retired_brinker317

Cheers Terk - I think he'll be key for us this season. First time of loading the game in about a month today [/i]

Wednesday morning - and bad news on the injury front. Though Gary MacDonald was the only player forced off, he wasn't the only one to recieve rough treatment on Tuesday evening. The defender would be out for a day with a bruised rib, but for namesake Kevin MacDonald there would be a 2-week layoff with a Calf Strain - and perhaps worse of the lot, goal-machine Andrew Bagshaw would also be a doubt for Saturday after straining knee ligaments, ruling him out for about 6 days.

As expected, neither Bagshaw or Kevin MacDonald would be fit in time for Saturday.

Woking v Macclesfield Town - League

Unavailable

Andrew Bagshaw - Injured - (Knee, 2 Days)
Kevin MacDonald - Injured - (Calf, 1 Week)

Three games in, the first home game, and already the first injury enforced change - not bad, probably better than previous seasons, Fairway mused. On the bench he would give young Lynch the chance to shine in place of injured 'supersub' Bagshaw, while on the right flank another of last seasons' stars, Rob O'Brien, would earn a recall. The game began in scrappy fashion, with Woking having the best of the running - Frecklington hitting the bar on 4 before both Collymore and Canham found themselves in the book for crunching challenges. It quickly became clear that referee Mr Townsend had no intention of standing for any rough stuff - and on 28, a Boardman foul not only saw him in the book but Macclesfield ahead - a scrappy free kick knocked in by Dale Anderson. Macclesfield weren't great value for their lead and after yet another (Steven Baines) booking, Woking drew level - Scott Canham's free kick catching the 'keeper unawares at his near post. The Cards took the lead three minutes later, on the stroke of half time. A decent, if a little route-one, ball from defence put Lee Collymore away, and after beating his marker, the striker beat 'keeper McFrederick with a raking shot into the corner. The second half started in equally quiet, scrappy fashion, with neither side risking much to avoid incurring the wrath of referee Townsend - not the most popular man on the park. He was soon up to his old tricks - three bookings inside two minutes - but the latter would lead to a goal. A clearing free kick was met in the centre circle by an uncompromising punt - but Gary McDonald's shot beat everyone, including the pacey Lynch, to creep into the far corner. McFrederick was both shocked and humilated, and even the big stopper could hardly believe his luck. From then on it was training ground stuff for Woking - passing in neat triangles and harldy allowing their opponents a chance to play. A fourth would come - on 75 Lee Collymore shooting an angled drive into the corner - and even referee Townsend calmed down, allowing his six bookings - three for each side - to go without addition.

Woking 4 - Macclesfield 1 (Canham, Collymore 2, G MacDonald)

Woking; 4-4-2; Bayes, Turner, Narada, Boardman, G MacDonald*, O'Brien, Baugley (Replaced 45 Hill), Canham, Frecklington, Foyewa (Replaced 45 Lynch), Collymore

Woking Position After Game; 1st

retired_brinker317

Monday morning, and after delaying their announcement for a few hours for contractual reasons, Sheffield United finally appointed David Seaman as their new manager. For Woking, it would be a quiet week - until Wednesday - and injury.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>

www.wokingfc.co.uk - News - Thursday 21/8/08

'Injury Woe for Narada'

"It has been confirmed this morning that Woking left back Narada Bernard has, as feared, torn a groin muscle in training. Narada, 27, is an important and popular player at the club, and we wish him a speedy recovery."

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Losing Narada for two months would indeed be a blow, and Fairway spent the remainder of the week drawing up potential lineups in his head. He would, at least, be able to welcome back Andrew Bagshaw , but fellow injury victim MacDonald would still be out.


Woking v Kettering Town - League

Unavailable

Kevin MacDonald - Injured - (Calf, 2 Days)
Narada - Injured - (Groin, 2 Months)

You can't exactly fault a team that are top of the table with 3 wins in 3 games - but Fairway still made changes ahead of the visit from Kettering. The Poppies, a mid-table outfit, had caused Woking problems in the past, and it was only thanks to a brace of late strikes that Woking had beaten them in the final few games of last season. This time, Fairway insisted to his players before the game, it would be different - Narada already out through injury, the defender would be joined on the sidelines by Amos Foyewa - dropped to the bench with Bagshaw in for his first Woking start - Davies replacing Narada at left back. Initially both sides struggled to find their feet on a wet pitch, but when they did, it would be Kettering who drew first blood. An overhit cross was worked back to McClurg, who slid it through to Barrington Belgrave. Spinning on his heels,the ex-Southend man opened the scoring with a powerful shot past Bayes. 10 minutes later Woking were level through Andrew Bagshaw - the loanee meeting a Baugley corner with a powerful header from close range. The game then ebbed and flowed, although Kettering were becoming increasinly desperate, with Woking having a lot of the play. On 41 they pulled a real gem out the bag - a Wiles pass, from the edge of his own area, dropped ahead of the lethal Barrington Belgrave, the striker making no mistake from close range. Again Woking would look for a leveller, and again they would succeed. Just before half time good link up play between Frecklington and Baugley saw Scott Canham rocket home a brilliant shot from fully 25 yards into the roof of the net. Woking continued to ask questions of Kettering, with 'keeper Higgins the busiest man on the pitch throughout most of the second half. Finally, on 79, they made the breakthrough. A Boardman ball was turned into the box by Bagshaw, and Jamie Baugley applied the killer touch, forcing Higgins into a finereflex save. The sighs quickly turned to cheers - Lee Collymore on hand to stab home the loose ball. Woking would add a fourth deep in injury time, and after Higgins had again spilled from Baugley, Andrew Bagshaw slotted home to claim his second, Woking's fourth and the Man of the Match award to boot - superb.

Woking 4 - Kettering 2 (Bagshaw 2, Canham, Collymore)

Woking; 4-4-2; Bayes, Turner, Davies, Boardman, G MacDonald*, O'Brien, Baugley, Canham, Frecklington, Bagshaw, Collymore

Woking Position After Game; 1st

retired_brinker317

The train rattled it's way through the pointwork outside London Bridge station - the old Slam Door stock still going strong, despite being earmarked for disposal some three years ago.

Stuart Fairway wasn't worried though - in fact, he was delighted. Undefeated this season, his Woking side were flying - and he was on his way to potentially add the icing to an already very sweet cake.

The transfer target had been rumoured for a while, but Fairway knew that, with other clubs sniffing around, he had to make a move today. It was all suits, smart and proper - the lad was a teenager, a city boy but still a bit wide-eyed - and this would make the right impression on his parents.

Stuart smiled to himself, looking around the packed train. There had been one or two glances as he'd got on, but nobody seemed to recognise him - just as he'd hoped.

Suddenley, that smile was wrenched from his lips. A furious squeal from the wheels below him confirmed that something was wrong before an enormous impact. The coach tipped sideways, before falling over onto it's side. Stuart blacked out amid terrifying screams.

He had been sitting at the far end of the first coach. It was to prove a decision that killed him. In the end, he was just a statistic - the packed commuter train was a write-off, taking 54 lives with it. Amongst the 54 a doctor, a teenage mother, numerous city gents - and someone described as one of the most promising young managers of his generation. He would never get to complete that signing - he had written his final teamsheet.

retired_brinker317

Authors Notes

Decided to bring this one to an end as I've been losing interest in it, but felt what has been a story I've really enjoyed both playing and writing deserved something of a conclusion.

Thanks to those who have read, and especially thanks to those who have commented

retired_embartl

:eek: What a sad way to end a long and very enjoyable-to-read career.

retired_bbcarr

retired_pupka

Still I like your method of ending it, something I'd have been proud of

retired_brinker317

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by I'm Not Ruud:

Oh, a little question, which is a bit off topic, but I figured I'll ask it anyway. Whatever happened with that girl who you liked who worked at the hotel? Did she ever give you a call back or anything? I remember the OTF thread and never found out what happened, so I was just wondering. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

See her most days, she never speaks. Easy come, easy go

If it makes you feel better he (I) didn't die, but was just seriously injured and made a full recovery - couldn't think of another suitable ending really, but I wanted to bring it to some kind of conclusion - perhaps I'll write a 'happy' ending and get it edited in :thup:

Thanks for reading, it's made it all the more worthwhile for me.

retired_bbcarr

was a really excellent read. say to see it end. hope you'll be back with a new story sooner rather than later :thup:

retired_loubou

Like everyone else said, it was a great story to read D_S.

Hope to see you back soon with a new adventure. :thup: