[larrymcg421]

Opening day starting lineup

ST Miller, ST Hubbard, ST Vickers
LW Clark, MC Dey, DMC Blakely, RW Jones
DC Kennedy, DC Tait, DC Byrne
GK Walker


August 6

Vauxhall (0-0-0) at Aldershot (0-0-0)

It looks really bad at the start. Aldershot dominate possession and we can't get anything going. They score on a break in the 17th minute, but miss several chances to extend their lead. That opens the door for us to regroup and make a charge in the 2nd half. It is newly promoted 18 yr old Lee Vickers who gets the equalizer on a great pass from Hubbard. That same combo works again when Vickers sends a pass to Hubbard, who puts through the game winner. What a great way to start the season!

Final: Vauxhall 2, Aldershot 1
Goals: Vickers, Hubbard
Assists: Hubbard, Vickers
Top Three: Vickers 8.2, Hubbard 7.8, Byrne 7.3


August 9

Vauxhall (1-0-0, 6th) vs. Ebbsfleet (1-0-0, 2nd)

Depth is clearly an issue for us. With our players not in midseason form just yet, they are gassed and I have to start many backups. The result is a complete ass kicking at home. Nothing else to say, except it was a nightmare to watch.

Final: Ebbsfleet 4, Vauxhall 0
Goals:
Assists:
Top Three: Martin 6.4, Kennedy 6.4, Ellams 6.4
Worst: Byrne 5.6


August 13

Vauxhall (1-0-1, 16th) at Staines (1-0-1, 11th)

Ouch. We suck again and this time can't blame it on our backups. That opening match victory seems like a total fluke right now.

Final: Staines 4, Vauxhall 0
Goals:
Assists:
Top Three: Vickers 6.4, Prescott 6.3, Fry 6.3
Worst: Clark 5.7


August 16

Vauxhall (1-0-2, 19th) vs. Braintree (0-1-2, 20th)

Well this was a nice way to break out of a slump. We control the first half, but can only get one in from Jones to go up 1-0. It is the 2nd half where we take off. An own goal from their keeper is followed by Miller's first of the season and then a double barrel from Vauxhall veteran Lloyd Ellams.

Final: Vauxhall 5, Braintree 1
Goals: Ellams 2, Miller, Jones
Assists: Khan 2, Brown, Hubbard, Jones
Top Three: Ellams 9.0, Jones 8.9, Khan 8.2
Worst: Vickers 6.4


August 20

Vauxhall (2-0-2, 15th) vs. Salisbury 1-1-2, 16th)

Jones and Prescott put in goals only 4 minutes apart to stake us to an early lead. Salisbury pull one back just a few minutes later. We still look good in the 2nd half until Blakely makes an insanely stupid play and gets sent off. They equalize soon after and I'm so furious at Blakely! Thankfully, we regrouped and Tait scored with a header off a corner kick to give us the victory!

Final: Vauxhall 3, Salisbury 2
Goals: Jones, Prescott, Tait
Assists: Clark, Prescott
Top Three: Clark 8.2, Prescott 7.9, Tait 7.2
Worst: Byrne 6.5

*Blakely was suspended for three matches for his brutal foul. I fined him one weeks salary and he accepted it.


August 27

Vauxhall (3-0-2, 10th) at Histon (3-0-2, 8th)

Ricky Miller heads home a Jones cross, then Hubbard gets a long pass from Walker and easily beats the keeper one on one. Hubbard adds another in the 2nd half to make it academic, but the real story is that we're called for six yellow cards and get fined $1.1k as a result.

Final: Vauxhall 3, Histon 0
Goals: Hubbard 2, Miller
Assists: Jones 2, Walker
Top Three: Hubbard 8.8, Jones 8.1, Miller 7.9
Worst: Martin 6.5


August 30

Vauxhall (4-0-2, 7th) at Barnet (3-1-2, 10th)

After three straight wins, we put together a sluggish effort on the road. Barnet control possession 61% of the time and score late in the first half. Our exhausted team can't break through for the equalizer.

Final: Barnet 1, Vauxhall 0
Goals:
Assists:
Top Three: Tait 7.2, Fry 6.7, Kennedy 6.6
Worst: Harris 6.2



*We finish the first month in 8th place, not bad at all considering the budget issues. But we'll need to be more consistent if we want to promote.

*We loaned Russel Fry, a valuable asset who can play MC, LW, RW, ST, and has decent skills for each.