retired_karenscholtz

A 0-4 Scunthorpe

Their 4-2-4 pulls us apart in the opening five minutes as they score two goals. It isn't helped when Cullen gets two yellows in a minute and is sent off. What will the remaining 84 minutes have in store? We hang on to HT but they score two more quickly after the break. Porter is then carried off after we've made all our subs so we are down to nine men. This is unreal.

H 1-1 Gillingham (Connell)

A better performance sees us take the game to Gillingham from the off. A few chances are created but nothing special until Connell beats three players and chips the keeper. Peter Crouch scores from a tight angle to level things up and I decide to make a few changes. Bodkin has been playing well but looks tired and is replaced, as is Jones and Connell. The subs have 30 minutes to prove themselves but fail to deliver us a goal

A 2-2 Rushden (Finnigan (2))

We don't look like we know what we're doing. Rushden carve us apart and it's men against boys. I'm only surprised the margin of victory isn't more. Finnigan hits a consolation goal with 15 minutes left and scores a remarkable second deep into injury time for a totally undeserved point. I actually feel sorry for Rushden

In other news, Germany travelled to Japan for a friendly and left on the end of a 5-0 defeat.

H 5-1 Wycombe (Connell (3), Jones, Lawton)

For once the early goal goes to us as a smart run by COnnell takes him in on goal and he finishes well. The game becomes a bit like shooting practice as Wycombe crumble. A good cross from Jones gives Connell his second on a plate and he somehow squeezes between two defenders, past a third and completes his hat-trick. A penalty before HT from Jones makes it four but Stonebridge pulls one back just before the whistle. We continue our good form into the second half as Lawton makes it five, we hit the post twice and have an effort cleared off the line but there are no further goals

A 1-1 Scarborough (Connell)

Connell turns providor as he slips the ball through to Bodkin but his shot is tipped onto the bar. A great cross field pass from Tillen leaves Lawton in the clear but Downey makes a good save. Down the other end Gilroy misses an absolute sitter and we go in level at the break. Downey is still performing heroics in the second half but a bullet of a shot from Connell breaks the deadlock and it's his 50th league goal for the club. Bodkin ruins a good performance by pushing Gilroy in the back and giving away a spot kick. Gilroy steps up himself to bring them level. As the game draws to a close it is Scarborough who are in control of the game and only new signing David Martin stands between them and three points. Martin prevails to earn us a point and earns himself the MOM award.

I check the league table to discover that I'm in 8th place, level on 50 points with 7th placed Gillingham. A quick scan downwards show MK Dons in 13th place on 47 points. It is a tough battle ahead and we're without Lawton for two weeks as he does in his shoulder.

H 4-0 Macclesfield (Jones, Connell (2), Melton)

With Macclesfield right down at the bototm I expect three points. Three nil up in fifteen minutes was not what I expected. Jones and then a quick Connell brace put the game out of reach but when Lake gets sent off before HT things don't look quite as rosy. Connell helps make it four when he advances on goal, draws the keeper and passes the ball to Melton at the back post where he can tap into an empty net. As the FT whistle goes I wonder why Macclesfield are bottom and then realise that it's because they can't go any lower, at least not until next season.

A 3-0 Stockport (Connell (3))

Stockport are sitting second so a difficult game is expected, I'd be happy with a point tbh. Mid-way through the first half a shot by Bodkin takes a wicked deflection off Connell's head and loops over the stranded Stockport keeper. In a dull game there is not much happening until Bodkin chases down a lost cause, win the ball back and whips in a great cross to Connell who controls and scores. On the replay I notice that three defenders were marking Ashley Jones and leaving Connell open! Sloppy play by Daly gives Jones the ball and he feeds it through to Connell. A poor challenge by Jackson leaves him in on goal and he makes no mistake.

Connell wins player of the month and finishes first and third in goal of the month for two of his strikes against Wycombe. Just as we get Lawton back we lose Brazier for three weeks

H 3-0 Kidderminster (Jones, Connell, Sutton)

A cross field ball by Connell finds Jones free but he still has a lot to do. He cuts inside his man and cooly slots it home to give us an early lead. Bodkin is running the show from midfield and sends Connell racing clear. The keeper gets a hand to the shot but can't get enough on it to keep it out and as the players troop off we lead 2-0. A rare thing happens just after the restart, we score from a corner - John Sutton coming up from the back. Jones has a fantatic goal ruled out for offside (looked ok to me) but it doesn't actually matter as the game ends moments later

Those results have left us sixth and pushing hard now for promotion

http://www.rvhchessclub.co.uk/231204/league.JPG

Our final ten league matches are
A Canvey Island 20th
A Southend 15th
A MK Dons 11th
H Torquay 19th
H Shrewsbury 22nd
A Northampton 23rd
H Boston 8th
A Yeovil 21st
H Chester 17th
A Bournemouth 4th

retired_karenscholtz

A 0-2 Canvey Island

Tom Laws has a poor first half and is at fault for Canvey Island taking the lead, totally losing his man. He is subbed at half-time but Canvey double their tally on the hour with a well worked corner routine. We weren't at the races today and the closest we came was when Connell put a header over after a good cross from Lawton

A 1-1 Southend (Connell)

Bodkin is put through on goal by Connell but delays and tries to go round the keeper but only allows the defender to get back and make the tackle. Another well worked corner routine sees us trail just before HT until Connell latches onto a long ball, rounds the keeper and finishes just like Bodkin should have. We control the second half without creating good chances and Southend rarely trouble us.

A 0-1 MK Dons

Another early goal conceded as David Martin palms a 20 yard strike into Hornuss' path and he finishes well. We aren't creating chances and despite limiting MK Dons to long range efforts we never look like scoring and lose again

As Peter Jackson is sacked by Huddersfield I am apparently all set to jump ship. It isn't going to happen

H 1-1 Torquay (Lawton)

An early Lawton shot hits the post and the keeper clutches onto it. Damn. Two minutes later and a long ball from Tillen find Lawton in on goal. This time his shot hits both posts and goes in! Torquay hit us on the break mid-way through the half and take their only chance of the game to level it. At the break we're still level but I don't know how, we've created more chances in this half than in the prior three games combined. We create chance after chance in the second half but no-one appears able to score and we throw away 2 points. I'm not pleased.

H 3-1 Shrewsbury (Bodkin (2), Laws)

Shrewsbury struggle to get out of their own half and we pile on the pressure. It takes half an hour but finally we score as Connell chases down a loose ball and whips in a great cross to the far post, leaving Bodkin with the simplest of tap ins. Ten minutes later it's two as Tom Laws heads home from a corner. Just on HT Kevin Street pulls one back as Shrewsbury score with their first attack and their first shot. Within minutes of the restart Bodkin powers his way through and restore our two goal advantage. The rest of the game is back and forth and very open. With finishing on both sides being poor it isn't much of a surprise to see no more goals

Joe Tillen is out injured for two weeks which is a massive blow. He has made the left-back spot his own and put in some impressive displays, esp with the long cross field ball he loves to Lawton

A 3-0 Northampton (Bodkin (2), Finnigan)

Northampton are playing 3-4-3 but for the first 30 minutes we can walk through their defence at will. Poor finishing is our only sin and they revert to a 5-3-2. In extra time it's Bodkin who turns his man and hits a powerful shot into the roof of the net to give us a deserved lead. He doubles it after the break as he smashes home a great cross from Lawton. We continue to attack and are only giving up long range attempts that Martin can deal with easily. Just before the end an intricate move ends with Finnigan slipping past his marker and finishing into the corner to seal a good win for us.

H 2-0 Boston (Connell, Bodkin)

One of our biggest games in the run-in and we must get off to a good start. An even first half ends with us 2-0 up as we convert our chances. Connell scores first before Bodkin goes on a run from inside our own half to score a wonder goal. Surely that will win goal of the month. Boston look a beaten team and don't get a shot on goal in the second half as we create chance after chance but fail to add to our lead. Bodkin was the star of the show

Tom Laws is out for two weeks with a pulled hamstring. He should be back in time for the play-offs, if we make them

A 1-1 Yeovil (Connell)

Yeovil are fighting relegation so although we should win, it definitely will not be easy. And so it proves as Yeovil play so much better than Boston did and score on the half hour with a lovely passing move. I notice that we are taking a lot of shots from long range but Connell finally gets a chance to run in on goal and finishes expertly. Yeovil's keeper makes two great saves just after the break but they hit back and create a few opportunities of their own. Bodkin is having a good game but I take him off as he has a knock. Finnigan three times and Hutchinson once miss chances that should be buried. I'm not pleased at yet another 2 points thrown away by careless finishing.

Results go our way and so we only 1 point from our remaining two fixtures to be guaranteed a play-off spot. A training injury to Molloy leaves us dangerously short of cover at the back.

H 0-0 Chester

Bodkin is the early star of the show hitting the bar, post and having a goal ruled out for offside. Pity the rest of the team weren't as on form as we head in level at HT. With Wayne Brown continuing to have a good game in the Chester goal I decide to play a bit more defensively for the last fifteen minutes to seal the point we need. We're in the play-offs and Wayne Brown gets MOM

Bodkin wins player of the month and goal of the month for his "absolutely incredible goal"

A 3-3 Bournemouth (Finnigan (3))

Brazier gives away a soft penalty but heads don't drop and Finnigan pulls us level ten minutes later. It's an even contest until another mistake at the back allows them to regain their lead. That man Finnigan scores his second just before HT as he tries to stake a claim for a regular starting spot. A cross from Jones leads to a scramble in the box and the ball is forced home by Finnigan, what a performance. Our defence is ball watching as Bournemouth go straight up and equalise from the kick-off. Bournemouth attack and attack but just can't score, James Hayter being the main culprit. It matters as Bournemouth don't do enough to gain promotion and join us in the lottery system.

Hartlepool have offered me the manager's job at Victoria Park. Having finished second in League One they are about to tackle the Championship and have £1.8m in the coffers to help. I'm seriously tempted for the first time but the call of the play-offs is too great, I can't leave now.

H 0-1 MK Dons Play-off SF Leg 1

Somehow we are at home for this game and we play terribly. We are finally punished when Martin's clearance goes straight to Hornuss and he scores the simplest of goals. It turns out to be the only goal of the game and we face an uphill task to progress

A 2-1 MK Dons (Connell, Tillen) Play-off SF Leg 2

We dominate the first half and with seconds remaining Darren Connell scores to bring us right back into this tie. The flag goes up as Hornuss scores just into the second half and I'm so relieved. We have to weather this storm. We hang on and hang on but when our chance comes we fail to take it as Connell blazes wide. Atherton fires in a free-kick and so with 20 minutes left we must really start to attack now. Evans is through on goal but his cheeky chip is tipped over the bar. With 2 minutes left plus extra time I change to all out attack with a 2-3-2-3 ultra attacking formation and it works out as Joe Tillen pops up to score the winner and take us through on away goals. High drama indeed.

N 1-1 (2-4) Bournemouth (Brazier) Play-off Final

A tense first half sees us generally in control but it's Bournemouth who take the lead after a long ball down the middle catches our defence sleeping. Brazier powers in a header from a Tunnacliffe corner to bring us level and with half an hour left it's anyone's game. With Nick Smith missing the best chance of the half we head into extra time. A dull first period sees nothing happen except Lawton being carried off right near the end. We'll play the second period with just ten men. Connell misses the only chance, sliding the ball just wide of the post and so we head to penalties

Connell scoresBournemouth scores
Evans missesBournemouth scores
Smith scoresBournemouth scores
Hutchinson missesBournemouth scores
and they're through

I'm utterly gutted.

Rob Lawton and Darren Connell are selected in the Team of the Year, I finish third in Manager of the Year, Bodkin and Connell finish one and two in goal of the season and Connell wins the golden boot. It's all meaningless though after those damn penalties.

Spellman and MacAuley both leave on frees and there'll have to be a re-think in the summer over some players at the club.

After a draining season I'm just about to go on holiday when Rob Lawton hands in a transfer request. I'm stunned. If he wants to go then fair enough but I'll want at least £500k for him and it'll be interesting to see who comes in. I decide to take three weeks off this year after a long, hard season. Hopefully we can go one better next year, hopefully.

http://www.rvhchessclub.co.uk/311204/league.JPG

retired_karenscholtz

2007 - 2008 English League Two

A new sponsership deal is announced that is worth £65k a year for two years and my transfer budget is in the region of £70k. Darren Connell retains his Fans' Player of the Year award and we've been given £230k for TV rights. The board expect us to be mid-table this year, definitely attainable.

In
==
Ian Knight (DMC) - Free
Danny Day (DC) - Free
Shane Tudor (AMRC) - £6k
Joe Dolan (DC) - £14k
Pat Baldwin (DC) - £5k
Glen Wilson (DR) - £14k
Darren Way (DMC) - £5k
Garreth O'Connor (AMLC) - £4k

Out
===
Lancaster - £1k Gainsborough

H 2-0 Ash (Connell, Dolan)

Rob Lawton is out for three weeks with a pulled hamstring.

H 2-0 BAT Sports (Tudor, Way)

Having only organised two friendlies I hope this won't affect us at the start of the season, esp with two away games up first. The bookies have installed us as joint favourites for the title, along with Nottm Forest and Mk Dons. Forest have suffered two consecutive relegations to drop into League Two. It's nice to see that someone likes my summer signings.

A 0-2 Southend

Some of the players must have down at the bookies checking out the odds as they don't appear to have turned up on the opening day of the season. We are much better second half but as the clock winds down Southend hit us on the break for number two and we're off to a bad start.

A 2-2 Leyton Orient (Connell, Miller (OG))

Early goal syndrome strikes again as Orient take the lead. A straight ball from Laws is flicked on by Bodkin and Darren Connell provides the finish to our first goal of the season. Two minutes after the break and we're behind again, slack marking by Wilson leaves a simple finish for Orient. Thankfully it is soon cancelled out when Darren Way pops up just inside the box and his cross/shot is turned into the Orient net by Justin Miller. As the half wears on we are coming more and more into it. At times Orient seem to be facing wave after wave of attack but then strike out on a good counter. With no more goals I'm happy to secure the first point of the season and hopefully the confident second half performance can be taken into our next game.

H 5-0 Mansfield (Connell (4), Finnigan)

Lawton is restored to the team and justifies his selection with two assists for Connell. Just before HT a Lawton cross is met by Connell for number three and two minutes later Darren Way gets to the byline and swings in a great cross for Connell to head home. More chances are created but not taken (a header from Dolan went particularly close) until Murray gives us a penalty by punching the ball in the area. Finnigan steps us and scores. Mansfield were amongst the group of teams that the bookies felt would be up there at the end of the season, on this performance I don't see it.

H 2-2 Mk Dons (Knight, O'Connor)

A training injury robs me of Lawton and Finnigan for this game against one of our main rivals. We dominate the early going but when Bodkin is booked twice within minutes of each other the game takes a new twist. Surely enough, Andy Smith puts the Dons in front with a fine finish into the corner from just inside the area. We've looked more threatening this season from corners and that turns out to be our best hope as in first half injury time Dolan powers a header towards goal and Ian Knight diverts it past the keeper for his first Motormen goal. Mk Dons press forward in the second half having changed to a 4-3-3 but Dolan is winning everything in the air. Two minutes from time and Paul Hart leads a breakaway but his cross his just to far for O'Conner, Evans retrieves the ball and from the left wing fires in a great ball and O'Connor gets to this one! Surely the winner...but no. A dramatic equaliser from Robertson earns them a point and I can't complain too much

A 1-2 aet Watford (Connell) League Cup 1st Rd

I'm not too bothered about this one but I'm still pleased when a clever free-kick to Connell catches out the Watford defence and he scores. I refuse to make any Watford 'gap' jokes. Hand equalises for Watford but I'm more concerned that Connell has been carried off injured. With no more action in normal time I decide to take a gamble and switch to a very attacking formation to try to score quickly and then revert to our normal style of play. It doesn't quite work but since we are creating chances I leave things as they are. With 121 minutes gone Matteo Paro pops up to head home a corner and we are out. Worse than that we have wasted a lot of energy in the process. At least Connell is only out for a few days.

A 1-2 Rochdale (Evans)

A thirty yard rocket and a dubious penalty separate the sides after the first hour in an awful contest. Substitute Sean Evans comes on to score a great goal but Rochdale hole on to secure the win

H 3-0 Wrexham (Dolan (2), Bodkin)

We edge a close first half and are rewarded with a Joe Dolan header from O'Connor's corner. I told you we were getting better. The second half follows a similar pattern only with Darren Way taking the corner and then near the end, Matt Bodkin caps a wonderful performance with a right to left run across the box, is found by Evans' cross and his flick header seals victory.

A 3-1 Gravesend (Connell (3))

An early Connell goal settles the nerves as we face the new boys. A David Fry half volley brings them level mid-way through the half and it's not turning out to be easy. A scrappy game takes a turn for the worse for us when substitute Hutchinson gets two yellows in a minute and is off. Ten minutes later a lucky deflection presents Connell with a half chance and he tucks it away. Sustained pressure from Gravesend has them hitting the bar twice but in the fifth minute of time added on up pops Connell to complete his hat-trick

H 5-0 Swindon (Connell, Way, Lawton, Finnigan (2))

A massive game for us and we get off to a flier. Connell, Way and then a Lawton free-kick give us what must be an winning lead. Just as I've used all three subs Joe Dolan gets sent off for a professional foul. Why oh why did he do it? At 3-0 up we could give them a goal and keep our best defender for other games. Being reduced to 10 men doesn't seem to matter as Finnigan knocks in number four with four minutes left and on the stroke of full-time converts a penalty to make the final score look even more resounding.

Wigan boss Dave Whelan comes calling with £4.1m in hand and the club lying 5th in League One. I'll leave once I've taken Vauxhall Motors as high as I possibly can

H 2-0 Scunthorpe (Way, Finnigan)

An agressive 4-2-4 formation does not work for Scunthorpe as we win the midfield battle and launch our attacks from there. Minutes after having a goal disallowed for pushing, Darren Way leaps highest to nod home from a corner. We create an enormous number of chances but it isn't until near the end that the game is made safe, Finnigan latching onto a flick on and scoring coolly. He's staking a claim for a starting spot

Our current run has taken us all the way up to fourth and only two behind leaders Forest who looked like running away with the title just a couple of games ago.

retired_k_free04

What tactics do u use

retired_karenscholtz

I'm using a 4-2-3-1 with forward arrows on for the three midfielders (two wingers and one central)

I think a lot of people have had success with similar formations

retired_karenscholtz

H 1-1 (2-4) Macclesfield (Lawton) LDV Vans Trophy N 1st Rd

With Macclesfield creating few chances in a dull game, it's a surprise to see them take the lead. Right on the whistle Tudor creates a wonderful opening for Lawton and he scores, although I nearly wish he hadn't. I needn't have worried as we lose the shoot-out 4-2

A 3-0 Canvey Island (Connell, Bodkin, Finnigan)

A good first half performance sees us enter the dressing room with a two goal lead thanks to Connell and Bodkin. Finnigan adds a third when he comes on in the second half and we run the clock down to win another game.

We are now both the form team in the division and also top of the league thanks to Scarborough beating Forest 1-0. David Martin is out for two months with a broken cheekbone. Our other keepers will have to step up and perform well

H 3-0 Shrewsbury (Lake, Connell, Finnigan)

A fantastic free-kick puts us ahead as O'Connor taps it sideways to Lake who drills it in from 35 yards. Connell quickly adds number two and we control the game right up until the end when Finnigan scores after Sean Evans' shot is parried by the keeper.

A 2-1 Cheltenham (Connell (2))

A massive, massive game for both sides and we get off to a flier. Within fifteen seconds Connell has hit the post, within three minutes he has scored and within five he's notched his second. The pace slackens as the game continues but with a two nil lead and Cheltenham shell-shocked we look comfortable. They do cause problems when they change to a 4-3-3 and get a consolation goal in injury time but the result was never in doubt after those early goals

H 3-2 Peterborough (O'Connor, Bodkin, Finnigan)

Our good form continues as O'Connor puts us in front and then Bodkin mis-hits a free-kick which beats the keeper at his near post for number two. Finnigan comes on to score yet another goal before two goals in two minutes from Peterborough leave us looking shaky for the final ten minutes.

H 3-2 Northampton (Finnigan (2), Bodkin)

A strong first half performance sees us have a lot of attempts on goal but not too many on target. The second half introduction of Finnigan solves that as he gets on the end of a Lawton cross to take the lead and then turns provider for Matt Bodkin to rifle one home. A Northampton consolation goal sparks a crazy few minutes as suddenly they hit a second from what appears to be 35 yards and then Lawton gets his marching orders. From a won position we look to be on dodgy ground for the remaining few minutes until a poor Laws clearance finds Finnigan in space and he takes the direct path to goal and smashes it into the roof of the net.

A 3-1 Aldershot (Connell (2), O'Connor)

We survive a few early scares and start to come into the match. Aldershot are up near the play-off positions so they aren't too bad but two goals from Connell and a third from O'Connor just before the break give us a commanding position. The second half is played at walking pace and only a late deflection allows Mike Flynn to score for Aldershot. We seem to be unable to keep a clean sheet lately but it doesn't matter too much

H 4-1 Northwood (Evans (2), Connell, Bodkin) FA Cup 1st Rd

This should be safe passage into round two with no problems. O'Connor goes off injured mid-way through the first half and I'll have to see what his status is after the game. Evans comes on and just before the break gives us the lead, dribbling through the packed defence and his weak shot somehow squirms under the keeper. Two minutes after the restart and Bodkin picks their defence apart with a lovely pass to Connell. He rounds the keeper to score but is carried off the field only minutes later after another dreadful challenge. Evans grabs his second from a tight angle and I pray for no more injuries. Bodkin scores his fifth of the season before Northwood score with their only shot on target

O'Connor is only out for a week and Connell for a few days so we've been lucky enough. Just as I say that, Joe Dolan is hurt in training and will be out for two weeks. A chance for Baldwin and Day to step in

A 2-2 Wycombe (Way, Lawton)

A Darren Way penalty is cancelled out four minutes later as Wycombe strive to get away from the relegation zone. Rob Lawton finally does something on the pitch as he beats three men and scores a wonder goal. He'd been hiding all game. Then one of the most bizarre goals I've seen, a poor cross from Wycombe is going towards Tom Laws who has no-one near him. Does he head it behind for a corner? Does he clear it into touch? Does he control it and stride away Hansen-esque? Or does he blast it into our net from six yards? Take a guess

H 3-0 Torquay (Woods (OG), Connell, Jones)

Lawton with a great near post cross tries to find Hooper making a late surge to nip in front of the keeper and score but Steve Woods gets there instead. Luckily for us all he can do is turn it into his own net. With O'Connor playing a different role in central midfield due to Bodkin having a one game suspension, it doesn't seem to be affecting his performance. He is spreading the play from one wing to the other but his killer pass to Connell through the middle provides goal number two. Even with the aerial threat of Dolan sidelined we are still dangerous at corners as Ashley Jones proves from close range.

http://www.rvhchessclub.co.uk/030105/league.JPG

retired_jgirl87

Bad luck with the play-off loss, but you've had a good start to the latest season. KUTGW.

retired_karenscholtz

Cheers I'd have been less disappointed if I'd gone out in the semi's. We were lucky to get past MK Dons but the shoot-out loss was the killer. Very happy with all my summer signings and how we are progressing so far this year.

retired_confal2

Nothing worse than to have your entire season flushed down the toilet because of a penalty shoot-out. No stopping you since, though

Your story would perhaps be enhanced by the use of bold and/or italics (dates, results and that). It looks better and makes it easier to follow. All the best, keep it up :thup:

mrsevans7177

I really like this story, play offs are a bitch, youll be promoted this season, no worries :thup:

But please take OMDaves suggestion, bold and italics rally do make a story easier to read :thup: