30 October 2010
30 October 2010
It occurred to me the other night, as I was driving home after that dismal 6-1 defeat to Northern Star, that even our dear old United Counties League is beginning to reflect the financial trends of the Premiership. Just like the 'big boys' from London and the north west, who chase the ultimate prize, it would seem there are only a handful of teams who can win this seasons United Counties League 'Premiership'. The outfits that come to mind being King's Lynn, Newport Pagnell and St.Neots, a team who have been hitting double figure scores on a regular basis this season. When King's Lynn visited us recently, and were beaten 2-1 (I will keep harping on about that result!), there seemed almost an air of desperation for the club to get back into a higher level of football, particularly amongst the travelling support who seemed to take the defeat very much to heart. And ,of course, with their magnificent ground at the 'Walks' and their history, they should be at a higher level. But when all is said and done, these supporters need to be thankful that they have a team to support after last seasons disasters. I'm sure Lynn will be there or thereabouts come silverware time, but it will be a long hard slog for them, with each team they play treating the game like a cup final.
And as for St.Neots, well, for me, they will be champions, barring any hiccups. At this level, to be able to pay large fees for ex premiership players enhances the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have nots'. Good luck to them, they have a smashing new ground and the ambition to play at a higher sphere. Which leaves the Pagnell's and the Buckby's and the Boston's scratching round for the crumbs! But, you know, I've got a feeling that when the bad weather starts, and the pitches get rough, and the injuries set in, we could just see the 'big two' stumble. Everbody who knows the game will tell you that every good, consistent team will suffer a bad patch at some stage in the season. And then who will be ready to step up to the marker? As Tuncay returns to once more take up the reins, I say watch this space. A good, consistent run (we've had our bad patch!) through to April could still see us finish in the top four. A good yardstick will come later on this month when we face consecutive aways fixtures at both King's Lynn and St.Neots. As dear old Jimbo Greaves used to say, "It's a funny old game." C'MON YOU RANGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!