2017 Zone League 1 thread

[DonPablo]

Top 4 is a pretty solid prediction, i'd say most will be thinking they are the 4 to beat.
Of the other 6 it will be very interesting to see which ones can push those predicted top teams.
Player movements are a big thing... Is Charlestowns keeper still there, he was the best in the comp and would have won them many point alone last year.
Westlakes beat Wallsend in a trial but how much can you go on preseason form this early.
Morisset seem to have come down due to weak player ranks, if they were going to struggle in ZPL, it will be slightly easier but you would think it wouldn't be too much different in ZL1.
Barnsley played some excellent football last year and most would say how difficult they were to play against but they also played some shocking football which saw their table position be what it was. Were prone to a bit of a collapse and seriously lacked any kind of striker. I have heard they have recruited a few handy players so, if true, should be a difficult opponent.
Bero, who bloody knows. They were pretty up and down last year and could do anything with a bit of momentum!

This comp will b the most even its been in years. Cookers are awats talked up off the field (see the last 100 posts above) but do very little to warrant it on the field. Sububs are still reeling from lez wallace syndrome, but will surely bounce back. Or so IMm being told. Terrace play fast effective counter football. But like leicester, there time will end. And since $uper coach left stocko, who is recruiting players to go play overseas evry week???
Best of the rest is anyones guess. I heard charlies keeper did his acl last season & might not be playing, despite $$$ being thrown at him by warner$ pay. Bero could beat anyone, then lose to anyone. Same as barnsley. Westlakes have the advantage that players get lost trying to find there ground and teams end up playing short. Wallsend are talking the talk, but like a small child, noone knows if they understand what they blabbering. Which leaves morrisset. I hope they go back to ZL2 where they belong. Yo-yos were only cool in the 90s.

[WWMTD?]

This comp will b the most even its been in years. Cookers are awats talked up off the field (see the last 100 posts above) but do very little to warrant it on the field. Sububs are still reeling from lez wallace syndrome, but will surely bounce back. Or so IMm being told. Terrace play fast effective counter football. But like leicester, there time will end. And since $uper coach left stocko, who is recruiting players to go play overseas evry week???
Best of the rest is anyones guess. I heard charlies keeper did his acl last season & might not be playing, despite $$$ being thrown at him by warner$ pay. Bero could beat anyone, then lose to anyone. Same as barnsley. Westlakes have the advantage that players get lost trying to find there ground and teams end up playing short. Wallsend are talking the talk, but like a small child, noone knows if they understand what they blabbering. Which leaves morrisset. I hope they go back to ZL2 where they belong. Yo-yos were only cool in the 90s.

Hahaha shots fired!!!

[Kicktheball]

I have heard along the grapevine, that Stockton have lost a few key players and depth this year? Can anyone confirm.

[sammydog]

Garden Suburb drew 3-3 with South Armidale FC today.

Reserves beat The Armidale School development squad 5-1.

[leftrightout]

All the talk of beers, it's a shame you guys have lost Jesmond this year. ZPL are the lucky comp, good local beers on tap!

[Berbs]

Lost a few gained a few we will be right

Bero snrs vs Stockton

Thirds/res: 4-0
Firsts: 3-2

Decent first hit out. Good to get some metres in the legs

[pv4]

Westlakes have the advantage that players get lost trying to find there ground and teams end up playing short.

The true home ground advantage!

[Dunny]

Reading through some solid harmless banter on this thread very good to see, although anyone who thinks there isnt much of a difference between zl1 and zpl are having a bit of a laugh. Having good mates who have played in both divisions and have expressed the difference in well drilled and also talented teams

[hawk]

I was just pumped up for the large cans... Mmmmmmm.. Big cans...

yeah baby

[Kicktheball]

In relation to the comment above. I believe cooks hill, Raymond terrace and Stockton will find this year a lot easier compared to the previous. The competition doesn't seem as strong.

[Couchcoach]

If Cooks Hill doesn't walk away with the plate they should have a good hard look at themselves the level of this comp has really bottomed out. There I was thinking it was only in the lower all age and juniors comps that clubs under graded themselves to jag some silverware...

[4attheback]

Any news on promoted sides westlakes would imagine being solid in 1st dunno about other grades
And Wallsend been quiet other than Scott baillie going there

[AVB]

If Cooks Hill doesn't walk away with the plate they should have a good hard look at themselves the level of this comp has really bottomed out. There I was thinking it was only in the lower all age and juniors comps that clubs under graded themselves to jag some silverware...

Are you suggesting Cooks Hill have purposely put themselves in ZL1 simply to win silverware? they haven't won anything in first grade since they were promoted from ZL3 in 2015 and you can't exactly blame them for Newcastle football promoting 3 teams ahead of the to ZPL?

To clear the air, Cooks Hill approached Newcastle Football about promotion at the end of 2016 but were told that we would be bottom of the list due to our NewFM side. The idea being that it is better to have as many clubs as possible in the top divisions as they can, which is understandable.

[Passtheballmate]

If Cooks Hill doesn't walk away with the plate they should have a good hard look at themselves the level of this comp has really bottomed out. There I was thinking it was only in the lower all age and juniors comps that clubs under graded themselves to jag some silverware...

Cooks Hill play some quality football in 1st grade and are a very talented side. However got demolised in the finals by Terrace last year. Definately dont see them walking away with it.
Also will depend on each club if had any new recruits or big losses of players.

[namwob99]

Cooks Hill play some quality football in 1st grade and are a very talented side. However got demolised in the finals by Terrace last year. Definately dont see them walking away with it.
Also will depend on each club if had any new recruits or big losses of players.

Good bunch of blokes, who imo definitely play the best football in the comp, doesn't mean they get the results every week though.

[beaten favourite]

Haha thanks mate, I'll shout you a Foghorn for that. I reckon it's going to be a really tight comp. I can't see anyone running away with it as in previous years. New coach has been great for us this year but still learning a new shape etc.

Had a hit out against our NEWFM side last night got done 4-2. Not bad for our 2nd trial.

Ps they are very decent this year, reckon they'll give NEWFM a real shout. Pretty much an entirely new First Grade squad.

[The Spy]

Haha thanks mate, I'll shout you a Foghorn for that. I reckon it's going to be a really tight comp. I can't see anyone running away with it as in previous years. New coach has been great for us this year but still learning a new shape etc.

Had a hit out against our NEWFM side last night got done 4-2. Not bad for our 2nd trial.

Ps they are very decent this year, reckon they'll give NEWFM a real shout. Pretty much an entirely new First Grade squad.

I think they'll be a real dark horse for the NEWFM comp. They look quite handy across the park.

[beaten favourite]

I think they'll be a real dark horse for the NEWFM comp. They look quite handy across the park.

yeah and so much depth. Brought on 5-6 players and the standard didn't noticeably drop. I'll certainly be heading to the Track to watch a few games this year.

[Macca]

Any news on promoted sides westlakes would imagine being solid in 1st dunno about other grades
And Wallsend been quiet other than Scott baillie going there

We (Westlakes) expecting to be very competitive in firsts and ressies, squad is still being finalised so third grade is a bit of a mystery at the moment - but I would guess they are unlikely to set the world on fire.

I think the comp may well be close with quite a few teams in the mix, but no way of knowing til we start seeing some matches played.

[Bon]

We (Westlakes) expecting to be very competitive in firsts and ressies, squad is still being finalised so third grade is a bit of a mystery at the moment - but I would guess they are unlikely to set the world on fire.

I think the comp may well be close with quite a few teams in the mix, but no way of knowing til we start seeing some matches played.

Do you still have that tall bloke playing for you? Looks a bit like Ljubo, sounds/acts suspiciously like a coastie, wears a peach hat.. I heard he's got a bung foot atm?