Graham Rix Was Set For Crawley

New Hearts manager, director fo football, head coach whatever you want to call him was set to fill the vacant position at Conference side Crawley Town, he did howver decide on linking up with Scottish title challengers Hearts last week. The reds are now looking over their other candidates and are expected to make an announcement before this weekends game agaibnst Southport. It is no suprise to me that Rix who has had previous managerial experience at Portsmouth, Oxford and Chelsea, chose the Scottish club over Crawley but fair play to Crawley for trying to bring in such a high profile boss.

Hucknall and Hednesford Play Out Draw

There was one game in Conference North last night. Hednesford and Hucknall met at Keys Park. High winds prevented the game from really getting going, the final result 1-1. Hednesfor took the lead 5 minutes intot he restart, veteran player manager Chris Brindley getting the goal for his side. Their lead lasted until the 70th minute when Mark Ward struck home an equaliser moving his side up into 4th place. Hednesford will be happy with the point gained, even if they were at home as Huknall were 11 places above them at the start of play.

Brilliant Burscough Beat Gillingham

Burscough's big day out in the FA Cup so nearly ended in tears. 2-1 down at home to Gillingham with just 60 seconds left on the clock. The dream was over, enter the magic fo the FA Cup, 89 minutes played and with the ball flying around it hit Ian Cox and went in, a cruel own goal against Gillingham but Buirscough didn't care they forces a replay, or had they? Depp into injury time it was a case of cometh the hour cometh the man, 23 year old Striker David Rowan scoring a late goal prompting amazong scenes at Victoria Park, one of the best upsets in the 125 year history of the FA Cup. I am delighted to say there were others.

Tamworth beat Bournemouth away from home to put themselves into the second round draw. Kyle Storers heartbreak turned to joy on 82 minutes when he converted the rebound from his missed penalty. Ex-European Champions Nottingham Forest suffered a highly embarrasing result at home to Weymouth, the non-league side holding them to a 1-1 draw. 10,305 saw Conference side South Weymouth earn the replay against Brian Cloughs old team, what would ol big head say?

Torquay equalised against Harrogate Town late on to save their blushes. Harrogate will howerver be happy witht he point another money spinnign tie awaits them mid-week. In a day that has seen cup upsets and giant killings, it was sad to see Leamington go down 9-1, yes 9-1 against Colchester. The home side didn't score their first until the 39th minute but a deadly 10 minute spell after half time saw Colchestr run out easy winners. Today the FA Cup has provided brilliant stories and entertainment, the attendances have been boosted, but I just wonder how many of the fans turning up for the cup ties will return when the teams go back to play in the league.

Pictured: Burscough's David Rowan

Chasing The Dream

Today is a huge day for many Non-League clubs, For 125 years the Fa Cup has provided the lower leagues with a source of income and a huge day out for the fans. The 1st round proper is wehre the non-league clubs want to be and today is the big day for many. In particualer Midland Alliance side Chase Town, they don't play today but tomorrow they face the biggest game in their history against League 1 side Oldham. 6 leagues separate the two clubs and realistically Chase have no chance, but that is the magic of the FA Cup anything can happen, who knows Chase may well be in the draw for the second round come Monday afternoon. Anyone who isn't an Oldham fan will certainly be cheering them on.

There are also other potential upsets set to take place today.

Eastbourne Borough have already earnt themselves a shock replay against oxford, a 90th minute Olly Rowland penalty enough to put the home side into the hat for the second round. At half time Burnham are 0-0 with Aldershot. Fixtures to follow later involving non-league clubs are:

Bournemouth vs Tamworth

Burscough vs Gillingham

Chester vs Folkestone Invitica

Chippenham vs Worcester

Colchester vs Leamington

Hartlepool vs Dagenham & Redbridge

Histon vs Hednesford

Kettering vs Stevenage

Morecombe vs Northwitch

Nottingham Forest vs Weymouth

Nuneaton vs Ramsgate

Peterbrough vs Burton

Shrewsbury vs Braintree Town

Southport vs Woking

Torquay vs Harrogate Town

York vs Grays

Let's hope a few of these clubs can perform giant killing acts to show what the non-league is made of.

Non League To You Returns

I have been very busy lately and unfortunately this blog has suffered. No posts for donkeys years. But that will change now Non League To You will become the best and most updated resource for news from all over the non-league. Check back soon non league fans a definitative resource is back.