February 2018 - Matt Bristow

Maidstone V Tranmere – 24/02/2018

Posted on February 26, 2018 by mattbristow

So this weekends Non league adventure was Maidstone V Tranmere. It was my first visit to The Gallegher Stadium. Possibly the first sunny and dry game I have covered this year! It was a cracking 5 goal game which saw Tranmere come out as late winners. Along with it saw Maidstones unfortunate run of bad form continue.

To quote ‘They snatched defeat from the jaws of victory!’ Even the Stones fans were singing ‘how shit are you we are winning at home’ to the away supporters at one point.

Maidstones manager Jay Saunders celebrates after his side goes a goal up during the Vanorama National League match between Maidstone United and Tranmere Rovers at The Gallagher Stadium, Kent on 24 January 2018.

Possibly the shot that for me summed up the whole anguish and heartbreak is this one:

Tranmeres forward Andrew Mangan celebrates after Tranmere pull level during the Vanorama National League match between Maidstone United and Tranmere Rovers at The Gallagher Stadium, Kent on 24 January 2018.

As usual there is a full gallery available here but for now here are some of my own favorites from the game.

: Action during the Vanorama National League match between Maidstone United and Tranmere Rovers at The Gallagher Stadium.

: Tranmeres forward Connor Jennings is brought down in th earea and is awarded a penalty for the foul during the Vanorama National League match between Maidstone United and Tranmere Rovers at The Gallagher Stadium, Kent.

: Maidstones keeper Lee Worgan tries to clear the ball during the Vanorama National League match between Maidstone United and Tranmere Rovers at The Gallagher Stadium.

: Tranmeres forward Andy Cook celebrates scoring and bringing Tranmere level during the Vanorama National League match between Maidstone United and Tranmere Rovers at The Gallagher Stadium, Kent.

: Tranmeres midfielder James Norwood makes a break closely followed by Maidstones midfielder Jai Reason during the Vanorama National League match between Maidstone United and Tranmere Rovers at The Gallagher Stadium.

Dover Athletic v Dagenham and Redbridge FC – 20/02/2018

Posted on February 21, 2018 by mattbristow

Dover Athletic v Dagenham and Redbridge FC. The Whites were looking to pull themselves out of a lack lustre run and get back into the playoff running. Right from the start they looked like a side on a mission. It was Mitch Pinnocks overhead kick that turned out to be the winner. It could quite possibly turn out to be a contender for the goal of the season.

Dover’s forward Mitchell Pinnock scores with a spectacular over head kick during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 6 January 2018.

It was one of those goals that you sit there watching thinking; “Hes not going to try that is he?…. oh he has, well surely he wont score…..Damn!” Then much to my surprise he reeled around and ran right at me (cheers for that ;)). So much so I had to shout stop at him to stop him getting to close so I could keep taking pictures! But what is pulling the shorts up high all about?

Dover’s forward Mitchell Pinnock elated after scoring his spectacular over head kicked goal during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 6 January 2018.

Here are a few favourites from the game

: Dover’s midfielder Mitch Brundle and Dagenhams defender Craig Robson battle over the ball as Dagenhams keeper Mark Cousins comes to the ball during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC

: Dover’s forward Anthony Jeffrey and Dagenhams defender Craig Robson during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC

: Dovers Mitch Pinnock rushes to celebrate after scoring during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC

: Dover’s midefiedler Liam Bellamy just gets a toe to the ball ahead of two Dagenham players during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC

: Dover’s forward Kadell Daniel during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC

: Dover’s forward Mitchell Pinnock tries to copntrol a high ball during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC

: Dover’s midefiedler Liam Bellamy heads the ball on during the Vanorama National League match between Dover Athletic and Dagenham and redbridge FC

If you still want more there is a larger gallery here

Margate FC V Burgess Hill Town – 17/02/2018

Posted on February 20, 2018 by mattbristow

Margate FC V Burgess Hill Town FC in the Isthmian League, sponsored by Bostik. I’ll put it out there that I really do enjoy covering Non League football. To put it simply there is more action and more emotion, proper football!

Margate were heading into this game on a six game winning roll. They were to make it seven, with a pretty much an answered match with rock bottom Burgess Hill Town. Gate are very much looking like they want promotion.

Margates Jordan Chiedozie is brought down during the Isthmian League Premier Division match between Margate FC and Burgess Hill Town at Hartsdown Road, England on 17 February 2018.

Here are a few more of my favorites, more can be found in a gallery here:

: Action during the Isthmian League Premier Division match between Margate FC and Burgess Hill Town at Hartsdown Road

: Sam Fisk tries to halt Margates Jordan Chiedozie during the Isthmian League Premier Division match between Margate FC and Burgess Hill Town at Hartsdown Road

: Burgess Hill manager Ian Chapman tries to rally his team from the sideline during the Isthmian League Premier Division match between Margate FC and Burgess Hill Town at Hartsdown Road

: Action during the Isthmian League Premier Division match between Margate FC and Burgess Hill Town at Hartsdown Road

: Margate manager Steven Watt waves to fans during the Isthmian League Premier Division match between Margate FC and Burgess Hill Town at Hartsdown Road

: Margates Jordan Chiedozie takes on Burgess Hills Ibrahim Diallo during the Isthmian League Premier Division match between Margate FC and Burgess Hill Town at Hartsdown Road

: Margate Loanee George Essuman is brought down during the Isthmian League Premier Division match between Margate FC and Burgess Hill Town at Hartsdown Road

I wonder where I’ll end up next week?

Dover Athletic v Sutton United – 10/02/2018

Posted on February 11, 2018 by mattbristow

Dover Athletic v Sutton United. I am fast coming to the conclusion that football has to be played in the rain! I think its about 6 straight weeks now and I’d be lost without my ThinkTank Hydraphobias

Dovers Ryan Bird cannot believe his luck as he narrowly misses scoring

So torrential rain and a game that was too close to call what was not to like! Sadly it wasn’t to be Dovers day as Sutton ran out winners by a single goal. Despite being reduced to 10 men and surviving a barrage of pressure from Dover during the closing minutes the equaliser remaind elusive. The frustrastion on the Dover players faces is clear to see.

: Dover’s defender Manny Parry rises to a crossed ball during.

: Dover’s defender Femi Ilesanmi and Sutton’s midfielder Tom Bolarinwa.

: Dover’s forward Mitchell Pinnock jumps over a challenge from Sutton’s midfielder Nicky Bailey.

: Sutton’s midfielder Kieron Cadogan fires home the only goal of the game.

: Dover’s forward Ryan Bird shot is deflected away from the Sutton goal.

: Dover’s forward Kane Richards stretches to control the ball.

There is a full gallery from the game here

Dover Athletic v Leyton Orient in the FA Trophy – 03/02/2018

Posted on February 3, 2018 by mattbristow

Dover Athletic v Leyton Orient in the FA Trophy. Possibly the first time the two sides have met at Crabble, happy to be corrected on that one. It was a thrilling 7 goal thriller which the visitors ran out winners with a stoppage time winning goal. One of those days where your just at the wrong end!

Leyton Orient’s defender George Elokobi celebrates after scoring the O’s first goal during the The FA Trophy match between Dover Athletic and Leyton Orient at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 3 February 2018.

There was a moment when it appeared that Dover were on the verge of an epic comeback. They came back from 3 goals down to level the score. But alas it wasn’t to be.

Team mates flock to Dover’s forward Ryan Bird to celebrate his goal during the The FA Trophy match between Dover Athletic and Leyton Orient at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 3 February 2018. Photo by Matt Bristow.

Here are a few of my favorites from the game. There is a full gallery here and as usual there will be pictures in The Non-League Football Paper

: Dover’s manager Chris Kinnear watches his side loose in a thrilling 4-3 during the The FA Trophy match between Dover Athletic and Leyton Orient at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 3 February 2018. Photo by Matt Bristow.

: Leyton Orient’s manager Justin Edinburgh looks on as his side win a thilling 7 goal cup tie during the The FA Trophy match between Dover Athletic and Leyton Orient at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 3 February 2018. Photo by Matt Bristow.

: Leyton Orient’s keeper Dean Brill comes to colect the ball to deny Dover’s forward Ryan Bird during the The FA Trophy match between Dover Athletic and Leyton Orient at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 3 February 2018. Photo by Matt Bristow.

: Leyton Orient’s forward Matt Harrold wins the ball over team mate Leyton Orient’s defender Josh Coulson and Dover’s defender Manny Parry during the The FA Trophy match between Dover Athletic and Leyton Orient at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 3 February 2018. Photo by Matt Bristow.

: Leyton Orient’s defender Josh Coulson rushes to keep the ball away from Dover’s forward Ryan Bird during the The FA Trophy match between Dover Athletic and Leyton Orient at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 3 February 2018. Photo by Matt Bristow.

: Scenes of joy on the Orient bench at the final whistle during the The FA Trophy match between Dover Athletic and Leyton Orient at Crabble Stadium, Kent on 3 February 2018. Photo by Matt Bristow.