retired_blondie_524

26/11/05 home vs Carmarthen (VM Premier)

Daniele Grassi got his first start in defense, Beck had started training but was still not fit enough to resume playing. Wood kept his place on the bench. Third placed Carmarthen gave TNS a hard time and reached the break still level. Three minutes into the second half Wilde collected Brook's little flick and drilled home the opener and with 15 minutes left Brooks made it safe, substitute O'Sullivan slipping him in with a delightful ball that opened up the defense. A harder game but same outcome - win, clean sheet.
TNS 2-0 Carmarthen (att: 376)
(Wilde 49, Brooks 76)

Llanelli still hang on in second, beating Rhyl 2-1 while Newtown reclaim third winning by the same score at Welshpool.

The press are badgering me about rumors that keeper Gerard Doherty might be moving on but I told them it will take a huge fee for that to happen. Privately though I think that might be a good proposition as Mathieson and Aloy are capable of covering if he goes.

Thursday 1st December
The board are very pleased with me now, this months loss is down to £33K - if we keep it at that level we should be alright with £522K still in the bank from our brief European excursion. Eight of the team made it into the Welsh Premier team of the month, only Doherty, Phelan and Naylor missed out of the regular starters surprisingly as the defense hasn't conceded all month! I picked up the Manager of the Month award and Tommy Holmes gets runner-up in the Player of the Month.
Martyn Naylor signs a new two year deal and Scott Ruscoe gets a three year deal but Grassi stalls on his.

Friday 2nd December
Thomas Roux joins the contract hold-out but Taurean O'Sullivan pens a two year extension.

3/12/05 home vs Airbus UK (VM Premier)
Grassi signed our second contract offer and so retains the left back slot over Terry Phelan, Beck took over from Ahmed who dropped to the bench and Wood got his first league start. Three minutes into the game Wood flicks in Ward's cross for his first league goal and before the quarter of an hour mark Ruscoe's free kick doubles the advantage.
Wilde was suffering from a knock and was replaced by Brook at half time. The visitors spurned three gilt edged one-on-one chances in the second half and even hit the bar but eventually became the sixth side in a row to fail to score against us.
TNS 2-0 Carmarthen (att: 377)
(Wood 3, Ruscoe 13)

Llanelli remain in second despite losing 3-2 at Caernarfon while Aberystwyth moved up to third by winning 2-0 at Newtown. Caersws picked up their second win, 2-1 at Haverfordwest. After their tenth straight league win TNS are now 12 points clear having scored 46 in 15 games and conceeded only eight.

Monday 5th December
Roux signs a new contract while Marc Lloyd-Williams picks up a thigh strain and could be out for a month. Following the contract renewals I am now £521 a week over my wage budget.

retired_blondie_524

Tuesday 6th December
Wood again picks up a goal plus MoM in the reserve's 3-0 win over Cefn Druids. He seems to be commanding at reserve level but fails to shine on his first team opportunities, at 27 he hasn't got that many chances left.

Saturday 10th December
St Patricks Athletic make an enquiry about Doherty and I tell them I won't let him go for less than £40K.

Tuesday 13th December
St Pats run a mile once they hear my valuation of Doherty, might lower it a bit next time - I want to sell him for a decent price though. Jamie Brooks have picked up a back strain doing weights and will be out for a while so Wood might get a extended run as a starter with Lloyd-Williams out injured as well.
Wood celebrated this news with his third successive goal/MoM performance in the reserves 2-1 win at Welshpool.

Friday 16th December
Four English clubs made it through to the knockout round of the UEFA Champions League, Everton drew Club Brugge away, Man Utd got Betis Away while Chelsea were at home to Sparta Prague. But the ties of the round were Arsenal at Juventus and Barcelona at Inter.

retired_blondie_524

17/12/05 away at Bangor City (VM Premier)

Wood took the injured Brooks place and John Toner got a seat on the bench. It was a fairly dire half with few shots on target and Jamie Wood was dismissed on 45 minutes for his second yellow card. Bangor almost broke the run of clean sheets just after the hour when they drove a shot against the post and hit the rebound off the bar. That was to be the closest either side got to a goal, another clean sheet but the run of consecutive wins is stopped at 14.
Bangor 0-0 TNS (att: 389)

The 10 men might not have got the 15th consecutive win but they held on for the 23rd match without losing, their last defeat was at Anderlecht on August 3rd. Llanelli moved to within 10 points of us with a 2-1 victory over Port Talbot while third placed Aberystwyth hammered Grange Quinns 4-0. Caersws beat Newtown 1-0 but are still six points from safety.

James Beaumont suffered a groin strain and joins a growing injury list and Wood will sit out a match after his dismissal.

retired_blondie_524

Wednesday 21st December
Liverpool beat Sao Paulo 5-3 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in the Club World Championship Final.
Alessandro Pozzo has picked up a broken nose in training and becomes the fifth player in the treatment room.

Saturday 24th December
Out of the blue I get a phone call from Wrexham, they would like me to take over as manager. They’re offering a three year contract but regret that there's no transfer funds available and the wage bill has to be reduced from its current level of £17,250 a week. I ask for time to think it over and tell them I'll let them know after Christmas.

As soon as I get off the phone I reach for the computer to look at Wrexham’s current plight. They're 21st in League Two, two points above the relegation places with a 6-5-11 record having scored 27 and conceded 36. Ten points though would see them in a playoff spot! They've got three players (Robbie Foy, Jonathan Walters and Andrew Barrowman) who have hit six goals and currently have four players on loan, Foy from Liverpool, Barrowman from Birmingham, James McPake from Derby and Dave Cotterill from Bristol City.

retired_blondie_524

26/12/05 Home vs Welshpool Town (VM Premier)

Ahmed took the place of Beaumont who was injured and John Toner made his first league start of the season upfront while O'Sullivan and the just back to training Lloyd-Williams sat on the bench. TNS got off to a real flyer with their quickest goal of the season, Ruscoe kicked off, slipped it to Toner, he played it forward to Wilde who burst through two defenders and powered it into the net......12 SECONDS! On the three minute mark Beck converted a penalty after Toner had been brought down and before the 20 minute mark it was three when Wilde flicked on for Toner to bury in the bottom corner. It was officially a rout when Wilde headed home Naylor's cross on 26 minutes and the visitors looked shell-shocked as they trooped in at half time. Welshpool rallied to keep the second half goaless but the game had long gone
TNS 4-0 Welshpool (att: 394)
(Wilde 1, 26, Beck 3 pen, Toner 18)

I think that 4 goal 18 minute burst was the players message to me over my Wrexham dilemma, it is now 845 minutes since anybody put the ball in our net (Cefn Druids almost 8 1/2 games ago). Second placed Llaneli kept up will a 2-1 win at the Druids but Aberystwyth got a 3-0 beating at Carmarthen.

29/12/05 Home vs Aberystwyth (VM Premier)

For our second holiday game Roux made an appearance at right back, Collister replaced Ward in midfield, Wood regained the bench afer suspension and John Leah made his first appearance on the bench. Ahmed's lob into the box on 17 minutes was hammered into the top corner by Wilde for his 20th goal of the season and added his 21st six minutes later with a simple two yard tap-in after the keeper let it squirm away from him. John Toner appeared to be suffering from a knock so Jamie Wood replaced him at half time. Aberystwyth were reduced to 10 men on 52 minutes when Meredith picked up his second yellow but the 10 men held out to go down without losing anymore goals.
TNS 2-0 Aberystwyth (att: 357)
(Wilde 17, 24)

TNS completed 935 minutes of clean sheets giving them 48 points and a +44 goal difference from 18 games, Llaneli's 1-0 win over Haverfordwest leaves them 10 points behind with 38 points (+15) from 18 while Newtown and Aberystwyth both have 31 points with a +5 g.d.

Time is coming up for me to make my mind up, shall I take the next step on my dream of a football career or shall I remain cosseted running my Works team? If it all goes wrong here I walk back to my normal job, if Wrexham sack me I'm back to jobless with a bad reputation for walking out on TNS.

retired_blondie_524

Sunday 1st January 2006
The club made a loss of £32,390 in December and ELEVEN of my squad made the Welsh Premier League team of the month, the whole starting 11 chosen were TNS players only the substitute slots were filled by other teams players. I picked up my third successive Manager of the Month award and Steven Beck collects the Player of the Month award. Nicky Ward has come third in the Welsh Player of the Year behind Doncaster's Neil Roberts and winner Craig Bellamy.

Wrexham phone back in the evening and with a heavy heart I tell them I am staying with TNS. I don't feel it's the right move for my experience level, I feel by being involved in winning several trophies with TNS this season I will gain experience of the pressure and tension of big games more than Wrexham will offer me.

2/1/06 Home to Connahs Quay (VM Premier)

John Leah and Taurean O'Sullivan got a rare start at the centre of midfield while Wood starts alongside Wilde. The tiredness of three games in eight days told on TNS in a lackluster first half although they still could have had the lead as O'Sullivan missed a 29th minute penalty.
The defense's record come to an end at 989 minutes when Holmes lost his man and Stuart Rain headed home. Jamie Wood headed in Ward's cross four minutes later to equalise and save the unbeaten record.
TNS 1-1 Connah's Quay (att: 362)
(Wood 59)

TNS finally concede a goal but hang on to record their 19th consecutive unbeaten league game and 25th overall. Llanelli drew 3-3 at Grange Quinns while both Newtown and Aberystwyth kept pace with each other both winning 1-0.

Wrexham are disapointed that I didn't agree to become their manager but havve said they respect my wishes and hope I might consider them in the future.

Tuesday 3rd January
Mickey Evans, manager of rock bottom Caersws has been quoted in the press as saying he doubts whether I'm capable of achieving my Championship goals so when I do a local radio interview I respond by telling them Evans must be a master magician as he's watching Caersws vanish from the Vauxhall Masterfit Premier League!

retired_blondie_524

4/1/06 away at Caersws (VM Premier)

Despite a barrage of shot TNS went in level at half time after Lloyd-Williams had his 37th minute effort ruled out for offside. The second half was poor and Caersws clung on for a draw. Boy! Did I give the team a bollocking when they got back to the dressing room.
Caersws 0-0 TNS (att: 379)

Llanelli's 2-1 over third placed Newtown cuts the lead at the top of the VM Premier to just eight points. Caersws remain 12 points from safety.

Thursday 5th January
We turn down an offer of £35,000 from Gretna for Steven Beck.

Monday 9th January
James Beaumont has returned to training after three weeks out with a groin injury.

11/1/06 away at Cwmbran (VM Premier)

TNS"s 26 unbeaten run came to a shuddering halt at mid-table Cwmbran. After a dire opening half hour the home side took the lead with almost the first shot of the game, Lloyd-Williams broke through just a couple of minutes later to equalize. But instead of cracking on TNS conceded another straight away as Grassi headed a cross into his own net and Cwmbran made it three on the stroke of half time.
TNS took the field again with their ears still ringing from my fury but there was little improvement in the second half. Wilde made inroads into the deficit on the hour, the supporters lifted the noise level but Cwmbran wrapped it up with their fourth in the last ten minutes.
Cwmbran 4-2 TNS (att : 375)
(Lloyd-Williams 33, Wilde 61)

TNS remain eight points clear at the top as Lanelli went down 0-1 at home to Carmarthen. Aberystwyth's 4-0 hammering of Airbus UK took them above Carmarthen on goal difference. The press are all full of articles saying that after TNS's first defeat in 21 league games perhaps our title challenge is waivering.

retired_blondie_524

14/7/06 Home vs Llanelli (VM Premier)

To shake the players up for this clash of the top two, Doherty and Naylor are dropped in favour of Mathieson and Roux. Beaumont is just about fit enough to get a place on the bench and although Brooks has finally started training after his back strain he isn't fit enough to make the squad.
Thomas Roux scored his first ever goal for TNS from the spot after Antony Wright handled in the area in the 15th minute. TNS were back to dominatiing the game but had to wait till after the hour mark for Nicky Ward to seal the win by firing in through a crowded penalty area.
TNS 2-0 Llanelli (att: 387)
(Roux 15 pen, Ward 66)

TNS steady the ship with their 16th win in 22 league outings moving them back to 11 points clear. Aberystwyth remain third despite only drawing 2-2 with Caersws as Carmarthen could only draw with Porthmadog.

Wednesday 18th January
Jamie Wood adds just another MoM award to his collection as he bags two goals in the reserves 4-2 win at Grange Quinns. Chris King and Toner grabbing the other two.

24/01/06 home vs Caernarfon (Loosemores of Cardiff Challenge Cup S/F 1st leg)

Mathieson And Roux keep their places while Beaumont and Brooks return to the starting line-up. It was a tight match characterized by wasteful finishing especially from Brooks who blasted all four of his opportunities wide. TNS finally made the breakthrough with just over 20 minutes left when Ruscoe's free kick deflected off the wall to Tommy Holmes who beat the keeper on his post side for his first goal of the season. The visitors dug in and equalised in the 77th minute when Gwyn Peters shot from the edge of the area somehow bobbled through everyone and into the bottom corner.
TNS will have to raise their game for the second leg.
TNS 1-1 Caernarfon (att: 602)
(Holmes 68)

TNS's largest ever crowd at the Recreation Ground will be disapointed with the result but it's still all to play for. Carmarthen drew 0-0 with Port Talbot in the other Semi.

Wednesday 25th January
If we get past Merthyr Tydfil in the FAW Premier Cup Q/F we will face English Championship side Cardiff City in the Semi.
John Toner hit a hat trick and Phil Baker grabbed one as the reserves beat Airbus 4-2, the reserves are now 10 points clear in Group One of the Welsh Reserves having won 12 out of 15 games.
French 29 year old midfielder Yann Synaeghel has signed on a free transfer from Belgian 2nd Division side Ronse to bolster the squad which is feeling the pace of competing on four fronts.

retired_blondie_524

Friday 26th January
TNS strengthen again with their second free signing of the week, 21 yr old Belguim Kenan Köse. Kenan, a right winger was signed from Belgian 3rd division side Visé.

28/01/06 away at Porthmadog (VM Premier)

Synaeghei and Köse both start on the bench for the visit to mid-table Porthmadog. TNS struggled to break the dominance of the home side and could consider themselves to be fortunate to be level at half time. Porthmadog couldn't get anything on target and as time ticked to 90 minutes Wilde broke away to score with our only shot on goal. As our fans were about to celebrate a stolen victory, Porthmadog caught the defense all at sea and Caughter squared it to Gareth Parry to sidefoot home into an empty net from 18 yards.
Porthmadog 1-1 TNS (att: 380)
(Wilde 89)

Lanelli suffered their second successive 0-1 home defeat and slip to 12 points behind with 11 games remaining.

Wednesday 1st February
This months loss was £43.5K and only 10 TNS players were selected in January's Welsh Premier team of the week!

away at Merthyr Tydfil (FAW Premier Cup Q/F)

Doherty returns between the sticks and Pozzo gets a start in defense. Köse makes his first start for the club and Wood gets the start up front in place of Brooks who has been disapointing since returning from injury. The home side had the better of the opening exchanges and it looked bad for TNS when they were forced to switch to 4-3-3 when Ward was carried off after 18 minutes. Wilde and Lloyd-Williams scored a quickfire double to put us firmly in control. Thomas Roux then played a vital role as he gave away TWO penalties in the last five minutes of the half to enable Merthyr to go into the break level.
In a poor second half TNS finally settled it with a another double salvo with 20 odd minutes left. First Lloyd-Wiliams struck his second of the game and then Roux got a measure of revenge as he slotted home a spot kick given after Wilde was held back in the area.
Merthyr Tydfil 2-4 TNS (att: 1063)
(Wilde 28, Lloyd-Williams 34, 68, Roux 70 pen)

The semi final line-up for the FAW Premier cup is now TNS v Cardiff City and Wrexham v Swansea. The win has come at a price though as both Lloyd-Williams and Ward have damaged elbows and could miss the next 2-4 weeks.

4/02/06 Home to Conwy (Welsh Cup 4th Round)

Naylor replaces Roux and Collister & Brooks come in for Ward and Lloyd-Williams while Leah replaces Ruscoe. TNS dominate the first half but they're very low in confidence right now and fail to make the breakthrough. The second half provides no goals but TNS will have to play extra-time with only 10 men as substitute John Leah limps off on 90 minutes. With both teams out on their feet the game is settled in the 117th minute when Ahmeds shot from 12 yards is deflected past his own keeper by Dean Blake.
TNS 1-0 Conwy (att: 223)
(Blake OG 117)

Sunday 5th February
Jame Wood has been called up by the Cayman Islands for the game against Guadeloupe on February 8th.

Tuesday 7th February
TNS have been handed a home draw against Cefn Druids in the Q/F of the Welsh Cup.

retired_aurie

I wish I was running my Ancients in your division. Then you'd see some action

Good story, KUTGW