Dire Wrangle

January 27, 2005

Birchall gets called up to the Welsh Under 21s, in order to face Qatar's youngsters. He looks likely to miss the big match against Havant & Waterlooville as a result. Oh well.

January 28, 2005

With the deadline looming in the upper leagues, Fulham attempt to steal Brayley for a mere £110,000. Next please.

And Dave Jones is appointed at Sunderland to replace the departed Mick McCarthy as manager.

January 29, 2005

Conference South
Clarence Park, St Albans
St Albans City v Hornchurch

The ridiculously ambitious formation gets another go on the visit to 16th placed St Albans, and the starting eleven was also identical to the previous match.

This tactic certainly benefits in attack, and Birchall would come close twice in the opening few minutes to putting us in front. We'd continue to push forward and look more likely to score until Goodfellow went and gave away a penalty shortly before half time. Scott Cousins happily stepped forward and gave his side the lead from 12 yards. But the hosts had just about stopped celebrating when Goodfellow redeemed himself, landed a cross straight on Purser's head, and he hit the back of the net (as did the ball, incidentally).

St Albans battled hard during most of the second half, desperately seeking a win that would leapfrog them above us in the league. They just couldn't seem to find the target however, and wasted countless opportunities, while Bayes was holding his ground when called upon.

The last move of the game would see Purser almost finding a winning goal, but was unlucky to only come close.

St Albans 1 (Cousins pen 40) Hornchurch 1 (Purser 45)
Attendance: 1247
Man of the Match: Marc Goodfellow (Hornchurch)

Another point on the board, and we swap places with Lewes, dropping to 15th. We're beginning to turn onto the final straight now, and we really need to find top gear to finish the season in some sort of style.