By Adam Ellis
Last minute equalisers and small glitches turning into deeper worries. The National League exhibits another weekend that brings everyone back down to earth.
With 29 goals scored across 12 games, here’s what we learned:
Leyton Orient’s away home makes its way home
At the start of September the O’s were riding high in second in the National League, with a unbeaten home record providing the bedrock of their early promotion challenge.
A surprise to fans after their summer overhaul which saw the club have no senior players contracted at the club in late June.
But the in this league when riding high on a wave you often come crashing down back to earth, as defeats to Boreham Wood, FC Halifax and Hartlepool United demonstrate.
Three defeats. One goal scored and seven conceded are signs that boss Steve Davis needs to reconsider his Plan B, as he rues injuries to starting centre-back duo Josh Coulson and George Elokobi.
Things will only get harder for the 16th-place O’s with an away visit to league leaders Aldershot to come this weekend before AFC Fylde‘s goal threat Danny Rowe arrives in E10.
Woking’s recruitment department deserves a pat on the back
Two loan signings gave Woking their best result of the season as they beat visitors Sutton United 2-0 thanks to a brace from Regan Charles-Cook.
It was the Charlton loanee and goalkeeper Nathan Baxter who starred for the Cards, with Chelsea youngster Baxter stopping two clear-cut chances to score for Paul Doswell’s side just before the break.
Turning behind Tommy Wright’s header at goal before saving a Kieron Cardogan effort to keep things tight at the back despite United’s advances.
This allowed Charles-Cook to make his first impact since signing for Anthony Limbrick’s side, taking little time to do so after the break by netting his first goal of the day in the 49th minute.
Putting to bed any frustrations that have been speculated over his desire to play in League Two, Charles-Cook sealed the three points in the 90th minute to help Woking climb up to 10th in the table.
If Woking can improve their away form (four defeats from five away matches) they will no longer be considered the dark horse for a spot in the play-offs.
Dover have a mean defence
Dover’s opponents Chester are due to announce their new manager this later this week but that is no concern of Chris Kinnear’s side, who ruthlessly shutout the Blues at their end with Mitch Walker in goal.
The Whites bounced back from their midweek defeat to Boreham Wood to register a fifth clean sheet of the season, much to the pleasure of Kinnear.
“Tuesday night was a disappointment,” Kinnear said, reflecting on the 1-0 loss to the Wood, “but the lads worked really hard and with great spirit.
“Chester are a good side with decent players and they deserve credit for trying to come here and win. We have a bunch of young players that are still learning and I believe they have got a lot more to give.”
Utilising a 3-5-2 formation with wing-backs has worked for Athletic so far despite their defensive players being a few years shy of what is considered a goalkeeper or defenders’ age to peak – Mitch Walker, 25, Giancarlo Gallifuoco, 23, Connor Essam, 25, Manny Parry, 23, Josh Passley, 22, and Femi Ilesanmi, 26.
Dover face Guiseley at Nethermoor Park next, a team under fresh impetus from new manager Paul Cox.
Guiseley are building from the back
“Defence wins you championships” as the saying goes. Guiseley aren’t looking to do so just yet but their resolute display at Wrexham is a welcome sign of immediate short-term gains being made since the sacking of Adam Lockwood and the appointment of Paul Cox.
Wrexham were toothless going forward, managing two shots on target all game, and were fortunate that one was a 96th-minute equaliser to spare their blushes.
In our NLP match report, every Lions defender scored no lower than 7. That’s solid, a sign of good individual performances that Cox can use to motivate his players at the training ground ahead of hosting Dover at home this weekend.
