GUT FEELING SIMON STODDART’S

My views - not United's - on semi-pro football and occasionally, other topics.

Big Big Win

Just like last season, the U's have to be taking points off sides around them if they are to feature in promotion issues in the next couple of months. Cray Wanderers had been on a decent run which had taken them up into the play-off mini league. The 1-0 win was exactly what the doctor ordered. Of course, every win is vital but Saturday's 3 points were very welcome.

We started last season badly in that respect but once we were winning those 6 pointers that took us on a run and a half as a 13 point gap in November turned into a 13 point title winning margin 5 months later. You have to beat the sides around you.

Try Again

That time of the year when weather interferesthis is Bowers & Pitsea's second attempt at playing this game. Here's hoping they make it this time .........

Out here in the Philippines, people are getting by with temperatures of 31 degrees. Days will gradually be getting longer back home and floodlights soon won't be required for Saturday afternoon games. I'm back first week of March and we can all look forward to clocks changing the right way. If I could abolish November, December, January, February, I might not be down here in SE Asia.

Having said we have to beat the sides aro und us to maintain a play off push, games like this evening's are just as important and Bowers & Pitsea will be determined opponents just as in need of points as we are. The wins at Corinthian Casuals and Kingstonian - two more struggling sides - two lots of grafting, two lots of 90 minutes hard work.

Ohhhhhh Ryan

Ryan Worrall is an absolute buzz saw in midfield, here, there, everywhere. And every now and then he bangs in a big goal - Sevenoaks home and away, who can forget the winner at Ashford last season and who WILL forget that opener at Imperial Fields last week? Spectacular doesn't do it justice.

Captured by Howard Ralph, here's a still off his video posted on Facebook with sound effects supplied by the Podcast man, Chris Laverick.....

And on Saturday - John Wills captured Popey's goal (above) when The Wands keeper couldn't hold onto Ryan's effort .....

All invaluable for the Philippines branch of the U's supporters club! This is how I keep up. Nice one Ryan and great video work by Messrs Ralph and Wills.

Kent Sides Dominate

Isthmian SE is looking interesting as that part of the season approaches when up and down issues get resolved. Ramsgate remain top after a 3-3 draw at Sheppey with a couple of ex U's scoring, 2 Danny Leonard goals for Sheppey and Jahmal Howlett-Mundle getting one for Ramsgate.

Three of the four sides promoted to Isthmian SE have had no problems adjusting to step 4 football as a peek at the top reveals (see table opposite) .......

Chatham, Beckenham and Sheppey are all right in there with the other promoted side, Lit tlehampton, adjusting well though further back down the table. Chatham and Sheppey who battled it out for the Southern Counties East title last season - over 1,800 for the game played at Chatham - pulled in a tremendous 1,681 punters for a midweek 0-0 stalemate a week ago Wednesday. Semi pro football is without a doubt still enjoying that post Covid surge in attendances. 1,681 for a midweek step 4 game in bleak mid-winter - marvellous.

Just a mention for our old bogey team, Sittingbourne. Older followers will recall how they had one over us for a dozen or so consecutive games way back in our Southern League days. They drubbed Haywards Heath 5-0 on Saturday for their first home league win since August 27th. 175 days. That was against Faversham who've