Hello my friends and greetings from a snow covered Southern Ontario where 100cm has fallen in just a few hours in some communities. Anyway, enough of chilly things and lets take look at a busy month.
The first game of this challenging month was a trip to 16th place Mansfield and due to the fixture pile up it was imperative that we got off to a great start.It took a while but we did just that. Brian Gilmour broke the deadlock forcing the ball over the line from a free kick just on the stroke of halftime. Fofana fired in the the second just before the hour and added to his tally after a nice little run by Pogba ended with a cross to the feet of Fofana for an easy tap in. Thomas Lyskov who has been quiet in recent weeks added a morale boosting fourth with a powerful header.
We were back at home for our following game against York which we completely dominated. Two goals by Wesley Baheng were enough to ensure victory. The first came off a beautiful through ball by Shane Williams and the second just after half time was a result of a well worked string of passes down the right flank and a low drilled cross that Baheng ran on to and tucked into the net.
It was time for our FA Trophy semi-final game and the 1st leg involved a trip to South London to face a very strong Wimbledon side. I made a decision that even though we had a good chance of winning that the league was more important and out went the reserves. Chris Maxwell my back up keeper had a nightmare of a game and the home side stormed into a comfortable 3-0 lead. Pogba managed a consolation goal late into the game but we were thoroughly beaten. ML Lewis Emanuel who was injured in the game will be out for the rest of the season.
We stayed away from home for our following game which turned out to be a very drab affair against Kettering. Francis Laurent and Shane Williams finally got their first goals for the club at the beginning and very end of the match. In between there wasn’t much to write home about. It’s another three points and that’s all that matters.
Next up was the FA Trophy second leg against Wimbledon. We were already two goals behind from the first leg and the visitors extended that lead to four inside the first ten minutes. Wimbledon totally out played us though we did have FIVE chances cleared off the line and another hit the inside of the post but they took their chances and added a further two goals as we were soundly beaten 4-0 and exited the competition.
So now the focus was now on the league and a home game versus Cambridge. We started off brightly with two goals by Baheng in the space of four minutes after which we decided to take a nap and let the visitors control the rest of the game. Although we won I don’t need complacency settling in at this late stage of the season.
The following game saw us visit Hayes & Yeading which turned out to be one of those bore draws and painful to watch.
Three days later a very tired looking team took the field at The Racecourse Ground to face Bath City. As in the previous game we struggled to make anything decent happen upfront and it turned into a frustrating afternoon. As fatigue became worse so did the errors and it was a defensive mix up that allowed Bath to take the lead in the 67th minute. We pushed forward in search of an equalizer but it never came and so we ended a long hard month a defeated team.
League Table
So we secured a play-off spot though Luton are only three points behind us and we have to face them very soon which more and more looks like the title decider.
Fixtures
Five games left to play and oh so very close to automatic promotion which should get the board off my back as they were very upset at the 7-1 overall defeat to Wimbledon in the cup.
With luck then my next post will be the final one of the season unless of course Luton take the title.
Thanks for reading!!
Johnny Karp
7 декабря, 2010 at 22:05
Too bad about the FA Trophy exit but the league form has been good enough. You have the upper hand there, three points to defend, and the players should do their best to hold on to that lead. It’s going to be an exciting finale, good luck!
Kevin
8 декабря, 2010 at 09:16
Hi Johnny
A deliberate sacrifice with the cup so I hope it pays off otherwise it will be a miserable end to the season as I don’t want to face Wimbledon again.
Ana Garcia
8 декабря, 2010 at 00:20
Very close at the top!!
Forget the cup you have a league to win! The game away at Luton is looking like the game that could decide it but three away games isnt ideal.
Am hoping you can hold off the threat and claim the league title and promotion!
Good luck!
P.S. The snow has come back again to my area, and again I cant get to work! So I guess I am an holiday until it melts! Yay! :D
Kevin
8 декабря, 2010 at 09:19
Hi Ana
The Luton game is the most important one and should decide the winner.
Lye
8 декабря, 2010 at 00:28
Hi Kevin,
It’s going down to the wire. Both teams have same goal difference but you are having the upper hand. I have the confidence in your team to claim the title. I understand sometimes you need to sacrifice the cup to go for the league. The decision will prove you right if you win it. Good luck.
Kevin
8 декабря, 2010 at 09:20
Hi Lye
Yes, I hope I made the right choice only time will tell.
Jack
8 декабря, 2010 at 01:56
Good month Kevin! Never mind about the FA trophy, although your supporters will be gutted they missed out on a day to wembley :p I think if your defence stays as tight as its been, barring the Wimbledon exception, promotion should be secure. Good luck!
Kevin
8 декабря, 2010 at 09:22
Hi Jack
Thanks for your comment. My defense has been very good so I hope they keep up their form especially against Luton.
Arjuna
8 декабря, 2010 at 13:05
Hey Kevin,
You may have had a tough month, but you’ve got through it well. You are set for promotion
Arjuna
Kevin
9 декабря, 2010 at 00:26
Hey Ajuna
I hopes so and thanks for your confidence.
Sears
8 декабря, 2010 at 14:25
Your still top and there’s only a few games remaining. I’m sure you can clinch the title and secure promotion!
Kevin
9 декабря, 2010 at 00:27
Hi Sears
Thanks a lot though I’m getting nervous :(
warren
8 декабря, 2010 at 15:20
Its always dissapointing when you are out of the cup so late on but the league was way more important and now that you have a three point lead I think you should be fine with promotion
Kevin
9 декабря, 2010 at 00:32
Hi Warren
The cup was a calculated decision so it just reamins to see if it was the right one
hils
8 декабря, 2010 at 16:49
Hi Kevin,good month there!!!!!!!!!!!! Unlucky on the cup exit!!!!!!!!!! In my game i lost to brighton in the league cup 2nd round with derby!!!!!!!!!! Good luck!!!!!!!!
Kevin
9 декабря, 2010 at 00:33
hello hils!!!!!!!!!
Thanks mate. Too bad about your cup exit as well. Good luck with Derby though.
Darren Smith
8 декабря, 2010 at 18:42
Hi Kevin, well done on a great run of form. You did right to sacrifice the cup in my opinion. I would have done the same to be honest. I think you’ll claim top spot mate and I’ll be delighted to add your first points to my manager rankings. Goodluck mate and thanks for a good read.
ps We’ve had some awful snow in yorkshire as well, I live near the dales which is natorious for bad weather. Temperatures are reaching -15 degrees and the snow just wont melt. At least its christmasy
Kevin
9 декабря, 2010 at 00:35
Hi Darren
Appreciate your support on my decision. Hopefully my name will have some points against it soon :)
PS snow looks nice until it’s been around for a couple of months and then you will wish you were in Benidorm! :)
Laxeyman
9 декабря, 2010 at 11:15
Hi Kevin, the title race is going right down to the wire! It’s been a really exciting season and I’m sure the end will be the same, hopefully you can get a point against Luton and hold onto top spot. Good luck!
Kevin
9 декабря, 2010 at 12:47
Hi Laxeyman
Thanks. The Luton match is the game of the season for sure.