FM12 Eastwood Town (2012 BSBN Champs)

[Poli]

Down a man at half, I'd been happy with a 2-0 result. Adding two more scores is wonderful, particularly since we play the last 11 minutes or so with just 9.

[Poli]

Lee 8.7, Morris 8.8

Hall 6.7, Wilson 7.1, Elliott 7.4

Benjamin 7.1, Troke 7.4, Keane 7.6, Caines 7.9, Hanson 7.6

Gilpin 6.9


Burge 6.7, Cooper 6.9, Istead, Edwards 7.3, McIntosh


Morris is MoM. 577 in attendance.

[Poli]

The final score means we went 3-0 against Boston U with 15 goals for and none against.

[Poli]

Other scores:

Hyde 2:1 Altrincharm

Histon 3:0 Stalybridge

Nuneaton 3:1 Corby

Colwyn Bay 1:1 FC Halifax


Unexpected loss by Altrincham. More space for us. I'll take it.

[Poli]

With the win, we secure at least a playoff spot.

I'm happy to hear that. We have 3 games left on the schedule. I can use two of those to rest the starters.

Histon has also secured a spot, while Corby is to be relegated.

[Poli]

Troke is done for the season with a pulled hamstring.

[Poli]

Next match is at 19th Harrogate. We'll run a large number of subs in.

[Poli]

Harrogate: 13-8 Draw: 2-1 Eastwood: 6-4 (Fav) (Blue Square Bet North)

Penniless Harrogate Town are slight underdogs in what should prove a tightly contested affair against Blue Square Bet North surprise package Eastwood, according to Sky Bet.

Eastwood are currently on a ten match unbeaten run and the promotion contenders are enjoying 1st place in the Blue Square Bet North. Eastwood hold their fate in their own hands, and know that they will clinch the Blue Square Bet North crown if they win their remaining matches.

Following Harrogate's 0 - 1 Blue Square Bet North defeat against Hinckley last Monday, Weaver's men are currently 19th in the Blue Square Bet North with 37 points from 39 matches.

The referee for the match will be Scott Duncan from Newcastle who has shown 203 yellow cards and 10 red cards in his thirty-five Blue Square Bet North games so far this season. Duncan's last Eastwood Town match was Eastwood's Blue Square Bet North 0 - 0 draw with Altrincham on Saturday 3rd March.

[Poli]

Current Standings:

1. Eastwood 75
2. Histon 73
3. Nuneaton 71
4. Altrincham 70
5. Hinckley 65
6. FC Halifax 64

[Poli]

Player of the Year ballots are out. The candidates:

Lewis Taaffe, MF, Histon. 9 goals, 14 assists. 7 MoM. 7.24 average

Daniel Sparkes, MF, Histon. 5g, 13a, 3 MoM, 7.08 avg

Elliott Chamberlain, ST, Hinckley. 19g, 8a, 6 MoM, 7.05 avg

Conor Tinion, MF, Gloucester. 6g, 15a, 5 MoM, 7.08 avg

Marc Hughes, ST, Nuneaton. 23g, 7a, 7 MoM, 7.29 avg

Ciaran Kilheeney, ST, Droylesden. 22g, 4a, 6 MoM, 7.16 avg

Tom Baker, MF, FC Halifax. 8g, 14a, 7 MoM, 7.11 avg

Simon Johnson, ST, Solihull Moors. 20g, 6a, 6 MoM, 7.11 avg

David Lee, ST, Eastwood. 30g, 6a, 13 MoM, 7.44 avg

Nicky Clee, MF, Altrincham. 2g, 20a, 5 MoM, 7.33 avg

[Poli]

Clee is considered the front runner with Lee, so I vote for Clee. Given the averages, my vote has to be for Clee or Hughes. I am more impressed by the assists than anything.

[Poli]

14 Apr 2012

Eastwood, 22-9-8
@
Harrogate, 8-13-18

HAIL, 37 degrees.
(OUCH)


Edwards, Westcarr

Poole, Burge, West, Istead

Bailey, Clarke, McIntosh, Montgomery

Want


Gilpin, Keane, Morris, Lee, Hanson



Jake Want is set to play in his first competitive league game.
Ryan Clarke is set to make his 200th league appearance.
Jarrod Westcarr is set to play in his first competitive league game.
Lee Morris will make his 25th league appearance for Eastwood if brought on.

[Poli]

This should be fun. I don't plan to sub unless there is an injury.

Good luck, fellas.

[Poli]

We won't both writing up the scrubs game. Let's just say Scott Duncan, the referee made sure Harrogate won. 4-0 to Harrogate. 7 cards to our side to 2 for Harrogate. The 7 cards were good enough to send Istead and Montgomery in with ejections.

Love you, Scott, Duncan. Jerk.

[Poli]

Other scores:

Worcester 3:1 Histon
Gainsborough 1:1 Nuneaton
Altrincham 0:1 Stalybridge
Gloucester 0:2 Hinckley
FC Halifax 1:0 Droylesden

No harm, no foul, as far as I'm concerned. Nuneaton's draw doesn't scare me terribly. Starters back in for the next game before sitting the season finale out.

[Poli]

We're fined 800 bucks for failing to control the players.

I pay the fine and then pay the players as well. ATTA BOY.

Nuneaton secures a playoff spot with the draw. Guiseley is to be relegated.

[Poli]

Workington's our next match. It's in a week. I'm likely done until I return from my trip out to eastern Illinois...hopefully I'm home Wednesday.

[Poli]

Well, it turned out to be an all week thing. Glad to be home.

[Poli]

Hall has been handed an additional 2 game suspension for his antics in the Boston United match.

[Poli]

Workington: 13-8 Draw: 2-1 Eastwood: 6-4 (Fav) (Blue Square Bet North)

Workington are slight underdogs in what should prove a tightly contested affair against Blue Square Bet North surprise package Eastwood, according to Sky Bet.

Following Eastwood's heavy 0 - 4 Blue Square Bet North defeat against Harrogate last Saturday, the promotion contenders are currently 1st in the Blue Square Bet North with 75 points from 40 matches. Eastwood hold their fate in their own hands, and know that they will clinch the Blue Square Bet North crown if they win their remaining matches.

Workington have been performing above expectations in the Blue Square Bet North all season and find themselves in 7th place.

The referee for the match will be Darren Bond from Wigan who has shown 80 yellow cards and 4 red cards in his twenty-four Blue Square Bet North games so far this season.

[Poli]

Current Standings:

1. Eastwood 75
2. Histon 73
3. Nuneaton 72
4. Altrincham 70
5. Hinckley 68
6. FC Halifax 67

[Poli]

21 Apr 2012

Eastwood, 22-9-9
@
Workington, 16-14-10

Wet, 51 degrees

Lee, Morris

Elliott, Gardner, West

Benjamin, Caines, Keane, Hanson, Cooper

Gilpin


Bailey, McIntosh, Edwards, Wilson, Riley



Riley's just back from that hernia.
James Gilpin hasn't allowed a goal in over 245 consecutive minutes of soccer for Eastwood.
Lee Morris will make his 25th league appearance for Eastwood.

[SirFozzie]

so, two more wins will see you automatically promoted. Go for it!

[Poli]

With only two matches left, I certainly could. A couple of scenarios could mean I win the championship today.

[Poli]

9: Benjamin clears the ball out to Lee on a counterattack down the left sideline. Workington defenders are horribly out of position. Lee sprint to the penalty area and beats the keeper. 1-0

17: Benjamin clears it in a similar fashion to Lee down the left sideline, but this time the defense forces a pass. Lee to Morris...who finds West cutting into the middle. West misses an easy shot...wide right.

30: Gardner finds Lee near the penalty spot but Lee sends it wide right.

42: Hanson throws a ball in to West, who fires to Morris, with a quick pass for a header by Lee...just yards from the goal. Lee nails this one. 2-0

[Poli]

This game is well in hand it appears. Workington didn't manage a shot much less a concern.

[Poli]

47: Workington made 2 subs at the half and their 3rd and final now. Crazy.

53: Cooper cleared a counter to Morris down the right side...Morris pushes up the field and forces the defense to collapse. He fires a cross to Lee who taps it in between two defenders and the keeper. Hattrick for Mr. Lee. 3-0

57: Morris find Keane with a corner kick, but Keane heads the ball over

65: I pour the subs in. Edwards for Morris, Wilson for West, and Bailey for Gardner. Bailey takes Cooper's spot, Cooper to Hanson, Hanson to Gardner.

73: Hanson pushes the ball forward and fires Lee through the middle for a fourth goal, but Lee is called offside.

87: Cooper leaves the field injured.

[Poli]

A strong game for us. Workington never manages a shot on goal.

Lee 9.6, Morris 9

Elliott 6.9, Gardner 6.9, West 6.8

Benjamin 7.8, Caines 7.1, Keane 7, Hanson 7.3, Cooper 7.1

Gilpin 6.9


Bailey 6.7, McIntosh, Edwards 6.4, Wilson 6.7, Riley

Lee is MoM.

[Poli]

Other scores:

Harrogate 0:0 Histon

Solihull Motors 2:2 Nuneaton

Worcester 1:2 Altrincham

FC Halifax 1:0 Hinckley

That series of results means: EASTWOOD WINS THE CHAMPIONSHIP!

[Poli]

David Lee and Lee Morris both make Team of the Week.

Last game of the season is a home match against 11th place Gloucester.

[Poli]

Eastwood: 4-7 (Fav) Draw: 5-2 Gloucester: 4-1 (Blue Square Bet North)

Blue Square Bet North surprise package Eastwood have been touted as comfortable favorites but will have to be wary about complacency when taking on Gloucester, according to Sky Bet.

Eastwood have been playing far beyond expectations all season and find themselves in 1st place in the Blue Square Bet North. Eastwood have mathematically secured the league title and achieved promotion to Blue Square Bet Premier, meaning there is nothing to play for in their remaining matches. Although they were expected to struggle to avoid relegation at the beginning of the season, Eastwood have managed to guarantee survival before the end of the season, an outstanding achievement.

Gloucester have been performing above expectations in the Blue Square Bet North all season and find themselves in 11th place.

The referee for the match will be Jake Collin from Liverpool who has shown 39 yellow cards and 2 red cards in his thirty one Blue Square Bet North games so far this season.

[Poli]

I didn't believe that Histon would tie their last two matches, I figured this last match would have some meaning.

It's our last home game, we'll do everything we can to show the fans we appreciate 'em.

[Poli]

28 Apr 2012

Gloucester, 15-13-13
@
Eastwood, 23-9-9

Dry, 62 degrees

Lee, Morris

Elliott, West, Gardner

Benjamin, Caines, Keane, Hanson, Bailey

Gilpin


Cooper, Wilson, Istead, Edwards, Montgomery


Keane starts his last match for Eastwood today. I really screwed up that contract.
Gilpin hasn't allowed a goal in 335 minutes.
Edwards will make his 25th league appearance for us if he enters the match.

[Poli]

I also forgot to mention that last week's matches led to Altrincham taking the 3rd playoff spot. The FC Halifax/Hinckley match led to a swap in the standings. Both teams have something to play for today. Plenty of playoff posturing to go as well.

Current standings:

1. Eastwood, 78
2. Histon, 74
3. Nuneaton, 73
4. Altrincham, 73
5. FC Halifax, 70
6. Hinckley, 68

[Poli]

6: Bailey gets nicked and sees the physio.

11: Benjamin clears to Elliott, who finds Lee in the middle, but the keeper tips over the shot from 25 yards out.

20: Lee with another chance, this time he takes the ball around the penalty area from left to right and tries to send it into the left corner, he misses wide left.

23: Lee again, this time taking the ball into the box, but the keeper gets the best of him.

27: Elliott with the challenge and he wins the ball. He speeds upfield and fires a shot in. Gloucester tries to clear, but it goes straight to Morris, who makes the most of his chance. 1-0

33: Morris with another chance when Gardner finds him in the middle. Morris fires a shot and it bounds off the keeper, but Morris can't get to the bounding ball in time...Gloucester clears.

42: Gloucester with a chance. They bring the ball up the right sideline forcing the defense to collapse on him. As I expected a quick cross is fired into the penalty area, and a shot ensues...Gilpin is right there for the save.

45: Benjamin carded for tripping. Gloucester takes the free kick and nearly heads it in. It goes over the top.

[Poli]

The game felt well in hand until the final minutes of the half. We'll have to try and get another goal to make it more comfortable.

Good crowd here today.

[Poli]

49: Morris is fouled near the penalty area and in the center of the field. He tries to put the free kick in the goal, but it's too high.

58: Lee with a chance. He takes the pass with his back to the keeper, and swings to his right. He fires a pass as he turns, but it weakly goes wide right.

68: Cooper, the old man, in for Bailey. Bailey's nicked anyhow. I risk a bit here by putting Edwards in for Benjamin. Ben's the 2nd most tired go on the pitch and I risk leaving the left wing defense open by bringing Edwards in as an attacking left wing. I wanted him to get his 25th game in.

71: Gloucester takes advantage of that defensive area and brings it upfield. They nearly get behind the defense before firing a hard shot. Gilpin tips it away and it flies to the sideline for a throw in. Gilpin's probably cussing me for taking Benjamin off now.

74: A good counter leads to Lee with the ball on the left sideline, but he can't manage to beat the defender or a pass. It's finally out for a corner. Gloucester clears it.

90+1: Lots of congestion in front of our net. A shot is fired right at Gilpin. Save.

90+3: Cooper on a free kick tries to get a goal out of it. No mas. It might have been his last game with Eastwood, I can't blame him for trying.

[Poli]

Lee 6.4, Morris 7.2

Elliott 6.9, West 7.1, Gardner 6.9

Benjamin 6.2, Caines 6.9, Keane 7, Hanson 6.9, Bailey 6.8

Gilpin 7.3


Cooper 6.7, Wilson, Istead, Edwards 6.5, Montgomery


Gilpin's MoM, probably his first of the season. 1,277 at the game. That's a season high for a league match, I'm certain.

[Poli]

Other matches:

Histon 2: Boston United 3

Boston U's clearly been a disappointment. I heard the manager was likely to be fired all season. Somehow he kept his job through the entire year. They've got remarkable fan support and they ding Histon to finish the year off.

Nuneaton 3:0 Hyde
Nuneaton take advantage of the Histon loss and pass them in the standings.

Solihull Moors: 4:1 Altrincham
Altrincham could have possibly passed up Histon as well, but mailed in this dreadful result instead.

Blyth 0:0 FC Halifax
Hinckley 2:0 Workington
Hinckley needed help but didn't get it. Halifax needed to lose and post a win themselves. They took care of business on their side, but Blyth couldn't manage a goal.

[Poli]

Gilpin's named to the Team of the Week.

As May rolls around, I'm awarded Manager of the Month.

[Poli]

To summarize, the board is delighted with the leadership qualities you are demonstrating.

The team's fantastic overall performance in the Blue Square Bet North has been a particular highlight.

However, they are slightly disappointed with the departure of Francis Green.

The club recorded a loss of $16.09K last month.

Monthly Turnover: $37.05K
Previous Month: $24.22K
Main Income: Gate Receipts $25.54K

Monthly Expenditure: $53.14K
Previous Month: $42.48K
Main Expenditure: Player Salaries - $13.14K

[Poli]

The team's balance is 22.18k despite the loss on the month.

I'm doing all that I can, anyhow. I haven't brought on new staff, I stayed within budget all season.

[Poli]

1 May 2012

Playoffs

Altrincham 3:0 Histon

FC Halifax 1:1 Nuneaton

[Poli]

6 May 2012

Playoffs

Histon 3:1 Altrincham

Nuneaton 0:0 p FC Halifax

Altrincham and FC Halifax advance.

[Poli]

Boston United took their time to think it over and fire Jason Lee, their manager.

[Poli]

We send the boys off on vacation. We'll be in touch with a few most likely to try and get a contract on them.

[Poli]

13 May 2012

Playoff

Altrincham E 1:0 FC Halifax

Looks like we'll see more of Altrincham in the future.

[Poli]

14 May 2012

It's announced that Eastwood now has a record high for final league position. Their previous best was 4th place in the Blue Square Bet North.

David Lee wins Player of the Year and the Top Goalscorer awards.

Manager of the Season shortlist is announced as well, and I'm on it. I can't vote for myself, so I cast a vote for Lee Sinnott of Altrincham.

[Poli]

21 May 2012

I'm awarded Manager of the Season.

Histon's and Workington's managers finish 2nd and 3rd. Histon I could understand...but Workington??

[Poli]

26 May 2012

So much for a vacation. Goalkeeper James Gilpin has been called upon to play for Scotland's U-21 team on June 1st.