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With another midweek game there was little time for significant transfer activity aside from receiving a series of rejections. It was amazing how varied the form could be. Email, post, fax, phone call and even in person, where a very robust, ‘sod off and hands away’ warning told Owen all he needed to know. For the second home match against Leigh RMI and final match of the month he kept faith with most of the side although there was a clear debut slot for Mike Salmon in goal. Hopes of recording a win appeared dashed within 5 minutes after a terrible accident caused both Rod Davies and Chris Tucker to be removed from the pitch injured. Aidan from the stands had managed to misdirect throwing a metal pipe in the direction of the shed roof, and it smacked Rod Square on the forehead, taking him out of the game whilst, Chris fell foul to the resulting melee, as a paramedic carrying Rod off the pitch struck him on the side with a pre-prepared insulin syringe and the heavy end of the rod holding the stretcher up. A comedy of errors, then, as Chris Greenman came on for Davies – with Holder then switching roles, whilst Carl Tranter came on for Tucker and he switched roles with Matty Rose who was pulled back into defence. Unsurprisingly an unsettled team took time to get going and plenty of the first period was spent familiarising themselves with their positions and not giving the ball away. Thankfully though, when the first chance arrived moments before half time it wasn’t wasted, and wasn’t too unfair either on a poor Leigh side. A leg trip by Peter Connelly on Drew Bradman provided a free kick just outside the area. As had been discovered in training, Carl Tranter had a decent boot on him when it came to set pieces and he fancied his chances. A well struck effort was parried by Mark Westhead, and on hand to slide in was the delectable Joanne, a much happier player out there this evening. The momentum carried itself forward into the second half, and after an encouraging half time talk from Owen, the side took advantage of it to the delight of the crowd, with the battling Rose right behind it, as he started the move down the right allowing James Taylor to cross in for Marco Negri to score his first goal for the club. At 2-0 the club were cruising – until the visitors struck back through Keith Evans – the debutant for the visitors fastest to react against the debutant for the hosts and a nervy finish ensued. Mercifully there were no more goals and it was two home wins out of two to the season to Owen’s satisfaction.

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BBC Radio Hereford & Worcester August Review Read By Aidan and Kel

“Good morning folks! It’s Kel here, with Aidan and from now until May we’ll be holding monthly bite size round of Worcester’s results!”

“ Well looky here Kel! What’s this I see ? A 2-0 defeat to Dagenham? ”

“ My God that’s just rubbish! But wait! Just a few days later they defeated Stalybridge Celtic 2-1! ”

“ Indeed they did and will you look at the scorer? Really think he’s Gell-ing with his team mates already!”

“ But not so it seems at Yeovil! ”

“ No! They lost 1-0 after the new guy strikers were as stable and as likely to score as I am to string a coherent sentence! Hey I did it!”

“ Yeah well done! That must mean… yes! Marco Negri scored in the 2-1 home win over Leigh RMI in midweek a few games later!”

“ And he wasn’t the only scorer a certain Joanne Murphy got the first one there!”

“ God she’s sexy with that strap across her chest and her pulled back hair and lack of make up!”

“God you’re weird Aidan! Right that’s August wrapped up! See you next month!”

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For Owen the game wasn’t as bad as it could have been, given the performance in the second half, and with Adam arriving hope was certainly on the up. As he had also mentioned to Sally at breakfast, there would be new scouting impetus as ironically, a journey up to Scotland from Gary Wood conjured up two new scouts, for relatively low costs, even if Jeff wasn’t too keen on paying the compensation. John Caldwell arrived from Maud and Brian Clark arrived from Armadale Thistle.

Choosing the side for the visit of Doncaster proved a little problematic. He’d also tweaked the formation a bit focussing the players on a more central route to goal, aiming to play through the middle with a solid base, aided by the full backs where necessary. Vickers took up a debut spot on the left flank in place of Davies, whilst Chris Greenman was brought up to a first start of the season. Rose played a link role between defence and midfield, utilising all his attributes to the max, whilst Andy Ellis came in for a tired Mark Heimgartner. The first check point for this game was to erase the Dover debacle in terms of defending and that certainly seemed to past the test in the first twenty minutes as the visitors were shut down effectively. Dick and Siros were the holding pair, whilst Mike in goal was far more assured, which offered confidence to the full backs to get forward more – a policy which paid off in the 24th minute as Negri displayed his class once again. Andy Ellis kept possession well on the left flank, played Diawara inside their fullback before the Frenchman dinked the ball into the back post for the Italian to head in. The striker’s worth has been increasing game by game and Owen was desperate to try and sort out a more permanent contract. In the rest of the half, Worcester fought with spirit, although Joanne went overboard after exchanging some fiery words, and picked up a yellow after calling the ref : ‘ a vindictive bald headed c*nt, whose anger was no doubt fuelled by the frustration of having a small penis.’ A fact she duly tested with a firm grip. Sally smiled secretly, whilst Owen was somewhat amazed it was merely a yellow card.

It could have been down to the fact the referee was a certain William Hill, so all controversial incidents were treated with a fair degree of suspicion. The rest of the match showed even more promise, Richard Gell and Kaba Diawara were displaying fine ranges of passing and were it not for a lack of reading the intentions of others, the score could have been extended. However, any win is welcome and the home and away pattern continued. Still, 3 wins out of 6 is a decent enough start for a current set of players whose first concern could quite rightly be argued to avoid relegation.

Of course as was the way with the running of a football club, as soon as the side appears to become settled, another issue crops up.

“ Hi Jeff, you wanted a word? ”

“Yeah sit down, Owen. Just a couple of titbits. Swansea have made a bid to Bury regarding Siros, they offered 30k. His agent has told me he wants a permanent contract at 25 so if it’s accepted, they’ll consider it. What do you want to do?”

“Match the offer.” Owen replied in an instant. His side simply could not afford to lose men in that position. “ He’s started assuredly for us and we know he’s capable of performing.”

“ Ok, fine, that’s a quick decision. Next up, game on Saturday is another TV game on Sky so lunchtime kick off ok?”

“Another one?! Two games already? So we’re off to Stevenage. That’s an early start Jeff…”

“Yeah I know, but I can’t afford to put the side up for a night beforehand ok?”

“What about the TV money?” [/i] Jeff paused a while, his hands clasped a she considered the reply.

“That money has er been set aside for other reasons. Beneficial reasons clearly.”

“For the club?” The words slipped out a little too quickly for Owen. “ Sorry, Jeff didn’t mean to come across like that.”

“You have nothing to be concerned about on that front Owen. But another word on scouts. The new guys have arrived ok. Where do you want them to go?”

“I’ll get them going round the country, Jeff I’ll speak to them.”

“Ok, and er one more thing. It seems Jo Murphy has been attracting attention lately…” Damn, thought Owen, she’d been rumbled. “ scouts from division 2 are likely to be down so just thought I’d let you know.”

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By the time Saturday came, there was better news for Owen as Rod returned from injury, whilst another potential defender was suggested from Colin, who could at least be a back up in his mind, should Siros leave. Away to Stevenage there was a clear desire amongst all the players to improve their away form. It may have taken Drew to playing load metal music on the bus up to keep people awake, but in the dressing room the side were focussed, leaving it to the sound of ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ and that pumped up feeling was instilled in the players as they attacked fervently in the opening exchanges, deservedly taking the lead in the 8th minute. Jo Murphy took the ball in midfield, carrying the ball forward before playing in Darren Middleton down the right side of the penalty area. The forward held the ball up before pulling back for Negri to fire into the roof of the net. The on form striker was doing everything possible to endear himself to the fans, and Owen really hoped his agent would get back to him about discussing a new contract. The goal boosted Worcester and further attacks should have led to a second goal. Instead there were merely yellow cards for both Dick and James as the defenders struggled to cope with the pace of the hosts attackers whenever they countered. At half time, Owen was looking for his side to push on and put the game out of sight, but when Drew missed a golden chance to score his first of the season right after the break the uneasy feeling in Owen’s stomach was ‘settled’ when Stevenage broke down the right leaving Taylor flatfooted to square the game up. The frustration only grew throughout the game as it became ever more apparent that would be the hosts only shot on goal, whilst Worcester fervently tried different routes to goal, and Middleton was exceptional in his effort, but sadly there would be no end result as a combination of fine keeping and wasteful shooting meant a draw had to be settled for.

When Owen considered it, ‘settling’ for a draw away to a side no doubt keen to be pushing for promotion themselves was probably a clear sign of the clubs own prospect for the season. It must have been felt by the players too, as Jo herself rejected the notion of moving to Walsall who had placed a bid in for her the day after the match. Furthermore, Siros was to join permanently by Tuesday, after snubbing a move to league side Swansea.

Crown and Sands

“ So Sal, how’s the kangaroo steak?”

“Not bad, could be better Owen. What about the swordfish – that going down well for you?”

“Aye, certainly helped by this red wine, whatever it is – Poland’s finest I see! Hmm, yeah we’re not going cheap on this are we?”

“Oh shut up Owen! It’s a nice meal enjoy it for fecks sake! Look forward to the Nuneaton game! Derby of sorts for the players!”

“Yep, yeah. Listen can we not talk about footy tonight? I’ll be focussed tomorrow, but I seem to have had messages flying out of my arse lately. Plus Nathan’s dad threatened to knock me out if I didn’t play him…”

“but he’s crap?”

“Yeah I told him that. Didn’t seem to calm him down strangely enough. Jon Purdie’s now fit and seems to think I might pick him one day, but I do actually want my side to win…”

“Ah, just be upfront though. Could afford to release them…”

“Yeah, but I’d rather not, if we get injuries we’ll still be short, and I’d rather not keep pulling random kids off the street to play the reserve matches… hell I even asked Lee to step in for one of them.. pity he couldn’t have made it though – would have been a good laugh.”

‘Ah quit fretting. So er what do you want to talk about then?”

“Hah, well I don’t know I’m a bit obsessed with footy!”

“And I love you for it! Anyway, look I was going to tell you closer to the time but I got us a pair of tickets for Alice Cooper at the NIA next month…”

“ Legend!” Owen jumped out of his chair with excitement. For the first time in a while he was able to get excited about something non-football related and it certainly made him feel better as he immediately reached for another glass of Polands’ number one.

“ Ah cheers hun, that’s great news! When is it exactly?”

“Friday 19th October, doors open at 7 so plenty of time I think…”

“Fantastic! Ok, I’ll toast to that… to Alice!”

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An enjoyable read, and I'm looking forward for the rest

KUTGW! :thup:

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The match with Nuneaton was one Owen really believed his side could win. The new signings were improving with match fitness, and on the eve of the match he received a massive boost as Marco’s agent confirmed the player would sign a permanent contract offer until the summer of 2004. It was the kind of lift that can affect the whole club, and it seemed to show in the atmosphere even before kick off. The fans knew about it and another huge crowd showed their vociferous appreciation for the player. In turn, Marco produced a dazzling display as Owen enjoyed witnessing his side’s best performance of the season by a good distance. It wasn’t a game littered with chances, but Worcester played with controlled passing and at a high enough tempo that the visitors really struggled to make any headway in the game – and by the time they did it was far too late. Ten minutes had passed when Dick Holder burst down the right wing and sent in a zipping cross. Terry Angus tried to steer it out for a thrown in but it was intercepted by Kaba Diawara . The player burst inside the area, and a sharp shot flew into the top corner of the net to hand the hosts an early lead. It was doubled within 5 minutes as a hungry Worcester side tore open from the back. Adam Vickers had the ball in his own area when he passed down the left wing for Davies, who controlled it and then quickly played it across to Dick Holder in the central midfield area. After taking it past two players he then reverse dinked a cross to the left side of the penalty area where Negri masterfully controlled and fired into the net in a split second. It was an excellent goal, and set the tone for the rest of the half. Worcester, even when pressed kept the ball superbly well, only allowing a few ambitious long range efforts to not even come close to testing Mike Salmon in net. Just after the half hour mark the match-killing goal arrived and this time Negri turned provider. With two Nuneaton players picking up yellow cards for fighting each other, Davies took a quick free kick just inside the visitors half, and passed it straight to Siros. The Greek centre half displayed composure to weigh up the options first before passing smartly to Negri on the edge of the area. With his back to goal, the Italian softly pushed the ball back out past the ‘D’ where Mark Heimgartner was waiting to fire in a splendid first time shot. The Dutch winger had impressed since a dismal showing in pre-season, and had easily earned praise from his manager in the press before, and would do again after that strike. At 3-0 the game was over. An irritating lack of focus in the second half allowed Nuneaton a consolation they didn’t really deserve, but despite that blemish, an excellent victory had kept up the side’s very respectable start to the season.

Marco’s performances had electrified the locals’ interest in football now, and for Benny, writing articles couldn’t have been much easier. Promoting the sides chances proved popular, and even managed mentions on the front page on particularly dry days for actual news. He was still intrigued by the fact that the club had suddenly earned the right to play on Sky so many Saturdays in a row and indeed the following match away to table toppers Farnborough was another 1.30 kick off. Benny had only met owner Jeff Daniels once before, but there was something that just struck him as odd since his arrival. The massive crowds, the sudden influx of money that had helped bring in a couple of star players… Hell, maybe it even had something to do with that scrap of paper he’d found his office ages ago – it was unlikely but always possible. Anyway, after a drink at Coffee Republic down the high street, Benny walked on towards The Officers Club and picked up a new jacket, on sale again – but then again when did that store ever not have a sale? It was certainly perplexing. He then decided to make a call to Paul Martin, the finance and sponsorship guy, he felt as though he needed to iron out some of his concerns and a meeting was duly scheduled for the following Monday.

For Owen meanwhile, the delight at the resounding win had clearly spread across the side, and even his dad was taking extreme pleasure from the result, though whilst daydreaming about the win, he accidentally forgot to turn the drainage system on, and a particularly unfortunate burst of summer showers flooded the pitch for the weekend. Fortunately the side were away. As for new players, there were clearly not going to be any further additions before the weekend but he was receiving a few more positive remarks – and Gary sent a couple of lads down from Scotland for a months trial with the club to see if they could make the grade. At no cost to the club it was a win/win affair. Coventry’s Robert Betts was permission to join us on loan, but the petulant kid told Owen to stick it not quite so politely.

The morning of the Farnborough game came around quite quickly and what with TV demands it proved another early start for the club against the leagues in form side sitting top of the table. Still looking for an away win this season Owen was merely looking to see how his players performed against one of the better sides and the result would be secondary for now. However, after 11 minutes, when Marco Negri continued his excellent form to open the scoring from a Richard Gell cross, he knew his side could win this. It may well have come against the run of play given that the hosts had manage to force 4 corners and already forced Mike into 3 excellent saves before that, but the name of the game is goals, and not stats. Once it was 1-0, it wasn’t long before it became 2. 5 minutes later another attack full of vibrant energy was slightly checked by Dave Watson, but the free kick from Jo Murphy was swung in with surprising power for a lass and this time it was a header for Negri that established a shock lead. Owen hugged Sal on the touchline, and high fived Paul. It may have been premature but every game seemed to instil far greater confidence in his side. The game had been completely turned on its’ head as the quality of Marco and Kaba was causing the hosts defence all sorts of problems. Aided by a very solid backline marshalled superbly by Dick the midfield was being given an amazing license to push forward, and Jo almost became the first female goal scorer in the men’s league on 23 minutes when her volley from 12 yards struck the crossbar. Jo was certainly causing a fuss on the pitch, not least because at one point her chest strap managed to undo itself and a Farnborough player was caught massively off guard when he saw a bosom appear from nowhere. Nevertheless it didn’t prevent Worcester from repeating their Nuneaton feats and notching a 3rd goal in 30 minutes. Justin Gregory was deceived for pace by Mark Heimgartner and conceded a free kick in a fairly central location of his own half. Negri took it, and it beat everyone except Diawara who flicked it into the net. The Frenchman hadn’t really notched the rewards his efforts had deserved before now so when Owen saw the net bulge his air-punch was really for Kaba.

Half time came and went, and as per usual after such a lead in the first half the second was always likely to be more subdued. Chances still arrived, most of Worcesters’ came on the counter as they sat back and invited the pressure Farnborough inevitably needed to. With Salmon still in form and Siros and Vickers impregnable, the result was not in doubt. With 20 minutes to go it was further reason for joy as Kaba notched his deserved second of the match. On one such counter attack, Rod Davies motored up the left wing and sent in a cross to the unmarked forward and it was a no-brainer. Farnborough though weren’t top for no reason though and their striker Rocky Baptiste pulled back a consolation eventually, as the clean sheet was lost, but another superb result pushed Worcester into the top 8 and fears of not being able to compete with the other sides were effectively eradicated for good after a result like that. Times were changing, and so were ambitions.

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The Odeon Cinema,
Screen 4, some goddawful film with no other audience members aside from Paul Martin and Benny Broadhurst. They are eating popcorn. Sweet popcorn.

“ Ok, then Benny, what’s your beef?”

“Firstly why did we have to meet in an empty cinema screen? Not that it’s an issue but I don’t want the staff to get the wrong impression… they know me Paul!”

“Oh don’t be silly. They’ll just assume it’s another conspiracy that’s all, nothing to worry about.”

“Ah good. Look, it’s just I’ve got a few suspicions that’s all about both money at the club and Jeff… I am a journalist Paul, I will go looking for stories.”

“Of course you should, that’s your job, but there’s nothing to concern you here. ”

“ Yes, but whenever someone says this or that doesn’t concern me, it usually means there probably is something I should be sniffing at. Paul, no-one knows much about your past history in Canada yet… if I did some basic research, you telling me I’m not going to find anything there?”

“There’s no need Benny. Anyway, you’ve got far more important things to be getting on with. Forget such trivialities, Worcester need their main correspondent out and about gathering news and promoting the club! You can see for yourself that Jeff and his business have enjoying an upturn in fortunes at the races now. He’s built a fortune before and he’s doing it again with his property development company. What’s wrong with that?”

“And the sudden attention from the Sky cameras? Three lunchtime kick offs already? We can’t have garnered that much attention. They’re bugging me for info!”

“The give it to them lad? Look we’re a club whose past has been slightly unusual and fortuitous to say the least but we’re a conference club again. We got lucky.”

“Hmm, lucky you’re telling me. All that Telford business, real ‘lucky’ there Paul. Then the big names, I mean seriously, how can we attract Marco Negri and Kaba Diawara to the club…”

“They’re out of work players and Jeff offered them a sizeable contract. He’s richer than you think so leave that at is.”

“Then you’re financing him always helps I suppose.”

“Of course it does! Now listen up Benny, you’ve got a plum job, you’re a good reporter, and you can make a good career out of it and go further if you play your cards right. Let’s not be having you ruining it with these needless deviations from your job ok?”

“Fine.” Benny muttered. No point making any enemies just yet, and of course he could just be paranoid.

“ Good lad, now be quiet and watch the film! Coke?”

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Owen was finding training to be a real pleasure at the current time, as results had lifted the mood considerably. The natural high experienced after the Farnborough match was spreading swiftly. A smile here, leading to a smile there and everyone was cheerful. Disgusting. Joanne then further satisfied him later in his office, before unfortunately suffering a slight bruising of the ribs later in the day. When Sal found out this news she wasn’t too downcast, after all Jo would only be out for a week, and the new contract she had signed more than made up for that little mishap.

On the eve of the latest Saturday game, at home to Forest Green and incidentally the first home 3pm kick off of the season to the relief of the fans, Racing Club Warwick informed him they had accepted his offer for Justin Wiseman, a young attacking midfielder who Owen had briefly seen personally and was impressed. He was certainly worthy of a shot at the higher level, and at 20k was only a slight risk if it failed to turn out successfully. He didn’t agree terms in time for the Saturday match but he was in the stands to see his prospective team mates take on the struggling visitors.

With confidence high in the side, expectations were rising too. The only change saw Carl Tranter replace the injured Joanne, and the side took to the field with a degree of complacency Owen had been keen to avoid. It was certainly not quite the explosive action some of the fans were hoping for in the first half as a very stubborn Forest Green were playing the better football. By limiting the likes of Kaba and Darren to long range shots Worcester were certainly a little frustrated, and it was only Marco who seemed capable of turning nothing into something. The frustration saw discipline slip though creating gaps in the midfield and the defence which annoyed Owen. Mike though was again still in good form, whilst the defence were holding up, but they hadn’t face this much pressure in a good few games and Owen was concerned as to how long they would hold up. In the dressing room at half time a few home truths were sounded out as he reminded the players that no-one could afford to put in less than 100% if they wanted to win games at any level, let along Conference standard.

Shortly after the re-start Drew Bradman came on for Diawara who wasn’t enjoying much luck, and the fresh legs combined with a more focussed and professional attitude helped to slowly turn the game around. It was still a pitched battle in midfield, but the gaps weren’t being left open as patience had consumed the players at last. With that in place the attackers gradually pushed forward, and kept the ball better, biding their time for a chance to exploit a Forest Green error. On 57 minutes, Richard Gell picked out Drew 30 yards out with an incisive pass and the forward’s first time flick was inch perfect into the path of substitute Heimgartner running into the penalty area. Sadly his shot on the run went well wide, but the hosts were getting closer.

On 62, relief erupted around St.Georges Lane, and there were no surprises for guessing who was on the score sheet. Darren Middleton held the ball up well in the centre of the visitors half, and then picked out the run of full back James Taylor down the right. Taylor, checked back from the by-line a moment before sending in a looping cross won in the air by the man of the moment Marco Negri . His goal there and there ended the battles in midfield as a furious end to end game then commenced.

Forest Green certainly surprised the Worcester side with their pacey counter attacks, and at one point they even managed 3 corners in succession as they piled on the pressure. Martin Weir was brought on to rest the jaded George Siros, and not long after Owen was hugging Sal as the killer blow was inflicted on a plucky and admittedly unlucky Forest Green side. The move was started by Gell who picked up the ball in his own half and as part of a swift move sent it immediately out left to Heimgartner. The winger controlled it once and then sent it forward to the feet of Bradman and the youngster’s lob cross to the other side of the penalty box found Negri . The Italian took it past the helpless Bryan Small before firing into the roof of the net. It was 2-0 and game over. To Forest Green’s credit they came back at Worcester with a vengeance and Salmon was diving like his namesake to keep hold of a clean sheet, as the defence had to soak up an awful lot of pressure in the closing stages, but at the end, realising pulling back two goals was too much they grew tired and the final whistle soon went.

Another superb 3 points had been gained, albeit fortuitously and thanks enormously to the predatory instincts of Marco, but the fighting spirit of Forest Green had eventually been quelled and it was winning games like this which had Owen and Sal really hopeful of a prosperous season.

There was little time to enjoy it though as another midweek game was a calling, this time away to Barnet , but there was still enough time to send Portsmouth packing with their ideas of stealing James Taylor away for a pretty tidy sum, whilst Bishop Auckland were likewise protective of their 21 year old starlet Michael Dunwell, a striker Owen had his eyes on snatching away at some point during the season – though he refused to pay over the odds for the man, a policy that certainly seemed to endear him to Jeff Daniels as well. As the side travelled south towards the club, Owen did receive more good news though as the physio Warren Knight called up to inform him that Adam Vickers was fit and ready again, and would be driving down in time for the club’s evening kick off. Starting for the first time, would be Justin Wiseman whose move had been completed by the end of the weekend. He relegated Carl Tranter to the sidelines.

This time around as the lads gathered in the away team dressing room even Owen was filled with the confidence of the players around him, a 3 match winning streak and a 6 game unbeaten run had everyone at the 6th placed club assuming they would be able to carry it on against 16th placed Barnet. After twenty minutes or so it all seemed likely as they heaped the pressure on the hosts. Drew, starting in place of Kaba headed just over the cross bar, whilst Marco and Dick drew fine stops from Lee Harrison within a minute of each other. The attacking fluency seemed to be heading in the right direction. It was a shame therefore that, amid the revelling in the performance of the front men, the defence took their eye off the ball. It was unfortunate for the new boy Wiseman that his excellent sliding tackle on Wayne Purser resulted in the ball falling into the path of Ross Darcy. The winger carried the ball down the left, and then his cross wasn’t cut allowing Lee Gledhill to head into the net, beating marker Adam Vickers with ease, and leaving Owen wishing the defender had stayed back tonight.

The expected backlash didn’t arrive either as Barnet then imposed themselves on the game, preventing Worcester from taking a foothold in the match. Dick Holder then conceded a free kick in dangerous territory; Mark Arber forced Mike Salmon to tip behind for a corner; and then Lee Gledhill turned provider for midfielder Stuart Niven to rifle in. It was 2-0 and not much more than Barnet deserved. Owen could only watch frustratingly from the sidelines as his players didn’t seem able to react. At half time, Diawara and Jon Holloway replaced Drew and James Taylor, but their contribution fell short of what was needed to really change the prevailing wind that match. It was, perhaps, a match too far for the plucky boys that, night, where too much depended on the evergreen Marco Negri slotting away every chance created for him. Substantial pressure was put on the hosts defence, and Darren Middleton’s trickery did help to earn a few set pieces, but nothing could be capitalised upon, nor could Andy Ellis’ arrival help bring about an extra bit of luck. Defeat soon turned into a reality, and it was back down to earth with a bump for both Owen and his players.

It is a measure perhaps more so of what this league is all about though, where Farnborough who are still top, can be completely thumped at home by Worcester, who in turn can lose to Barnet. Dagenham and Redbridge also thrashed Farnborough but were themselves beaten heavily by Stevenage, a side Owen’s team could easily have beaten with a little luck. The point clearly being that in a league where anyone can beat anyone, you can only ever expect the unexpected, and 6 match unbeaten runs were likely to be gold-dust in the race to stay with the promotion hunting pack.