Bringing Soccer to the World (FM14)

[EagleFan]

Hoping that the laptop holds out this time around as I start up a new dynasty. The World Cup has lit the fire again. I feel the need to take over a team and see where my virtual career leads. My goal is to let the world know that they are playing Soccer, football is large men in pads. :)


Background

I start unemployed and have added 5 countries with all of their leagues.

England
USA
Germany
Mexico
India

I figured that would give me a good range of quality to try my hand with.

My manager is starting out with Automatic reputation which I am assuming to be a random setting. It has no setting for "some previous FM success" so nothing else really fits me. :)


The game is beginning on July 2, 2013 and the following jobs are open:

- Shrewsbury Town of the Sky Bet League 1 in England.

- Saarbrucken of the German Third Division.

- Colorado of the MLS.

- United SC of the Indian National Football League.


Going to research the teams a little and then see where things lead.


Game on.

[EagleFan]

Colorado is the only team in season so far and they have a dismal record of 1 win, 9 draws and 8 losses. In 18 games they have scored only 11 goals. That job looks like an uphill climb. Their goal is to get a manager to make them competitive.

Shrewsbury Town is looking for a manager that can keep them from being relegated (not a lofty goal).

Saarbrucken is looking for a top half finish out of their new hire.

United SC is looking to avoid relegation and are also in financial trouble.


Looks like beggars can't be choosers.

[EagleFan]

Then I notice that Senegal has rumors of looking for a new person to lead the team. I declare interest (might as well aim for a national squad to see what happens... I blame the World Cup Fever) to see where that leads as I think over the other positions.

[EagleFan]

July 3, 2013

United SC is no longer an option as they have hired a new man but there are some other rumblings going on with a couple English lower level teams.

I notice a couple other jobs open at the National level: Serbia and Congo (and Bermuda).

Time to apply. I apply for the three original, and remaining, openings and also for Congo and Serbia.

[EagleFan]

July 10, 2013

Time for the rejections as both Serbia and Congo have turned me down and went a different direction (which should be assumed as I currently have no history. Would have caused a stir in those countries if they hired me.

[EagleFan]

July 14. 2013

The rejections continue as all applications have now been denied. Time to do some more searching. Looking like I may end up coaching a Sunday over 30 team...


Rumors are that the Philadelphia job may be opening up so I let it be known that I would be interested.

[EagleFan]

September 22, 2013

A long wait so far and a job has opened up at Wrexham. They are currently 18th in the Skrill Premier league in England and the board wants a promotion from the league. Looks like a bit of a challenge, one that would be good for one's career (or to start one's career).

Thus, I apply for the job. Maybe I haven't been clear enough that I have guided teams to promotion in FM before... ;)

[EagleFan]

September 28, 2013

I am approached by Wrexham.

I have been offered 1.3K per week only through June 2014, just for the remainder of this season so far.

Since I need to get my name out there I accept.

[EagleFan]

Later tonight will be my assessment of the team.

[bbgunn]

Good luck!

[EagleFan]

Good luck!

Thanks!

[EagleFan]

Team Overview

They have dropped to 20th since I applied for the job. They have 2 wins, 4 draws and 5 losses for 10 points and are 2 points ahead of being in relegation territory.

In 11 games they have scored only 9 goals and allowed 13 for a net of -4. Seems like they "park the bus" a lot. They/we are 9 points out of playoff range.

Just glancing through the team and I see no stats that are giving me a lot of hope. Need to come up with a style that will suit the players, hoping the previous coach was using them incorrectly.

No player has more than 2 goals. Only 2 goals total from any of the strikers, both from one person.

The player with the best match rating average separated his shoulder and is out for 2 months. He was injured just 4 games in and is still tied for the most goals on the team with 2. They were 2-0-1 in the three games in which he played a full game, lost the game in which he was injured and have not won a game since.

Will take a little while to go over these players and see what I have to work with but need to work on hiring a staff now.

[Brian Swartz]

Looks similar to my game only a more PC-friendly setup ... happy football games, and may the odds be never in your favor!

[EagleFan]

Looks similar to my game only a more PC-friendly setup ... happy football games, and may the odds be never in your favor!

Thank you, and the same to you as well.

[EagleFan]

Was hoping to get some time in tonight but my laptop got stuck in a loop of "unable to complete setup" for upgrades, kept reverting and restarting... finally when I was about to say the hell with it the thing finally booted.

[Young Drachma]

Keep it up.

[EagleFan]

The Squad

GK Joslain Mayebi - 26 year old from Cameroon; starting keeper that has allowed 12 goals in 10 games but had little support; Good at communicating and organizing the team

GK Andy Coughlin - 20 year old from England; looks like he should be getting more playing time, though he is still just a bit behind Mayebi; has played 1 match and conceded 1 goal

D (RC) Stephen Tomassen - 19 year old from England; has played in 6 matches; may need to be playing regularly as he looks like a promising youngster

D (RC) WB (R) Kyle Parle - 18 year old from England; played only 1 match and is currently only a backup; may grow into a starter at this level but doesn't show much beyond that

D (LC) Leon Clowes - 21 year old from Wales; has speed but can be selfish; has played in 6 matches

D (L) DM,M (LC) Neil Ashton - 28 yard old from England; has started 10 matches and was a sub in 1 match; solid all around player for this level

D (C) David Artell - 32 year old from Gibraltar; has started 9 matches; second best central defender on the team and is good in the air but lacks speed which prevents him from playing outside

D (C) Danny Livesey - 28 year old from England on loan from Carlisle; started 3 matches and is out for a couple months with a hamstring injury; a slightly better version of Artell and a big loss with him being out as there is a drop to the 3rd best

D (C) Edijs Joksts - 21 year old from Latvia; has started 2 matches and was player of match in one; has potential but not close to realizing it yet; lacks speed

D/WB (L) Lee Naylor - 33 year old from England; top left defender on the squad; has started only 4 matches and has 1 assist; lacks speed which can leave him vulnerable on the edge

DM M (C) Valery Mezague - 29 year old from Cameroon; has started 8 matched and subbed in 1 with 1 assist; plays at a high pace but is not really solid defensively

D DM (C) Luke Watson - 19 year old from England; has started 3 matches and subbed in 1 and has scored 1 goal this season; has potential to take over the top spot in the center but not there yet; has plenty of speed but not lateral agility

M (R) ST (C) Brett Ormerod - 36 year old from England; has started 7 matches and subbed in 3 and has scored 1 goal this season; naturally a striker; lacks speed and is on the down side of his career; recovering from an injury but should be ready soon

M (C) Dean Keates - 35 year old from England; has started 4 matches and scored 2 goals but has been out ever since and may be out for another 2 months; smart and creative player but on the down side of his career

M (C) Jay Harris - 26 year old from England; has started every match and has 3 assists and 1 man of the match but is currently sitting on 4 yellows and will miss a match with another; good team player but not good defensively

M (C) Mark Carrington - 26 year old from England; has started 9 matches and subbed in 1 and has scored 1 goal; very athletic but lacks defensively

M (C) Joe Clarke - 25 year old from England; has started 1 match and subbed in 5; team player but lacking defensively

M AM (RC) Kevin Thornton - 27 year old from Ireland; has started 7 matches and scored 1 goal; naturally right mid and seems to the best right mid on the squad; technically sound but lacking in athleticism

M AM (RC) Elliott Durrell - 23 year old from England; has started 1 match and subbed in 2; naturally an attacking center middie and quite skilled but can be selfish; I am going to give him a chance when I change up the scheme

M AM (L) Lee Angol - 19 year old from England on loan from Wycombe; has started 3 matches and subbed in 1 and has scored 1 goal; naturally an attacking left middie; has good speed but does not make good decisions

AM (RL) Theo Bailey-Jones - 19 year old from England; has started 3 matches; needs time to develop but has speed

AM (RL) ST (C) Ashley Miller -19 year old from England on loan from Gillingham; has started 3 matches and subbed in 1; needs to develop

ST (C) Andy Bishop - 30 year old from England; has started 7 matches and been a sub in 3 and has scored 2 goals and has 1 assist; strong and athletic but not fast

[EagleFan]

September 28, 2013

Time to jump in with both feet as we have a match on my first day on the job. Not going to make many changes, though I am going to start a couple of the youngsters to see what they have. Would just leave the lineup well enough alone but it's not like things can get worse than they have been playing.

We host Cambridge, who is in 13th in the league.


The Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Tomassen
DCR - Artell
DCL - Clowes
DL - Naylor
DM - Mezague
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
AMR - Thornton
AML - Angol
STC - Bishop

Subs - Mayebi, Clarke, Durrell, Miller, Ashton


1st Half
32' - Cambridge striker Luke Norris is on the end of a nice cross into the left side of the box and he one touches it past Coughlin to give Cambridge a 1-0 lead

The half comes with us hanging on, trailing 1-0. We haven't been able to mount a sustainable attack and have not gotten a shot on goal yet (4 shots, not one on goal).

No changes to start the second half.

2nd Half
62' - Miller in for Angol and Durrell in for Carrington. Changing up to a more attacking style.
69' - Tomasseen takes a pass down the right wing and crosses as he gets near the end line; Thornton finds it and blasts it past the keeper for the goal!!! Match is tied 1-1!
74' - Confusion on defense leads to Harrison Dunk finding a loose ball in front and scoring into the wide open net in front of him to give Cambridge a 2-1 lead and the wind seems to have quickly gone out of the small crowd.
92' - In the 2nd of 3 minutes of stoppage time, Harris flicks a ball forward into the box but instead of someone getting on the end of it, the ball bounces past the keeper for a weak but game tying goal!!! Tied 2-2 in stoppage time.

The match ends tied 2-2.

Man of the Match honors go to Cambridge's Harrison Dunk.

Shots on target saw Cambridge getting 4 to our 2, the difference is that both of ours found the net.


Feels good to get the late heroics for the tie but the way it scored kind of feels like we stole that point.

[EagleFan]

(wife probably wondering what happened on this side of the house when we scored that equalizer)

[EagleFan]

October 5, 2013

Have changed training a bit to focus on attacking play. I saw enough out of the team when I changed to attacking in the second half of that game that I would like to give it a try.

We are on the road against Salisbury, who is in 8th. After the tie we have moved up to 19th.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Tomassen
DCR - Artell
DCL - Clowes
DL - Ashton
DM - Mezague
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
AMR - Thornton
AML - Angol
STC - Bishop

Subs - Mayebi, Joksts, Clarke, Miller, Naylor


1st Half
We held the ball well and outshot them 4-1, we had the only shot on goal in the half. Overall I would call it a success that we are still in range to hold a road point and maybe start to build off something positive.

2nd Half
78' - I bring in Miller for Angol and Clarke for Harris.
84' - I bring in Joksts for Clowes.
86' - Carrington chips a ball over the defense that Bishop get to and takes into the right side of the box, he gets a shot off before the defense gets to him but he misses the net completely.
91' - Confusion in the Salisbury defense lets Miller get past them and in the clear in a race for the ball with the keeper, he gets to the ball first as the keeper backed off when he realized he wouldn't win the race and Miller lobs a shot from about 25 yards out that goes over the out of position keeper and into the net... GOAL!!!!! We take a 1-0 lead as we strike in extra time again!!!

The whistle blows and our winless streak is over with a 1-0 road victory!

Ashley Miller is named Man of the Match for that late game winner.

[EagleFan]

(Might have waken someone...)

[EagleFan]

October 8, 2013

Only a couple days between matches but at least this one is at home against Southport. They sit in 23rd position and we are the favorite, even with our injury problems. We sit in 18th and are 10 points out of the final playoff spot.


The Lineup
Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Clarke
DCR - Clowes
DCL - Joksts
DL - Naylor
DM - Mezague
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
AMR - Miller
AML - Angol
STC - Bishop

Subs - Mayebi, Artell, Thornton, Ormerod, Ashton


1st Half
7' - Miller takes a corner from the left wing and swings it far post, Bishop plays it back to far post where Joksts gathers is and fires a shot off the keeper and in for the goal!!!! We take a 1-0 lead early.

The rest of the half is uneventful and we take a 1-0 lead into the locker room at the half.


2nd Half
83' - I bring in Ashton for a tired Mezague and Ormerod in for a tiring Bishop.

We control the rest of the game fairly well but are unable to add to our lead but we finish with a 1-0 victory and any victory is a welcomed victory.


Edijs Joksts is named the Man of the Match with the goal and 7.70 match rating.

[EagleFan]

We have now moved up to 15th and are 8 points out of the final playoff spot. Even more important is that we are not 6 points clear of the relegation zone.

We have an important stretch coming up as our next 3 opponents are all ahead of us and within 3 points of us, teams that we need to pass if we can make a run at that playoff spot.

[EagleFan]

October 12, 2013

We travel to play at Barnet. They are 4 places ahead of us in the standings as they sit in 11th with 19 points, 2 points ahead of us.

We will be missing Joksts and Artell as they are away for International duty. That will give me a chance to see what a couple other players can do but take a couple of the better performers away from us.

The Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Tomassen
DCR - Clowes
DCL - Naylor
DL - Ashton
DM - Mezague
MCR - Thornton
MCL - Harris
AMR - Miller
AML - Angol
STC - Bishop

Subs - Mayebi, Clarke, Carrington, Ormerod, Watson (want to work a little more playing time for him)


1st Half
1' - Awful start as a giveaway leads to striker Dani Lopez getting his head on a perfect cross into the box from the right wing and directing it past Coughlin to give them a 1-0 lead.
11' - Midfielder Keanu Marsh-Brown is the benefactor of a cross from the left wing as he heads it beyond Coughlin as we are off to a lousy start and now trail 2-0.
18' - It gets uglier as Lopez is given space in the box and fired a hard right footed shot into the left corner to give them a 3-0 lead. This is getting ugly.
31' - A harsh foul on Ashton gives them a penalty; Lopez takes it and gets the hat trick as he fires it into the right side past Coughlin

We go to the half hanging our heads down 4-0.

2nd Half
0' - To start the second half I move Naylor to left defender and remove Ashton as he is killing us; I replace him with Ormerod and move him to the front to change up our tactics... We're either getting a couple back or going to get crushed. I also bring Watson in for Mezague.
53' - Coughlin makes a great save one on one as our pressing got us caught with out pants down on a counter and the game remains 4-0.
54' - Lopez again finds space in the box and fires his 4th goal of the game past Coughlin. We trail 5-0.
54' - I bring Mayebi in to get Coughlin out of the line of fire.
87' - Ormerod makes a nice through ball pass to Bishop who has space but fires the ball extremely wide of the net.

The whistle finally blows (much like we did today) and we fall 5-0. Not looking forward to fan response to this disaster.


Striker Dani Lopez is named Man of the Match with 4 goals and a 9.80 match rating.

[EagleFan]

(ugh; stupid idea to stay attacking for that one)

[EagleFan]

October 14, 2014

FA Cup draw today and we draw Southport as an away match. We should have a chance to advance if we have our team back and play the way we are able to.

[EagleFan]

October 19, 2013

We sit in 17th as we enter the match. We are hosting 14th position Woking who sit just 1 point in front of us.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Tomassen
DCR - Artell
DCL - Clowes
DL - Ashton
DM - Mezague
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
AMR - Thornton
AML - Angol
STC - Bishop

Subs - Mayebi, Joksts, Clarke, Miller, Naylor


1st Half
Fairly even first half but neither team is able to solve the other's back line and the match is scoreless going into the locker room.


2nd Half
0' - To start the half I bring in Miller for Bishop as Bishop picked up an injury in the first half that he tried to play through but is being held back by it.
87' - I bring in Joksts for a tiring Tomassen
Neither team can break the tie and the match ends scoreless.

We outshot them slightly, 9-7 but each team only had 1 shot on goal. Was a close match overall in most stats.

[EagleFan]

October 26th, 2013

FA Cup match at Southport. We are a heavy favorite, which has me a little uncomfortable as we only managed a 1-0 victory against them at home recently.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Tomassen
DCR - Artell
DCL - Clowes
DL - Ashton
DM - Mezague
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
AMR - Thornton
AML - Miller
STC - Bishop

Subs - Mayebi, Joksts, Watson, Ormerod, Naylor, Clarke, Durrell


1st Half
4' - Miller makes a great through ball to Bishop who cranks a shot from near the PK mark but right into the gut of the keeper.
9' - Ashton flips the ball to Carrington in the box who fires a bullet into the left side of the net... GOAL!!!! We take a 1-0 lead.
16' - A lob over our back line is taken by striker Hattersby who one touches a shot that Coughlin tips over the goal for a corner; he sure looked offside to me. The corner was poor and landed on the top of the goal for a goal kick.
35' - A long outlet down the right wing sends Bishop into space and into the box but he fires a shot well wide.

We go to the half up 1-0.


2nd Half
69' - I bring Joksts in for Tomassen and swap him to the middle, bringing Clowes to the right.
80' - I bring Ormerod in for Bishop and Naylor in for Ashton.
87' - Thorton takes a free kick from about 30 yards out and slightly to the left. He curls it far post and it hits the corner perfectly... GOAL!!!!! We take a 2-0 lead!!! That surely seals it.

We hold onto the 2-0 victory.


Carrington is named Man of the Match with a goal and a match rating of 7.50.

[EagleFan]

November 2, 2013

We are on the road against Macclesfield for a tough match. They are in 7th in the league with 26 points, 8 points ahead of us.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Tomassen
DCR - Artell
DCL - Clowes
DL - Ashton
DM - Mezague
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
AMR - Thornton
AML - Angol
STC - Bishop

Subs - Mayebi, Joksts, Clarke, Miller, Naylor


1st Half
We play an even half but neither team is able to mount a good offensive surge and the match is scoreless at the half with only 1 shot on goal total (each team had 4 shots but only 1 by Macclesfield was on goal).

Tomassen seems to be slowing down a little but I will see if the halftime break helps him get his step back.



2nd Half
50' - Artell comes forward to challenge after a throw in and takes the ball away; Bishop saw it happen and began a run down the middle of the pitch as Artell played the ball forward; Bishop gets to the ball about 30 yards out and fires a shot as he nears the penalty area past the diving keeper and into the left side of the net.... GOAL!!!! We take a 1-0 lead!
52' - On a corner that is swung far post, defender Carl Martin heads it into our net beyond Coughlin to even the match 1-1; that was a short lived lead.
63' - I bring Clarke in for Tomassen who is starting to make some bad decisions
79' - Thornton find the ball after a deflected pass just outside the top right of the box and flips a ball forward where Harris one touches it into the net... GOAL!!! We take a 2-1 lead!!!
90' - I bring in Miller for Angol.

We hold strong for the 2-1 victory.


Carl Martin is named man of the match with the Macclesfield goal and a 7.50 match rating. One of our guys should have gotten it but I'll gladly take the win any day.

[EagleFan]

November 9, 2013

FA Cup match at home as we are playing Staines. We are favored in the match and I want us to leave no doubt. We are starting to get a little more support back from the fans from when I first got here but another FA Cup win could help.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Clarke
DCR - Artell
DCL - Clowes
DL - Ashton
DM - Mezague
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
AMR - Thornton
AML - Miller
STC - Bishop

Subs - Mayebi, Joksts, Watson, Ormerod, Naylor, Tomassen, Durrell


1st Half
33' - Striker Callum Willock gets his head on a corner near the far post and into our goal to give them a 1-0 lead after we have been carrying the play

We hang on after a late flurry by Staines and go into the locker down 1-0 at the half.


2nd Half
0' - I bring Durrell in for Thornton who was shown a yellow in the first half and was playing too cautiously ever since
47' - Harris finds Bishop with a great forward pass; Bishop fires a shot clean off the left post and out; we still trail 1-0
56' - Coughlin makes a great save on a cross but Willock is there to beat him on the rebound to give them a 2-0 lead; the fans are not happy
56' - I bring Joksts in for Clowes who has been struggling and I bring Ormerod in for Mezague and move him up next to Bishop
72' - Willock finds the end of a cross on a counter attack and we trail 3-0.
86' - Victims of another counter as Willock finds Melligan in the box for the one touch goal, 4-0...

Final whistle and we are eliminated from the FA Cup in embarrassing fashion.


Callum Willock is man of the match with the hat trick and a 9.70 rating.


I blame myself for that loss, I over-reacted to the early goals and didn't manage the team well.

[EagleFan]

(I hate that red/orange ball. That was freaking hard to follow.)

[EagleFan]

November 12, 2013

A home match against Gateshead who sit in 5th place, 9 points ahead of us. We need three points here. We have the return of Danny Livesey to the back line which hopefully gives us a boost.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Tomassen
DCR - Livesey
DCL - Clowes
DL - Naylor
DM - Mezague
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
AMR - Thornton
AML - Angol
STC - Bishop

Subs - Mayebi, Artell, Clarke, Miller, Ashton


1st Half
We do a good job defensively, allowing only 1 shot and it wasn't on goal but have been struggling getting into a good offensive position.


2nd Half
50' - A nice setup between Carrington to Harris to Angol set him up for a shot from inside the box just to eh left, he aimed high but the keeper did a fine job of tipping it over the goal for a corner.
63' - I bring in Artell for Livesey (to not over exert him in his first game back)
70' - Working to find an open shot Carrington finds Thornton in the right of the box about 10 yards out and he rips a shot into the right of the net... GOAL!!!! We take a 1-0 lead.
78' - I bring Clarke in for a tiring Clowes.
90' - Coughlin comes up big after a defensive lapse on a missed tackle led to a great change for Gateshead and he tips the ball behind for a corner.
90' - I bring Miller in for Bishop who has been taking a beating today

In the face of a furious attack in stoppage time we hang on for the 1-0 victory.


Kevin Thornton is named Man of the Match with a goal and a 7.20 match rating.

[EagleFan]

November 16, 2013

A very tough match today as we are on the road against league leading Kidderminster. They have lost only 1 of the 18 matches which they have played. I am reigning the team back in a little to see if we can get a point out of this.


Lineup
GK - Mayebi
DR - Clarke
DCR - Livesey
DCL - Clowes
DL - Ashton
DM - Mezague
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
AMR - Miller
AML - Angol
STC - Bishop

Subs - Coughlin, Tomassen, Thornton, Ormerod, Naylor


1st Half
6' - A scramble in front of out net led to a bad play in which Clarke is credited for an own goal and we trail 1-0.
8' - A blocked shot goes right to striker Michael Gash who quickly fires the ball into the goal... we trail 2-0 and the team is looking shell shocked.
23' - Unreal as Clowes tries to head a ball behind for a corner and instead places it in the upper right corner of the net... we trail 3-0.
29' - Miller chips a ball through to Bishop in the box who one touches it right into the keeper's stomach to keep us off the board.
31' - I bring Thornton in for Harris who has played horribly.
32' - Anthony Malbon receives a pass on the right wing with space thanks to a misplayed steal attempt and he hits a shot off the left post and in... 4-0...
43' - Malbon has another chance from the right side of the box but a great save by Mayebi keeps us only down 4.

We go to the half down 4-0.


2nd Half
46' - Just seconds in Malbon receives a pass in the box (looked offside to me) and passes across the box to Gash who scores into the gaping net to make it 5-0.
46' - I bring Ormerod in for Bishop.
59' - Marvine Johnson blasts home a corner from the near post to make it 6-0. I can see the lynch mob forming.
60' - I bring Tomassen in for Clarke, who is playing poorly.
77' - A lesson in passing leads to Gash wide open in the box and that turns into the 7th goal of the match. Make this end, please.
79 ' - We have completely given up; Malbon receives a pass down the right side and outruns everyone before getting off a perfect shot for the goal... 8-0, epic fail... I should start updating that resume...
89' - Ormerod makes a nice through pass to Miller to the top right of the box who one touches a shot into the right corner of the net as we are on the board... 8-1

The whistle finally blows and we need to forget about this quickly.


Michael Gash is the man of the match with a hat trick and a match rating of 9.80.

[EagleFan]

November 18, 2013

FA Trophy draw and we will be on the road against Maidenhead.

[EagleFan]

November 19, 2013

We are on the road against Dartford who are 10 points behind us in the standings as we still sit in 13th, while they are 22nd and in relegation area. After our last match we are now being labeled as an underdog in this match.

Going to change things up a little after that last result, as far as the lineup goes.

Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Tomassen
DCR - Perle
DCL - Naylor
DL - Ashton
DM - Watson
MCR - Clarke
MCL - Harris
AMR - Thornton
AML - Angol
STC - Bishop

Subs - Mayebi, Keates, Durrell, Miller, Carrington


1st Half
20' - A fine passing exhibition setup a point blank shot inside our box and Coughlin makes a great reaction save to keep the game scoreless.

Nothing else of note as the game is scoreless at the half. We are holding possession well but doing nothing with it when we have it.


2nd Half
50' - Defender David Lynn makes a hard foul on Bishop who goes down injured and Lynn is shown a red card, they will be down a man.
51' - I bring in Miller for the injured Bishop
65' - striker Jason Prior one touches a cross past Coughlin for the goal, we trail 1-0 even up a man.
70' - Angol makes a nice pass into the box to Miller who scores, if he didn't score on that he was coming out... GOAL!!! We tie the match up 1-1 but I want 3 points out of this, not 1.
74' - I bring Kreates in for a tiring Tomassen and switch him with Clarke; I also bring Durrell in for Thornton.
87' - Angol receives a pass at the left side of the box and fires a shot that is tipped behind by the keeper for the corner.

We put on a lot of pressure but can't manage the winning goal and settle for a 1-1 draw.


Miller is man of the match with the goal and a match rating of 7.10.

[EagleFan]

Injury Update

Bishop has broken ribs and may be out 2-3 months.

[EagleFan]

Loan Offer

I see that Eliot Richards is loan listed by Bristol and make a short term loan offer to them. Need to find someone to replace Bishop.

Our offer is accepted.

[EagleFan]

November 23, 2013

We are back at home and host Forest Green in a league matchup. They are in 13th, one point ahead of us. This would be a big game if we could take it.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Clarke
DCR - Artell
DCL - Clowes
DL - Naylor
DM - Mezague
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
AMR - Thornton
AML - Angol
STC - Miller

Subs - Mayebi, Tomassen, Ashton, Richards, Livesey

Richards just arrived at the club so I may use him as a late sub to give him a little time with the squad before starting.


1st Half
6' - A lot of pressure saw Miller and Angol getting back to back shots, the first was a great save and the next was right at the keeper, the game stays scoreless.
26' - Thornton swings a corner near post, Clowes heads it... clang, square off the left post and the ball is cleared, so close.
27' - Naylor takes a free kick from about 5 yards outside of the box, just to the left side; he bends it into the right corner!!! goal!!! his first of the year! we take a 1-0 lead.

We go to the half up 1-0. Keeping my eye on Clowes who has taken quite a beating so far in this match.


2nd Half
59' - Angol taps a ball through to Carrington in the box who fires a shot off the crossbar and out.
60' - I bring Livesy in for Clowes and Richards in for his first action with the team in for Thornton
61' - Clarke plays a fine ball over the top that Miller catches up to and lobs a shot over the keeper who was caught out a bit too far and into the net.. GOAL!!! We are up 2-0.
67' - Coughlin makes the save of the season when a pass from the left side down low comes out front to the center at about 7 yards out; he dove quickly to his left and kept it out.
69 ' - a counter attack over the top leads to a one on one chance that Coughlin tips over the top for a corner with another great save.
70' - I bring Ashton in for Carrington who is struggling.
74' - Miller finds Richards down the right wing on a counter attack and he is taken down hard from behind as he reaches the box, a penalty is awarded but surprisingly no card given.
74' - Naylor takes the penalty and buries it for the GOAL... We lead 3-0.
75' - A defensive lapse allows midfielder David Norwood into the box for a clear shot and Coughlin can't stop this one as they get on the board, 3-1.
83' - Miller finds Richards with a nice one touch pass for an open shot on the right side of the box and into the net... GOAL... welcome to the team... we lead 4-1.

We win 4-1 to move up a spot in the standings. A much needed victory and a good morale boost.


Naylor is man of the match with 2 goals and a match rating of 9.30.

[EagleFan]

November 26, 2013

Another home league game as we host Tamworth who sit in 20th position and are 9 points behind us (we sit in 12th). They are one position up from relegation territory, though they do have a 4 point cushion. We are 6 points out of the final playoff position.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Tomassen
DCR - Livesey
DCL - Clowes
DL - Ashton
DM - Mezague
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
AMR - Thornton
AML - Angol
STC - Richards

Subs - Mayebi, Artell, Clarke, Miller, Naylor

Giving Richards his first start for the club.


1st Half
We have the better of possession and shots but have not been able to get a ball into the net yet and the match is scoreless at the half.


2nd Half
0' - I bring Artell in for Clowes who is doing well but is tiring.
47' - Thornton lobs a cross from the right wing to the far post where Richards heads it into the net... GOAL!!! We take a 1-0 lead as Richards gets his 2nd goal in as many games with the club.
51' - Striker Richard Paniket is given space to receive a pass right in front of the goal and Coughlin has no chance as they even the match 1-1.
75' - I bring Clarke in for Mezague who has been injured.
77' - They score on a redirected free kick but the play is called offside and the game remains 1-1.
82' - I bring Miller in for a tiring Angol.

We are unable to break the tie and the game ends 1-1.


Tamworth defender Jordan Keane is named Man of the Match with a match rating of 7.80.

[EagleFan]

November 30, 2013

Our first FA Trophy match as we travel to Maidenhead and are the favorites, now we need to play like it.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Clarke
DCR - Clowes
DCL - Artell
DL - Naylor
DM - Ashton
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
AMR - Thornton
AML - Angol
STC - Miller

Subs - Mayebi, Joksts, Watson, Richards, Livesey


1st Half
2' - Angol sends a cross into the box from deep on the left wing and a defender tries to head it over but instead it is in the goal for an own goal... We take a 1-0 lead.
7' - A fine passing play setup Miller in the box who tapped the ball to Harris on the left for the easy goal!!! We take a 2-0 lead.
15' - Harris is setup by Miller again but this time be blasts it off the keeper but the rebound goes right to the feet of Thornton who has an open net to score into, and he does... GOAL... We lead 3-0!
25' - Coughlin makes a great save diving to his left and catching the ball at the same time to keep us up 3-0.
26' - Ashton with a steal and finds Angol with a lob over the top, after a short dribble Angol fires a shot into the right corner for the GOAL! We lead 4-0.

We take the 4-0 lead into the half.


2nd Half
59' - On a set piece Thornton finds Harris in the box but his shot is saved but goes right to Angol who puts it into the net... GOAL!!! We lead 5-0.
64' - Striker Jonathon Hiiolyte is allowed to get behind the defense and scores on an out of position Coughlin to get them on the board at 5-1.
65' - I bring Joksts in for Artell and Watson in for Ashton.
73' - Miller is fouled in the box trying to get on a cross and a penalty is awarded. Thornton takes the penalty and scored to the left side near the post. We take a 6-1 lead.
81' - I bring in Richards for a knocked up Miller, who had a great game but is getting knocked around a bit now.

We win the match 6-1.


Thornton is named man of the match with 2 goals and a match rating of 9.40.

[EagleFan]

December 2, 2013

FA Trophy draw and we will host Cambridge in the next round.

[EagleFan]

December 7, 2013

We head on the road against Southport for a league match. They are in last place in the league with only 15 points and a league worst -23 goal differential. We are the favorites going in.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Tomassen
DCR - Livesey
DCL - Clowes
DL - Naylor
DM - Ashton
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
AMR - Thornton
AML - Angol
STC - Miller

Subs - Mayebi, Joksts, Clarke, Richards, Artell


1st Half
19' - midfielder Karl Ledsham heads a corner past Coughlin to give them a surprising 1-0 lead.
33' - midfielder Kellen Daly strikes a free kick from about 20 yards out and into the left corner to give them a 2-0 lead.

We go to the half down 2-0.


2nd Half
0' - I bring Clarke in for Harris who had a poor first half.
47' - Thornton finds Miller in the box who blasts a shot past the keeper to put us on the board at 2-1, it's a game again.
62' - I bring Richards in for Angol and then switch up Miller and Richards.
83' - I bring Artell in for an injured Ashton.

We put on pressure but can't even up the match as we fall 2-1.


Kellen Daly is man of the match with a goal and a match rating of 8.30.

[EagleFan]

December 14, 2013

We host an FA Trophy match against Cambridge. We are the defending champions of this tournament so we are expected to make the finals according to the board which makes this a must win (especially since I am on thin ice already).

Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Tomassen
DCR - Livesey
DCL - Clowes
DL - Naylor
DM - Mezague
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
AMR - Thornton
AML - Angol
STC - Miller

Subs - Mayebi, Artell, Clarke, Richards, Ashton


1st Half
12' - on a set piece Miller sets up Harris for a one touch blast into the right side of the goal... GOAL!!!! We take a 1-0 lead.
22' - a defensive lapse gives up a good shot from the left side of the box but Coughlin makes a nice stop and knocks it behind for a corner.
46' - in injury time Thornton takes a corner from the right wing and swings it into the box where Clowes heads it into the net for the GOAL!!! his first of the season and we lead 2-0.

We go to the half up 2-0. We could play better but happy to have the lead.


2nd Half
57' - Tomassen finds Carrington in the right corner of the box and he lifts a shot past the keeper and into the net... GOAL!!! We lead 3-0.
58' - quickly they strike back as Luke Norris receives what surely looked like an offside pass in the box and puts it past Coughlin to get them on the board 3-1.
69' - I bring Richards in for an injured Thornton.
71' - a poor play deep in our territory gives Luke Norris a point blank shot and they are not back to 3-2.
71' - I bring Ashton in for Mezague.
71' - I bring Artell in for Naylor, who was guilty of poor play on each goal we allowed.
79' - striker Adam Cunnington is allowed behind out defense on a long counter attack and he fires a shot into the upper left corner of the net, we have allowed them to tie the match 3-3
85' - Richards finds Carrington who breaks into the right corner of the box and fires off a shot that is tipped over for a corner.

We can't break the tie and should hang our heads over this one.


Luke Norris is the man of the match with a pair of goals and a match rating of 8.80.

[EagleFan]

<table width="90%" align="center" bordercolor="#000000"><tbody><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>Pos</td><td>Inf</td><td>Team</td><td></td><td>Pld</td><td>Won</td><td>Drn</td><td>Lst</td><td>For</td><td>Ag</td><td>G.D.</td><td>Pts</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>1st</td><td></td><td>Kidderminster</td><td></td><td>22</td><td>13</td><td>8</td><td>1</td><td>36</td><td>14</td><td>+22</td><td>47</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>2nd</td><td></td><td>Luton</td><td></td><td>22</td><td>12</td><td>6</td><td>4</td><td>34</td><td>17</td><td>+17</td><td>42</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>3rd</td><td></td><td>Grimsby</td><td></td><td>21</td><td>12</td><td>4</td><td>5</td><td>37</td><td>25</td><td>+12</td><td>40</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>4th</td><td></td><td>Salisbury</td><td></td><td>21</td><td>11</td><td>4</td><td>6</td><td>30</td><td>21</td><td>+9</td><td>37</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>5th</td><td></td><td>Lincoln</td><td></td><td>23</td><td>10</td><td>7</td><td>6</td><td>38</td><td>30</td><td>+8</td><td>37</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>6th</td><td></td><td>Gateshead</td><td></td><td>23</td><td>11</td><td>4</td><td>8</td><td>26</td><td>20</td><td>+6</td><td>37</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>7th</td><td></td><td>Alfreton</td><td></td><td>23</td><td>11</td><td>4</td><td>8</td><td>33</td><td>29</td><td>+4</td><td>37</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>8th</td><td></td><td>Braintree</td><td></td><td>22</td><td>10</td><td>6</td><td>6</td><td>40</td><td>26</td><td>+14</td><td>36</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>9th</td><td></td><td>Cambridge</td><td></td><td>22</td><td>9</td><td>4</td><td>9</td><td>30</td><td>24</td><td>+6</td><td>31</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>10th</td><td></td><td>Nuneaton</td><td></td><td>22</td><td>6</td><td>12</td><td>4</td><td>23</td><td>19</td><td>+4</td><td>30</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>11th</td><td></td><td>Macclesfield</td><td></td><td>22</td><td>7</td><td>8</td><td>7</td><td>25</td><td>23</td><td>+2</td><td>29</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>12th</td><td></td><td>Barnet</td><td></td><td>22</td><td>7</td><td>8</td><td>7</td><td>27</td><td>26</td><td>+1</td><td>29</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>13th</td><td></td><td>Forest Green</td><td></td><td>22</td><td>8</td><td>5</td><td>9</td><td>26</td><td>29</td><td>-3</td><td>29</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>14th</td><td></td><td>Wrexham</td><td></td><td>23</td><td>7</td><td>8</td><td>8</td><td>24</td><td>34</td><td>-10</td><td>29</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>15th</td><td></td><td>Chester</td><td></td><td>22</td><td>6</td><td>9</td><td>7</td><td>23</td><td>22</td><td>+1</td><td>27</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>16th</td><td></td><td>Hyde</td><td></td><td>22</td><td>7</td><td>6</td><td>9</td><td>23</td><td>30</td><td>-7</td><td>27</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>17th</td><td></td><td>Woking</td><td></td><td>22</td><td>5</td><td>10</td><td>7</td><td>27</td><td>28</td><td>-1</td><td>25</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>18th</td><td></td><td>Tamworth</td><td></td><td>22</td><td>5</td><td>8</td><td>9</td><td>26</td><td>33</td><td>-7</td><td>23</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>19th</td><td></td><td>Hereford</td><td></td><td>22</td><td>4</td><td>11</td><td>7</td><td>21</td><td>30</td><td>-9</td><td>23</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>20th</td><td></td><td>FC Halifax</td><td></td><td>22</td><td>4</td><td>9</td><td>9</td><td>24</td><td>29</td><td>-5</td><td>21</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>21st</td><td></td><td>Dartford</td><td></td><td>23</td><td>4</td><td>7</td><td>12</td><td>24</td><td>34</td><td>-10</td><td>19</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>22nd</td><td></td><td>Southport</td><td></td><td>22</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>14</td><td>16</td><td>38</td><td>-22</td><td>18</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>23rd</td><td></td><td>Aldershot</td><td></td><td>22</td><td>8</td><td>3</td><td>11</td><td>21</td><td>36</td><td>-15</td><td>17</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>24th</td><td></td><td>Welling</td><td></td><td>23</td><td>3</td><td>8</td><td>12</td><td>20</td><td>37</td><td>-17</td><td>17</td></tr></tbody></table>

[EagleFan]

December 21, 2013

We travel to play at Welling. We are currently in 14th and they are currently in last place, 12 points behind us. We are 8 points out of the final playoff position and need to take 3 points from this club.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Clarke
DCR - Livesey
DCL - Clowes
DL - Ashton
DM - Mezague
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
AMR - Richards
AML - Angol
STC - Miller

Subs - Mayebi, Tomassen, Naylor, Ormerod, Artell


1st Half
The first half is played tightly and we are scoreless at the half.


2nd Half
0' - I bring Tomassen in for Clarke who has been error prone and has a yellow as well.
48' - Miller takes a corner from the right wing and swings it far post where Livesey heads it home... GOAL!!! his first of the year. We take a 1-0 lead.
63' - I bring Naylor in for Carrington who is sitting on a yellow and close to getting a second; I move him to left defender, move Ashton to defensive mid and Mezague to center mid.
77' - I bring Ormerod in for Richards who is tiring and beaten up, I move him to striker and bring Miller back to right attack.
78' - midfielder Jake Gallagher commits another foul and is given his second yellow and ejected, they are down to 10 men.

As the final whistle blows we accomplish our goal of 3 points with a 1-0 victory.


Livesey is named man of the match with the goal and a match rating of 8.10.

[EagleFan]

December 26, 2013

Happy Boxing Day. We are home to face Alfreton in a league match. They sit in 7th position, 5 points in front of us. We are 13th now and still 8 points out of that final playoff position.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Tomassen
DCR - Livesey
DCL - Clowes
DL - Naylor
DM - Ashton
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
AMR - Richards
AML - Angol
STC - Miller

Subs - Mayebi, Clarke, Mezague, Ormerod, Artell


1st Half
25' - Miller takes a pass deep into the box to the left side and turns to find Carrington coming into the box, he finds him with a great pass and Carrington fires a shot into the net to the left of the keeper... GOAL!!! We take a 1-0 lead.
28' - Richards takes the ball down the right wing and accelerates into space where he crosses into the box, Carrington is there to direct it home... GOAL!!! We lead 2-0.
41' - Angol is taken down in the box and a penalty is given. Carrington takes the penalty and scored into the net with the keeper diving the other way, he has a hat trick and we lead 3-0!!!

We take the 3-0 lead into the half. May be our best performance of the year so far as we have held them to only 1 shot and that wasn't on goal.


2nd Half
58' - Carrington finds Richards breaking down the right wing and into the box but a nice save keeps him from scoring but gives us a corner. We get nothing off the corner but a couple blocked shots.
68' - Richards finds Carrington in the box who quickly hits the roof of the net for his 4th goal of the game... GOAL.... We lead 4-0.
71' - Striker John Akinde is given a gift on a shanked clearing attempt in front and scores the easy goal to put them on the board 4-1.
87' - I bring Clarke in for Tomassen and Artell in for Clowes.
88' - I bring Mezague in for Carrington so he can get the ovation.

The final whistle blows and we win convincingly 4-1.


Carrington is named man of the match with 4 goals and a 9.90 match rating.

[EagleFan]

December 28, 2013

On the road with just one day of rest as we have a league match against Hyde. They are in 16th, 7 points behind us. We have gained some ground and are still in 13th but are now only points out of the final playoff spot.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Clarke
DCR - Clowes
DCL - Artel
DL - Ashton
DM - Mezague
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
AMR - Miller
AML - Angol
STC - Ormerod

Subs - Mayebi, Joksts, Watson, Durrell, Naylor


1st Half
19' - striker Owen Story receives the last of a tic tac toe passing play in the box and hammers th eball past Coughlin to put them on top 1-0.

We control a lot of that half and the only shot that Hyde got was the one they scored on but we trail 1-0 at the half.


2nd Half
63' - I bring Durrell in for Miller who has a yellow and has been playing on the edge, Watson in for Carrington who is tiring and Joksts in for Clowes who is struggling.
77' - striker Scott Spencer receives a cross in the box, chests it down and hits a strong right footed shot past a diving Coughlin to give them a 2-0 lead.
83' - Angol receives a pass on the left wing, cuts into the box and fires a shot into the net... GOAL!!! We are back to 2-1

We are unable to tie the game up and fall 2-1. We outshot them 10-4 and they only had 2 shots on net and both scored.


Angol is named man of the match with a goal and a match rating of 7.50.

[EagleFan]

Job Update

It is sounding like I am on the way out. A possible bad result in our next match, an FA Trophy match may send me packing. Looks like I have a demanding boss as the team has turned around from the way the season started.

[EagleFan]

(to be continued...)

I will be leaving very early tomorrow morning for a trip for work, a trip in which I was told to "buy a one way ticket" for... That's never a good sign for these trips so I don't know when I will be back but I am already looking forward to getting back to this dynasty.

Unfortunately my work laptop won't work for this... or Steam... since they changed the rules thanks to idiots that would install all sorts of crap full of viruses (like the guy who was fired when he had 75% of his drive filled with porn... after being warned about that already).

[EagleFan]

{back briefly}

Came back for the weekend and back out early Monday morning so I will get a little bit of time in.

[EagleFan]

December 31, 2013

We are on the road in an FA Trophy match against Cambridge. A big game for me, but I am updating my resume just in case.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Tomassen
DCR - Livesey
DCL - Clowes
DL - Naylor
DM - Mezague
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
AMR - Richards
AML - Angol
STC - Miller

Subs - Mayebi, Joksts, Ashton, Durrell, Artell


1st Half
12' - A counter attack that saw one touch passing from Clarke to Miller to Carrington and then to Richards in the right corner of the box where he quickly got off a shot that hit the left post and in... GOAL!!!! We take a 1-0 lead!
32' - Carrington threads the needle to Richards deep in the box but his shot was blasted into keeper and the threat was ended with a clear.
36' - Carrington finds Angol in the left side of the box who shoots clean off the far post and it stays out and is cleared behind for a corner.

We take the 1-0 lead to the half. They have controlled the ball the most but we have the only 3 shots on goal in the game so far.


2nd Half
48' - Richards finds miller in the middle of the box with a nice pass and Miller rewards the effort with a shot into the left of the goal that the keeper had no chance at... GOAL!!! We take a 2-0 lead.
65' - Miller takes a corner from the left wing and swings it far post where Livesey heads it into the net... GOAL!!! We are up 3-0 and looking strong!
75' - I bring Durrell in for a tiring Angol, move him to attacking right, Miller to attacking left and Richards to striker.
76' - Tomassen is called for a foul in the box which gives Cambridge a penalty. Midfielder Simon Lenighan takes the penalty and beats Coughlin to the left side to put them on the board 3-1.
76' - I bring Joksts in for a tiring Clowes and Ashton in for a tiring Mezague.
81' - Richards steals the ball near the box, steps into the box and is taken down on a tackle with no foul given but Durrell is there to fire a shot off the keeper and in!! We lead 4-1.

The games ends and we move on with a 4-1 victory.


Carrington is named man of the match with an 8.40 match rating and an assist.

[EagleFan]

Media

Even though I am still on thin ice with the bosses I find it amusing that a story was published about me today that says how well I have turned the club around and have them playing much more exciting soccer now.

Curious to see where this goes with the boss.

[EagleFan]

As we reach the start of the transfer window I think it is a good time to call it quits until later tonight when I will have time to look over the market and see what I can do to impact the team in a positive way.

[EagleFan]

January 4, 2014

We host Aldershot in a league match. We are 14th and 8 points out of the final playoff position. They are 21st and sit in a relegation position by 1 point.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Clarke
DCR - Livesey
DCL - Artell
DL - Ashton
DM - Mezague
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
AMR - Richards
AML - Angol
STC - Miller

Subs - Mayebi, Tomassen, Naylor, Ormerod, Clowes


1st Half
1' - A fantastic start as Carrington is setup in the middle of the box and fires a shot into the left side of the net... GOAL!!! We lead 1-0 early.
8' - Miller is injured and needs to come out; I bring Ormerod in for him.
28' - Ormerod finds Angol with an angled pass into space at the left of the box and he fires a shot which is tipped over the top by the keeper for a corner.
47' - Striker Adam Mekki runs onto a pass over the top in a counter attack, dribbles into the box, turns for space and beats Coughlin to the far side to even the game up 1-1 late in the half.

We go into the half tied 1-1.


2nd Half
58' - I bring in Naylor for an exhausted Mezague. I move him to left defender and Ashton up to defensive mid.
76' - Richards sends a cross into the box, Ormerod knocks it down and lifts a shot past the keeper into the net... GOAL!!!! We take a 2-1 lead.
89' - I bring Clowes in for a slightly injured Artell.

We hold on for the 2-1 victory!


Carrington is named man of the match with a goal and a game rating of 7.60.

[EagleFan]

Injury Update

Miller will have to see a specialist and has a hamstring injury. Early reports are that he will be out three to four months. Time to look deeper into the transfer market.

[EagleFan]

Transfer

We sign Curtis Weston, a midfielder/defensive midfielder that should win out the defensive midfield position from Mezague, who has been unimpressive but keeps getting playing time with no good second option.

[EagleFan]

January 7, 2014

We host Hereford in a league match. Hereford sits in 18th position and are 5 points clear of relegation zone. We are up to 13th and are 6 points out of the final playoff spot.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Tomassen
DCR - Livesey
DCL - Clowes
DL - Naylor
DM - Mezague
MCR - Weston
MCL - Harris
AMR - Durrell
AML - Angol
STC - Richards

Subs - Mayebi, Artell, Carrington, Clarke, Ashton

Giving Weston his first start at center mid, Carrington is still worn down so I will give him a break to recover and maybe come on late.


1st Half
The game is even through the first half, a couple chances but nothing serious. We go to the half scoreless.


2nd Half
61' - A foul gives them a free kick just outside of the box and midfielder Shaquille Hunter strikes a perfect free kick that finds the net, they take a 1-0 lead.
61' - I bring in Carrington for Mezague and switch him and Weston.
74' - I being Clarke in for Tomassen and Artell in for Livesey as they were both getting tired out there.
87' - Defender Rod McDonald heads in a corner to give them a 2-0 lead.
89' - Angol takes a shot from the left corner of the box that is saved by the keeper but it goes right to the feet of Richards who one touches it into the open net in front of him... GOAL! We trail 2-1 now but have slight hope.

We fall 2-1.


Rod McDonald is the player of the match with the goal and a match rating of 8.00.

[EagleFan]

January 11, 2014

We host Braintree in an English FA Trophy matchup. We played them to a 1-1 draw in our league matchup earlier this season.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Clarke
DCR - Livesey
DCL - Artell
DL - Ashton
DM - Mezague
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
AMR - Richards
AML - Naylor
STC - Ormerod

Subs - Mayebi, Joksts, Weston, Tomassen, Clowes


1st Half
13' - Richards received a tapped along pass in the box and hammers it to the back of the net but the flag was up, game stays scoreless.
15' - A nice passing setup leads Ormerod to find Naylor in the box for a one touch shot but the keeper was equal to it to keep the game scoreless.
26' - striker Sean Marks takes a long pass over the top of our defense, dribbles once to settle it and fires past a diving Couglin to give them a 1-0 lead.
45' - Carrington has a blocked pass bounce to his feet in the center of the box and he fires it off the cross bar, the rebound is cleared for a corner.

The match has been even but we trail 1-0 at the half.


2nd Half
48' - A tic tac toe passing play sets Richards up for a high percentage shot in the box but the keeper dives and tips it over the top for a corner.
53' - Naylor takes another corner, this one from the right wing, he swings it into the box and Livesey heads it into the net... GOAL!!!! We tied the match 1-1.
57' - Ormerod finds Richards on a counter attack, he dribbles into the right corner of the box and places a perfect shot into upper left corner of the net... GOAL!!! We take a 2-1 lead. (off the record, he sure looked offside)
61' - Carrington takes a corner from the right wing and sends it into the box where Richards heads it but a diving save keeps it out and they clear.
77' - I bring Joksts in for Levesey.
84' - I bring Weston in for Mezague.
86' - I bring Tomassen in for an injured Ormerod, move him to the back, move Richards up to striker and Ashton up to mid

We hold on for the 2-1 victory but may have more injury issues.


Naylor is man of the match with an assist and a match rating of 7.40.

[EagleFan]

January 18, 2014

We hit the road for a must win league game at Luton. They currently sit in 3rd in the league. We have dropped to 14th and are 9 points out of the final playoff position.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Clarke
DCR - Livesey
DCL - Clowes
DL - Ashton
DM - Mezague
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
AMR - Weston
AML - Ormerod
STC - Richards

Subs - Mayebi, Tomassen, Watson, Durrell, Artell


1st Half
32' - Carrington finds Richards on a counter attack after a stolen pass, he dribbles into the box and fires a shot that the keeper sends behind for a corner.

We go to the half scoreless; we have looked merely okay as the Richards shot was our only chance.


2nd Half
0' - I bring Durrell in for Ormerod.
66' - Ashton intercepts a pass and plays it ahead for Richards who sprints into the top of the box and lets a shot go that the keeper again gets his hands on and tips it behind for a corner.
76' - A counter attack sees Mezague and Carrington both past the defense and onside, the keeper commits to Mezague and he passes to his right to Carrington for a slam dunk goal into the gaping net... GOAL!!!! We lead 1-0.
89' - I bring in Watson for Mezague and Artell for Clowes.

The whistle blows and we have a 1-0 victory.


Carrington is named man of the match with the goal and a match rating of 7.40.

[EagleFan]

January 21, 2014

A home league match against Halifax. They sit in 20th, just 1 point out of relegation range. We are in 14th and are 9 points out of the last playoff spot.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Tomassen
DCR - Livesey
DCL - Artell
DL - Ashton
DM - Weston
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
AMR - Richards
AML - Angol
STC - Ormerod

Subs - Mayebi, Joksts, Mezague, Bishop, Clowes


1st Half
34' - A nice counter attack set Carrington up with a ball over the top behind the defense, he was brought down hard from behind and defender Simon Ainge was whistled for the foul and shown a red card, they are a man down now.

We go to the locker room scoreless. Time to up the pressure a bit with them down a man.


2nd Half
77' - I bring Bishop in for Ormerod.
90' - I bring Mezague in for a tiring Carrington and Joksts in for a tiring Livesey.

The games ends scoreless. We lost a great chance to gain 3 points there.


Tomassen was named man of the match with a rating of 7.00.

[EagleFan]

January 24, 2014

We are on the road against Alfreton in a league match. They are in 9th and are 4 points ahead of us. We are in 13th and are 8 points out of the final playoff spot.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Tomassen
DCR - Livesey
DCL - Clowes
DL - Ashton
DM - Weston
MCR - Mezague
MCL - Harris
AMR - Richards
AML - Angol
STC - Bishop

Subs - Mayebi, Joksts, Durrell, Ormerod, Artell


1st Half
1' - Striker Shaun Harrod steals the ball from Livesey in the box and curls a shot inside the right post to give them a 1-0 lead.
29' - Defender Nick Fenton slams home a rebound after a corner to give them a 2-0 lead.
43' - After intense pressure that led to several scoring chances for us and a couple nice saves by their keeper a counter attack leads to a cross into the box that Harrad heads past Coughlin to give them a 3-0 with his second of the game.

We trail 3-0 at the half.


2nd Half
0' - I bring in Joksts for Livesey who has played poorly.
68' - I bring Durrell in for Weston and Ormerod in for Tomassen, then move them both forward.
91' - A rebound to midfielder Dean Howell is put back into our net, we trail 4-0.

We hang our heads after a 4-0 defeat.


Shaun Harrad is the man of the match with 2 goals and a match rating of 8.80.

[EagleFan]

February 1, 2014

We host Dartford in an English FA Trophy match. We had a 1-1 draw with them earlier this season in a league match.

I have changed up tactics to try to change our recent run of bad results.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Tomassen
DCR - Artell
DCL - Clowes
DL - Ashton
MR - Weston
MC - Harris
ML - Angol
AMCR - Carrington
AMCL - Thornton
STC - Richards

Subs - Mayebi, Joksts, Mezague, Ormerod, Naylor


1st Half
19' - A long ball is played in a counter attack that Richards runs onto and blasts a shot into the right side of the net... GOAL!!! We take a 1-0 lead.

We take a 1-0 lead into the half. We have controlled the game.


2nd Half
51' - Richards takes a pass at the top of the box, turns and fires around the defender and into the left side of the net... GOAL... We take a 2-0 lead on his second of the game.
70' - I bring Mezague in for an injured Harris.
86' - I bring Ormerod in for a tiring Thornton and switch he and Richards.

We win 2-0 in a game that we controlled.


Richards is named man of the match with 2 goals and a match rating of 8.80.

[EagleFan]

February 4, 2014

We are on the road in a league match against Cambridge. They are in 8th in the league and are 5 points out of a playoff spot. We sit in 13th and are 10 points out of a playoff spot.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Tomassen
DCR - Artell
DCL - Clowes
DL - Ashton
MR - Ormerod
MC - Weston
ML - Angol
AMCR - Mezague
AMCL - Carrington
STC - Richards

Subs - Mayebi, Joksts, Watson, Bishop, Naylor


1st Half
3' - striker Luke Norris Follows a blocked pass in and taps it into the empty net to give them a 1-0 lead.
32' - Tomassen finds Richards on a long counter attack, he dribbles near the box and blasts one into the left side of the net... GOAL!!! We tie the game 1-1.
46' - On a last moment attack, midfielder Harrison Dunk beats Coughlin from the top right of the box to give them a 2-1 lead.

We trail 2-1 at the half but Coughlin has kept us in the game as we are being outshot 13-5 with 7 of their shots on goal.


2nd Half
51' - Richards crosses from the left wing into the box where Mezague stops it and shoots into the net... GOAL!!! We tie the game 2-2.
64' - Liam Hughes receives a pass in space and the midfielder places a perfect shot into the left side of the net, they take a 3-2 lead.
64' - I bring Naylor in for Ashton and Bishop in for Carrington; I switch Bishop and Richards.
71' - I bring Joksts in for a tired Tomassen.

We go on to lose the game and were dominated the entire game.

[EagleFan]

<table width="90%" align="center" bordercolor="#000000"><tbody><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td></td><td>Inf</td><td>Team</td><td></td><td>Pld</td><td>Won</td><td>Drn</td><td>Lst</td><td>For</td><td>Ag</td><td>G.D.</td><td>Pts</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>1st</td><td></td><td>Kidderminster</td><td></td><td>31</td><td>19</td><td>8</td><td>4</td><td>52</td><td>23</td><td>+29</td><td>65</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>2nd</td><td></td><td>Grimsby</td><td></td><td>30</td><td>17</td><td>6</td><td>7</td><td>55</td><td>39</td><td>+16</td><td>57</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>3rd</td><td></td><td>Luton</td><td></td><td>32</td><td>16</td><td>8</td><td>8</td><td>45</td><td>26</td><td>+19</td><td>56</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>4th</td><td></td><td>Gateshead</td><td></td><td>32</td><td>16</td><td>6</td><td>10</td><td>39</td><td>30</td><td>+9</td><td>54</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>5th</td><td></td><td>Forest Green</td><td></td><td>31</td><td>15</td><td>7</td><td>9</td><td>43</td><td>35</td><td>+8</td><td>52</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>6th</td><td></td><td>Alfreton</td><td></td><td>33</td><td>16</td><td>4</td><td>13</td><td>50</td><td>46</td><td>+4</td><td>52</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>7th</td><td></td><td>Cambridge</td><td></td><td>32</td><td>14</td><td>8</td><td>10</td><td>53</td><td>38</td><td>+15</td><td>50</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>8th</td><td></td><td>Lincoln</td><td></td><td>33</td><td>12</td><td>12</td><td>9</td><td>49</td><td>42</td><td>+7</td><td>48</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>9th</td><td></td><td>Salisbury</td><td></td><td>30</td><td>13</td><td>8</td><td>9</td><td>40</td><td>34</td><td>+6</td><td>47</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>10th</td><td></td><td>Nuneaton</td><td></td><td>33</td><td>10</td><td>16</td><td>7</td><td>37</td><td>31</td><td>+6</td><td>46</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>11th</td><td></td><td>Braintree</td><td></td><td>32</td><td>12</td><td>9</td><td>11</td><td>55</td><td>48</td><td>+7</td><td>45</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>12th</td><td></td><td>Macclesfield</td><td></td><td>32</td><td>11</td><td>12</td><td>9</td><td>34</td><td>32</td><td>+2</td><td>45</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>13th</td><td></td><td>Wrexham</td><td></td><td>32</td><td>11</td><td>9</td><td>12</td><td>37</td><td>49</td><td>-12</td><td>42</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>14th</td><td></td><td>Chester</td><td></td><td>30</td><td>10</td><td>11</td><td>9</td><td>33</td><td>30</td><td>+3</td><td>41</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>15th</td><td></td><td>Barnet</td><td></td><td>32</td><td>10</td><td>11</td><td>11</td><td>46</td><td>44</td><td>+2</td><td>41</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>16th</td><td></td><td>Woking</td><td></td><td>32</td><td>7</td><td>17</td><td>8</td><td>45</td><td>43</td><td>+2</td><td>38</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>17th</td><td></td><td>Hyde</td><td></td><td>32</td><td>9</td><td>8</td><td>15</td><td>33</td><td>43</td><td>-10</td><td>35</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>18th</td><td></td><td>Hereford</td><td></td><td>32</td><td>7</td><td>14</td><td>11</td><td>32</td><td>44</td><td>-12</td><td>35</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>19th</td><td></td><td>Tamworth</td><td></td><td>31</td><td>8</td><td>10</td><td>13</td><td>38</td><td>45</td><td>-7</td><td>34</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>20th</td><td></td><td>Aldershot</td><td></td><td>32</td><td>13</td><td>4</td><td>15</td><td>33</td><td>45</td><td>-12</td><td>33</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>21st</td><td></td><td>FC Halifax</td><td></td><td>32</td><td>6</td><td>12</td><td>14</td><td>31</td><td>42</td><td>-11</td><td>30</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>22nd</td><td></td><td>Dartford</td><td></td><td>33</td><td>6</td><td>9</td><td>18</td><td>29</td><td>52</td><td>-23</td><td>27</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>23rd</td><td></td><td>Southport</td><td></td><td>32</td><td>6</td><td>6</td><td>20</td><td>31</td><td>59</td><td>-28</td><td>24</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>24th</td><td></td><td>Welling</td><td></td><td>31</td><td>4</td><td>11</td><td>16</td><td>27</td><td>47</td><td>-20</td><td>23</td></tr></tbody></table>

[EagleFan]

February 8, 2014

We are home against Dartford in a league match. They are in relegation territory and we are quickly falling farther away from playoff territory, but at least we are closer to playoff than to relegation.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Tomassen
DCR - Artell
DCL - Clowes
DL - Ashton
DM - Weston
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
AMR - Richards
AML - Angol
STC - Bishop

Subs - Mayebi, Joksts, Mezague, Thornton, Naylor


1st Half
The first half is rather boring and scoreless.


2nd Half
0' - I bring Thornton in for an injured Angol and Joksts in for a tired Clowes.
58' - Bishop received a pass in the box and hits the back of the net.. GOAL... but the flag was up, the game remains scoreless.
79' - I bring Mezague in for Weston.
84' - Thornton swings a free kick into the box from the right wing, Artell blasts a shot that the keeper turns behind but the flag was up.
85' - Ashton finds Richards in the box but a turn a shoot, he scores... GOAL!!!!! We take a 1-0 lead.

We hold on to the 1-0 victory!


Ashton is named man of the match with a 7.30 match rating.

[EagleFan]

February 11, 2014

We have a tough match at home as we host Grimsby. They are in 3rd in the league. We sit in 13th and are still 10 points out of the final playoff spot.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Tomassen
DCR - Artell
DCL - Clowes
DL - Naylor
DM - Weston
MCR - Mezague
MCL - Harris
AMR - Richards
AML - Angol
STC - Ormerod

Subs - Mayebi, Joksts, Carrington, Bishop, Ashton


1st Half
Each side had their chances but the game goes to the half scoreless.


2nd Half
54' - Ormerod finds Angol with a nice pass down the left side, he places a shot that goes just wide of the far post for a goal kick.
72' - I bring Joksts and Ashton in for a tired Tomassen and Artell.
80' - I bring Bishop in for Ormerod.

Neither team can manage a goal and the game ends 0-0.


Artell is named man of the match with a match rating of 7.20.

[EagleFan]

February 15, 2014

We are on the road for the first semi-final match in the FA Trophy competition. We are playing Worcester and are the favorites.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Tomassen
DCR - Artell
DCL - Clowes
DL - Ashton
DM - Mezague
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
AMR - Richards
AML - Angol
STC - Bishop

Subs - Mayebi, Weston, Thornton, Ormerod, Naylor


1st Half
25' - Danny Nti collects a rebound from a free kick that hit the left post and sends it into our net to give them a 1-0 lead.
46' - Richards finds Bishop with a through ball into the box wwhere he one touches it but a great save keeps us down a goal.

We go to the half down 1-0.


2nd Half
71' - I bring Weston in for Mezague and Thornton in for a tiring Richards.
76' - I bring Naylor in for a tired Clowes.
81' - midfielder Ashley Sammonds heads in a long throw in from inside the box to give them a 2-0 lead.

We are unable to find the net, and even though we controlled the game and outshot them 14-6 we end up losing 2-0.


Richard Taundry was man of the match with a match rating of 8.80.

[EagleFan]

February 18, 2014

We host Barnet in a must win league match. We are 14th and are 9 points out of the final playoff position. They are 15th and are 4 points behind us.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Clarke
DCR - Clowes
DCL - Joksts
DL - Naylor
DM - Ashton
MCR - Weston
MCL - Carrington
AMR - Richards
AML - Angol
STC - Ormerod

Subs - Mayebi, Tomassen, Mezague, Thornton, Artell


1st Half
33' - I bring Thornton in for an injured Angol.

Neither team is able to score and we go to the half scoreless.


2nd Half
49' - Midfielder Andy Yiadom takes advantage of a bad defensive coverage and finds an opening in the box where he fires off the left post and in, they take a 1-0 lead.
66' - I bring in Artell for a tired Clowes.
74' - Dani Lopez is offside in the box and receives a pass that he hammers home to give them a 2-0 lead as the flag stayed down; time to invest in some new glasses ref.
74' - I bring in Mezague for a tired Ashton.

We fall 2-0 and were dominated completely.


Andy Yiadom is man of the match with a goal and an match rating of 8.20.

[EagleFan]

February 22, 2014

Our second leg of the semi finals in the FA Trophy. We are down 2 in aggregate and need a big performance at home. Richards' loan has ended so we need to come up with offense elsewhere, hopefully that doesn't doom our season.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Tomassen
DCR - Artell
DCL - Clowes
DL - Ashton
DM - Mezague
MCR - Weston
MCL - Harris
AMR - Durrell
AML - Angol
STC - Bishop

Subs - Mayebi, Clarke, Carrington, Ormerod, Naylor


1st Half
29' - Angol crossed from the left wing, Bishop chests it down and shoots but a fine reaction save by the keeper prevents us from getting on the board and it is cleared.

We go to the half scoreless and in need of at least 2 goals.


2nd Half
51' - Durrell takes a corner from the right wing and strikes it low to the near post; Clowes knocks it down and quickly boots it into the net... GOAL!!! We lead 1-0 but still need another.
68' - Danny Nti receives a pass on a counter and is in the clear, he strikes it and Coughlin gets a hand on it but it still goes in, they tie the match 1-1 and we are back to being 2 down.
89' - I bring in Ormerod for an exhausted Clowes and move him forward as we go overload.

The game ends tied and we fall 3-1 in aggregate.

A pink slip can't be far away at this point.

[EagleFan]

February 25, 2014

We are on the road against Braintree. They are in 9th and 5 points out of the final playoff position. We are 14th and are 5 points behind them. We need points, if we can steal 3 points that would go a long way towards regaining momentum. Our biggest issue now is that our loan for Richards has finished and we were unable to work out a deal to keep him.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Clarke
DCR - Livesey
DCL - Artell
DL - Naylor
DM - Ashton
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
AMR - Ormerod
AML - Angol
STC - Bishop

Subs - Mayebi, Clowes, Weston, Mezague, Tomassen


1st Half
30' - I bring Weston in for an injured Bishop, I move Ormerod to striker and them Weston and Ashton switch.

We go to the half scoreless. Close game but we are fighting fatigue.


2nd Half
0' - I bring Clowes in for a tired Livesey.
56' - Ormerod angles a pass to Angol as he eenters the left corner of the box, he dribbles once and lines up a shot that goes just inside the right post... GOAL!!! We take a 1-0 lead!
84' - Coughlin makes up for a defensive lapse by making a great diving save to turn the ball behind for a corner on a shot from about 7 yards out.
86' - I bring in Mezague for a tired Harris.

We hang on for the 1-0 victory.


Angol is named man of the match with the goal and a match rating of 7.50.

[EagleFan]

March 1, 2014

We are on the road against Hereford. They sit in 19th in the league and are 6 points out of the relegation zone. We have moved up to 11th with our recent victory and are 7 points out of the final playoff position. I recently had some public support by an ex-player that used to be a fan favorite here, saying they need to be patient with me and not over-react.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Tomassen
DCR - Livesey
DCL - Clowes
DL - Naylor
DM - Mezague
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
AMR - Durrell
AML - Angol
STC - Bishop

Subs - Mayebi, Artell, Weston, Ormerod, Ashton


1st Half
24' - Defender Luke Graham heads in a corner to give them a 1-0 lead.
47' - Coughlin makes a great save after we allow a wide open shot from inside the box.

We go to the half down 1-0.


2nd Half
0' - I bring in Artell for an injured Clowes
68' - Striker Chris Sharp receives a long over the top pass on a counter attack and lofts a shot over Coughlin's head an in to give them a 2-0 lead.
69' - I bring Weston in for a mistake prone Harris and Ormerod in for an exhausted Angol; I change our tactics to go for it.
74' - Tommassen picks up his second yellow of the game and we are down to 10 men; time to just look at getting us to the end without getting hammered.
84' - Chris Sharp heads home a corner placed into the box to give them a 3-0 lead.
86' - Durrell makes a great move to get between two defenders and send a pass into the box for Ormerod for a shot that is turned behind for a corner.
86' - Durrell swings the corner in from the right wing that Naylor heads but the keeper makes the stop and holds on.

We fall 3-0.


Midfielder Rod Purdie is named man of the match with 3 assists and a match rating of 9.10.

[EagleFan]

March 8, 2014

The press is reporting today is win or go home for me. We are at home and will play Kidderminster. They lead the league and are ahead of the second place team by 11 points; it is their title to lose. We are in 12th and are back to 10 points out of a playoff position. Durrell was injured in training and Tomassen is suspended so we will be without them. I have changed up the tactics a bit based on our latest issues.


Lineup
GK - Coughlin
DR - Clarke
DCR - Livesey
DCL - Clowes
DL - Naylor
DM - Ashton
MR - Weston
MCR - Carrington
MCL - Harris
ML - Angol
STC - Bishop

Subs - Mayebi, Joksts, Mezague, Ormerod, Artell


1st Half
2' - Bishop finds Harris breaking into the box; Harris fires a shot that the keeper deflects up into the air and it lands on the top of the net just behind the cross bar, a little shorter and it would have been in.
9' - A counter attack leads to midfielder Conner Jennings having a great chance from the right corner of the box and he puts it just inside the upper left corner to give them a 1-0 lead.
11' - Lightning strikes again as the team seems to have given up defensively as Anthony Malbon is wide open deep in the box and Coughlin has no chance to stop the shot; we trail 2-0.
26' - No mas... Malbon is open on a great pass in the box and beats Coughlin to make it 3-0. Time to work on the resume...

We trail 3-0 at the half.


2nd Half
0' - I bring Joksts in for Clowes, maybe 45 minutes too late.
70' - I bring Ormerod in for Bishop.
88' - Defender Mickey Dimetriou slams home a corner to make it 4-0.

We are destroyed 4-0. Might as well pack.


Anthony Malbon is the man of the match with 2 goals and a match rating of 9.10.

[EagleFan]

March 8, 2014

The axe drops on me and I am let got.

For all competitions I had a record of 16 wins, 8 draws and 11 losses. Could have been better but much better than they had started without me.

Time to start looking for another job.

[EagleFan]

March 22, 2014

Regensburg of the German 3rd division has fired their coach. They are in 18th and sit in the relegation zone by 2 points.

They seem to be all about defense and don't have the offensive talent to play an attacking style. I will throw my hat into the ring here but not overly excited about them. Will keep looking elsewhere as well.

[EagleFan]

March 24, 2014

That didn't go well, they said no.

[EagleFan]

April 22, 2014

I apply for Alerbijes; from the Mexican Promotion League. Need to get some more experience somewhere.

[EagleFan]

May 6, 2014

The Southport position has opened up. They are being relegated out of the Skrill Premier league.

I will apply to see if I am still a laughing stock (it seems my applications have not been met with great responses so far).

[EagleFan]

May 10, 2014

Much better response from Southport as they seemed to jump at my inquiry.

I negotiate a little higher salary and accept terms for a one year deal.

[EagleFan]

Overview

Looking over the roster and they need a lot. Only 5 players contracted through next season. This will be a challenge.

[EagleFan]

World Cup

Group A
Russia
Sweden
Brazil
Trinidad & Tabago

Group B
Belgium
Germany
Jamaica
Tunisia

Group C
USA
Argentina
England
Ivory Coast

Group D
Ecuador
Holland
Mexico
Switzerland

Group E
Australia
Croatia
Italy
Paraguay

Group F
Cameroon
Iran
Slovakia
Spain

Group G
Algeria
France
Japan
Uruguay

Group H
Columbia
Egypt
Greece
South Korea

[EagleFan]

June 13, 2014

Brazil vs. Sweden
Sweden stuns Brazil with an early goal at 3 minutes in by Sebastian Larsson. At 30 minutes in Sweden has Zlatan Ibrahimovic sent off for a bad foul and they are down a man for the remainder of the game. Brazil has chances but are unable to get the equalizer.

Sweden 1
Brazil 0


Trinidad & Tobago vs. Russia
Russia dominates the first half and take a 2-0 lead on goals by Pavel Pogrebnyak and Artem Dzuba which came within 4 minutes of each other. T & T let the offense loose in the second half and managed 5 shots on goal but the Russian keeper stopped them all.

Russia 2
Trinidad & Tobago 0

[EagleFan]

June 14, 2014

Belgium vs. Germany
Germany scores first at 25 minutes of the first half to take a 1-0 lead which they hold until the half. Belgium gets the equalizer at 77 minutes in the second half to tie the game 1-1. Neither team can break the tie in what was a very even game with teams having the same number of shots and shots on goal and close in possession.

Germany 1
Belgium 1


Jamaica vs. Tunisia
Tunisia takes the lead at 26 minutes of the first half and lead 1-0 going into the break. Jamaica manages a late equalizer at 83 minutes and they gain a late point.

Jamaica 1
Tunisia 1


Ivory Coast vs. USA
Ivory Coast gets on the board at the 25 minute mark and the game remains 1-0 into the half. At the 60 minute mark Bedoya ties the game at 1-1. Late in the game, the 87th minute, the US is awarded a penalty. Aron Johannsson scores on the penalty to give the US a 2-1 lead and they hold on for the victory.

USA 2
Ivory Coast 1

[EagleFan]

June 15, 2014

Argentina vs. England
England scores a late 1st half goal in the 42nd minute by Daniel Sturridge to take a 1-0 lead into the half. Lionel Messi and company dominated the second half with two goals by Sergio Aguero and a goal by Lucas Romero for the easy 3-1 victory.

Argentina 3
England 1


Holland vs. Mexico
Holland jumps out early with 2 first half goals by van Persie and ride that to a 2-0 victory.

Holland 2
Mexico 0


Switzerland vs. Ecuador
A defensive struggle goes to the half scoreless. Switzerland has a man sent off in the 51st minute as Stephan Lichtsteiner received his second yellow. Switzerland scores on a well played counter attack in the 72nd minute as Xherdan Shaqiri makes it 1-0. Ecuador would level the match in the 79th minute on a Marlon de Jesus goal. They would apply pressure but neither team could break the tie.

Switzerland 1
Ecuador 1

[EagleFan]

June 16, 2014

Paraguay vs. Australia
Australia would play a great match and a Scott McDonald goal in the 39th minute would hold up as the game winner.

Australia 1
Paraguay 0


Croatia vs. Italy
Croatia would jump out early with a 4th minute goal by Nikica Jalavic and add another in the 34th minute thanks to Mario Mandzukic to take a 2-0 lead into the half. Italy would press in the second half and Croatia would play a tight, defensive, foul laced half and hold onto the shutout victory.

Croatia 2
Italy 0


Iran vs. Cameroon
A 4th minute goal by Achille Emana gives Cameroon a 1-0 lead. They would park the bus and hold on for the 1-0 victory.

Cameroon 1
Iran 0

[EagleFan]

June 17, 2014

Slovakia vs. Spain
Spain would dominate the match with over 70% possession. Juan Mata and Javi Martinez would provide their offense and the rest of the match was "ole" as they held the ball and held on for the easy victory.

Spain 2
Slovakia 0


Algeria vs. Japan
Ishak Belfodil would score on a penalty in the 3rd minute to give Algeria a 1-0 lead. Japan would even the match in the 28th minute as Keisuke Fukuda would score to make it 1-1, which is where it was at the half. In the 77th minute Nabil Ghilas would score the winner for Algeria.

Algeria 2
Japan 1


Uruguay vs. France
The game itself would look to be even. Near the same time of possession, near the same number of shots and shots on goal. The difference was the finishing. Luis Suarez scored for Uruguay. For France, Franck Ribery, Paul Pogba and Dmitri Payet would all score in a 3-1 French victory.

France 3
Uruguay 1

[EagleFan]

June 18, 2014

Russia vs. Brazil
Roman Shirokov opens the scoring for Russia in the 32nd minute. The 1-0 score would hold up until the half. In the 62nd minute Ramires would score for Brazil to even the match 1-1 which is how the game would end.

Russia 1
Brazil 1


South Korea vs. Egypt
Egypt scores first with Ayman Youssaf scoring in the 14th minute. Lee Chung-Yong would tie the match very late in the first half in the 44th minute. Though South Korea would hold most of the time of possession they would not be able to break the tie in the second half.

South Korea 1
Egypt 1


Greece vs. Columbia
Columbia would hold the play and win relatively easily 2-0 on goals by Falcao and James Rodriguez.

Columbia 2
Greece 0

[EagleFan]

June 19, 2014

Sweden vs. Trinidad & Tobago
In a game of halves, T & T would earn the first half on a goal by Gyasi Franklin. Sweden would tie the game up in the 57th minute thanks to Oscar Hiljemark. They would not see the tie broken.

Sweden 1
Trinidad & Tobago 1


Tunisia vs. Belgium
Belgium would dominate on their way to a 3-0 victory. Christian Benteke would score two goals and Eden Hazard would add one.

Belgium 3
Tunisia 0


Germany vs. Jamaica
Germany would score in the 58th minute to take a 1-0 lead only to see themselves go down a man less than a minute later. They would play solid defense and hold on for the 1-0 victory.

Germany 1
Jamaica 0

[EagleFan]

June 20, 2014

England vs. Ivory Coast
England dominates in a 3-1 victory. They get goals by Raheem Sterling, Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge. Cheick Tiote scored the only Ivory Coast goal.

England 3
Ivory Coast 1


USA vs. Argentina
USA seems no match for Argentina as they fall 3-1. Jose Francisco Torres scores the US goal in the 8th minute to give them the lead and it was all Argentina afterwards. Carlos Tevez scores two and Claudio Yacob added one for Argentina.


Mexico vs. Switzerland
Mexico would score in the 17th minute on a Diego Reyes goal to take a 1-0 lead which holds until the half. In the 51st minute Admir Mehmedi would score for Switzerland to tie the game. Just two minutes later Switzerland would be given a penalty and Tranquillo Barnetta would find the net to give Switzerland a 2-1 lead which they would hold onto.

Switzerland 2
Mexico 1

[EagleFan]

June 21, 2014

Ecuador vs. Holland
Ecuador takes a 2-0 lead into the half in a closely played match that saw them finish better. Arjen Robben scores for Holland in the 82nd minute to setup a hectic final 8 minutes but Holland could not score the equalizer.

Ecuador 2
Holland 1


Australia vs. Croatia
Croatia would score the only goal in the second half and ride a defensive battle to a 1-0 victory.

Croatia 1
Australia 0


Italy vs. Paraguay
Italy controls most of the game and they finally break through in the 73rd minute as Giacomo Bonaventura scores to make it 1-0. Paraguay would wait for some drama and even the match in the 90th minute on a goal by Oscar Cardozo.

Italy 1
Paraguay 1

[EagleFan]

June 22, 2014

Spain vs. Iran
Spain dominates and wins 3-0. Juan Mata, Pedro and Cesc Fabregas would score for Spain.

Spain 3
Iran 0


Cameroon vs. Slovakia
Each team would see a man sent off and finish the game with 10 men. Adam Nemec would score for Slovakia in the 73rd minute to provide the game winner.

Slovakia 1
Cameroon 0


France vs. Algeria
Algeria would stun France scoring 3 goals in a 16 minute stretch in the 1st half to take a 3-0 lead. France would score in the 43rd minute to get back to 3-1 as the game went to the half. Each team would score once in the second half as Algeria wins 4-2. IT was all about the counter attack for Algeria as France held nearly 70% time of possession and they outshot Algeria 22-6 (11-4 on goal). Algeria would score on every shot that they put on goal.

Algeria 4
France 2

[EagleFan]

June 23, 2014

Japan vs. Uruguay
Uruguay wins easly in a 2-0 game in which Luis Suarez would provide both goals.

Uruguay 2
Japan 0


Columbia vs. South Korea
Columbia would control the game and finally break onto the score sheet in the 49th minute on a goal by Falcao. South Korea would tie the game late on a goal by Kim Bo-Kyung in the 83rd minute.

Columbia 1
South Korea 1


Egypt vs. Greece
Greece would control the game pretty much and see a goal by Apostolos Vellios in the 87th minute as the game winner.

Greece 1
Egypt 0

[EagleFan]

Going into the final set of games, only Croatia has qualified for the next round.

[EagleFan]

<table width="90%" align="center" bordercolor="#000000"><tbody><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>Pos</td><td>Inf</td><td>Team</td><td></td><td>Pld</td><td>Won</td><td>Drn</td><td>Lst</td><td>For</td><td>Ag</td><td>G.D.</td><td>Pts</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>1st</td><td></td><td>Russia</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>+2</td><td>4</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>2nd</td><td></td><td>Sweden</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>+1</td><td>4</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>3rd</td><td></td><td>Brazil</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>-1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>4th</td><td></td><td>Trinidad & Tobago</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>-2</td><td>1</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
<center></center><table width="90%" align="center" bordercolor="#000000"><tbody><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>Pos</td><td>Inf</td><td>Team</td><td></td><td>Pld</td><td>Won</td><td>Drn</td><td>Lst</td><td>For</td><td>Ag</td><td>G.D.</td><td>Pts</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>1st</td><td></td><td>Belgium</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>+3</td><td>4</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>2nd</td><td></td><td>Germany</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>+1</td><td>4</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>3rd</td><td></td><td>Jamaica</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>-1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>4th</td><td></td><td>Tunisia</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>4</td><td>-3</td><td>1</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
<center></center><table width="90%" align="center" bordercolor="#000000"><tbody><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>Pos</td><td>Inf</td><td>Team</td><td></td><td>Pld</td><td>Won</td><td>Drn</td><td>Lst</td><td>For</td><td>Ag</td><td>G.D.</td><td>Pts</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>1st</td><td></td><td>Argentina</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>6</td><td>2</td><td>+4</td><td>6</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>2nd</td><td></td><td>England</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>4</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>3</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>3rd</td><td></td><td>U.S.A.</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>4</td><td>-1</td><td>3</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>4th</td><td></td><td>Ivory Coast</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>5</td><td>-3</td><td>0</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
<center></center><table width="90%" align="center" bordercolor="#000000"><tbody><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>Pos</td><td>Inf</td><td>Team</td><td></td><td>Pld</td><td>Won</td><td>Drn</td><td>Lst</td><td>For</td><td>Ag</td><td>G.D.</td><td>Pts</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>1st</td><td></td><td>Ecuador</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>+1</td><td>4</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>2nd</td><td></td><td>Switzerland</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>+1</td><td>4</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>3rd</td><td></td><td>Holland</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>+1</td><td>3</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>4th</td><td></td><td>Mexico</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>4</td><td>-3</td><td>0</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
<center></center><table width="90%" align="center" bordercolor="#000000"><tbody><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>Pos</td><td>Inf</td><td>Team</td><td></td><td>Pld</td><td>Won</td><td>Drn</td><td>Lst</td><td>For</td><td>Ag</td><td>G.D.</td><td>Pts</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>1st</td><td>Q</td><td>Croatia</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>+3</td><td>6</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>2nd</td><td></td><td>Australia</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>3</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>3rd</td><td></td><td>Paraguay</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>-1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>4th</td><td></td><td>Italy</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>-2</td><td>1</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
<center></center><table width="90%" align="center" bordercolor="#000000"><tbody><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>Pos</td><td>Inf</td><td>Team</td><td></td><td>Pld</td><td>Won</td><td>Drn</td><td>Lst</td><td>For</td><td>Ag</td><td>G.D.</td><td>Pts</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>1st</td><td></td><td>Spain</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>+5</td><td>6</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>2nd</td><td></td><td>Cameroon</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>3</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>3rd</td><td></td><td>Slovakia</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>-1</td><td>3</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>4th</td><td></td><td>Iran</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>-4</td><td>0</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
<center></center><table width="90%" align="center" bordercolor="#000000"><tbody><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>Pos</td><td>Inf</td><td>Team</td><td></td><td>Pld</td><td>Won</td><td>Drn</td><td>Lst</td><td>For</td><td>Ag</td><td>G.D.</td><td>Pts</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>1st</td><td></td><td>Algeria</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>6</td><td>3</td><td>+3</td><td>6</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>2nd</td><td></td><td>France</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>5</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>3</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>3rd</td><td></td><td>Uruguay</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>3</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>4th</td><td></td><td>Japan</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>4</td><td>-3</td><td>0</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
<center></center><table width="90%" align="center" bordercolor="#000000"><tbody><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>Pos</td><td>Inf</td><td>Team</td><td></td><td>Pld</td><td>Won</td><td>Drn</td><td>Lst</td><td>For</td><td>Ag</td><td>G.D.</td><td>Pts</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>1st</td><td></td><td>Colombia</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>+2</td><td>4</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>2nd</td><td></td><td>Greece</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>-1</td><td>3</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>3rd</td><td></td><td>South Korea</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>2</td></tr><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>4th</td><td></td><td>Egypt</td><td></td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>-1</td><td>1</td></tr></tbody></table>

[EagleFan]

Argentina has clinched, not sure why they aren't listed as having clinched.

[EagleFan]

Currently the top scorers:

with 3 goals each:
Christian Benteke, Belgium
Nabil Ghilas, Algeria
Luis Suarez, Uruguay

with 2 goals each:
Carlos Tevez, Argentina
Sergio Aguero, Argentina
Daniel Sturridge, England
Juan Mata, Spain
Robin van Persie, Holland
Falcao, Columbia

[EagleFan]

June 24, 2014

Brazil vs. Trinidad & Tobago
Both teams need a win and help to advance. A tie and both are eliminated. Brazil controls the game and coasts to a 3-0 victory. They pick up goals by Filipe, Ramires and Oscar. The win gives them a GD of +2.

Brazil 3
Trinidad & Tobago 0


Sweden vs. Russia
A tie and they both advance but there is no unspoken agreement here. Goal keeping need not apply as the teams combine for 7 goals in an easy victory for Sweden 5-2. The loss drops Russia's GD to -1 and eliminates them from the second round.

Sweden 5
Russia 2


Jamaica vs. Belgium
Belgium is through with a win or tie, Jamaica is out with a loss. Belgium scores early to take a 1-0 lead in the 7th minute and hold that until the half. In the 64th minute Jamaica keeps hope alive with an equalizer but in the 73rd minute a goal by Kevin Miralles proves to be the goal that puts Belgium through with the top spot in their group. Jamaica is eliminated.

Belgium 2
Jamaica 1


Tunisia vs. Germany
Germany is through with a win or tie. Tunisia is through with a win. Tunisia scores in the 20th minute to take a 1-0 lead. They park the bus and try to hang on but Germany is awarded a penalty in the 45th minute which they convert to tie the game 1-1. While trying to get the winner Tunisia is dealt a blow with a player being sent off and they are down to 10 men. Germany doesn't attempt anything daring and settles for the tie to advance.

Germany 1
Tunisia 1

[EagleFan]

June 25, 2014

Argentina vs. Ivory Coast
Argentina is already through and would clinch their group with a tie or better. Ivory Coast is eliminated. Ivory Coast gives them a game and leads 2-1 in the second half before Messi and Tevez both score to give Argentina a 2-1 victory and keep them perfect.

Argentina 3
Ivory Coast 2


USA vs. England
An easy scenario, win and advance, a tie and England advances on GD. Stephen Gerrard scores in the 20th minute to give England a 1-0 lead. Landon Donovan answers in the 28th minute to even the game 1-1. USA can't mount enough of an offensive to land the winner and England advances with the tie.

England 1
USA 1


Holland vs. Switzerland
Switzerland will advance with a win or tie. Holland will advance with a win, or a tie and help. Holland controls the match and gets goals by Huyt and van Persie to give them a 2-0 1st half lead. Switzerland gets one back in the 44th minute on a penalty kick to make it 2-1 at the half. Holland holds on for the 2-1 victory and will advance but van Peries left the game injured in the 72nd minute and they wait to see how badly he is injured. Switzerland needs Ecuador to lose to Mexico worse than by 1 goal to advance.

Holland 2
Switzerland 1


Mexico vs. Ecuador
Ecuador will advance with a win or a tie. Mexico has been eliminated. Mexico plays their best match of the competition and blasts Ecuador 4-1 to eliminate them from the next round.

Mexico 4
Ecuador 1

[EagleFan]

June 26, 2014

Australia vs. Italy
Australia advances with a win, is out with a loss and waits to se with a tie. Italy is out with a loss and could advance with a win by GD. Australia takes a lead in the 33rd minute but then Italy takes over and scores two before the half to lead 2-1. They play a great defensive second half to hold on for the victory. Australia is out and Italy has a GD of -1.

Italy 2
Australia 1


Paraguay vs. Croatia
Croatia has clinched. Paraguay needs a win to advance on GD. Croatia doesn't coast as they take a 2-0 lead early in the 2nd half and hold on for a 2-1 victory.

Croatia 2
Paraguay 1


Cameroon vs. Spain
Spain advances with a win or tie, they could advance on GD with a loss. Cameroon can advance with any result pending the outcome of the other game and potentially GD. Spain rolls over them to a 3-0 victory. Cameroon's GD is now -3.

Spain 3
Cameroon 0


Slovakia vs. Iran
Iran could advance with a win and help with GD but are eliminated with a loss or tie. Slovakia depends upon the Cameroon outcome and possible GD and could advance with any result pending. Iran scores in the 2nd minute to stun Slovakia and they take that 1-0 lead into the half. Slovakia scores in the 46th minute to even the match very early in the 2nd half and score the game winner in the 80th minute as they will advance.

Slovakia 2
Iran 1

[EagleFan]

June 27, 2014

France vs. Japan
Japan could advance on GD with a 2 goal victory and help. France could advance with any result and help on GD. France scored in the 14th minute to take a 1-0 lead but Japan evens the match in the 45th minute to send it to the half timed 1-1. In the 74th minute Ribery scores to give France a 2-1 lead and they hang on for the victory. They now have a GD of +1.

France 2
Japan 1


Uruguay vs. Algeria
Algeria advances with a win or tie, or could with a loss and GD. Uruguay would depend on other results for advancing and could with any result and GD. Uruguay scores in the 35th minute to take a 1-0 lead. Algeria responds in the 70th minute to tie the match and they hold on and advance.

Algeria 1
Uruguay 1

[EagleFan]

2nd Round

Sweden vs. Germany
Belgium vs. Brazil
Argentina vs. Switzerland
England vs. Holland
Croatia vs. Slovakia
Italy vs. Spain
Algeria vs. South Korea
France vs. Columbia

[britrock88]

11 European teams in the knockouts. Yeesh.