Brandon M

A flurry of snow heralded the arrival of December. With WSM so close to the sea there was never any concern of the snow sticking to the ground or games being cancelled.

Mark had worked the players hard through training in the build up to the Eastleigh game Individually he worked with the wide players Scott Walker & Marvin Brown. Their delivery of the ball to the front men was crucial if his team were to mount a serious challenge to the play off gruop of teams.

Eastleigh - home
1:0

Mark prowled the touchline for 90 minutes. A clinical finish from Scott Walker in the 2nd minute was enough to gerab the points. The following 88 minutes were sheer torture for Mark and the coaching staff, let alone the 2000 WSM faithful.

Chance after chance was missed and Mark had an image running through his mind of another late breakaway goal for the opposition.
The defence however were well organised by Lee Jarman with frequent vocal contibution from Mark to keep alert.

Eastleigh were poor but WSM couldn't score in a brothel meaning that the result was still in doubt as the final whistle blew.

Mark breathed a sigh of relief at another 3 points. WSM were back into the play off mix.

Brandon M

Lewes and Sutton were both looking over their shoulders at the chasing pack. The form teams in this group were WSM & Newport.

WSM remained unbeaten but Newport were beating all comers convicingly and scoring seemingly at will.

Bishop Stortford home
4:0

Blake Newbold had the best night of his young professional career. Four well taken goals, well deserved for his both movement and timing of run.
Ben Kirk creator in chief of two of the goals claimed the mom award despite Newbolds fatastic achievement.

WSM were up to 3rd and gaining ground with each win. The press were now convinced that WSm were here to stay.

Mark was now aware of the looming gaps in his team with injurty and suspension beginning to have an impact. A foray into the transfer market brought Nick Mckoy and Nicky Fish to the club. Mckoy on loan from Cardiff with Fish on a short term deal until the end of the season.
Mark added to the team with the arrival of a young goalkeeper Mark Crossley who had just been released by Burnley.

Lee Houghton's scouting trips had paid dividends as the new additions would add strength to the teams promotion push.

Brandon M

Christmas came early for Newport County. On a damp and blustery evening 5 days before the big day WSM were demolished by a rampant county side.

Elliot Benyon a youngster on loan from Bristol City led the line superbly grabbing two goals for himself and having a significant hand tin the other goals.

Despite all of the pre match preparations and specific information for the team to ensure the tactics were right nothing prepared mark for the four goal blitz and absolute capitulation after just 20 minutes of the game.

Half time came not a moment too soon and after a brief and extremely personal 'chat' the team was sent out 5 minutes early for the restart.
Second half at least showed a positive improvment with Marvin Brown scoring a 'fluke'. Mark had just opened his moth and was about to yell an expletive in Browns direction at the wasted oppportunity to pass the ball to an open man when the ball hit the back of the net.

Brown was too embarressed to celebrate and avoided Mark's icy stare on his trot back for the restart.

Newport and Weston were the form teams in the league. WSM the meanest defence.
Newport had put WSM to the sword and it was a very jagged and sharp edge to swallow.

On bus ride home the mood was far from festive but at least the hour l;ong jouney allowed mark to regroup the players and begin to focus them on the next fixture.

Sutton Utd were next up and they were in 2nd.

Whilst Mark knew that one awful performance could soon be put right, especially with the flurry of fixture ahead over the Christmas and New Year period it was a major concern that the team had just folded with prior warning.

The players ability to forget one disastorus night would ensure Mark and his coaching staff earned their pay. If he did not impact postively on thier outlook then the Winter could be one of discontent.

Brandon M

Newport - Away
0:4

The press had a field day with the result.
'Mark's' out of ten = 4
Weston's Super 'Night' mare

Mark's phone announced the arrival of a text message. Lovely Mr Wise with the subtle message - 'fat boy' u r well stuffed tonight.
teletext watching better than going to MK Dons!

His reply was not for general view but certainly reminded his old friend of his obvious 'short' comings...

Brandon M

Mark woke early on Christmas Day in a sweat. He had dreamt and relived his anonymous failure in the 1996 Cup Final. Dream was probably not the right word for the nightmare than came upon him.

1996 became known as the Cantona final. Glenn Hoddle in his first season in charge had manoevered Chelsea to the final only to see the Chelsea story destroyed in a dire first half performance.
One down at half time, the team talk delivered failing to make any difference as the blues were soon two down following an obvious penalty as Mark caught Cantona from behind after a 30 yard lung bursting run to catch the Frenchman.

Further ignomy followed as the cameras caught Hoddle unzipping his tracksuit top and mouthing to John Gorman to get the officails ready for a change.
Mark made way almost instantly as Cantona hit the back of the net and then sat the remainder of the match on the bench watching his team mates fall apart finally losing 4 nil.

After all of the promise of Chelsea moving to a higher level the dreams were ripped apart at the seams.

A 4 goal thumping by Newport had stimulated and reawoken the caged dreams.

The crisp cold air on Christmas Day helped to clear Mark's mind.
He stood at the side of the training pitch watching the players go through their paces. Christmas Day it may have been but a two hour session on the training pitch allowed Mark and the coaching staff to regroup the players and focus hearts and minds on the trials and tribulations ahead.

Despite one loss in 18 league games Mark was determined that the players remember the Newport game and burn it into their memory. That loss had to become a positive for them all and allow them to strive even harder to improve.

Mark was no Winston Churchill as a speech maker but as the players left the ground to make their way home to their family festivities he knew that each and every one of them was ready for the battle to commence.

Brandon M

Sutton - home
2:2
At Christmas time it is always better to give rather than recieve!

A fiesty and firey match on Boxing Day saw WSM at their supreme best.
The headlines post match claimed a new king had arrived - Herrod - a very festive twist.

After Sutton had delivered an early goal the signs were ominous especially after the recent drubbing at Newport. Losing a goal within 2 minutes of the start was not included in Mark's teamtalk.
The goal was well worked and from the keepers point of view unstoppable.
Mark was immediately on the touchline getting the attention of his players and making sure each one of them remained focussed.

10 minutes later the 2500 strong crowd cheered in sheer relief as Blake Newbold levelled the score after a delightful mazy run.

Half time niceties completed Mark demanded more drive and passion and despite the teams best endeavours the breakthrough despite the amount of possession on the ball was unlikely.
WSm were all over Sutton but couldn't find the back of the net. Chance after chance fell by the wayside.

On 70 minutes Mark introduced youngester Craig Herrod in place of Marc Mcgregor who looked as if he was stuggling with an injury to his thigh.
Minutes later the substitution paid divedends.

With the offside trap beaten by a Scott Walker through ball Herrod ran free on to the ball and chipped an exquist lob over the advancing Sutton keeper.

The WSM crowd went wild and Mark and his coaching staff openly joined in with the celebrations. A goal well deserved for the effort put into the game and a fantastic debut goal for the 'new boy'.

At Christmas time it is always better to give rather than recieve!

Within time ticking down on the clock, Sutton became desperate for the equaliser. After being pinned into their own half for 70 plus minutes they changed tactics and started to hit long hit and hope balls to the lone front man.

Deep into injury time a corner kick to Sutton direct from a poor headed clearance from Lee Jarmen.
A long nowhere ball arrived in the WSM half and was promptly miscued into touch.

The Sutton keeper made his way into the WSM penalty area and as the cross delivered and the whistle moving towards the referee's mouth Ryan Northmore the WSM keeper flapped at the ball missing it completely allowing Sutton's leading scorer the easiest of opportunities to level the score.
Northmores' protests that he was impeded by his fellow goalkeeper went unheeded.

Mark kicked the bottled drink carrier in frustration as another 2 points were lost as the game was effectively over.
The final whistle blew and the groan from the crowd could be heard several miles away.

In the dressing room post match the mood was far from festive. Whilst Herrod was obviously delighted with his super goal the team knew that the loss of two vital points hurt.
Northmore held his hands upto the mistake and went quiet shortly afterwards as Mark expressed his opinion that 'holding his hands up' had caused the problem in the first place.

Showered and changed after the game Mark bumped into Paul Bliss in the corridor. The chairman had a huge smile on his face. Despite the draw WSM had closed the gap on Lewes.
Lewes had lost 3:O at home to Newport.

Going towards New Year games Lewes were now 1st Sutton 2nd WSM 3rd and Newport 4th.
The form team most definetly Newport.

With WSM only suffering one defeat in the league all season long and with record crowds coming through the gates there was still every chance that WSM would be there or thereabouts come May.


Playing Sutton off the park was a positive and perhaps on reflection Christmas was a lot kinder to WSM than Mark had originally thought.

Brandon M

The busy Christmas and New Year period fixture continued at a pace. With two games in two days including New Years Day there would be no respite for the small WSM squad.
No time for partying.
With niggling injuries affecting several key players it was time for the squad players to play their part. Part one of two a must win game against relegation threatened Bedford.

Bedford - home
2:1

A wind swept and rain derenched 3000 fans at Woodspring Park welcomed Bedford. A sell out crowd bouyant on Christmas cheer watched WSM tease and torment a Bedford side short of confidence. Stylish and entertaining football that even the most ardent Bedford fan would admit was a joy to behold.
The intensity of the team performance similar to the Sutton game.

A tap in goal from 'King Herrod' midway through the first half made the game comfortable and the second a lovely flighted free kick from Scott Walker which some how managed to avoid the Bedford keeper grabbed the 3 points.
Game over after 60 minutes.

With WSM coasting to the final whistle another nightmare moment as Bedford who had been completely and utterley under the cosh for 85 minutes hit the target with their only shot of the match.

Mark punched the dugout with frustration at the loss of the goal but with the whistle blowing shortly afterwards their was no chance of anything but a win so no real damage done except to his hand.

Part two of two - Happy New Year?

Havant away
2:1
Despite Havant's early goal there was no doubt who the eventual winner of the game would be.
Like Muhammed Ali at his very best WSM were able to almost pick Havant off at will. The shots on target ratio well into double figures and a cricket score would have been expected but for Havant's keeper having a blinder.

A goal a piece from Craig Herrod and Blake Newbold took the headlines but in effect WSM had hit a golden seam of form and were now playing a level of football that had been promised much earlier in the season.

The wide men Brown and Walker the creators for the goals hitting the byline time and time again delivering crosses that strikers thrived on.
A simple win but wrapped up in hard work and determination.

On the coach home from Bedford the results from the other New Years day games came across the radio and the cheer from the team celebrated that the gap had closed on league leaders Lewes to just 3 points.

Lewes were held at home to Sutton despite being 3:0 up at half time.

Three teams now covered by a gap of 3 points at the top of Conference South.
Media exceitement on a 3 horse race was justified as this was certainly the tightest championship for many years.

The media interest in WSM activity grew in intensity immediately after the Havant game.

Roy Keane struggling at Sunderland to deliver the football demanded by a passionate and faithful following had left the club after 7 games without a win and the club now in a relegation mire. Despite Mark's denials to the contrary the tabloids were convinced that he was on his way to Sunderland.

Mark busy at his desk on a cold 2nd of January was therefore astonished to recieve a phone call offering him the job.
The timing was awful, the position superb.
After a sleepless night the decision made went against the media speculation suggesting he was ready to go.

Paul Bliss couldn't believe his luck when Mark confirmed that he was staying and hoped that Paul didn't mind too much!

The Western Mercury ran the banner headline on their next edition On your Mark's, get set GO! were probably the only ones connected to the town who were diappointed in his staying
A quick reprint with the paper reporting on the 'shock' news.

Brandon M

Histon - home
3:1
2400 fans turned up to watch Weston Super mare demolish mid table Histon in a scintillating first half performance.
Goals from Walker, Newbold and Kirk all within a 40 minute period in the first half.

The half time team talk delivered by Mark was simply to ensure no one became complacent.
3 substitutions on the hour mark allowed him to introduce some fresh legs but in the initial confusion of new players settling into the game Histon claimed a consolation goal.

The game finished as a contest as several Histon players literally lost the plot and two were sent off before the clock had reached 75 minutes.
9 men Histon manfully protected their goal running down the clock.

Despite the heavy rain the WSM crowd had been entertained with some stylish football and had seen further evidence that this team could really be destined for glory.

High fives from the coaching trio at the final whistle demonstartion of a job well done.

Brandon M

Mark had been at his desk for a couple of hours on the Monday morning post the Histon game.

His mood had been bright as he went through his normal routine. Tea arrived at 10.30am and he quickly picked up the newspapers for a skirmish through the football stories.
It didn't take him long to find his picture in the paper next to a headline 'bottler'.

On reflection in a 20 plus year career he could probably name a handful of people that he just couldn't get along with. One such name an ex-Man Utd player Bryan Robson. Robson had taken the opportunity to have a 'pop' at Mark for turning down the Sunderland job and suggested that he had not got the moral substance to work as such a high level.

What a complete load of sh*te!

For a man with limited abilities Robson was a man looking for a niche in the game. A niche that would allow him to live off his name if not his talent.

Whilst they had played in the same England team in the late 80's Mark was the junior team man.
Captain Robbo Robson the main man.
They had always seemed to get along but this thought was dispelled after Mark had read Robsons critical assessment of the Chelsea man prior to the 1997 Coca Cola cup final.

The then Middlesborough manager suggested that Mark was lucky to be carried along by a team of superstars and that if he was in charge at the blues Mark would be the first to be shown the exit door. Overated and definetly not worthy to wear the no. 6 England shirt that he had so proudly worn as captain.

Robson certainly would never forget the avenging tiger that delivered a growling response as he drove Chelsea towards their first major honour since the Milk Cup in 1985.
A 2 nil victory allowed mark to literally ram the words down Robson's throat.
On reflection the over the top celebration at the end of the game as he danced around the Middlesborough manager in jubilation was a moment that shouldn't have happened but cleared a vanquished soul!
The man of the match award for the final was one of his proudest memories.

Mark threw his tea cup against the wall in pure anger convinced that Robson would be proved wrong yet again.

Robson had never delivered as a Manager and maybe was hankering for the Sunderland job a return to his native North East.
Jealousy perhaps that a man he thought not a lot of could be ahead of him in the pecking order.

Clough had described him as a player who ran around a lot and kicked people. Odd how life had continued in a similar fashion post his football career.

Mark picked up the smashed tea cup placed the broken pieces of china in the bin and stomped off to the training ground.

His mood soon changed as he joined in with the banter of the day and scored the match winner in the 5-a-side game organised at the end of the training session.

Brandon M

Braintree away
2:0

170 people turned up in the driving rain to watch bottom of the league Braintree flounder against a sparkling WSM team.
A Lee Jarmen header and a McGregor volley all before 30 minutes simply killed the game off. Braintree then spent the remainder of the match protecting their net ensuring a dire and lifeless second half performance from both teams.

The heavy pitch took its toll on both teams but the win continued the WSM juggernaught in a forwards direction.


Dorchester - home
1:0

Dorchester came into the game on a decent run of form. On the outskirts of the play off chase they were determined to get something from the game. Both teams effectively shadow boxing and cancelling each other out.
With 90 minutes on the clock Craig 'king' Herrod playing in place of the injured top scorer Newbold scored after placing a glacing header past the keeper.
Mark leapt out of the dugout and ran along the touchline in jubilation.
1900 WSM fans couldn't believe their luck.
Another crucila 3 points in the bag even more well recieved as it had looked for most of the game as 1 point was the maximum WSm would get.

King Herrod headlines kept the local papers busy for the next few days and nobody begrudged him his moment of adulation.