Our last league game of the month came only two days after the Exeter one, 17th placed Bury were coming to face us at home. Ryan Carolan gave us the lead with a corner kick header 10 minutes into the game and we were in control of the match. Things were looking quiet but a terrible error from goalkeeper Daniel Tudor gifted Bury the equalizer, he needlessly rushed out to intercept a ball outside the area and got beaten to it. We got back on track just before half time though, Omar Koroma netted a penalty kick to celebrate his return from injury. The second half was very quiet but that didn’t stop Kazmierowski from getting his name on the score sheet yet again, he looks better with every game.
Exeter lost a second consecutive game and our lead was now extended to four points! The most important thing is that we are 10 points clear of the fourth placed team, promotion surely looks closer now!
We had one more game to play before the end of the month, the FA Cup 3rd round tie with fellow League Two side Port Vale. We started the game well, we were dominating but were quite unlucky to hit the crossbar twice. I was expecting a goal any minute but it came into the wrong net, Port Vale took the lead thanks to a fabulous strike. The team didn’t look shocked though, we continued to push forward but missed a good chance and hit the woodwork once again before half time. We had to turn things around in the second half but Kazmierowski wasted a huge chance a few minutes into it. Then a pretty big error in our defense gave Port Vale the chance to double the lead and they didn’t refuse it, we were 2-0 down! That goal was like a punch in the stomach for my team, the lads tried to react but they were looking like playing with heavy military boots instead of football shoes. We surely didn’t deserve to lose this game but when you miss so many chances I guess you can expect the worse.
Here’s how the player stats look like at the halfway point of the season, most players did well but there are a few that might leave the club come the 1st of January. Two transfers out have already been decided, backup left back Tom Wynter and backup left winger Alexandru Gheba will leave the club for an overall fee of 10,000 pounds. Veteran striker Leonardo Biagini announced me that he intends to hang up his boots at the end of the season but I am considering giving him an early retirement. He will not leave the club though, he wants to become a scout and I will offer him a contract since I could surely use his vast knowledge of Argentinian football.
Left back Fabio Daprela was one of our best players so far. He is on loan from West Ham until the end of the season and I’m quite happy with his reliable displays so far. I might try to make the move permanent at the end of the season if we get promoted.
The club’s financial situation has improved significantly thanks to all the prize money that we took from the cup competitions but also thanks to the much higher attendances for our home games. That’s a big step forward for the future of the club, I want it to be debt-free and to be able to sustain its activity without any loans or cash injections from the board.
I will be trying to bring in a few more players in January, mostly on loan and maybe a couple of free transfers, we’ll see. The new year will start with a home game against Port Vale, I’m looking forward to getting revenge for that FA Cup mishap. We’ll also have to play the first leg of the Johnstone’s Trophy South final against League One side Gillingham, they will be the favorites but we already beat them in the FA Cup in November.
That’s how it was my friends, thanks for reading this rather long post. Oh, and don’t forget to check out our new predictions contest, I hope you will enjoy it and spread the word about it!
Kevin Mayo
7 августа, 2010 at 13:43
Hi Johnny
Aside from the FA Cup defeat you had a good month overall and a massive moral boosting win over the «former» league leaders Exeter. Nice to win those local derbies for sure. Great stuff !!
Lye
7 августа, 2010 at 14:52
Another promotion on the cards mate, you are simply unstoppable in every team that you managed. I am already looking forward to Dorchester playing in league 1 even though its just half a season gone. Wonderful stuff.
Mark Julian
7 августа, 2010 at 15:06
Another very good month there, you seem to get triple or even quadruple promotions with these teams!
Have you ever gone a whole season unbeaten?
Mark
Darren Smith
7 августа, 2010 at 15:24
Good results there Johnny. At the start of the season I tipped you for the play-offs. I’ll retract that prediction and go with the title. A great month there mate. Hopefully you can build a massive lead from here. Goodluck pal.
Johnny Karp
7 августа, 2010 at 15:36
Thanks for all your kind words folks, you’re making the good run look even better! :)
@Kevin
That win over Exeter was great especially because we turned the game around in the last 10 minutes.
@Lye and Darren
I think that we need another two good months to make sure of the promotion.
@Mark
I think I did go a whole season unbeaten with Notts County but I can’t remember exactly.
Java
7 августа, 2010 at 16:48
Well done Johnny, you’re the best. Even though your board was annoying but you’re doing very well. Good luck for next month ;)
Johnny Karp
7 августа, 2010 at 16:54
Thanks Java. No problems with the board now though, I lowered my expectations regarding their generosity :)
Sears
7 августа, 2010 at 20:36
Hi Johnny,
if your side can maintain this form, I’m sure you can secure promotion. Well done!
Laxeyman
8 августа, 2010 at 11:57
Well done Johnny, another excellent month, well done. Promotion looks quite likely now, as long as you can keep up your form. Well done again and good lukc for next month, which will be important.
Johnny Karp
8 августа, 2010 at 12:34
Thanks Sears and Laxeyman, I surely hope we’ll keep it going for at least a couple more months.
Cal
8 августа, 2010 at 13:26
Good month there Johnny your team is keeping up its good form.
Hope you get promoted!!
Johnny Karp
8 августа, 2010 at 13:55
Thanks Cal!