Non-League Day: Event returns after two-and-a-half-year Covid-enforced hiatus - BBC Sport I went to watch Hemel Hempstead Town play yesterday in the absence of league fixtures due to pointless internationals helping Wembley Stadium to pay off its debts. Hemel are lower mid-table in the National League South, playing Tonbridge, a few places below them, so I wasn't expecting a lot. What I got was a 4-3 to the hosts, an exciting game from start to finish with Hemel taking the lead four times with Tonbridge equalising three times. Add to that a saved penalty, two shots hitting the post, two sendings off (Hemel finished with nine men) and an injury time winner. Whilst I know it won't be like that every week, what I was struck with was the passion that all players in both teams threw in, despite their lack of top-quality talent and reliance on hoofball. You can sit wherever you want and take your beer with you and it was a friendly atmosphere on a sunny day. All for £9 (Watford Season Ticket holder discount) with free on-street parking a 2 minute walk from the ground. Definitely worth another visit!
Went to Wealdstone the other week as were playing Southampton on Sunday. Entertaining match and was a good laugh. Throughout most the game the Wealdstone fans were louder than the 1881! Was nice to have a few cheap Moretti's after the game too in the clubhouse watching the Rugby and Football. Everyone was super friendly and mingling. However, you can never replace that feeling of Watford scoring a goal though, no matter how shyte we are at times. Like you, I'll certainly be back for a few more games.
I think I was a little harsh in my 'reliance on hoofball' comment. There was some, but also plenty of thoughtful play.
Dramatic win tonight for The Fishy People in the National League playoffs. Extremely late goals in both normal and extra time saw them come from behind to win 2-1 at Notts. County. Also, a crowd of 12,000 for a fifth-tier match shows how popular our game is well down the pyramid.
Are there no second legs in the National League play-offs? Notts County's match is just listed on the BBC site as "quarter finals" with no upcoming fixture. If that's the case, feel really sorry for them, far too big a club to be spending their fourth successive season at that level, but then the Scum spent five seasons down there after amassing enough points to finish mid-table without that colossal points deduction. EDIT: Yes, if that game went to extra time there must have been only one leg.
Is the Wrexham vs Grimsby game being televised, if so is anyone watching it? Sounds an incredible game - but poor Wrexham, who are condemned to a 15th successive season out of the league.
Just saw the last few minutes. Astonishingly, Grimsby do it again in the last minute of injury time: 5-4!
Oh dear - not the Hollywood ending Wrexham were hoping for . Well done Grimsby - another away play off win .
It was an absolute belter, what is the deal with Wrexham, obviously I know that Deadpool bought them but haven’t paid much notice. Has he pumped tons of money in, or not? Either way it will be their 15th season out of the league.
Just a quick acknowledgment of Grimsby getting back into the league. Great achievement to beat three teams in the play-offs who finished above them in the regular season - all after extra time. They’ve earned their holidays!
Not only that, after playing two of them away and being a goal down in all three games (twice at Wrexham!). Does anyone know if Solihull Moors are full time, like a lot of the teams in the National League (and some below)? Grimsby seemed to be the fitter team during extra time.
