National League Game Week 10 Preview

National League Game Week 10 Team to Watch - AFC Fylde

Manageress Fylde got off to a great start to their life post former manager Chris Breech, recording a 2-1 win over Southend during the week, an impressive result. Their individual quality hasn’t been under question this season, as they arguably boast the best player in the league in Nick Haughton; but thus far they have been over reliant on the attacking midfielder. But he is a reliable, talismanic figure, and it was once again Haughton who made the difference in the week, scoring the winning goal to send Fylde home with all three points.

AFC Fylde are currently without a manager…

Here we look at some candidates for the job

These are a mixture of names already linked, options I like, and ambitious appointments too

[THREAD] 🧵 pic.twitter.com/zgayqLeCJF

— tomhwilliams23 (@tomhwilliams23) September 20, 2024

They have a fantastic fixture to build momentum with this weekend, when they welcome struggling Woking to the Fylde coast. Not only should the distance of the travel for the away side take it’s toll, but Fylde shouldn’t fear too much what is coming the other way in terms of firepower; Woking have struggled in front of goal, scoring just 9 goals in 9 games so far, 6 of which came in 2 games. Fylde have been underwhelming this season, but they have a real chance to gain momentum now, especially with a favourable fixture this weekend. If they can bring some of their other attacking threats to the fore, such as Jon Ustabasi and Danny Ormerod, and not be too reliant on Haughton, then they could be really good value this weekend.

**National League Game Week 10 Player to Watch - Gus Scott-Morriss

Rather unbelievably, right wing back Scott-Morriss is the second top scorer in the National League so far this season, with seven goals to his name in nine games. He hit eight last season, an impressive tally for a wing back, but he is now just one goal away from matching that amount already, less than a quarter into the season. It really is no fluke or coincidence though, as Scott-Morriss gets into the opposition box with frightening regularity. He is a physically impressive player, combining pace, strength and tirelessness to get up and down the right flank almost at will.

It’s actually crazy that a right back is the second top goalscorer in the league with 7 goals in 9 games 🤯

Tying Gus Scott-Morriss down to a new contract in the summer was a great piece of business from the club. The best player in the National League.

The English Cafu 🇧🇷 https://t.co/bsSL4vXWty pic.twitter.com/IDjVkIrv2i

— London Shrimper (@londonshrimper) September 18, 2024

He is effective at both ends of the pitch, with those physical attributes making him just as good at one on one defending as he is at arriving late into the box to strike at the right moment. In fact, his goal scoring exploits are made even more impressive if you include the end of last season; if you do he has 9 goals in 13 games. The question will be whether he can keep that run going.

National League Game Week 10 Hot Prospect - Charlie McCann

Northern Ireland youth international McCann has serious pedigree; something you can tell when watching him play. The 22 year old oozes class, from his sumptuous control of a football, to the technique he shows when passing the ball. It’s not uncommon to see McCann spray balls out wide using the outside of his boot, reiterating both his class, but also the fact that he really shouldn’t be operating at this level. That’s reinforced by the clubs McCann has spent time with so far in his career, some of the biggest in the UK.

McCann came through the ranks at Manchester United, before moving to Scottish giants Rangers, where he made a handful of league appearances. His move to Forest Green, whilst they were in League One, promised to be one where he could really kick on in senior football; he would not have foreseen them suffering back to back relegations. But whilst McCann should not be playing in the National League at this stage of his career, neutrals should try and enjoy his performances whilst they last. He’s not just a player to watch for stylistic reasons though; his output has been strong so far this year too. He has three goals in eight appearances, a strong tally in its own right, made even more so when you consider those goals came from midfield.

National League Game Week 10 Match of the Week - Wealdstone v Barnet

In terms of derby games in non league, they don’t come much more intense than Wealdstone v Barnet. And if anything, this is a game that goes under the radar from that perspective, but it certainly merits being discussed as a fierce rivalry game. Last season produced two classic iterations of this fixture, with the first, at Grosvenor Vale, producing a five goal thriller, that was won deep in stoppage time by underdogs Stones. The second game between the pair also saw another late goal for Wealdstone, an equaliser after a mistake from Barnet’s keeper.

So not only are these games that produce strong atmospheres, but they also produce moments of drama too. Barnet haven’t been short of that so far this season, with manager Dean Brennan launching into a post match tirade that has gone viral on social media. He asked the fans to get behind them and referenced that his group have ‘character’, both of which will be crucial this weekend. It’s a cliche in football to say form goes out of the window when it comes to derby games; but if last season’s efforts are anything to go by, there is some truth in the statement. Wealdstone will be hoping that will be the case again this term, as they come into this one very much on the back foot, despite being the home side.