FMS Patriots — September 2011

Welcome back to the story!

Last time you saw our youngsters from Scunthorpe endure one of the hardest debut fixture lists in the Premier League. Still, they managed to hit Liverpool and Fulham for 6 points while they fought gallantly at the hands of the gunners, only loosing by a single goal. Peterborough managed to knock us out of the League Cup though, which I wasn’t best pleased with as it was something I thought our lads might be able to challenge for. Still, the Premier League is our top priority and unfortunately our dismal run of fixtures continues with an away day at Manchester United. Hopefully we can pull it out of the bag this month and gain a foothold in the top half!

So, Manchester United entertained us at Old Trafford (Or the Swamp as it is known locally..) hoping to get three points out of our newly promoted side. Things didn’t start well for us though, and we were behind from a Rooney goal on the 5 minute mark. The England international latching onto what looked like a headed back-pass from left back G, giving him an open goal to smash home. Things got from bad to worse for us, as the defending champions doubled their lead when Fletcher hit home from outside the area. It looked like it was going to be a Peterborough-esque rout, but fortunately the signs looked good as Smith hit the post and the team started gaining momentum. That momentum was vital, and just before halftime, the patriots pulled one back. Smith easing the ball into Pepper, who slotted the ball into the corner form 5 yards. I was hoping that the whistle wouldn’t go for half time, as I wanted to keep the momentum but it didnt matter as immediately after the break we equalised. Crosby slid home to stick away a cross from McLean. Unfortunately for us, it wasn’t to last long as Rooney and Hernandez both got on the scoresheet to sour any hopes of a victory for the youngsters. Still, the performance was excellent against the league champions. Although that was our third straight defeat in all competitions, we need a win from somewhere…(Click here to see the highlights)

Back at Patriots Park now then, as we face a strong Sunderland side boasting the likes of Santa Cruz and Gyan. We were in desperate need for a win to get some points back on the board but for all the enthusiasm our side gave, the away side nearly took the lead as Santa Cruz hit home from 12 yards. Luckily though it was ruled out offside, much to the relief of me and the fans. There were a few half chances here and there over the course of the first half, but it wasn’t until a goal just before half time that the game set alight. It came in the form of Smith, as a breakdown in the Sunderland defence meant he could fight the way past the back line to slot home! A big sigh of relief from me and the back room staff before half time then, but we were just hoping for more of the same. We got our wish. G crossing for Crosby out on the right, only for him to hit the post from close to the penalty spot. Luckily the re-bound fell to Dully, and he made no mistake from 5 yards sending the fans into a chorus of chants. It didn’t stop there either as the Patriots hit their third and fourth goals in the form of headers from Sears and McLean respectively. This left only a Riveros sending off late into the game to make the day for FMS, as we stormed up to sixth in the table. Happy days! (Click here to see the highlights)

Final game of the month, and it was against fellow promotion side Nottingham Forest. We might have beaten them twice beforehand, but they have always put up a fight against us. No wonder that they opened the scoring at the City Ground then as just a quarter of an hour into the game Fetfatzidis slotted the ball passed Vaibhav into the corner of the net. We did respond though as midway through the first half saw some great passing and moving leading the exchanges to Crosby who fired home from all of 8 yards. An absolute thunderbolt from Johnson put the Patriots 2-1 up just before the half time whistle proceeding a huge ‘slide on the knees’ celebration for his first goal in Premier League football:

How he got that far I’ll never know…

Celebrations were short lived though, and Forest brought it back level just after the restart. McKenna finding Blackstock all on his own to hit home from just inside the area. The game was tense, and it was very much stalemate between the two sides as the full-time whistle approached. I brought on Bmwdestroyer after Smith was running himself into the ground with only 5 minutes left. Not much time to make an impact some might say, but the teenager from London hit home four minutes into added time from a McLean cross to seal a dramatic three points for the Scunthorpe side. I let out a little ‘Get in’ for good measure ;) (Click here to see the highlights)

We managed to better our standing from last month, moving up into 6th place in the Premiership even after that defeat to United. Hopefully we can continue the strong run we are having and hold a top half position till the end of the season. Early doors yet though!

Go to the next page to read the rest of the story…

Reserve Games:

Middlesbrough first then, and as we had no keeper due to a Skunker injury the team did manage to grind out a draw. Bmwdestroyer and Yank getting the goals in the North East.

Sunderland next then, and again without a keeper we managed an unlikely home draw. Alex grabbing a brace for the patriots.

Two Jordie sides down, one to go as we faced Newcastle. Unfortunately again without a keeper, we sucumed to a loss with Alex grabbing the only goal as it ended 2-1.

Injury news now then, and we had a couple of small(ish) ones this month:

..And I got my first appearance, breaking a record a long the way :D

It’s time for the awards now and I’m glad to say we took a clean sweep!

McLean finishing first to claim the ‘Young Player of the Month’ award for September, with Crosby and Jenko rounding off the top three. Well done lads!

As well as that though, we did grab another award..

‘Young Player of the Month’ award for League One went to Samlar, with Sibo taking third! Glad to see people doing well at their respective loan clubs :)

Next month we start the ball rolling with a match against Wolves. Then trips to Aston Villa, West Ham and Everton will cap off a relatively competitive fixture list. Just hope we can get something against Villa and Everton who are looking very strong at the moment..

So that’s your lot for this episode boys and girls! Thanks for reading and as ever stick your comments in the box if you want anything doing to your little pixelated character ;)