I realize that we are four games in but better late than never I suppose! This league is probably the most exciting in Britain, if not the world, as there are up to ten teams who have the ability to challenge for the play-offs and the single automatic spot. Some may say that the quality of the league may not be up to the heady heights of the Premiership but if you want a league where all the results count, all the teams can spring a surprise and the mental maths needed to work out all the different connotations from all the different results throughout the league is at least degree level, then this is where you should be looking every Saturday.
If you think that I’m exaggerating then just listen to the famous non-league and former league clubs that are in the Northern Premier league; Chester FC, Northwich Victoria, Nantwich Town, Bradford Park Avenue, Hednesford, Ashton United and Marine as well as the more recently formed FC United of Manchester (FCUM) and the upwardly mobile Chorely FC. All of these are expected to be challenging (with the exception of Nantwich) along with Matlock Town and Kendal.
Starting the brightest have been Hednesford and Chorely who have won all of their first four games. Hednesford have been the most impressive, beating bookies favorites Chester FC 1-0, whereas Chorely haven’t had any major tests so far but have been free scoring. The biggest surprise so far has been Rushall Olympic. They currently sit fifth with eight points despite being the smallest side in the division, a title that their own manager has given them. Perhaps this ‘backs against the walls’ mentality has rubbed off on the players and they will be hoping to continue their strong start.
Probably the team with the worst start has been FCUM, who sit tenth with six points. This includes a thrilling 6-3 victory over North Ferriby (who agonizingly scored two own goals), a surprise defeat against Chasetown and, on Wednesday, a defeat against Chester FC away from home in front of a healthy crowd of 3,219.
The rest of the teams challenging for play-off places have made solid starts; this shows that the league title, this year, won’t be run away with like Halifax did last season. This league is the one to watch. I wouldn’t be surprised if, in May next year, the teams are separated by a few points and league has been won on goals scored.
My top 5 prediction;
1. Chester FC
2. Hednesford FC
3. FC United of Manchester
4. Bradford Park Avenue
5. Chorely FC
Nice to see the NPL is well known! I agree that the league will be tight this year. I don’t think Chester will win it though. After seeing them on Saturday against Stocksbridge (Stocksbridge fan) I wasn’t totally convinced by Chester despite a 5-1 win. The scoreline to me was just Stocksbridge playing very badly and contributing to their own downfall. Mondays result will be a wakeup call. I think it will be between Hednesford and Northwich. Hednesford are the dark horses of this league and if their results are anything to go by so far they will be up there. Northwich I think have had their bedding in season in this league and I think a few teams will underestimate them after last season. BPA, Chorley and FCUM I think will fill up the playoff spaces. FCUM have one of the smallest budgets in the league, I think they just have a good manager and teams fear the large crowds is why they do well.
Chester have started a little slowly but I think that they’ll grow into the league and win it. I really do think that it will be very, very close though and will come down to the last day of the season. There are lots of very good sides in this league and it’s very exciting when pretty much ten teams will be slogging it out for promotion. Much more interesting than the PL anyway.
Got to say as well that Stocksbridge where really poor when we played them and Chester where equally woeful when we played at Nantwich. Embarrassing result but sometimes these things happen.