retired_datheman034

Very good read so far. I'm looking forward to more.

Feel free to have a look at my story 'Don the way up'. I've taken AFC Wimbledon into the Conference National. Now to catch those blastard MK Dons

retired_nela

I'll race you up the leagues.


October, 2007

Forest Green, Conference, Home
Though Logan had done quite well in defence, I gave Legzdins a run in goal. Jackson made his job easier, heading in a Gradel cross in the 20th.. Though we controlled much of the game, Forest equalised with half an hour to go. An 82nd minute corner from Wilson was returned to him by a defender, but he crossed it back for Jackson to give us back the lead. It only took two minutes for Forest to respond, and we could not pull ahead again.

Exeter, Conference, Away
Jackson put through this tenth of the season, heading in a Shaw cross, only to see Exeter make it 1-1 by the 15th minute. Again our defence was solid, but while we did not concede any more goals, nor could we score.

Stafford, Conference, Home
I promoted defender Paul Watson and striker Stevie Ferguson after good form in the reserves, but it was Marcus Kelly who ran into the box and scored early. It took our opponents longer than the previous game to equalise, but Stafford's 68th minute goal was enough to ensure we again only walked away with one point.

Stevenage, Conference, Away
We took a lucky lead in 90 seconds when a long ball from Bostwick was knocked in by a defender. Ashton did the same at the other end just before the break. Jackson skimmed the bar in injury time, and moments later Stevenage scored their second after a long throw. Jackson again grazed the bar late, and our thirteen-game streak without a loss came to an end.

Oxford, Conference, Away
With a hamstring injury putting Logan out for a month, Adam Legzdins returned to the side. Jackson had three shots early, but Oxford took the lead with a counter-attack. Jackson was shoved in the box three minutes into the second half, and Hope put the penalty in. Ten minutes later, a great run from Bostwick left him one-on-one with the keeper, and while his shot was saved, it was parried to Jackson for a simple finish. Hope could have sealed it in the 65th with a second penalty, but it was saved. That proved costly – Oxford scored a second later, and we had our 10th straight game without a win. Winger Ikechi Anya was put out for two months with an ankle injury.

Hinckley, FA Cup 4th Round qualifier, Away
Jackson continued his terrific season, rounding two defenders to score in the 3rd minute. Stevie Ferguson extended the lead after a great pass from Perpetuini and a long ball from Bonner gave Jackson a brace after only 24 minutes. Hinckley got one back before the break, but Paul Watson came off the bench and headed in a Clitnovich corner to ice the game. We face a tough task in the first round, having drawn Millwall.


Tom Bonner was the Conference Young Player of the Month, while Bostwick was third. We've still only lost two games out of seventeen, which is a terrific result, but I'd rather have a few more losses if we could exchange some of our draws for wins. That seems to suggest a more attacking style of game, but it's not like I'm playing defensively – it's just that we are stronger at the back than up front. Fortune-West and Maamria are down in the reserves, leaving us with Jackson as our only forward option. Stevie Ferguson has come up and scored a goal, but perhaps it's time to give Tomlin a run.

retired_nela

November

Southport, Conference, Home
We went behind in the first few minutes, with both Bonner and Hope passed far too easily. Jackson and McCallum each missed gettable shots, but a pass from Jackson was knocked in by a defender in the 20th. I think own goals are our second-highest scorer this season... Gradel put us ahead with a second effort after his first shot was parried, only to see Southport equalise with a 30 yard strike that somehow got past Legzdins. It looked like we had racked up yet another draw until they hit the crossbar in second half injury time. The ball rebounded straight to the shooter for a simple finish. That made it 11 league games without a win.

Millwall, FA Cup 1st Round, Home
Scott Tynan returned to the senior side for his first game of the season, with Logan injured and Legzdins unimpressive. He certainly had a tough task against a League One opponent, though Jackson actually had the first shot of the game. Millwall then slammed in three first half goals and another in the second to knock us out of the Cup.

Crawley, Conference, Away
Tomlin came in for his first game of the season. There were several chances at both ends, but neither side took advantage.

Woking, Conference, Home
McCallum gave us a 10th minute lead, heading in a Wilson corner. Jackson earned a corner shortly after the kick-off, and this time it was Shaw heading in McCallum's cross. Jackson hit the post in the 25th before Bostwick floated one over the keeper and into the net from 30 yards. 3-0 is how it finished – a great result against the third-placed side, and at last an end to our run of twelve league games without a victory.

I re-signed Jon Ashton for three years and Glenn Wilson for four, freeing me to release Hope and Hatswell at the end of the season.


<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Holders - Grays| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Stevenage | | 20 | 14 | 0 | 6 | 36 | 23 | +13 | 42 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Exeter | | 20 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 28 | 14 | +14 | 37 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Shrewsbury | | 20 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 28 | 21 | +7 | 37 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Woking | | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 33 | 24 | +9 | 36 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Aldershot | | 20 | 11 | 2 | 7 | 28 | 20 | +8 | 35 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | York | | 20 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 30 | 19 | +11 | 34 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Cambridge | | 20 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 30 | 22 | +8 | 33 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Oxford | | 20 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 28 | 22 | +6 | 33 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Halifax | | 20 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 31 | 21 | +10 | 31 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Torquay | | 20 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 16 | 11 | +5 | 31 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Crawley | | 20 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 22 | 20 | +2 | 28 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Stafford | | 20 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 22 | 20 | +2 | 28 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Rushden | | 20 | 5 | 12 | 3 | 29 | 21 | +8 | 27 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Kidderminster | | 20 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 36 | 36 | 0 | 26 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Dag & Red | | 20 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 27 | 28 | -1 | 26 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Forest Green | | 20 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 22 | 24 | -2 | 26 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Weymouth | | 20 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 19 | 22 | -3 | 24 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Gravesend | | 20 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 19 | 26 | -7 | 23 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Hinckley | | 20 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 19 | 26 | -7 | 22 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Southport | | 20 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 20 | 32 | -12 | 21 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 21st | | Northwich | | 20 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 20 | 31 | -11 | 20 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 22nd | | Sutton Utd | | 20 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 15 | 21 | -6 | 19 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 23rd | | Nuneaton | | 20 | 2 | 5 | 13 | 16 | 40 | -24 | 11 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 24th | | Salisbury | | 20 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 13 | 43 | -30 | 5 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

retired_nela

December, 2007

Salisbury, Conference, Away
Despite numerous chances, wild shooting from Tomlin and Gradel meant that we struggled to get the ball in the back of the net – or even trouble the keeper. Kelly made the most of a lucky deflection from a McCallum pass. Scoring after he was left with the ball at his feet and an open goal. However, with only five minutes to go, Salisbury scored from one of their rare chances. Tomlin completed his frustrating game by putting a late shot wide, leaving us with a draw in a game we should have won.

Halifax, Conference, Home
Again we had more shots at goal than our opponents, and again we failed to score. This time Simeon Jackson was more accurate than Tomlin, but his three on-target shots were saved. Meanwhile, Halifax scored once in the 20th and again in second-half injury time.

Braintree, FA Trophy 1st Round, Away
Our Conference South opponents gave me a chance to give a few lesser-lights a bit of a run, and Lee Tomlin took advantage. He scored early from a great Hope pass and then set up Jackson (I played with a 4-4-2 for this game) with a cross for a 2-0 lead. A first-time pass from Shaw gave Jackson enough time to catch the keeper off-guard for his second and despite a late goal from Braintree, we progressed comfortably.

Cambridge, Conference, Away
Despite several chances for Jackson and Storer to score, the first half finished without a goal. Cambridge had a goal disallowed just after half time, and in the 67th Chris Hope repeated his effort of the previous game with a great pass to give Jackson a goal. Cambridge had no answer – 1-0.

Dagenham & Redbridge, Conference, Away
Dagenham scored the only goal of this game in a flat performance to end 2007.


At the half-way point of the season, we are in a pretty solid position. Though we are a long way from the top, we have shown an ability to close down opponents and have dropped very few games. Our new signings have had the chance to settle in and have been solid without being dominant. I doubt I'll go for any signings over the transfer window due to our tight financial situation. Getting rid of our two highest-paid players, Fortune-West and Hope, will free up a fair bit of room for free transfers, so I'll just have to wait.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Holders - Grays| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Stevenage | | 24 | 15 | 2 | 7 | 43 | 29 | +14 | 47 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Shrewsbury | | 24 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 35 | 22 | +13 | 47 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Aldershot | | 24 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 39 | 24 | +15 | 45 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Woking | | 24 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 39 | 28 | +11 | 44 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | York | | 24 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 35 | 22 | +13 | 42 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Halifax | | 24 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 39 | 26 | +13 | 40 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Exeter | | 24 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 32 | 24 | +8 | 40 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Cambridge | | 24 | 12 | 3 | 9 | 36 | 27 | +9 | 39 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Oxford | | 24 | 12 | 3 | 9 | 33 | 27 | +6 | 39 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Dag & Red | | 24 | 11 | 5 | 8 | 36 | 30 | +6 | 38 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Torquay | | 24 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 27 | 18 | +9 | 37 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Crawley | | 24 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 28 | 24 | +4 | 35 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Kidderminster | | 24 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 43 | 41 | +2 | 32 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Rushden | | 24 | 6 | 13 | 5 | 31 | 25 | +6 | 31 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Stafford | | 24 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 23 | 26 | -3 | 28 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Weymouth | | 24 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 23 | 27 | -4 | 28 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Forest Green | | 24 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 26 | 31 | -5 | 28 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Hinckley | | 24 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 25 | 34 | -9 | 27 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Gravesend | | 24 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 23 | 36 | -13 | 26 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Northwich | | 24 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 24 | 37 | -13 | 24 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 21st | | Sutton Utd | | 24 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 20 | 26 | -6 | 23 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 22nd | | Southport | | 24 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 24 | 38 | -14 | 23 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 23rd | | Nuneaton | | 24 | 3 | 6 | 15 | 22 | 50 | -28 | 15 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 24th | | Salisbury | | 24 | 1 | 4 | 19 | 17 | 51 | -34 | 7 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

retired_nela

January, 2008

Shrewsbury, Conference, Home
A rare televised game for Rushden. We were repeatedly denied by the keeper, with shots from Tomlin, Shaw and McCallum kept out. I brought Stevie Ferguson off the bench with fifteen minutes to go, and it only took him three to break the deadlock. He may well have been offside when Wilson's pass came in, but I was happy to walk away with a deserved three points. In other happy news, I re-signed Lee Tomlin until 2011.

Nuneaton, Conference, Away
Tomlin celebrated his new contract with a 7th minute goal after a through pass from Anya. We had numerous shots on goal turned away, while Nuneaton equalised from their first chance. However, a rather lucky penalty just before half time let Watson put us back in front. Despite nine shots on target, we could not score a third. Nuneaton hit three in the third half, leaving us 2-4 losers despite being the better side.

Torquay, FA Trophy 2nd Round, Home
With few chances from general play in wet conditions, Torquay took the lead mid-way through the first half via a penalty. Jackson regained parity from an Anya cross, and we held on for our first draw in over a month – and an away replay.

Torquay, FA Trophy 2nd Round Replay, Home
Just a week later, we faced Torquay again in the FA Trophy, though this time the game was away. They took an early lead when Bonner was passed far too easily and were ahead 0-2 in eight minutes. Clitnovich got one back when a shot from Shaw was parried while Jackson was twice denied by the keeper in the 20th minute. We certainly had our chances to score a second, but failed to do so. Torquay scored a flukish third in the final minute to ensure we were knocked out of the competition in the early stages, in contrast to last season.

Kidderminster, Conference, Home
Glenn Wilson went off injured in an otherwise unremarkable first half. Legzdins did well to hold on against a strong assault, but was finally beaten by a counter-attack with ten minutes to go. Immediately we came forward from the kick-off. Marcus Kelly's pass across goal actually hit the post, and while it bounced out, McCallum was there to tap it in past the out-of-position keeper. 1-1. Unfortunately, Wilson was ruled out for over a month with fractured ribs.

Hinckley, Conference, Away
After a quiet first half, we looked to have broken the deadlock minutes into the second, only for Tomlin's goal to be ruled offside. Hinckley struck two in as many minutes with half an hour to go and hit another in the final few minutes to complete the embarrassment. Kelly's late goal was meaningless.

Northwich, Conference, Home
We certainly didn't want to drop a game at home to a relegation-threatened opponent, but could not put a shot on target in the first half. Indeed, we failed to do so in the second, despite a total of 11 attempts. Thankfully, our opponents had a goal ruled offside, and we escaped with a point.


We've fallen down the table a bit, having dropped three games in January. Disturbingly, they were big margins too – we lost 2-4, 1-3 and 1-3. Even with three senior goalkeepers, I still can't find a solid regular there. Still, we've done enough to survive this season, and it'll be a matter of continuing the rebuilding process.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Holders - Grays| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Stevenage | | 30 | 18 | 3 | 9 | 55 | 37 | +18 | 57 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Shrewsbury | | 29 | 17 | 5 | 7 | 41 | 27 | +14 | 56 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Aldershot | | 29 | 17 | 3 | 9 | 48 | 26 | +22 | 54 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Exeter | | 29 | 15 | 8 | 6 | 40 | 25 | +15 | 53 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Oxford | | 30 | 16 | 4 | 10 | 48 | 34 | +14 | 52 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Halifax | | 29 | 14 | 9 | 6 | 48 | 31 | +17 | 51 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Woking | | 29 | 14 | 8 | 7 | 44 | 32 | +12 | 50 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | York | | 29 | 14 | 6 | 9 | 40 | 27 | +13 | 48 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Dag & Red | | 29 | 14 | 6 | 9 | 47 | 36 | +11 | 48 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Cambridge | | 30 | 14 | 4 | 12 | 48 | 39 | +9 | 46 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Stafford | | 29 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 33 | 27 | +6 | 41 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Torquay | | 29 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 31 | 27 | +4 | 41 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Kidderminster | | 29 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 52 | 46 | +6 | 40 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Forest Green | | 30 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 40 | 38 | +2 | 38 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Crawley | | 29 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 35 | 36 | -1 | 38 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Rushden | | 29 | 7 | 15 | 7 | 36 | 33 | +3 | 36 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Sutton Utd | | 30 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 29 | 31 | -2 | 35 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Gravesend | | 29 | 9 | 6 | 14 | 30 | 48 | -18 | 33 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Weymouth | | 29 | 8 | 7 | 14 | 25 | 37 | -12 | 31 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Hinckley | | 29 | 7 | 9 | 13 | 30 | 46 | -16 | 30 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 21st | | Northwich | | 30 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 28 | 47 | -19 | 29 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 22nd | | Southport | | 29 | 5 | 10 | 14 | 29 | 53 | -24 | 25 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 23rd | | Nuneaton | | 29 | 4 | 9 | 16 | 29 | 58 | -29 | 21 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 24th | | Salisbury | | 29 | 1 | 4 | 24 | 20 | 65 | -45 | 7 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

retired_nela

February, 2008

Weymouth, Conference, Away
Weymouth scored in the 29th through a blatant offside, but Tom Shaw was able to walk in a goal when Mills' shot came off the post. Jackson headed in Kelly's corner right on half time to regain the lead, but it only lasted until the 60th minute when Weymouth put in a second. The final half hour was quiet, resulting in a 1-1 draw.

Aldershot, Conference, Home
Alex Bryant came in for his first game of the season and promptly conceded two goals. Gradel got one back with a header but with Tomlin missing everything, we couldn't get level.

Gravesend, Conference, Away
Poor finishing from Jackson and Storer left us scoreless, while Gravesend scored from a rare chance immediately after half time. An attempt to attack only saw them score again for our sixth straight game without a win.

[b]Torquay, Conference, Home[/b
Tomlin had a few efforts saved early, which was an improvement on his usual wayward shooting, but still didn't get us a goal. Torquay had a goal disallowed in the 68th, which was enough to spark Tomlin into action. He took a pass from Anya, turned around a defender and hit it well into the net. Storer followed up with a 25-yard free] A good win to keep us in touch of a mid-table finish.

Sutton Utd, Conference, Home
A long free from the right wing was taken by Watson, and he drifted the ball over the defence and even the keeper. It bounced off the post, but Storer was there for the finish. Gradel scored from a more conventional run and strike later in the first half. Jackson hit one in the second and would have had a brace if he wasn't slightly offside. Sutton only managed to pull one back, and that was quickly answered when Gradel set up Shaw. 4-1.

York, Conference, Away
Despite sitting 13th on the table, York had lost their past seven games. With both Anya and McCallum injured for this game and Gradel in need of a rest, I reverted to my formation of last season. Unfortunately, we went behind after two minutes and lost Clitnovich to another injury. York scored twice more to complete the rout.

Forest Green, Conference, Away
Four midfielders were unavailable for this game due to injury. After we missed a few early efforts, as usual, Forest scored with their first chance. They got another late to seal it, but we never looked like getting even one on the board.

Exeter, Conference, Home
We had some much-needed luck three minutes in when a pass across goal from Jackson was fumbled by the keeper into Max Gradel's path for a simple finish. Watson made no mistake from the penalty spot later in the half, but Exeter hit back 10 minutes into the second. We had a bit more luck when a second Exeter goal was ruled out, and we managed to steal the three points.

Stafford, Conference, Away
Our luck did not carry into this game, with Mills and Shaw hitting the post and Stafford scoring from their first shot. A terrific 50-yard pass from Watson allowed Kelly to bring us level with a rare accurate finish. I was playing with two strikers, as our lack of midfielders made playing my usual formation difficult, and had brought on Chris Beardsley for Tomlin at the break. Beardsley has spent most of the season in the reserves and will be released at the end of the season, but he made the most of a weak clearance, hitting the ball past the out-of-position keeper. Jackson looked to have sealed it in the 82nd thanks to another long pass from Watson, but Stafford made it 3-2 moments later. Thankfully, though, we did hang on for the win.

I signed 25-year-old defender Fred Murray as a potential replacement for Perpetuini, who has not signed a new contract, but had to place winger/forward Stevie Ferguson on the transfer list at his own request due to lack of first-team action.

retired_nela

And another update to make up for missing yesterday...


March, 2008

Stevenage, Conference, Home
Young midfielder Alex Bolt, a product of the youth team, made his debut after good form in the Reserves. Storer intercepted a defensive pass and caught the keeper out of his area from 30 yards for a 15th minute lead. Stevenage were level ten minutes later but Tomlin managed to get hold of a poor goal kick and put it into the back of the net. Stevenage again pulled level with half an hour to go, but we looked to have at least held on for a draw...until they scored three minutes into injury time. Not even a point to show for a fairly good effort.

Oxford, Conference, Home
Scott Tynan had a rare run and conceded a goal after 27 minutes. Jackson had one barely tipped away and Oxford scored again on the counter-attack. Shaw headed in one goal from a Kelly cross, but Jackson's attempt at an equaliser was denied by the keeper. 1-2 at the break. It was Kelly who again provided a chance in the 78th, this time with a corner, and Jon Ashton put in his first for the club. Three minutes later, it was Kelly again – a cross to substitute Beardsley, who put it in. 3-2, and that's how it remained.

Woking, Conference, Away
Tynan started off with two great saves, and we took advantage at the other end when Jackson sent a great pass across the area for Gradel to finish. Tynan was unluckily caught out by a deflection which left Woking with an open goal to equalise, but a counter-attacking move started by Storer saw Jackson make it 2-1 in the 33rd. Former Rushden striker Daniel Chillingworth scored his second to make it 2-2, and the made it a hat-trick from the penalty spot with ten minutes to go. It was a good performance from Rushden, but we had nothing to show for it.

Southport, Conference, Away
Our relegation-threatened opponents had much more to play for than we did, and they showed it with a goal in the first half. It took us until the 63rd minute to respond, and the best news is that it came from young midfielder Alex Bolt. Despite a number of chances, we only got a draw.

Some solid efforts, but ultimately frustrating results. On-loan Marcus Gradel was named Young Player of the Month, and Tom Shaw was third. I re-signed most of my staff, but coach Willie McStay refused all offers.

retired_nela

April, 2008

Crawley, Conference, Home
Tomlin picked up a parried Anya shot to put us ahead in the 7th and the lead was extended by McCallum when Mills passed across the goal for a tap-in finish. Anya was also involved in our third goal, just after half time, when his shot was deflected in for an own goal. A solid 3-0 win.

Salisbury, Conference, Home
For once, we put away a weaker side with ease. Cousins started it off with a penalty in just the third minute, then young Alex Bolt scored his second just a handful of games after making his debut. Kelly chipped in a third and Jackson made it 4-0 by half time. We didn't have a shot in the second half, but nor did we need one as we cruised to victory.

Halifax, Conference, Away
A much tougher opponent, and a see-sawing game. Both sides had their chances, but it was Mills who finally struck with only three minutes to go. We held on for a fine 1-0 win, our third on the trot. A good result, but it's all too late.

Cambridge, Conference, Home
The last game of the season served as a farewell to a number of players, both those on loan (Gradel and Logan, who have been quite solid) and Rushden regulars like Perpetuini, Kelly, Hope and Hatswell. Unfortunately, captain Hope was out injured, so Hatswell took over the armband. Cambridge missed a few shots before McCallum headed in a free kick from Mills. Jackson hit the post early in the second half. Stevie Ferguson, in his first game for several months, headed in a corner from McCallum and Jackson extended the lead to 3-0 after a fine pass from Bolt. Logan made a few sharp saves and Storer capped it off with a fine strike.

Four games, four wins, an aggregate score of 12-0. I was named Manager of the Month, Gavin McCallum was Player of the Month, with Kyle Storer second, and Storer was Young Player of the Month, with Tom Bonner third. That's a pretty good reflection of our dominance in April, and it's great to see players that I've brought in having an impact.

retired_nela

The season in review

Summary

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">13th in English Conference National| Pkd | Inf | Name | Apps | Gls | Ast | MoM | Pas | Tck | Drb | Sh T | Av Rat| | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | Inj | Chris Hope | 38 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 70% | 3.39 | 0.03 | - | 7.05 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | MC | | Gary Mills | 37 (1)| 3 | 4 | 1 | 67% | 2.30 | 0.46 | 22% | 7.05 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | FC | Wnt | Simeon Jackson | 36 | 23 | 7 | 3 | 70% | 0.18 | 1.42 | 54% | 7.14 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | S3 | | Tom Shaw | 32 (1)| 4 | 5 | 3 | 69% | 2.28 | 0.44 | 40% | 7.09 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | | Daniel Clitnovich | 31 (1)| 1 | 5 | - | 73% | 1.90 | 0.28 | 30% | 6.94 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | DL | Wnt | David Perpetuini | 31 (1)| - | 1 | - | 62% | 3.03 | 0.33 | - | 7.03 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | DR | | Jon Ashton | 30 (2)| 1 | - | 4 | 65% | 4.24 | 0.33 | - | 7.38 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | DC | | Tom Bonner | 30 | - | 1 | 3 | 65% | 4.28 | 0.07 | - | 7.40 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | MC | | Kyle Storer | 27 (4)| 5 | 4 | 2 | 70% | 2.11 | 0.33 | 42% | 7.16 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | S1 | Loa | Marcus Kelly | 27 (3)| 5 | 12 | 1 | 64% | 1.08 | 2.69 | 26% | 7.17 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | GK | Wnt | Conrad Logan | 24 | - | - | 1 | 43% | 0.04 | - | - | 6.83 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | S4 | | Paul Watson | 23 (1)| 3 | 2 | - | 62% | 2.55 | 0.34 | - | 6.63 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | S5 | | Michael Bostwick | 22 (4)| 2 | 3 | 3 | 70% | 3.17 | 0.25 | 25% | 7.19 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | AML | | Gavin McCallum | 21 (6)| 5 | 4 | 1 | 67% | 0.83 | 1.35 | 40% | 7.04 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | Wnt | Max Gradel | 21 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 63% | 0.93 | 2.28 | 53% | 7.48 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | Wnt | Ikechi Anya | 21 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 63% | 0.94 | 1.82 | 31% | 7.00 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | Inj | Glenn Wilson | 20 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 59% | 3.38 | 0.42 | - | 7.05 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | Req | Scott Cousins | 18 | 1 | 2 | - | 60% | 2.86 | 0.06 | - | 6.89 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | Loa | Lee Tomlin | 14 | 5 | 1 | - | 70% | 0.36 | 2.19 | 36% | 6.93 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | DC | | Wayne Hatswell | 12 (1)| - | 1 | - | 65% | 2.06 | 0.08 | - | 6.92 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | AMR | Req | Stevie Ferguson | 8 (2) | 3 | - | - | 69% | 0.60 | 2.04 | 66% | 6.70 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | MC | Lst | Alex Bolt | 8 | 2 | 1 | - | 66% | 1.73 | 0.53 | - | 7.13 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | Loa | Scott Tynan | 6 | - | - | - | 45% | - | - | - | 6.83 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | Inj | Alex Bryant | 3 | - | - | - | 33% | - | - | - | 6.67 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | Lst | Leo Fortune-West | 2 (5) | - | - | - | 53% | 0.26 | 0.51 | - | 6.71 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | - | Unh | Dino Maamria | 1 (5) | - | 1 | - | 81% | - | 1.31 | - | 6.50 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | S2 | Wnt | Chris Beardsley | 0 (3) | 2 | - | - | 71% | - | 2.34 | 33% | 6.67 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> Holders - Aldershot| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | C | Aldershot | | 46 | 29 | 6 | 11 | 75 | 43 | +32 | 93 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Shrewsbury | | 46 | 26 | 11 | 9 | 70 | 42 | +28 | 89 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | P | Halifax | | 46 | 23 | 15 | 8 | 69 | 41 | +28 | 84 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Exeter | | 46 | 23 | 12 | 11 | 66 | 42 | +24 | 81 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Stevenage | | 46 | 24 | 5 | 17 | 78 | 57 | +21 | 77 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Oxford | | 46 | 22 | 10 | 14 | 68 | 52 | +16 | 76 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Cambridge | | 46 | 21 | 11 | 14 | 71 | 57 | +14 | 74 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Forest Green | | 46 | 19 | 15 | 12 | 72 | 55 | +17 | 72 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Woking | | 46 | 19 | 14 | 13 | 65 | 52 | +13 | 71 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Dag & Red | | 46 | 21 | 8 | 17 | 70 | 59 | +11 | 71 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Torquay | | 46 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 56 | 47 | +9 | 68 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Kidderminster | | 46 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 77 | 61 | +16 | 66 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Rushden | | 46 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 70 | 57 | +13 | 65 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Sutton Utd | | 46 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 55 | 52 | +3 | 62 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Crawley | | 46 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 64 | 68 | -4 | 62 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Stafford | | 46 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 51 | 49 | +2 | 59 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | York | | 46 | 16 | 10 | 20 | 61 | 55 | +6 | 58 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Weymouth | | 46 | 12 | 15 | 19 | 48 | 67 | -19 | 51 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Gravesend | | 46 | 13 | 9 | 24 | 50 | 81 | -31 | 48 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Northwich | | 46 | 10 | 13 | 23 | 50 | 78 | -28 | 43 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 21st | R | Hinckley | | 46 | 9 | 14 | 23 | 48 | 85 | -37 | 41 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 22nd | R | Southport | | 46 | 8 | 14 | 24 | 48 | 83 | -35 | 38 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 23rd | R | Nuneaton | | 46 | 9 | 11 | 26 | 48 | 88 | -40 | 38 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 24th | R | Salisbury | | 46 | 6 | 6 | 34 | 37 | 96 | -59 | 24 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

Though the board and fans are a hell of a lot happier than they were this time last year, I'm still not fully satisfied. What is so different about the Rushden XI that started the season with a couple of five-goal wins and ended with four straight victories and the one in the middle of the season that dropped the simplest of matches? The players are the same, the tactics are the same, but the performances just aren't consistent. Leadership is an obvious concern in this situation, but Hope is a terrific captain. The many new players to the side may take time to gel, but why then would they perform so well at the start of the season and then struggle in the middle?

That was certainly a frustrating situation overall, but there were certainly more positive signs than in my first season. We did have those good runs, and made sure we survived with plenty of games in hand. Better yet, there were good signs for the future. Players like Shaw, Ashton, Bonner and Bostwick really stepped up from bit-part roles to being a core part of the side. Youth team products like Tomlin and Bolt showed plenty of promise and the new signings settled in well.


Around the world: major awards and results

Rushden Supporters’ Player of the Year:
Simeon Jackson

World Player of the Year:
Miroslav Klose (Werder Bremen)

World Footballer of the year:
Wayne Rooney (Man U)

England:
Winner: Manchester United
Relegated: West Ham, Stoke, Sheffield United
Promoted: Wigan, Watford, Sunderland

Spain:
Barcelona

Champions Cup:
Chelsea

EURO Cup:
Zaragoza



The Transfers

Transfers In
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Date | Person | From | Fee | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16.5.2007 | Ferguson, Stevie | Woking | Free | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1.6.2007 | Storer, Kyle | Tamworth | Free | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10.6.2007 | McClory-Cuthbertson, T. J. | Free Transfer | Free | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11.6.2007 | Cousins, Scott | St. Albans | Free | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1.7.2007 | Legzdins, Adam | Birmingham | £1K | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1.7.2007 | McCallum, Gavin | Yeovil | Free | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13.7.2007 | Anya, Ikechi | Free Transfer | Free | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9.3.2008 | Murray, Fred | Free Transfer | Free | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | Total | | £1K | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

Transfers Out

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Date | Person | To | Fee | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3.6.2007 | Goodliffe, Jason | Nuneaton | Free | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1.7.2007 | Savage, Dave | Free Transfer | Free | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11.7.2007 | Rankine, Michael | Free Transfer | Free | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | Total | | £0 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

Promoted Youth
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Date | Person | To | Fee | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20.6.2007 | Roberts, John | Rushden | Free | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20.6.2007 | Harrison, Gary | Rushden | Free | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20.6.2007 | Keeley, Lee | Rushden | Free | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20.6.2007 | Jackson, Darren | Rushden | Free | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20.6.2007 | Warner, Mark | Rushden | Free | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20.6.2007 | McKenzie, Bob | Rushden | Free | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | Total | | £0 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

There weren't a lot of changes to the core of the side in the 07/08 season. Nobody left during the season, and those that were released at the start did not really make me regret my decision. Savage retired, Rankine played a handful of games in Conference North and Goodliffe played a solid season with Nuneaton.

Our loanees were not as critical as last season, which is probably a positive. Logan was solid without being a real standout at the number one keeper, while Gradel showed plenty of good signs and was a potent attacking threat.

Murray and McClory-Cuthbertsson were the only ones of the new signings that didn't become at least semi-regulars in the senior team. Storer was probably the highlight, but McCallum was also particularly impressive. Most of these signings are quite young, so there true value won't be shown for a few years, but having not paid for all but one of them, it's hard to lose.

retired_nela

Pre-season, 2008/2009

The side underwent something of a revolution over the pre-season, with a massive number of squad changes. I finally re-signed Marcus Kelly for another two seasons and rejected a ₤20K Morecambe bid for him. However, there was no new contract for several former Under-18 players who failed to impress in the reserves (Langdon, Beecroft, McDonald, Nevin, Margarson and Reynolds) or veterans Fortune-West, Perpetuini, Hope, Watson, Beardsley, Maamria and Hatswell.

That left me quite a few spots to fill, and with a fair amount of space under the salary cap but no money for transfers, I went looking for players with expired contracts. I'll go into those that I did sign in the profiles section, but in all I signed 11 players. Leicester only sent us one player on loan, midfielder Andy King.

Our finances are continuing to get worse, though I have cut the wage budget despite a number of new signings. Admittedly, half of them barely make up Fortune-West's wages, so that wasn't too hard...

Though the media seems to be predicting a mediocre season and the fans are expecting even less, the board wants a mid-table finish. I'd be expecting the same, but this club has proven very difficult to predict so far.