FM12 Eastwood Town (2012 BSBN Champs)

[Poli]

Next match is New Year's Day. Guess the guy's won't be celebrating, after all. I'm sure some will, regardless.

[Poli]

Eastwood: 3-1 Draw: 2-1 Mansfield: 4-5 (Fav) (Blue Square Bet Premier)

Minnows Eastwood are up against it in their home encounter against Mansfield, according to Sky Bet.

Eastwood have been playing above all expectations so far this season and find themselves in 5th place in the Blue Square Bet Premier. By winning the upcoming match, Eastwood can move up to 4th in the standings and will hope to leapfrog York. Eastwood could drop out of the playoff places if they lose their next match.

Mansfield are currently lying in 10th place in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

The referee for the match will be Tony Harrington from Hartlepool who has shown 27 yellow cards and one red card in his fourteen Blue Square Bet Premier games so far this season.

[Poli]

Our match was snowed out! Woot!

[Poli]

Assistant coach Richard Cooper has offered a reminder of some important dates in the month ahead:

1.1.2013 - Nalborski joins Eastwood
5.1.2013 - Eastwood v Salisbury (12th) (Blue Square Bet Premier)
8.1.2013 - Gateshead (2) v Eastwood (Blue Square Bet Premier)
11.1.2013 - Eastwood v Mansfield (10) (Blue Square Bet Premier)
16.1.2013 - Eastwood v Kidderminster (19) (Blue Square Bet Premier)
26.1.2013 - Stockport (17) v Eastwood (Blue Square Bet Premier)

[Poli]

Liking the three home matches this 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 Premier has been a particular highlight.

However, the fans' unhappiness with the performances of Markel Bailey is understandable and this is something that you should look to resolve.

The club recorded a loss of $23.51K last month.

Monthly Turnover: $88.13K
Previous Month: $99.73K
Main Income: Gate Receipts $61.31K

Monthly Expenditure: $111K
Previous Month: $105K
Main Expenditure: Player Salaries - $20.07K

[Poli]

At least the fans have let the David Lee thing go.

We lost a bunch of money last month. We're still barely in the green. Hopefully the three home matches help us a little this month.

[Poli]

League Table:

1. Crewe, 57 pts (previously: 1)
2. Gateshead, 49 (9)
3. Fleetwood, 49 (2)
4. York, 44 (3)
5. Eastwood, 43 (5)
6. Forest Green, 42 (4)
7. Hayes & Yeading, 41 (6)
8. Ebbsfleet, 41 (7)
9. Luton, 40 (8)
10. Mansfield, 37 (10)
11. Accrington, 35 (13)
12. Salisbury, 34 (18)
13. Newport Co, 33 (11)
14. Cambridge, 32 (12)
15. Lincoln, 30 (16)
16. Kettering, 28 (15)
17. Stockport, 27 (14)
18. Altrincham, 26 (17)
19. Kidderminster, 25 (20)
20. Bath, 25 (19)
21. Tamworth, 24 (22)
22. Braintree, 22 (23)
23. Chelmsford, 22 (21)
24. Barrow, 15 (24)

[Poli]

Big mover was Gateshead!

[Poli]

Eastwood: 3-1 Draw: 2-1 Salisbury: 4-5 (Fav) (Blue Square Bet Premier)

Part-timers Eastwood are up against it in their home encounter against in-form Salisbury, according to Sky Bet.

Eastwood have been playing above all expectations so far this season and find themselves in 5th place in the Blue Square Bet Premier. By winning the upcoming match, Eastwood can move up to 4th in the standings and will hope to leapfrog York. Eastwood could drop out of the playoff places if they lose their next match.

Salisbury are currently enjoying an eight match unbeaten run which has seen the relegation candidates occupy 13th place in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

The referee for the match will be Tony Harrington from Hartlepool who has shown 27 yellow cards and one red card in his fourteen Blue Square Bet Premier games so far this season.

[Poli]

05 JAN 2013

Salisbury, 9-8-9 (13th)

Eastwood, 12-4-8 (5th)

Drizzle, 41 degrees


Falconer, ZC

Andrews, Dyer, Elliott

Benjamin, Joyce, Troke, Hanson, Bailey

Gilpin


Montgomery, Parsonage, Nalborski, Lacey, Daniel

Falconer hasn't scored in 399 minutes.
Caines and Joyce on yellow card alert.
Falconer needs three goals to reach 25 career goals.
Nalborski will make his Eastwood debut if brought in.

[Poli]

Eastwood Town 0 - 3 Salisbury City (Blue Square Bet Premier)

Salisbury enjoyed a comfortable 3 - 0 victory over Eastwood. The win was deserved for Salisbury who turned their superiority into goals in the Blue Square Bet Premier game at Coronation Park.

Full-back Luke Ruddick got Salisbury off to a flying start by scoring a tidy finish in the 10th minute. Young winger Abdulai Bell-Baggie doubled Salisbury's lead with an incisive finish in the 36th minute.

Striker Kyle Asante completed the rout with an accurate finish in the 65th minute.

Eastwood have been playing above all expectations so far this season and find themselves in 8th place in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

Man of the Match: Abdulai Bell-Baggie (Salisbury)
Attendance: 1,548

[Poli]

Extremely frustrating...we had shots on goal but couldn't connect. They were nearly perfect on their side. While the team was down rating wise, it wasn't a dismal performance. Just a subpar performance by the defensive line and the keeper. The final Salisbury goal came after I tried to ratchet up the O to attack more.

Markel Bailey picked up another yellow.


Falconer 6.7, ZC 5.9

Andrews 6.5, Dyer 6.5, Elliott 6.6

Benjamin 5.9, Joyce 5.7, Troke 5.6, Hanson 5.6, Bailey 6.2

Gilpin 6.4


Montgomery, Parsonage 6.7, Nalborski 6.7, Lacey, Daniel 6.5

[Poli]

We go on the road and play red hot Gateshead in 3 days.

[Poli]

Gateshead: 1-6 (Fav) Draw: 5-1 Eastwood: 10-1 (Blue Square Bet Premier)

High-flying Gateshead should face little, if any, problems in overcoming what are vastly inferior opposition in the shape of part-timers Eastwood, according to Sky Bet.

Eastwood have been playing above all expectations so far this season and find themselves in 8th place in the Blue Square Bet Premier. Eastwood can overtake a number of teams including Forest Green and move as high as 5th if they win their next game.

Gateshead have notched up seven straight wins and the promotion contenders lie in 3rd place in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

The referee for the match will be Paul Melin from Aldershot who has shown 14 yellow cards and no red cards in his twelve Blue Square Bet Premier games so far this season.

[Poli]

08 JAN 2013


Eastwood, 12-4-9 (8th)
@
Gateshead, 15-4-6 (3rd)

Breezy, 32 degrees


Falconer, Lacey

Andrews, Nalborski, Gardner

Benjamin, Joyce, Caines, Troke, Hanson

Gilpin


Parsonage, Montgomery, Barrett, ZC, Daniel


Lacey hasn't scored in 433 minutes.
Falconer hasn't scored in 489 minutes.
Caines, Bailey, and Joyce on yellow card alert.
Falconer needs three goals to reach 25 career goals.
Caines, Gardner, Elliott, and Dyer are all in need of rest.
West and Ladapo are still injured and out.

[Poli]

Gateshead 1 - 1 Eastwood Town (Blue Square Bet Premier)

Following their 1 - 1 draw with Gateshead at The International Stadium, an ex-Eastwood player claimed that his former team must improve if they are to succeed this season. The match was certainly not one for the purists with neither team able to keep the errors out of their game.

An error from Eastwood's Niall Andrews allowed young winger Jordan Carter to score a shot from the edge of the area Eastwood's equalizer came through Gavin Falconer as he seized on Sam Rents' mistake to score a tap-in. Then followed controversy as Eastwood Town were denied claims by young centre-back Alex Troke for a penalty.

Eastwood have been playing above all expectations so far this season and find themselves in 9th place in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

Man of the Match: David Atkinson (Gateshead)
Attendance: 1,025

[Poli]

Eastwood Town's run of games without a win in the Blue Square Bet Premier has risen to four following their 1 - 1 result against Gateshead.

The Badgers' recent performances may have been fairly poor, but they still find themselves in the upper half of the table.

For a team whom many felt would be battling against relegation this season, the campaign thus far has proved a great test of the club's resistance.

Following their recent slump, it will indeed be a measure of the club's character to determine whether they can uphold the standards they have set themselves.

[Poli]

I'll take the tie on the road against the 3rd place team. It drops us to 9th, but a draw is a win for us in this situation. We're worn down and beat up.

We went in countering and basically in a prevent defense. The goal allowed was a one-timer...I'm not sure how Andrews was considered at fault.

At the half I went on the attack hoping to generate offense. I figured if it backfired and we allowed a goal that I could turtle it and hold for a 2-0 game.

Instead, Mitchell Hanson started us on a counter...but Gateshead captured the pass down near their goal. Steve Lacey was applying pressure and their guy made a bad pass and Falconer ended his drought.

Sam Benjamin would later be injured. He's out about two weeks.

The shots on James Gilpin were fast and furious. Twice he dove to block a shot and had to get back up to block another. Great game by our Irish keeper!



Falconer 7.2, Lacey 6.1

Andrews 5.4, Nalborski 6.8, Gardner 6.7

Benjamin 5.8, Joyce 6.8, Caines 6.0, Troke 6.7, Hanson 6.8

Gilpin 6.7


Parsonage, Montgomery, Barrett 6.5, ZC 6.9, Daniel 6.9

[Poli]

We host Mansfield in three days. I might look at the free transfer list and maybe call up a few reserves to see if we can't rest a few bodies.

[Poli]

Eastwood: 11-5 Draw: 11-5 Mansfield: Pick 'Em (Fav) (Blue Square Bet Premier)

Part-timers Eastwood go into this game as slight underdogs even though they have home advantage over Mansfield, according to Sky Bet.

Eastwood have been playing above all expectations so far this season and find themselves in 9th place in the Blue Square Bet Premier. Eastwood can overtake a number of teams including Forest Green and move as high as 6th if they win their next game.

Mansfield are currently lying in 13th place in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

The referee for the match will be Tony Harrington from Hartlepool who has shown 30 yellow cards and one red card in his sixteen Blue Square Bet Premier games so far this season. Harrington's last Eastwood Town match was Eastwood's heavy 0 - 3 Blue Square Bet Premier defeat against Salisbury on Saturday 5th January.

[Poli]

Young defender Luke Rees joins us from Felinfach. We're gambling. He's at 200 a week until after 20 games. His salary more than doubles after that. If he hasn't shown me he's worth it after 15 games or so, I will just sit him.

[Poli]

11 JAN 2013


Mansfield, 10-7-9 (13th)
@
Eastwood, 12-5-9 (9th)

Strong wind, downpour, 48 degrees

[Poli]

Game postponed due to waterlogged field. Rescheduled for 30 Jan.

[Poli]

Midfielder Rossi Jarvis joins the team on a free transfer.

[Poli]

We host Kidderminster on 16 January.

[Poli]

Our last signing, I promise. Sean Hessey, another defender, joins the ranks.

[Poli]

Eastwood: 3-1 Draw: 2-1 Kidderminster: 4-5 (Fav) (Blue Square Bet Premier)

Minnows Eastwood are up against it in their home encounter against troubled Blue Square Bet Premier strugglers Kidderminster, according to Sky Bet.

Eastwood have been playing above all expectations so far this season and find themselves in 9th place in the Blue Square Bet Premier. Eastwood can overtake a number of teams including Forest Green and move as high as 7th if they win their next game.

Kidderminster are currently 20th in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

The referee for the match will be Steve Bratt from Birmingham who has shown 30 yellow cards and 4 red cards in his fourteen Blue Square Bet Premier games so far this season.

[Poli]

Patrick Montgomery decided he wanted more than 8 bucks a week. He's played enough to warrant more. I give him 80. He's thrilled.

[Poli]

16 JAN 2013


Kidderminster, 7-6-15 (20th)
@
Eastwood, 13-5-9 (9th)


Dry, 33 degrees


Falconer, ZC

Andrews, Dyer, Nalborski

Daniel, Joyce, Troke, Hanson, Bailey

Gilpin


Ashton, Montgomery, Lacey, Barrett, Hessey


Lacey hasn't scored in 493 minutes.
Caines, Bailey, and Joyce on yellow card alert.
Falconer needs two goals to reach 25 career goals.
Caines, Gardner, Elliott, and Ladapo were all sent off for a week vacation.
West and Benjamin are still injured and out.
Troke will be making his 50th career appearance, all with Eastwood.
Hessey will make his debut if he plays today (and he will)

[Poli]

Eastwood Town 1 - 1 Kidderminster Harriers (Blue Square Bet Premier)

Eastwood could count themselves somewhat fortunate to have escaped with a draw against Kidderminster Harriers in their Blue Square Bet Premier game at Coronation Park.

Sean Hessey was able to keep his composure to score from the spot after Broomes gave away a penalty. The Eastwood Town fans might have hoped that Hessey had scored the winner but it was not to be.

With time rapidly running out however, striker Jamille Matt then scored a well executed finish to equalize for Kidderminster Harriers. Better late than never for Kidderminster Harriers and the fans were clearly delighted with Matt's impact.

Eastwood have been playing above all expectations so far this season and find themselves in 8th place in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

Man of the Match: Jamille Matt (Kidderminster)
Attendance: 1,205

[Poli]

Eastwood Town's run of games without a win in the Blue Square Bet Premier has risen to five following their 1 - 1 result against Kidderminster Harriers.

The Badgers' recent performances may have been fairly poor, but they still find themselves in the upper half of the table.

For a team whom many felt would be battling against relegation this season, the campaign thus far has proved a great test of the club's resistance.

Following their recent slump, it will indeed be a measure of the club's character to determine whether they can uphold the standards they have set themselves.

[Poli]

Sean Hessey had a debut to remember by scoring in Eastwood's Blue Square Bet Premier 1 - 1 draw with Kidderminster after coming on as a 54th minute substitute.

Supporters had been anxious to see what Hessey had to offer and will have undoubtedly been delighted that their new man made an instant impact.

Hessey, who is valued at $1.5K, currently has 6 months remaining on his $475 p/w deal at Coronation Park.

[Poli]

The late goal was really on James Gilpin, who failed to take charge...their guy may have had a 'great game', but Gilpin certainly sucked.

Markel Bailey was among 4 Eastwood players booked in the match. Bailey, however, will be sitting two matches as a result of his. Also booked: Niall Andrews, Alex Troke, Mitchell Hanson


Falconer 6.2, ZC 6.6

Andrews 6.6, Dyer 6.6, Nalborski 6.6

Daniel 6.7, Joyce 6.6, Troke 6.6, Hanson 6.6, Bailey 6.9

Gilpin 6.6


Ashton, Montgomery, Lacey 6.7, Barrett 6.6, Hessey 6.7

[Poli]

Our next match is in 10 days. That will give our guys that took the week off a chance to get back on the pitch.

[Poli]

17 Jan

Time for a team meeting.

"Listen, fellas, I really want to make sure our heads don't drop. Things haven't been going our way, but we've got the talent to turn this thing around and change our fortunes."

This speech didn't go over that well. (14 somewhat motivated, 9 not motivated)

A few players talk, and I should have stopped it there. 10 of the guys were motivated, the rest stayed the same. I am happy no one was demotivated.

[Poli]

Graham Barrett's sick and I sent him home. 2-3 weeks without him.

[Poli]

ZC apparently got the bug as well. He's now gone 2-3 weeks as well.

[Poli]

Stockport: 4-6 (Fav) Draw: 9-4 Eastwood: 7-2 (Blue Square Bet Premier)

Struggling Stockport are clear favorites in this home encounter but will still have to make sure they do a professional job against part-timers Eastwood, according to Sky Bet.

Eastwood have been playing above all expectations so far this season and find themselves in 9th place in the Blue Square Bet Premier. Eastwood can overtake a number of teams including Forest Green and move as high as 6th if they win their next game.

Stockport have been disappointing in the Blue Square Bet Premier so far this season and find themselves in 20th place.

The referee for the match will be Matthew McLaughlin from Stevenage who has shown 4 yellow cards and no red cards in his nine Blue Square Bet Premier games so far this season.

[Poli]

26 JAN 2013


Eastwood, 13-6-9 (9th)
@
Stockport, 7-7-14 (20th)


Drizzle, 41 degrees


Ladapo, Falconer

Gardner, Nalborski, Jarvis, Dyer

Benjamin, Joyce, Hessey, Hanson

Gilpin

Troke, Caines, Lacey, Elliott, Daniel


Lacey hasn't scored in 538 minutes.
Caines and Joyce on yellow card alert.
Falconer needs two goals to reach 25 career goals.
ZC and Barret are sick and out.
Bailey is serving his suspension.
Joyce making his 25th career appearance, all with Eastwood.
Jarvis making his debut with Eastwood.


Going with an attacking 4-4-2 to a) shake it up and b) try to score a bit. I don't have the wingers for it, but worth a shot.

[Poli]

Five-star Eastwood triumph

Stockport County 0 - 5 Eastwood Town (Blue Square Bet Premier)

Stockport's fans were left stupefied after their team slumped to a miserable defeat at the hands of Eastwood Town. Two goals from Gavin Falconer helped Eastwood to victory.

Young striker Freddie Ladapo gave Eastwood the lead with a fine header from pointblank range in the 28th minute. Stockport County's Paul Rodgers received the red card for a professional foul with 59 minutes on the clock.

Young striker Steve Lacey doubled Eastwood Town's lead with a well timed finish from close range in the 72nd minute. Falconer scored with a placed shot in the 77th minute to extend the lead further.

With Stockport staring at defeat, there was controversy as midfielder Jon Routledge then had a penalty shot turned down. An error from Stockport County's Lukas Lidakevicius allowed Falconer to score a real poacher's effort. Midfielder Ross Gardner completed the rout with a powerful effort in the 91st minute.

Eastwood have been playing above all expectations so far this season and find themselves in 6th place in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

Man of the Match: Gavin Falconer (Eastwood)
Attendance: 3,058

[Poli]

Fans Jubilant After Stockport Result

Supporter spokesperson Liam Bushell feels the fans are delighted with Eastwood's convincing 5 - 0 Blue Square Bet Premier victory over Stockport.

David Joyce, Mitchell Hanson and Freddie Ladapo particularly impressed.

Eastwood have been playing above all expectations so far this season and find themselves in 6th place in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

[Poli]

A game I thought I might win by putting on the attack. After their defender was carded, I went even more aggressive and it paid off. Lacey was subbed in with the intention of trying to end the drought.

Normally I would have backed off after a few goals but I wanted to give the fans something to be excited about. Falconer getting his 24th and 25th goals was quite nice as well.


Ladapo 7.5, Falconer 9.5

Gardner 8.7, Nalborski 7.8, Jarvis 7.0, Dyer 8.6

Benjamin 7.0, Joyce 8.2, Hessey 8.1, Hanson 7.6

Gilpin 7.1

Troke, Caines --, Lacey 8.0, Elliott, Daniel 7.1

[Poli]

Next match is Mansfield at home in four days. We may even play that it this time.

[Poli]

Five guys were named to Team of the Week:

Mitchell Hanson, Alex Dyer, Ross Gardner, Rossi Jarvis and Gavin Falconer.

[Poli]

We couldn't resist bringing in one last player. Jason Lampkin was added to our crowded midfield.

[Poli]

Eastwood face Mansfield in Blue Square Bet Premier clash

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

Part-timers Eastwood's home advantage gives them the edge in what should be a close encounter against cash-strapped Mansfield, according to Sky Bet.

Eastwood have been playing above all expectations so far this season and find themselves in 6th place in the Blue Square Bet Premier. Eastwood could be overtaken by the likes of Forest Green and drop as low as 9th if they fail to win their next game.

Mansfield are currently lying in 13th place in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

The referee for the match will be Tony Harrington from Hartlepool who has shown 33 yellow cards and one red card in his seventeen Blue Square Bet Premier games so far this season. Harrington's last Eastwood Town match was Eastwood's heavy 0 - 3 Blue Square Bet Premier defeat against Salisbury on Saturday 5th January.

[Poli]

30 JAN 2013


Stockport, 10-9-10 (13th)
@
Eastwood, 14-6-9 (6th)


Strong wind and light snow, 32 degrees


Ladapo, Falconer

Gardner, Jarvis, Lampkin, Lacey (attacking)

Daniel, Hessey, Joyce, Hanson

Gilpin

Elliott, Benjamin, Dyer, Parsonage, Caines


Caines and Joyce on yellow card alert.
ZC and Barret are sick and out.
Bailey is serving his suspension.
Hessey will be making his 300th career appearance.
Lampkin making his professional debut.
Falconer making his 50th career appearance.
Ladapo making his 25th appearance for Eastwood.

[Poli]

Eastwood Edge Narrow Mansfield Game

Eastwood Town 1 - 0 Mansfield Town (Blue Square Bet Premier)

Eastwood won a hard fought battle against Mansfield on a fine evening at Coronation Park. The match was certainly not one for the purists with neither team able to keep the errors out of their game.

Experienced centre-back Sean Hessey gave Eastwood the lead with a firm diving header from inside the six yard box in the 49th minute. Experienced full-back John Thompson then summed up his team's performance by nearly gifting Eastwood another goal in the 54th minute.

The match was remarkable for the number of fouls committed by both teams, seemingly more concerned with disrupting the flow of the game than playing it.

Eastwood have been playing above all expectations so far this season and find themselves in 7th place in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

Man of the Match: Sean Hessey (Eastwood)
Attendance: 1,549

[Poli]

After our goal I went into the prevent. The game was kind of going back and forth shot wise. I figured shoring up the defense was the best option.

Kadell Daniel and David Joyce were carded on our side. The means Joyce will serve a suspension.

*or not*. Looks like Joyce and Caines are clear of yellow card danger for now. Both are pushing to the 10 card/2 game suspension. Kind of surprising on my side.

Ladapo 5.9, Falconer 6.8

Gardner 6.9, Jarvis 6.9, Lampkin 6.2, Lacey (attacking) 6.9

Daniel 7.1, Hessey 8.1, Joyce 7.5, Hanson 7.0

Gilpin 6.9

Elliott, Benjamin, Dyer --, Parsonage --, Caines --