FMS — November 2010

Hey everyone, welcome back to another episode of the FMS Community story!

Last month saw us get some brilliant results against Nottingham Forest and Derby that lead us straight up to the top of the Championship. With the fixtures we had this month, I was again feeling confident that we could hold onto top spot, even under the pressure of Swansea and a few others who were lurking in and around the play-off area. Still, there’s only one way to find out? Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight! Woops. Uh. Updateeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! *Facepalm*

FMS vs Doncaster (Championship)

First action of the month then, and no it was not a UFC match-up. Instead it was Doncaster who came to Patriots Park in search of 3 points. Under the roar of supporters, the game never really kicked off and the first 10 minutes were a complete drab. Dami’s shot came closest on the half hour mark though, the young midfielder surging through a barrage of players a blasting a shot over that he really should have scored. Bit of excitement as the half came to a close though, as a Sharp shot smashed off the inside of the post. The ricochet didn’t trouble the FMS goal though, and it stayed 0-0 as the whistle went. After the break, FMS came out of the blocks the faster of the two sides and should have really scored when a Niller goal was disallowed for a foul on Mills. Replays show there was minimal contact, but you can never see them really anyway…
Breakthrough, and it came in the form of Dami. His pass out wide to Rodrigo was sublime, and when the striker weaved his way in on the left hand side, there was only one thing on his mind when he was teed up on the edge of the Doncaster box, crashing the ball home into the bottom corner. This was complemented with a goal from Pepper to finish off the game for FMS as McLean’s cross found him in the six yard box as he controlled and struck low and hard into the far corner. That’s how it finished then, much to the delight of the 9000 home fans!

Match Stats:

Video Highlights: Here

FMS vs Burnley (Championship)

Next game saw us at home for the second time in a row, this time to face promotion chasing Burnley who were right on our tails. It got off to the best of starts for the home side though as Big O put them 1-0 up inside the first ten minutes. Dami with the corner from the left hand side, only reaching the near post which luckily he was on to glance the ball past the keeper. A second came soon after too, Crosby’s dawdling on the left hand side managed to create a huge gap as the opposing defenders came rushing out to tackle him. Dami exploited it, received the ball and smashed it into the back of the net from ten yards. Straight from the kick off though, Burnley had the determination to fight back and nab an equaliser. Elliot finding space in the FMS box as the pass came through to him on the right hand side, which he took full advantage of as he hit a shot across the keeper and into the far corner. The score remained the same up until half time, but after the break the home sides dominance was carved open again as an Alexander corner met the head of Bikey. Vaibhavc could only watch in horror as his attempted palm away just wasn’t strong enough to keep the equaliser out as he directed it into the side netting. Own goal for the keeper, but it looked a little harsh to call it that. Burnley weren’t satisfied with just an equaliser though, and their persistence paid dividend as they scored another one through a scrappy Iwelumo goal, breaking the hearts of the home fans and capping off a tremendious fight back by the promotion chancing side. That win was surely a precious one…

Match Stats:

Video Highlights: Here

Portsmouth vs FMS (Championship)

First away day of the month saw a massive 200mile trip down to the south coast to meet a Portsmouth side currently sitting mid table. Their mid table ambition showed in the first ten minutes as their average start saw the away side take the lead. Quick thinking by the goalkeeper saw an attack down the left hand side. Brazza laying it off to Dezmo who saw his little chip over the Portsmouth right back lead straight into the path of Rodrigo. One on one with the keeper, he kept a cool head and slid it under him to cap off a great move. It was that left hand side that produced again just ten minutes later, as Brazza laid the ball off to Dezmo. His storming run and cross found a gracious McLean at the back post who passed it into the empty net. FMS dominance with possession saw them see out the half two goals to the good. Portsmouth reluctance to attack nearly cost them another couple of goals just after the break, but a Wolf sending off for a wreckless tackle on Nugent sure kicked the life into them and gave the league leaders something to think about for the last 20. Fortunately, they got what they wanted on the day and never really looked like not getting the 3 points today.

Match Stats:

Video Highlights: Here

FMS vs Watford (Championship)

Next game would see the mighty FMS back at Patriots Park to face a Watford side in the midst of a relegation battle. As you can imagine then, the first twenty minutes were tit for tat as both sides aimed to win their corresponding battles to get a foothold in the game. It wasn’t until the half hour mark that the deadlock was broken though. Rodrigo spreading the ball out to the right hand side for Alex to latch on to, only for his cross to meet the flying head of the creator as his determination to get forward saw him crash into the net with the ball. Roles were switched for the next goal as Rodrigo played receiver when his cross from the left found Alex at the back post to see the ball into the back of the net from 5 yards out. Complete and utter relief on the faces of the home fans as they could eat their half time pie in peace knowing their side were two goals to the good. Their bowels weren’t to be troubled in the second half though, as they saw their side dominate the game. It produced little in the way of chances, and even when Dully’s shot was cleared off the line, it did little to entertain the neutral. Still, another win for FMS and one step closer to that Premier League dream…

Match Stats:

Video Highlights: Here

Crystal Palace vs FMS (Championship)

Final game of the month time now, and it was a corker too as it was another trip down south to face Crystal Palace. Massive chance for 1-0 in the opening minute as a completely misplaced pass by Clyne saw MRDNRA with the ball free in the area. With the goal gaping down on him, he managed to hit the side netting from 6 yards out, much to the disappointment of the away fans. Rodrigo was the first player to have the ball in the net, but his effort was ruled offside. FMS’s dominance with the ball surely paid off though as they scored just before the half when captain Sears nodded in from close range after a Dezmo freekick from the right hand side. Half time came and went, and the play was much the same. Crystal Palace did hit back though in the opening stages of the second half through a wonderfully crafted Counago goal but it was all for nothing as FMS managed to grab the vital goal they needed two minutes from time. Dezmo played the corner short to McLean, he swivelled and crossed first time to find the head of, who else, captain Sears to send the away fans into extacy! A fitting ‘Baby Rocking’ celebration followed too, ironic for the youngsters from Scunthorpe who weren’t alive when some of their opposition had started school!

Match Stats:

Video Highlights: Here

A quick look at the league table now then, and that almost perfect run saw us hold our place amongst the dog fight as neither team managed to pick up maximum points. Three teams just three points away though, so I’m really hoping we can continue this form into the New Year which is going to be completely chocker with fixtures. But we have the squad for it I guess!

Go to the next page, to see the reserves and U18′s in action and the usual news and upcoming fixtures…

Reserve Games:

After suffering their first loss on the final game of last month, they tore apart Rotherham to ensure they meant business. Pepper bagging four, Alex with two and Jagginman rounding off the rout with a goal of his own.

Only two games for the reserves this month though, but what a complete and utter trounce this turned out to be. A host of names getting on the scoresheet including a man of the match Dami performance that saw him bag a hattrick, along with Billy, MRDNRA, Judast, Yank and Taylor091

U18 Games:

First game of the month for the youngsters saw 9 men Doncaster go 3-1 down in the end. Goals from Skip and Liam101 set them on their way to ensure victory.

Fourth round of the youth cup, and it was one to remember as soon to be FMS goalkeeper Swede let a shot from his own team mate pass through his arms as the lads from Manchester couldn’t find a way through the other goal to beat Scunthorpe’s finest. They will go on to meet Everton in the 5th round.

Final game of the month titled ‘Destruction in Hartlepool’ as Scunthorpe got into double figures against their opponents. Goals from Matt, Liam101 and Sibo ensuring they topped their league by a couple of points and a +38 goal difference having only played 9 games..

Injury news next then, and it looks as though the massacre had ended with only one more casualty to add:

Matty B unfortunately getting the brunt of it, and our backup keeper will be out for at least 4 weeks.

We also got ourselves on the award’s panel this month…

Rodrigo and Dully getting First and Second place respectively in the award for Championship ‘Young player of the Month’. Well deserved as well, as both of them have been on fire this past month, especially Rod. Darren Smith who…..?

Next month, we will see as expected a rise in fixtures during the winter months. We start out entertaining FMS’s own Skunker when we face Coventry at Patriots Park. Hard games against Bristol City and Norwich come before another meet up with Vinners and Widge at Reading.

So that’s your lot for this episode! As ever, leave your comments in the box below and I’ll do my best to take on all your requests. If you want to know any additional information about your player just give me a buzz. Player profiles will be done with the January update!

Thanks for reading :D