him to the top of the table on 44 points, six clear of early leader Sarah Walton who has 38. James Houghton has 36 in third, while Malcolm Cundick’s third team is showing how it’s done in fourth on 35 after his max score.
Liam Pape has jumped into major contention with his eight points and is now on 28 in 13th place. Kev Leatherbarrow is not far behind on 25 points with his max score. Keith Appleton has moved into the top quarter of the table with his 8-pointer on 22 along with me (still Shocking Defending, mind!). David Welton is on 20 points and Ricky Kelly has shot away from the foot of the table and now has 11 points.
It’s left only four managers on 3 points in the league’s bargain basement – Billy Cass, Ethan Vallis, Richard Soul and Thomas Jackson – let’s hope they can pick up form . . . just like Darlo!!!!
Pete
Wednesday 21 September 2011
If you'd offered me a point before the game......
“If you’d offered me a point before the game . . .” Yes, that old chestnut but probably more true after Darlo’s recent run of only one point from three games. And it was only a great strike in the last ten minutes which deprived The Quakers of all three points, as they found themselves penned in their own half by York City. After going behind on 71 seconds, Darlo’s Walshaw found his scoring boots and Bridge-Wilkinson converted from the penalty spot before half time. Final Score 2-2.
Quite a few managers had the 2-2 scoreline, with Damian Dickson and James Houghton benefiting most, closing the gap at the top of the table to two points – both on 36. Sarah Walton clings to top spot after a fruitless evening. Neil Danby and Stephen Nicholson also scored maximums and move into fourth spot on 33.
Chris Kane ain’t doing badly in 18th place on 26 points; Corey Neilson jumped into the top half of the table on 17 along with Michael Whitmann; Stephen Bennett in on 22 points in 31st place as is Sam Taylor.
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The rest with 8 points: Carol Mackenzie, Dan Taylor, Diana Willsher, Elaine Battison, Harry Pape, Jeff Maughan, John Berry 3, Keith Appleton, Lee Dyas, Malcolm Cundick 1, Malcolm Cundick 3, Nick Walters, Terry Harvey.
Check out the latest Prediction League Tables here
Meanwhile, some managers are heading for double dip recession at the Greek end of the table – Billy Cass, Ethan Vallis, Richard Soul, Ricky Kelly, Stewart Hoy, Thomas Jackson and Toby Corum 3 are all left wondering where their growth potential is coming from, how they can improve their GDP. At the present time, we’re marking down their (football) credit rating to “junk bonds”. Must do better!!!
Prediction League raises £270 for Craig Liddle’s youth set-up
A number of managers have kindly added donations to their entry fees which (after prizemoney is paid out) will mean a donation of £270 towards the youth set-up. A great big thank you to all who entered and donated. Come the end of the season there could be even more donations available as several have also pledged any winnings to this great cause.
Pete
Quite a few managers had the 2-2 scoreline, with Damian Dickson and James Houghton benefiting most, closing the gap at the top of the table to two points – both on 36. Sarah Walton clings to top spot after a fruitless evening. Neil Danby and Stephen Nicholson also scored maximums and move into fourth spot on 33.
Chris Kane ain’t doing badly in 18th place on 26 points; Corey Neilson jumped into the top half of the table on 17 along with Michael Whitmann; Stephen Bennett in on 22 points in 31st place as is Sam Taylor.
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The rest with 8 points: Carol Mackenzie, Dan Taylor, Diana Willsher, Elaine Battison, Harry Pape, Jeff Maughan, John Berry 3, Keith Appleton, Lee Dyas, Malcolm Cundick 1, Malcolm Cundick 3, Nick Walters, Terry Harvey.
Check out the latest Prediction League Tables here
Meanwhile, some managers are heading for double dip recession at the Greek end of the table – Billy Cass, Ethan Vallis, Richard Soul, Ricky Kelly, Stewart Hoy, Thomas Jackson and Toby Corum 3 are all left wondering where their growth potential is coming from, how they can improve their GDP. At the present time, we’re marking down their (football) credit rating to “junk bonds”. Must do better!!!
Prediction League raises £270 for Craig Liddle’s youth set-up
A number of managers have kindly added donations to their entry fees which (after prizemoney is paid out) will mean a donation of £270 towards the youth set-up. A great big thank you to all who entered and donated. Come the end of the season there could be even more donations available as several have also pledged any winnings to this great cause.
Pete
Saturday 17 September 2011
Urgent Appeal from Darlo......
An urgent appeal has gone out from Darlington manager Mark Cooper for a set of barn doors . . . to provide shooting practice for his forwards. After a bright start, where the Hayes & Yeading keeper made a couple of good close-range saves and another shot was blasted over the bar, Darlington seemed to sit back a little and were punished in the second half after a wayward pass from the returning Chandler. A late Bowman goal salvaged a point for The Quakers in front of a crowd of just over 1,800.
I’m beginning to wonder if our league leader knows even more than she’s letting on – another points scoring day saw her lead extended at the top of the table but it’s the team name that worried me . . . “Another False Dawn”. Just WHAT do you know?
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Steve Calvert is in second, seven points behind on 31, with Damian Dickson, James Houghton, Jean Johnson and Martin Cass in third on 28. Steve Curtis leads the chasing pack on 27.
Only eight managers achieved maximum scores – Mike Cass, David Taylor and Jonny Simpson are the biggest winners, all moving up to joint eighth place on 25 points. Burt Lancaster and Ecnal Dnaleri (he worked at Bletchley Park, you know . . . you’ll NEVER break his code!) are just behind in 17th on 22 points.
Mick Spencer is definitely “Closing The Gap” with his eight points and is on 20 points in 27th spot. Malcolm Cundick’s third XI has broken ranks with his other two sides and is on 19 points. And the only thing keeping Tracey Pickersgill from the top half of the table – a very good top half of the table – is alphabetical order. Tracey now has 14 points in joint 64th place (along with a squillion other managers).
Check out the latest Prediction League Tables here
Only another 12 managers scored any points as the rest of us expected Darlo to turn over Hayes & Yeading (very unsporting of both of them to turn up!!!).
It’s good news on the Toby Corum front, mind!!! He’s finally got the Nul Points monkey off his back, scoring three and joining a number of others on that decidedly average total.
Darlo away at York on Tuesday – always a tough game.
Pete
I’m beginning to wonder if our league leader knows even more than she’s letting on – another points scoring day saw her lead extended at the top of the table but it’s the team name that worried me . . . “Another False Dawn”. Just WHAT do you know?
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Steve Calvert is in second, seven points behind on 31, with Damian Dickson, James Houghton, Jean Johnson and Martin Cass in third on 28. Steve Curtis leads the chasing pack on 27.
Only eight managers achieved maximum scores – Mike Cass, David Taylor and Jonny Simpson are the biggest winners, all moving up to joint eighth place on 25 points. Burt Lancaster and Ecnal Dnaleri (he worked at Bletchley Park, you know . . . you’ll NEVER break his code!) are just behind in 17th on 22 points.
Mick Spencer is definitely “Closing The Gap” with his eight points and is on 20 points in 27th spot. Malcolm Cundick’s third XI has broken ranks with his other two sides and is on 19 points. And the only thing keeping Tracey Pickersgill from the top half of the table – a very good top half of the table – is alphabetical order. Tracey now has 14 points in joint 64th place (along with a squillion other managers).
Check out the latest Prediction League Tables here
Only another 12 managers scored any points as the rest of us expected Darlo to turn over Hayes & Yeading (very unsporting of both of them to turn up!!!).
It’s good news on the Toby Corum front, mind!!! He’s finally got the Nul Points monkey off his back, scoring three and joining a number of others on that decidedly average total.
Darlo away at York on Tuesday – always a tough game.
Pete
Wednesday 14 September 2011
A Bad Day at the Office!!!
Another hard day at the office for Darlington, this time “only” conceding two goals away at Luton . . . and this in spite of losing defender Lee before half-time for two bookings. It’s turning out to be a bit more difficult this season than pre-season games suggested . . . bring on Hayes & Yeading . . . lambs to the slaughter!!!
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It’s nothing but easy for Sarah Walton . . . this football prediction thingy. Now on 35 points at the top of the table after her fourth correct prediction in eight games. Continue like this and all records will be smashed. Mind you, 53 other managers had the same scoreline this weekend so perhaps not that outstanding!!! Steve Calvert has 31 points in second place, with the trio of Damian Dickson, James Houghton and Martin Cass on 28. Steve Curtis in sixth with 27.
Some of those who scored eight: Julie Gardner is in the thick of it in seventh on 25 points; Lisa Picker has jumped away from the relegation places to 117th on 11 points; Stuart Williams more than doubled his points tally to 14 in 58th place and Neil Wakelam fared even better on 17 points in 38th spot.
The rest of max scorers: Alex Hope, Andrew Vernon, Arthur Dent, Beth Taylor, Chris Mackenzie, Dan Taylor, Dave Woods, David Alderson, David Taylor, Elaine Battison, Frank Mann, Garry Mann, Gary Elliott, Humphrey Bogart, Ian Bonsall, Jeff Maughan, John Baskerville, Julian Tutty, Kev Leatherbarrow, Malcolm Cundick 3, Mark Lear, Mark Stephenson, Martyn Cripps 2, Matthew Ashmore, Mel Douglas, Mike Cass, Mike Cleasby 1, Mike Cleasby 2, Neil Raper, Nick Groves, Paul Johnson 2, Paul Robinson, Paul Soderman, Paul White, Peter Ashmore 1, Peter Ashmore 2, Rhonda Fleming, Sam Taylor, Simon Cowing, Stephen Atkinson, Stephen Bennett, Stephen Nicholson, Steve Calvert 1, Steve Mann, Terence Sadler, Thom Kennedy, Tim Hewitson, Toby Corum 1, Wayne Gibson . . . told you there was a lot!!!
Toby Corum still has the unenviable title of Tail End Charlie – nul points still firmly held, but only one score away from . . . not having nul points!!! A whole bunch of managers only on three points so nothing’s signed, sealed and delivered.
Check out the latest Prediction League Tables here
OK, on present form (or perhaps not) I’m going for a 1-0 win against H&Y to get us back on track.
Pete
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It’s nothing but easy for Sarah Walton . . . this football prediction thingy. Now on 35 points at the top of the table after her fourth correct prediction in eight games. Continue like this and all records will be smashed. Mind you, 53 other managers had the same scoreline this weekend so perhaps not that outstanding!!! Steve Calvert has 31 points in second place, with the trio of Damian Dickson, James Houghton and Martin Cass on 28. Steve Curtis in sixth with 27.
Some of those who scored eight: Julie Gardner is in the thick of it in seventh on 25 points; Lisa Picker has jumped away from the relegation places to 117th on 11 points; Stuart Williams more than doubled his points tally to 14 in 58th place and Neil Wakelam fared even better on 17 points in 38th spot.
The rest of max scorers: Alex Hope, Andrew Vernon, Arthur Dent, Beth Taylor, Chris Mackenzie, Dan Taylor, Dave Woods, David Alderson, David Taylor, Elaine Battison, Frank Mann, Garry Mann, Gary Elliott, Humphrey Bogart, Ian Bonsall, Jeff Maughan, John Baskerville, Julian Tutty, Kev Leatherbarrow, Malcolm Cundick 3, Mark Lear, Mark Stephenson, Martyn Cripps 2, Matthew Ashmore, Mel Douglas, Mike Cass, Mike Cleasby 1, Mike Cleasby 2, Neil Raper, Nick Groves, Paul Johnson 2, Paul Robinson, Paul Soderman, Paul White, Peter Ashmore 1, Peter Ashmore 2, Rhonda Fleming, Sam Taylor, Simon Cowing, Stephen Atkinson, Stephen Bennett, Stephen Nicholson, Steve Calvert 1, Steve Mann, Terence Sadler, Thom Kennedy, Tim Hewitson, Toby Corum 1, Wayne Gibson . . . told you there was a lot!!!
Toby Corum still has the unenviable title of Tail End Charlie – nul points still firmly held, but only one score away from . . . not having nul points!!! A whole bunch of managers only on three points so nothing’s signed, sealed and delivered.
Check out the latest Prediction League Tables here
OK, on present form (or perhaps not) I’m going for a 1-0 win against H&Y to get us back on track.
Pete
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