retired_areg

Great result in the 1st season!

It took me twice as long to win north conference with motormen. I'm in the 6th season now (flying quite high for me), still playing one player from initial squad (he is a captain).

How your keepers are doing ? What's with finances ?

retired_karenscholtz

Dittmer has generally been my number one and the finances look good. The two player sales helped a lot and I kept to my wage budget-ish.

-----------

2005-2006 Conference National

I come back refreshed from my two weeks on holiday and get straight back into the thick of things. Cumiskey, Robertson, Norman, Fensome and Nesbitt have announced that this will be their final season. Rob Lawton is announced as the Fans' Player of the Year and the board tell me that we just need to avoid relegation this season. To help me with this they have taken the £100k for TV rights and given me a £40k transfer budget. With the club in the black to the tune of £230,000 I thought they might have been a bit more generous.

The search begins in earnest.
In
==
Joe Tillen (DL) Free
Sean Evans (AML) Free
Carl Finnigan (SC) Free
Scott Rogers (AMC) Free
Ciaran Donnelly (MC) Loan
Tom Laws (DC) Free
Michael Allan (ML) Free

Out
===
Hilton (Gk) Free
Peter Spacey (DC) Free

H 3-1 Chelsea Reserves (Lawton, Porter, Finnigan)
H 2-1 AFC Sudbury (Hart, Finnigan)
H 5-0 BAT Sports (Hart (3), Griffiths, Molloy)
A 0-2 Altrincham

The Chelsea Reserves game looks impressive until you see their team. Only Carlton Cole is a player of any real note and he got no service. Having looked at the teams in the Conference National I don't think they are much better than the teams we left behind. Hopefully the avoid relegation nonsense will work to our advantage. Which suckers will take us for a soft touch this season? The bookies have us at 33-1 for promotion, I'll have some of that. Obviously through people who cannot be traced back to me, we wouldn't want an FA hearing on this one...

http://www.rvhchessclub.co.uk/061204...ion%20odds.JPG

Hopefully the Altrincham result will remind players not to take anyone lightly. If we are to have a good season there can be no let up.

An audacious bid for last year's loanee's is a partial success as McNally comes on loan. Smyth is reluctant to join, perhaps because Lawton received the player of the year award. I knew that'd come back to haunt us.


H 1-0 Newport County (Griffiths)

The league season begins. Someone wakes me just before half time to tell me that Griffiths has scored. All I can think is that the paint looks so pretty. Zzzzz. I manage to keep my eyes open for the 2nd half and make a note to send Finnigan on some shooting training. Or have him shot, I'm so tired....

Three points saves Carl from 'the squad' but he doesn't realise his luck, laughing and joking during training with the lads. Watch your step laddie, watch your step.

H 5-0 Barnet (Molloy, Hart, Finnigan (2), Jones)

Molloy, from a corner, has me screaming in delight. There are few men in the world who can profess such a claim. Up front the 1-on-1 situation is an embarrassment at times but Hart finally hits a second. Finnigan hits his first Motormen goal of his career with 5 minutes left but by then victory is assured. 4 minutes of injury time allow Jones to magically score and then Finnigan to hit his second!

A 0-1 Burton

Dittmer is the busiest player on the park at HT as Burton control things. My HT teamtalk is derisory of menswear but to no avail as Burton take the lead on 75 mins. Our first defeat of the season, how will the lads take it. How will my drinks cabinet take it is more of an issue as I step out to the offie.

A 1-1 Tamworth (Griffiths)

I see now why we are relegation favourites. Tamworth controlled the game from midfield. Griffiths scores from nowhere on 60 mins but we are penned back for the rest of the game. 15 mins later they equalise and better finishing would have earned them 3 points.

H 2-1 Grays (Lawton, Hart)

A battle of champions. North v South. Hazard v Main. George v Orry. You get the picture. Lawton steals the ball in the 2nd half and pushes us into the lead. Hart hits the bar seconds later before doubling our lead within five minutes. Wimbledon style football pegs one back but it isn't enough. The "union" is preserved. Five games gone and we sit 5th, just 2 points shy of the lead.

retired_karenscholtz

A 3-2 Exeter (Jones, Griffiths, Evans)

5th play 20th so you know what that means, 0 points for us...probably. The team seem to play like this until Jones breaks the offside trap and finishes superbly. 3 minutes later and Exeter are level :o( Griffiths restores our lead but again they are back on terms within minutes. What is going on? Sean Evans scores his first for the club with 10 minutes left, just enough time to lose this lead...

But no, a Dean Moxey right hook on Molloy earns him a straight red and we held on against their 10 men!

As you are probably aware, I'm none too impressed with performances this season (Barnet aside). A few players seem to think they are on easy street. That might be true if easy street leads to the dole queue. Maybe I'm being too harsh, no-one is playing that badly, just no-one at the back is really playing that well either.

A 0-2 Aldershot

Having moved up to 3rd we now get to play 2ns placed Aldershot. This should tell us where our amibtions should really lie this season. We just shade the first half, just, but at 0-0 that doesn't really matter. They carve us open within a minute of the restart, a wonderful move that I can't blame on anyone. With Molloy struggling a few changes are made but the net result is a second for Aldershot. I'm actually not to annoyed that we lost. I can see a few areas that need to be improved upon and maybe rest some players. Early days yet

H 1-0 Woking (Finnigan)

Another game against a team doing well. Finnigan gets his first start and is unlucky not to score straight away and hits the post seconds later. MacAuley is injured in a vicious challenge but all I can do is send on a left-back to fill the right-back slot. Finnigan heads us in front from the resultant free-kick, and I hear the physio mumble something about clouds and silver linings. A goalmouth scramble ends as Griffiths thumps one against the post when it was easier to score. I haul him off sharpish before he annoys me anymore. By tightening up in midfield we ride out the rest of the game with no further incident. MacAuley is out for 4 weeks, a chance for someone to step into the limelight

H 0-3 Stevenage

The corner is swung in, total chaos and it's stuck in the back of the net. Our net. 7 minutes later and it's two. A good start to the 2nd half doesn't result in goals and within seconds of making our substitutions we are 3-0 down, Jason Goodliffe with a free-kick from just outside our box. This is looking like a season of ups and downs

A 0-5 Morecombe

A shocking error from Dittmer allows Morecambe an early lead. Griffiths argues with the ref and is sent off! What are these guys doing? Chris Blackburn doubles their lead just before the break and Twiss adds a third just after. Hunter and Bentley add 4 and 5 in what turns into a thrashing. Griffiths gets an official warning for his sending off and I look to shake the team up for the next game

H 1-1 Notts Co (Finnigan)

Relegated last year and with Chris Kamara at the helm, I'm not sure what to expect from them. Then again, I'm not sure what to expect from us! Our midfield take control and we start creating chances again. Finnigan slots one home after a great pass from Jones. Seconds after making changes and they equalise. Evans, having come on, gets a 2. Overall though, a better performance

I'm linked with the AFC Bournemouth (24th in League Two) job by the media but my would I want to leave? The job here is far from complete

H 2-0 Leighton (Finnigan(2)) FA Cup 4th Rd Qual

A confidence boosting win perhaps? Finnigan scores from a corner after prolonged pressure. We press and press but their keeper is having a stormer. With the defence being untroubled all game it comes as no surprise that Finnigan gets his second just before the final whistle and we are safely through.

AFC Bournemouth chairman Peter Phillips obvious doesn't read the papers. Offering me a transfer budget that is less than half what I already had was supposed to tempt me. I wasn't tempted and tell him that I'm staying put. I can't see us getting promoted this season so it'll be nice to test ourselves against them next season

11 games gone and we sit 7th, 5 points from the leaders and 5 points from relegation. The run up to Christmas will decide where we fight it out

retired_karenscholtz

A 1-0 Halifax (Donnelly)

Lawton has a bright opening half and it is him who sets up the first goal. Making the most of a deflection he runs to the byline and chips the ball far post where Donnelly is waiting to head home. Finnigan is taken off after making very little of the half dozen chances he has had. His replacement is sent off for 2 bookable offences within 10 minutes. Even with no-one up front we look the more likely side to score but I'm happy with 1-0

H 2-0 Blyth (Tillen, Connell) FA Cup 1st Rd

The magic of the FA Cup 1st round is ours for the first time as manager of the Motormen. A tense first half is broken as there is a surge into the box and a left foot shot is rifled into the net. I struggle to see who it is and suddenly realise that it's Tillen who has made the surge, all the way from left back. Darren Connell comes on after an hour and scores within a minute. The ball is cleared from their corner to him, he turns his marker and surges away to knock one in from all of 15 yards. A sensational goal. Gareth Hooper is taken off injured but should be back within a week.

In a semi-shock move, David Raven has joined on a three month loan from Liverpool.

A 2-1 Carlisle (Cowen (OG), Connell)

Carlisle have a man sent off after 15 minutes and don't want to come out and play. They survive until just after the break when Cowen turns a Rob Lawton cross into his own net and then Connell skips past the keeper to make it 2. Fox fires a late consolation goal but by then it was too late

H 2-0 Bury (Lawton, Nesbitt)

The first half draws to a close with a 30 yard Rob Lawton screamer into the corner. It came from nothing and caught the Bury keeper off-guard. Finnigan comes on and misses a good chance in the air. I hope we aren't made to pay. Nesbitt is pushed in the back as he is about to score and we get a penalty. Nesbitt steps us himself and tucks it away. I'm much happier with how we are playing now. It isn't just about the results but more that we aren't allowing ourselves to get pinned in our own half and are taking the fight to the opposition.

Our win takes us to fourth and only one point off the leaders. With 26 points we are over halfway towards my target of 50 points to avoid relegation. Like the football cliché goes, anything else is a bonus.

A 1-3 Leigh RMI (Connell)

Twenty minutes of controlled football is rewarded with a goal in our net. We keep up the pressure and Connell is rewarded when he latches onto a defensive mistake. Four minutes after the restart and we are behind again. Roscoe doubles their lead soon after and despite creating clear cut chances we go down 3-1

H 1-0 Crawley (Evans)

Within 20 minutes referee John Holbrook has shown my side 3 yellow cards, 2 of which go to Ashley Jones. What is going on? We defend and defend, sometimes surviving more by luck than skill, and then the ball breaks kindly to Evans with 2 minutes left. He hurdles a rash challenge and is clear in on goal....he scores!

H 4-0 Tiverton (Connell(3), Hart) FA Cup 2nd Rd

A chance to meet the big boys awaits the winners of this tie. Personally I'd also like revenge for handing me my first ever defeat, even if it was just a friendly. 2 minutes in and Connell puts us in front. It's not 10 minutes played when he doubles our lead and still we press forward. Sean Evans seems on a self-destruct course as he gets two talkings to from the ref, then gets a yellow and then gets sent off. All in the space of five minutes. We see out the half and then continue attacking. It seems like Tiverton have the 10 men and our bravery is rewarded when Connell hits his hat-trick. I bring Hart on instead of him to keep him fresh for the league. Goal kick, one bounce and Hart scores with what seems his first touch to cap a 4-0 win. I hope the draw is kind...

ECQPRv Vauxhall MotorsCon

is the line I see pop up on BBC News. Not bad I think, not bad at all.

H 3-1 Canvey Island (Connell (3))

A half of few chances until Paul Norman shoves Doyle in the box and Doyle steps up himself to take the lead. Tunnacliffe threads a ball through to Connell, who has played well, to restore parity. Sterling gets a straight red for taking Connell out when clean through on goal. Hopefully we can convert this man advantage. Connell with an outrageous effort does just that. A few half-chances lead to nothing until Porter, playing out of position on the right wing, overhits a ball to Connell at the far post. A huge leap ends with it nestling in the corner and his hat-trick.

In other news, Alex Ferguson has been sacked by Manchester United after leading them to Premiership obscurity in 12th, a small matter of 15 points behind current leaders Tottenham. It is slightly unfair as they have four games in hand.

A 1-2 Dag & Red (Connell)

With a homer ref being assigned to this game, it was no surprise to see Dag & Red awarded a penalty within 6 minutes. Connell, who else, cancels it out ten minutes later and we spend the rest of the half in our own box. Blackett restores their lead just after the break and instead of searching for an equaliser we are forced to continue defending. Out played we get what we deserve

A 3-3 Hereford (Lawton, Spellman, Allan)

Surprisingly against our promotion rivals we control the first half. Numerous chances are wasted and it isn't until Michael Allan goes on a mazy dribble and crosses for Lawton to head home that we take the lead. 10 minutes into the 2nd half and it is a similar story, Tunnacliffe crosses and Gareth Spellman pops up to score his first for the club. Totally against the run of play Dan Tolley heads one in and the game chances. A 30 yard strike confirms this as Hereford draw level. 7 minutes from time Lawton returns the favour for Allan and we snatch all 3 points. So we think, in extra time Kinsella makes a great save but the ball breaks loose and Hereford steal a point

H 2-0 York (Spellman, Hart)

Spellman scores in consecutive gamesto give us the lead. He almost adds a second but shoots just wide. With chances at a premium, Michael Allan misses an open goal after rounding the keeper. Paul Hart doesn't make the same mistake in injury time when a free kick is parried straight to him. 2-0 at home on Boxing Day? I'll take that

A 3-3 Forest Green (Connell (2), MacAuley)

Connell has been kept quiet in the last two games but gets back on track after just 6 minutes, Lawton with the assist. When Spellman is upended in the box Carl MacAuley steps up to score his first goal for the club. The bad news is that Spellman had to be carried off. Just before HT Joe Tillen hoofs one away from left back. With the bounce deceiving the defender, Connell latches on and gives us a surely unstoppable lead. Roberts pulls one back on the hour and when Griffen heads in it leaves a nervous last 20 minutes. Adams scores with 4 minutes left to leave me in shock. This must be a dream, Forest Green are bottom of the league with 6 points from 20 games and argh! Extra training for the lads tomorrow I think, a lot of extra training

It's almost New Year's Eve and I spend my time sorting out contracts. Most of the squad are refusing to sign or are retiring at the end of the season. I have my work cut out building a squad for next season. I'll have to try to persuade one or two to sign on for another season.

A 1-2 Barnet (Nesbitt)

When Connell hits the post early on I have a flashback to the 5-0 drubbing we gave them earlier in the season. That won't happen again...will it? Connell hits the bar and Nesbitt finishes the rebound to give us a deserved lead but Clist scores on the stroke of HT. Bailey gives them the lead and I really do despair. We seem unable to hold a lead recently.

A 0-2 QPR FA Cup 3rd Rd

The biggest game of the season to date sees us travel to Loftus Road with no expectation of anything other than defeat. We hang on for half an hour until a QPR corner is headed home by Cureton. Despite a few half chances we never really threaten and the game is sealed by a dubious penalty.

A 2-1 Newport (Connell, Allan)

We look threatening on the break and so it proves as Connell finds the corner when 1-on-1. Our magnificent(!) defence holds the lead for all of 5 minutes. Michael Allan goes on a magical run, beating four players and scoring with his other foot to puts us back in front. Nothing that we don't deserve I may add. Having missed some chances to make the game safe I begin to get nervous and can see the players doing the same. Despite a late scare we cling on to our lead and now lie 6th

http://www.rvhchessclub.co.uk/101204/league.JPG

retired_karenscholtz

A 1-3 Stevenage (Connell) FA Trophy 3rd Rd

Cup action again as we are away for the 7th time in the last 8 matches. Connell doesn't seem to mind as he gives us an early lead which, stereotypically, it wiped out within minutes. A dull 2nd half is livened up by Stevenage scoring a few seconds after we have a corner. I change formation and stick on Hart as a second striker. We create chance after chance and magically put them all high over the bar. Near the end, a Stevenage shot hits the bar and falls kindly to Nurse who ensures victory for Stevenage. No cup glory this year

H 2-1 Tamworth (Donnelly, Connell)

Our attempt to get back on track falters in the first 5 mins as we fall behind. Donnelly pounces on a fumble by the keeper and confidence seems restored. Seconds later Connell gives us an unlikely lead and we finish the half strongly. The game is almost put to bed when Lawton sneaks through on goal but his tame effort is easily saved. McDermott is taken off injured leaving us with only 10 men as we had already used all our subs. He'll be back in a few days

A 1-3 Grays (Hart)

Our away form shows up again and it isn't a welcome sight. Missing a few half chances, we are punished not once but twice in the 1st half and it's a long road back. Finally my substitutions have some effect as Hart pulls one back. It's "game one" for a full 3 minutes, as Grays go right back up and score. WTF is going on??

H 2-0 Burton (Hart, Allan)

A boring game with nothing happening is brought to life by sub Paul Hart jinking round the keeper and slotting one home. Chance after chance is created but the finishing wasn't quite up to scratch. Finaly Michael Allan beats four players, at least, on an impressive dribble and fires one in low at the near post. The whistle sounds immediately and our home form has returned.

H 1-0 Exeter (Allan)

A totally uninspired performance by both sides is transformed by the introduction of Michael Allan. The winger proceeds to go on a number of mazy dribbles that, although fruitless, raise the spirit in the side. A neat one two with Hart sends him clear and he finishes cooly to ensure that we remain 4th and have now narrowed the gap to the leaders. With 15 games left a gap of 5 points is nothing.

Just to contrast our home and away form,

PldWDLFAPts
Home131111237342nd best record in the league
Away144371929157th best record in the league

A 4-2 Woking (Connell (3), Allan)

And so the run continues Connell brings us level 10 minutes later and a fine shot puts us in front. I've barely stopped celebrating when he completes his hat-trick. Unreal. We dominate but seem unable to pull further ahead and we could be punished as Woking pull one back from a corner. A tricky 15 minutes lies ahead until Allan punishes a poor clearance and we've scored 4 away from home. We leapfrog Woking into 3rd and set our sights on Hereford and Aldershot who are above us. Amazing how one away win can boost your confidence. Next up Aldershot at our place

H 3-0 Aldershot (Jones, Farley (OG), Lawton)

With morale on a high we pin Aldershot back for the opening 20 minutes, Darren Connell missing the best of the chances, but at HT there is nothing between us. Connell shoots from a Lawton cross and the keeper makes a good save but can only parry the ball to Lawton. Another good cross, this time to Jones, is met by a firm volley and we grab the lead. That is doubled in minutes as another Lawton cross is turned into his own net by Adam Farley. It didn't really matter as Connell was waiting to tap it home. Lawton finally gets on the scoresheet as his own shot is blocked by a defender but rebounds into his path and he makes no mistake the second time. That's one match-ball he is definitely taking home

http://www.rvhchessclub.co.uk/121204/prediction.JPG

A 3-5 Stevenage (MacAuley, Connell, Donnelly)

With David Raven's load deal expiring tomorrow the last thing I wanted was Liverpool to block the renewal. Twice we took the lead and twice we were pegged back. A 3rd minute penalty was cancelled out by a dubious dive in our area and then Connell's 19th of the season is wiped out Anthony Elding all of 3 minutes later. A second dodgy penalty kills us in the 2nd minute of the 2nd half and heads drop. They score number 4 and then get awarded their third penalty! FFS. Donnelly smashes in a superb free-kick but it's merely a consolation.

With Raven leaving there is only one option open to me, take Zak Whitbread on loan instead!

H 3-1 Morecombe (Donnelly, Connell, Finnigan)

Morale is through the floor for this one and so a draw would suit me here. Donnelly has other ideas as he hits one from just outside the box after a well worked move. We break down the right and Lawton croses to find Connell just arriving and we are two up! We carve Morecambe open but it isn't until the last minute that we get out 3rd, Finnigan chipping the keeper. Morecambe hit a consolation in injury time. Whitbread is MOM on his debut

H 2-1 Carlisle (Connell, Finnigan)

Connell puts us in front mid-way through the 1st half and is no more than we deserved. Yet another corner is our un-doing as Carlisle score. In the final 10 minutes, Michael Allan goes on a (now typically) surging run and is pushed down in the box. Finnigan converts the penalty. Finnigan then proceeds to miss at least 3 clear chances when through on the keeper but we no more goals at either end it doesn't actually matter.

A 0-0 Notts Co

With County having all the pressure but being unable to score they eventually resort to kicking tactics and we see out the game with 10 men after both Tunnacliffe (subbed) and Molloy are injured. At least we haven't lost again away from home

H 5-0 Halifax (Connell (2), Lawton, Hutchinson, MacAuley)

Spellman robs a Halifax midfielder in possession, slides a ball through for Connell who does the rest. I'm too busy cheering to notice Lawton slam in a second. The 2nd half follows the same path and we hit a third when a Whitbread free-kick is hit to the edge of the box, Connell controls and in one motion spins and fires it home. Our fourth is a rarity as Hutchinson heads home direct from a corner. Having made all three subs, Halifax sustain an injury and are down to 10 men. Ten minutes later that is 8 as Bushell and Killen are sent off for second bookable offences. The 90th minute doesn't see the end of their woes as Connell is pushed in the area and MacAuley steps up to make it 5.

Aldershot won but Hereford lost so it is very tight at the top. With 8 games left I'm 1 point behind the joint leaders but with an inferior goal difference

A 2-1 Bury (Connell, Donnelly)

5 minutes gone and we're 1-0 down. Hello Mr Away Form. Right on HT Connell hits back after 40 minutes of what seems like constant pressure by us. Another break-away sees Connell's shot saved by the keeper but with Donnelly following up we take a vital chance. Bury press forward in search of an equaliser but it is us that look more likely to score. With neither side taking chances we come away with the rarest of things, an away win.

Aldershot lose but Hereford win so win remain 1 point behind but have now moved into second place

H 3-2 Leigh RMI (Connell, Spellman, Evans)

An early goal by Darren Connell settles the nerves in what could be a tricky tie. Spellman soon adds a second is what is turning out to be a very comfortable match so far. No sooner have I spoken than they score. Evans restores our advantage and hopefully that is the end of it. A late goal by Downey from a corner gives them hope that they can salvage a point. A last ditch tackle by MacAuley saves us and we run out the clock.

I'm temporarily top of the league as Hereford are away to Aldershot mid-week. A 2-2 draw leaves me ecstatic as the title is now entirely in our own hands as we sit atop the Conference National

A 3-1 Crawley (Finnigan (3))

A nervous start is followed by better football until both Connell and Whitbread are carried off with less than half an hour gone. Crawley, of course, take full advantage to go into the lead but Finnigan muscles his way through to score. Into the 2nd half and he somehow squeezes past the defender and slides it between the keeper and the post for an amazing goal. Having just made my final substitution I notice that Finnigan has taken a knock. I hope he will be alright. He doesn't seem affected as he runs into the box and thumps one against the post, so close...so close. Route one brings him his hat-trick as he cleverly deals with the bouncing ball and taps it into an empty net. Hopefully the physio has good news.

Whitbread is out for 2 weeks and his loss can be covered. Connell is out for 3 months which is the rest of the season. How can we cope without him? 5 games left and we have managed to stretch our lead to 4 points. It is scant consolation for the loss of our main striker. Peterborough United have sacked Barry Fry. Currently lying 23rd in League One they look certain to go down. Apparently I am the odds on favourite to take over at the helm but have denied that I have any interest. I would like to see what they'd offer me, but there is no way I would take the job.

H 2-0 Dag & Red (Lawton, Spellman)

An even first half has chances for both sides. Sean Evans puts in a good cross and Lawton times his jump well to head home. Finnigan gets pushed in the area and MacAuley steps up to fire it home...but the keeper saves it! How crucial will that turn out to be. Paul Hart comes on and has an immediate impact, his shot cleared off the line. It's his cross that is headed home by Spellman to give us all 3 points.

We're guaranteed a play-off place but that is not enough for me. Aldershot have dropped off slightly with another defeat but Hereford are still there, four points back. Their visit to us in a few weeks is looking more vital with each passing day.

A 0-2 Canvey Island

We dominate early on but it's Canvery Island who take the lead, scoring from a free-kick. They double their lead from a corner and we are on the back-foot. Some of our guys are playing really well but it just isn't happening for them. Slightly unlucky but that's football

Checking the other scores for today I see Hereford and Aldershot both lost. That is exactly what I needed to hear.

In a shock move, Plymouth Argyle offer me the manager's job at Home Park. With £3.6m in transfer money and scope for additional wages within the budget it sounds very tempting. With 4 games left they are 3rd in League One and pushing for promotion. I'd be a liar if I said that I wasn't interested but the thought of winning a title with my guys, the Motormen, is too much and I turn down Paul Stapleton's offer. See you in a few years Paul.

H 0-0 Hereford

The chance to win the title and we blew it. Controlling the game from start to finish we missed chance after chance. Finnigan and Lawton were the guilty parties but special mention goes to Paul Hart who missed a penalty with 5 minutes left after Sean Evans was bundled over in the area.

A 0-5 York

I wonder why York are not top of the league on this kind of performance. They totally outclass us and go in at HT 2-0 up. The 2nd half is a blur of red as they tear us apart. 16 shots (6 on target) and 5 goals.

A Hereford draw leaves us needing at least a draw to win the title. If we lose and Hereford win they they would become champions on goal difference. We are at home to Forest Green (already relegated as bottom side in Conference National) while Hereford are away to mid-table Bury

H 4-1 Forest Green (Evans, Finnigan (3))

It's a nervous performance by us as we try to win the title. Sean Evans calms things done with a mazy dribble and shot for the first goal. That settles us and we press for a second. Forest Green hit us on the break and win a corner. Their only one of the half ends in a goal. I'm gutted. Five minutes later I'm in heaven as Carl Finnigan smashes one home to restore the lead. With the Hereford game not kicking off til later, all we can do is go out and win this game

We are living on the break at the moment and are creating chances but not converting. With 20 minutes left I make my final substitutions. One final roll of the dice for this season. Jones' cross is too deep but is kept in play by Lawton. Rob swings one far post where Jones heads it back across goal and Finnigan slides it into the empty net. 3-1 surely we've done it. A poor goal kick is headed back by Hutchinson to Finnigan. He turns, beats his man and curls one into the corner. The celebrations start immediately as we are now CHAMPIONS! Hereford won but now have to pick themselves up for the play-offs.

Canvey Island win the play-offs and their manager wins the Manager of the Year. I am mentioned nowhere despite our shock title win. With last year's champions Gravesend coming straight back down and Scarborough narrowly avoiding relegation, I decide that next year will be the hardest so far. Not getting relegated will be the task and I hope I am up to it.

A new sponsership deal is announced that is worth £12.5k a season for 2 years. The board have given me £35k of a transfer budget for the coming season. My over-spending on wages must have worried them. The majority of my squad are refusing to sign new contracts. I may have to replace most of them in a few weeks which may not be easy.

Time to relax and take a couple of weeks off. Next up, League Two...

http://www.rvhchessclub.co.uk/121204/league.JPG

retired_karenscholtz

2006 - 2007 English League Two

The Fans' Player of the Year went to Darren Connell although I'm sure Rob Lawton wasn't too far off when the votes were counted. The board have taken the £230k given to us for TV rights and decided that I can have £35k of a transfer fund. I
can use this to bravely battle relegation and I may need every penny.

In
==
Nick Smith (AMC) - Free
Liam Lake (DR) - Free
John Sutton (DC) - Free
Richard Jones (MC) - Free

Out
===
Band - Retired
Cumiskey - Retired
Nesbitt - Retired
Fensome - Retired
Robertson - Retired
Norman - Retired
Wright - Free
McDermott - Free
Rogers - Free
Pritchard - Free
Garvey - Free

Our most important signings of the summer were Connell and Lawton. Both signed deals that will tie them to the club for one more season. The board temporarily raised the wage limit but quickly dropped it again so I'm finding it hard to bring in the right level of players.

H 0-2 Chesterfield
H 0-0 BAT Sports
H 4-0 Alsager (Connell (2), Evans, Finnigan)
H 0-1 QPR

A series of friendlies doesn't really look as good as I'd hoped. Chesterfield finished 4th in League One last year so it isn't that bad, we played BAT Sports just as my new pre-season fitness program kicked in, a 4-0 win over Alsager raised spirits and a 1-0 (close fought) loss to QPR allowed me to test out a tweaked tactic for away games. We need to improve that away form somewhat.

In other news...

World Cup Final
Brazil 0 - 1 Italy (Zambrotta)

When you join a new division it can be hard to tell where you are supposed to be in the table. I wouldn't be too sad if the bookies were right on this one.

http://www.rvhchessclub.co.uk/151204...ion%20odds.JPG

A 3-4 Rochdale (Hooper (2), Connell)

The second minute of League Two and we fall behind. Oh dear. Hooper scores for us on 15 mins but we quickly trail again. That man Hooper scores his second but the defence is in tatters as Rocdale scores number 3. Connell gets off the mark before HT to end 45 minutes of intense action. The second half doesn't live up to the exploits of the first and just as I think we've taken a point, Rochdale counter and score number 4. Heartbreaking

H 1-1 Leyton Orient (Connell)

Early pressure pays off as Connell scores after 7 minutes. Orient hit back within 10 minutes and I don't know what to do with this defence. A tight game where players seem to be lacking something. For Sean Evans it was a cutting edge as he spurned two glorious chances in the 2nd half. A point is a point though and we're off the mark.

A 3-3 Mansfield (Connell, Evans (2))

A pulsating half just like Rochdale. Well not just like Rochdale as we end up on top at the break. From 1-0 down in the opening 4 minutes to being 2-1 up after 8, it was a half of non-stop action. Mansfield scored their 2nd mid-way through the half before Sean Evans bagged his 2nd of the game to send us in front. Sutton pushes someone over and the sixth goal of the game is tucked away from the spot. Finnigan rattles the bar late on but it remain 3-3. Three games in and 8 goals conceded.

H 0-1 Peterborough

A free-kick from inside their half is headed in by Tom Laws for the unlikeliest of own goals. This run is shocking. The most boring game ever ends with a Peterborough win despite not registering one shot in the entire game. This is going to be one long season.

A 5-0 Shrewsbury (MacAuley (2), Smith, Hart (2)) League Cup 1st Rd

We race out to a two goal lead thanks to a MacAuley penalty and a late run into the box by Nick Smith, his first goal for the club. MacAuley pops up to head home his second mid-way through the half and we make it to HT with a clean sheet. Paul Hart makes his first appearance of the season and promptly scores two goals in what has turned out to be a thrashing. Our clean sheet is preserved and I may have a glass case made specially for it. It turns out that Shrewsbury are one of the few teams below us in the league! There may be hope yet

A 0-2 Lincoln

Away to one of the current top sides and the story is the same, an early goal for them. We don't look like troubling their keeper and then they hit a 40 yard "screamer" from the touchline. Gutted

H 0-1 Scunthorpe

Another top side come to visit, this time playing 4-2-4 which is a rarity. We dominate the midfield but fail to capitalise and then Nick Smith is sent off just before HT. We continue to control the game well into the 2nd half when it happens, Scunthorpe score, and that is that. This loss has dropped us down to 23rd in the league. It's a long road ahead of us now.

retired_karenscholtz

A 1-5 Gillingham (Hart)

With Dittmer keeping us in the game it's annoying to see MacAuley hit the post with a penalty. Gillingham go in at HT 1-0 up after sustained pressure. They quickly make it two and continue to attack. A Paul Hart penalty is the only bright spot in a torrid 2nd half as we end up conceding five in total and are rooted firmly to the bottom of the table.

With such a run of bad form I'm going back to the tactic that got me here and see if that makes a difference. It does leak goals but it also scores them, maybe it can drag us up the table a bit. My attempts at making a rock solid tactic have failed

H 3-0 Rushden (Connell, Jones, Lawton)

Even the coach driver's morale was low for the visit of the league leaders. We can see why they are top during the first 45 minutes as they don't let us out of our half. A rare break-away is capped by Connell smashing one home. A Lawton cross is met by Ashley Jones for his first of the season and then a third counter-attack sees Lawton score himself as Rushden push forward. An amazing victory

A 2-0 Stoke (Connell, Lawton) League Cup 2nd Rd

We travel to League One Stoke and weather the early storm. As the half wears on we come more and more into it and are unlucky when Jones' shot is cleared off the line. That evens itself out when Connell somehow stumbles through their defence and squeezes his shot past the keeper. Into the 2nd half and Stoke's well worked free-kick thuds against our post with Dittmer a static observer. Our free-kick is a comedy of errors but it falls to Rob Lawton who chips it into the far corner for a bizarre goal. Lawton seems to have a new lease of life in this formation. Tunnacliffe is out for a week but it's nothing serious. What is serious is two clean sheets in a row. This may become a habit if we're not careful.

A 3-0 Wycombe (Lawton, Jones (2))

Inside 60 seconds Lawton shows why he has been on fire lately with a great run and shot into the corner. A horrible mix-up leaves Jones in on goal and he seems to run straight over their goalie but nothing is given and he taps it into the empty net. Wycombe look a beaten side in the 2nd half and we attack and attack. Connell is pushed over in the box and Jones steps up to score his second of the game. Smith came back for this one and had a very good game in central midfield against a side right down at the bottom with us

H 3-0 Chester (Connell, Jones, Hutchinson) LDV Vans Trophy N 1st Rd

Route one football does for the Chester defence as Connell peels away from his marker to score. Chester come back strongly and we're forced to live on the break. A Chester penalty is saved by Dittmer after Jones handled the ball. Jones makes amends by rifling his shot just inside the post after his marker when walk-about. At times it seems like we have everyone back defending and to be honest we are, but with Chester pushing forward they're only leaving space for us to run into. Connell leads the charge but it's Hutchinson with the finish this time.

H 1-1 Scarborough (Lawton)

They narrowly survived last season and they narrowly survived a few times in the first half. Only a Lawton shot that bounced in off the post was able to beat them in a half we generally controlled. A well struck free-kick beats Dittmer at his near post and they've scored. Suddenly we look nervous and are forced to defend an awful lot more. It ends level which is not what we deserved and I view it as two points dropped against a side we thought that we would beat

Gerry Francis is sacked as Stoke boss and I'm the current favourite for the job. Obviously I don't want it and release a statement saying that. Hopefully the Stoke board will take the hint.

Darren Connell wins Goal of the Month for his effort against Rushden. Lawton was runner-up for his goal against Wycombe

A 3-2 Macclesfield (Connell (2), Evans)

Another relegation candidate and another must win game. It's kick and rush football at it's worst in a tense game. A long ball from MacAuley is well controlled by Connel to open the scoring. The same duo combine for his second before Macclesfield hit back with their own long ball and smart finish. We survive a few scares before Evans cuts in from the right wing to restore our two goal lead. I've barely sat back down and it's 3-2! End to end stuff here but we hang on

H 1-1 Stockport (Finnigan)

With Stockport being reduced to shooting from outside the box it's sad to see their 25 yard free-kick take a wicked deflection and leave the keeper stranded. The introduction of Finnigan and Evans brings us to life and sure enough it's Finnigan who heads home the equaliser from a corner and earn ourselves a point

H 1-0 Huddersfield (Lawton) League Cup 3rd Rd

Lawton is back from injury and scores straight away. We are such a different team with proper wingers. Their keeper messes up a clearance and kicks it straight to Smith. Smith heads it to Finnigan who's unmarked and he tucks it away. But Finnigan was offside, gutted. Thankfully we hold on and put ourselves into the next round. This could turn out to be quite a money spinner. Lawton gets booked and so misses our next match.

The League Cup 4th Rd draw is made and we get the team that I would have picked...Scunthorpe. Hardly a glamour tie but it gives us a decent shot at progressing to the quarter finals and perhaps meeting one of the really big teams.

A 2-3 Kidderminster (Jones, Finnigan)

League Cup blues as we conceed an early goal. Jones equalises after a horrible mistake by their keeper but no harm done as they score straight from kick-off. Connell hits the post and has two other shots saved as Danby makes up for his earlier clanger. I shake things up at HT but Mulligan fires in a third and the next action sees Evans get sent off for two yellows within what seems like five seconds, literally five seconds, of game time. His reaction to a foul earned him a card and his reaction to the card earned him another one. Ridiculous. Finnigan sneaks one past the keeper but it's not enough.

mrsevans7177

Loving this style, kutgw

Next stop league one

retired_karenscholtz

Cheers for that, glad to know someone is actually reading it!

H 1-2 Hartlepool (Finnigan) LDV Vans Trophy N 2nd Rd

Hartlepool are top of League One at the moment and that form shows as they launch wave after wave of attack and finally score just before the break. We come back into it in the 2nd half and Finnigan draws us level but it is not to be. A penalty 4 minutes later when Laws handles in the box seals victory for Hartlepool.

A 1-2 Shrewsbury (Jones)

An early penalty puts us on the back foot but Ashley JOnes strikes a glorious shot and brings us level. This is the signal for us to lie down and not try as the only other action is a Shrewsbury winner 15 minutes from time. We are better than this which is what makes is so frustrating

H 1-2 Scunthorpe (Jones) League Cup 4th Rd

The biggest game of our season and they are playing 4-2-4, risky but it works as they take the lead just before HT. Jones powers one in 10 minutes into the 2nd half but a late goals kills our dreams of QF glory. Our third 2-1 defeat in a row

H 0-3 Swindon FA Cup 1st Rd

Yet more cup action and another goal conceded. Swindon stroke it around like they are Brazil and a long range effort doubles their lead. Swindon quickly get a third and our cup hopes are over for the season. I hope morale is not destroyed by these games though.

H 2-0 Canvey Island (Connell, Jones)

Important games are coming thick and fast as we meet a relegation rival. Canvey were promoted through the play-off system last season but a gritty first half performance shows they are keen to stay up. Connell stuns them with a superb solo effort and Jones' trickery earns us a penalty which he converts himself. It's a long road back and they aren't up to the task.

H 0-0 MK Dons

A first half shot by Lawton that hit the post was the closest either side came to scoring in a dull, boring affair. I'm glad it's over to be honest.

A 2-1 Torquay (Hill (OG), Connell)

We control possession and play some pretty football but fail to be too attacking. Suddenly Jones gets the ball, beats his man and whips in a dangerous cross that is turned into his own net by Kevin Hill. We seem alive again as Connell thunders one against the post and in the confusion we lose the ball. Dittmer finds it in our net 30 seconds later as Martin Phillips helps out his team-mate. Fantastic wing play by Jones gives Connell a route to goal. His shot is well saved but the rebound comes straight back to him and he makes no mistake this time. Torquay have man dismissed for an off the ball incident but it's their lack of an equalise that is what I notice and we leave with three points.

H 2-0 Southend (Spellman, Finnigan)

Connell is twice denied by great saves from the Southend keeper and even at an early stage I wonder will it be our day. As Southend come back into it, it is up to Carl Spellman to hit his first of the season from the edge of the box. A truly wonderful strike. Ashley Jones is having a fantatic game but no-one seems able to finish Southend off. Lawton hits a diagonal ball to Jones who has peeled away from his marker. As the centre back is drawn out he slips it inside to Finnigan who rounds the keeper and scores.

H 4-0 Northampton (Connell (3), Lawton)

An extended break due to cup games taking the fore, and the fact that we aren't in them, ensures that everyone is well rested for this game. We press Northamption back and a Smith through ball leaves Connell with a simple finish and he duly obliges. Connell hits his second with an outstanding effort from 30 yards and completes his hat-trick with a thumping header from a Lawton corner. Connell then turns provider with a superb cross field ball that leaves Lawton in on goal to score number four and cap an excellent team performance.

Amazingly we now sit 11th and are only 5 points away from a play-off spot and 13 from a relegation place. 13 points from the last five games has certainly helped and we are the form team in the division at the moment.

A 3-3 Boston (Connell (3))

A succession of early crosses are just about dealt with but when one is allowed to bounce it causes a mix-up between Laws and Dittmer allowing Boston to score. From a throw in by our own corner flag the ball is hoofed up field to Connell who latches onto it and scores. Minutes later another long ball is played forward and he repeats his trick. I seem to be watching replays as Connell completes a hat-trick in sucessive games with what look like identical goals. Boston don't seem to catch on that they shouldn't be pushing forward and we hit them on the break in succession but Jones and Connell are unable to extend our lead. Referee Rob Martin is getting card happy having shown 7 yellows in just under an hour as I decide to make some changes. With 10 minutes left Brazier pushes over Bennett in the box and he steps up himself to pull Boston within touching distance. Unbelievably they're level within a minute. When a Bennett header bulges the net I'm shattered but Rob Martin rules it out for pushing and I'm ever so relieved. One point gained but two points most certainly lost.

As the DOncaster Rovers job becomes vacant the media have me down as favourite yet again. Are they too stupid to realise that I'm not ready to leave this club yet? Apparently so. Darren Connell seals a deal that will keep him at the club until June 2009. I'm still working on Rob Lawton.

H 2-0 Yeovil (Connell, Finnigan)

Yeovil seemed determined to push forward at the expense of everything else. A combination of poor finishing, good goalkeeping and some last ditch tackles are all that keeps it level up to HT. The 2nd half seems to be going down the same road until Lawton presses the full-back who slips, he grabs the ball and swings in a lovely cross which is forced home by Connell (who else). Yeovil have to press forward even more now and Carl Finnigan catches them cold after a lovely ball by Tillen.

Four days after sacking Brian Talbot, Oldham chairman Barry Chaytow offers me a new job. His offer is quickly refused despite a £600k transfer kitty awaiting me at Boundary Park.

A 2-0 Chester (Connell (2))

With Chester just above the relegation places we fully expect to win. When a shot comes flying back off our post I'm not quite as certain but a Darren Connell goal settles my nerves. Connell and Dittmer are our busiest players as we either are hitting them on the break or are keeping them out. Connell gets his second of the afternoon and we hold out to add even more pressure onto the shoulders of Chester manager Ian Rush.

Rob Lawton finally agrees a new contract of £500 a week as we move up to 10th place and within 3 points of a play-off spot.

http://www.rvhchessclub.co.uk/171204/league.JPG

retired_karenscholtz

H 0-0 Bournemouth

A quiet first half with neither side wanting to make the first mistake and the second half followed the same pattern. We probably created the better chances but they weren't clear cut and a draw is a fair result

H 0-0 Rochdale

A game where we dominate but don't seem to take our chances. Jones did put the ball into the net once but it was ruled out when the ref spotted a push in the back. We've played two of the top sides in succession and we've done ok. If we can continue to take points from the leaders then maybe we can push on towards the end of the season against the strugglers

A 5-4 Leyton Orient (Connell (5))

Two quick goals from Orient catch us cold but Connell shows he's awake with a typical Motormen goal...except that it's disallowed for offside. Just on half-time he repeats the trick and this time he beats the offside trap as well. Connell slams home his second early in the second half but by then Orient have scored their third as Brazier takes a fit and runs 20 yards out of position and leaves his man unmarked. Number four comes via the penalty spot and with over half an hour remaining it could turn into a cricket score. Orient must have thought the same as they switched off totally and allowed Connell to complete his hat-trick, surely just a consolation...but no. Having changed my midfield combination, Orient were no longer controlling the middle third and when Connell got another chance on 79 minutes it was no surprise to see him bag number four. Ten minutes later it was number five of the day as Orient struggled to contain us. Connell could have had a sixth after rounding the keeper but his shot was blocked on the line. An utterly amazing display by Darren Connell

Matt Bodkin (AM/FC) joins from Gillingham for £4,000 and David Martin (GK) joins us from MK Dons for £8,000. Hopefully they can help out in the second half of the season.

H 1-2 Mansfield (Connell)

A really big game for us and one that could push us right up with the clubs in the play-ff spots. A bad start hands Mansfield an early lead and they take that into HT with little other action. A Jones cross is met on the volley by Lawton and their keeper makes a great save, only for that man Connell to put away the rebound. I've barely stopped celebrating when we're behind again. We can't get through their stubborn defence and lose a vital game. Mansfield had two shots and two goals, but that's the way it goes sometimes

Orient get defeat out of their system in a 5-1 win away to Shrewsbury

A 3-2 Peterborough (Connell (2), Lawton)

Another early goal conceded. The defence is killing us lately with sloppy play. A long ball over the top catches the Peterborough defence out and Connell brings us level. In what is turning out to be customary, we let them score again almost immediately. Connell hits his second and thankfully there isn't enough time for them to score again before HT. In centre midfield Hutchinson is having a stormer having set up Connell's second goal and as he strode forward with the ball I expected something similar. Connell peeled away from his man and headed for goal with the defender in pursuit as Hutchinson played a wonderfully weighted through ball....to Rob Lawton who was steaming in on goal totally unmarked. He seemed to pause for a second as he picked his spot and fired it home. The Posh laid siege to our goal for the rest of the game and won corner after corner but we beat them back and took a valued three points.

H 2-0 Lincoln (Jones, Bodkin)

We get through the first fifteen minutes without conceeding a goal and are rewarded with a penalty! Ashley Jones steps up and scores in what is yet another important game for us. With Lincoln continuing to create chances we don't look secure and so with half and hour left I make some changes and hand Bodkin his debut. Within ten minutes he has scored and made the game safe for us, top stuff. Brazier is sent off in injury time but the game is soon over.

That result moves us up into 8th place just one point behind wycombe in 7th...but it's slightly misleading as there are three clubs just a point behind us and two of those have a game in hand. It's still a good position to be in at the moment, as long as Darren Connell stays injury free.