Let's talk about the Kettering Town FA cup game 2nd round

[ravenrover]

Last chance to collect tickets 4.00  tomorrow. No collection available on Sunday

[ncRover]

Close and Westbrooke both have real quality but their resilience isn’t great and also they don’t get through the yards that McCann typically likes from his midfield. Good for him to have some variety in options but even with our bigger budget these days, that’s a lot of cash being paid out to either the treatment table or bench.

Clifton probably embodies what he expects of a midfielder and he scores goals too - 2 in the Rotherham friendly.

It’s about balance isn’t it? Clifton is the hardest worker and biggest goal threat but probably the worst on the ball.

[Chris Black come back]

Close and Westbrooke both have real quality but their resilience isn’t great and also they don’t get through the yards that McCann typically likes from his midfield. Good for him to have some variety in options but even with our bigger budget these days, that’s a lot of cash being paid out to either the treatment table or bench.

Clifton probably embodies what he expects of a midfielder and he scores goals too - 2 in the Rotherham friendly.

It’s about balance isn’t it? Clifton is the hardest worker and biggest goal threat but probably the worst on the ball.

Truly a replacement for Biggins.

[dknward2]

Kettering manager trying the mind games saying that it's a win win for them as all the pressure is on us as we (rovers) are expected to win.

I'd say more people will want them to win than rovers, pressure on them just as much

[NickDRFC]

Kettering manager trying the mind games saying that it's a win win for them as all the pressure is on us as we (rovers) are expected to win.

I'd say more people will want them to win than rovers, pressure on them just as much

People wanting them to win isn’t pressure though is it? It’s a free hit for them, same as it would be for us if we were playing Middlesbrough or Sheff Utd.

[Dutch Uncle]

I remember us beating Brandon United in a replay in the late 80's who played in the northern league I think it was back then. DU or others will correct me but if we had lost to them that could have been our worst cup defeat I reckon

Finally got a bit of time to do some digging. I have gone back to 1979-80 – the first season of the Conference (or Alliance as it was called that year) as the consolidated Tier 5 with feeder leagues and a proper pyramid, which has gone through a number of changes since. I have looked at the end of season placings of Rovers and every non-league opponent they have played in the FA Cup and tried to judge how many places higher we were (do not have data for positions at time we played them, so end of season will have to do, except for this weekend’s match). I have had to make some educated guesses at which tier a couple of teams were. Here is the list:

1980-81: Sutton Coldfield; Tier 7? 9th; Round 1; Rank 143; Rovers rank 71; diff 72
1981-82: Penrith; Tier 7? 9th; Round 2; Rank 145; Rovers rank 63; diff 82
1982-83: Workington Town; Tier 6; 7th,    Round 1; Rank 121; Rovers rank 67; diff 54
1984-85: Altrincham; Tier 5, 5th; Round 2; Rank 97; Rovers rank 58; diff 39
1986-87: Whitby Town; Tier 7?, 11th; Round 1; Rank 147; Rovers rank 57; diff 90
1988-89: Brandon; Tier 8, 7th; Round 1; Rank 165; Rovers rank 91; diff 74
1998-99: Flixton; Tier 7, 16th; Round 3Q; Rank 152; Rovers rank 108; diff 44
1998-99: Guiseley; Tier 6, 3rd; Round 4Q; Rank 117; Rovers rank 108; diff 9
1998-99: Rushden & Diamonds; Tier 5, 4th; Round 2; Rank 96;   Rovers rank 108; diff -12
1999-00: Crook Town; Tier 8, 14th; Round 4Q; Rank 173; Rovers rank 104; diff 69
2000-01: Southport; Tier 5, 4th; Round 4Q; Rank 96; Rovers rank 101; diff -5
2001-02: Emley; Tier 6, 5th; Round 4Q; Rank 19; Rovers rank 96; diff 23
2002-03: Telford; Tier 5, 15th; Round 4Q; Rank 107; Rovers rank 95; diff 12
2003-04: Scarborough; Tier 5, 15th; Round 1; Rank 107; Rovers rank 69; diff 38
2004-05: Tiverton Town; Tier 7, 8th; Round 1; Rank 144; Rovers rank 54; diff 90
2004-05: Exeter: Tier 5, 6th; Round 2; Rank 98;   Rovers rank 54; diff 44
2012-13: Bradford PA; Tier 6, 7th; Round 1; Rank 123; Rovers rank 45; diff 78
2014-15: Weston-super-Mare; Tier 6, 17th; Round 1; Rank 133; Rovers rank 57; diff 76
2015-16: Stalybridge Celtic; Tier 6, 12th; Round 1; Rank 128; Rovers rank 65; diff 63
2017-18: Ebbsfleet United; Tier 5, 6th; Round 1; Rank 98; Rovers rank 59; diff 39
2018-19: Chorley; Tier 6, 2nd; Round 1; Rank 118; Rovers rank 50; diff 68
2020-21: FC United of Manchester; Tier 7, 13th; Round 1; Rank 149; Rovers rank 58; diff 91
2022-23: Kings Lynn: Tier 6, 2nd; Round 1; Rank 118; Rovers rank 86; diff 32
2024-25: Kettering Town; Tier 7, 1st; Round 2; Rank 141; Rovers rank 72; diff 69

So, the lowest ranking side we have played is Crook Town at 173rd (we won 7-0), followed by Brandon at 165th.

The highest difference in ranking with our opponents is 91 (FCUM), closely followed by Tiverton and Whitby, both 90 places lower than us. On two occasions the non-league side had a higher ranking than us - Rushden & Diamonds and Southport during our conference days,

The highest difference in ranking when we have lost is 44 (Exeter) followed by Scarborough (38) and Kings Lynn (32), even though Kings Lynn (118th) are the lowest ranking side we have lost to – we were in Tier 3 when we lost to the other two.

Footnote. There are theoretically two ways of measuring national ranking depending on how you count parallel leagues above you.  For example, for Kettering this season, it could be said they are behind 92 FL clubs, 24 National league clubs and 48 National League North and South clubs for a ranking of 165. On the other hand, they would only need to climb 24 fewer places to reach us as promotion to National league would bypass 48 teams, and not 24. I have chosen this latter method for a ranking of 141.   

Prior to 1979-80 I believe any team could apply for election to the league, so in some sense all leagues were parallel. It is then impossible to determine a pyramid ranking 

Phew 

[Dutch Uncle]

I reckon they are at level 7 in the Pyramid but are at the top of their particular Division so might be 68 / 69 places below us

How many position were Frickley below us when they outed us in FA T .... less places presumably ?


Also who are the "lowest" opposition we have been knocked out by if we win on Sunday

It might need DU to help us out, Wolfie, but I believe there were very few places between ourselves and Frickley at the time. We were bottom of the Conference, and I'm pretty sure there was no Conference North at that time, so the next tier down was the Northern Premier League, which I reckon Frickley would have been fairly well placed in.

I think you are right Selby, I think they finished about 7th and we were bottom of the Conference, so very few places between.

[Chris Black come back]

Ref is Benjamin Speedie. He was in charge for the FA Cup game at Peterborough United last season. Didn’t cover himself in glory then from memory.

[selby]

  The pitch will be the biggest obstacle we will encounter, and our approach to the way we handle it, and our mental acceptance that especially early on when they are enthusiastic and hopeful they will come onto the man in possession of the ball like a ton of bricks.
  We need to starve them of the ball early on, but up field in their half of the field if possible as the conditions will cause mistakes to be made by defenders and playing it across our back line will be just what they will be wanting on a sticky pitch, and the ball over the top to players like Hurst and Molly with pace and making defenders turn more dangerous than usual as the Harrogate wingers showed last evening v Gainsborough  the man with the ball running at pace is hard to stop in slippy conditions, and defending balls in the box more dangerous.
  Its not very often I predict a result but I fancy us and Billy and Ironside to play a big part if we get forward, it looks made for them.

[ForsolongaRover]

Kettering manager trying the mind games saying that it's a win win for them as all the pressure is on us as we (rovers) are expected to win.

I'd say more people will want them to win than rovers, pressure on them just as much

People wanting them to win isn’t pressure though is it? It’s a free hit for them, same as it would be for us if we were playing Middlesbrough or Sheff Utd.

As I said in an earlier post, their win away at League 1 Northampton was totally without pressure, so “on paper” this will look an easier match - home and only a League 2 team to beat. The other psychological thing is that they know that nearly everyone watching on TV hopes and has high expectations of them winning because of what they did in Round 1. So is pressure really on Rovers? If we lose, nearly everyone is happy, Kettering won and they beat some league team - end of story. One thing is certain; if Rovers win 99.9% of the viewers will switch off disappointed.

[scawsby steve]

I reckon they are at level 7 in the Pyramid but are at the top of their particular Division so might be 68 / 69 places below us

How many position were Frickley below us when they outed us in FA T .... less places presumably ?


Also who are the "lowest" opposition we have been knocked out by if we win on Sunday

It might need DU to help us out, Wolfie, but I believe there were very few places between ourselves and Frickley at the time. We were bottom of the Conference, and I'm pretty sure there was no Conference North at that time, so the next tier down was the Northern Premier League, which I reckon Frickley would have been fairly well placed in.

I think you are right Selby, I think they finished about 7th and we were bottom of the Conference, so very few places between.

Selby?

OK, Hound, I'll take that as a genuine case of mistaken identity.

[drfchound]

I reckon they are at level 7 in the Pyramid but are at the top of their particular Division so might be 68 / 69 places below us

How many position were Frickley below us when they outed us in FA T .... less places presumably ?


Also who are the "lowest" opposition we have been knocked out by if we win on Sunday

It might need DU to help us out, Wolfie, but I believe there were very few places between ourselves and Frickley at the time. We were bottom of the Conference, and I'm pretty sure there was no Conference North at that time, so the next tier down was the Northern Premier League, which I reckon Frickley would have been fairly well placed in.

I think you are right Selby, I think they finished about 7th and we were bottom of the Conference, so very few places between.

Selby?

OK, Hound, I'll take that as a genuine case of mistaken identity.

Clever SS.   

[Pintolager]

I remember us beating Brandon United in a replay in the late 80's who played in the northern league I think it was back then. DU or others will correct me but if we had lost to them that could have been our worst cup defeat I reckon

Finally got a bit of time to do some digging. I have gone back to 1979-80 – the first season of the Conference (or Alliance as it was called that year) as the consolidated Tier 5 with feeder leagues and a proper pyramid, which has gone through a number of changes since. I have looked at the end of season placings of Rovers and every non-league opponent they have played in the FA Cup and tried to judge how many places higher we were (do not have data for positions at time we played them, so end of season will have to do, except for this weekend’s match). I have had to make some educated guesses at which tier a couple of teams were. Here is the list:

1980-81: Sutton Coldfield; Tier 7? 9th; Round 1; Rank 143; Rovers rank 71; diff 72
1981-82: Penrith; Tier 7? 9th; Round 2; Rank 145; Rovers rank 63; diff 82
1982-83: Workington Town; Tier 6; 7th,    Round 1; Rank 121; Rovers rank 67; diff 54
1984-85: Altrincham; Tier 5, 5th; Round 2; Rank 97; Rovers rank 58; diff 39
1986-87: Whitby Town; Tier 7?, 11th; Round 1; Rank 147; Rovers rank 57; diff 90
1988-89: Brandon; Tier 8, 7th; Round 1; Rank 165; Rovers rank 91; diff 74
1998-99: Flixton; Tier 7, 16th; Round 3Q; Rank 152; Rovers rank 108; diff 44
1998-99: Guiseley; Tier 6, 3rd; Round 4Q; Rank 117; Rovers rank 108; diff 9
1998-99: Rushden & Diamonds; Tier 5, 4th; Round 2; Rank 96;   Rovers rank 108; diff -12
1999-00: Crook Town; Tier 8, 14th; Round 4Q; Rank 173; Rovers rank 104; diff 69
2000-01: Southport; Tier 5, 4th; Round 4Q; Rank 96; Rovers rank 101; diff -5
2001-02: Emley; Tier 6, 5th; Round 4Q; Rank 19; Rovers rank 96; diff 23
2002-03: Telford; Tier 5, 15th; Round 4Q; Rank 107; Rovers rank 95; diff 12
2003-04: Scarborough; Tier 5, 15th; Round 1; Rank 107; Rovers rank 69; diff 38
2004-05: Tiverton Town; Tier 7, 8th; Round 1; Rank 144; Rovers rank 54; diff 90
2004-05: Exeter: Tier 5, 6th; Round 2; Rank 98;   Rovers rank 54; diff 44
2012-13: Bradford PA; Tier 6, 7th; Round 1; Rank 123; Rovers rank 45; diff 78
2014-15: Weston-super-Mare; Tier 6, 17th; Round 1; Rank 133; Rovers rank 57; diff 76
2015-16: Stalybridge Celtic; Tier 6, 12th; Round 1; Rank 128; Rovers rank 65; diff 63
2017-18: Ebbsfleet United; Tier 5, 6th; Round 1; Rank 98; Rovers rank 59; diff 39
2018-19: Chorley; Tier 6, 2nd; Round 1; Rank 118; Rovers rank 50; diff 68
2020-21: FC United of Manchester; Tier 7, 13th; Round 1; Rank 149; Rovers rank 58; diff 91
2022-23: Kings Lynn: Tier 6, 2nd; Round 1; Rank 118; Rovers rank 86; diff 32
2024-25: Kettering Town; Tier 7, 1st; Round 2; Rank 141; Rovers rank 72; diff 69

So, the lowest ranking side we have played is Crook Town at 173rd (we won 7-0), followed by Brandon at 165th.

The highest difference in ranking with our opponents is 91 (FCUM), closely followed by Tiverton and Whitby, both 90 places lower than us. On two occasions the non-league side had a higher ranking than us - Rushden & Diamonds and Southport during our conference days,

The highest difference in ranking when we have lost is 44 (Exeter) followed by Scarborough (38) and Kings Lynn (32), even though Kings Lynn (118th) are the lowest ranking side we have lost to – we were in Tier 3 when we lost to the other two.

Footnote. There are theoretically two ways of measuring national ranking depending on how you count parallel leagues above you.  For example, for Kettering this season, it could be said they are behind 92 FL clubs, 24 National league clubs and 48 National League North and South clubs for a ranking of 165. On the other hand, they would only need to climb 24 fewer places to reach us as promotion to National league would bypass 48 teams, and not 24. I have chosen this latter method for a ranking of 141.   

Prior to 1979-80 I believe any team could apply for election to the league, so in some sense all leagues were parallel. It is then impossible to determine a pyramid ranking 

Phew 

Well done DU on your research, some very interesting reading there!

[Dutch Uncle]

I reckon they are at level 7 in the Pyramid but are at the top of their particular Division so might be 68 / 69 places below us

How many position were Frickley below us when they outed us in FA T .... less places presumably ?


Also who are the "lowest" opposition we have been knocked out by if we win on Sunday

It might need DU to help us out, Wolfie, but I believe there were very few places between ourselves and Frickley at the time. We were bottom of the Conference, and I'm pretty sure there was no Conference North at that time, so the next tier down was the Northern Premier League, which I reckon Frickley would have been fairly well placed in.

I think you are right Selby, I think they finished about 7th and we were bottom of the Conference, so very few places between.

Selby?

OK, Hound, I'll take that as a genuine case of mistaken identity.

I am terrible with names me, especially when they are the only two on here older than me 

[scawsby steve]

I reckon they are at level 7 in the Pyramid but are at the top of their particular Division so might be 68 / 69 places below us

How many position were Frickley below us when they outed us in FA T .... less places presumably ?


Also who are the "lowest" opposition we have been knocked out by if we win on Sunday

It might need DU to help us out, Wolfie, but I believe there were very few places between ourselves and Frickley at the time. We were bottom of the Conference, and I'm pretty sure there was no Conference North at that time, so the next tier down was the Northern Premier League, which I reckon Frickley would have been fairly well placed in.

I think you are right Selby, I think they finished about 7th and we were bottom of the Conference, so very few places between.

Selby?

OK, Hound, I'll take that as a genuine case of mistaken identity.

I am terrible with names me, especially when they are the only two on here older than me 

I'll give you that one, DU.

However, you've forgotten about BB and Wolfie.

[StocksArmy]

Have this in our locker to be beat tomorrow. Let’s hope we are up for it as much as they will be.

[Metalmicky]

I remember us beating Brandon United in a replay in the late 80's who played in the northern league I think it was back then. DU or others will correct me but if we had lost to them that could have been our worst cup defeat I reckon

Finally got a bit of time to do some digging. I have gone back to 1979-80 – the first season of the Conference (or Alliance as it was called that year) as the consolidated Tier 5 with feeder leagues and a proper pyramid, which has gone through a number of changes since. I have looked at the end of season placings of Rovers and every non-league opponent they have played in the FA Cup and tried to judge how many places higher we were (do not have data for positions at time we played them, so end of season will have to do, except for this weekend’s match). I have had to make some educated guesses at which tier a couple of teams were. Here is the list:

1980-81: Sutton Coldfield; Tier 7? 9th; Round 1; Rank 143; Rovers rank 71; diff 72
1981-82: Penrith; Tier 7? 9th; Round 2; Rank 145; Rovers rank 63; diff 82
1982-83: Workington Town; Tier 6; 7th,    Round 1; Rank 121; Rovers rank 67; diff 54
1984-85: Altrincham; Tier 5, 5th; Round 2; Rank 97; Rovers rank 58; diff 39
1986-87: Whitby Town; Tier 7?, 11th; Round 1; Rank 147; Rovers rank 57; diff 90
1988-89: Brandon; Tier 8, 7th; Round 1; Rank 165; Rovers rank 91; diff 74
1998-99: Flixton; Tier 7, 16th; Round 3Q; Rank 152; Rovers rank 108; diff 44
1998-99: Guiseley; Tier 6, 3rd; Round 4Q; Rank 117; Rovers rank 108; diff 9
1998-99: Rushden & Diamonds; Tier 5, 4th; Round 2; Rank 96;   Rovers rank 108; diff -12
1999-00: Crook Town; Tier 8, 14th; Round 4Q; Rank 173; Rovers rank 104; diff 69
2000-01: Southport; Tier 5, 4th; Round 4Q; Rank 96; Rovers rank 101; diff -5
2001-02: Emley; Tier 6, 5th; Round 4Q; Rank 19; Rovers rank 96; diff 23
2002-03: Telford; Tier 5, 15th; Round 4Q; Rank 107; Rovers rank 95; diff 12
2003-04: Scarborough; Tier 5, 15th; Round 1; Rank 107; Rovers rank 69; diff 38
2004-05: Tiverton Town; Tier 7, 8th; Round 1; Rank 144; Rovers rank 54; diff 90
2004-05: Exeter: Tier 5, 6th; Round 2; Rank 98;   Rovers rank 54; diff 44
2012-13: Bradford PA; Tier 6, 7th; Round 1; Rank 123; Rovers rank 45; diff 78
2014-15: Weston-super-Mare; Tier 6, 17th; Round 1; Rank 133; Rovers rank 57; diff 76
2015-16: Stalybridge Celtic; Tier 6, 12th; Round 1; Rank 128; Rovers rank 65; diff 63
2017-18: Ebbsfleet United; Tier 5, 6th; Round 1; Rank 98; Rovers rank 59; diff 39
2018-19: Chorley; Tier 6, 2nd; Round 1; Rank 118; Rovers rank 50; diff 68
2020-21: FC United of Manchester; Tier 7, 13th; Round 1; Rank 149; Rovers rank 58; diff 91
2022-23: Kings Lynn: Tier 6, 2nd; Round 1; Rank 118; Rovers rank 86; diff 32
2024-25: Kettering Town; Tier 7, 1st; Round 2; Rank 141; Rovers rank 72; diff 69

So, the lowest ranking side we have played is Crook Town at 173rd (we won 7-0), followed by Brandon at 165th.

The highest difference in ranking with our opponents is 91 (FCUM), closely followed by Tiverton and Whitby, both 90 places lower than us. On two occasions the non-league side had a higher ranking than us - Rushden & Diamonds and Southport during our conference days,

The highest difference in ranking when we have lost is 44 (Exeter) followed by Scarborough (38) and Kings Lynn (32), even though Kings Lynn (118th) are the lowest ranking side we have lost to – we were in Tier 3 when we lost to the other two.

Footnote. There are theoretically two ways of measuring national ranking depending on how you count parallel leagues above you.  For example, for Kettering this season, it could be said they are behind 92 FL clubs, 24 National league clubs and 48 National League North and South clubs for a ranking of 165. On the other hand, they would only need to climb 24 fewer places to reach us as promotion to National league would bypass 48 teams, and not 24. I have chosen this latter method for a ranking of 141.   

Prior to 1979-80 I believe any team could apply for election to the league, so in some sense all leagues were parallel. It is then impossible to determine a pyramid ranking 

Phew 

I remember that game at Sutton Coldfield in 1980.  I was a snapper and it was my first game away.  We won 2:0 in a scrappy affair.  Can't recall who scored, but remember we played in green.  Also remember some of the choice language I heard....

[ncRover]

I’m hoping to see a front 4 of Hurst, Sbarra and Molyneux behind Ironside.

I think Hurst is good in the no.10 position when we’re playing on the break but doesn’t solve the issue of us struggling to break stubborn sides down.

[richtherover]

I remember us beating Brandon United in a replay in the late 80's who played in the northern league I think it was back then. DU or others will correct me but if we had lost to them that could have been our worst cup defeat I reckon

Finally got a bit of time to do some digging. I have gone back to 1979-80 – the first season of the Conference (or Alliance as it was called that year) as the consolidated Tier 5 with feeder leagues and a proper pyramid, which has gone through a number of changes since. I have looked at the end of season placings of Rovers and every non-league opponent they have played in the FA Cup and tried to judge how many places higher we were (do not have data for positions at time we played them, so end of season will have to do, except for this weekend’s match). I have had to make some educated guesses at which tier a couple of teams were. Here is the list:

1980-81: Sutton Coldfield; Tier 7? 9th; Round 1; Rank 143; Rovers rank 71; diff 72
1981-82: Penrith; Tier 7? 9th; Round 2; Rank 145; Rovers rank 63; diff 82
1982-83: Workington Town; Tier 6; 7th,    Round 1; Rank 121; Rovers rank 67; diff 54
1984-85: Altrincham; Tier 5, 5th; Round 2; Rank 97; Rovers rank 58; diff 39
1986-87: Whitby Town; Tier 7?, 11th; Round 1; Rank 147; Rovers rank 57; diff 90
1988-89: Brandon; Tier 8, 7th; Round 1; Rank 165; Rovers rank 91; diff 74
1998-99: Flixton; Tier 7, 16th; Round 3Q; Rank 152; Rovers rank 108; diff 44
1998-99: Guiseley; Tier 6, 3rd; Round 4Q; Rank 117; Rovers rank 108; diff 9
1998-99: Rushden & Diamonds; Tier 5, 4th; Round 2; Rank 96;   Rovers rank 108; diff -12
1999-00: Crook Town; Tier 8, 14th; Round 4Q; Rank 173; Rovers rank 104; diff 69
2000-01: Southport; Tier 5, 4th; Round 4Q; Rank 96; Rovers rank 101; diff -5
2001-02: Emley; Tier 6, 5th; Round 4Q; Rank 19; Rovers rank 96; diff 23
2002-03: Telford; Tier 5, 15th; Round 4Q; Rank 107; Rovers rank 95; diff 12
2003-04: Scarborough; Tier 5, 15th; Round 1; Rank 107; Rovers rank 69; diff 38
2004-05: Tiverton Town; Tier 7, 8th; Round 1; Rank 144; Rovers rank 54; diff 90
2004-05: Exeter: Tier 5, 6th; Round 2; Rank 98;   Rovers rank 54; diff 44
2012-13: Bradford PA; Tier 6, 7th; Round 1; Rank 123; Rovers rank 45; diff 78
2014-15: Weston-super-Mare; Tier 6, 17th; Round 1; Rank 133; Rovers rank 57; diff 76
2015-16: Stalybridge Celtic; Tier 6, 12th; Round 1; Rank 128; Rovers rank 65; diff 63
2017-18: Ebbsfleet United; Tier 5, 6th; Round 1; Rank 98; Rovers rank 59; diff 39
2018-19: Chorley; Tier 6, 2nd; Round 1; Rank 118; Rovers rank 50; diff 68
2020-21: FC United of Manchester; Tier 7, 13th; Round 1; Rank 149; Rovers rank 58; diff 91
2022-23: Kings Lynn: Tier 6, 2nd; Round 1; Rank 118; Rovers rank 86; diff 32
2024-25: Kettering Town; Tier 7, 1st; Round 2; Rank 141; Rovers rank 72; diff 69

So, the lowest ranking side we have played is Crook Town at 173rd (we won 7-0), followed by Brandon at 165th.

The highest difference in ranking with our opponents is 91 (FCUM), closely followed by Tiverton and Whitby, both 90 places lower than us. On two occasions the non-league side had a higher ranking than us - Rushden & Diamonds and Southport during our conference days,

The highest difference in ranking when we have lost is 44 (Exeter) followed by Scarborough (38) and Kings Lynn (32), even though Kings Lynn (118th) are the lowest ranking side we have lost to – we were in Tier 3 when we lost to the other two.

Footnote. There are theoretically two ways of measuring national ranking depending on how you count parallel leagues above you.  For example, for Kettering this season, it could be said they are behind 92 FL clubs, 24 National league clubs and 48 National League North and South clubs for a ranking of 165. On the other hand, they would only need to climb 24 fewer places to reach us as promotion to National league would bypass 48 teams, and not 24. I have chosen this latter method for a ranking of 141.   

Prior to 1979-80 I believe any team could apply for election to the league, so in some sense all leagues were parallel. It is then impossible to determine a pyramid ranking 

Phew 

I remember that game at Sutton Coldfield in 1980.  I was a snapper and it was my first game away.  We won 2:0 in a scrappy affair.  Can't recall who scored, but remember we played in green.  Also remember some of the choice language I heard....

Pat Lally scored one of the goals. I think the other might have been Hugh Dowd, both very rare scorers. I seem to remember standing behind a rope barrier right on the touchline. Proper cup tie that.

[In the box]

Playing without understanding at the moment , long ball is best today and Ironside should be our target man ,,Billy is redundant upfront on a pitch that you can’t pass on !!

[MachoMadness]

Noel-Williams causing us no end of problems. Just seems to be faster and stronger, every time.

[jmt23]

Billy is redundant in a team that doesn’t create!

[Bentley Bullet]

In a nutshell.... 

[Prez]

The difference between Noel Williams and Sharp is huge. Ironside must be really pissed off.

[Sprotyrover]

Let’s hope things improve

[Chris Black come back]

They have been impressive but you have to hope they tire in the second half. To be fair, they scored from a mistake by Kelly and none of their many set pieces have really threatened. We have got to get up the pitch quicker and get it centrally. Sbarra and Kelly are there to go running through.

[Bentley Bullet]

Sharp has had no service whatsoever.

It's ridiculous.

[Alan Southstand]

S’Barra and Sharp not in the game.

We’re not playing the conditions.

[In the box]

Too many light weights playing in the squad who just want to pass without creating anything  upfront and  up against grafters and triers who want it more . McCann has not solved the lack of goals in recent games and with Molyneux and Gibson both not contributing enough opportunities it’s the tactics were are playing are now predictable with defenders knowing how to keep them away from the goal. High balls are useless for Sharp unless Ironside is there  to put the ball into Sharps  path . It could be embarrassing today and it McCanns tactics to blame …

[mushRTID]

Awful team selection from Grant.

Always going to be a battle and played Gibson and SBarra in same team.


Sharp over Ironside again, give over Grant