We all know the drill by now, or at least we should do. When Newcastle get an indirect free kick, the set piece taker – usually Yohan Cabaye – will float the ball towards one corner of the penalty area where the 6 foot 5″ Mike Williamson will be waiting to either a) aim a header back across the face of goal for a team-mate or b) direct a header at goal himself. It’s grass roots football: essentially ‘get it in the air for the big lad’. It may work for Stoke, but it certainly hasn’t been the most productive approach for Newcastle.

The problem with this set piece routine for Newcastle is three-fold:

Firstly, it is far too predictable. At the highest level of the modern game, clubs employ scouts and analysts to scrutinise the opposition potentially weeks in advance of a fixture, with the brief of identifying team tactics and trends, including set pieces. Opposition sides know what to expect from Newcastle and set up accordingly, often by putting one or two of their tallest players on Williamson and holding a deeper defensive line to be able to attack the ‘second ball’ should he win the first header. There is little to nothing in the way of variety or surprise; expect the expected.

Secondly, such is the long distance and looping trajectory of the cross, it has often lost its pace by the time it reaches Williamson, who is then seldom able to self-generate any power should he win the header. The angle and height of the cross also gives Williamson’s marker(s) an equal run at it; there is little benefit to the attacker, unlike a cross which is fizzed in from a wide area.

Finally, Mike Williamson – for all he sounds like he could be a power forward for the Utah Jazz – isn’t that great in the end zone. Unlike the stocky Shola Ameobi, who has greater upper body strength, Williamson is slight in comparison and doesn’t have the same physicality to be able to hold off or overpower his man as effectively. I want to point out here that I do like Williamson and his height is an asset when defending, but he’s not a goal-scoring defender in the mould of Thomas Vermaelen or even Steven Taylor. In fact, Williamson is yet to score for Newcastle having made 69 appearances for the club.

Taking the above into account, it’s perhaps not surprising to find that Newcastle are one of only three sides yet to score from a set piece this season (the absence of Ryan ‘over-the-wall’ Taylor not helping matters) and scored the third least from set pieces in the whole of last season:

Premier League set piece productivity: 2012/13

Premier League set piece productivity: 2011/12

This is a far cry from the 2010/11 season, when Newcastle ended the season with 20 goals from set piece situations – the highest in the Premier League:

Set piece productivity: 2010/11

Funnily enough, the free kick routine used in the 2010/11 season is extremely similar to the one currently adopted. The difference then was that it was the powerful and angular Andy Carroll in the Williamson role, supported ably by the pinpoint delivery of Joey Barton. Although of similar heights, Carroll was far stronger in the air than Williamson is and that told in the amount of headed goals that he scored (5) and those that he assisted (6) often for Kevin Nolan. For all that was said in the summer about Carroll not being able to fit into Newcastle’s ‘new style of play’, whatever that is on current showing, United were a far greater aerial threat with him in the side than without and goals yielded from set pieces have drastically decreased since his £35 million departure.

As shown with Carroll, the looping set piece to the big man (for want of a better description) can work if you have the right target man. In Williamson, Newcastle don’t currently have that. As such, if there aren’t the right players for the job, why not try something different? Use Williamson as a decoy; use the predictability to your advantage. Work the ball down the flanks and look for a better angle to cross from. Play the ball short to Hatem Ben Arfa and just tell him to run with it. Hell, anything has to be better than the current approach which has at its best seen Williamson hit the post (Liverpool, 2011/12) and win a missed penalty (Norwich, 2012/13).

I’ll just leave this video here..

Alan Pardew alluded to bringing in a ‘set-piece specialist’ in his phone-in with BBC Radio Newcastle in the summer, yet frustratingly it doesn’t look as though any progress has been made on that front. Hopefully it remains a priority. For a side containing Jonas Gutierrez – the second highest fouled player this season, with 3 per game – set pieces are guaranteed and Newcastle being able to better take advantage could be the difference between winning and drawing, finishing in a European place or not.

The definition of insanity? Perhaps not. Time for a rethink? I’d suggest so.

Bolton 0

Newcastle 2
Ben Arfa 69
Ba 71

Newcastle returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over struggling Bolton at The Reebok Stadium; ending a 6 game spell without a win and picking up their first on Boxing Day since 1988.

1. Team selection and tactics

Newcastle made 3 changes to the side that lost 3-2 at home to West Brom on Wednesday night. Mike Williamson returned from injury to replace James Perch in central defence, Yohan Cabaye was available after suspension and took the place of Haris Vuckic in central midfield, while Ryan Taylor started at left back with Davide Santon ruled out through injury. Bolton manager Owen ‘Barclays Premier League’ Coyle made 2 changes to the side that had won 2-1 at Blackburn in their last outing; full backs Dedryk Boyata and Paul Robinson replacing Gretar Steinsson and Marcos Alonso.

Alan Pardew kept faith with his preferred 4-4-2 formation, which he used for the fourth game in a row, and looked for his side to create opportunities on the wings and through the sheer endeavour of his strike partnership; Demba Ba and Leon Best. Bolton also lined up in a 4-4-2 formation and, with Mark Davies typically cutting inside from his right midfield berth, they often looked to the pace of left winger Martin Petrov as their main outlet and creator.

2. Williamson returns to shore up the defence

Williamson's 12 clearances

Having conceded 7 goals in 3 games since losing Steven Taylor to injury, the return of Mike Williamson alongside Fabricio Coloccini was a welcome one for Newcastle. Although James Perch, to his credit, has performed admirably when filling in at centre back, at 5″11 and of a slight frame he has struggled aerially when facing taller and stronger defenders, none more notably than Norwich’s Grant Holt/Steve Morison, and the return of 6″4 Williamson helped to boost Newcastle’s aerial strength in defence.

Williamson made 12 clearances, more than any other player for either side. He also won each of the 3 tackles that he challenged for on the ground and was composed in possession with 81% of his passes finding a teammate; showing that he is capable with his feet as he is in the air. It was an assured return to first team action for Williamson, albeit against a poor Bolton side, who helped his side record their 6th clean sheet of the season. Providing that he can stay fit for a prolonged period, Williamson’s presence in Newcastle’s defence will help to fill the void left by the injured Steven Taylor.

3. Raylor attacks from left back

Taylor's successful passes. Most took place in Bolton's half

With the attack-minded Davide Santon ruled out through injury, the ever reliant Ryan Taylor was brought in at left back. The change brought with it questions as to whether it would negate Newcastle’s left sided attacking threat, as it has done earlier in the season when Gutierrez has dropped deeper to support his slightly more vulnerable and out of position colleague, however Taylor put paid to this with an encouraging attacking display from left back.

Taylor had more touches of the ball (64) than any other outfield player for Newcastle and regularly looked to get forward to provide an option for Newcastle in the final third. He linked up well with Gutierrez, often making himself an option, overlapping, and creating space in attacking areas. Unlucky not to score with a free kick earlier in the game, Taylor capped off a fine offensive performance from full back with an accurately measured pass from the by-line for Newcastle’s opener.

4. Newcastle’s right side focus

With Marcos Alonso missing out through injury, veteran left back Paul Robinson was drafted in to mark Gabriel Obertan. This individual battle favoured the younger, quicker and taller Obertan and, as highlighted in our preview, gave the young Frenchman a real opportunity to take advantage and use his pace to get in behind Robinson to provide crosses for Ba and Best. This opportunity was identified by Newcastle who played 41% of their football down Obertan’s right, compared to only 26% on the left.

Newcastle's right side focus

Obertan was unable to get in behind Robinson, who backed off and showed him inside, as much as he would like, but crucially on one of the few occasions that he did, he provided an assist with a low cross to Demba Ba for Newcastle’s second goal. There’s still plenty of work to be done in relation to Obertan’s development, but it was pleasing to see his contribution against Bolton recognised by the travelling support who applauded him off the pitch when substituted – certainly far more productive for his confidence than the jeers which have greeted him by some sections of the crowd in recent home games.

5. Ben Arfa beats Bolton

Nomadic: Ben Arfa passing heat map

On the hour mark, and with neither side looking like scoring the game’s opening goal, Newcastle manager Alan Pardew made the first of his substitutions and brought on Hatem Ben Arfa for Leon Best. And in the same way that the introduction of Ben Arfa changed Newcastle’s attacking play in their last game against West Brom, it did so again against Bolton. Newcastle changed to a more fluent 4-4-1-1 with Ben Arfa playing off lone striker Demba Ba, although the formation could have also been interpreted as a 4-2-3-1 such were the high positions that wingers Gutierrez and Obertan took up as Newcastle increased their attacking emphasis.

Ben Arfa rarely stuck to his position, cleverly dropping deep and drifting to the right wing to find space and link the play. With Ben Arfa playing in between the midfield and attacking lines, Bolton seemed unsure whether to hand man marking duties to a midfielder (natural choice Fabrice Muamba subbed off shortly after Ben Arfa came on) or for one of the central defenders to pick him up when he moved into the final third, and instead did neither. This tactical uncertainty was evident in Newcastle’s opening goal when Ben Arfa arrived into the box unmarked to coolly convert Ryan Taylor’s left win cross; his introduction ultimately proving to be the catalyst for Newcastle’s victory.

At the end of the day…

It perhaps wasn’t the most elegant of attacking performances that we will see from Newcastle this season, but they were patient and clinical with the opportunities that they created and were deserved of the win.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle spoke of his disappointment post-match at his team’s inability to win the game, but, in truth, they rarely threatened and were second best in most areas and certainly in terms of chances created with only 1 shot on target to Newcastle’s 5.

The victory was crucial for Newcastle, to end a barren run of 6 games without a win and to inject some confidence and self-belief ahead of consecutive difficult fixtures against Liverpool and Man Utd.

The first of those games, and the last game of 2011, comes on Friday night against Liverpool at Anfield, 7:45pm kick off.

Following the Boxing Day results, 7th placed Newcastle now sit just a point behind 6th placed Liverpool which makes Friday night’s fixture an intriguing one. With Liverpool failing to beat Sunderland, Norwich, Swansea and Blackburn at Anfield this season, it’s not inconceivable that a rejuvenated Newcastle side could take something from the game, providing that they set up correctly and nullify the opposition.

Here’s hoping they can end an excellent 2011 on a high.

As always, if you want our instant news and (kneejerk) reaction to anything Newcastle United or football related then follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/leazesterrace or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/leazesterrace

Man City 3
Balotelli (pen) 41
Richards 44
Aguero (pen) 72

Newcastle 1
Gosling 89

A meeting between the Premier League’s two remaining unbeaten sides saw Manchester City defeat Newcastle 3-1 to retain their 5 point lead at the top of the table.

City took the lead 5 minutes before half time after referee Chris Foy rightly awarded a penalty kick when Ryan Taylor’s outstretched arm blocked a goal bound shot; Mario Balotelli coolly converted from the spot. The lead was doubled on the stroke of half time when Ryan Taylor’s hesitancy to clear a low ball into the box was punished by the anticipatory Micah Richards who nicked the ball off Taylor before prodding beyond the reach of Tim Krul.

The second half began with Newcastle on the front foot and looking to get back into the game, with Hatem Ben Arfa, Danny Guthrie and Fabricio Coloccini going close, but City were to extend their lead in the 72nd minute when Richards was brought down in the area from behind by Ben Arfa before Sergio Aguero made it 3-0 from the spot. Substitute Dan Gosling pulled a goal back from close range for Newcastle in the final minute, but it was too little too late for the visitors as City ended the game 3-1 victors.

Here we take a look at the 5 key points from a Newcastle perspective:

1. Team selection and tactics

An injury hit Newcastle were without regular first teamers Cheick Tiote, Gabriel Obertan, Sylvain Marveaux and Leon Best for the trip to Manchester which forced Alan Pardew to make 2 changes to the starting 11 that beat Everton 2-1 at St James’ Park a fortnight ago;  Ben Arfa and Sammy Ameobi replacing Marveaux and Best in the starting line up. Roberto Mancini, no doubt taking into account the upcoming midweek Champions League trip to Napoli, utilised his side’s strength in depth and made 5 changes to the Man City side which beat Q.P.R 3-2 at Loftus Road as Gael Clichy, Vincent Kompany, Nigel De Jong, Samir Nasri and Mario Balotelli took the places of Stefan Savic, Aleksandar Kolarov, Gareth Barry, David Silva and Edin Dzeko.

With Best injured and Shola Ameobi perhaps still short of match fitness, Pardew was short of orthodox forwards to utilise his favoured 4-4-2 formation and instead opted for a 4-4-1-1 with Ben Arfa playing in the ‘number 10′ role behind Ba. Newcastle typically defended deep but, far from simply ‘parking the bus’, looked to break on the counter attack using the pace of Sammy Ameobi and trickery of Ben Arfa. City personified the possession game with accurate and fluid ‘pass and move’ football that was difficult to track and which resulted in the home side largely controlling proceedings.

2. City control the centre

Newcastle tackles in own half. Blue: successful. Red: unsuccessful. Note how few tackles were won in the centre

Both sides used systems that incorporated a 4 man midfield, which posed a direct 2 vs 2 battle in the centre of midfield as Yohan Cabaye and Danny Guthrie faced up against Nigel De Jong and Yaya Toure.  Although Cabaye and Guthrie performed plausibly, it was the City pair who outperformed their midfield counterparts and helped the home side control the centre of midfield.

De Jong, naturally a defensive midfielder, and Yaya Toure, often the driving force for City, offered a healthy balance of defensive and attacking qualities. They were comfortable in possession which is highlighted by the fact that they were the game’s top 2 passers with 66 and 60 passes completed respectively, while both players also achieved an impressive passing accuracy of over 90%. Conversely, Guthrie and Cabaye are both more naturally offensive players and, while both are adept at the defensive side of the game, Newcastle missed the destructive and spoiling style of Tiote to break up the opposition’s midfield play.

3. Nomadic Nasri and roaming former Magpie Milner

Man City’s wide men Samir Nasri, starting on the left, and James Milner, starting on the right, typified the fluidity and accuracy of City’s play. While Nasri plays more as an inverted winger who likes to cut inside on his stronger right side, Milner is more of an out and out winger who is able to get to the by-line before delivering a cross, yet both are versatile enough to perform either role and did so against Newcastle’s full backs who struggled to keep up with their movement.

Both Nasri and Milner showed a willingness to cut inside to link play and retain possession, rather than hitting hopeful crosses into the box or up to the front men, which is highlighted in their high pass accuracy percentages of 91% and 84% respectively. The pair are given the freedom to roam from their starting positions, which they do often, that arguably posed Newcastle a more difficult proposition to prepare for, track and defend against than a side who employ orthodox wingers.

City's wandering wingers. Left: Nasri's completed passes. Right: Milner's completed passes.

4. Attack minded Richards and Clichy exploit space

Micah Richards passing heat map. 61% completed in Newcastle's half.

When the aforementioned Nasri and Milner drifted inside from their wide positions it dragged with them the Newcastle full backs and created space for the onrushing Micah Richards and Gael Clichy from full back. And the pair, playing almost as secondary wingers at times such were their high positions and forward runs,  were keen to exploit the space created for them by their teammates.

Clichy has been criticised in recent times for his positioning, but against Newcastle he performed his defensive duties admirably with 3 tackles, 6 interceptions and 9 clearances while offering attacking support with 59% of his passes completed in Newcastle’s half. However, it was Richards who caught the eye with his relentless attacking from right back  reminiscent of Barcelona’s Dani Alves. Richards completed an impressive 61% of his passes in the opposition half and capped off a man of the match winning performance with a well earned goal and won a penalty for his side.

5. Deep lying Newcastle place attacking emphasis on their number 10

Newcastle tended to defend deep and in 2 banks of 4, as they have done effectively in the previous 2 fixtures against Everton and Stoke, with the midfield attempting to narrow the space for City to play into. This effectively reduced Newcastle’s attacking threat on the left with Gutierrez again primarily concerned about helping out Ryan Taylor at left back. And while there were bursts of pace down the right side from Sammy Ameobi it was Ben Arfa playing just off the, at times isolated, Ba who was expected to provide the creative spark.

Considering it was his first league start of the season, and his first appearance at the ground in which he suffered such a harrowing double leg break, Ben Arfa showed in glimpses of what he is capable of. His direct approach, skill and vision in the final third almost created an assist for Ba, who should have scored from close range, while he went close to grabbing a goal of his own with his right footed shot inches from finding Joe Hart’s bottom right corner. His defending in the penalty area could do with some work though…

At the end of the day…

After 11 games unbeaten in the league this season, albeit having ‘not played anyone yet’, Newcastle suffered their first defeat away to the side currently residing at the top of the table, but far from disgraced themselves with a spirited and determined display on a ground which the majority of visiting teams will suffer defeat this season.

Although Man City dominated possession with 64% to Newcastle’s 36% and completed over double the amount of passes (564) than their opponents (274), Newcastle had their chances and managed 4 shots on target to Man City’s 5. In terms of tactics there’s little that Pardew could have done different given the players that were missing and they weren’t that far off yielding a result for Newcastle.

Had Ba been more clinical in front of goal, which we’ve perhaps came to expect due to his excellent start to the season, and converted either of his 2 chances to give Newcastle the lead it could have lead to a different outcome. Similarly if Ben Arfa’s shot against the post had bounced off it and into the net, rather than across goal and back into play, when the score was 2-0, it could have gave Newcastle a way back into the game. All ifs and buts of course, however they do serve to highlight some near misses for Newcastle that on another day could have earned them something from the game.

As it was some uncharacteristic mistakes proved costly for Newcastle with each Man City goal a result of their opponents’ defensive indecisions and errors. Although Newcastle defended reasonably well on the whole against the league’s top scorers, we are told time and again that defensive mistakes will be seized upon in the Premier League and this proved to be the case for Newcastle against Man City.

Newcastle remained in 3rd position on 25 points after the defeat, although they could drop down to 4th position should Tottenham beat Aston Villa on Monday night.

Next up for the Magpies is the 2nd of 3 consecutive fixtures against the other sides currently occupying the top 4 and another trip to Manchester to face the United variety at Old Trafford on Saturday 26 November, 3pm kick off. It is hoped that Tiote, Obertan and Best will be able to return from injury to boost Newcastle’s chances in what is already an extremely different fixture at a ground that they tend to return home from empty handed.

As always, if you want our instant news and (kneejerk) reaction to anything Newcastle United or football related then follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/leazesterrace or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/leazesterrace

Actually, you still can – and with the continuing wrangles between club sides and national associations meaning it’s a Friday night kick off for England in Bulgaria, there’s no better time than this weekend’s Non League Day to rediscover the simple joys of watching a game of football on a Saturday afternoon.

Northern Alliance First Division side Gosforth Bohemians have put more effort than most into this weekend.  Founded in Leazes Terrace in 1894, Bohs are producing a one-off programme (free with the £2 entry) for their home game with Cramlington Town.  Food and drink will be on sale (no alcohol, but the Three Mile Inn is just along the road) inside the newly renovated clubhouse, where you can also see trophies and photographs from the club’s long history.  In the Premier Division, Percy Main Amateurs (£2 including an excellent programme), Heaton Stannington (usually free) and Ponteland United (£1) have home fixtures.  Kick off in all the games is 2.30pm.

Gosforth Bohemians' 'keeper reflects on a narrow miss

The Northern League – founded in a Durham City pub in the summer of 1889 and the oldest grassroots football league in the world – has a reduced programme of fixtures with many of its teams in FA Cup preliminary qualifying round action. Consett versus Stokesley is the pick of the league games. Runners-up last season, Consett’s ex-Hartlepool forward Michael Mackay has scored eight goals already this season in what has otherwise been an inconsistent start for Kenny Lindoe’s side. After losing thirty-eight players in the summer, Stokesley have conceded thirty-two goals in their first five games, losing 15-0 at Bedlington before picking up their first point in Monday’s goalless draw with Bedlington.  Consett hope to move to a new stadium next season, so see the Belle Vue while you can.

This time last year Matty Grieve was partnering Sol Campbell for Newcastle reserves – now he’s partnering James Harmison (whose brother used to bowl for England) in the centre of of Ashington’s defence. The Colliers take on second division Northallerton Town in the FA Cup, hoping to bounce back from heavy defeats to Sunderland RCA and Bedlington. Their fans will be hoping to see another ex-Newcastle reserve, winger Jonny Godsmark, back in the starting eleven.

Bedlington have scored nineteen times in their last two games, while visitors Billingham Town won 6-2 at Crook in the previous round. Expect to see plenty of movement on the Terriers’ new £30,000 scoreboard.

Closer to Tyneside, Whitley Bay host Marske United in a repeat of last weekend’s league game. Ian Chandler’s side won that one 4-0 and will expect to go through to the next round.  Dunston UTS face a more difficult proposition at home to Durham City.  Newcastle Benfield – second in the league table with a game in hand – are at home to a South Shields side who’ve let in 18 goals in their first six games.

All the FA Cup and Northern League games get underway at 3pm.  Adult admission is generally £5 with half price entry for children and OAPs (£6 and £4 at Whitley Bay).  Directions to all the grounds are at http://northernleagueday.wordpress.com.  Also, if you’re on twitter you can follow @grassroots11 for a variety of Non-league and Northern League information and events.

Interested?  Good – United for Newcastle’s representatives attached the following message, including the necessary details to join, as below:

Here at United For Newcastle we took inspiration from the Newcastle fans donations to the SBR Foundation and have decided to run a dream team with a small entry fee of £3. Half of the proceedings will be donated to the SBR Foundation and the other half will go straight into a pot which will be spread out accordingly to the top three players come the end of the season.

We will be using the official premier league fantasy football and you can register a team at the following address: http://fantasy.premierleague.com/

The rules are simple, once you have donated the £3 to this paypal account “ufndreamteam@gmail.com” we will then forward you on the league code to enter. When you do send the payment through can you PLEASE do this as a gift and make sure that you pay the extra charges incurred, this will be around 30p. When sending over the money can you also leave you email address or twitter name in the message box below so we can send you the league code in which you will need to enter.

United For Newcastle will gain no financial gain from this, we’re simply trying to raise some money for one of Newcastle United’s greatest ever managers! Whilst of cause having some fun with the most loyal football supporters in the world…

Gan on lads, you know it’s worth it.

Nodding as you read? Good. As this Saturday, to give you a helpful reminder of how it feels to watch football live, there is the chance to see 3 games of football for only £3 (£1 for U16s and OAPs) as the brainchild of Michael (@Dolphinhotel) and Andy Hudson (@HuddoHudson) – Northern Leagues United comes to Birtley.

The day kicks off at 11.30am with an hour long friendly between Birtley Town under 17s vs. Birtley Town under 18s. Following this, at 1pm, there is a special match which will see Football Writers take on Northern League Fans for the Onagawa Cup, and this is where we come in.

Football Writers vs. Northern League Fans

Playing for the Writers’ side is an assortment of journalists and bloggers including Simon Bird (The Mirror), Mark Douglas (Sunday Sun, Evening Chronicle and Journal), Iain Macintosh (Sports Illustrated), Nick Loughlin, Paul Fraser and Rich Mason (Northern Echo), Ian Cusack (When Saturday Comes), Simon Pryde (BBC Radio Newcastle), Joel Goldman and Joe Daunt (Metro Radio) and our own Chrissy Smith.

The Fans’ team can boast 3 FA Vase winners – Fans’ manager Ian Chandler (4 time FA Vase winner as Whitley Bay player and boss), Paul Robinson (Whitley Bay player and 3 time FA Vase winner) and Paul Chow (Whitley Bay player and 3 time FA Vase winner). As well as yours truly (0 time FA Vase winner, 1 time ‘most improved player’ winner), which also pits the LT writers against each other to add a touch of inter-website rivalry to proceedings.

Unfortunately the third of the LT Triumvirate, Richard Havelock, won’t be able to participate due to his ankle being made of glass. We will, of course, strive to carry on without him, as difficult as it may be.

It certainly promises to be an interesting game, with those used to writing about Football trying to prove they are as adept at playing it. Surely worth the small sum of £3 to find out… And if that’s not enough, at 3pm, following the Football Writers vs Northern League Fans match, you can get a taste of Northern League action as Birtley Town face Ryton and Crawcrook Albion in a friendly.

Where your £3 will go

As well as being able to see 3 games of football, you will also be contributing to, and supporting, the football community with all proceeds from the day being split between Cobaltore Onagawa, a Sports Club in Japan who were hit by the recent Tsunami, and the hosts, Birtley Town.

How to get there

Northern Leagues United will be taking place at the home of Birtley Town – Birtley Sports Ground, Durham Road, Birtley, DH3 2TB.

If travelling on the A1, exit at junction 63 (Chester-le-Street). Travel on the A693 and turn right at the first roundabout following signs to Birtley and the A6127 (Durham Road). When on Durham Road, you’ll drive past Birtley Leisure Centre on the left, turn left just after, at the disused garage and parking is available through the gates.

If travelling by bus – The number 21 bus from Eldon Square passes the ground, jump off, or just step off – up to you, at the King William IV pub and it is only a couple of minutes walking distance:

If the football on offer isn’t enough to persuade you to part with your £3, there will also be food and drink on sale as well as competitions and a raffle (prizes include 2 tickets to this season’s Blackburn Rovers vs. Newcastle United / Sunderland game including hospitality in Ewood Park’s Legends’ Lounge!).

For more information about Northern Leagues United including the full squad lists for both teams and information on how you can support the cause, visit Viva Northern League.

See you Saturday, 11.30am.

Leazes Terrace On Twitter

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Want more? Bloody hell, well all else we can offer you is the personal ramblings of each of our individual writers-  you can follow us individually:

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Satisfied?  Good, you can’t say we didn’t tell you.

Leazes Terrace On Facebook

Show your support for us and give us scant personal reward for our hours of toil and relationship strain by ‘Liking’ us on Facebook.  Fear not, your strenuous efforts in doing so will be rewarded by receiving the latest posts, updates and borderline offensive material directly in your Facebook News Feed – in turn making visiting our carefully crafted website a non-necessity…

Still interested?  Good, then you can do this easily by clicking on the Facebook ‘Like’ button at the top right of this website (see it there… top right, you know what a thumb looks like… there’s a good lad).

Leazes Terrace On Twitter

Suffer from ADHD?  Then we have good news – Leazes Terrace also has a Twitter Page!  If you crave BBC News 24 style second by second updates and have yourself a Twitter account then why not ‘Follow’ Leazes Terrace and get up to the nano-second information on our latest words of whimsy. Lord knows we won’t be updating the site anywhere near the once every 10 seconds Twitter aims for, but the service is there for your enjoyment non the less.

If you’re feeling particularly motivated / brave / aggrieved / libelous then you can tweet us your own suggestions for a blog subject for Leazes Terrace to devour.  All suggestions that let us verbally dismantle Andy Gray are particularly welcome.

Follow Leazes Terrace on Twitter

As NUFC slaves, we tweet regularly on match days about what garbage is being spouted pre match, bizarre team line ups, new songs, how bad James Perch is, how good Jose Enrique is etc until the effects of alcohol take over and we revert back to arguing with whoever happens to be in front of our face before returning home to argue with MOTD…  We also add the odd photo live from the scene -  player look-a-likes, terrible replica shirt names and numbers, haircuts etc – generally whatever tickles our easily entertained souls at the time.

Want more? Bloody hell, well all else we can offer you is the personal ramblings of each of our individual writers-  you can follow them individually:

Richard Havelock: @websdevelopment
Ryan Davison: @Ryan_Davison
Chrissy Smith: @HulioGeordio45

Satisfied?  Good, you can’t say we didn’t tell you.

Welcome to Leazes Terrace, the football opinions blog covering subjects such as football transfers, teams, news, match reports and general rants about things in the beautiful game.

If we don’t like it, we’ll let you know about it.