retired_eneko5613

Jaszczun's suspension kicks in, so Elgert comes in on the left. Making a clean sweep of changes down the left, Harris is rested and Cameron comes in. Otherwise it's the same jubilant players making the slightly less intimidating trip to 17th place Port Vale.

The Vale Park crowd witness a very tight first half hour, a yellow card for Collins being the first of not many talking points. They need not have worried, though, as there were plenty more talking points to come! A Cameron header hit the post on 36 minutes, and a minute later Andrew Martin had the ball in the net, but the goal was chalked off by the linesman for offside. That was it for the first half. It was early in the second that the real talking point of the game came. With Port Vale striker Steve Brooker taking possession down the pitch towards the Stalybridge goal, the referee notices his assistant flagging back on the edge of the other penalty area. The two officials speak briefly, and amazingly the referee indicates a Stalybridge penalty. It would appear that the assistant saw a foul by the Port Vale keeper on Darren Mackie. If he did he was the only one in the stadium! The Port Vale players surround the officials, and the game is held up for some time whilst the issue is resolved. When it finally restarts, Leo nestles the ball comfortably in the corner of the goal, to the sound of boos echoing around the stadium.

The referee then has the tenacity to disallow a Darren Garner goal for offside! Port Vale must have thought it really wasn't going to be their day, but I was getting concerned that the atmosphere of the game was starting to affect my players. The wound up crowd were firing up their team, and Port Vale were getting very close to the equaliser. Sure enough, it came with four minutes to go, from a long distance freekick after Brooker was brought down by Cullip. No time to come back, and another two points thrown away.

Division 2 Game 17. 13th November 2004.
Port Vale 1 Stalybridge 1 McPhee 86 / Fortune-West 49(pen)

We hold on to 6th place, but I'm irritated at conceding a late goal. We could have gone second if we had won! Waiting on my desk at the office is a fax from Leicester, officially offering £500k for Danny Cullip. I never believed they would cough up his full release clause! There really isn't much I can do, so I reply with Danny's agent's mobile phone number. Sod the fact it's a Saturday night!

retired_eneko5613

We bid fairwell to Danny in midweek. He's been a damn good player in his short time at the club. I believe that Leicester have paid over the odds for him, but it does leave us in a difficult situation, as after Challinor and Morgan, we're scratching around a little. I'll be looking to reinvest some of the money from Leicester in that department.

Danny Cullip (Stalybridge 13/9/03 - 17/11/04) Played 39 Assists 2 Man of the Match 3 AvR 7.21

Most of the time during the rest of the week I spend hunting down defensive replacements, however nothing is sorted before we have to face Macclesfield at the start of another FA Cup campaign. Challinor comes in and Jaszczun and Harris return. Macclesfield caused us very few problems last time around. Here's hoping for the same again.

Not the most impressive of first halves, in front of 6470 fans, with Batty being forced into a couple of saves early on. Chris Greenacre should have done better for the visitors on the stroke of halftime, and he may live to regret it, as deep into stoppage time, the Chilean received the ball from Challinor and blasted home with the last kick of the half. Just the advantage we needed going into the break.

Boredom sets in during the second period. The only shot of the half is an effort by Leo, which is easily saved by the Macclesfield keeper. We have a muted appeal for a penalty, but the referee never looks interested. It doesn't matter, we're through. Maybe not in the way I like to see football played, but progression is important. Chris Morgan got the man of the match award. He was a rock in defence!

FA Cup 1st Round. 20th November 2004.
Stalybridge 1 Macclesfield 0 Acuña 45

I fear the sound of pigeons coming home to roost, as I make several "panic" bids for defenders in the wake of Cullip's departure. On reflection, it might be better to get someone in on loan, and then look at the Bosman signings at the end of the season. The loanee is confirmed as Watford's Jerel Ifil, a 22 year old lad who has been on their books for 5 seasons. He already has the physical stature and raw skill to make a very good centre back, and if he can mature with first team experience he could become the real thing.

retired_eneko5613

We don't have long to wait to find out our second round FA Cup opposition, as we're the first team out of the draw. We're paired with Southport, relegated from the Conference last season after finishing 4th and 5th in the previous two seasons. They've stayed loyal to manager Phil Wilson, and we will renew our acquaintance at the Bower Fold in three weeks time. Ironically, we've never beaten them under my management.

A bit of a shuffle for the visit of Watford, as our lack of goals is concerning me. Ommel comes in, with Martin dropping to the bench. Friars also starts, with the Chilean dropping back at Collins' expense. Onto the bench comes Bill Browne, for the first time since signing. Cameron is the player who loses out overall. It's beginning to look as though he may be getting out of his depth at this level.

It's important we get something out of this game. Watford are two places above us in 4th, and the winner, should there be one, will go 2nd in the table. A draw would move us up one place, but would be enough for them to take 2nd place on goal difference. It's another crowd of 6450+ at the Bower Fold, and it's another frustrating first half for them. Acuña tries single handedly to outrun the Watford defence, but ends up in a dead end, which causes the supporters to get on his back as there were several opportunities to pass. As the half petered out disappointingly, fans went in search of their bovril and pies, hopeful of a better second period.

Those who were at the back of the refreshment queue would have missed the frenzy of early action in the second half. Ommel and Leo resumed their partnership with the dutchman setting up the big striker to head the first goal of the game, but the lead lasted just a minute until captain Matthew Oakley put in a freekick for Finnish defender Lasse Karjalainen to finish(!), his first Watford goal in a career spanning three seasons. Watford's Greek keeper Giorgos Lambropoulos kept them in the game with fine saves from the two strikers, in what rapidly became another frustrating period of play. Could Bill Browne make a difference on his debut? He came on with ten minutes to go, and his first pass found Mackie in the area. The Scottish winger also saw his header well saved by the keeper, but it wouldn't have counted as Leo had strayed offside. As the clock ticked over the 90 minute mark, Browne picked up the ball just outside the penalty area, ran forward and unleashed a powerful shot. This was the chance, and the crowd held their breath and then their heads, as the ball fizzed just wide of the post. Unlucky. It could have been costly, had either Noel-Willams or Alan Wright seen their efforts beat Batty's double save.

Division 2 Game 18. 24th November 2004.
Stalybridge 1 Watford 1 Fortune-West 51 / Karjalainen 53

A good point, on reflection, and a good debut for Browne. I'm still a bit concerned about our lack of creativity, but you can't argue with 9 games unbeaten, our best such run.

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Some contract negotiation bears fruition, as Jaszczun signs a two year extension for a significant wage increase, making him the second highest paid player at the club. Jerel Ifil has a good game in his first reserve outing, but he may find his first team opportunities limited, as I decide to spend some money after all. £150k brings Ross Johnson from Colchester to the Bower Fold. At 28 years of age, Ross has over 300 football league appearances to his name, and was part of the team who lost 3-2 to us at Layer Road back in September. I'm quite surprised that the club, struggling near the foot of the table, let one of their better players go so easily. Ironically, he spent his formative years at Brighton, and would have played alongside Cullip for at least one season! His arrival could mean Matt Hocking finds his Stalybridge career over.

Cameron is back in the side, replacing an exhausted Dean Harris, for the trip to 17th placed Rushden and Diamonds. One of the non league success stories of recent years, they've been a mid table side for the past three seasons, since going up from the Third Division via the playoffs in 2002.

Leo was frustrated early on in the game, with the referee giving handball against him. His reaction earned him a yellow card, and Acuña came close to earning the wrath of the official soon after. Such a scrappy start affected the players concentration, so it wasn't really a surprise when Kevin Byers scored. It was all Stalybridge from there on, though, and Ommel got back on the scoresheet to equalise after a brilliant move that split the defence asunder. Friars could have added a second almost straight away, but for a great double save from Phil Barnes. The half ended with strong Stalybridge pressure, with numerous corners and freekicks being conceded by the home side, and the pressure eventually told with Ommel setting up Leo for a header remarkably similar to the one from the last game.

The second half was just a case of us peppering their goal for 45 minutes. Rushden weren't really at the races, but there's always a risk in that situation that you can concede a goal, and throw two points away. Not this time, though. The referee eventually brought the game to an end, Ommel was awarded the Man of the Match award and we headed happily home.

Division 2 Game 19. 27th November 2004.
Rushden & Diamonds 1 Stalybridge 2 Byers 6 / Ommel 32 Fortune-West 45

The mood on the bus hoome is made even more pleasant when James Alexander Gordon kindly informs us that Bristol City drew and Watford lost. We're up to 2nd! In another amazing move, the Chilean national captain signs a two year extension to his contract. In the process he becomes joint second highest earner, and sends our wage bill over £25k per week. There may need to be a clearout in the summer!

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Leo's form has come to the attention of the media again. Someone in the national media thinks he is at the top of his form at the moment. Well, he's had a slow start this season, only 8 goals so far, but that's still nearly one every two games! At 33 that's really not bad at all! The fans appear to like my response, which is nice!

Darren Mackie, another player who told us he would only stay one year at the Bower Fold, announces that he is willing to sign a two year extension to his contract as well. It's another £600 a week on the wage bill, but he's a damn good player and he's worth every penny. Then bùgger me if Jason Batty doesn't turn round and tell us he wants to stay at the club. Maybe he's finally realised that no-one else wants him?

November's manager award goes to Teddy Sheringham, Wrexham boss(!), but at least there's recognition of a sort for Stalybridge. Leo picks up the player of the month award, his 6th monthly award in his Stalybridge career. Then, a whole day after announcing his attention to stay, Jason Batty hands in a transfer request. Now he's unhappy with his contract I wonder if anyone will be interested this time?

Phase one of "operation clearout" marks the start of December, and sees three of this season's youth products released. Chris Barnes, Shaun Gordon and David Dicks leave the club, the coaching staff being unanimous in their decision that they have no future here. Only Bobby Gee survives to see another day.

No changes for Oxford's visit. Oxford's main threat comes from the stupidly named Liberian striker "Prince" who has scored 14 so far this season. That, and their 5-3-2 formation, make this game more interesting than otherwise it might be. It's a fairly quiet start to the game, but there are chances to be had at both ends. Batty has to hold a header, and tip a strong shot round the post from Chris Byrne, but at the other end Leo is getting his head to a cross again. Friars delivers the ball in, and it's 1-0 to Stalybridge. Another near capacity crowd of 6494 go wild, and as they calm down they see two Oxford chances saved by Batty, the 33 year old Kiwi showing none of his want-away feelings. They are soon celebrating again, as Leo bags his tenth of the season, scoring with his right foot rather than his head this time. Leo could have clinched his hattrick with two minutes of the first half remaining, as he went one on one with Pollitt in the Oxford goal. His shot hit the post, though, which he must have been disappointed with.

Comfortable at the break, Cameron and Ommel were withdrawn to give Hill and Martin some first team game time. Oxford have obviously made some tactical changes, and we spend an interesting few minutes trying to work out what to do about it. By the time we work it out, "Prince" has already got them a goal back. Having figured out that we can contain their formation, I stand in the technical area, shouting and waving frantically at the players. For some reason they ignore me for 12 minutes () which is just sufficient time for Ian Stonebridge to head the equaliser. Worse follows, as Challinor picks up a knock and has to leave the pitch. We hold on, for we never look like scoring a third, and eventually the whistle goes. Leo gets the man of the match, but there will be an inquest on Monday as to why my tactical changes were ignored.

Division 2 Game 20. 4th December 2004.
Stalybridge 2 Oxford 2 Fortune-West 28,40 / Prince 57 Stonebridge 69

Two points dropped yet again, and our position suffers as well. We're out of the top two as the midpoint of the season approaches. But there is worse news than that. Acuña's yellow card means he will miss the game against Sheffield United on the 18th December. Fortunately, Challinor's injury turns out just to be a dead leg, and he will miss a few days at most.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">********************************************* ************************************************** * English Second Division - Saturday 4th December 2004********************************************** ************************************************** ================================================== ============================================== 2004/5 Table============================================= ================================================== =Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Peterborough 19 5 1 3 12 11 9 1 0 24 8 44 2nd Bristol C 20 7 2 1 19 7 4 3 3 13 14 38 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd STALYBRIDGE 20 5 5 0 19 8 5 2 3 18 16 37 4th Cardiff 20 7 2 1 19 11 4 2 4 11 13 37 5th Northampton 20 5 4 1 14 7 5 1 4 24 16 35 6th Luton 20 7 0 3 22 14 3 4 3 14 14 34 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7th Watford 20 7 2 1 19 11 3 2 5 14 15 34 </pre>

retired_jgirl87

I've just read this in a couple of blocks over the past few days and it is excellent and well worth a couple of :thup: :thup:

retired_eneko5613

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Spav:
I've just read this in a couple of blocks over the past few days and it is excellent and well worth a couple of :thup: :thup: <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Glad you're enjyoing the ride Spav. I'm grabbing every spare moment to construct the ending to this story at the moment, but work and moving house are conspiring against me. Office workers like me should not be throwing 55 hour weeks

Anyway, the good news is that there's at least 5 more seasons to read before the ending comes along. Enjoy

retired_eneko5613

The Vans trophy. Not my primary objective for the season, but then if by some miracle we get promotion, this will be my last chance to win it! There'll be changes, but not as many as you would have seen last season. Ross Johnson makes his debut, due to Challinor's injury, and Harris returns to the left side of midfield. Bill Browne gets his first start, whilst up front the normal pairing are rested in favour of Mark Peters and Richie Barker. Ommel was originally in my plans, but then I realised that this would be his 100th appearance for Stalybridge. I didn't want that to happen in such a meaningless competition!

The Stalybridge public don't share my optimism, and the average gate at the Bower Fold will take a huge knock with todays attendance of 983! Those that are present are cheering early, as Richie Barker reacquaints himself with the back of the net in the second minute. He has the Chilean to thank for the cross. We should have made it two. In fact we should have made it anything up to six before the break. Peters and Barker had chances before Jonathan Macken had the ball in the net for Preston. A friendly linesman ruled that Macken's fellow striker, David Healy, was offside. Back to massed Stalybridge attacking, and the Chilean forced a good save from Tepi. Bill Browne hit the bar and the side netting before Peters forced Tepi into another save. Browne was off target again and Peters brought yet another fine save from the keeper with what would turn out to be our last attack of the half. Preston weren't finished though, and the best passing move of the half ended with Healy beating Batty for the equaliser. Damn.

As for the second half it's probably best just to list the missed chances. Peters, saved by the keeper. Peters, wide. Sub Riordan, saved. Mackie header, saved. Mackie again, saved. Harris, saved. Mackie left footer, saved. With 10 minutes left, Preston's Paul Turner, himself a substitute, picked up a knock, and with all three changes already made, Preston were reduced to ten men. Surely this would bring the breakthrough? Nope, the list continues: Mackie, freekick, saved. Mackie, saved. Acuña, saved. Acuña again, over the bar. The final whistle came, and who knew what was going to happen from here.

Mackie, frustrated by Preston's wonder keeper, came off and Andrew Martin got a run in his place. The pace was understandably slower now, and only Riordan had a shot on target (saved, what else!) before play degenerated into a midfield meleé. The final straw for the unlucky visitors was another injury, to goalscorer Healy, reducing them to 9 men. Acuña ran through almost straight away, and his shot finally got past Tepi. My first Golden Goal!

Vans Trophy, 1st Round North. 7th December 2004.
Stalybridge 2 Preston 1 Barker 2 Acuña 101 / Healy 45 (Stalybridge win on Golden Goal rule)

The board find this result pleasing! I'm just relieved that we got through unscathed, unlike Preston...

Frazer Toms returns from his short loan spell at Lancaster, where he played 4 games. He managed 1 assist, and a modest average rating of 7.75. He's still lacking match fitness when he returns, though. Lee Collins will miss the opportunity to notch up his 100th appearance against Southport, as he badly stubbed his toe(!) warming down. The draw for the Second round of this particular competition sees us at home, again, to Darlington.

retired_eneko5613

Challinor recovers, and just as he gets back to training picks up another injury. He'll be out for a week this time. Good job I picked up that extra defender! With the fixtures really coming thick and fast, there are more new faces for the FA Cup 2nd round tie against Southport. Mike Lewis gets his first start of the season so that Burns can have a rest. Into midfield come Foley Sheridan and Cameron, whilst Riordan replaces Peters up front.

As you would expect, we had the most of the early pressure against the non league opposition. However, their defence held firm for some time, and it was a cross by Foley Sheridan which split the defence for Barker to nip in and score. The lead lasted only a minute, though, as we were found guilty of the most heinous of crime, not concentrating on defending after scoring a goal. Was our history against the Lancashire side going to haunt us even longer? Well half time came and went, and we hadn't managed to increase the scoreline. Even twenty minutes into the second half nothing was doing, and it was left again to the Chilean to break the deadlock, notching his 5th of the season from a freekick. Still we didn't look comfortable, though, with Southport having an undue amount of pressure. Changes were made, with Hill and Martin coming on. The two of them combined for Martin to add a third with four minutes to go, and Hill got his own goal two minutes later. On we go, and a rare man of the match award for Foley Sheridan.

FA Cup 2nd Round. 11th December 2004.
Stalybridge 4 Southport 1 Barker 28 Acuña 69 Martin 86 Hill 88 / Marshall 29

My post match sympathies go out to Phil Wilson, as his Southport side battled hard, and 4-1 was not a fair scoreline. We share a few drinks after the game, toasting old times, and he congratulates me on our excellent progress, whilst I wish him all the best in getting his side back to the Conference. Again the board are pleased with the result. They're easily pleased sometimes.

retired_eneko5613

I really love being in the third round FA Cup draw, and as usual I like to follow the progress of my former non-league colleages. but first things first, and it's a local derby for us as we snag another home tie, against 1st Division Crewe. Nice. It's a day for drawing 1st Division clubs for the non league sides as well, with Alan Pardew's Southern League Hayes getting a big home tie against Fulham. Boston also get a home tie against Stockport. The third side, old friends Northwich Victoria, will be away at Huddersfield.

Somewhat bizzarly, Rotherham's Alan Lee is described in the media as a "Goal Machine". Sure he's got 13 goals this season, but a return of only 1 goal in the last 5 isn't exactly mechanically repetitive. Chris Morgan joins the casualty list with a short term facial injury. This means that our Wednesday night local derby with Oldham will see the first outing for our two new defenders as a pairing. It's worth recapping the line-up, given the changes that have been in force for the past two games.

In goal is Batty, with a back four of Jaszczun, Ifil, Johnson and Burns, a midfield of Acuña, Harris, Friars and Mackie, and an attack pairing of Ommel and Fortune-West. The dutch striker is due to make his 100th appearance, and will no doubt get a great reception, having chipped in with 28 goals in that time.

The landmark man had the first chance of the game in the fifth minute, but Oldham keeper, and fellow Dutchman Rob van Dijk, was equal to it. Oldham have the best of the chances for the next ten minutes, and indeed it's end to end stuff for most of the half. Jerel Ifil showed his inexperience in front of goal, allowing himself to be challenged when he should really have tapped the ball in, but the move that mattered came in the last minute of the half. Ommel's shot, on target as were most of his efforts, was palmed away by the keeper, but Mackie was following up and finished with ease. 6492 fans went to their pies happy!

It is said that the best time to score is just before the break. I disagree. The best time to score is just before full time. Scoring just before half time gives the opposition manager a whole 15 minutes to sort out his tactics and wind up his players, and a whole 45 minutes to get a goal back. Our recent form would suggest that we are likely to give a goal away at some point, so we have to go out in the second half looking for a second goal. Mackie had the only real chance, forcing van Dijk into a diving save in the 67th minute. But as predicted, Oldham got the equaliser when a cleared ball came to young midfielder Stephen Gough. The dutch keeper made two more saves, denying us a winning goal, before the referee brought proceedings to an end. Darren Mackie won his first Stalybridge man of the match award, and I'm left to rue yet another two points dropped.

Division 2 Game 21. 15th December 2004.
Stalybridge 1 Oldham 1 Mackie 45 / Gough 79

Chatting after the game with Oldham boss Dave Mosson, the topic of conversation came around to Matt Williamson. Dave said that Matt had been signed by his predecessor David Purdie, now Partick Thistle boss, and didn't really fit into his plans. Matt was therefore on the transfer list at his own request, having failed to make a breakthrough into the first team. I jokingly suggest that I'll give him £10k for the player. He laughs non-committally, and talk turns to the League Cup. Sky Sports news reports that Liverpool have squeezed past Stoke on penalties, with a relatively weakened side. The Oldham manager wishes me all the best against the scousers.