MIKE Bacon and Carl Marston get their balls out - crystal ones - and throughout the season will predict the results of a host of non-league games this weekend. Enjoy!
WE all love a prediction.
Well, just to keep you all amused/entertained/infuriated throughout this non-league season, MIKE BACON and CARL MARSTON are going to predict the results of some games every week! Don’t laugh!
Now, before we start, if you are going to take it personally, we suggest you read no further.
It’s just a bit of fun. For those we predict to win, don’t let us down. For those we predict to lose, pin it on your dressing room wall and prove us wrong. Please no abusive e-mails, tweets or threats if we don’t have you team down to win 6-0 every week (we get enough abuse already because of the podcast!).
To add a little intrigue on who is the best predictor, Carl and myself will get one point for a correct result, three points for a correct scoreline.
Here you go then. The first 10 this week.
MORE: MIKE BACON’S 15 non-league teams to look out for this season
Eastern Counties Premier
HADLEIGH v KIRKLEY
The home side go into this willing a good start. The Brettsiders had a poor campaign last time out, but have recruited some strong players in the summer. Kirkley, meanwhile are always a solid unit at this level.
MIKE: 2-1 - CARL: 1-2
LONG MELFORD v NORWICH UNITED
Plenty of changes in the visitors line-up. They have seen their three big hitters, Liam Jackson, Ben Fowkes and Finlay Barnes, all move up to Step 3. Melford have enjoyed some good seasons of late.
MIKE: 3-1 - CARL: 3-2
STOWMARKET v GORLESTON
Can Stowmarket do it all over again? A couple of big names have gone, but with Craig Parker in, one would think they can. Gorleston had a difficult time last season and this is a tough start for them.
MIKE: 4-0 - CARL: 3-0
SWAFFHAM v BRANTHAM
The home side only won one of their last eight before lockdown, while the visitors only lost two in 12. If this was last season you would go away win all day long. But it’s not....
MIKE: 1-1 - CARL: 1-2
WHITTON v THETFORD
The Greens are notoriously difficult to beat at King George V and will start in buoyant mood this weekend after their FA Cup win midweek. Tough gig this for Thetford who would likely take a point.
MIKE: 3-1 - CARL: 3-2
Other games: FC Clacton v Haverhill Rovers, Stanway v Ely,
Division One North
DEBENHAM v FAKENHAM
The visitors had a fine season last time out and this is a tough opener for the Hornets. But Debenham have enjoyed a decent pre-season and are a very decent side. Fakenham will no this is not an easy fixture.
MIKE: 1-1 - CARL: 0-0
IPSWICH WANDS v MULBARTON
The game of the day in Div One North. Mulbarton were a shoe-in for promotion last season - likely champions. So, for Wanderers this couldn’t be a much stiffer test, but they have the players. Big crowd expected.
MIKE 2-0 - CARL: 1-3
Other games: Haverhill Borough v Downham Town, King’s Lynn Res v Framlingham, Leiston Res v Diss, March Town v Great Yarmouth, Norwich CBS v Cornard, Sheringham v Lakenheath, Wisbech St Mary v Needham Res.
SIL Senior
ACHILLES v HAUGHLEY
It was a poor last season by their standards for Achilles, while Haughley continue their upward climb. Tough one to call this, but both sides will be desperate for a good start.
MIKE: 2-1 - CARL: 1-3
BILDESTON v HALESWORTH
The home side enjoyed a pretty good season last time and Halesworth certainly did as they gained promotion into the senior division. Be a good gauge for both teams this.
MIKE: 3-3 - CARL 0-2
Other games: Friday night: Cops v Henley. Saturday: Claydon v Trimley, Cranes v East Bergholt, Leiston St Margarets v Benhall, Old Newton v Ransomes, Westerfield v Bourne Vale.
RUNNING SCORE: Mike 0 Carl 0
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