retired_steffani

October 2008

The International break gave the squad a bit of time to recover from our hectic start to the season. All of the lads, bar Hazley away with NI U21’s, were given a week off to recharge their batteries and I arranged a golf tournament similar to the one we had held in Lancaster during my opening season. Needless to say the results were similar as I finished a disappointing last….the winners honours going to Rocco Quinn.

In award news Bryan Hyland came 3rd in the Player of the Month standings, John Carter 2nd in the Young Players category and I myself was announced 3rd in the Managerial standings.

Alas in the training sessions before the game with Brechin David Crawford broke down with a knee injury and faced a month on the sidelines. Disastrously David Blower was also ruled out with a hand injury meaning our only fit goalkeeper, 18 year old John Little, would have to start against Brechin. Even more disastrously Neil Teggart broke his ankle and faced 2 o 3 months on the sidelines. Neil had already won us several games on his own and I only hoped that David McKenna would grasp this opportunity and fill the void in goals.

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Brechin (H) BSL D2 11/10/2008 W 1-0 Att. 779

Goals: Fitzpatrick (60)

Lineup:Little, Leaver, Carter, Shatford, S.McKenna, Campbell (Brown), Hazley (Hyland), Quinn, Hamill, D.McKenna, Fitzpatrick (Hart)


As it turned out John Little performed above all expectations, pulling off a string of fine saves to hold Brechin at bay and allow Steve Fitzpatrick to earn us all 3 points at Hampden Park. Steve’s 60th minute winner was just reward for the lads who had fought hard from the get go to keep up our recent good run of results. In the end 1-0 was the least we deserved and we could travel to Cowdenbeath with confidence at an all time high.

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Our injury list only seemed to get bigger as the month wore on as Matthew Hazley faced 2 months out with a broken cheekbone. Whilst we had Hyland as cover it was a bitter blow to lose Matt who had been making people across the country sit up and notice with some fantastic play down the left.

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Cowdenbeath (A) BSL D2 18/10/2008 L 3-4 Att. 185

Goals:Campbell (7), D.McKenna x2 (32,70)

Lineup:Little, Leaver, Carter, Shatford, S.McKenna, Campbell, Hyland, Quinn, Hamill, D.McKenna, Fitzpatrick

To lose a tight game in any circumstances is difficult to stomach as a manager, but you lose through two moments of sheer madness in the final 5 minutes, it’s that much harder to take. However such thoughts seemed far away when we were 2-0 up at half time thanks to strikes from Campbell and David McKenna . Even as late as the 70th minute when McKenna put us back ahead after 2 early second half Cowdenbeath goals had cancelled out our lead, I still fancied us to come back with all 3 points, then the unthinkable happened. First John Carter scored an own goal after an abysmal backpass left Little stranded. Then minutes later Steve McKenna headed into his own goal to ensure we snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. After the game I said relatively little. I couldn’t criticise a group of lads who had given their all for 85 minutes but then again our 2 late lapses were unacceptable, and so I decided to just have quiet words with the players in question on the team bus; no need to chastise the whole team on this occasion.

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<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Raith | | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 22 | 8 | +14 | 24 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Stranraer | | 11 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 25 | 11 | +14 | 23 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Gretna | | 11 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 20 | 10 | +10 | 22 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Queen's Park | | 11 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 21 | 19 | +2 | 17 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Alloa | | 11 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 17 | 20 | -3 | 14 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Stenhousemuir | | 11 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 12 | 18 | -6 | 13 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Peterhead | | 11 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 16 | 22 | -6 | 11 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Cowdenbeath | | 11 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 17 | 26 | -9 | 10 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Brechin | | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 14 | 21 | -7 | 8 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Forfar | | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 21 | -9 | 8 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

Our superb form had seen us comfortably in 4th some 9 points clear from the drop and in early contention for a playoff spot.

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Forfar (H) BSL D2 25/10/2008 L 0-1 Att 753

Lineup:Crawford, Leaver, Tulloch, Shatford, S.McKenna, Campbell, Hyland, Quinn, Hamill, D.McKenna, Fitzpatrick


Forfar put in an efficient performance to see us off in another tightly fought contest at Hampden Park. Unfortunately like the Cowdenbeath game we slipped to defeat in a game we could so easily have won. This time though no one player was to blame we just didn’t have that extra bit of quality needed to breakthrough a tough Forfar defence. I couldn’t help but wonder if we would be looking at 6 points from the last 2 games rather then none if only we had Neil Teggart fit.


Alloa (A) BSL D2 29/10/2008 L 1-7

Goals:Tulloch (55)

Sent Off:Little

Lineup:Little, Leaver, Tulloch, Shatford, S.McKenna, Campbell, Hazley, Quinn, Watts (Hamill), D.McKenna, Fitzpatrick


John Little saw red in only his 4th professional game as I suffered the heaviest loss in my managerial career away at the Recreation Park. The little said about this game the better and I think myself and all the players who stepped onto the field just wanted to bury it as far into their minds as possible. For the record Stephen Tulloch , replacing the injured Carter, scored our only goal.

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A good start to the month had been soured by 2 close defeats followed by the debacle at Alloa. Despite the recent losses we had clearly shown we were able to compete with the vast majority of teams in the league and I felt out survival prospects were superb going into November.

October 2008 Review

League Record P4 W1 D0 L3 GS 5 GC 13

Top Scorers:

Neil Teggart 9
Steve Fitzpatrick 6

retired_kmkageler

Good going Wimb :thup: hope the injuries slow down.

retired_steffani

November 2008


November was going to be a very difficult month for the Spiders as we faced each of the top 3 sides in the division coupled with some potentially tricky games against fellow strugglers Stenhousemuir and Peterhead. If we could find 5-6 points from this month I would be a happy man but deep down I knew we faced an uphill struggle to even make 3. Our opening game of the month would be our best opportunity to secure a win as we faced Stenhousemuir at Hampden Park.

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Stehousemuir (H) BSL D2 1/11/2008 D 0-0 Att. 585

Lineup:Crawford, Leaver (Andrews), Tulloch, Shatford, S.McKenna, Campbell, Hyland, Quinn, Watts, D.McKenna, Fitzpatrick (McPherson)

David Crawford was fit to return to the lineup to face Stenhousemuir as we tried to get over the humiliation of the Alloa game. To their credit the lads made themselves counted with a gritty display to prove that they couldn’t just be steamrollered in this division. Quinn and Watts were commanding whilst Hyland and Campbell both looked threatening down the wings. Ross McPherson had a great chance to open his account for the Spiders with just 5 minutes remaining but his header flashed wide from 8 yards. So we didn’t manage to capture all 3 points but as far as I was concerned anything was better then the week before.



Coldstream (H) SFAC R1 15/11/2008 W 2-0 Att. 456

Goals:Quinn (10) , D.McKenna (22)

Lineup:Crawford, Leaver, Tulloch (Carter), Shatford, S.McKenna, Campbell, Hyland (Hazley), Quinn, Watts (Hamill), D.McKenna, Hart (McPherson)

James Hart made the first start of his professional career as I decided to rest Steve Fitzpatrick for the visit of Coldstream in the Scottish Cup. We had met the same side a year before in the 2nd round and had only squeaked through in the late stages of the game. Therefore I was resolved that the lads go out there and kill the game early, and that’s exactly what they did. First Quinn drilled home from just outside the box before David McKenna rounded the keeper having been released by Watts. Unfortunately such early goals killed the spectacle, despite valiant attempts by our visitors to force a breakthrough. Progression to the next round was good for the clubs bank balance, but as always I worried that the extra fixtures might derail our survival chances. Every year we seemed to suffer a hangover after a cup exit and we really couldn’t afford such a lapse this season playing against a higher quality of opposition.



Raith (A) BSL D2 19/11/2008 L 1-4 Att. 2816

Goal:Fitzpatrick (68)

Lineup:Crawford, Leaver, Carter, Shatford (Wilson), S.McKenna, Campbell, Hyland (Hazley), Quinn, Watts, D.McKenna, Hart (Fitzpatrick)

Steve Fitzpatrick’s neat finish 20 minutes before the end was the one thing our 50 or so travelling fans could cheer on an otherwise miserable Novembers night in Raith. The league leaders demolished us to take our record to –9 in goal difference for our last 2 away trips and truth be told it could have been a lot worse. The heart and desire that had been shown in the Stenhousemuir game seemed to have deserted the players as Raith took us apart piece by piece; playing as if we weren’t even there. Before the hour we were 3 down and whilst Steve pulled a goal back, within 5 minutes we were 4-1 down and that’s how it ended up. I couldn’t honestly think of a time when squad morale had been lower then it was on that team coach on the way back to Glasgow, but it wasn’t going to get any easier any time soon.


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The injury merry go round continued to spin as we made our preparations for the Stranraer fixture. Ryan Andrews and Stephen Tulloch would both miss out for a few weeks with head and hip injuries respectively, but Matt Hazley had come on as a sub against Raith and would be fit to start the game. Similarly right midfielder Kevin Barkey was ready to make a comeback and would compete with Ross Campbell for a starting slot on the right wing. Meanwhile Daniel Shatford had been taken off late in the Raith game with tightness in his hamstring and would have a late fitness test before the game to decide whether he could take part.

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Stranraer (A) BSL D2 22/11/2008 D 1-1 Att. 771

Goal.McKenna (80)

Lineup:Crawford, Leaver, Carter, Wilson, S.McKenna, Barkey, Hazley, Quinn, Watts, D.McKenna, Fitzpatrick

When you’ve just been demolished at the home of the league leaders, the last place you want to go is to the home of the second placed team; unfortunately the fixture computer didn’t afford us such graces as we had to travel to Stranraer. Somehow we upset the home fans and bookies alike with another determined performance to claim an unexpected yet vital point. David McKenna struck with just 10 minutes left to cancel out Scott McLean’s opener for Stranraer and give us a share of the spoils, thanks in no small part to Stranraer’s wasteful finishing.



Peterhead (H) BSL D2 26/11/2008 D 0-0 Att. 476

Lineup:Crawford, Leaver, Carter, Shatford, S.McKenna, Barkey, Hazley (Hyland), Quinn, Watts (Hamill), D.McKenna, Fitzpatrick

What goes around comes around and just as Stranraer must have been amazed to only take a point against us 4 days previously, I felt we had been cheated of 2 points by a dogged Peterhead side. McKenna and Fitzpatrick were both guilty of missing a hat-full of chances as we missed a golden opportunity to get a first win in 6 league games.


Gretna (H) BSL D2 29/11/2008 L 0-2 Att. 485

Lineup:Blower, Leaver, Carter, Shatford, S.McKenna, Barkey, Hazley, Quinn, Watts, D.McKenna, Fitzpatrick (McPherson)

Having played the leaders and 2nd placed teams in the past 2 weeks it was only right we entertain the 3rd placed side. Gretna came into town on the 29th and left with all 3 points. I had no complaints from the players, nor David Blower making his first appearance of the season after David Crawford pulled up in training with a groin strain. Yet the Welshman could not be held accountable for this defeat as we were simply second best compared to a side almost destined for promotion.

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November was a dark time for the club and myself. We were being drawn into the relegation dogfight and that was never a good place to be going into Christmas. As I started my Christmas shopping and started writing my cards I considered writing one to Santa asking for 3 points, alas I remembered he was a red so would be more likely to donate such points to Stenhousemuir instead…

Still we only faced 4 games in December and perhaps with greater time to rest and prepare for our matches we might find a handy reversal in fortunes. Whatever the case until we picked up that elusive winter league win, i would be watching alot of those late night/early morning trashy quizz channels and documentaries on the Battle of Britain.....well what else was i supposed to do not being able to sleep at such times.



November 2008 Review



League Record P5 W 0 D 2 L 3 GS 2 GC 7
SFAC P1 W1 D0 L0 GS 2 GC 0


Leading Scorers:

Neil Teggart 9
Steve Fitzpatrick7

retired_merri13

Aquaplaning?

retired_steffani

Thanks Jim :thup: losing Teggart sucked as his goals are vital to us . Well Harwin i'd probably argue that i'm just up against vastly superior teams teams like Raith and Gretna have a raft of Eastern European Internationals playing for them and pay out big transfer fees can't really compete.



December 2008

The festive period began with another cup tie before we played 3 very winnable games against Brechin, Cowdenbeath and Forfar. I was determined that the year should end in the best possible way so that 2009 could be just as successful for the club as 2008.


Stranraer (A) SFAC R2 6/12/08 L 0-3 Att. 674

Lineup:Blower, Leaver, Carter, Shatford, S.McKenna, Barkey, Hazley (Hyland), Quinn, Watts, D.McKenna, Fitzpatrick

Given that only 2 weeks ago Stranraer had taken us apart in the league, this 3-0 defeat was hardly unexpected and truth be told not that bad in our hunt for survival. Even though the cup wasn’t much of a priority I still had a responsibility to put out a strong side and I hoped that a good display might lift morale. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be but there were still positives to be taken from the game particularly the resolve of our centre backs Shatford and McKenna, both of whom had great games.


Brechin (A) BSL D2 13/12/2008 D 4-4 Att. 748

Goals:Campbell (15) , OG (29), Quinn (51), Fitzpatrick (53)

Lineup:Crawford, Leaver, Carter, Shatford, S.McKenna, Campbell, Hazley (Hyland), Quinn, Watts, Fitzpatrick, McPherson

So close yet so far away from a much needed victory as we conceded a last minute equaliser against Brechin. David Blower dropped down to the bench for David Crawford to return and Ross McPherson also started. An Own Goal and Campbell had put us into a 2-0 lead before 2 strikes on 42 and 44 minutes from Brechin sent us into the break at 1 a piece. We got off to a flyer in the second half as goals from Quinn and Fitzpatrick restored our 2 goal advantage. Despite such a cushion our recent run of results left the team panicking, and unable to keep possession we inevitably conceded a goal on 77 minutes. Despite some desperate late defending we couldn’t hold back the tide of Brechin attacks and let our lead slip in the final minute.



Cowdenbeath (H) BSL D2 20/12/08 W 3-1 Att. 451

Goals:Fitzpatrick x2 (10,33) , Quinn (79)

Lineup:Crawford, Leaver (Andrews), Carter, Shatford, S.McKenna, Barkey, Hazley, Hyland, Quinn, Fitzpatrick (Teggart), McPherson (D.McKenna)



As the final whistle went and the crowd cheered, you can feel the relief around Hampden Park as we picked up a league win at last. Bryan Hyland came into the midfield whilst we also warmly welcomed back Neil Teggart onto the bench after his long injury. Two superb strikes from Steve Fitzpatrick provided the early cushion we needed and unlike the Brechin game we held our nerve, even adding a third late in the second half from Quinn Cowdenbeath managed to net a late consolation goal but by then the party was already in full swing and those 3 points were the best Christmas present we could have hoped for….other then a Russian billionaire.



Forfar (A) BSL D2 26/12/08 L 2-3 Att. 328

Goals:Fitzpatrick x2 (4,85)

Lineup:Crawford, Leaver, Carter, Shatford, S.McKenna, Barkey, Hazley, Hyland, Quinn, Fitzpatrick (Teggart), McPherson (D.McKenna)

Fresh from opening the Christmas presents sent up from my parents, and having given the dog a new squeaky toy to last all of 5 minutes, we travelled to Forfar hoping to make it 7 points out of a possible 9 this month. Once again Steve Fitzpatrick opened the scoring early on but from there on in Forfar gradually began to reassert themselves in the match, breaking our defensive line just before the break to equalise. Two goals on 66 and 73 killed off our challenge but Steve Fitzpatrick slammed in a goal on 85 minutes to set up a frantic finish.


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So the year was at its end and we had genuine reason to look back on 2008 as a turning point in the history of the club. We had won Division 3 and begun to consolidate our position in the 2nd Division. Neil Teggart had had an unbelievable year, our young defence kept on getting better and better, not to mention the improvements to Steve Fitzpatrick’s game.

Still there was plenty of work to be done over the rest of this season and I would be looking for reinforcements over the January transfer window. One player who would be looking to leave was Scott Wilson who came up to me and told me how he felt he needed to leave to find regular football. I told Scott that he was a valuable member of the squad who had worked hard for the team since his arrival and that losing him would be a big blow. Nonetheless I agreed with him that if a decent offer came in he could leave the club due to Scott’s fantastic attitude since his arrival.

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December 2008 Review


League Record P3 W1 D1 L1 GS 9 GC 8
SFAC Record P1 W0 D0 L1 GS 0 GC 3



Leading Scorers:


Steve Fitzpatrick 12
Neil Teggart 9

retired_yolanda

KUTW

retired_jmeshew

Rock on Wimb . How is the Hampden ground maintenance cost? That was a killer in past versions and made managing QP a nightmare.

retired_steffani

I'm losing between 10-20k a month right now so it's not so bad Hook, i survive on the cup money i get plus any tranfer sales. Thanks to you and Gil for the support :thup:

Alas i'm about to go back to Reading for the Rock Festival this weekend and then am spending a couple of weeks back home so the story won't be updated for a week or two i fear but i might sneak some time so mods please don't close this!

See you all in a couple of weeks!

retired_steffani

Well i'm back in Lancaster my new HDD is installed and its time to continue!

January 2009

So a new year and new expectations for the Spiders. A good first half to the year had seen us establish ourselves within the division and we had competed well with the vast majority of sides. Even so with the opening of the transfer window, and no SFA Cup game, i had some time to go out and strengthen the squad.

Before the game with Alloa i was able to add some new faces to the squad, including 3 defenders, Craig Murphy a centre back who was signed for £1k from Hamilton, Craig Chisholm a young right back on a free from Welsh side Llandudno, and Alan Lithgow another young centre half from Stirling for a £10k sum. In addition, attacking midfielder Neil Morris joined on a free transfer having been released from Cork City, and striker Andy Ferguson was signed from Dundee for £1k.

Lithgow, Murphy and Ferguson would all immediately be in contention for first team places but Chisolm and Morris would probably have to bide their time before breaking into the 1st XI.

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Alloa (H) BSL D2 10/1/2009 L 0-1 Att.664

Lineup:Crawford, Leaver, Carter, Lithgow, S.McKenna (c), Barkey (Campbell), Hazley, Quinn, Hyland, Fitzpatrick, D.McKenna (Ferguson)

A good crowd turned up to see us tamely surrender to Alloa at Hampden Park. Whilst Ferguson and Lithgow made their débuts, neither could provide the spark needed to cancel out Alloa's first half strike. Both D.McKenna and Fitzpatrick went close but both saw efforts flash past the post much to mine, and the fans, frustration. Another disappointing defeat but a dampener on the start to the new year but we had to pick ourselves up quickly with a trip to relegation threatened Stenhousmuir



Stenhousmuir (A) BSL D2 17/1/2009 W 4-1 Att. 330

Goals:Hyland (12) Fitzpatrick (33) A.Ferguson (76) Own Goal (89)

Lineup:Crawford, Leaver, Carter, Lithgow, S.McKenna (c), Barkey, Hazley, Quinn, Hyland (Morris), Fitzpatrick (Teggart), D.McKenna (Feguson)


We recovered from our setback against Alloa by thumping a weak looking Stenhousmuir on their own patch 4-1. Bryan Hyland gave us an early advantage before we were pegged back thanks to a deflected free kick 25 yard free kick from Stenhousmuir after 21 minutes. But on 33 Steve Fitzpatrick restored our lead with a rocket into the top corner to send us into the break 2-1 to the good. The second half was a much quieter affair until substitute Ferguson scored his first goal for the club. Late on we added a 4th through an own goal but the game had long since been won and we could go back to Glasgow revelling in a terrific away performance.



Stranraer (H) BSL D2 24/1/2009 W 3-0 Att. 660

Goals:Fitzpatrick x2 (20,87) Ferguson (72)

Lineup:Crawford, Leaver, Carter, Lithgow (Murphy), S.McKenna (c), Barkey, Hyland, Quinn, Hyland, Fitzpatrick (Teggart), D.McKenna (Ferguson)


We continued our fine form with another comfortable victory this time against Stranraer at Hampden Park. Steve Fitzpatrick scored his second cracker inside seven days before his 87th minute strike wrapped things up for us. Andy Feguson also netted his second spiders goal late in the second half to once again send the fans home happy and to reinforce our position in the middle of the table.


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More transfer activity around Hampden Park as we managed to pull off a surprising yet astonishing coup for the club. Steven Notman who had left the club this time last season for £500,000 was sensationally resigned on a permanent basis for just £1,000 from St Mirren. Steven had endured a miserable time at St Mirren and the club saw no future for the player at the club. Having signed him to a big contract they were eager to sell as soon as possible and as soon as i became aware of his availability i jumped at the chance to resign a player who had player a major part in our promotion last year. With Steven resigned, i made 2 final deals before the deadline securing defender [b] Martin Reilly from Ayr and Paul Sludden from Falkirk, both men were signed for £1k. We had spent close to £15,000 this window and for a club of our size that was a massive amount. Going out of the door in January were Mark Ferry who joined Stirling for £1k and striker Tom Ward who went to Monaghan United on a free. Both players had been surplus to requirements this season and neither had played a league game this year. Even so we wished them both well and hoped they would have success, as long as it wasn't against us!. With no further transfers allowed we had to hope that this squad could survive the final months and secure our place in the 2nd Division next season.



Peterhead (A) BSL D2 31/1/2009 D 1-1 Att. 523

Goals:Fitzpatrick (55)

Lineup:Crawford, Moore, Carter (c), Murphy, Shatford, Notman, Hazley, Watts (Morris), Hyland, Fitzpatrick (D.McKenna), Ferguson (Sludden)

A solitary goal from Steve Fitzpatrick was enough to give us a useful point away at struggler's Peterhead. Steve Notman made his début alongside youngster Daniel Moore at right back. Further changes saw Lee Watts come into the midfield whilst Shatford came in for injured skipper Stephen McKenna, and Sludden and Morris make the bench. A point was probably a fair result from a scrappy game and 7 from our last 9 was cause for optimism. Our new signings would take time to bed in but myself and the fans had reason to be very optimistic about the future of this club.


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January 2009 Review

League Record P4 W2 D1 L1 GS 9 GC 3

Leading Scorers:

Fitzpatrick 16
Teggart 9

retired_steffani

February 2009


The month started on a a high as we picked up several awards in the monthly honours.
Bryan Hyland won the players category whilst new boy Lithgow took the young players award. Personally i was rewarded with 2nd place in the managers category which meant another small bottle of champers to put on ice until survival was assured. I was already beginning to think about next season with survival getting ever closer and looking at the squad there were very few areas that looked dodgy in the long term. We had a plethora of strikers and defenders although goalkeeping looked a weak area with Blower looking like he was coming to the end of his career and with Little not looking ready for the 1st team just yet. Left wing was also looking a bit light so the close season would need a bit more shopping before we could aim for more then survival.

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Raith (H) BSL D2 7/2/2009 W 2-0 Att. 888

Goals:Notman (72), Hyland (88)

Lineup:Crawford, Moore, Carter (c), Murphy, Shatford, Notman, Hazley, Watts (Morris), Hyland, Fitzpatrick (N.Teggart), Ferguson (Sludden)

It was a case of the late late show at Hampden Park as we overcame former Scottish League cup winners Raith Rovers 2-0. After a sluggish first half both sides went for broke in front of a large crowd, eager to take all 3 points. Neil Teggart stepped up his recovery with another 25 minutes and new signings Notman and Morris both made appearances as Carter continued to captain the side in the absence of Steve McKenna. The breakthrough finally came in the 72nd minute when Steve Notman reminded us of just why St Mirren paid 500k for him 12 months ago. Steve powered into the box from the right before calmly slotting past the helpless Raith keeper, and our second came from Hyland who headed in a late corner to make the game safe. 3 more vital points were next to the Spiders name on the league table and it was beginning to look like safety was all but assured.



Gretna (A) BSL D2 14/2/2009 L 3-6 Att. 2579

Goals:Hyland x2 (2,66), Fitzpatrick (90)

Sent Off:Carter

Lineup:Crawford, Moore, Carter (c), Murphy, Shatford, Notman, Hazley, Watts, Hyland, Teggart (Fitzpatrick), Ferguson (Lithgow)


Gretna were aiming for promotion and so we went to Raydale Park hoping for a respectable performance and maybe a point. We got off to a flyer when Bryan Hyland again found the net, this time with a thunderbolt from 20 yards. But our joy was to be short lived as Gretna ran in 3 goals before the break to leave us 3-1 down. More misery followed in the second period as we fell 5-1 behind before Steve Fitzpatrick gave us something to cheer with a well taken goal on 66 minutes. Carter then saw red after picking up a second booking before Gretna went 6-2 to the good on 81. Although Hyland nabbed a late consolation goal we knew we had been outclassed from start to finish...we still had lots to learn about Division 2 football.


<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | Pl | Gretna | | 27 | 20 | 4 | 3 | 58 | 23 | +35 | 64 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Raith | | 27 | 18 | 4 | 5 | 59 | 20 | +39 | 58 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Stranraer | | 27 | 16 | 6 | 5 | 49 | 26 | +23 | 54 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Alloa | | 26 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 53 | 50 | +3 | 36 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Queen's Park | | 27 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 46 | 51 | -5 | 34 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Stenhousemuir | | 27 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 31 | 49 | -18 | 28 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Forfar | | 26 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 29 | 44 | -15 | 27 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Brechin | | 27 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 40 | 61 | -21 | 27 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Peterhead | | 27 | 3 | 12 | 12 | 31 | 51 | -20 | 21 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Cowdenbeath | | 27 | 4 | 8 | 15 | 35 | 56 | -21 | 20 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>


Brechin (H) BSL D2 21/2/2009 W 3-0 Att. 684

Goals:OG (10), Ferguson (32), Fitzpatrick (68)

Lineup:Crawford, Moore, Reilly, Murphy, Lithgow, Notman (Campbell), Hazley, Watts (Morris), Hyland, Teggart (c) (Fitzpatrick), Ferguson

Brechin were striving for consolidation much like ourselves and so this would be a much more realistic match for us to win. Reilly made his début for the suspended vice captain Carter, and Teggart took over the armband. The boys selected responded from the hammering at Gretna in the best possible way, slamming 3 goals past the Brechin 'keeper and keeping a clean sheet. An Own Goal opened the scoring before Ferguson made it 2-0. Fitzpatrick once again popped up off the bench to score, pressing his case for a recall in place of the out of sorts Teggart.



Cowdenbeath (A) BSL D2 28/2/2009 L 3-4 Att. 165

Goals:Feguson x2 (33,42), Teggart (50)

Lineup:Blower, Moore, Carter, Murphy, Lithgow, Notman, Hazley, McKenna (c) (Morris), Quinn, Teggart (Fitzpatrick), Ferguson

Another high scoring defeat for the Spiders as we fell narrowly 4-3 to Cowdenbeath. David Blower came in for Crawford who was suffering from a virus whilst Rocco Quinn and Steve McKenna also made welcome returns to the side. Two goals from Ferguson and one from Neil Teggart could not prevent us going down to another away defeat. Ferguson's goals ensured we went into the break at 2-2 and we then took the lead through Neil Teggart. Alas 2 strikes on 66 and 70 finished us off but we at least showed more heart then away at Gretna.

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February 2009 Review

League Record P4 W2 D0 L2 GS 11 GC 10

Leading Scorers:

Fitzpatrick18
Teggart 10