Hello folks and welcome back to the Dorchester Town story! I was quite eager to continue the game after the great month of October in which we conceded only one goal, managed to stay unbeaten and, last but not least, jumped right up to the top of the table! We were only two points clear of second placed Coventry though so we surely needed to keep up the pace in order to stay top. Let’s see what happened in November…
The first game of the month was away at 7th placed Rotherham, not an easy opponent at all. Things got even more difficult eleven minutes into the game when my defense was unable to clear a corner kick properly, the ball fell back into our penalty area and got placed into the back of the net. We got back level only five minutes later courtesy of Omar Koroma, the striker made a great counter attack run and finished it perfectly. Then we got a bit lucky a couple of minutes before the half hour mark, midfielder Zakaria Labyad tried his luck with a curling shot from 30 yards out, the ball hit the post, bounced clear, hit the goalkeeper in the back and bounced straight into the net! We found ourselves under a bit of pressure after half time but my defense resisted well and when it didn’t goalkeeper Gabriel Nicolau made sure that nothing went past him. A draw might have been the just result there but I was quite pleased with the way we defended the lead in the second half.
We had the FA Cup coming up next, we were going to meet Notts County in the first round. I remembered that we had quite a difficult game against them in the league, it was a thriller that ended 3-3 in September. Back then Notts County scored a late goal from distance, this time they scored the opening goal in a similar fashion, a great 25 yard drive beat my goalkeeper eight minutes into the game. We played quite poorly until half time, did better after the break but failed to convert our chances into at least a goal. I was disappointed with the early FA Cup exit, we didn’t play well enough to deserve to go through.
We were out of the Carling Cup and the FA Cup, we had to do our best in the Johnstone’s Trophy. Our next game was the South quarter final against League Two side Leyton Orient and although the bookmakers were saying that they were slight favourites to win the game I decided to field mostly backup players and give some key men a good rest. We got off to a decent start, missed a couple of chances but then my defense gifted Leyton Orient the opening goal by playing the offside trap terribly wrong. My team appeared to be less determined than the opponents, we were losing lots of balls in midfield, but we managed to get back level before half time when Szymon Kazmierowski rounded off a good team move. We were playing quite badly though and Leyton Orient had two good chances to get back in the lead before the break. We continued our terrible display into the second half and eventually Leyton Orient deservedly took the lead. We had 20 minutes to turn things around so I decided to switch the strategy from «attacking» to «overload» and moved my wide midfielders to attacking midfielder positions. We started to push forward convincingly and it took us seven minutes to net the equalizer, Revy Rosalia headed one in off the post. We were piling on the pressure but also wasting great chances from close range. Szymon Kazmierowski completed our fightback two minutes from time when a free kick cross found him inside the box and he headed the ball home. I was expecting an easier game to be honest…
Back to the league then, our next game was a difficult and important one: at home with 3rd placed Gillingham, they were only five points behind us. Unfortunately we went down early in the game again, a corner kick marking error gave the opponent too much time and space inside our penalty area and Gillingham took the lead. We managed to score 20 minutes later though, a great team move sent Omar Koroma clean through and he found the target with a placed shot. He could have doubled his tally a couple of minutes before half time, he had a good chance but sent the ball disappointingly wide. Gillingham started the second half with greater impetus and they hit the crossbar five minutes into the last 45. We were being outplayed but the defense allowed us to hang in there until the final minutes of the game when Omar Koroma could have handed us the win but his good shot hit the woodwork.
Our goal scoring form was not what I expected so I decided to bring in another striker on loan. There were not too many good ones available, the better ones didn’t want to join Dorchester, but I am satisfied with the one we managed to bring in. He is 17 years old, he comes from Manchester City and his name is Craig Carlisle. He’s a rather strong lad for his age with decent technique, I hope he will settle in quickly and bang in a few goals. He will spend three months on loan at Dorchester but I might extend the deal if he does well. Go to the next page to read the rest of the story.
Go to the next page to read the rest of the story.
Laxeyman
20 августа, 2010 at 23:26
Hi Johnny, again that was a pretty good month, your team ate very solid, as proved by you still being unbeaten in the league. Shame about the League Cup, but well done in the JPT, you could go all the way in that! Hopefully you can also stay top of the table, good luck!
Johnny Karp
21 августа, 2010 at 09:16
Thanks Laxeyman, I would really love to win the JPT after losing the final at Wembley last year. But the league is definitely more important.
Jean Paul
20 августа, 2010 at 23:36
Hey Johnny, real shame about getting knocked out of the cups, but like you told me, at least you can now focus more on more important things like the league. You managed to stay unbeaten and that is impressive. I’m sure you’ll do well against a few mid-table teams.
Johnny Karp
21 августа, 2010 at 09:17
Thanks for the confidence Jean Paul, I didn’t intend to win the FA Cup but a couple more rounds would have been nice :)
Sears
21 августа, 2010 at 00:23
Hello Johnny,
I wouldn’t be to disappointed wwith the early defeats in the cup competitions. Their not so important in the lower leagues, despite earning some handy cash. You should be looking to win all your games next month since the majority of them are at home :-D Goodluck mate.
Johnny Karp
21 августа, 2010 at 09:18
Thanks Sears. You are right, the FA Cup would have given us some cash in the next few rounds, I wouldn’t have played the final anyway.
Sayam Khan
21 августа, 2010 at 01:11
Brilliant, top of the league, well done!
Also, you gave hartlepool a good thrashing didn’t you lol.
And the new signing looks good.
Good Luck :-)
Johnny Karp
21 августа, 2010 at 09:19
Thanks Sayam, winning 6-0 is always pleasing. I would have preferred winning that 1-0 though and winning the next one 2-1 :)
Lye
21 августа, 2010 at 05:12
Hi mate, it doesn’t turn out as good as what you have expected this month but i think thats only a slight hiccups. Your team is still unbeaten. I believe the team will gain some momentum back in winning more instead of drawing. Good luck.
Johnny Karp
21 августа, 2010 at 09:20
Thanks Lye, I’m sure we’ll see some losing too sooner or later, I have to be prepared for that :) Anyway, like you pointed out, we’re still unbeaten and that’s quite important.
Kevin Mayo
21 августа, 2010 at 12:10
Hi Johnny
I guess if you have to be knocked out of the cup then against Notts Co somewhat eases the pain. I like your new stirker Carlisle and I hope he does well for you. Glad to see that you are still top of the league and I’m sure your side will start producing the goals again soon as you seem to be getting a lot of shots at least.
Johnny Karp
21 августа, 2010 at 12:20
Thanks Kevin. It’s strange but I felt that I had to win that cup game especially because it was against Notts County! :)
Darren Smith
21 августа, 2010 at 12:16
Hey Johnny, don’t worry too much about the cups. Theres plenty of time for silverware, its promotion that will help Dorchester grow. You managed another good month and I am getting more and more confident about your promotion chances. Goodluck mate and keep up the good work
Johnny Karp
21 августа, 2010 at 12:21
Thanks for the good wishes and for the confidence Darren, I hope we’ll manage to grab that much desired promotion.
java
21 августа, 2010 at 21:43
Well Done Johnny, I believe we’ll see Dorchester in Championship next month.
Your Dorchester story is the most interesting story I think.
I wonder if my story could be as interesting as your story. But unfortunately maybe I can’t post my Aldershot Story for two or three weeks. I have many things to do this month. :(
Goodluck for the next month!
Johnny Karp
22 августа, 2010 at 09:00
Thanks Java! I doubt we’ll be accepted in the Championship next month though :) Don’t worry about your story, take care of the things that you have to do and then make a swift and strong comeback to FM! :)
Java
23 августа, 2010 at 01:58
hahah… I mean next season. :D
yeah, for now maybe i can just comment on your and others’ blog.
Cal
23 августа, 2010 at 17:50
Good month Johnnyy your team is doing well
Some good signings too!!