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21st place Bournemouth visit us midweek, and because it's a Tuesday game it seems we're back to the old problem of tiredness in midfield. Harris and Cameron have to step down, with Mackenzie and Hart coming in. Leo is back and the bench is freshened up as well. We beat them comfortably at their place, and I expect a similar performance this time around.

We start brightly, with Friars sending three freekicks close to goal in the first ten minutes or so. Completely against the run of play, a Bournemouth freekick was lobbed high into the box by Sacha Opinel and Warren Feeney headed past the keeper for only his fifth goal in 33 games. Within two minutes we were back level though, as in form Sergio Ommel rose to head home a Cullip freekick. One of Cullip's old teammates from Brighton, Kerry Mayo, obviously disagreed with the decision, headbutting another Brighton colleague Gary Hart. Red card, and the turning point of the game. It took us until two minutes before the break to take advantage of the extra man, with Cullip again the provider as he got the ball into the box. Leo took two attempts to put the ball away and ensure we went to the interval ahead.

Soon after half time, Friars went down with what looked like a thigh injury. I set a message on via the physio that if he could possibly manage it, I needed him to carry on. I had no left sided player on the bench, and I wasn't convinced we were playing well to hold on to the lead. With fifteen minutes to go, it was still 2-1, and after winning a freekick Friars went down again. The physio patched him up again, but rather than risk a long term injury I sent on Bastow to have a run on the left wing. The out of contract youngster immediately took responsibility for the freekick, crossing for Leo to head his 30th goal of the season. Three minutes later and Bastow was taking another freekick. This time he cut out the middle man and scored himself. At 4-1 we were cruising, and the only notable incident in the last ten minutes was another niggling injury for Leo. A fine captains performance by Danny Cullip won him the man of the match.

Division 3 Game 33. 17th February 2004
Stalybridge 4 Bournemouth 1 Ommel 18 Fortune-West 43,75 Bastow 78 / Feeney 15 (Bournemouth's Kerry Mayo sent off, 18)

The bad news from the treatment room is that Leo strained knee ligaments, and we'll miss him for three weeks. Fortunately we should only have two games during that period. Joining him on the table will be Harris, who suffers a groin strain in training and will miss a month. All of a sudden we're facing a mini-injury crisis!

retired_eneko5613

We make the long trip to 12th place Plymouth with two changes, Cameron in on the left and Barker up front. With Barker still looking for his first goal, we may be relying on Ommel to get the goals in this game. I'll be happy with a point, to be honest. I think Cameron appreciates the move most of all as he runs through on goal twice in the first 5 minutes. The second time results in the opening goal. The next 20 minutes are about the worst of my managerial career. It all started when referee Kieron Boardman awarded Plymouth a penalty. Dinning put the spot kick away, but that was only the start of it. Stonebridge scored his 15th and 16th of the season and Graham Anthony added a fourth. I just counted the minutes down to half time so I can reorganise things.

There was no point laying into the lads at the break. They knew they had let me down. We gathered them around, and explained a few attacking moves. At 4-1 down they may as well just go out and play. Throw everything at the opposition and just play their natural game. We played some good stuff and eventually some of it paid off when Mackenzie was brought down in the area. With Leo not on the field, Ommel takes the responsibility and scores his 10th goal of the season. Four minutes later Challinor heads a Jaszczun corner and all of a sudden Plymouth are sweating. We had a couple of chance to make it 4-4, but Plymouth showed that they too can defend in a crisis. We didn't get our point.

Division 3 Game 34. 21st February 2004.
Plymouth 4 Stalybridge 3 Dinning 14(pen) Stonebridge 21,26 Anthony 29 / Cameron 5 Ommel 68(pen) Challinor 72

The club scouts are dispatched to Bramall Lane, where it is believed Sheffield United are about to have something of a selling spree due to financial difficulties. There are one or two players who on the surface look interesting, but it's not the time to make rushed decisions. Whilst rubbing my hands together in anticipation of a bargain or two, I receive some bad news from our physio. Everpresent midfielder Collins will miss three weeks of action with a twisted knee. Player-coach Marsden will get his chance to show he's still up to it at this level.

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3rd vs 6th at the Bower Fold after a two week break, as Bristol Rovers make the trip up the M5/M6 corridor. Marsden is the only different name on the teamsheet, with neither Leo or Harris having recovered yet. Friars must feel unfortunate to remain on the bench for a second game in succession.

The Gas, with their unusual 3-5-2 sweeper formation, proved a stern challenge, especially in a first half during which they had the majority of the play. The Stalybridge cause wasn't helped by both Barker and Ommel having off days, and even Cameron being unable to produce anything like the performance his talent deserves. Marsden marshalled the midfield well, despite his lack of match fitness, and good defensive performances from the unit of four ensured we didn't concede anything before half time.

In the second half, we eventually started to win more of the ball, and make use of our possession. Not for the first time, Barker has a hand in our opening goal, with a deft bit of control before laying a pass into the area for Mackenzie to dispatch. With the game as tight as it had been, it was probable that this goal would be decisive, so I ordered things tightened up at the back. Peters came on for Ommel, who was complaining of a knock to the shin, and Friars came on for Hart, who was having a tough time of it on the right of midfield. Our defence held firm, and anything that got past them was dealt with by Batty, who received the Man of the Match award in addition to his Clean Sheet bonus.

Division 3 Game 35. 6th March 2004.
Stalybridge 1 Bristol Rovers 0 Mackenzie 61

That was three points I wouldn't necessarily have banked on getting!

retired_eneko5613

The scout reports from around the Premiership training grounds are coming in thick and fast, but there's only time to read a handful of them before we board the coach for a midweek trip to the capital. Our opponents, Leyton Orient, are struggling in 20th without a home win in the last three games. I'd like to help them continue that run! Friars comes in for Cameron, whilst Marsden will have to grin and bear a game for which he really isn't fit enough. Collins should be back by the weekend, hopefully.

The game was marred by a contentious refereeing decision as early as the 7th minute. I don't really know why I'm complaining, as it was in our favour, but it always leaves a bit of a sour taste in your mouth when you get a decision like that. It was Ommel who fooled the ref into believing that Orient keeper Jason Brown had brought him down in the area. Nasty scenes followed, as Brown was dismissed and a penalty was awarded, with a crowd of Orient players surrounding the referee. In Leo's absence, Ommel again took the penalty himself, and to the sound of boos around Brisbane Road, scored. The home side were always going to struggle after that, and again Barker was involved in our second goal, setting up Mackenzie in an action replay of our goal against Bristol Rovers. Yellow cards were flying around as well, with conditions underfoot not helping in a game where tempers were already frayed.

Friars made the game look safe early in the second half, heading home a corner delivered, for a change, by Marsden. With 25 minutes left, I made a triple substitution to try and save some tired legs, and Orient decided now was the time to take advantage. A fine goal from club top scorer Aaron McLean, followed a little later by a swerving, dipping shot from Matt Lockwood brought them to within a single goal, and we owed more than a little to lady luck for keeping the three points with us.

Division 3 Game 36. 10th March 2004.
Leyton Orient 2 Stalybridge 3 McLean 69 Lockwood 76 / Ommel 7(pen) Mackenzie 15 Friars 50 (Leyton Orient's Jason Brown sent off, 7)

Wins for Swansea and Brentford meant no change to our position with 10 games to go.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">********************************************* ************************************************** * English Third Division - Wednesday 10th March 2004********************************************** ************************************************** ================================================== ============================================== 2003/4 Table============================================= ================================================== =Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Oldham 36 11 6 1 25 9 11 1 6 26 24 73 2nd Swansea 36 10 5 2 29 13 11 4 4 39 29 72 3rd STALYBRIDGE 36 11 2 4 39 17 11 0 8 37 31 68 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4th Brentford 36 10 2 7 40 32 9 3 5 29 18 62 5th Peterborough 36 6 8 4 26 22 11 1 6 38 29 60 6th Torquay 36 11 1 5 38 28 7 4 8 35 34 59 7th Southend 36 11 2 5 33 25 7 2 9 26 23 58 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</pre>

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Leo is back as Cambridge visit the Bower Fold. They are 8th, just outside the playoffs, and are back into the reckoning after occupying the upper reaches of the table for most of the season. Even though some players are struggling for fitness, I'm minded not to do too much to alter a winning team, so Bastow and Cameron for Mackenzie and Hart are the only changes, with Leo sitting on the bench for now.

The first half is a story of two corners, and how the Cambridge defence couldn't deal with them. The first came just before the half hour mark, and the fault has to be attributed to keeper Stephen Gilbert, who came for the cross and subsequently dropped it at the feet of big Dave Challinor. Our solid central defender made no mistake and spanked the ball through the crowd of defenders for 1-0. Five minutes later, another Marsden corner caused havoc in the box, with Gilbert staying at home on this occasion. The marking went to pieces, and Challinor rose highest to double his season's goal tally this game.

The second half, as was to be expected, was a quieter affair. The biggest cheer was for the return from the bench of Leo, replacing Barker who yet again missed two glorious chances to open his Stalybridge account. Cambridge got a goal back shortly after the substitution, and then they turned up the wick looking for the equaliser. Jaszczun limped off with an injury with 5 minutes to go, after making a desperate challenge in the area, but a Man of the match winning captain's performace from Cullip made sure the defence stayed concentrated until the final whistle to guarantee another three points.

Division 3 Game 37. 13th March 2004.
Stalybridge 2 Cambridge Utd 1 Challinor 27,32 / Wilde 77

Three points dropped by Brentford away at Doncaster meant the gap below us was increased to nine points, whilst Oldham relinquished the top spot with a defeat at 14th placed Hartlepool. Four or Five wins from the remaining nine games and you'd think we would have promotion tied up. Good news regarding Jaszczun's injured thigh, as it turns out to only be bruised, and the left back should be fit for our next game.

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Tommy's rehabilitation takes a little longer than planned, and he is not quite ready for our Tuesday night trip to 91st placed League Club Mansfield. Collins is also slow on the mend, and will miss the resumption of battle with his namesake. Elgert comes in whilst a very tired Marsden persists in the defensive midfield role.

Goals in the last minute of each half from Mansfield's captain Danny Martin, in what must easily be his best performance of the season, mean that we don't get one of the wins we need at Field Mill. Friars and Elgert picked up yellow cards in a frustrating first half, but once Mansfield had taken the lead there was no more time for messing about. On came Leo and Gary Hart and we went at them all guns blazing. Lee Jones in the Mansfield goal made more than one important save, and Bastow's judgement was at fault when he elected to pass the ball sideways when it would have been easier to score. We should have been 2 down earlier in the second half when that man Martin had the ball in the net, only to see the linesman adjudging one of his team mates offside. Mansfield did a job on us, and if we're going to make it out of this division we need to learn how to cope with that.

Division 3 Game 38. 16th March 2004.
Mansfield 2 Stalybridge 0 Martin 44,90

We can count ourselves fortunate that results went our way, with the 4th, 5th and 6th placed teams all drawing, whilst the two teams ahead of us also lost, Doncaster picking up an impressive 4-3 win at Oldham and Bristol Rovers hammering Swansea 3-0.

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Collins, Harris and Jaszczun both regain full fitness during the 10 day break we get after the Mansfield match. In the same period we say goodbye to another long term Stalybridge player. Richard Peacock accepts a move to non-league Abingdon Town in an attempt to get some first team football. We get £10k, and astonishingly the non-league outfit are paying Peacock just £75 p/w less than we were!

Richard Peacock (Stalybridge 1/8/01 - 21/3/04) Played 76, Scored 5, Assists 15, Man of the Match 1, AvR 7.88

Emerging from more paperwork than you could shake a very large stick at, I lead the side onto the coach for the trip to 17th place Lincoln. That side includes Harris, Collins, Jaszczun and Leo. It's Cameron rather than Bastow who drops to the bench to give Harris the game.

This performance is more like the Stalybridge Celtic I know. Ademola Bankole in the Lincoln goal has made a string of great saves before a 16th minute lob into the area by Friars finds Leo. The big man is hungry again, after his spell out, and he finds the back of the net with no problem. He wheeled away in celebration in front of the travelling fans who joined him in toasting his 100th appearance for the club. Leo was again involved in the build up for the second a minute later, when Bastow started the move with a pass to Ommel. Ommel's cross found Leo who powered a header at goal that Bankole couldn't hold. Bastow was on hand to finish the move smartly. Two goals up meant that the lads inevitably sat back a little, and Lincoln could have found a way back into the game had Batty not produced some class goalkeeping of his own. I was on my feet, urging the guys to pick their game up and put some pressure back on the home team. Dean Harris had the only real opportunity in the rest of the first half, with a fierce shot that Bankole was just equal to.

The half time team talk consisted of me drumming into my players that this game wasn't won yet. Friars had a chance early on, but it was fairly tight for the first twenty minutes. We needed to make the most of any chance that fell our way, and on 66 minutes we did just that. Friars' curling shot was palmed away by Bankole, who did really well to get up and deal with Bastow's attempt on the rebound, but the third ball fell to Harris who wasn't going to be denied. 3-0 felt a hell of a lot better! Marsden (on for Collins shortly after the third goal) could have added to the scoreline, but Bankole again did his job well. Lincoln did get one back in the last minute, as they were awarded a penalty with Batty alleged to have brought down Daniel Bent. A strange decision, as no card was produced by the referee. Leo got the man of the match for 63 minutes of play. Perhaps the judge knew of the landmark he'd just achieved!

Division 3 Game 39. 27th March 2004.
Lincoln 1 Stalybridge 3 Rickers 90(pen) / Fortune-West 16 Bastow 18 Harris 66

Oldham and Swansea exchange places at the top of the table, as gallant Mansfield cause another upset at the Vetch Field. The playoff pack keep up the chase, though, with all but Torquay picking up wins. The Cornwall outfit drop 4 places to 9th as a result, and they face the long trip North to the Bower Fold in our next game. It's not our next game that's making the news though, it's a bit of transfer news. Just a small piece, that even makes it into the tabloids! Despite playing fifteen games for Chile, Clarence Acuña has only made 2 appearances in the last 3 years for Newcastle, and he decides that the best thing for him is a year at the Bower Fold to put himself back on the footballing map. Of course, I don't expect him to stay a full year, as he has a low release clause, but it's only costing us £50k in signing on fees, and he's not breaking the wage structure so bring it on I say!

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Sean Friars has a poor week in training. Whether he's got personal problems or not I don't know. I have a quiet word with the lad, but he's not forthcoming with any reasons. He'll miss the Torquay game as there's no way he'll be fit. Cameron will come in to replace him.

In a very quiet start to the first half, Torquay do well to stifle our creativity in midfield. It's the visitors who have the first clear goalscoring chance, with young Steve Schofield hitting the crossbar on twenty minutes. We start to take control after the half hour mark, and Leo should have had the ball in the net a couple of times with free headers. He came even closer in stoppage time, hitting the post with the keeper stranded. With the referee about to blow for half time, Harris fired a shot at the keeper, who could only deflect the ball into the path of the oncoming Bastow, and the young out of contract midfielder score his 5th, and probably easiest goal of the season.

There wasn't much difference in the flow of play in the second half, although Torquay did start to show some promise with the few attacks they managed to build. With Mackenzie replacing a tired looking Harris, we were still looking for a second goal to make the tie secure. It came from the same source as the first, with Mackenzie, Leo and Cameron all involved in the build up. A fine strike, and yet again Bastow had escaped his marker. Torquay hit the crossbar again, but most of the play was still in their half of the pitch. Bastow had the chance to seal a hattrick in time added on, but his shot went wide. It didn't matter as he got the Man of the match award and we got the three points!

Division 3 Game 40. 3rd April 2004.
Stalybridge 2 Torquay 0 Bastow 45,70

No change in positions at the top, with Oldham, Swansea and Brentford all winning. It's that time of year when the "team of the year" is selected, and this year Leo and Jason Batty get the call. For Batty, this represents his third consecutive season as being rated amongst the best players in the division. There's no real surprise that Leo gets in there, however he has some competition this season for top scorer. He has 28 league goals, the same count as Torquay's Eifion Williams, but Cambridge's Demba Traore has one more. That'll be a competition worth watching for the last 6 games of the season!

retired_sander

Torquay in Cornwall thats Blasphemy :p

Its Devon down near to Ted's house in fact

retired_eneko5613

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by John O'Shea:
Torquay in Cornwall thats Blasphemy :p

Its Devon down near to Ted's house in fact <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Anywhere South West of Swindon = West Country = Cornwall as far as I'm concerned.