retired_hern1001

For the final game of the month, we made the short trip across to Lordelo to face Aliados do Lordelo, the team stuck at the bottom of the table. It was an excellent opportunity for Paulo Catarino to make his full debut despite a lack of match fitness. We had another great start, scoring twice in the first five minutes. Unfortunately, Filipe was off-side when he first scored after three minutes, but two minutes later, there was no flag from the assistant referee to spoil our party. Rui Sá doubled the margin thirteen minutes later with a deft flick past the stranded goalkeeper. We continued to show our dominance throughout the first half and even more so when Lordelo had a player sent off for a professional foul. It took us until the second half to score our third though. Once more, Filipe roamed through the defence and scored an easy tap in from Chalana’s pass. And if that wasn’t enough, Rui Sá completed the rout with a header minutes from the end. By then, Luis Lopes had left the field with an injury and with all subs already used, we had to continue with ten men as well. It left enough space for our hosts to grab a consolation goal, but it didn’t help them any, the 4-1 scoreline condemning them to their 9th consecutive defeat.

Lopes’ injury would keep him out for a couple of weeks. In other news, our goalkeeper Ricardo was linked with a move away from the club after his good performances recently, but I moved quickly to quell any transfer rumours. A few offers came in for him just before the transfer deadline, but I dismissed them all. The goalkeeper wasn’t the only one with admirers though. Bruno Mendes, Filipe and Rui Sá were all the subject of transfer bids, but they weren’t allowed to leave.

retired_hern1001

February 2006

Things quietened down after the transfer market closed so we could focus on playing football once more. Esmoriz’ next match saw them face lowly Pontassolense. Only one change was made to the starting line-up from the previous match, the injured Lopes being replaced by Garranas. We got off to a great start when Rui Lage pounced on a mistake on the right and played in Rui Sá. Instead of going for glory himself, the striker gently prodded it sideways for Paulo Catarino to open up his Esmoriz account. Six minutes gone and already a lead on the board. It didn’t last long though, twelve minutes later, Thiago Mota sent in a cross from the left wing and much to his despair, it glanced off Rui Jorge’s head and past Ricardo for the equaliser. We did go into the break with a lead though, Felipe magnificently curling in a free kick on the stroke of half-time. In the second half, it was all Esmoriz and the guests were lucky to concede only one more goal, again from a free kick. This time, it was left winger Chalana, who left Bruno Festas nailed to the ground. Both substitute Miki and Catarino had chances to further enhance our goal difference, but they were unable to do so.

We had an extra weeks respite before our next game, on the nineteenth. It was enough for our goalkeeper Ricardo to get himself injured while lifting weights. Eighteen year old youngster Justino would take his place for the game against Lousada. Despite the fact that we were missing both our regular goalkeeper and our best centre back, the home side decided to go with a rather defensive 4-5-1 formation. It meant we had a pretty quiet first half at the back and because of their large contingent of defensive players, we were unable to break them down. All in all, the first half was a pretty drab affair for players and fans alike. The second half didn’t show much improvement, although there were goals to be celebrated for the home crowd. First, Joel’s misplaced shot found it’s way past the inexperienced Justino to put Lousada one up. Pedro Mendes should have doubled that margin, but showed he was rubbish, unlike his namesake, and hit the crossbar. At the other end, Catarino also hit the woodwork, his shot bouncing off the past straight into the arms of the Lousada goalkeeper. Five minutes from the end, Diogo put the result beyond doubt as he fired in Lousada’s second from twenty-five yards. It was our first defeat in six games.

retired_hern1001

It's late in the evening; she's wondering what clothes to wear.
She puts on her make-up and brushes her long blonde hair.
And then she asks me, "Do I look all right?"
And I say, "Yes, you look wonderful tonight."

I wake up startled. Trying to gather my bearings in the dark of the night, I notice that I’m in the living room, slumped on the couch. In front of me, the coffee table is covered with a couple of empty beer bottles and a quarter-full bottle of red wine. No wonder my head hurts. As my mind starts to organise itself, I recognize the song being played on the radio.

We go to a party and everyone turns to see
This beautiful lady that's walking around with me.
And then she asks me, "Do you feel all right?"
And I say, "Yes, I feel wonderful tonight."

Clapton. Our song. Her song. I try to shake it out of my head, but it persists. And then I remember. I put it on. Play mode repeat. I can’t remember why. It always brings out the pain. Slowly, the tears fill up my sight again, making everything go hazy. I used to play it for her every time she was at my place. I got the occasional note wrong and I couldn’t sing to save my life, but she loved it.

I feel wonderful because I see
The love light in your eyes.
And the wonder of it all
Is that you just don't realize how much I love you.

She loved it almost as much as I loved her. But she’s gone now. Taken abruptly in the night. Five years ago. And I still haven’t gotten my head ‘round it. I probably never will. I wipe the tears away and grab the bottle of wine and empty it. I hope I still have aspirin lying about is my last thought before I drift back to sleep.

It's time to go home now and I've got an aching head,
So I give her the car keys and she helps me to bed.
And then I tell her, as I turn out the light,
I say, "My darling, you were wonderful tonight.
Oh my darling, you were wonderful tonight."
© Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight

retired_hern1001

I took the defeat at the hands of Lousada surprisingly hard. Combined with the bad karma from Eric Clapton, my mind wasn’t really on the football in the week leading up to our clash with Fiaes. Thankfully, Martin and Nick managed to take over most of my duties without anyone noticing, so that we were at least prepared for our final league encounter of the month.

Not that it mattered much as we got off to a horrid start. Our defence was hanging together like loose sand while our attacks lacked bite. After thirty minutes, we were already looking at a two-goal deficit, Garranas in particular was to blame for this. Thankfully, we managed to get back to our feet and Paulo Catarino finally found his shooting boots. Which was why at half time it was all square, both goals coming from our recent signing. He would however not return to the pitch in the second half, having sustained an injury just before the break. While I was contemplating to put on Jefferson in his stead, Martin urged me to let Miki have another go. In the end, I caved and let the youngster have his chance. Because of all this I actually forgot to take of Garrans and I paid for that when caused a free kick ten minutes after the restart. Duarte put it away and the home side were 3-2 up. That lead didn’t last long though as Miki repaid the faith shown in him with a well taken goal fourteen minutes later. And we were looking to run away with all three points when Rui Sá pounced on a rebound off Miki’s effort to make it 3-4. It wasn’t to be however and well into injury time, the hosts levelled things again for an astonishing 4-4 finish.

retired_hern1001

March 2006

Another long break between games as our next league match wasn’t until the 12th of March. In fact, we’d only have two games in March with the other one taking place 7 days later. The long break was enough for goalkeeper Ricardo to return form his injury. He took his place in goal for the only home match of the month, against Dragoes Sandinenses. But after his injury lay-off, he was still a little rusty and it showed as the guests scored twice in the first half. However, each time they did so, they only levelled the scores as Esmoriz had taken the lead on two occasions. Rui Sá nicked the ball of the goalkeeper’s feet to score the first after just eighteen minutes. Four minutes later though, a poor clearance from Luis Lopes gifted the ball to Pedras who tucked it away. It was a Felipe thunderbolt from 25-yards that put us back in front, but another defensive error, this time by Ruca ensured the scores were level at the break. Ruca was rewarded for his mistake by being substituted during the break. The second half was similar to the first, the only difference being that only one more goal was scored. After Martinho has just missed a great chance to put the guests in front, Ricardo started off a quick counter attack. He found Felipe who in turn pushed the ball straight into the path of Rui Sá. With an audacious lob, the striker scored his second of the game. It was enough to break Sandinenses’ resistance and we managed to play out the game without too much trouble.

After the game, Nick went on record saying how good he thought Felipe was and that he was a key player to the side. He was of course, dead on right. It wasn’t all rosy after the match though. Paulo Catarino had pulled up with an hamstring injury during the final minutes and it would keep him out at least two weeks. It meant he was certain to miss our trip to Sanjoanense. Miki would be the one to replace him.

We were up for a difficult game, as Sanjoanense were currently third in the league and according to just about everyone vastly superior to us. It seemed our second place in the league counted for nothing, even to the bookies, who offered no more than 12/1 for an Esmoriz win. They must have felt rather silly when Miki carved his way through the hosts’ defence and opened the score after twenty minutes with a delightful finish. Despite the goal, we were on the back foot for most of the first half and it was no surprise that Sanjoanense finally found a way past Ricardo through Diogo, seconds before the half time break. The goal clearly shell-shocked our players and they started off the second half poorly, Ruca again the main perpetrator of this. He failed to properly mark Quim Pedro, who as a result, had no problem slotting home the 2-1. I ordered my men forward as we tried to level the score, but as a result, we gave away a lot of room at the back. But it wasn’t until injury time that Sanjoanense really put the game beyond doubt with a third.

That brought the month to an end with Esmoriz sitting in a very comfortable third spot, 25 points clear of the relegation threatened places and six points ahead of their nearest chasers and next opponents Paredes.

retired_hern1001

April 2006

April would be a busy month with five games, starting with a home tie against Paredes. Ricardo and Paulo Catarino were both missing from the team due to injury, so Miki retained his starting place, while Justino took up a place between the sticks. It was crucial to get the month of to a good start with a win against our nearest chasers and the players obviously realised this as they dominated the game in the first half, doing everything except scoring. We continued our dominance in the second half, but were unable to score. And as often is the case in scenarios such as this once, the other team goes running off with the win. In the 68th minute, Paredes striker Fonseca scored the only goal of the game, a placed header, to give his side the win.

Seven days later, Ricardo returned in goal as Esmoriz travelled to Ribeira Brava. Once more, we were the better side, but the finishing was again wasteful and the only reason we led at half time was an easily given penalty converted by Chalana. Brown told his players exactly what he thought of their performance so far in rather colourful language, but his thundering speech did not have the desired effect. Quite the opposite, Esmoriz were poor in the second half and conceded a soft equaliser to share the points.

Unsurprisingly, Brown wasn’t very confident ahead of their next game, away to the Porto Reserves. Eventhough Paulo Catarino returned to add some much needed firepower up front, the team was unable to score. There was a positive note to be taken from the first half though, as the guests weren’t completely outplayed and were only trailing by a single goal at half time. Things improved quite dramatically in the second half. Two well taken goals saw Esmoriz draw level after conceding a goal shortly after halftime. Substitutes Miki and Eder provided the goals, but in the end, Porto proved too strong and Sokota got his second of the afternoon to seal a 3-2 win for the hosts.

retired_hern1001

England

Eric Dura was feeling much better today as he entered the cool subterranean chamber. Page was knelt in front of the altar like before, but he turned as soon as Dura entered the room. Eric noted that his eyes were a brilliant red, which frightened him even more than the piercing blue eyes Page usually had.
“Yes?” Page asked in a deep voice.
“We’ve found him, sir. He’s down in Portugal” Dura said confidently.
“Excellent. Bring him here. And do not forget the key. The time is near”
“Yes sir, I’ve already sent two men down there and I’ll be joining them as soon as I leave here”
“Don’t let me keep you then” Page said before turning back to the altar. Eric took the hint and left.

Outside a car with a driver was waiting to take him to the airport. From there, he’d catch a flight to Porto where his two minions would be waiting.

Back in Portugal

Two more games remained this month and while Esmoriz were still sitting in third place, they’d need a win to keep them there a while longer. The competition was closing in fast. Their first opportunity of claiming one was at home against Pedras Rubras. Unfortunately for the fans at the ground, both teams served up a first class bore fest. The guests seemed satisfied with a point, while Esmoriz were seemingly unable to punish their opponents for their negative attitude. Bruno Mendes picked up an injury during the game, but it wasn’t bad enough to keep him out of the game of the season.

For Esmoriz fans everywhere, this was the biggest game in the season. League leaders and fierce rivals Espinho made their way to the Estadio da Barrinha on the 30th of April. Nothing less then a win would suffice for the fans and the managerial trio of Brown, Young and Taylor were feeling the heat. Taking into account the poor run the side was on, anything other than a defeat would be an inspiring performance. Taking into account the poor run the side was on, anything other than a defeat would be an inspiring performance.

Eric Dura had never been much of a football fan, but he was told that his target was managing some local football team. So he and his two cronies had bought tickets for the game. Eric had been studying his target the past week and was aware that this game would be fiercely contested, even between the fans. He wondered how he could use that to his advantage.

Everyone in the Esmoriz dressing room seemed really fired up for the game and Brown was confident that his team could match the league leaders. They did. For all of thirty minutes. At that points, Espinho stepped up a gear and Siston scored an easy goal to put them 1-0 ahead at the break. In the stands, the taunting had already begun…

Brown kept faith with the same XI at the start of the second half, but twenty minutes in, he made a triple substitution, replacing Rui Sá, Paulo Catarino and Rui Lage with Miki, Jefferson and Tiago. His efforts were rewarded when Miki sliced home an equaliser with ten minutes left to play. But just as Esmoriz looked to escape with a point, Quim denied them the draw by pouncing on some sloppy defending and scoring the 1-2.

At that point, furious Esmoriz fans stormed the pitch. The local police, already on standby, quickly moved in to clear the pitch, but by the time the dust had settled, three people were missing. Martin Taylor, Nick Young and Chris Brown…

retired_hern1001

Epilogue

The Portuguese police started an investigation, but there was no sign of the three Englishmen. It was as if they had vanished without a trace. Two months after the events of April 30th, Scotland Yard raided a house North of London. Several people, including the head of the Page Cooperation, Mark Page and his chief security officer Eric Dura were arrested. In the basement of the house, detectives found several human remains as well as a bloodstained altar. DNA tests confirmed that three people had been killed at the house. It didn’t take a genius to figure out who they were…

Esmoriz were forced to play their final game of the season by the Portuguese FA, though it was clear that the players minds were pre-occupied with the events of the previous weekend. It was therefore no surprise that they lost their final game by two goals to one. They finished the season in fifth place, well above expectation, but they were rudderless and managerless and the fans feared the worst for the future.

Authors notes:
And that boys and girls is where this story ends. Because FM06 is basically unplayable (in my opinion anyway) if you’ve played FM07, I’m ending this story here. I’d like to thank everyone for their comments, much appreciated. Finally kudos to everyone who’s managed to plough their way through this rabble and read it to the end .

retired_sherri

A very immersing read, it's a shame FM06 is so slow and it had to be cut short.

Miki played well I see and scored a good few times.

Hope to see a new story emerge soon, KUTGW :thup: