Big Match Review - Chesterfield 3 Gillingham 1

Chesterfield 3-1 Gillingham

Saturday May 7, b2net Stadium, (Att: 10,023)

Three second half goals helped long term leaders Chesterfield clinch the League Two title and deny Gillingham a place in the end of season play offs.

The Spireites opened the scoring on 54 minutes when Danny Whittaker seized on a mistake at the back to round Alan Julian and slip the ball home.

However, the Kent side - knowing they had to get a result to have a chance of a top seven spot - were soon back on level termsCody McDonald latching onto Bayo Akinfenwa's through ball to clip the ball over Tommy Lee and give the Gills hope.

The home team hit back though, and restored their advantage when Jack Lester was on hand to tap home Scott Griffith's low centre from close range.

They wrapped up the game and the title when Dean Smalley converted another cross from the left at the back post to make it 3-1.

It capped a memorable first year at the b2net Stadium for John Sheridan's men. For Gillingham though, a season which had begun with such high hopes has failed to deliver.

Big Match Preview - Chesterfield vs. Gillingham

Chesterfield vs. Gillingham

Saturday May 7, 15:00, b2net Stadium

Two sides with plenty still to play for on the final day clash in Derbyshire this weekend as top of the table Chesterfield play host to Gillingham.

The Gills still harbour hopes of finishing in the play offs, and know they must get something from the game. A point for the home side will confirm them as the basement division winners.

John Sheridan's side would have expected to have sealed the title after months of leading the way. However, a recent blip has seen the already-promoted Spireites still needing a result.

That's because a defeat, coupled with a win for second-placed Bury, would see the Shakers steal the crown from under Chesterfield's nose on goal difference alone.

They will be hoping it's a case of third time lucky in sealing top spot though, having been beaten by Bury 3-2 in their last home match before a 0-0 draw at Torquay in their most recent game.

That loss to their title rivals was only Chesterfield's fourth defeat on home soil this term as they have built their promotion campaign on an imperious record at the new b2net stadium.

No League Two side has won more home games than the Spireites this term, and with 56 goals bagged in their 22 games, they pose an unnerving threat going forwards to visiting back lines.

In striker Craig Davies they also possess one of the division's deadliest strikers, with 25 strikes already to his name. Veteran Jack Lester also has 16 goals this term too.

John Sheridan's Chesterfield have led League Two almost all season

For opponents Gillingham, they know that a season that had begun with such high hopes still has a possibility to end in promotion.

Andy Hessenthaler's men had expected to be challenging in Chesterfield's position, but endured a nightmare start to the campaign languishing towards the foot of the division.

A loss to Kent rivals Dover Athletic in the FA Cup further compounded matters and heaped on the pressure on Hessenthaler - in his second spell in charge of the club - to start delivering.

However, the Gills recovered and, having ended their away day hoodoo, embarked on a run which propelled them firmly into the race for the top seven - and even automatic promotion spots.

They've stuttered over recent weeks though - suffering 4-2 and 4-1 home losses to Barnet and Macclesfield respectively. Those defeats have dealt a severe blow to their hopes.

Even a win at the b2net on Saturday may not be enough if play off rivals Torquay and Stevenage both earn three points themselves. The Gills could then miss out purely on goal difference.

It promises to be a tension-filled afternoon though, but I have a feeling that only set of supporters will be cheering come full time.

A point apiece will be enough to earn Chesterfield a deserved title, but with results elsewhere it may prove to be a disappointing climax to the campaign for Gillingham.

Nobes' Prediction: Chesterfield 1 Gillingham 1

Big Match Review - Crewe 1 Gillingham 1

Crewe Alexandra 1-1 Gillingham

Saturday January 12, Gresty Road, (Att: 4,012)

Play off hopefuls Crewe Alexandra and Gillingham were forced to share the spoils at Gresty Road as a Curtis Weston strike in the second half earned the visitors a point.

Chances were at a premium early on, with the best opportunity falling to Danny Shelley - but Gills keeper Alan Julian stopped his strike with his legs.

Andy Hessenthaler's side then went behind in bizarre circumstances when substitute Tony Sinclair diverted Shelley's cross from the left into his own net after 26 minutes.

Gillingham struggled to find a riposte, however, they eventually got back on level terms in stunning style ten minutes after the interval.

Weston latched onto a loose ball and his fierce drive from 25 yards beat the low dive of Rhys Taylor down to the keeper's left.

Both sides pushed for a winner, with Bayo Akinfenwa being denied by the foot of Taylor before a Weston shot was deflected wide by Dave Artell.

Dario Gradi's men also had their opportunities, with a Shelley shot going close as well as Julian being called into action to keep out Luke Murphy's stinging shot at his near post.

Ultimately, it was a fair point all round - which keeps the Kent side in 6th while Alex sit four points beind them in 9th, albeit with two games in hand on their top seven rivals.

Big Match Preview - Crewe vs. Gillingham

Crewe Alexandra vs. Gillingham

Saturday February 12, 15:00, Gresty Road

It's a contest between two teams with an eye on the top seven in League Two this weekend as Gillingham make the long trip up to Cheshire to take on Crewe Alexandra.

While the hosts have been in and around the play off positions for the majority of the campaign though, the Gills have risen into contention after a disastrous start to the season.

Tuesday evening's win against Rotherham left them in a season-high of 6th in the standings - as they begin to justify their tag as one of the pre-season favourites for promotion to League One.

However, back in November, with a third of the season played, the Kent outfit were in 22nd - outside the relegation zone on goal difference alone.

Much of their woes stemmed up from an horrific away record where a run of more than 30 games without winning away finally ending with a 1-0 success at Oxford.

Since then, Andy Hessenthaler's side have also tasted victory at the struggling trio of Barnet, Macclesfield, and Stockport.

Defeats on the road have been suffered at the hands of Northampton, Bradford, Wycombe, and extraordinary 5-4 and 7-4 losses to Bury and Accrington respectively.

Key performers for Gillingham this term have been on-loan Norwich striker, Cody McDonald, who has bagged 15 goals for himself, and fellow forward Bayo Akinfenwa always provides a handful for opposition defences.

Veteran Dario Gradi is hoping to guide his Crewe team into the play offs

Opponents Crewe come into the match lying just outside the play off positions in 8th, however they do possess games in hand over teams above them in the top seven.

They come into the match off the back of successive away defeats, however, including a 6-2 thumping at Northampton before being beaten by high flying Rotherham 3-1 last weekend.

Better news has come in the shape of their recent home form though. The Alex have won their last four home games, seeing off Bradford, Port Vale, Wycombe, and Northampton.

Other victories at Gresty Road have come against Aldershot, Bury, and an incredible 7-0 thumping of Barnet. However, three sides - Hereford, Shrewsbury, and Rotherham have all defeated them on home soil.

Veteran boss Dario Gradi will have to do without the services of top scorer Clayton Donaldson though, whose 16 goals have been vital to Crewe's challenge.

In his absence, they will look to Shaun Miller, a product from Alex's famed youth academy, to add to his tally of 13 goals this term.

It's important to recognise that this Gillingham side is an altogether more difficult proposition on the road than earlier on in the campaign.

However, they have struggled to win at some of the better sides so, given Crewe's decent home form, this one could well end all square.

Nobes' Prediction: Crewe Alexandra 1 Gillingham 1

Moving On Up

With Dean Holdsworth swapping Conference side Newport County for League Two Aldershot Town, Nobes looks back at other managers who have made the leap from Non League to Football League.

Dean Holdsworth managed Newport to Conference South glory last season

Good things come to those who wait, so say a famous Irish stout company, anyway. However, it's even better when you don't have to wait. Instead, you can simply grab the first opportunity that comes your way.

That's the scenario Dean Holdsworth faced, when the 42-year-old boss of Conference high-flyers Newport County was approached to fill the vacant post at League Two Aldershot Town after Kevin Dillon's dismissal.

As soon as the Hampshire club came calling, Holdsworth was, appropriately enough, off like a shot. Swapping one phoenix club for another as he looks to establish himself in the 92 club.

He's not the first Non League boss to be in charge of a Football League club without having earned it via promotion though. Here's a look back at some of the others and how they fared or are faring.


Mark Yates

Yates served his apprenticeship in the Conference with Kidderminster Harriers - making steady progress towards the top five over two and a half seasons.

He was given his opportunity in the Football League with former club Cheltenham last term with the Robins struggling towards the foot of League Two.

Steered them to safety and, this term, has the Gloucestershire outfit competing for a place in the play offs.

Verdict: So far, so good.


Mark Cooper

His first job came at Tamworth where, although overseeing their relegation from the Conference, he took the Lambs on a memorable FA Cup run.

Achieved success at Kettering, winning the Conference North title and established them back in the Conference.

The Kettles also enjoyed two fine runs in the FA Cup.

After being linked with various League Two jobs, he was a surprise choice to fill the job at Championship Peterborough.

However, poor results and an ugly style of football saw him last just three months.

Now back in the Conference rebuilding his career with Darlington.

Verdict: Posh were the wrong club for Cooper to take the plunge with. He could still do a job in the lower reaches of the Football League some time.


Martin Allen

With Barnet challenging in the Conference's top five in 2004, Allen got the call from League One strugglers Brentford to help them avoid the drop.

He did just that, and then took them to successive play off finishes, albeit both times the Bees fell short and failed to gain promotion.

His next job came at League Two Milton Keynes, when he again came up short in the play offs.

A short spell at Leicester followed before returning to League One for Cheltenham's battle against the drop in 2008.

This time he failed to win it though and a poor start to last season cost him his job. He's still searching for employment.

Verdict: Downhill since leaving Brentford. His route one style of football aside, at the right club he could do well in the Football League.


Lee Sinnott

Farsley Celtic were in Non League obscurity before Sinnott took them to three promotions in four seasons to help them into the Conference Premier.

In 2007, he was offered a break in the Football League with Port Vale, who were struggling against relegation in League One.

He couldn't prevent Vale from slipping into League Two and he had departed after a few weeks of the next season - less than a year after taking the helm.

Returned to management in the Non Leagues at Northern Premier League side Bradford Park Avenue but was dismissed after failing to challenge for promotion despite a heavy spending spree.

Verdict: Lee Who? Short Football League tenure never likely to be repeated.


Mark Stimson

Stimson was hot property in 2007 after a spectacular start to management.

He had taken Grays Athletic to promotion to the Conference before successive FA Trophy wins and a place in the end of season play offs.

Failing to win promotion with the Essex outfit, he moved to Stevenage where he made it three FA Trophy successes on the bounce.

His penchant for an attractive, attacking based game also won him admirers.

However, when he made the leap up to League One Gillingham he found the going tough. The Gills were relegated - although he led them straight back up again via the play offs 12 months later.

A failure to win a single away win last season saw Gillingham relegated back down again though, and Stimson sacked.

He moved to Barnet over the summer, but left them at the start of the year with the London side rooted in League Two's drop zone.

Verdict: Once a rising star, but two relegations and a torrid time at Barnet have ensured the star has faded. A Non League return surely beckons.


Russell Slade

Gained fame by guiding cash-strapped Scarborough to the FA Cup fourth round where they faced Chelsea.

It earned him a crack in the Football League with Grimsby.

He took the Lincolnshire club to the League Two play off final in 2006, but they ended up on the losing side.

He then moved to League One Yeovil, who he also took to the play off final, only to lose once again.

Departed Huish Park in 2009 and joined Brighton - engineering a miraculous escape from the League One drop.

Was fired last season only to turn up at Leyton Orient, where he remains today after orchestrating another great escape from relegation to League Two last term.

Verdict: Made a niche for himself in the League as a fine fire fighter with an ability to work on a small budget.


Nigel Clough

The son of the legendary Brian spent a decade at the helm of Staffordshire side Burton Albion.

He guided them into the Conference Premier, establishing them as a top five side.

He left them in 2009 top of the table and in pole position to win promotion to the Football League - which they did.

However, he couldn't turn down the advances of Championship side Derby County, where he helped keep the Rams in the division before achieving a mid table finish last term.

With Derby occupying a top half place for the majority of this season, he is making slow progress towards their goal of promotion.

Verdict: Needs to keep progressing or the patience he has been afforded by Derby will begin to run out.

Big Match Analysis - Northampton 2 Gillingham 1

We look back at how the defences performed in our Big Match last weekend as Turls returns to analyse the goals.

Northampton Town 2-1 Gillingham

Saturday October 30, Sixfields, (Att: 4,573)

Here we are, back looking at defending in the Football League. Sorry that you've had to put up with reports from my deputies for the past two weeks.

I know I should have left you in more capable hands but Gil Grissom wasn't available and all I was left with was a poor man's Frank Drebin.

Anyway, onto business. There was a bit of a situation down at Sixfields, Northampton at the weekend, so I packed my bag of goodies - rubber gloves, cotton buds etc. - and headed down the motorway.

Northampton Town 0 Gillingham 1

The away team struck first with a well worked free kick. A shimmy and a shake set up space for the man, who proceeded to drill it into the bottom corner. There wasn't really a lot Northampton could do about it.

A well worked routine straight from the training ground. Praise must go to the inventiveness of the free kick, because I must admit that I get a little fed-up when I see another batch of free kicks get smashed into the wall or whacked over the bar.

Northampton Town 1 Gillingham 1

Nobes seems to think that this goal came as a result of sloppy marking. I disagree. However, I can't help but feel the goal came as a result of poor defending.

The corner was floated to the back stick where two attackers and two defenders were waiting with baited breath. Both defenders were out jumped - allowing one of the attackers to power the ball into the back of the net.

Also, I can't help but feel the man on the post could have made a better effort at stopping the ball from going in. Nevertheless, questions must be asked as to why both attackers managed to get higher than their markers.

I suppose it is part and parcel of football, but it looked like the defenders weren't even fussed about jumping - like it was beneath them or something.

Perhaps I am being a little harsh, but I like my defenders in the air at corners.

Northampton Town 2 Gillingham 1

Penalty. I'm not 100 per cent convinced if this was a penalty. I can understand why it was given but, at the same time, I wouldn't have batted an eyelid had it not.

A free kick was sent towards the back post where the defender and attacker got in a tangle with each other. Neither play was looking at the ball and the Gills defender kind of fell on the attacker.

I suppose the defender could be perceived as hauling the striker down and the reaction of the rest of the Gillingham team said a lot.

None of them seemed particularly outraged by the decision. Just a little clumsy in my eyes. Maybe he hasn't got used to his height yet.

Northampton defending:

Midfielder chips the ball up to the front man who does brilliantly well to control it, fashion a little bit of space, and play it through to his strike partner.

The keeper comes out to smother the ball. Good attacking and very good goalkeeping. Brave and alert - exactly what you want from your man between the sticks.

It was good forward play over poor defending, so I'm not going to criticise the defence.

Gillingham defending:

I might just start copy and pasting this into every article, because it is a daily occurrence. Northampton's keeper hoofs the ball down the pitch where a Gills defender leaped for it.

Unfortunately for him, he completely misjudged the flight of the ball and ended up flicking it towards a striker in the acres of space.

A goal wasn't scored, but the defence can count themselves a little lucky. Time and again we see defenders misjudging the flight of the ball and it invariably leads to a goal scoring opportunity.

I'm not asking for defences to have a PhD in Physics, but they must understand how a ball moves in the air by now?

Conclusion:

Overall, it wasn't too bad a display from either defence, but I am getting annoyed at having to write about the same mistakes every week.

It is completely unreasonable to expect them to be world beaters because there is a legitimate reason for them playing in League Two and not Serie A.

However, in the instance of the aforementioned Gillingham defence - which didn't result in a goal - it is a sloppy piece of defending that, if see on a Sunday league pitch, would result in a tongue-lashing from the defender's gaffer.

Of course, if any club is reading this and questioning whether I could do any better - as a coach, I won't even pretend to be good enough to play in League Two - then I will accept a challenge of joining the club on a one week basis to improve the defensive structure.

Anyone willing to give me a punt? Thought not.

Big Match Review - Northampton 2 Gillingham 1

Northampton Town 2-1 Gillingham

Saturday October 30, Sixfields, (Att: 4,573)

Struggling Northampton moved out of the bottom two as they came from behind to extend Gillingham's miserable run without victory away from home.

The visitors had got off to the perfect start as they sought a first success on the road since April 2009.

A smart free kick routine involving John Nutter and Charlie Palmer allowed the latter to smash a low drive from the edge of the box past Chris Dunn and into the net.

However, Andy Hessenthaler's side were punished for some slack marking from a corner when the Cobblers levelled on 21 minutes.

Ryan Gilligan's corner found Dean Beckwith at the back post and the defender powered home a header to restore parity.

And before the interval, the hosts had turned things around completely from the penalty spot.

Again it was Beckwith causing trouble from a free kick and, when he was hauled down in the box, Leon McKenzie stepped up to convert the resulting penalty.

Chances were at a premium in the second period, although former Town man Bayo Akinfenwa went close to equalising late on only to see Dunn thwart his near post effort.

In the end it was a precious three points for Ian Sampson's men - a first win in six which left Gillingham still searching for that elusive away success.

Big Match Preview

Northampton Town vs. Gillingham

Saturday October 30, 15:00, Sixfields

It's a meeting between two sides who are failing to match expectations at Sixfields this weekend as League Cup giant killers Northampton Town entertain Gillingham.

While the Cobblers go into the game currently in the division's bottom two, the Gills go in search of ending a winless away run now stretching to a club-record 33 games.

Indeed, not since victory at Chesterfield in April 2009 have Kent's sole Football League outfit returned to the Priestfield with maximum spoils to show for their efforts.

It was that dire away record which cost them their place in League One last term - leading to the sacking of boss Mark Stimson and return of legend Andy Hessenthaler to the manager's chair.

However, it's been a struggle for Hessenthaler on his return, with the Gills - tipped for promotion in pre-season - only sitting in 15th going into Saturday's game.

Their defensive frailties on the road have been a large part of their struggles - with 14 goals leaked on their six trips, including five at Bury and seven at Accrington in recent weeks.

Goalless draws at Hereford and Port Vale and another point picked up at Morecambe are all the Gills have to show for their travels this term.

Key to ending their barren away run will be striker Bayo Akinfenwa - who returns to the club he left in the summer - their joint top scorer, alongside Cody McDonald, with four to his name.

Despite their League Cup run, Ian Sampson fears for his job

For the home side, the arrival of Gillingham signals a return to their bread and butter after the end of their League Cup odyssey.

Tuesday night's at Ipswich brought to an end a run which had included the infamous defeat of Liverpool on penalties at Anfield in one of Town's most famous games.

Those exploits may well have proved somewhat of a distraction to Sampson's men though. Since then, they've collected just three points and head into the weekend off the back of five successive league defeats.

Their home form has been somewhat of a mixed bag too with wins against Southend and Bradford, draws with Accrington and Wycombe, and recent losses to Chesterfield and Hereford.

All of which means 41-year-old Sampson, a club legend as a player, is under big pressure to get from the Gillingham game.

Central players for Town this term have been midfielder Kevin Thornton and striker Billy McKay - both have notched four goals to date this season.

With Cobblers in such poor form and the Gills woeful on the road, this is a game both sides would love to win but probably can't afford to lose.

That may well dictate that a tight game ends all square which, although not ideal for either, will at least see them avoid another defeat respectively.

Nobes' Prediction: Northampton Town 1 Gillingham 1

In Defence

After a glut of goals and high-scoring games in recent weeks in the Football League, Turls analyses the case against the defences.

There were ten goals as Preston came from behind to stun Leeds

It's Saturday afternoon and I'm listening to the football results come in. I tend to zone out most results because I'm usually moaning at how crap Forest are, or jumping up and down and thinking that we'll win the league.

Both these reactions tend to last for a few seconds until I calm down and realise that it's only a game. However, after back-to-back 1-1 draws, I was allowed to bask in the insanity of the remaining scores.

In midweek, ten goals were scored at Elland Road as Preston came from 4-1 down to win 6-4. Incredible game, and the type of thing that rarely happens.

Then I heard that Norwich had beaten Leicester 4-3 at Carrow Road. I wasn't sure what to make of this and then, when the scores kept coming, I heard three games that ended 3-2 and another that had ended 4-2.

Wow! When I looked at the scores online, I realised there were another ten games that involved four goals or more.

Now I'm only a young lad and haven't got many seasons under my belt, but it seemed quite remarkable that one day could provide such a flurry of goals. I worked it out that 98 goals had been scored - that was despite eight games ending 0-0.

It took me until the weekend to recover from that attacking onslaught and I thought I would be looking back on that Tuesday night with a sense of awe.

Instead, I wandered into my house at 5pm - after a day with the lady - to find that another 88 goals had been scored in one day's play.

I didn't know what to say. I just stood there with the remote in my hand trying to figure out what had happened in the last week. Accrington won 7-4 and Chesterfield and Crewe drew 5-5. On the back of that 6-4 and 4-3, I was shocked.

186 goals. In 72 games. At over 2.5 goals a game. Only ten games remained goal-free.

I woke up on Sunday thinking that everyone would be going on about how exciting the Football League is but, when I drew back the curtains, it was raining. A lot.

This dampened my mood, but it also made me realise that, although goals are good for some, they also represent a complete inability to defend.

I'm not one of these people who believe that goals make a great game. I must admit that I do enjoy a game with goals in, but I also love a tactical game of football that ends goalless.

Now this last week has got me thinking. Have strikers got better or have defenders got worse? Maybe a bit of both?

So far this season there have been 19 games that featured six goals or more. Huddersfield have finished either side of a 4-2 score, Peterborough have played in a 5-1, a 4-2, and a 5-2.

Gillingham have lost 5-4 and 7-4. Leicester, Leeds, and Preston have all been involved in two high-scoring games.

I decided to look at the highlights for the following games to see what the quality of defending was like for the following games:

Norwich City 4-3 Leicester City
Leeds United 4-6 Preston North End
Chesterfield 5-5 Crewe Alexandra
Accrington Stanley 7-4 Gillingham

I'll stress that I have only seen the highlights of each game, so can't provide a full picture of the match. If you were at any of the games and can shed some more light on the defending then get in touch with us at soccerammw@gmail.com

Norwich City 4-3 Leicester City

Norwich 0 Leicester 1:

First of all, the Foxes winger is allowed to run about 20-25 yards without anyone putting a tackle in.

Then, upon reaching the area, the Norwich centre back refuses to charge him down and, instead, stands on the corner of the six yard box with his arms out.

He should have closed the gap and stopped the winger from getting the shot away. Still, the keeper should have saved it.

Norwich 1 Leicester 1:

This is a difficult one to claim as bad defending, but it is very much a case of ball watching. As the ball was played in from the left, two Norwich players were allowed to run into the box unaccompanied, thus giving them a numerical advantage.

The ball is then played across the box from the right where a Norwich player is standing with nobody marking him. All a little haphazard in my eyes.

Norwich 2 Leicester 1:

Penalty. Arms raised. Silly.

Norwich 3 Leicester 1:

Can't blame the defence here. The left winger just outpaces Leicester's right back and a beautifully weighted ball frees the scorer down the middle. Good finish.

Norwich 3 Leicester 2:

Bizarre, and quite fluky. A mishit is flicked in a Leicester player's path, he then has his shot cleared off the line before hoofing in the rebound.

A picky man could say the guy who flicked the ball on shouldn't have been able to turn so easily, but it looked like a good piece of play to me.

Norwich 4 Leicester 2:

A 25-yard screamer. Nothing the defence could do.

Norwich 4 Leicester 3:

Good through-ball, good touch past the defender, good finish.

Leeds United 4-6 Preston North End

Leeds 0 Preston 1:

Good wing play down the right, skidding a cross/shot across goal. Keeper can only parry it into the striker's path. Good attacking football.

Leeds 1 Preston 1:

Left winger cuts inside too easily. Shouldn't have been allowed to go inside with that much comfort. Then, when the ball is played in, Preston are outnumbered right in the centre of the goal. Poor defending all round.

Leeds 2 Preston 1:

Long ball pumped in from the left flank towards the back post. When the ball is headed back across goal, Preston are caught ball watching resulting in three Leeds players to line up and head it in.

Leeds 3 Preston 1:

Right winger goes down the flank. Never looks like going past his man after some good jockeying from the full back. He pokes it inside to a player about 15 yards out in acres of space.

How has he got that much space in the box? It's shocking. This guy then scores - unsurprisingly.

Leeds 4 Preston 1:

Preston look a little stretched, despite it only being the first half. The ball is played out to the left where the winger cuts inside past one player, sells a dummy to another, and then drills it into the goal.

Allowed to go inside far too easily and should have been shepherded towards the byline.

Leeds 4 Preston 2:

Ball picked up in the middle after a weak Leeds challenge. It's played out to Preston's striker, who makes a little space to create a shooting chance. Keeper beaten at near post. Rubbish keeping.

Leeds 4 Preston 3:

Scored straight from a corner. Rubbish keeping again.

Leeds 4 Preston 4:

Penalty. Ball played out right, full back does the right thing by herding the winger to the byline but, instead of following his plan through to the end, he decides to dive in when the players is running away from goal.

Ridiculous penalty to give away.

Leeds 4 Preston 5:

Long ball to a fat Preston striker who uses his bulk to turn his man and fire past the keeper. Good strike work. Defender could have stayed squarer instead of getting turned, but Jon Parkin is very good at working defenders over.

Leeds 4 Preston 6:

Long diagonal ball from left to right. Preston man ghosts in at the far post and heads it back towards the far post.

Again, another example of ball watching rather than following the man. There is no way a ball should be travelling that far without being cut out by a defender.

Chesterfield 5-5 Crewe Alexandra

Chesterfield 0 Crewe 1:

Nicely weighted ball aiming towards the back post that splits two players. The onrushing striker nods it in at the far post. The guy who made the cross was closed down well and it was a very well taken goal.

Chesterfield 0 Crewe 2:

Free kick. Don't know why it was given - blame the BBC for that, for me - but it was a beautifully taken goal.

Chesterfield 0 Crewe 3:

Long ball from the back. Nobody attacked the ball properly and when a Chesterfield player did come out to meet it he completely misjudged the bounce and saw the ball fly past him.

Awful defending. They were outnumbered at the back as well, so take your pick on the mistakes made in defence.

Chesterfield 1 Crewe 3:

Nice cross, and the striker gets in front of his man to nod it into the net. You could maybe could argue that the defender should have seen the run, but there is a reason these guys play in League Two.

Chesterfield 1 Crewe 4:

Now this is a great goal. Man cushions it down to a team-mate, makes a run through the middle and receives the return pass and rounds the keeper.

However, nobody is near the goalscorer when he originally brings the ball down and his run is straight. No deviations. No clever stop and starting. Just a straight quick run through the middle.

Defence done for pace, but they should have learned by then that this guy was quick - they were already 3-1 down.

Chesterfield 2 Crewe 4:

Cross from the right. Jack Lester ghosts in at the back stick and nods it in. Clever run, but the full back was caught ball watching.

Chesterfield 3 Crewe 4:

Penalty. Dived in close to the byline. Stupid challenge.

Chesterfield 3 Crewe 5:

Free kick drifted in from the right, headed towards goal, and turned in by a striker. The guy who headed it looked to have no pressure on him, but he seemed to engineer his room well.

Chesterfield 4 Crewe 5:

Another penalty. This one wasn't as stupid as the last one. A good lay off allowed the striker to run through where he was bundled over.

Contact was made, but it wasn't an overly stupid challenge. Over excited shoulder barge would be one way to put it - but a definite penalty.

Chesterfield 5 Crewe 5:

Shot from outside the box. Well taken, but should have been closed down. Crewe were probably mentally and physically tired, but it still doesn't excuse how he just sauntered to the edge of the box to have a pop.

Accrington Stanley 7-4 Gillingham

Accrington 1 Gillingham 0:

Smart work down the right freed up space for the cross where the man was picked out brilliantly.

Maybe he should have been marked, but the winger turned the defence around and put them out of position with his skills. Well taken goal.

Accrington 1 Gillingham 1:

Long throw in flicked in at the near post. Long throws are difficult to deal with, as anyone who has played Stoke will tell you, so it's hard to question the defending here.

Accrington 1 Gillingham 2:

Although the start of this was a long ball, the end was nice. Big man flicks it on to another big man, who flicks it down to a little man, who flicks it on to the original big man who has made a run into the box. Goal.

It happened quickly so Accrington shouldn't be too hard on themselves. I wouldn't be.

Accrington 2 Gillingham 2:

Another well worked goal - the player had the defence twisting and turning before the ball was slotted into the corner. Can't do too much as a defender apart from drop a reducer in there.

Accrington 3 Gillingham 2:

The ball has been played inside and two players are running on to it - attacker and defender. Defender slides in - meaning he has to win the ball or foul the man.

He did neither, allowing the attacker to chip a beauty inside the far post. If you're going to go to ground as a defender, you have to win the ball.

Accrington 3 Gillingham 3:

Not sure how the winger broke free, but the way he got round the last man is ludicrous. The defender thinks a shot is going to come in, so jumps in front of the onrushing attacker to block it.

Said attacker pokes it past him and lifts it over the keeper. If that were me, I'd be looking back and asking myself why I didn't just stand my ground.

Accrington 4 Gillingham 3:

Penalty. Looked a little harsh, but he had his hands all over him so the ref had to give it if he saw it.

These types of penalties should be given more often but, because they aren't, defenders think they can get away with giving an attacker a hug.

Accrington 5 Gilingham 3:

Penalty. Wingers dances past full back on the left and cuts inside. Full back gets back and makes the tackle. Looks like he wins the ball in a very good tackle. Harshly given.

Accrington 6 Gillingham 3:

Long ball down the right. Man is in acres of space. Defence has clearly tried to play an offside trap that hasn't worked. Striker keeps going and slips it under the keeper.

Accrington 6 Gillingham 4:

Penalty. Who knows what was happening here? Long ball flicked on and the ball is then allowed to bounce. Defender nods it back to the keeper who makes a right hash of it and ultimately brings down the striker.

Accrington 7 Gillingham 4:

Ball lifted cleverly over the top down the right and the attacker hammers it into the far corner. Done and done.


Conclusion:

Out of those 38 goals, I calculate that at least 14 of them came as a result of bad defending. That means about a third of the goals could have been stopped had the defence been more organised.

Unsurprisingly, five of these examples of poor defending came in the Leeds/Preston game. Neither team has a particularly good defensive record - and it's easy to see why.

Maybe I'm being a little harsh on the defenders, but it seems to be that the quality has reduced over the years. Maybe they are struggling to adapt to the change in centre forwards?

Gone are the days of a huge lumbering striker leading the line, instead, more emphasis appears to be placed on quick and lightweight players who are able to create space and turn the defence more easily.

For many of the goals, the defenders are caught ball watching - a problem that should not be affecting professional footballers. Ball watching should be an issue saved for Sunday League football, not the Championship.

Diving in also appears to be a problem. Most of the penalties were conceded in positions that didn't pose a direct threat to the goal and a few of them when the attacker was running away from goal.

They are silly fouls to give away, and the managers should be forcing the issue that you should not dive in on a man who is on the edge of the area at the byline.

Goals make games more exciting for the majority of fans so maybe we shouldn't be complaining too much.

However, I honestly feel that if the defensive lines aren't shored up, we could see more and more games finish with at least six goals in them.

Turls will be analysing the defending for goals in our Big Matches over the coming weeks as part of his focus on the state of defences.

Football's Breeding Ground

Nobes looks at how spending time in the Non Leagues can help managers to a better career.

Returning Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler spent three seasons in Non League

Gillingham's decision to re-appoint Andy Hessenthaler as their manager might have struck observers as a willingness to stick to the familiar.

However, the man himself says he is a "different person" after spending three years in charge of Dover Athletic.

The 44-year-old previously spent four years as player-manager at the Priestfield between 2000 and 2004. Then in the Championship for the first time in their history, he led them to 13th, 12th, and 11th in his first three seasons.

They survived relegation the following year on goal difference and a poor start the next season saw the Gills struggling at the foot of the table again and Hessenthaler resigning as manager.

He continued to play for the Kent club as new boss Stan Ternent fought in vain to keep them in the second tier, and eventually left to play for League Two side Barnet in 2006.

His managerial career only re-started a year later when he linked up with Dover, then wallowing in the Isthmian League First Division South - four levels below the Football League.

Successive titles followed as he led the Whites into the Conference South and helped stage a third successive promotion bid this term. However, they lost out to Woking in the play-off semi finals.

His move back to Gillingham means he joins ten other managers in League Two who have spent time managing in the Non Leagues.

Some, like John Coleman at Accrington and Torquay's Paul Buckle, have led their current teams up from the Conference.

Others, like Peter Taylor of Bradford and Rotherham's Ronnie Moore, have spent time at Non League clubs as they've moved around the game.

Mark Yates earned his break managing in the Football League at Cheltenham after impressing at Kidderminster. New Barnet boss Mark Stimson - sacked by Gillingham to make way for Hessenthaler - also has Conference experience.

However they have made it though, they are joined in a common unity that their time in the Non League game has only been beneficial to their footballing experience and knowledge.

It begs the questions why more managers don't consider dropping that far down. Perhaps there is a fear that if an opportunity at a big club arises they must take it - even if they fear they're too young and inexperienced to handle it.

History shows that often managers can start too high up the pyramid and often have to go down to work their way back up. And you can work your way up.

Gary Johnson, after a spell at Cambridge in the Football League and then in Latvia, returned to England to the Conference and Yeovil. He took the Glovers up to League One and eventually helped Bristol City into the Championship.

Exeter boss Paul Tisdale's rise has been equally meteoric. A decade after starting out in the depths of Non League at Western League side Team Bath, he's now in the third tier.

Not only that, but his success at St James Park - leading the Devon club to successive promotions and then League One safety means he is one of the most highly rated young managers in the Football League.

It is why managers shouldn't be afraid of starting out in Non League football or dropping out of the Football League to take on their next job.

Gary Waddock endured a difficult introduction to management at QPR in the Championship, swiftly being fired. However, he took over at Non League Aldershot in 2007 and helped them to the Conference title in his first season.

His reputation was enhanced greatly, eventually earning him a move to Wycombe and League One football - albeit he was unable to save the Buckinghamshire side from relegation this season.

Another example is Martin Ling. After a prolonged spell as manager of Leyton Orient, he replaced Gary Brabin at Cambridge United in the Conference last summer.

A season of transition where the U's struggled to make an impact at the top end would have taught him much and he will be hoping for progress next term.

Wycombe boss Gary Waddock rebuilt his managerial career in the Conference

Simon Davey, after leaving Barnsley last August, re-surfaced at Conference-bound Darlington and is now plotting their instant promotion back to League Two. He was not afraid of the prospect of managing outside the League though.

Nor should he have been, as working in the Non League game opens up a manager's eyes to a whole new market and calibre of players he may have ordinarily missed.

Players who, despite plying their trade in the semi-professional game, are more than good enough to appear in the Football League.

You need only look at the astounding success of Dagenham & Redbridge this season to prove that.

With the wily and vastly experienced John Still at the helm, the East London minnows will be pitting their wits against the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Southampton next season.

A considerable achievement considering the Daggers financial situation compared to their rivals. However, using unrivalled Non League contacts in the South East, Still constructed a squad of young, hungry, and talented players.

It was a similar method used by the late Macclesfield boss Keith Alexander. After a season as manager at Lincoln in the early '90s, Alexander was fired and dropped into the Non Leagues.

After rebuilding his career at the likes of Ilkeston and Northwich Victoria, he eventually got another bite of the cherry at Sincil Bank in 2002. The Imps had been in administration and were forced to offload any high-earners from their squad.

Tipped for relegation by the pundits, Alexander set about using his Non League contacts to build a side on the division's tightest budget.

Amazingly, Lincoln made it all the way to the play-off final where they were eventually undone 5-2 by Sean O'Driscoll's slick Bournemouth team. Neverthless, it had been an almost miraculous achievement by 'Big Keef.'

There is also a lot to be said for looking to the Non Leagues for recruitments, rather than at players working their down the football ladder after spending years at the top end.

Not only for financial reasons - players signed from Non League are bound to cost less in wages than players used to the higher divisions.

It can also be said that those used to the semi-professional game have a hunger and appetite than cannot be matched.

They are often players who failed to make the grade at a top club and have had to drop into the lower leagues to continue their career.

For them, it's not about the money and picking up one last pay cheque before retiring, it is just about the enjoyment and pleasure of playing professional football against big teams at proper grounds.

They are also used to the fast-paced, physical nature of the lower divisions of the game. Players making their way down the pyramid can often be surprised by just how little time on the ball they get, or how poor the pitches are.

Well-known names are no guarantee of success. Indeed, as Shrewsbury found out in 2003 - it can often lead to disaster.

The Shropshire side featured ex-Nottingham Forest duo Ian Woan and Nigel Jemson but still found themselves relegated to the Conference.

Contrast that with the success of Dagenham this term and the model operated by Keith Alexander, and it shows that looking down for players need not mean your ambition can't look up.

As Hessenthaler prepares to lead Gillingham's promotion challenge next term - it is something he will do well to take heed of.