The Showster

My first ever story so hopefully I can keep going...

So this was who I picked last night. Decent kit that doesn't hurt my eyes (didn't check the away kit) and absolutely **** all else going for them. We are in Conference North with a massive(!) stadium of 4000 (400 seated), we've got £0 cash in transfers and £7,000 in total (rapidly reducing).

As soon as I join I find that I'm to battle bravely against relegation with 20 players in total - 3 GK. Oh dear.

With only one scout I abandon my usual practice of having a scout check out our opposition and send him off looking for freebies. Let's see how my 4-2-3-1 copes in the lower leagues

H 2-1 Slough (Robertson, Cumiskey) Friendly Att - 103
H 1-0 Wakefield (Nesbitt) Friendly Att - 127
H 3-0 Northwich (O'Donnell, Hart, Wright) Friendly Att - 121
H 1-0 Aylesbury (Wright) Friendly Att - 53
H 1-2 Tiverton (Wright) Friendly Att - 83

We had 5 friendlies organised and performances ranged from pretty good to reasonably good. Robertson had a stormer first game on left wing and promptly got 3's so he'll be dropped for the league. Attendances were worse than I thought possible! We finally lost to Tiverton with the worst possible luck. With two players (winger and striker) injured, Hart stepped up not once but twice to the penalty spot and the keeper saved them both! With a penalty taking stat of 16 I can count myself unlucky. They duly scored two good goals from crosses to take and then regain the lead. Worried about our lack of finances and players tbh. Hopefully we
can stabilise

Before the season started proper I made a couple of raids on bigger clubs to bolster our attack. Mark Smyth (FLC) from Liverpool and Carl McNally (AMC) from Birmingham will join us on loan. Rob Lawton (AMR) our best player does his groin and is out for two months and with no cash to get a replacement the search goes on

Mid season bought Paul Norman (MRC)

H 3-2 Hinckley (Hart (2), Smyth)

The sign of things to come as we stretch out a 3-0 lead before Hinckley start to play. Two second half goals are a worry but we hold on

H 0-1 Hucknall

A shocking decision from the ref as he books McNally in the 3rd minute for a nothing challenge and then sends him off three minutes later for diving. We were robbed

A 1-2 Lancaster (O'Donnell)

An early goal is cancelled out by O'Donnell on the hour. From kick-off they get to the by-line, swing in a deep cross and regain their lead. Heads drop and we lose again

A 2-2 Southport (O'Donnell, Nesbitt)

I could have punched someone here as we lose a two goal lead in the last 6 minutes. A 'dubious' penalty is converted but we manage to weather that storm and win a corner with seconds remaining. Then I notice they have a four on two at the half-way line. Fifteen seconds later it's 2-2 and I'm about ready to kill

H 1-2 Kettering (Hart)

The current league leaders control the game and a late Hart finish makes it look closer than it was

A 2-2 Droylsden (Hart (2))
H 2-0 Harrowgate (Griffiths, Hart)

Two vastly different games. Droylsden was end to end with goals being traded whilst Harrowgate were dominated after a first half strike. A late goal sealed victory but we weren't troubled. 4 points from 2 games against relegation rivals

A 1-2 Ashton (McDermott)

We were sh1t. Finally bought another player in Paul Norman (MRC) on a free

H 4-1 Fisher (Smyth (2), McNally, Griffiths) FA Cup 2nd Qual Rd
H 0-1 Lancaster FA Cup 3rd Qual Rd
A 2-4 Barrow (Griffiths (2))

From a confidence building win to two poor defeats. Lancaster was an awful game only topped by Barrow. 3-0 down we scrambled to 3-2 and then never looked like equalising. Lucky it wasn't more

H 3-1 Gainsborough (Lawton (2), Smyth)
H 2-0 Worksop (Hart, Smyth)
A 4-2 Witton (Hart, Lawton, Smyth, Hooper) FA Trophy 1st Rd

Finally a run of wins! Gainsborough stop us getting a clean sheet with a 30 yard screamer but I'm not bothered, 3 points are ours and Lawton is back. Worksop (lying third) get turned over with ease thanks to Lawton running riot. A high scoring game against Witton goes our way in the FA Trophy and we desperately need the cash.

H 2-1 Alfreton (Lawton, Smyth)

The final game of the night is at home to Alfreton who currently sit top of the league. A commanding first half performance is un-rewarded by a 0-0 half-time score line. 3 mins after the restart and they are in the lead with only their second shot of the night (first on target). They attempt to shut up shop work for the next half hour as we lay siege to their goal. Finally on 82 mins Lawton, who else, jinks past two players and smashes one into the far corner from a tight angle! **** you Alfreton. It's not over though. 2 mins later super-sub Mark Smyth latches on to a ball over the top and finishes clinically into the corner. At last we take our chance when 1-on-1. The game seems over in a flash and I rush to check the stats, we had 23 shots (11 on target) to their 2 shots (1 on target). At least justice prevailed today

Raptor

Summarising it nicely

Getting to more detail as you go along :thup:

The Showster

Cheers you Celtic loving Irish wannabe! (j/k)

This has started out as a update email to a mate in work who is playing from the Conference. Hopefully it will have some legs. Going to try to keep around a season in advance

TBH, the stories I've enjoyed most on here were your two (Harriers + Belfast Celtic, SB's Telford + benny's magnificent efforts)

The Showster

We currently lie in 6th, 3 points behind 3rd/4th but 1st and 2nd are well clear at this stage. Rob Lawton is attracting interest much to my horror but maybe if we sold him I'd actually have some cash to buy better players. We're only £16,000 in debt maybe I could over-spend on salaries...

Throughout the season so far we have created chances, good chances, but haven't always taken them. Last night saw a run where almost everything we hit went in

A 5-1 Nuneaton (Porter (3), Hart (2))

This was the beautiful game, with Porter scoring almost identical goals in the first half. Nuneaton pulled one back but a Hart brace killed them off. The game however is telling me that I'm doomed to mid-table http://rvhchessclub.co.uk/021204/season%20hopes.JPG

A 5-1 Bradford PA (Griffiths, Porter (2), Lawton, Smyth)

The 'other Bradford team' got rolled over easily thanks to a brilliant display by Spellman and Griffiths in the centre of the park. Totally dominated but still conceded which is still a worry

H 2-0 Willenhall (Porter, Smyth) FA Trophy 2nd Rd
H 8-0 Altrincham (Hart (3), Lawton (2), Nesbitt, Smyth (2))

An unbelievable match. Hart scores two headers in the first 12 minutes and then is hauled down 5 minutes later when through on goal. 10 man Altrincham fall apart as they continue to try to attack and we hit them on the break again and again. The finishing was superb

A 1-1 Runcorn (Lawton)

The lads took this one too lightly. From play-off hopefuls Altrincham to bottom of the table Runcorn and the performance couldn't be more different. End to end stuff with some of the worst finishing I've seen from both sides, Kevin Keegan would be proud at the defending(!). A dis-allowed goal from Runcorn is punished in seconds by a swift counter-attack. The rest of the game was total Runcorn pressure and they finally got their equaliser to earn a point

A 2-2 Worcester (Hart, Smyth)

Going 2-0 down in the first half hour made me think about the game telling me I couldn't last at the top. It seems it's doing everything it can to stop us. A few games ago Steve Porter was getting 8/9/10 in games, now he is getting 5's and 4's. A Lawton cross and Hart header pulled one back just before the break. Hart missed at least three clear one-on-one chances with the goalie before I hauled him off. I'd resigned myself to a loss when Mark Smyth went on a mazy dribble at the death and buried it in the corner. It may be early December but it sure felt like a balmy night

Team morale has dropped in a few players. A few games ago they were all superbs but now there are a few with poor. We need to turn that around

H 2-0 Moor Green (O'Donnell, Lawton)

Another end to end type game in the style of Keegan's Newcastle...thankfully before they imploded. Not a game Alan Hansen would admire but with it level on 85 minutes Lawton got to the byline and swung in a cross that was met by O'Donnell, playing his last game for the club, and the net bulged! With Moor Green pressing we struck again. A quick ball out to Porter who ran half the length of the pitch, beat the right-back and a fantastic ball to the back stick was met by Lawton. Thank you and goodnight

Our first player sold, Karl O'Donnell goes for £100k which gives me £34k for transfers! I won't feel as guilty now about breaking the salary structure

H 6-1 Stalybridge (Hart (3), Smyth, Nesbitt (2))

An utter thrashing that was interesting for a few reasons. Their goal was pure class and reminded me of David Platt's goal for England. A freekick chipped in and smashed home beautifully. Unfortunately for them they were already 4 down. Hart has a habit of scoring in the first ten minutes and after completing his hat-trick was duly replaced. Thankfully so as we got two penalties in the 82nd and 85th minutes. Nesbitt smashed both home. A new penalty taker perhaps?

A 0-2 Stafford Rangers

The end of the unbeaten run :o( They dominated the first half hour and finally got the goal they deserved. For the next half hour either side of half-time we battered them, only for them to score again!

A 3-0 Redditch (Norman, Hart, Smyth)
A 3-2 Hucknall (Griffiths, Porter, Smyth) Smyth intercepted keepers clearance 2 late goals but we held on
H 3-0 Lancaster (Lawton, Hart, Porter)

Three games against teams at the bottom and 9 points earned (two clean sheets I might add). We got 3-0 leads in all games (Smyth intercepted a keeper's clearance to score against Hucknall) but it was only Hucknall who fought back. Scoring two in as many minutes we looked shaky but hung on.

It's been a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 'The Motormen'. Hopefully, we can keep this going with the couple of players I'm looking to bring in (selling my reserve right-back as well)

http://rvhchessclub.co.uk/021204/profile.JPG
http://rvhchessclub.co.uk/021204/league%20table.JPG

The Showster

A 3-1 Hinckley (Lawton (2), Nesbitt)

A dire performance had us 1-0 down at the break to the bottom side. Brought Smyth on to left wing and he
transformed the game. Sold my right-back and my centre-back won't re-sign. Cant get defenders to replace them :o(

H 2-0 Droylsden (Brazier, Smyth)

Brazier scores our first goal this season from a corner and suddenly confidence is restored after a nervous
display. Smyth finishes a 1-on-1 and the points are in the bag. We are now on 49 points, just 1 behind Kettering
and Worksop on 50. Come on lads!

H 0-2 Bradford PA FA Trophy 3rd Rd

A 2-0 defeat is the least of my worries as Paul Norman is sent off and Rob Lawton is carried off injured and is
out for 3 weeks. Tommy Molloy (DC) and Ashley Jones (D/AML) join the club, along with Peter Band (M/SC) and Paul
Garvey (SC). I've a got cover up front now but not really at the back. Budget is over-used as it is.

Andy Fensome (DR) and Michael Tunnacliffe (D/DM LC) join mid-week

H 1-0 Southport (Smyth)

A fantastic debut by Jones means we don't miss Lawton in this game. Great run and through ball sets up Smyth for
the only goal, and we're top! Worksop have a game in hand but we're top! A few players in need of a rest

Darren Connell (SC) signs and that will be the end of our transfer dealings unless a good defender can be found

A 5-0 Kettering (Griffiths, Nesbitt, Jones (2), Norman)

One of our biggest games of the season and some of our best players are missing. A tight game was blown apart
with 2 goals in 3 minutes before HT. A Jones brace ten minutes into the second half killed Kettering and Paul
Norman made up for his FA Trophy disgrace with a fifth on 86 minutes. With Worksop losing to Bradford PA we are
now truly top of the league!

A 1-2 Harrowgate (Jones)

With Jones in the team we seem able to score from corners. Harrowgate hit back and then quickly take the lead!
All inside the first 10 mins. Apparently our great defensive performances in the league lately have been
forgotten. That was the end of the goal scoring

H 4-1 Ashton (Griffiths, Smyth, Norman, Jones)

Midfield dominance plus another great display from Jones earns us 3 more points. With Lawton due back soon things
are looking very rosy down at the Sports Ground. Poor results by our rivals mean we are now 6 points clear at the
top

A 4-0 Gainsborough (Smyth (2), Jones, Hart)

From nowhere, on the stroke of half-time, Smyth with the opener. I must see if I can get this lad permanently.
Jones and then Smyth with his second to ensure no-one closes the gap on us at the top. Utterly amazed at how
well we are playing and how many goals we score. Hart rounds it off with his 20th of the season

H 5-2 Barrow (Smyth (2), Jones, Griffiths (2))

Lawton and Jones play together for the first time and Jones crosses for the first goal. Lawton and Jones try to
out do each other in a goal fest which ends 5-2 to us at HT! The 2nd half failed to live up to expectation and
it remained 5-2


It was a perfect weekend http://www.rvhchessclub.co.uk/041204...%20weekend.JPG

Brian Pritchard (DC) from Witten comes in on a cheap contract to provide strength in depth

A 3-0 Worksop (Smyth (3))

A promotion contender on a really bad run of form. The first 20 mins we are pinned in our own half but a Smyth
breakaway give us the lead. A similar counter-attack 10 minutes later doubles our advantage before HT. 4 minutes
from time he completes his hat-trick for a comfortable win


http://www.rvhchessclub.co.uk/041204/league.JPG

The Showster

Sorry for the poor formatting

The Showster

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Grumbob:
Sounds like your doing well.

How is Mike Tomlinson doing for you? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

He was doing ok but nothing special and wasn't pleased that MacAuley was preferred at right-back. I sold him to Sheff Wednesday in my first season for £70k and he is still there

The Showster

H 2-0 Nuneaton (Nesbitt, Lawton)

A Smyth "dive" in the area is rewarded when Nesbitt steps up to the spot. When things are going your way they really do go your way. A Lawton 30 yarder from an opposition goal kick means we can run down the clock and take another 3 points home with us.

A 3-0 Alfreton (Smyth (3))

First against 3rd but their form has been patchy, which team will show up? 0-0 at HT mainly thanks to my keeper and Mark Smyth missing when through on goal 4 times. Argh! Fifth is the charm in the second half. A devastating Lawton cross is met by Smyth coming in from the left wing. A deflected shot gives him his hat-trick

He's now scored 11 goals in 6 games but there is no way I could afford his £3.6m price tag :o(

H 3-1 Bradford PA (Griffiths, Jones, Lawton)

Jones is back and straight away sets up Griffiths, running from midfield, with a beautiful through ball. A 2nd half breakaway, from their corner, led by Rob Lawton ends at the byline with a far post cross to Jones who does the business. A "vintage performance from Jones" says the commentary, I couldn't agree more. A Spacey hand-ball gives them a penalty and a life-line which is snuffed out by some route one football. Long goal kick bounces over a defender, Lawton jinks past his man and buries it in the corner

A 1-1 Altrincham (Smyth)

Having lost to bottom side Runcorn mid-week, Altrincham came flying out of the blocks to make amends. Corner after corner was thrown into our area and we just held on. Smyth got the ball on a counter-attack and blasted it into the net. Someone was still celebrating when they got their next corner and forgot to mark up. 1-1 :o( A much more even 2nd half produced nothing but a red card for one of their defenders in injury time.

H 1-2 Worcester (Hart)

A half of domination produces one goal, from them, from 30 yards. Same thing in the 2nd half except the goal was from 40 yards! Hart pulls one back with 5 mins left but it wasn't enough. 2 shots 2 goals from Worcester

Other results mean that we are 8 points clear with 5 games left and are guaranteed a playoff berth.

A 2-0 Moor Green (Smyth (2))

It seems like deja vu, they dominate but a counter-attack leads to a 1-on-1 and Smyth scores. A dull second half sees few chances until the last 15 mins when Smyth scores a second and Moor Green then change to a 2-3-5. Too little too late

H 2-0 Runcorn (Smyth (2))

With Runcorn trying to avoid relegation (sitting 19th) they won't roll over easy in this one. A tight first half is blown open on 35 minutes when Smyth beats two defenders and slots it past the keeper. He adds a second with 20 mins left and Runcorn are beaten

With Kettering being held 0-0 at home to Nuneaton, we are champions!


Champions http://www.rvhchessclub.co.uk/051204/ecstatic.JPG

A 4-1 Stalybridge (Smyth (2), Lawton, Griffiths)

A typical Motors opening. Two on the break, both scored by Smyth and with Jones and Lawton the providers. Lawton taps in a third after the keeper parries Smyth's strike. Hayward pulls one back but we were never in trouble and Griffiths battled through their defence to smash in a fourth

Mark Smyth has now scored 31 League goals and 35 in all competitions

H 5-0 Stafford (Smyth (4), Molloy)

Smyth and Molloy (totally unmarked for a free-kick) take the only chances of the first half in a boring game. Smyth pounces on a mistake for his second just into the 2nd half and then he scores 2 in 3 minutes to end the match with 4!

H Redditch (Smyth (2), Jones)

Smyth and Lawton combine perfectly for the first one. 3 minutes later the same combination combine again. When Spacey gets sent off at the back I re-shuffle a few players and find myself playing a 4-1-3-1. With us liking to counter-attack anyway, this shouldn't be too bad for us. The second half starts well for them with one goal but they can't capitalise. Jones hits a third on 78 mins and is carried off injured 10 mins later. Mark Smyth ends his Motormen career with two goals and a win, watched by a mighty crowd of 321 people which is pathetic seeing as we got 2221 at home to Runcorn in April. The title winning game brought in some glory hunters.


http://www.rvhchessclub.co.uk/051204/league.JPG

In other news, Arsenal complete a historic season is style.
http://www.rvhchessclub.co.uk/051204/Arsenal1.JPG
http://www.rvhchessclub.co.uk/051204/Arsenal2.JPG


I decide to take a break and go on a two week holiday. Next up, the Conference National...

mattie

Keep going with this story it's excellent!!!!

The Showster

Cheers mattie, I'm trying to keep pace with the game, i.e. around a season behind so expect an update in the next day or two. Glad you are enjoying the story