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Another midweek game, away at Macclesfield. It's a full programme again, and most eyes in the division will be on the match at London Road, where Peterborough host Northampton. We'll face the Silkmen without Darren Mackie, who suffered a facial injury during Monday training. A chance, then, for the Chilean to show us the attacking side of his game. Despite slight tiredness in the legs, there are no other changes.

Liam Burns limps off the Moss Rose pitch in only the 4th minute of the game, meaning an enforced substitution. Elgert, as ever, replaces the full back. As Macclesfield look to attack, our defence is stretched, unable to deal with the crafty play of Gavin Gordon and Chris Greenacre. The referee is again eager to dish out the yellow cards, with Friars and Morgan both having to be careful after cautions in the first ten minutes. Harris also got himself booked before the deadlock was eventually broken. Having had all the play, it was ironic that Macclesfield should open the scoring with a breakaway goal. Chris Greenacre picked up a clearance from a Stalybridge corner, and ran 50 yards before slotting the ball past Batty.

So we had no choice but to attack in the second period. On came Browne for Friars, and he could have scored from almost the first touch. In fact we created lots of good chances early on, but Macclesfield always looked dangerous on the counter attack, meaning we couldn't afford to commit as many players forward as I would usually have done. The home team could have extended their lead just before the hour mark, but for a double save by Batty from Gordon. It cost them not long after, as the Stalybridge equaliser came from a typical source. Harris crossed, Ommel headed, one all. The choice now was to sit back and try to hold on, or go for broke. One point would not really be much use to us, so attack it was. It looked in vane, as we failed to create anything of any quality until the 89th minute, when a neat one-two between Acuña and Kitson left the the Chilean with space to shoot. Disappointingly, his low shot went wide of the goal, and the visiting Stalybridge fans starting leaving their vantage points for the short journey north. Hopefully not too many of them had left the ground two minutes later, when a handball by Steve Caldwell resulted in a freekick. The cross by Acuña caught the Macclesfield defence napping, and Bill Browne rose above keeper Barnard to head home another important winning goal! Man of the match to Collins, showing Acuña exactly why he's not the automatic choice for the defensive midfield spot.

Division 2 Game 37. 15th March 2005.
Macclesfield 1 Stalybridge 2 Greenacre 44 / Ommel 73 Browne 90

On the coach home, I had words over the phone with my source at the Peterborough v Northampton game. He informed me that the result had gone the best way possible for us. In front of their highest crowd of the season, 12168 fans, Peterborough had lost 1-0 in a game that boiled over just after half time, with a player from each side being sent off. This result leaves us just two points behind Peterborough, with a game in hand. Watford slipped further off the pace, with a 1-1 draw at Darlington.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">********************************************* ************************************************** * English Second Division - Tuesday 15th March 2005********************************************** ************************************************** ================================================== ============================================== 2004/5 Table============================================= ================================================== =Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Northampton 37 12 5 2 30 12 12 2 4 41 25 79 2nd Peterborough 38 11 3 5 28 18 13 2 4 40 23 77 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd STALYBRIDGE 37 11 7 1 35 17 11 2 5 35 23 75 4th Watford 38 15 3 1 38 16 7 4 8 29 26 73 5th Reading 38 13 4 2 49 25 7 4 8 36 36 68 6th Bristol C 38 12 3 3 34 17 7 8 5 28 25 68 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7th Oxford 38 11 2 6 42 34 7 3 9 25 38 59 </pre>

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Liam Burns will miss the rest of March, as he receives treatment to a sprained ankle. He will also need time to get back to match fitness. Not good news, as the full back area is a little light in backup! In an attempt to keep Chris Morgan out of the sticky mitts of Carlisle (who are still watching him at every game) we offer him a new contract. He accepts, and at £2400 per week, he becomes the highest paid player at the club by a clear £400. Our bonus is that we more than double his release clause to £600,000.

Former Irish international Jon Goodman arrives at the Bower Fold on the 16th, to take over Craig Madden's coaching duties. At 33 he has a long coaching career ahead of him, having previous experience at Aston Villa on his c.v. as well. Another Irishman, Michael Foley Sheridan, receives another call to the Under 21 side. Hopefully he can get as far as the plane this time without getting injured.

We have the Saturday off, but the next Wednesday is our game in hand, away at Notts County. They knocked us out of the Vans Trophy, but I'd gladly forgive them that for three points now. Cameron comes into the side, as Acuña has to take Collins' place due to his suspension. Browne also takes Friars place.

Quite a tight start, with Batty saving Cooke's first attempt for County. It was just the first wave of County pressure which eventually resulted in their goal. It came from a clearance by keeper Holloway, which was picked up by Bo Hansen. he did the rest, for his 5th goal of the season. This was the kick up the arse we needed, and we started to attack down the flanks. We got the equaliser when Harris got on the end of a loose ball and fired home. It was his last action of the game, as he limped off just before half time.

Browne and Friars had early chances to put us in the lead in the second half, but as the half wore on we got more and more frustrated and looked less and less like scoring. There was no Bill Browne goal to save us this time. Two points dropped.

Division 2 Game 38. 23rd March 2005.
Notts County 1 Stalybridge 1 Hansen 26 / Harris 34

In order: 1. Harris out for three weeks with a broken toe. 2. The board are pleased with a draw away from home . 3. We stay third. Still, at least only three points now cover the top three places. News reaches us after the game that Jason Batty has been called up into the New Zealand squad again. They've got four World Cup qualifiers in April, and his presence is needed for the first three at least. Go Jason!

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Time to bounce back, again. Rotherham visit the Bower Fold on Saturday, There are some really tired legs from Wednesday's matches, but despite having 41 players on my books, I'm not confident enough to make too many changes. Just the midfield three change, Harris, Browne and Cameron being replaced by Foley Sheridan, Friars and Mackie. Rotherham are 12th, and "Goal Machine" Alan Lee has started getting back on the scoresheet, upping his tally for the season to 20.

The Stalybridge fans are conspicuous in their absence, only just over 6000 in attendance, and the absentees missed a treat in the first half. After initial pressure from the visitors, Mackie grabs the first goal with a header from a corner. Less than ten minutes later, and Mackie's in the area again. This time he's brought down by keeper Morris. Up steps Ommel and puts away the penalty, notching his 15th goal of the season in the process. Straight from the restart, we get the ball again and Foley Sheridan whips in a gorgeous cross. Kitson can do nothing really but head us 3-0 in front. We're cruising, and indeed we cruise all the way to the half time whistle.

Collins came on for Acuña, who was looking a little jaded, and what the hell, with a three goal lead we could afford it. He chose this particular game to have a stinker. A real stinker. His midfield charge, Nick Rizzo, scored two goals in two minutes, and as we're trying to get over this, Alan Lee pops up to score the equaliser. From 3-0 up to level in 14 minutes. Oh how it might have been different if Michael Foley Sheridan's 66th minute header hadn't been disallowed for offside. But no, fate was with the South Yorkshire team and with two minutes to go, up popped the Irish Goal Machine to head the winner. It's the first time we've been booed from the pitch in the last two seasons.

Division 2 Game 39. 26th March 2005.
Stalybridge 3 Rotherham 4 Mackie 23 Ommel 31(pen) Kitson 32 / Rizzo 50,51 Lee 64,88

With Northampton not playing, this was the ideal chance to put pressure on them. But no, we had to throw it away. When I find out that Peterborough only drew with lowly Kidderminster I'm spitting bricks. Watford chose today to get a 4-0 away win, thus tightening the top of the table right up.

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Not surprisingly, there are no awards for Stalybridge at the end of March. Reading's Dave Bassett gets a second manager of the month award, and for the second month in a row a Reading player scoops the major playing award. Bristol City's Ben Carr got the young player award. A big match next up, as we visit Vicarage Road to play 4th place Watford. Foley Sheridan's participation in the reserve fixture means he isn't fit for the match, so Cameron comes in.

It looks like being a miserable day for the travelling Stalybridge fans, as a cross by Alan Wright allows captain Matthew Oakley to head Watford into the lead as early as the fourth minute. However two minutes later a Mackie nod down gave Kitson the room he needed to volley home his 5th goal of the season. With Watford shown what they are up against, we had the majority of the play for the rest of the half and capped the pressure with a fine goal from Andrew Cameron. The winger looked back to his old best with the jinking run and shot. Unfortunately, Watford gave us a taste of our own medicine and Danny Webber equalised on the stroke of half time.

Barker on for Ommel at half time, as it's effectively a whole new ball game. He had the first chance, and Friars the second. When Kitson's freekick deflected off a Watford defender and out for a corner, I was starting to think that it wasn't going to be our day. Sure enough, our recent weakness jumped up and bit us again, as Stanislav Varga rose highest to head home Scott Wood's corner. Bastow came on in a desperate attempt to grab an equaliser, but even his last minute freekick was wide. I was absolutely right, it wasn't our day. Mackie got the man of the match though.

Division 2 Game 40. 2nd April 2005.
Watford 3 Stalybridge 2 Oakley 4 Webber 45 Varga 76 / Kitson 6 Cameron 42

That may just cost us our chance of automatic promotion. I'm not a happy bunny on the coach home, however I have to admit that Watford, with their £120,000 weekly wage bill and their Division 1 quality players, are a level above where we can possibly be with our 6500 capacity stadium. Which is why it is so important that the board speculate to accumulate, and soon.

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Wigan become the first club to be relegated. They have conceded a record 98 goals already, and it could get much worse with 6 games left! Meanwhile at the other end of the table, Northampton have guaranteed themselves a playoff place at least. They are outright favourites for the title though:
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">********************************************* ************************************************** * English Second Division - Saturday 2nd April 2005********************************************** ************************************************** ================================================== ============================================== 2004/5 Table============================================= ================================================== =Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Pl Northampton 39 12 5 2 30 12 13 2 5 43 27 82 2nd Peterborough 40 11 4 5 30 20 14 2 4 42 23 81 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd Watford 40 16 3 1 41 18 8 4 8 33 26 79 4th STALYBRIDGE 40 11 7 2 38 21 11 3 6 38 27 76 5th Reading 40 14 4 2 50 25 8 4 8 37 36 74 6th Bristol C 39 12 3 3 34 17 8 8 5 31 26 71 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7th Luton 40 12 3 5 41 25 6 6 8 22 26 63 </pre>

Jason Batty ensures that we are represented in the Division's select XI for the third season out of four. No doubt if Leo had been around, he would have been there too. Unfortunately for our goalkeeper, he picks up a training injury and is removed from the New Zealand squad. Still, at least we'll have him back sooner that way!

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So, in comes Hulse for Port Vale's visit. Burns is back, so he starts. There are also two purely form based changes. Browne for Friars and Barker for Ommel. Port Vale have Sunderland's young midfielder Ryan Amoo in their side, so more autographs. The crowd are back in force, with only 8 empty seats, hopefully that will lift the players into a performance.

The first chance of any significance didn't come until 20 minutes in, when Challinor headed against the bar from a corner. Port Vale went straight down the other end and highly rated Scottish striker Stephen McPhee should have done better than the shot he blasted over the bar. He took his frustration out on Hulse, which earned him a yellow card for his troubles! Mackie was guilty of equally slack finishing on the half hour mark, and in what was a tedious half the fourth and final chance didn't come until stoppage time. Fortunately, this one resulted in a goal, as Morgan got his header in under the bar. Five goals for the captain, and a half time lead for us.

The start of the second half was characterised by more sloppy finishing, as both Mackie and McPhee had chances within a minute of each other. We were stamping our authority on the second half, though, and the players had that look of no surrender about them! The last twenty minutes saw chance after chance for Kitson, Barker and Browne to add to the scoring. It was not to be, but at least it stopped Port Vale scoring! Man of the match for Morgan, who was majestic in the air throughout the game.

Division 2 Game 41. 9th April 2005.
Stalybridge 1 Port Vale 0 Morgan 45

It's good to look at the statistics from a game and see that we stopped the opposition getting a single shot on target. Even better, the results have at least partly gone our way. Northampton have done us a big favour, beating Watford 3-1, and Peterborough dropped two points at home against Rotherham. It's enough to guarantee them a playoff place, but it does tighten things up even further!
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">********************************************* ************************************************** * English Second Division - Saturday 9th April 2005********************************************** ************************************************** ================================================== ============================================== 2004/5 Table============================================= ================================================== =Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Pl Northampton 41 14 5 2 35 14 13 2 5 43 27 88 2nd Pl Peterborough 41 11 5 5 30 20 14 2 4 42 23 82 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd STALYBRIDGE 41 12 7 2 39 21 11 3 6 38 27 79 4th Watford 41 16 3 1 41 18 8 4 9 34 29 79 5th Reading 41 14 4 2 50 25 9 4 8 39 36 77 6th Bristol C 41 14 3 3 40 21 8 8 5 31 26 77 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7th Luton 41 13 3 5 44 25 6 6 8 22 26 66 </pre>

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Midweek sees Harris resume full training, so match fitness allowing he will make his 100th appearance at Oxford. We've missed his crossing, that's for sure. We also tie up Chris Marsden's coaching contract for the foreseeable future,

Harris does return, with Cameron making way with the rest of the side unchanged. It was 2-2 the last time we met Oxford, and dodgy goalscorer "Prince" is still their main threat.

All Oxford for the first ten minutes, and they get the goal from the unlikely source of right back Warner. Typical really, we had Stonebridge and Prince covered, but a player who I once tried to sign, Paul Weller, nodded it down for the defender who scored only his second goal of the season. Browne was frustrated by keeper Pollitt on a couple of occasions, and since we were only really picking up crumbs, we needed to make the most of them. Not surprisingly, that man Prince got on the scoresheet with Oxford's second, which was disappointing for Hulse as he had made a great save from the Liberian's first attempt. We've no choice but to attack, and we get forward well in the last quarter of an hour of the half. Barker had a torrid time in front of goal, as he came up against his old Rotherham team mate between the Oxford sticks. Needless to say halftime came without a change to the score.

So, 45 minutes to save our chances of automatic promotion. The first thing I've got to ask my players is why the hell Harris isn't taking the corners? Sure, Acuña is the senior player, but we all know by know what the young midfielder can do with his left foot. More attacking, with Mackie flashing a shot wide on 52 minutes, and Pollitt tipping Kitson's header round the post shortly afterwards. Despite my instructions, the Chilean took the corner and nothing came from it, apart from a huge bollocking from the touchline! Two minutes later we won another corner, and this time Harris was despatched to take it. In it drifted, and up jumped Challinor to head past the keeper! Beauty! Now pushing in search of the equaliser, Mackie sees another freekick well saved by Pollitt. Oxford try to exploit the space left behind the defence, and either Weller or Livermore could have sealed the result in the space of five minutes, but neither could capitalise, mainly due to good work by Paul Hulse. But as time ticked away, so did our hopes, and eventually the ref brought affairs to a close.

Division 2 Game 42. 16th April 2005.
Oxford 2 Stalybridge 1 Warner 10 Prince 29 / Challinor 57

It's well out of our hands now. All we can do is hope the top two slip up. Make that the top three, as Watford picked up another point, enough to guarantee their playoff place. We've a tough match against Reading on Monday, and I'm not sure we'll get anything from that. The players are tired, and the run in is proving too much for them.

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As predicted, there are some very, very tired players on Monday night when Reading arrive. I can only make so many changes without completely disrupting the team, so in come Ommel and Peters up front, and Cameron and Friars in midfield. I fear the worse, as Reading will be fresh, having not played on Saturday.

A quiet start in front of 6472 fans, many of them sharing my fears if the atmosphere is anything to go by, but they're livened up by a crashing long range drive from Mark Peters. The youngster always seems to pull a goal out of nowhere when given an opportunity! Time to defend. Even though we're at home, I'm happy now to sit back and soak up Reading pressure, counter attacking whenever the opportunity arises. Reading struggle to break down our defences, and when they do they either blast over the bar, or Hulse is on hand to pluck the ball safely out of the air. This sees us through to halftime, but we're by no means safe yet.

More of the same, I demand at half time, and the second half starts with Reading peppering our goal. Hulse pulls off a fingertip save from Newton, and Butler hits the bar soon after, before I decide to make another tactical change. The three midfielders are pulled back into a more withdrawn role, and Ommel is replace by Hill, who will operate as a link between the midfield and loan striker Peters. A restart after Butler had again hit a shot too high saw Hill collect the ball, control well and feed the ball into the area in front of Peters. Another crashing left footed shot from the youngster and we were 2-0 up! Virtually home and hosed, Darius Henderson permitting. Fortunately our nemesis of the previous meeting was held back, and by the time he came on in the 81st minute it was too late. Talk about an unexpected result! Mark Peters got the man of the match award, undoubtably one of the most deserved of the season.

Division 2 Game 43. 18th April 2005.
Stalybridge 2 Reading 0 Peters 11,63

A draw for Watford, and a win for Peterborough, but it's missed fixtures that are complicating the table now. The Vans Trophy was on Sunday, and Northampton were involved. They missed both Easter weekend league fixtures, and Peterborough missed one of them. Some celebrations are in order for the knackered players, though, as along with Bristol City we've guaranteed at least a playoff place.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">********************************************* ************************************************** * English Second Division - Monday 18th April 2005********************************************** ************************************************** ================================================== ============================================== 2004/5 Table============================================= ================================================== =Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Pl Northampton 41 14 5 2 35 14 13 2 5 43 27 88 2nd Pl Peterborough 42 12 5 5 33 22 14 2 4 42 23 85 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd Pl STALYBRIDGE 43 13 7 2 41 21 11 3 7 39 29 82 4th Pl Watford 43 16 4 1 41 18 8 5 9 35 30 81 5th Pl Bristol C 43 15 4 3 44 23 8 8 5 31 26 81 6th Reading 42 14 4 2 50 25 9 4 9 39 38 77 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</pre>

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Wins by Northampton and Peterborough in midweek almost tie up the automatic promotion places. Mathematically we can still do it, but it needs three wins for us, and no more than two points for Peterborough from the last three games. Saturday, then, sees us visiting neighbours Oldham in a trip to the last chance saloon. It's as important for them as it is for us, as they're only one place outside the relegation zone. Quite a difference in fortune for two clubs promoted last season! Mark Peters retains his place, with Kitson replacing Ommel. Harris and Browne come in in their usual berths. Oldham have Smart and Tipton up front still, along with Liverpool youngster Stewart Greacen at left back. Old friend Matt Williamson is still nowhere near getting first team action, and has played only five reserve games this season.

Bill Browne's game was short lived, as he hobbled off after only 5 minutes, being replaced by Friars. Other than that, I was pleased with the way we started. The attacking link up was smooth and the only thing stopping us taking an early lead was the Oldham keeper van Dijk, who had been a royal pain in the arse in our last meeting! Perseverance bore fruit though, when Acuña's 23rd minute cross found Kitson's head, and with a little help from the post we took the lead. Oldham thought they had an equaliser just after the half hour mark, but the linesman came to our rescue again. Van Dijk continued to perform miracles to keep Oldham in the game, as we peppered the goal in the minutes leading up to half time, but on the stroke of the break we could have been back level as Darren Ferguson rattled our crossbar with a stinging half volley.

Half time, and time for a deep breath. An early foul by Friars in the second not only put us under pressure, but earned the midfielder a yellow card. Nothing came from that particular freekick, but shortly afterwards, a set piece in our favour saw Peters stepping up to strike a sweet shot past the sprawling Oldham keeper from some way out. 2-0, and just the job of holding on now. Hulse did what was asked of him, keeping out a shot from Ferguson, whilst Kitson tried to increase his personal tally at the other end, and as time ticked away Elgert and Bastow joined in to ease tired legs. Oldham gave up the ghost, and looked a team destined for relegation. Good riddance!

Division 2 Game 44. 23rd April 2005.
Oldham 0 Stalybridge 2 Kitson 23 Peters 52

Northampton seal promotion, and virtually the championship, with a 1-0 win at Port Vale, whilst Watford do us a favour, with Peterborough conspiring to press the self destruct button as the Hornets beat Posh 3-2. Darlington join Wigan in the definitely relegated category.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st P Northampton 43 14 5 2 35 14 15 2 5 45 27 94 2nd Pl Peterborough 44 12 5 5 33 22 15 2 5 46 26 88 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd Pl STALYBRIDGE44 13 7 2 41 21 12 3 7 41 29 85 4th Pl Watford 44 17 4 1 44 20 8 5 9 35 30 84 5th Pl Bristol C 44 15 4 3 44 23 8 9 5 33 28 82 6th Pl Reading 44 14 5 3 50 26 9 4 9 39 38 78 </pre>
Meanwhile, Bill Browne will miss the next game, if not the last of the season as well, with a thigh injury.

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Ah, the wonderful world of football management! after being sacked by Birmingham back in December 2003, and being out of work since, Trevor Francis is re-employed by the blues. And a midweek point for Northampton (against Oldham) is enough to win them the league! Looking at the run in, Peterborough have a tough time ahead. They are set to play 6th placed Reading and 8th placed Oxford, whilst we have Rushden (20th) and Sheffield United (15th). Watford's is about equal to ours, if we slip up!

Batty is fit for Rushden's visit, but Hulse retains his place. It's only fair to give the lad a run, since he's done so well under pressure. Similarly, Peters retains his place alongside Kitson. In fact, the only change is the introduction of Friars for the injured Browne.

Only 10 empty seats at the Bower Fold, but the fans will go home frustrated. We should have had a goal inside the first 26 minutes, but once John Elliot had been sent off for a deliberate hand ball (outside the box ) we really, really should have taken advantage. It was not to be, mostly due to poor finishing as from 13 shots we only hit the target 5 times. Very poor, and it's probably the playoffs now.

Division 2 Game 45. 30th April 2005.
Stalybridge 0 Rushden 0 (Rushden's John Elliot sent off, 26)

It is the playoffs, as Peterborough beat Reading 4-2. We've also set a new record in the division, with 47 yellow cards and 3 reds for the season! Dirty Stalybridge B*stards! Northampton's Kevin Broadhurst wins the manager of the month award, surprisingly for the first time in the season. The player's award goes to Oxford's Ian Stonebridge, who we know well, whilst Bristol City's Ben Carr picks up his second consecutive young player award.