Four Stories From Non League - Thursday 19th December 2024

As we approach Christmas and the New Year, Matthew O'Regan looks at four stories from Non-League.

1. Goals For Gateshead

The original FA Trophy tie between Gateshead and Farsley Celtic was abandoned due to a suspected cardiac arrest suffered by defender Lewis Turner. Luckily, the 32-year-old is now stable, conscious and at home with his family.

The rearranged game was played on Tuesday, with Pav Singh affording opportunities to a host of young talents. Seven players aged 18 or younger made their debut.

Well done to all the lads below, who made debuts tonight vs @GatesheadFC - 💚

Henry Bedford 16
Fabian McLaren 17
Edward Fitch 16
Isaac Hachem 16
Luke Edmundson 17
Tyler Polwarth 17
Ashton Newsome 18#CeltArmy pic.twitter.com/9mx5NStEin

— Farsley Celtic (@FarsleyCelticFC) December 17, 2024

While it was a proud day for the young septet, it was a day to forget for Celtic, who were thumped 8-1 by their National League counterparts. A Dylan Youmbi penalty put the visitors in the lead after four minutes before goals from Ben Worman, Regan Booty, and Tyrelle Newton put the hosts into a 3-1 halftime lead. Second-half goals from Lucas Lowery, Olly Thompson x2, Christian Lynn and Jovan Malcom completed the route. Gateshead now face fellow National League side Boston United in the next round.

2. Warren For Weymouth

After a dismal start to the season, Mark Moseley was dismissed as Weymouth manager. The Terras have now lost four matches in a row in the league, including losing 3-0 to fellow strugglers Hemel Hempstead.

Warren Feeney was appointed as the new manager after leaving Glentoran in Northern Ireland. The former Northern Ireland international has seemed to struggle in his managerial career thus far, and the comments reacting to the appointment made for interesting reading.

We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Ex-Northern Ireland international Warren Feeney as our new first team manager.

Welcome Weymouth, Warren. https://t.co/UdKCqeMWvd

— Weymouth FC (@theterras) December 17, 2024

His first game comes as Weymouth travel to Essex to face a resurgent Chelmsford City.

3. Winning Whitehawk

Whitehawk have been a club in decline for a number of years. From the brink of the National League and the National League in 2015 to an Isthmian League South East Division relegation battle in 2020, it has been a tumultuous few years for the Hawks.

Things looked to be on the up again when they were promoted back to step three before finishing 9th in their first season back. Manager Shaun Saunders stepped down, and Ross McNeilly and then David Altendorf failed to inspire their side.

Saunders then re-joined, bringing in a host of all fan-favourites that left at the same time as him. Since coming back to the club, Whitehawk have gained seven points from three games, beating Folkestone 1-0, bitter rivals Bognor Regis 2-3 and drawing 1-1 at Chichester. They face a crucial clash at home to Hashtag United next up.

4. Done For Doyle

A 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Gateshead marked the end of Michael Doyle's year-long reign in charge of Woking. The Cardinals are 19th in the league and have scored just once in their last six games. With Woking just one point clear of the relegation zone ahead of a busy Christmas schedule, the hierarchy have decided to pull the trigger.

His replacement has been announced as Neal Ardley. The 52-year-old has had a mixed few years in the managerial scene, struggling at Notts County and York but performing well at Solihull Moors.

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