Hello folks, it’s finally time for an update to my Vauxhall Motors Football Manager 2011 story! We were top of the League 1 table at the end of January 2014, qualified for the fourth round of the FA Cup and also in a good position to reach the final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. Things were going well for us but we still had work to do in February, another busy month ahead of us. Let’s see how it went.
Vauxhall vs Burnley (FA Cup 4th round)
Venue: Rivacre Park
Attendance: 2,500 (capacity crowd)
Starting line up: Martin Hansen – Ken Harris, Sashi Chalwe, Mervin Simon, Grant Baddeley – Carlos Bogado, Matthew Ball, Peter Leven, Keith Higgs – Mark Cullen, Dale Hills
Team Talk: You can win today!
A big event to kick off the month, the FA Cup clash with Championship side Burnley. The odds were obviously against us but I was quietly optimistic since we knocked out Southampton in the previous round. We got off to a good start and that resulted in a goal on 11 minutes, Dale Hills converted a penalty kick that he produced himself after being held back inside the area. Unfortunately Burnley canceled that effort 12 minutes later with a corner kick goal and despite our best efforts the score remained level at half time.
Half time score: 1-1
Half time team talk: Pleased.
Half time substitutions: Jacob Hronec for Harris, Jason Banton for Higgs, Darryl Duffy for Cullen
There were several fitness problems in my team so I had to make three substitutions at half time. That didn’t seem to have a big impact on our performance though, we were piling on the pressure but Burnley were holding out with tremendous determination. We could have clinched it five minutes from time, Jason Banton was clean through on goal but he was stopped by a late tackle. The referee did show the red card but I would have preferred the goal under the circumstances… Burnley held out and earned the right to have the match replayed at Turf Moor, we missed a good chance to cause another upset.
Full time team talk: Good result!
Man of the match: Grant Baddeley
Flop of the match: Matthew Ball
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Click here to watch the highlights.
Hartlepool vs Vauxhall (League 1)
Venue: Victoria Park
Attendance: 2,022
Starting line up: Martin Hansen – Ken Harris, Daniel Pappoe, Mervin Simon, Alex Billington – Jacob Hronec, Mark Brown, Graham Howson, Jason Banton – Mark Cullen, Dale Hills
Team Talk: You can win today!
The first league game of the month was supposed to be an easy one as we were traveling to meet bottom club Hartlepool. It didn’t seem to be that easy though, my team was rather unconvincing and the home side took the lead with a fantastic goal from 25 yards. That goal was a wake-up call for my lads, they took control of the game but I was quite shocked to see them wasting no less than four clear cut chances before half time!
Half time score: 1-0
Half time team talk: Sympathise.
Half time substitutions: Derrick Williams for Billington, Jacob Walcott for Banton, Omar Koroma for Hills
The second half was a total nightmare, one of those times when everything that can go wrong does go wrong… First we netted the equalizer through Mark Cullen on 52 minutes but Hartlepool took the lead again just two minutes later. The game went totally wild from that point on, there were chances on both ends but we managed to make it all square again 13 minutes from time through Jacob Hronec. It wasn’t over yet though, Hartlepool took the lead again on 89 minutes, then we leveled it again during injury time when Daniel Pappoe netted a corner kick header but we lost the game due to a last-gasp goal! It was a harsh result, the team played a pretty good game but our defense should have done a bit better.
Full time team talk: Good effort!
Man of the match: Jacob Hronec
Flop of the match: Dale Hills
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Click here to watch the highlights.
Derby vs Vauxhall (League 1)
Venue: Pride Park
Attendance: 17,376
Starting line up: Martin Hansen – Jacob Hronec, Sashi Chalwe, Mervin Simon, Grant Baddeley – Carlos Bogado, Mark Brown, Graham Howson, Keith Higgs – Darryl Duffy, Mark Cullen
Team Talk: You can win today!
Derby were having a rather disappointing season, they were in 12th place before the game. We got off to a flying start as Mervin Simon headed in a corner kick cross inside the first minute of play but a mix-up in our defense canceled that effort just three minutes later. We controlled the game until half time but we were unable to get back in the lead. Derrick Williams had to come in around the half hour mark for injured Baddeley, I was hoping that the injury wouldn’t prove to be a serious one.
Half time score: 1-1
Half time team talk: Pleased.
Half time substitutions: Peter Leven for Howson, Dale Hills for Cullen
We resumed our attacks after the interval and Darryl Duffy finally slotted home on 66 minutes and the three points seemed to be secured. The match was under our control but things could have gone wrong during injury time when Derby were denied by the post! I was happy to get the three points but unfortunately Grant Baddeley‘s injury was quite serious, he was going to be out for three months so his season was as good as over. It was quite a blow to lose one of our best players but it was a lucky break for young left back Lucky Sibiya, I gave up the prospect of loaning him out and promoted him to the first team.
Full time team talk: Disappointing!
Man of the match: Mervin Simon
Flop of the match: Dale Hills
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Click here to watch the highlights.
Vauxhall vs Notts County (Johnstone’s Paint Trophy North Final – second leg)
Venue: Rivacre Park
Attendance: 2,500 (capacity crowd)
Starting line up: Martin Hansen – Ken Harris, Daniel Pappoe, Mervin Simon, Lucky Sibiya – Darren King, Mark Brown, Graham Howson, Jason Banton – Mark Cullen, Ibrahima M’Bow
Team Talk: Encourage.
The second leg of the JPT North final was expected to be a comfortable one of us since we had won the away leg 1-0. I decided to give both Sibiya and M’Bow a chance to make their debuts and they played pretty well as the game was put beyond doubt inside the opening 20 minutes thanks to goals from Mervin Simon and Jason Banton.
Half time score: 2-0
Half time team talk: Pleased.
Half time substitutions: Derrick Williams for Simon, Nathan Rooney for Howson, Dale Hills for Cullen
The players were quite relaxed and Mark Brown finally managed to score his first goal for the club before Derrick Williams made it 4-0 with a free kick header. Notts County pulled one back with a spectacular lob from 30 yards out but it was too late, we were going to Wembley! The final is going to be played in April and we are going to face fellow League 1 side Brighton.
Full time team talk: Congratulations!
Man of the match: Mark Brown
Flop of the match: Mark Cullen
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Click here to watch the highlights.
Vauxhall vs Plymouth (League 1)
Venue: Rivacre Park
Attendance: 2,403
Starting line up: Martin Hansen – Ken Harris, Sashi Chalwe, Mervin Simon, Alex Billington – Jacob Hronec, Mark Brown, Graham Howson, Jason Banton – Mark Cullen, Dale Hills
Team Talk: You can win today!
Plymouth were in 19th place before the game but I was quite cautious after the mishap we had at Hartlepool. This time we didn’t leave any room for doubt though, Mark Cullen powered in his 20th goal of the season four minutes into the game and then Jason Banton and Dale Hills made it 3-0 before the break. We had some bad news as well, Sashi Chalwe left the field on a stretcher and was replaced by Daniel Pappoe.
Half time score: 3-0
Half time team talk: Pleased.
Half time substitutions: Peter Leven for Brown, Jacob Walcott for Banton
The second half was all quiet, my lads took the foot off the gas but kept things safely under control. It was a refreshing win but we couldn’t really celebrate it since Chalwe was going to be out for three weeks.
Full time team talk: Well done!
Man of the match: Graham Howson
Flop of the match: Jacob Hronec
Match Stats
Video Highlights
Click here to watch the highlights.
The FA Cup relay against Burnley was coming up, go to the next page to see how that went.
Go to the next page to read the rest of the story.
Hi Johnny, not a great month, but you’re still top and looking good for promotion, which is the important thing. Shame about the FA Cup but hopefully you can keep going in the JPT. Good luck!
Hi Laxeyman and thanks for the comment. The JPT final will be the biggest event in the club’s history but we’ll have to take care of the league before that.
Hi Johnny, that was a tough month but you’re still top and in the Cup. If you can pick up pace next month then I can see you stretching your lead again. The Preston game will be vital, but lets hope your players can perform above all expectations. Good luck Johnny, I’m hoping for promotion but it could go down to the wire.
Thanks Darren, I would be happy to keep this five-point cushion at the end of next month. It will be tough, I’m quite sure of that.
Ah a brave effort Johnny but i suppose morale wasn’t good. It’s a vicious circle. But your still in the JPT which is good :) Btw I finished my season in league 1, I topped the table and won the JPT. On aggregate I won the semi final 9-2! But I’ve just finished preseason and got my squad sorted for the championship! But your gonna do the same anyway but I’m just pleased I got this far! Well done and good luck for next month
Congrats on your success Vinners, I hope I’ll be able to replicate that!
Ah I’m sure you will! I’ve started hesistantly, 1-0 away :/ And that was hard fought! Plus my stadium’s only 2500 and my a new stadium being built was never started so once again I’m gonna be hemoraghing money. And if I get into the premiership then all the money from that will have to go on facilities and I may just try and buy a stadium as that’s gonna be the only way I’ll have a chance…
Well done Johnny!
I find it interesting how you manage to do so good with players I gave free transfer, send on loan or are back ups of my main team at my Havant game on league 2 like Papoe, Derrick Williams and N Rooney.
Though I have Gombala as a regular striker doing very good!
I don´t have a youtube account, but I think I will need one since one of my players scored a “G Hagi 94 world cup goal” so I would like to share it.
For this 12-13 season I signed for free a Belgian central midfielder with amazing attributes for this stage named Rocky Peeters, a bit slow though.
I like you are giving the details of the team talks and more. I never use the “pleased” talk in the half time unless my team is winning for more than 3 goals, I want them focus!:)
Cheers and thanks for the post
Hi Mariano, I would surely love to see that goal since Hagi’s goal in 94 is my all-time favorite goal! About the team talks, I like to be kind with the players and encourage them, I rarely use harsh words with them. I guess that’s my personality :) I’ll have a look at that Belgian CM if I can find him in my game.
Hello Johnny
You had a great spell in the middle of the month followed by some unlucky losses but at least you are still top of the table which is encouraging. I’m going to have to check into Graham Howsen in my game as he seems terrific. Anyway congrats on reaching the JPT Final which I’m sure you can bag that trophy!
Thanks Kevin, I hope we’ll remain top of the table at the end of March. Unfortunately you won’t find Howson in your game, he’s a regen.
Good month Johnny, ur still top which is great. Hopefully u can hold on in there, good luck!
Thanks Sears.
Hey Johnny,
Its good to see Dale Hills finally find his form and goalscoring touch, now he scores some great goals! I think your team should win “The Stupid Goals Conceded Award” after that throw-in goal and when Hansen just ran away from the ball.
Hi mate. We did concede some stupid goals indeed, I hope that will stop in the coming months. Dale Hills is doing a bit better but I hope there’s more to come from him.
You had some very unlucky results in this month and should still win promotion, if not the league! :-). Also good to see Dale Hill finally come into form! About the goal of the month competition, does it have to be on youtube to submit it?
Thanks for the comment Nick. We were a bit unlucky but we also were a bit naive on some occasions. About the competition, the goal doesn’t necessarily have to be on YouTube but it must be available to be seen somewhere, maybe on another video sharing service if you have a problem with YouTube.
Hi Johnny,good month there!!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully you will get promoted!!!!!!!!! Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Hils!!! :)
Hi Johnny
Unlucky with the FA Cup but the run to get there will certainly bring in some money. The run in the JPT will also bring in money and you still have a chance of winning. Not the best of months in the league but I just think thats down to having quite a busy month
good luck for the rest of the season.
Thanks Warren, I do regret the FA Cup exit but reaching the 4th round was pretty good. We’ll have to focus on the league now, promotion might slip through our fingers…
Well it was bound to happen after your great start! I’m sure you will pick up next month! But i don’t think the month was that bad! Your still top and 5 point lead is still very good if you think about it! :-) Good Luck!