Southport: Sand, Sea.....and the Sandgrounders! (A FM2005 Odessey)

retired_tonytranbg79 · 11-09-2004, 02:05 PM

I don't play BPA for a while yet. If its a bad result (for you) that result will mysteriously not appear

retired_tonytranbg79 · 11-09-2004, 02:35 PM

The friendly was to be held at Haig Avenue although only a handful of fans were expected. This game would be a chance for players to justify their place in the team, and for others to prove they deserve a chance to be in the team. In the week striker Lee Mulvaney was sold to Hyde for £3k. The player would be happy with a better chance of first team football, the board will be happy with the money made and wages saved. Peterson was happy, he didn’t need unhappy players, he could have seen Mulvaney being unhappy at being left out.

So with 29 players on his books Peterson set about creating two teams. He also gathered some youngsters up who could try for a youth contract. But his main priority was those he had and those who had a real chance of first team action. Some of the players in his first team squad were put into the other team to try and balance things out, although he felt one side was definitely stronger than the other.

Southport: GK: Dickinson, DR: Fitzgerald, DL: Mortimer, DC: Davis, DC: Ramage, MR: Collett, ML: Cooke, MC: Brown, MC: Fitzhenry, SC: Robinson, SC: Fearns. Subs. GK: Stancombe, MC: Roscoe, MC: Rafferty, MC: Lynch, SC: Douglas

Southport Res: GK: Daly, DR:Williams, DL: Lowe, DC: Barr, DC: Powell, MR: Price, ML: Porter, MC: Pickford, MC: Fowler, SC: Leadbetter, SC: Watson. Subs. GK: McHale, DC: Kilbane, MC: Allen, MC: Brookfield, SC: Smith

Unsurprisingly the first string were the stronger side and created the most chances. However the second string, along wit some first team members, weren’t completely out played. They battled and put together some good moves, they just didn’t create enough chances. The game ended up 1-1, Robinson scoring for the A side and Watson scoring for the B side. Most of the players played quite well, some underperformed but it did give Peterson something to think about. Williams and Watson staked their claims for possible inclusion in the first team squad. Also Brown and Porter showed that they were ones for the future.

Their next game was at home to Ashton United in a weeks time. Ashton are currently sitting at 20th out of 23 teams in the league. They have yet to win a game this season, however they do have the ability to score goals having scored 8 compared to Southport’s 6. However they also concede a fair few, 10 to Southport’s 2. This is a game Peterson knew they could and should win, also a good chance to try a couple of changes.

retired_tonytranbg79 · 11-10-2004, 03:47 AM

Saturday – 11/09/04, Conference North, game 5

Southport v Ashton United
@Haig Avenue

This was the kind of game he would have to win if Gary Peterson wanted to achieve promotion this season. Peterson decided to put Williams and Watson in for Fitzgerald and Fearns to see what they could do. He also handed Phil Brown his first start, the promising youngster was doing well and needed as many first team opportunities as possible.

Ashton were currently languishing at the foot of the table when they visited Haig Avenue. So when Robinson fired home in the first minute it was obvious that was where they would stay. 10 minutes later Fitzhenry headed home a Collett cross. Ashton hit back in the second half, a strike from Walsh gave them a way back into the match. As Ashton pushed forward Watson caught them out at the back with a fantastic run and finish from the halfway line. Peterson gave Porter the chance to shine and he gave Ashton the run around, so much so he won a penalty which Watson converted for the game.

Southport 4 v 1 Ashton United

Goals: Southport: Robinson 1, Fitzhenry 11, Watson 61, 82 - Ashton: Walsh 57

MoM: Watson
Att: 499

Saturday – 18/08/04, Conference North, game 6

Stalybridge Celtic v Southport
@Bower Fold

Peterson knew this would be a very tough game. Stalybridge were just two places behind them in 5th. They were performing well and seemed to want to challenge the top bunch of teams for a promotion spot. He made two changes from the team that started against Ashton. Porter came in for Cooke and Fowler replaced Brown. Peterson handing Porter his first start after an impressive display against Ashton, and Cooke’s poor performance in the game.They dominated what was actually a rather dull affair. A Bonsall goal for Celtic was all that separated the teams. Peterson had to contend with his first defeat.

Stalybridge Celtic 1 v 0 Southport

Goals: Celtic: Bonsall 37

MoM: Swailes
Att: 356

Saturday – 25/08/04, Conference North, game 7

Runcorn v Southport
@Halton Stadium

After the defeat to Stalybridge Peterson knew Runcorn would have a go at his team to see what they could get. He expected his team to be bombarded with balls. So a conservative tactic he felt was in order. Peterson told his team to defend deep and soak up the relentless pressure he could foresee. His plan was to hit Runcorn on the break, hoping to catch them on the wrong foot. Fizgerald, Cooke and Fearns all returned to the fold whilst the Williams, Porter and Watson sat on the bench. The game was very evenly fought however his plan paid off when Robinson got free of the defence and scored. In a very even affair they sat back and kept countering, this goal proved to be the only breakthrough.

Runcorn 0 v 1 Southport

Goals: Southport: [i]Robinson 62[/b]

MoM: Dickinson
Att: 1733

retired_tonytranbg79 · 11-10-2004, 04:41 AM

Tuesday – 28/08/04, Conference North, game 8

Kettering v Southport
@Rockingham Road

The build up to this game was intense, two teams tipped for promotion going head to head. Kettering were lagging behind in 7th whilst Southport were in 3rd. Kettering were the bookies favourites, Peterson disagreed so the mind games started.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>The Champion

WE WILL BEAT KETTERING

Gary Peterson the Southport manager today told assembled journalists at a press conference that his side would beat Kettering on Tuesday. He added to the fire in the build up to the important clash that his side were very confident about beating Kettering. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Kettering Evening Telegraph

YOU HAVE TO BEAT THE BIG TEAMS

After reading Gary Peterson’s comments that the Southport team are confident about beating in the upcoming clash, Kettering boss Kevin Wilson reacted angrily.

With his side about to face Southport in an early season clash of teams challenging for promotion to the English Conference National, Kettering Town boss Kevin Wilson seemed to point out that any team with aspirations of promotion had to beat the big teams and that if Southport were to lose, then maybe they should take a long look at themselves and set goals they have a chance of achieving. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>The Champion

PETERSON DOESN’T SEE EYE TO EYE WITH WILSON

In the build up to what seems to be a fiery clash between Southport and Kettering Town, Southport boss Gary Peterson admitted he didn’t see eye to eye with his Kettering counterpart Kevin Wilson. Peterson said that he would like to see Kettering underachieve this season with Wilson at the helm and that he hopes to help him do this by beating his side on Tuesday. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

After these heated comments thrown at one another neither team could afford to fail in the upcoming clash. This game could prove to be a big turning point for either or both of these teams this season. Peterson decided to stick with the team that beat Runcorn at the weekend.

Both managers comments had to have had an effect on the plkayers, adverse or otherwise. It was with no surprise when it came down to one man to step up and vindicate his managers comments. The match as a whole was very even and it was a very lively, entertaining and passionate match. Both players and fans had been worked up by the heated comments in the build up to the game. Cooke found Robinson with a pinpoint pass over defenders heads, with a fine strike Robinson fired Southport into the lead, and the fans into a frenzy. It was Robinson again who scored just before half time, twisting his way through defenders a fearsome shot from 25 yards hit the back of the net, leaving the keeper standing. The game was sealed as a last ditch tackle stopped Fearns shooting, only for the ball to make its way to an unmarked Robinson who slotted into an empty net, the keeper off balance trying to change direction. Oshitola’s goal for Kettering was nothing more than a consolation.

The Southport fans were delirious and were taunting the home fans throughout. Gary Peterson stayed calm and controlled despite the urge to rub it in Wilson’s face. In the dressing room Peterson and his players rejoiced. The mind games weren’t kept to before the game, Peterson had to have the last word.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>The Champion

WHO ARE YOU?

Southport manager was over the moon about his teams victory against Kettering Town. Peterson told the assembled journalists that he wasn’t surprised by the victory and that he had told everybody that they would win.

He also said that if Kettering Town were to somehow get promotion, to survive in the English Conference National you had to be able to back up your impressive claims with impressive performances on the pitch. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Kettering 1 v 3 Southport

Goals: Kettering: Oshitola 84 - Sothport: Robinson 27, 43, 55

MoM: Robinson
Att: 707

shannon2007 · 11-10-2004, 06:18 AM

I dont usually like the use of the quote code in a story, but you've used it very well and it works, so well done.

1978 when Southport got relegated from what was then Division Four, I wonder if, as the game now contains a decent league history, if it will say something about that when you make it make it back there?

retired_tonytranbg79 · 11-10-2004, 09:36 AM

Thanks PM. Yeah would be interesting to see if that happens, I'm sure there are a few features in the game i have yet to discover.

retired_tonytranbg79 · 11-12-2004, 05:40 PM

Peterson welcomed in the new year with a defeat to Worcester. The past few months he had really learned about football and how the cliché ‘it’s a funny old game’ is true. Also the fact anybody can beat anybody was also found to be true. Southport found themselves joint top on points, second place only by goal difference. However, days like today made Peterson wonder how.

Barring the defeat to Stalybridge the three other teams Southport had lost to were all ‘lesser’ teams, all in the lower extremities of the league. So when they lost to these teams and for the most part out played by them it made him furious. What made these defeats all the more irritating and strange is the fact they could beat the ‘better’ teams. Southport had recently beaten Barrow and Droylsden, 1st and 3rd in the league respectively when they were beaten. The win over Barrow had meant Southport had frog leaped them into first place.

At one stage in the season Peterson thought Barrow were going to run away with the league. They had gone 11 games without losing a single point at one stage, they were a fair few points ahead of the rest. Then they had gone through a bad patch losing and drawing games allowing for others to catch them up. The top of the league was becoming very compact and tight with a few teams fighting for the elusive automatic promotion place. Barrow, Southport, Droylsden and Nuneaton were all starting to break away from the rest. At the other end of the table Harrogate Town, Ashton United and Vauxhall Motors were in the relegation places and falling behind the rest.

There had been a few entertaining games so far this season. An amazing 4-4 game away at Gainsborough was the best, even though the result wasn’t the best. Another game finished 5-3, that was against Vauxhall Motors. Southport had gone 3-0 up before having the game pegged back to 3-3 by a resilient Motors side. Southport killed the game off in the last 10 minutes. An FA Trophy game against Eastbourne Borough a side struggling in the Conference South division ended up 5-2 to Southport. That was the first round, Southport were knocked out in the second by Hucknall. They had managed to get to the first round proper of the FA Cup, which made Peterson very proud. They were knocked out by League 1 side Torquay

Peterson had also learned the hard way about injuries and squad depth. He had lost Davis and Ramage for a significant period of time. Then he had lost Cooke, Collett and Porter for long periods of time leaving him with a very weakened side and selection choices. Losing these players had given him a major headache also the fact some players weren’t playing as well as they could or should. Fortunately Robinson had been his saviour bagging goals for fun, and vital goals also. Another player had surprised him with how well he had played. Watson his coach had come into the team and performed amazingly bagging a few goals along the way. Injuries had allowed a few players to come in and show Peterson what they were made of. Brown in particular had been impressive, also Porter before he got injured had done well.

Cooke was still injured but his versatility was still needed so Peterson didn’t cancel the loan agreement. Instead he brought in Matthew Birley a left winger, he played a couple of games before getting injured himself. He was only on a short term loan so that was cancelled when he got injured. Ramage also was sent back to Newcastle when he was injured because Peterson’s scouts had found Mike Basham a defender from Thurrock. He was bought for £10k and was put in at the back along with Kilbane then Davis when he recovered.

Peterson hoped he could keep his team going and keep battling for the top spot. All but Cooke had returned from injury and Cooke wasn’t far off. One thing was for sure it wasn’t going to be easy but that’s why Peterson enjoyed it so much.