[larrymcg421]

September 1

Vauxhall (0-2-4, 24th) vs. Kidderminster (1-0-5, 21st)

A match we badly need to win. A scoreless tie is broken in the 32nd minute when O'Callaghan's corner is headed in by Joe Tait. They equalize on a "fluke" goal that was meant to be a cross, but bounced off the keeper into the net. Then 12 minutes later we lose track of their right winger and suddenly we're headed to another loss. However, we come right back and two minutes later Hewitt finds himself all alone on the right wing and easily beats the keeper. Then just two minutes after that, Fearnehough sends a beautiful through pass in to Peake, who puts it away. We hold on for a great comeback!

Final: Vauxhall 3, Kidderminster 2
Goals: Peake, Hewitt, Tait
Assists: O'Callaghan, Pino, Fearnehough
Top Three: O'Callaghan 7.9, Hewitt 7.4, Tait 7.4
Worst: Ellams 6.3


September 5

Vauxhall (1-2-4, 22nd) at Histon (2-1-4, 17th)

Deflected, missed, missed, hit the post, deflected, missed. That's how the first half goes as we fail to capitalize on numerous opportunities. Then Histon come through with a goal in the 81st minute and we lose yet again.

Final: Histon 1, Vauxhall 0
Goals:
Assists:
Top Three: Kennedy 6.9, Clark 6.7, Hubbard 6.7
Worst: Tait 6.2


September 8

Vauxhall (1-2-5, 23rd) at Chester (6-0-2, 4th)

They are dominating possession, but we're holding pretty firm and preventing good shots. A great athletic play by O'Callaghan starts a break that Hubbard finishes. 6 minutes later, Harris loses their top striker in the box and they equalize. With time winding down and it looking like a draw, O'Callaghan gets to a loose ball, knees it past a defender, then sends it over to Peake who crosses it back in. O'Callaghan finishes with perfect timing. A terrific win for Vauxhall!

Final: Vauxhall 2, Chester 1
Goals: Hubbard, O'Callaghan
Assists: O'Callaghan, Peake
Top Three: O'Callaghan 7.9, Hubbard 7.2, Peake 6.8
Worst: Harris 6.2


September 12

Vauxhall (2-2-5, 20th) vs. Braintree (4-2-3, 10th)

Oh, it's another one of those matches. We go down 3-0 in the first 28 minutes, all on goals from the same player. Peake actually manages to pull one back for us in the 2nd half and we didn't let them add any more damage, but it's very frustrating to see the guys play this bad.

Final: Braintree 3, Vauxhall 1
Goal: Peake
Assist: O'Callaghan
Top Three: O'Callaghan 7.8, Peake 7.1, Kennedy 6.8
Worst: Hewitt 5.9


September 19

Vauxhall (2-2-6, 23rd) vs. FC Halifax (4-4-2, 10th)

Nobody pays attention to a winger running down the field and FC Halifax go up 11 minutes in. It stays that way until the 2nd half, where Hubbard shows off his great finishing ability with two goals in the 56th and 72nd minute. The defense holds on for our 3rd victory of the season.

Final: Vauxhall 2, FC Halifax 1
Goals: Hubbard 2
Assists: Peake, Clark
Top Three: Hubbard 8.8, Harris 7.2, Peake 6.8
Worst: Beales 6.2



September 22

Vauxhall (3-2-6, 19th) at Sutton Utd (3-2-6, 18th)

Rainford is back for this one. We actually hold possession fairly well, but still fall behind when Walker can't get to a placed shot over his head. Then they score on a cross into the box where Walker slips as he was trying to catch it. We pull one back, but they break our backs with two more in the final minutes. Ugly way to lose.

Final: Sutton Utd 4, Vauxhall 1
Goal: Rainford
Assist: Pino
Top Three: Rainford 7.0, O'Callaghan 6.7, Pino 6.7
Worst: Harris 5.7


September 25

Vauxhall (3-2-7, 21st) vs. Dartford (5-0-7, 16th)

Another match that we were dominating, but couldn't get anything in. I was waiting for the fluke goal from the other team to send us to a loss. However, Kim O'Callaghan completely takes over at the end. In the 72nd minute, he gets a pass, splits two defenders and beats the keeper. Then in the 88th minute, as they were trying furiously to equalize, he torches his defender, gets a long pass from Fearnehough and makes the keeper look silly. Hewitt adds insult to injury with a 92nd minute goal off a deflected free kick.

Final: Vauxhall 3, Dartford 0
Goals: O'Callaghan 2, Hewitt
Assists: Fearnehough, Clark, Rainford
Top Three: O'Callaghan 9.2, Hewitt 7.8, Fearnehough 7.6
Worst: Peake 6.2


*We alternated wins and losses this month, but it was definitely a step up from August.

*The strategy now is to stay under budget and avoid regulation. Hopefully, we can then get a bigger budget next season to make a title chase.

*I am still scouring the loan market.