retired_tonytranbg79

The new faces would hopefully get the squad challenging for places and thus get players playing their best. As he made his way onto the training pitch for the first training session of the new season he could see the excitement and eagerness on the faces of the players. They were going national, they had the chance to become professionals rather than semi-professionals. Peterson managed to wipe those looks off their faces with a hard days training. He was excited as anyone but he knew it was going to be tough. They would be favourites to go straight back down, he had to get them established in the league and then hopefully push for promotion in a couple of seasons time.

The influx of new faces had increased the wages over the budget limit, but chairman Charlie Clapham had let that go. He hoped they would stay up and earn some more money for the club. They had received £100k for television rights, which had pushed the club further into the black. He had decided not to tell Peterson or the players of this fact as they may not make it on to TV necessarily. They had assembled a good squad and hopefully they can exceed expectations. Already the bookies had made them favourites to go down, along with the two other promoted sides Hornchurch and Welling.

Harsh training was needed to get the fitness levels up so Peterson enlisted the help of former army staff sergeant Tony Forbes. He had them all down the beach doing exercises in and out of the sea, and had them running up and down the beach all day long. Peterson also hoped Forbes would instil greater discipline into the squad. They decided to only play four pre-season games. They were against Dorchester, Yeovil, Grays and Carshalton, they drew 1-1 with Dorchester and lost the rest. Not the greatest set of results but as long as they performed in the league he didn’t care.

retired_ivonta

just wanted to say i like the story

retired_tonytranbg79

Cheers

retired_tonytranbg79

He couldn’t sleep, looked at the clock 23:37, damn he thought. It was unfamiliar for him to be nervous, he wasn’t a nervous man. Last season he had some here and there, but nothing like this. It was the night before Southport’s first game in the Conference National, they were playing Dagenham and Redbridge. They were in a hotel near the Essex club the lights out rule was implemented at 22:30, he had been lying awake for just over an hour. He started going over tomorrows routine in his head.

It was a bright Saturday morning when his alarm clock buzzer went off at 07:30. He hadn’t a clue what time he had gotten to sleep but he wasn’t tired, a small blessing. Arriving in the hotel dining room he joined his players for breakfast, this time he had a healthy option. 13:00 came around quickly he had to prepare, his mind was blank he needed to go over the tactics and team options, then he had to prep the team.

Saturday - 13/08/05, Conference National, game 1

Dagenham & Redbridge v Southport
@The Glyn Hopkin Stadium

As the team ran out on the pitch a sudden wave of calmness cam over Peterson, suddenly he was relaxed. He just hoped his tactics and squad selection paid off, he told them to be defensive and to counter quickly where possible. D&R were a fast team so Peterson chose pace to counter them, Ebanks-Blake got the nod over Watson for this reason, as did Bardsley over Fitzgerald and Mortimer over Bamber. Pickford and Fitzhenry were in the centre of the field to help out the back four.

It was a game that Dagenham should have won, they had home advantage and experience at this level. They went out and dominated from the start pilling pressure on the Southport defence. Peppering Dickinson’s goal with shots, finding him up for the challenge. Peterson hoped the occasion wouldn’t overwhelm his players, they saw out the first 30 minutes unscathed and started to come out of their shell a bit more. They started to create a couple of openings and started to get in the game a bit more. The Daggers still had control of the game and still rained chances down on the Southport goal. It surprised everyone when it was Southport that opened the scoring, Robinson finding space between the centre backs and receiving the ball from Pickford and firing a wonderful shot home from 25 yards. The stadium was silent apart from the small band of Southport fans behind the goal. Peterson remained calm and told his men not to lose concentration.

A halftime team talk telling them to continue what they were doing. The plan was now to soak up the inevitable onslaught and to hit them on the break. It was a better second half chances wise for Southport, D&R were coming forward leaving space to be exploited. It was looking good, Dicko was in superb form and the strikers were causing the Daggers defence problems. A well worked goal squared things up, Peterson knew Dagenham would push for the winner, he had to be patient. So when a 30 yard wonder strike from ‘The Earl’ blasted its way over the stationary Daggers keeper into the net Peterson went crazy. By all rights after the corner had been taken and gone out for a throw Davis should have been back on the halfway line with Kilbane, it was Kilbane who laid it off for him. Sealing an unexpected but much welcomed win.

Dagenham & Redbridge 1 v 2 Southport

Goals: D&R: Janney: 79 - Southport: Robinson: 36, Davis: 85

MoM: Bardsley
Att: 1,691

Southport: GK: Dickinson, DR: Bardsley, DL: Mortimer, DC: Basham, DC: Davis, MR: Ryan, ML: Dyer, MC: Pickford, MC: Fitzhenry, SC: Robinson, SC: Ebanks-Blake. Subs: GK: Daly, D: Kilbane, M: Cooke, M: Collett, SC: Watson

retired_tonytranbg79

Training during the week was a happy occasion, everyone was hyped up after the result. They were now preparing for their first home game of the season, this would be a daunting prospect. The first home game in the conference, they hoped the bubble wouldn’t burst then. Canvey Island were the visitors to Haig Avenue, they were also tipped to be battling relegation, this could end up being the proverbial six pointer.

Saturday - 20/08/05, Conference National, game 2

Southport v Canvey Island
@Haig Avenue

Peterson was greeted with warm applause when he stepped out onto the pitch before the game. Not only had he got the fans team promoted he had also turned down two jobs at league clubs and stayed loyal to Southport. Following the win last Saturday Gary Peterson was fast becoming the darling of Southport. He had made a couple of changes to the squad, Bamber coming in for Mortimer. Collett in for Ryan and Brown in for Fitzhenry.

All in all this was a very evenly contested match, neither side deserved to lose it. Both sides missing many a chance to take the lead. The game was destined to end as a goalless draw, some fans started to leave early to beat the rush. Those that hadn’t gone through the gates rushed back when a penalty was awarded to the home side. Dyer running with the ball into the area went over from a push by Dobinson, replay suggests that Dyer went over too easily. So in the 92nd minute Kilbane had the chance to score from the penalty spot. The tension inside Haig Avenue was palpable, Peterson looked like a coiled spring. Everyone went crazy as Kilbane with the last kick of the game won it for Southport.

Southport 1 v 0 Canvey Island

Goals: Southport: Kilbane: pen 92

MoM: Dyer
Att: 771

Southport: GK: Dickinson, DR: Bardsley, DL: Bamber, DC: Basham, DC: Davis, MR: Collett, ML: Dyer, MC: Pickford, MC: Brown, SC: Robinson, SC: Ebanks-Blake. Subs: GK: Daly, D: Kilbane, M: Cooke, M: Porter, SC: Watson

No-one could believe it Southport had won their first two games, albeit the Canvey Island win was lucky. There was a buzz around town and at the training ground, everyone was smiling. Peterson knew there was a very long way to go but he couldn’t help feeling pleased. They were to travel to the North East next Saturday to face Darlington. They had just been relegated and so were one of the stronger teams in the division. Darlo also played with a 3-5-2 formation meaning Peterson would have to pay particular attention to his tactics. He had been informed that Kilbane had been included in the leagues team of the week, he had been a sub in both games. Basham had played poorly in both so a swap around was in order. Peterson had also received an enquiry about Dickinson, Torquay are interested in buying him. He informed the Torquay chairman that Dicko wouldn’t go for less than £500k. Not expecting to hear from them again he decided to go over his tactics.

Saturday - 27/08/05, Conference National, game 3

Darlington v Southport
@Williamson Motors Stadium

A few changes had been made from last week, Kilbane starts as Basham drops to the bench. Ryan and Fitzhenry returned in midfield for Collett and Brown. Whilst Watson starts ahead of Ebanks-Blake who starts as a sub. Peterson hoped he could utilise the space at the back with Darlo only playing three defenders. He aimed to drop balls into the channels for Ryan and Dyer to capitalise on. It would be a case of soak up the pressure and counter, which so far had been effective.

Darlington didn’t mess around starting to put pressure on the Southport back four. From the whistle Southport were on the back foot, trying to venture forward when possible. The first 15 minutes Darlington were camped in the Southport half but from a Darlo corner they had a chance to break. The ball fell to Pickford in his own half he ran with the ball to the edge of the Darlington box before firing wide. They had just managed to get themselves into the encounter when Darlington hit them with the sucker punch. Armstrong from the byline crosses the ball to the near post where a Graham header flies past the keeper for 1-0. Southport hung on until half time at only 1-0 down, Peterson knew he had to attack to try and get something from the game.

So when the two sides reappeared for the second half Southport went about the business of trying to get an equaliser. They also managed to defend stoutly when Darlo countered, they managed to win a few corners but nothing was really troubling the Darlo keeper. The clock was ticking and still no breakthrough, so Peterson decided it was time for drastic measures. He put on Brown and Ebanks-Blake for Ryan and Pickford, he swiched to an attack minded 3-4-3 formation using the three strikers on the field and Bamber as a makeshift winger, and Dyer on the right wing. It was putting pressure on Darlington but the still had to be wary of being caught on the break.

Eventually Southport scored an equaliser, Fitzhenry heading home from a Dyer corner. Peterson stuck with the formation to see if they could get a winner whilst the momentum was with them. They were putting Darlington under a lot of pressure but Peterson was wary of being caught with a second sucker punch. So he brought on Collett for Watson, switched Dyer back out to the left wing and Bamber to left back. Back in the 4-4-2 formation he went back to his usual tactics of hitting them on the break. This they did with Collett playing a beautiful one-two with Brown down the right wing, then crossing in for Ebanks-Blake to head home after losing his marker.

Peterson couldn’t believe it, not in his wildest dreams had he pictured his team win like this. It wasn’t over yet though, Darlo switched to a 2-3-5 formation looking desperately for an equaliser. Peterson pulled Fitzhenry into the defence to bolster that up and hoped to catch Darlo on the break. Fortunately his team held out for their third win, Peterson couldn’t believe it.

Darlington 1 v 2 Southport

Goals: Darlo: Graham: 27 - Southport: Fitzhenry: 76, Ebanks-Blake: 84

MoM: Alun Armstrong
Att: 3,204

Southport: GK: Dickinson, DR: Bardsley, DL: Bamber, DC: Kilbane, DC: Davis, MR: Ryan, ML: Dyer, MC: Pickford, MC: Fitzhenry, SC: Robinson, SC: Watson. Subs: GK: Daly, D: Basham, M: Cooke, M: Collett, SC: Ebanks-Blake

retired_jgirl87

Well done on the promotion and your fine start to the new season.

retired_tonytranbg79

Cheers, I don't think it will last long

retired_tonytranbg79

Summer and September had been and gone, the 1st of October was a gloomy autumn day. Peterson was sitting in his office at Haig Avenue reflecting, reflecting on the season so far. After winning their first three games they were given a two week break to enjoy their success, that two week break had lost them momentum. Southport were dramatically brought back down to earth with a thump. September had brought them nothing but woe as they lost three on the bounce. Training over the past week had a very down atmosphere, Peterson had to find a way to get morale back and get them back to wining ways.

The first defeat was at home to Scarborough, they were, albeit after three games, in 19th place. So when Ryan put the Sandgrounders ahead after 10 minutes the crowd was expecting this to be a comfortable win. They were sadly mistaken as boro pulled level on 33 minutes through a good Ben Burgess goal. When Burton was fouled in the area by Davis heads dropped, another boro goal before game would have really zapped the confidence out of the players. Fortunately Dickinson pulled off a great save. Scarborough did go ahead eventually through another fantastic Burgess strike. Its funny how one game can bring things tumbling down.

Confidence had plummeted going into the game against Forest Green, who were sitting at the top of the table. The players thought that this was the beginning of the relegation struggle. When Ebanks-Blake capped off a wonderful move inside 30 seconds the Southport players heads rose and belief flowed back into them. That flow was stopped when Fitzhenry pulled O’Shea over in the area, Thomson firing home the penalty. It was visible on everyone’s face that they thought this was to be another Scarborough. They were right as a fine Griffin goal won it for Forest Green.

Liam Carr put Stevenage ahead on 10 minutes and what determination to change things round was left in the Southport players was quickly zapped out. Franticly trying to get back into the game Southport through everything at their opponents. They were the better team, they dominated the game and the chances. When Kilbane was banished from the field for a second bookable offence Peterson knew today would not be the day they turned it round.

So now he was sitting in his office a mere 3 hours before kick off, they were playing Aldershot today. With confidence at an all time low amongst most of the players he had to do something to jeer them up for the game. Kilbane was out suspended, meaning Fitzgerald would start as Basham injured himself in training. Fortunately Bardsley had been performing consistently well, along with Pickford and Dyer he would look to these players to lead the charge.

Saturday - 01/10/05, Conference National, game 7

Southport v Aldershot
@Haig Avenue

There was an air of hope around Haig Avenue prior to kick off, fans hoping that their team could get at least a point. They could see they players heads were down as they ran out of the tunnel. All they needed was a win to get their confidence back, even a draw was a step in the right direction. Peterson wanted them to attack from the start, get at Aldershot. He would like to think an early goal would settle their nerves, perhaps that would rattle them more.

It was of course Aldershot that went ahead, an amazing 30 yard curling strike from D’Sane flying past the stationary Dickinson. Haig Avenue was as silent as a morge except for the band of Aldershot fans behind the goal. Looking on the bright side Peterson hoped that this turn of events would kick start his team. It had been up till now a fairly even game, both sides having chances. When Miller put Aldershot 2-0 up it made Peterson sick, he hadn’t been in this position before. He hadn’t had to deal with many morale issues, certainly not on this scale. As the half time whistle blew the knot in his stomach tightened.

The half time team talk was a case of get out there and do them, win the ball and get at them. When McNiven scored a third for Aldershot 3 minutes after the break Peterson turned away in disgust. He couldn’t bare it, what could he do? After 10 more minutes he decided to get some pride from the game at least, try and show that they hadn’t given in. He threw on Cooke and Ebanks-Blake for Bamber and Collett, switching to the 3-4-3 formation. So when Ebanks-Blake pulled Southport back into the game after a Bardsley freekick sent him clear, Peterson was a bit happier. Perhaps there was the slightest chance of a draw, he threw caution to the wind swapping Dyer for Porter and pushing the wingers up front making a 3-2-5 formation. Despite the immense pressure on the Aldershot backline they defended resolutely and hung on for victory.

Southport 1 v 3 Aldershot

Goals: Southport: Ebanks-Blake: 65 - Aldershot: D’Sane: 24, Miller: 42, McNiven: 48

MoM: Miller
Att: 1,453

Southport: GK: Dickinson, DR: Bardsley, DL: Bamber, DC: Fitzgerald, DC: Davis, MR: Collett, ML: Dyer, MC: Pickford, MC: Brown, SC: Robinson, SC: Watson. Subs: GK: Daly, D: Mortimer, M: Cooke, M: Porter, SC: Ebanks-Blake

retired_tonytranbg79

After the Aldershot match Peterson received a report from his physio Bret Harris informing him that a few players were injured. Pickford had hurt his foot and Watson had strained his groin, both men would be out for two weeks. Also Collett had picked up a knock and would miss the next match. That was all he needed injuries on top of a rock bottom team morale. All they needed was one win and he was sure the confidence would come flooding back.

He had the team down the training ground that Sunday. The players were looking sluggish and as if they weren’t trying, this was due to the losing streak they were on. So Peterson pushed them harder and harder, forcing them to try, doing team exercises and fun games to get them working as a team again. Their next match was Wednesday, they were to travel to Mansfield on the Tuesday and play at Field Mill on the Wednesday evening. Between now and then he had to get them motivated.

Mansfield were relegated from League Two last season and are tipped as promotion contenders, they wanted to bounce back up. Like Southport they were languishing in the lowere echelons of the league. They had picked up just one point from their past five games, so this would be the battle of two struggling sides. He’d rather like to think of Southport as off balance rather than struggling. Both needed the win to get their seasons back on track.

It was an even game chances wise, but Southport were dominating possession. They were playing as a team, the passing was smooth and flowing. It was as if they were full on confidence, they were really putting their hearts into it. So if they lost the fallout would be unbearable, if they won then hopefully this kind of performance would be repeated. In the end it was a very well worked goal finished by Ebanks-Blake that sealed it. Mansfield really did push for a goal to square it up but were unsuccessful, Southport’s defending while shaky at times was resilient.

retired_tonytranbg79

Gary Peterson was standing in his office looking at his magnetic whiteboard with a list of players, and a list of injured players. It was mid November and they had just finished their game in the first round of the FA Cup. They had beaten Dorchester in the 4th qualifying round to get here. Their opponents were League Two outfit Bristol Rovers, fortunately they were at home so that made the tie a little easier. In fact Southport dominated the game, they kept Rovers on the back foot for most of it. However, it was Rovers who were ahead for most of the game, they had taken the lead in the 20th minute and from then Southport were camped in their half. For all intents and purposes it looked like Southport wouldn’t find a way through the stubborn Rovers defence. Luckily in the 91st minute Southport were awarded a penalty after Hunt brought down Ryan in the area. It was Davis who stepped up and calmly tucked away the spot kick. Peterson felt they should have won, now they had a difficult replay at The Memorial Stadium.

The evening air had a bite to it, he could clearly see his breath as he walked out of the stadium. He turned the collar up on his thick woollen winter coat, it was nights like these that he wished he could drive. He hadn’t really needed to, his ex wife had always done the driving, he meant to start learning again. Chill of the night started to get to him, he decided to get a drink in the next pub. As he got in out of the cold he was greeted with congratulations and ‘well dones’ from the locals. He took his pint and sat on a table out of the way, the general murmur of the patrons sent him into a daydream. He was thinking to himself what a difference a month makes and how one match can change things.

When Southport ended their losing ways against Mansfield Peterson hoped that would kick their season into life. That was exactly what it had done, they had travelled to Gravesend and had been dominated possession and chances wise for most of the game. However, it was they who took their chances, Robinson getting into his best form scoring a brace before half time. Then Ebanks-Blake added a third in the 80th minute, Gravesend got one back but Kilbane put the cherry on top of the cake making it 4-1 to Southport. They then drew at home to Crawly, a 1-1 draw the result of an evenly matched affair. Phil Brown was injured during the game, fracturing his arm putting him on the sidelines for 3 weeks. They lost to Hereford which was no big surprise as they were pushing for automatic promotion. Following that was the win over Dorchester, and a draw against Burton. Southport got back to winning ways with a 2-1 win over Woking, then the game tonight.

His mind drifting somewhat as he sipped at his pint he wondered if he ever would leave Southport. Not so long ago a newspaper asked him if he was interested in the vacant MK Dons post, apparently the bookies had made him favourite to succeed Stuart Murdoch. Peterson flatly denied any interest in the job. Two weeks later he was officially offered the job by the Dons chairman, he refused the job. That was the third job offer he had had, he wanted to spend some time at Southport. He did wonder what he would do if the right team came in for him, if there was an offer too good to refuse what would he do? Turning his thoughts to more recent events he was puzzled about why Collett was unsettled, he had just signed after spending a year on loan here. He had told Peterson that he wanted to go, there wasn’t much he could do.

Coming out of his daydream he noticed a pretty woman at the table next to him. He couldn’t believe it but it was Anna the owner of the Coffee shop he regularly frequents. She had always seemed plain to him, but she had made an effort tonight, she had literally let her hair down and put on more make-up. He asked her why she looked unhappy, she replied she had been stood up. She was supposed to be going out for a meal and drinks with some guy but he hadn’t shown up. Somewhat mesmerised by her new found beauty and somewhat hungry he blurted out a suggestion that they go for a meal. Feeling a bit sorry for herself she agreed to his offer. After a nice Italian meal he walked her home, she thanked him and went inside. As he walked back he had this warm feeling inside, not knowing if it was the food or something else he hurried home.