retired_jennie

6th August 2005

Bristol Rovers vs. Barnet, League Two from the Memorial Stadium.

Bristol R; (4-1-4-1); Scott Shearer, Chris Carruthers, Souleymane Bamba, Ryan Hartslief, Mark Earnshaw, Johannes Djourou, Franklin Salas, Dean West, Aaron Lescott, Sebastian Larsson (Ryan Williams 60), Gary Hamilton (Francesco Milano 60)

Well then, this was it! In ninety minutes time, I’d know for sure whether the players I’d brought in had what it took to bring success to this club. The big decision I’d had to make was who to start as lone striker, in the end I’d given the nod to Gary Hamilton (and not just because he had the same surname as me) but it was to Franklin Salas I was looking for the magic to emanate.

At the start, maybe unsurprisingly considering four of these players had never before played a senior match, we looked more nervous than David Beckham on Mastermind and it was Barnet who carved out the first two serious chances, both falling to Jason Norville and both coming to zilch. Franklin Salas showed his class with a few neat touches and a 30-yard drive that had keeper Tynan scrambling back across his goal, and Dean West maybe should have done better with a header from a Salas corner, but on the whole Barnet had the better of the first half. It was us, though, who should have gone in leading.

In the final minute of the half Seb Larsson wriggled free down the left, feigned as if to cross but instead played a square ball into the feet of Dean West. West tried the shot from the edge of the area, Tynan got hands to it but couldn’t hold on, and there, with the goal gaping, was Gary Hamilton. On the bench, Tony and I had already started our celebrations before we turned back and realised the net wasn’t rippling! The stupid bastard had skied it over the bar; if NASA ever discover a football on Mars, that’ll be the one!

Half Time: Bristol Rovers 0, Barnet 0

My half time team talk would have had to be heavily censored for daytime television, but the abuse seemed to have worked for we looked far more composed in the early moments. Without, though, seriously threatening Tynan’s goal. Until the 56th minute, that was.

Again the move started with Seb Larsson, he found himself in space on the left wing and this time he did opt for the cross. The Barnet defence made a terrible mess of it, neither Salas nor West could get a touch, and the ball came right the way through to Gary Hamilton who’d arrived on the far post. Given what had happened earlier my heart was in my mouth, but he could hardly miss and this time he didn’t – we had the lead at home! It lasted, though, all of four minutes!

Barnet’s equaliser was a terrible goal for us to concede. Johannes Djourou was forced to give away a corner on the right, Nicky Bailey swung it in, our defence stood still as if frozen in time, and Louie Soares climbed highest at the far post to nod the Londoners level. My reaction was unrepeatable.

It was clear we needed some different options, we needed some more pace up front, so off came the ineffectual Gary Hamilton, on came the livewire Francesco Milano, and while we did straight away look more threatening Barnet had decided to close out for a draw – and as stoppage time arrived it looked certain they’d get it. The fourth official had only signalled three added minutes, but we were already well into the fourth when Franklin Salas picked the ball up in midfield and set off on a run. Francesco Milano did likewise. Salas’ through ball was inch-perfect and suddenly Milano was in the clear. Tynan came out, Milano looked up, and his finish was low and accurate down to the keeper’s left. Barnet couldn’t believe it; we’d won it with almost the last kick of the game!!

Full time: Bristol Rovers 2 (Hamilton 56, Milano 90+4), Barnet 1 (Soares 60)

retired_jennie

Walking down the tunnel at full time, I breathed a huge sigh of relief and so did the rest of us. If it was drama you were after, this was the place to be, but these were three very fortuitous points and I knew it. First half, I thought we’d been the better side and with a bit more composure in front of goal it could all have been very different. Second half, well that’s best forgotten. Our movement was on a par with that very drunk uncle who’s always first on the dance floor at a wedding, the marking for their equaliser, well, there wasn’t any, and we just generally looked short on ideas.

As for individual performances, we were left with a lot to think about. Gary Hamilton might have scored the opener, but he could hardly have missed that one and on the whole today he couldn’t have finished the Sunday Sport crossword. Salas and West looked threatening early on but faded, Larsson didn’t ever settle in on the left of midfield and I was worried by several unforced errors from Souleymane Bamba at right-back. On the positive side, Johannes Djourou looked a natural in that midfield holding role, he was probably our best player, and Aaron Lescott did surprisingly well in the middle of the park. Plus of course Francesco Milano took that winning goal wonderfully well.

retired_jennie

It was gone six before I was ready to leave the stadium, I’d arranged to meet Ratty in a pub in town and a soothing drink or two seemed just the ticket. Lost in thought as I wandered towards the car park and my waiting cab, I was jolted back to reality by the sound of a woman’s voice calling after me.

“Mr Hamilton? Laura Matthews, Bristol Evening Post. Would it be OK to have a few words with you – about today’s game I mean?”

I turned round, and my mouth fell open. Laura was I’d say, mid-twenties, shoulder-length blonde hair, pretty face, figure to die for…She must have sensed I was staring at her, for she smiled back rather awkwardly.

“Erm.., I’m sorry to bother you, it’s just my editor, you know, and Mr. Moore said it’d be alright if I could find you, and..”

I did my best to regain my composure. “No, that’s OK. I’ve got a cab waiting outside, so do you mind if we talk here?”

“Sure. Congratulations on the win today, I just wanted to ask you what you thought of the team’s performance?”

“Thankyou Laura. I thought we did OK, I’m not going to try to kid you it was like watching Brazil out there, ‘cos it wasn’t. But we controlled the first half, probably should have scored, I brought Francesco on and he took his goal very well.”

“Mr Hamilton, I was talking to some of the fans after the match and they weren’t too impressed with the way you played in the second half. You were a bit nervous, weren’t you?”

“Yes we were. But don’t forget I had eight players making their debuts out there today; four of them had never played a senior game before! We’ll sort the nerves out. Oh, and please, call me Teddy, “Mr Hamilton” just seems so formal.”

She smiled again, and this time it looked more genuine. “One final question. It’s Darlington on Tuesday, do you think you can keep the momentum going and will you be making any changes to the team?”

“There’s no reason why we can’t win that game, but as far as the team goes you’ll have to wait and see – I honestly don’t know myself yet!”

“Mr Ham..er, Teddy, thanks for your time, and good luck on Tuesday.”

“Laura, it was a pleasure. Now, do you mind if I ask you a question?”

“Yes??”

“I’m on my way out for a few drinks and something to eat. It’s nothing special, but.. I was wondering whether you might like to join me?”

“Thanks, I’d love to. I’m starving, haven’t eaten all day.”

That’s the way to do it, Teddy, as smooth as a snake’s arse. Well, Ratty had said he wanted us to build a relationship with the local media; I was just doing my bit..

retired_jennie

Sunday August 7th 2005

Ding dong, ding dong dong, ding dong dong..

I woke with a start, then realised it was just the sound of the church bells behind our window and slumped back into the pillow, cursing under my breath. It was Sunday morning, and it was ten o’clock. Bloody church, why can’t they just give the regulars an alarm clock or something?

Still, as much as I hated being woken up early on a Sunday, even I couldn’t stay miserable today. It was a lovely August morning, the sun was streaming through the window, and I had company. I rolled over, smiled at the head of blonde hair resting peacefully next to me, and scrambled to my feet.

By the time I got back from the shower, and had managed to find some clothes, Laura was awake and sat up in bed. Somehow, despite her smudged make-up and ruffled hair, she looked even more beautiful than she had yesterday, and I reached over for a kiss.

“Morning, love. Have a good night?”

“Yeah, lovely. Didn’t sleep much, but we had a good time all the same! You mind if I grab a shower?”

“Sure. Take your time, I’ve finished in there and Ratty’s still fast asleep, the lazy git. I’ll get you a coffee.”

I went to the kitchen to make Laura a coffee and was about to make one myself, then thought better of it and reached for the Jack Daniels. Ratty chose that moment to surface, so I poured one for him too.

“Morning, Teddy. See you’ve been doing your bit for press relations, eh?”

“Let’s just say. I’ve been keeping in close contact with the local media! Anyway, what time’s kick-off today?”

“Three I think. Is whatsername joining us?”

“No idea, and her name’s Laura. She’s in the shower, I’ll ask her when she’s out.”

In the end Laura did decide to join us, and 3pm saw us in Hogshead (a student-type bar in the centre of the city, and the only one we’d found so far that served a decent pint of Hoegaarden) watching Chelsea and Arsenal take to the field for that most traditional and pointless of pre-season matches, the Charity Shield.

Ratty fancied Chelsea to win, me and Laura had plumped for the Gunners, and it was Ratty who was left crying into his beer as first half goals from Thierry Henry and Gilberto Silva saw Arsene Wenger’s men race into a 2-0 half time lead; Mickael Essien’s 63rd-minute strike couldn’t prevent Arsenal lifting the first trophy of 2005/06 and Chelsea’s Special One receiving an early kick in the proverbials.

retired_jennie

Tuesday August 9th 2005

Darlington vs. Bristol Rovers, League Two from the Darlington Football Stadium

Bris R (4-1-4-1); Scott Shearer, Chris Carruthers, Souleymane Bamba, Ryan Hartslief (Jean-Christophe Cesto 45), Mark Earnshaw, Johannes Djourou, Franklin Salas, Sebastian Larsson, Aaron Lescott, Dean West, Gary Hamilton (Francesco Milano 45)

I’d warned the players that if they started here today the way they’d played the second half against Barnet on Saturday we’d be in serious trouble. Needless to say my worst fears came true, the opening minutes saw continual home pressure and we were behind just eight minutes in. Johannes Djourou was forced to concede a throw, James Kendrick took it quickly to catch us napping and Carlos Logan found himself in space on the left. Logan’s ball was meant as a cross but he badly mis-hit it, Scott Shearer couldn’t get there and it sailed over his head and into the back of the net. Fluky maybe, but I couldn’t deny Darlington deserved it.

Five minutes later it got even worse for us, and this one had nothing to do with luck. A flowing move between Kendrick, James Beaumont and Oliver Heald again saw the ball with Logan out on the left, this time his cross was perfect and Congan striker Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu buried a diving header past the outstretched Shearer.

Darlington continued to dominate the first half, and Nsungu could easily have made it three when he shot wide when one-on-one with Shearer, but in the last minute we were handed a welcome lifeline. Dean West played in Gary Hamilton, Hamilton’s touch was far too heavy but then so was David Duke’s challenge and Hamilton went tumbling to the floor. The referee pointed to the spot, to my surprise Chris Carruthers stepped forward to take it, but it was a poor effort and an easy save for keeper Davy O’Hare.

Half time: Darlington 2 (Carlos Logan 8, Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu 12), Bristol Rovers 0

My dressing room fury resulted in a double change, and Francesco Milano came on for the ineffective Hamilton with Jean-Christophe Cesto making his debut at centre-half in place of Ryan Hartslief. Straight away we looked a better, and more threatening, side, and Dean West had already come close with a 25-yarder when we finally got our reward. West picked the ball up in midfield, he stepped away from his marker and found Sebastian Larsson with a precision pass out on the left. Larsson looked up, picked out the run of Francesco Milano and the substitute buried it beyond O’Hare with an emphatic finish. 2-1, and game on.

We had the better of the last 40 minutes but Darlington battened down the hatches, Franklin Salas, Dean West and Francesco Milano all came close but the best chance fell to Mark Earnshaw, the centre half sent a free header well over the bar from six yards out. That was to cost us, the home side held firm and held out to take the three points. I was bitterly disappointed with the start we made and especially with Carruthers’ missed penalty, we were much better after the break but by then the damage had been done and it was a long, miserable trip back south to Bristol.

Full time: Darlington 2 (Logan 6, Ndumbu-Nsungu 12), Bristol Rovers 1 (Milano 53)

retired_jennie

Saturday 13th August 2005

Bristol Rovers vs. Shrewsbury, League Two from the Memorial Stadium

Bris R (4-1-4-1); Scott Shearer, Souleymane Bamba, Chris Carruthers, Ryan Hartslief, Mark Earnshaw, Johannes Djourou, Franklin Salas, Sebastian Larsson, Aaron Lescott, Dean West, Francesco Milano

As promised there was just the one change to the side that lost at Darlington in midweek, Gary Hamilton really hadn’t impressed me and so Francesco Milano was rewarded for his goals with a place in the starting X1. The visiting Shrews hadn’t started the season well, they looked totally lacking in confidence here and we were at them right from the start. Two minutes in Dean West danced away from his marker in midfield, he found Franklin Salas in space but Salas shot straight at keeper Joe Hart and the chance was wasted.

Not long after Francesco Milano was inches away from the edge of the area, Dean West also sent a half-chance well wide and Salas was denied by a last-ditch challenge in what’d been a backs-to-the-wall effort from the visitors. Salas was calling the shots in midfield, at times Shrewsbury couldn’t get near him, but a combination of bad luck and desperate defending meant we just couldn’t find that killer ball and half time saw the scoresheet still blank.

Half Time: Bristol Rovers 0, Shrewsbury 0

The second half saw more of the same, Shrewsbury were making no effort to go forward and actually switched to five at the back, leaving Nathan Blake as the increasingly isolated loan striker. The first real chance of the half came on 55, after a goalmouth scramble defender Richard Hope made a mess of his clearance, the ball dropped kindly for Francesco Milano but Milano rather slashed at it and his shot flew high over the bar.

That’d just about summed up our afternoon, as stoppage time crept ever nearer we’d still drawn a blank and a stalemate looked increasingly likely. Since the Shrews had offered so little going forward, I decided to take a chance by throwing men forward, I knew this was a game we needed to win.

And, in the 88th minute, we struck it lucky. Sebastian Larsson hit a hopeful cross-field ball towards Souleymane Bamba on the right wing, Bamba was seeking out Milano in the middle but, just as had happened against us in the week, he sliced his cross and it looped wickedly over keeper Joe Hart into the Shrewsbury net! We had the lead almost at the death, there was no way back for the Shrews and we closed out the last five minutes for a late, but I felt well deserved, three points.

Full Time: Bristol Rovers 1 (Souleymane Bamba 88), Shrewsbury 0

retired_jennie

For the second home game in a row we’d left it bloody late, but this time I was pretty happy with the overall performance, our lack of composure in front of goal was a bit worrying but Shrewsbury’s keeper Joe Hart had an excellent game and he was the only reason we didn’t win that one by four or five. I’d taken a gamble in not making more changes to the team after the dreadful display at Darlington in midweek, and on the whole I was pleased with the efforts of the players today.

I’d noticed Laura Matthews in the crowd at half time, and sure enough as I made my way out of the dressing room there she was waiting for me. Ratty, who was following behind me, whispered something in my ear, I didn’t quite catch all the words but I could guess at the level of smut involved; I replied with a two-fingered salute and waved him off towards the car park.

“Hi, Laura. You here on business?”

“Kind of. I’m a season ticket holder anyway, so I’m usually at every home game. I didn’t really have to cover this one, guess I really came to see you though.”

We hadn’t seen each other since we’d parted in Hogshead last Sunday, I’d been really busy anyway what with having to prepare for two games in a week as well as the long trip to Darlington, and I’d told myself that the time we’d spent together was just a bit of fun. I’d only just come down to Bristol, I had a hard job to do, and I certainly wasn’t looking for a serious relationship right now. Yet, somehow, I was genuinely pleased, relieved even, that she’d shown up today.

“Well, shall we do it here or do you want to go to my office?”

“Pardon!!??”

“The interview. I mean, I assume you want a few words with me about the game?”

“Yeah, I suppose.. look, Teddy, I..”

“I know what, let’s get the hell out of here and go for a drink. I might be more inspired with my post-match comments with a large Jack Daniels in front of me.”

I’d already arranged to meet Ratty in the Horn and Trumpet at seven, he seemed a bit surprised when I turned up with Laura in tow but he resisted the temptation to make any smart-arse comments. So we drank, played pool (I lost badly – blame the gammy arm), drank some more and generally had a very enjoyable evening. Ratty had been trying his luck all night with a crowd of northern students, eventually he disappeared into the night with one young lass and we were left all alone. After a while we made our rather drunken way back to the flat, where our night reached its inevitable conclusion.

Later, lying in bed together, I realised how much I’d enjoyed the time we’d spent together, and not just because of the sex. Laura was a beautiful girl but she was also funny, relaxed and good company, and her cheerful nature seemed to somehow rub off on me. I stopped myself right there; it couldn’t be, could it? We’d spent all of two nights together, could I actually be falling for her? Immediately I told myself no; after my relationship with Sarah, my would-have-been fiancé, ended the day of my accident, during my recovery I’d sworn to myself that I’d never allow anyone else to hurt me like that, I’d never allow myself to get that close to anyone ever again.

Staring into the darkness, I hadn’t realised Laura was awake.

“Teddy, where are you? And don’t say right here, you know what I mean.”

“You don’t want to know, sweetheart. You really don’t want to know.”

retired_jennie

Tuesday, August 16th 2005

“Bastards. Just.. bastards!!”

This morning, as you’d probably guessed, hadn’t brought with it good news. Ratty and I were sat in the office (and yes, down here, it is “the office” – there’s just the one, I’ve got one desk and Ratty’s got the other) and we’d just received a couple of faxes through.

They were from the national associations of Sweden and the Ivory Coast, and it was bad news ahead of Saturday’s trip to Torquay. Sebastian Larsson and Souleymane Bamba had both been called up to their respective countries’ Under-21 squads for meaningless friendlies at the weekend, I’d asked for them both to be withdrawn and the messages we’d just received were carrying a firm response of “up yours” to that request. I was going to be without both of them on Saturday.

Later in the day I had a date with Laura, and it was the stuff a girl’s dreams are made of; who needs dinner on the Orient Express or a weekend in Paris when you can take in Rovers Reserves vs. Rovers Under-18s! Actually she’d asked if she could do a piece for the paper on the “future of Bristol Rovers”, if this was indeed our future then it’s bloody worrying. I think I need to teach my players the difference between “friendly” and “comatose”, for what we watched was without a shadow of a doubt the worst 90 minutes action since some Victorian guy kicked a round thing and said hey, we could make a game out of this.

It finished 0-0, thankfully I wasn’t actually in charge of either side (Tony had the Reserves and Paul manned the U-18s) but I’d come along hoping to see some talent shine. Talent?? You’d have found more talent on display amongst the bridesmaids at a Viking wedding. As if I wasn’t fed up enough.

“Sorry about that, love. I tell you what; if you write in your article that you’ve just seen the next Pele playing for Bristol Rovers Under-18’s, I’ll take you out to dinner.”

“Dinner sounds lovely, but I don’t think I can lie that much”

Fair enough.

retired_jennie

Friday August 19th, 2005

This week just goes from bad to worse. As if losing my first choice right back and left midfielder wasn’t bad enough, now I’ve lost two of my strikers too!

Gary Hamilton was already doubtful, he’d twisted his groin (doing what, I was afraid to ask) and my physio Phil Kite confirmed yesterday that he wouldn’t make tomorrow’s game. Now I wasn’t too bothered about that, Francesco Milano would have been first-choice anyway. And that’s where the real problem starts; in training this morning Milano pulled up awkwardly, it’s not as serious as it first looked but he can hardly walk and there’s no way at all he’ll be fit to play any part against Torquay. Tony suggested we give him a pain-killing injection and see if that’ll get him through, but I’d decided he’s such a vital player to our season it’d be madness to risk worsening his injury.

So, I’ve got some decisions to make, although to be honest options were rather limited. Before all these problems hit us Tony and I had already decided that Ryan Hartslief would be dropped and Jean-Christophe Cesto come in to replace him at centre-half, we’ve decided not to change that and so Aaron Lescott, a midfielder by trade, will deputise for Bamba at right-back. Jeroen van Staveren will get his chance at left midfield, and since I’ve got no real choice but to push Franklin Salas up into the lone striker role Ryan Williams, one of the players I inherited, will start on the right side of midfield.

retired_jennie

Saturday 20th August 2005

Torquay vs. Bristol Rovers, League Two from Plainmoor

Bris R (4-1-4-1); Scott Shearer, Aaron Lescott (Ryan Hartslief 57), Chris Carruthers, Mark Earnshaw, Jean-Christophe Cesto, Johannes Djourou, Ryan Williams, Jeroen van Staveren (Gary Hamilton 57), Sebastian Larsson, Dean West, Franklin Salas

With my much-changed side I wasn’t really too sure what to expect here, and the lack of understanding looked like it might prove to be our undoing as we struggled badly to string two passes together early on. Torquay weren’t much better, mind, but they had the vocal Plainmoor crowd to inspire them into creating the first chance of the afternoon; Johannes Djourou was forced into conceding a corner, Tony Bedeau’s delivery was dangerous and midfielder Alan Connell was only inches wide with a spectacular bicycle kick.

Franklin Salas came close just past the quarter-hour mark with a 30-yard drive after good work down the right from Aaron Lescott – I think keeper Marriott had it covered though – but on the whole neither side managed to find any real fluency in what was a desperately dull first 45 minutes. The only other half-chance came when Dean West just failed to get to Jeroen van Staveren’s through ball, but as the whistle went neither keeper had even had a save to make.

Half time: Torquay 0 Bristol Rovers 0

The opening 10 minutes were dire, and I had to face facts that the 4-1-4-1 just wasn’t working; van Staveren and Williams were being well-marshalled down the flanks and Salas just wasn’t seeing enough of the ball to make a difference. So, just before the hour on came Gary Hamilton and Ryan Hartslief, Hamilton went up to support Salas in attack and we switched to a standard 4-4-2.

Did it work? Did it buggery! I can honestly say I’ve never seen a worst half of football in my life, for some reason Torquay seemed happy to settle for a point at home and we just didn’t have the invention to break them down. I’d been looking for Dean West to shine for me in the middle of the park, but he seemed to have left his magic boots at home today and the nearest either side came to a goal was a late drive by Torquay’s Tony Bedeau that went closer to the corner flag than the bottom corner. The phrase “bore draw” could have been invented for this one, 0-0 it ended.

Full Time: Torquay 0 Bristol Rovers 0