Talking Points: What are the big stories in Non-League?

Wrexham haven’t been enjoying much luck with managers recently, what’s going on?

Despite their lofty position in the National League, it has been a largely frustrating season for Wrexham supporters, who are now set to witness their third manager of the season take to the dug out.

It’s a followed a similar pattern to last when Dean Keates left to take up his dream job at Walsall, just as the club looked set to be nailed on in the play-offs. As a result, they fell away from the top seven in the final couple of months.

Now they’ll be hoping the same doesn’t happen again after Graham Barrow resigned on Tuesday with Bryan Hughes appointed as his replacement. Barrow steadied the ship following Sam Ricketts’ untimely departure to Shrewsbury, but having not managed since 2005, he told The Leader that his enjoyment of being involved in football, having been Ricketts’ assistant, had disappeared since becoming manager.

They sit just four points behind leaders Leyton Orient and Hughes, in his first management role, doesn’t need to start making wholesale changes to first-team. They are more than capable of pushing for the title and should at least be in the play-off picture come April.

 

Was the 5-5 draw between Ramsbottom United and AFC Fylde the craziest FA Trophy tie in recent history?

Most probably! And one of the best parts is they have to do it all over again! What makes the result more incredible too is that Ramsbottom are three divisions below Fylde.

The home side trailed 2-0 only to score twice in three minutes to level things up before half-time, but then still went into the break behind.

Rammy went 4-2 down in the second half yet miraculously turned the scoreline around and led 5-4 before Andy Bond spared Fylde’s blushes with a late goal to force a replay.

Lets hope for some more midweek madness next Tuesday!

 

AFC Fylde did well to keep hold of striker Danny Rowe in January, was he close to landing a Football League move?

There was interest in the 21-goal striker with chairman David Haythornthwaite confirming a measly £50,000 bid was lodged by an unnamed former Premier League club.

He described it an insult to both Rowe and the club, and said the offer “was treated with the contempt it deserved”.

Last summer the club rejected a six-figure sum from Cheltenham Town and manager Dave Challinor has maintained that the striker is not for sale.

Rowe will be key to Fylde’s promotion push during the run-in, they’ve played a blinder in keeping him.

 

Which way is the National League North title going to swing?

Chorley are four points ahead of Stockport at the top and have a game in hand. The two clubs play each other on April 20, the third to last game of the season, which could have a big say in the title race.

Looking at the run-ins for the two sides, Stockport play five of the current top ten in their remaining 14 games, with away trips to Brackley, Boston and Chester to come. They also host Spennymoor and AFC Telford at Edgeley Park.

Chorley have a tougher final few months, having to play eight of the current top ten in their final 15 matches. They’ll be visited by Brackley, Kidderminster, AFC Telford and Bradford PA while getting on the road to Boston, Chester, Altrincham and Spennymoor.

The points gap they hold at the top could be crucial looking at the teams they still have to play. This is a long way from over and Stockport will be fancying their chances.