Darlington looking for fresh start

It was announced on Friday that Darlington will drop down four divisions to play in the Northern League Division One next season. 

This comes after a horror season for Darlo, who came within seconds of liquidation, selling most of their players and relegation after dismal performances. After winning the FA Trophy at Wembley in May last year no-one would of predicted the football league club to be in the position they are in now. 

However Darlo must look to the future and re-build as a club. Ditching the stadium was important for the club, and has often been cited for the gradual fall of the club. Building the 25,000 seater in 2003 was at the time a fantastic moment for the club but after just an average of 2,203 fans over the years running the stadium was estimated to be higher than the income coming into the club.

Entering administration in January, the steep decline meant that players such as Marc Bridge-Wilkinson left with many others in January and the club were struggling to fulfill their fixtures. But after saving the club DFC 1883 still insist there still needs to be funds put in to save the club.

 "We need to raise a couple of hundred thousand pounds by the end of June, to continue." 

Despite all the gloom and doom it's not all bad news for Darlo, with a ground share with AFC Shildon on the cards, a clear out of all players, a new stadium and an end to financial problems could exactly be what Darlington need to move forward as a club, and taking the four relegation's allowed all this. 

Darlo must look for inspiration from the likes of AFC Wimbledon, Chester FC and FC Halifax Town who all built from the ground upwards and are all clubs on the up. A nightmare 12 months to forget for Darlington who will play against the likes of Norton & Stockton Ancients FC and Consett FC despite playing Luton and Fleetwood this year. 

Darlington's first step towards a debt-ridden future has been made but it could be many years before Darlo reach the summit once again.

Season End.

Blue Square Bet Premier:

Champions - Fleetwood Town

Play Offs -      Wrexham (2nd) vs. Luton Town (5th)
                      Mansfield Town (3rd) vs. York City (4th)

Relegated -  Hayes & Yeading United
                     Darlington
                     Bath City
                     Kettering

Blue Square North:

Champions - Hyde

Play Offs -    Guiseley (2nd) vs. Nuneaton Town (5th)
                    Halifax Town (3rd) vs. Gainsborough Trinity (4th)

Relegated -  Hinckley United
                    Blyth Spartans
                    Eastwood Town

Blue Square South:

Champions - Woking

Play Offs -    Dartford (2nd) vs. Basingstoke Town (5th)
                    Welling United (3rd) vs. Sutton United (4th)

Relegated -  Maidenhead United
                    Hampton & Richmond
                    Thurrock

Ryman League:

Champions - Billericay Town 

Play Offs - AFC Hornchurch (2nd) vs. Bury Town (5th)
                     Lowestoft Town (3rd) vs. Wealdstone (4th)

Relegated - Leatherhead
                     Aveley
                     Tooting & Mitcham
                       Horsham

EvoStik  (Southern) League:

Champions - Brackley Town 

Play Offs - AFC Totton's game was postponed, meaning nothing is yet confirmed.
                   Oxford City (2nd), Chesham United, Cambridge City all are guaranteed play off spot. If AFC Totton win or draw, they will be in the play-offs instead of Stourbridge.

Relegated - Hemel Hempstead 
                    Evesham United 
                    Swindon Supermarine
                    Cirencester Town 

Northern League:

Champions - Chester FC

Play Offs - FC United of Manchester (2) - (0) Chorley
                   Hednesford United (0) - (5) Bradford Park Avenue

Relegated -  Chasetown, Mickleover Sports, Burscough. 
                      Northwich Victoria will await an appeal against a relegation,which could stop Frickley Athletic from being relegated              

Blue Square Bet Premier Preview, 06/04/12

We preview Good Friday's 4 Blue Square Bet Premier games.

Forest Green vs. Ebbsfleet United

A mid-table clash, both sides have progressed well this season, especially the home side who sit in 10th place. United are quite decent away from home and have picked up six wins on their travels this season, meanwhile Rovers aren't too bad at home either. This game has a draw written all over it. Draw is 3.50 with Blue Square.

NLT PREDICTS: 1-1

Wrexham vs. Alfreton

Wrexham will need to win all their remaining games to stand any chance of toppling Fleetwood at the top, starting with Alfreton. It won't be all plain sailing for the home side as the visitors have won their last three and are second in the form tables. Wrexham win 1.36 with Blue Square.

NLT PREDICTS: 2-0

Newport vs. AFC Telford

Newport will be boosted by their mid-week win over high-flying York City and face a side also on 41 points. Telford will be looking over their shoulder, but have a four point cushion over Hayes in 21st position. County will look for another three points to guarantee their safety despite having two games in hand. Newport are 1.80 for the home win.

NLT PREDICTS: 1-1

Tamworth vs. Bath City

Tamworth face Bath, who became the first side to be relegated on Tuesday. Tamworth will be pleased to be a good 9 points off the 21st position and have impressed on their own patch, Bath however have had a poor season. Can't look beyond a home win. Tamworth a good 1.73 for the home win.

NLT PREDICTS: 3-1

Tonight's Blue Square North/South Preview.

Blue Square North:

Blyth Spartans vs. Solihull Moors

With Blyth all but relegated after a poor season, Solihull are undefeated in four games and look good for all three points. A tasty 2.25 (Blue Square) to do just that.

NLT Predicts: 0-2

Droylsden vs. Harrogate Town

Droylsden's chances of the play-offs are all but gone, and are undefeated in five games. Harrogate Town are slipping towards the drop zone and are only above the drop zone by one point. Town will be desperate for the points and Blue Square's 3.60 for the draw seems a decent punt.

NLT Predicts: 1-1

Guiseley vs. Gloucester City

Guiseley are flying and are catching Hyde in that top spot, they have won their last four games and with a win here could move just three points off first position. Gloucester are only 5 points off the relegation zone despite finding themselves 14th. Home win is 1.50.

NLT Predicts: 3-1

Stalybridge Celtic vs. Bishop's Stortford

Stalybridge are just two points off a play-off spot and a win tonight would put them in 4th place. They face Bishop's Stortford who are one eight teams trying to avoid relegation, just two points off the final drop spot they will be desperate for a result, they have lost their last two, whilst the home side won their last two. 1.61 for a home win.

NLT Predicts: 2-0

Vauxhall Motors vs. Hinckley United

A huge game in the relegation scrap, the home side are 20th and the visitors are 19th. Seperated by just one goal in the league both sides will be desperate to win the massive six-pointer. The home side are on real form recently undefeated in 5 games, and United haven't won in three games. Both teams won't want to lose. Draw is 3.40

NLT Predicts: 1-1

Blue Square South:

Eastbourne Borough vs. Dartford.

Eastbourne's fortunes have been lifted by three recent wins but will be keen for three more points to guarantee their survival. Dartford however are in second position eight points off Woking, a win tonight would leave them five points off that top spot. Both teams are on form but Darford at 1.80 seems tempting.

Preview of tonight's games.

Blue Square Premier:

Lincoln City vs. Cambridge United.

With Lincoln seemingly avoiding the relegation battle three more points would surely guarantee their survival, recently strong at home, winning 4-0 and 2-0. Cambridge are yet again dissapointingly mid-table and have struggled away from home. United are four games without a win.

NLT Predicts: 1-1. With both teams seemingly safe a bore draw seems likely.

ODDS (BlueSquare)
Lincoln: 2.37
Draw: 3.30
Cambridge: 2.75

First Goalscorer (Selected)

Alan Power (Lincoln) 10/1

Adam Marriott (Cambridge) 8/1

Harry Pell (Cambridge) 16/1

Newport County vs. York City.

A dress rehearsal of the FA Trophy Final. Newport find themselves one point off the relegation spots but have two games in hand, one of them tonight against York who are currently in the play-offs. City also have two games in hand on the teams around them and will be desperate to put daylight between them and Luton in 6th. It is worth noting that City are undefeated in 14 games in all competitions away from home.

NLT Predicts: 1-2. York are playing well on the road, and Newport aren't the best at home. Tight away win.

ODDS:

Newport County: 2.87

Draw: 3.30

York City: 2.25

First Goalscorer: (selected)

Moses Ashikodi (York) 13/2

Max Porter (Newport) 14/1

Matty Blair (York) 8/1

Promotion

With the season drawing to an exciting end, there is still a matter of settling one automatic promotion spot and four play-off places in the Blue Square Bet Premier. With the table looking so tight with just six games remaning, we preview and talk up each of the teams in contention chances..

AUTOMATIC PROMOTION

It's quite simply a two horse race, Fleetwood Town and Wrexham. Fleetwood have the advantage, 6 points clear of the the Welsh Club but Wrexham have a game in hand. If the Dragons were to win their game in hand they would be three points behind and the two sides meet on Tuesday 10th April, a match that could decide the title.

Odds (BlueSquare) to win the title:
Fleetwood - 2/9
Wrexham - 3/1

PLAY-OFFS

The play-off race is wide open and a matter of 8 teams fighting for 4 places. Either Wrexham or Fleetwood look set to take the second place, meaning the other three up for grabs.

Mansfield Town have been flying recently, scoring 13 goals in two games. They currently occupy the third position on 71 points with six games remaining. Other teams have games in hand on them (Luton & York) meaning they could slip down the table but their next four games, three of them are against teams fighting for relegation. 4/1 for promotion.

Southport are the divisions suprise package this year, and have shaken off the doubters by remaining consistent throughout. A key win at York last saturday shows that they are no pushovers. York and Luton do have games in hand over them but their six remaining games are winnable. 3 at home, 3 away to Barrow, Tamworth & Grimsby. 8/1 for promotion.

York City currently occupy the fifth and final play-off spot. They are currently three points off Southport, and four off Mansfield but have two games on hand, which could be key in their push. A vitally important game this Friday against Luton away, who also have only played 38 games. 9/2 for promotion.

Luton Town are only outside of the play-offs by the virtue of one goal. Once again another inconsistent season has meant that Town will be fighting for the play-offs, and like York the two games in hand could prove vital. Starting with fridays key game against York, Luton have 4 games at home in the run in. 19/5 for promotion.

Grimsby Town are an outside shout for the play-offs this season but have been playing some decent football. Their recent form is concerning, being unable to convert draws into wins has frustrated many. Six games left, would need to win at least five to stand a chance. 10/1 for promotion.

Kidderminster Harriers are in a similar position to Grimsby, six games left, all of which need to be pretty much won to keep the pressure on the teams above. They face Grimsby, Southport, Luton and Mansfield. So they could still spring a suprise. 22/1 for promotion.

Gateshead face an uphill battle for a play-off spot, but have a game on hand and a chance to close the gap. Will need to win most of their games remaining to stand a chance. 25/1 for promotion.

This weekend's perfect treble! 18/02/12

This weekend's perfect non-league treble: (Odds from BlueSquare)

Kidderminster Harriers (1.57) vs. Lincoln City

Kiddy currently sit in 7th and look set again to challenge for a play-off spot and under Steve Burr look comfortable at home. Lincoln despite improving under new manager David Holdsworth have already lost 11 of their away matches, only winning three, the joint worst in the division.

Dover Athletic (1.80) vs. Truro City

Dover are undefeated in seven matches and despite drawing their last home game, Nicky Forster's men have shown some real quality football this season and Truro in 11th position haven't won in three.

Gloucester City (1.67) vs. Vauxhall Motors

Gloucester are in mid-table position but have won their last two and face a team who have only won three away all season and in 20th position.

£5 returns £22.92!