FM12 Eastwood Town (2012 BSBN Champs)

[Poli]

Nothing at 65 (except a Gardner yellow)...Benjamin and Elliott are the most tired so they are subbed for by Bailey and Pitham. Pitham takes Hanson's defensive slot and Hanson moves to midfield.

Should it be tied at 85, Bailey will make a move to right wing and Troke to a defensive midfield. We will press for a goal at that point.

[Poli]

That's how it goes, unfortunately. 1-1 draw...again, the first place team, I will take it.

Troke picked up a good yellow at the end to keep them from having a 1 on 1 chance.

Lee (7.3), Green (6.8)
Elliott (6.5), Istead (6.7), Gardner (6.6)
Benjamin (6.6), Caines (6.6), Keane (7), Troke (6.7), Hanson (6.6)
Gilpin (6.7)

Knox, Bailey (6.5), Edwards, Morris, Pitham (6.5)

Lee garners MoM. 396 were in attendance.

[Poli]

U-18s take out Blyth, 2-0, to finish out the month of August.

[Poli]

The win sends the U-18 squad to the second round of the U-18 cup.

Hanson finishes 3rd in Player of the Month.

I finish 2nd as Manager of the Month.

[Poli]

I don't know a good way to post the league table, but we are in 3rd, a 3 way tie at the top.

Solihull, Hinckley, and Eastwood all have 3 wins and 3 draws.

[Poli]

As far as board and fan confidence, stature and competitions are mid-level. Salaries are okay as well, though slightly bumped to the right since I'm under what the limit is. Squad harmony is even better and rated as good.

The fans are good, but far better than squad harmony, with my transfers. I was worried what they'd think of Bradley leaving without a chance to impress. They're okay with the matches and players, though they're happier with the matches.

The overall confidence is stable. They love that I added David Lee, but they think the soccer hasn't been exciting enough.

[Poli]

Financially, the team lost 17445 last month and are at a negative 16669 on the season.

While I'd love to ask for more salary and more this, that, and the other, I'm not going to while we are in the red.

[Poli]

To summarize, the board is satisfied with your coaching of the team.

Your capture of David Lee, who the fans believe to be a very good signing, has been particularly pleasing.

The club recorded a loss of $17.44K last month.

Monthly Turnover: $24.73K
Previous Month: $15.11K
Main Income: Gate Receipts $16.6K

Monthly Expenditure: $42.17K
Previous Month: $28.34K
Main Expenditure: Bonuses - $10.77K

[Poli]

Forgot you got a monthly report I could spit out.

[Poli]

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

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

Eastwood are currently lying in 3rd place in the Blue Square Bet North. Eastwood could fall out of the play-off places if they lose to Nuneaton and results elsewhere go against them.

Nuneaton are currently lying in 9th place in the Blue Square Bet North.

The referee for the match will be Declan Ford from Melton Mowbray who has shown 5 yellow cards and no red cards in his three Blue Square Bet North games so far this season.

[Poli]

U-18s lose to Blyth, 1-0.

On to Nuneaton:

Lee, Green
Elliott, Cooper, Gardner
Benjamin, Caines, Keane, Troke, Hanson
Gilpin

Nwadike, Istead, Morris, Edwards, Bailey are the subs.

[Poli]

Zilch at the half. Not much to report, either. Both teams running a 5-3-2.

[Poli]

Around the 67 mark I sub in Edwards for Green (Eddie hasn't played since the season started) and Nwadike goes in for Gardner.

We'll slowly ramp up the tempo if there's still no score.

Unfortunately, they score twice...and despite pushing to tie, I come up empty. Troke ends up injured and I brought Morris in to add to the attack.

Lee (6.6), Green (6.8)
Elliott (6.5), Cooper (6.6), Gardner (6.8)
Benjamin (6.7), Caines (6.6), Keane (5.9), Troke (6.7), Hanson (6.6)
Gilpin (6.6)

Nwadike (6.4), Istead, Morris (--), Edwards (6.4), Bailey are the subs.

[Poli]

Troke's injury ends up being serious enough I have to spend 1k to get him to a specialist. He's out 1-2 weeks rather that 6-7. Honestly, he's logging minutes in this 5 man d-line and I can't afford to lose him for 6-7 weeks.

[Poli]

The U-18 second round cup was drawn and we play npower's Derby U-18. At least it's next month.

Thank you, FM.

[Poli]

Eastwood: 13-8 Draw: 2-1 Bishop's Stortford: 6-4 (Fav) (Blue Square Bet North)

Eastwood go into this game as slight underdogs even though they have home advantage over Bishop's Stortford, according to Sky Bet.

Eastwood are currently lying in 6th place in the Blue Square Bet North. Eastwood can overtake a number of teams including Nuneaton and move as high as 1st if they win their next game.

Bishop's Stortford are currently lying in 15th place in the Blue Square Bet North.

The referee for the match will be Tony Harrington from Hartlepool.

[Poli]

Speaking to the media ahead of Bishop's Stortford's clash with Eastwood, Rod Stringer appeared reluctant to comment on Eastwood head coach Rodney Polston.

When pushed by Dan Armstrong from Pitchero Non-League however, Stringer did eventually come up with a response, saying "The field looks to be in a bad state, it's treacherous and could be a real danger to the players."

This is the first time that Stringer has talked openly in the press about Polston.

Bishop's Stortford are currently lying in 15th place in the Blue Square Bet North.

[Poli]

Dear Stringer,

Suck it.

Love,

Poli

[Poli]

U-18s play before us, Dover took a 2-1 lead thanks to an own goal, but we storm back to win, 3-2.

Lee, Green
Elliott, Istead, Gardner
Benjamin, Caines, Hanson, Keane, Cooper
Gilpin

Nwadike, Bailey, Edwards, Morris, Pitham.

[Poli]

No score at the half. A few chances for us, but nothing crazy.

[Poli]

Lee scores on a crossing pass at 50 and it's game over. I hadn't realized it but Bishop hadn't had a shot on my goal to that point.

At 67 they still didn't have a shot on us. I went to prevent, brought in Nwadike and Bailey for Elliott and Istead.

Lee would add another at 83 with an intercepted pass by Green and shovel to Lee. Cooper would pick up a yellow at 85.

Bishop ends without a shot on goal. Take that, Stringer.

[Poli]

Lee (8.8), Green (7.1)
Elliott (6.8), Istead (6.8), Gardner (6.8)
Benjamin, Caines(6.8) , Hanson (6.8), Keane(6.8) , Cooper (7.4)
Gilpin (6.8)

Nwadike(6.8), Bailey(6.8), Edwards, Morris, Pitham.

[Poli]

Lee obviously won MoM. 376 were in attendance.

[Poli]

We draw Wakefield of Northern Premier D1N in the English FA Cup Second Qualifying Round. It'll be at their place on October 1st (it's Sep 14 now).

[Poli]

Benjamin and Lee are named to the Team of the Week.

[Poli]

Colwyn Bay: 5-4 (Fav) Draw: 11-5 Eastwood: 7-4 (Blue Square Bet North)

Eastwood Town go into this away game with every chance of walking away with something against slight favorites Colwyn Bay, according to Sky Bet.

Eastwood have been playing above all expectations so far this season and find themselves in 4th place in the Blue Square Bet North. Eastwood can overtake a number of teams including Hyde and move as high as 1st if they win their next game. Eastwood could drop out of the playoff places if they lose their next match.

Colwyn Bay are currently 20th in the Blue Square Bet North.

The referee for the match will be Scott Duncan from Newcastle who has shown 44 yellow cards and 3 red cards in his eight 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 Corby on Saturday 13th August.

[Poli]

Lovely. I hate Duncan.

[Poli]

U-18s defeat Salisbury 1-0.

Lee, Green
Elliott, Istead, Gardner
Benjamin, Caines, Hanson, Keane, Cooper

Nwadike, Morris, Edwards, Bailey, Riley

[Poli]

No score at the half. Istead picked up a silly yellow card 6 minutes in.

[Poli]

Lee scored at about 53, and then the yellow cards poured in.

Gardner, Cooper, Benjamin all picked up yellows. Cooper was called for a foul awarding Colwyn a penalty kick to tie.

Minutes later Cooper would make a defensive mistake leaving the opponent the ball and a near open net.

We lose, 2-1, in the last 5 minutes of the game.

[Poli]

I hate DUNCAN.

Lee (7.2), Green (6.7)
Elliott (6.5), Istead (6.8), Gardner (6.6)
Benjamin(6.7), Caines (6.8), Hanson (6.4), Keane(6.7), Cooper (5.1)
Gilpin(6.7)

Nwadike (6.3), Morris (6.4), Edwards, Bailey, Riley

[Poli]

The loss, fortunately, only drops us to 5th.

[Poli]

We have a quick turnaround with Droylsden in 3 days.

David Lee's been noted as leading the league in offsides with 18 in 8 games.

[Poli]

Eastwood: 7-4 Draw: 11-5 Droylsden: 5-4 (Fav) (Blue Square Bet North)

Blue Square Bet North surprise package Eastwood go into this game as slight underdogs even though they have home advantage over struggling Droylsden, 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 North. Eastwood can overtake a number of teams including Altrincham and move as high as 1st if they win their next game. Eastwood could drop out of the playoff places if they lose their next match.

Droylsden have been disappointing in the Blue Square Bet North so far this season and find themselves in 21st place.

The referee for the match will be Colin Harwood from Manchester who has shown 6 yellow cards and no red cards in his six Blue Square Bet North games so far this season.

[Poli]

Eastwood 4-3-2
Droylsden 2-4-4

Lee, Green
Elliott, Cooper, Gardner
Benjamin, Caines, Keane, Troke, Hanson
Gilpin

Knox, Bailey, Edwards, Morris, Pitham

[Poli]

No score and only 4 shots on goal in the first half. Lee banged one into the post but got nothing for it.

[Poli]

Lee hits a PK at 50, we go prevent after that. I sub out Cooper and Gardner for Bailey and Edwards. Bailey takes Hanson's spot. Hanson moves to midfield. Edwards went in as an attacking left wing.

Ideally, I will get rid of Edwards and Morris. Outside of providing striker depth, I don't particularly like using attacking wings...and given our use of the 5-3-2, I never use them.

Lee (6.5), Green (6.1)
Elliott(6.6), Cooper(6.6), Gardner (6.2)
Benjamin(6.6), Caines(6.7), Keane(6.6), Troke(6.6), Hanson (6.2)
Gilpin (6.7)

Knox, Bailey (--), Edwards (--), Morris, Pitham


357 in attendance. The win puts us in 4th.

[Poli]

U-18s play and win again. This time against Corby, 1-0. Want may suck at the senior club level, but he dominates at the youth level.

[Poli]

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

Eastwood Town go into this away game with every chance of walking away with something against slight favorites Blyth, according to Sky Bet.

Eastwood have been playing above all expectations so far this season and find themselves in 4th place in the Blue Square Bet North. Eastwood can overtake a number of teams including Solihull Moors and move as high as 1st if they win their next game. Eastwood could drop out of the playoff places if they lose their next match.

Blyth have so far confounded their critics as the pre-season relegation candidates currently lie 14th in the Blue Square Bet North table.

The referee for the match will be Seb Stockbridge from Gateshead who has shown 36 yellow cards and 3 red cards in his eight Blue Square Bet North games so far this season.

[Poli]

I have been wondering why I haven't been able to get some more rotation out of my players and then we recently played a reserve match.

I knew Nwadike needed to get his match fitness up, but I hadn't thought about the others. I thought they'd play reserve matches to help out as needed. I seem to recall in my other games that I'd be asked. I must have a setting changed for this one as I wasn't asked before the match if I'd like first teamers to play or not.

Nwadike played in the the reserve match, but he was the only one I requested. I do have a number of guys needing match fitness, so I set them all for playing if they need it. I also scheduled another reserve friendly to help out.

Ideally I need to get Cooper the heck out of the starting lineup.

[Poli]

Eastwood 5-3-2
@ Blyth 4-1-5

Lee, Green
Elliott, Cooper, Gardner
Benjamin, Caines, Keane, Troke, Hanson
Gilpin

Knox, Bailey, Morris, Edwards, Istead

Hopefully getting some match fitness up for the backups will give us a few more wrinkles to the lineup.

[Poli]

While I hate the idea of facing JIMGA's team, and I'm a big fan of Mole (making his 100th appearance, congratulations), I do love that they're starting a 30 year old keeper who hasn't played in a game in over a year.

I also love seeing notes like two starters are set to make their professional debuts.

[Poli]

Lee and Cooper manage to get cards before the 10 minute mark.

Fortunately, Lee turns around and scores twice...once on a penalty kick, once of the ordinary, kick it in from near the penalty kick area.

Mole scares us with a goal that goes in, but he's ruled offside. Cheater.

[Poli]

Elliott adds a goal from 20 yards out in the 2nd half.

I bring in three guys needing some match fitness: Bailey, Edwards, and Morris, for the middies. Bailey and Hanson swap spots, while Edwards and Morris taking attacking wing spots.

I don't want to rub it in, Blyth, I just need some PT for these guys.

Caines manages to get a card and Mole does finally put one in at 89.

3-1, good guys.

Lee (8.6), Green(6.9)
Elliott (7.7), Cooper(6.8) , Gardner (7.1)
Benjamin (7.1), Caines (7), Keane (6.9), Troke(6.8) , Hanson (7.3)
Gilpin (6.8)

Knox, Bailey (6.3), Morris (6.4), Edwards (6.6), Istead

[Poli]

That win propelled us to 2nd place. I'm fortunate we didn't lose power while I was gone. I had forgot to shut the game down before I left for the day.

[Poli]

Wakefield: 9-1 Draw: 4-1 Eastwood: 1-4 (Fav) (English FA Cup Second Qualifying Round)

Northern Premier D1N team Wakefield are going to have to set up the barricades if they want to come away with a result from this very tough home game against Blue Square Bet North surprise package Eastwood, according to Sky Bet.

Both clubs will be doing everything they can to ensure victory.

The referee for the match will be Paul Curry from Ashington.

[Poli]

David Lee was 2nd in Player of the Month.

[Poli]

I decide that since it's a virtual win before we start to bust out the 4-4-2 attacking set.

Lee, Green
Edwards, Gardner, Elliott, Istead
Benjamin, Troke, Keane, Hanson
Gilpin

Subs: Pitham, Bailey, Nwadike, Morris, Caines, Cooper, Knox

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Poli

If there's anything I can do better or you can suggest, I'm open to it. I really don't have much of an idea of what I'm doing outside of what JIMGA has talked to me about.

Boy are you in deep do-do

[Poli]

A 4-2 win that had me a little nervous at the half...2-2. Lee and Troke had goals in the first half...Troke's on a corner.

Troke came up lame later on, and once Istead put us up again I went to prevent. I did sub in for Troke, Gardner, and Edwards. Morris would add a late goal off a cross pass.

Lee(7.5) , Green (6.7)
Edwards(7.6), Gardner(6.8), Elliott(6.8), Istead (8.9)
Benjamin(6.7), Troke (7.3), Keane (6.8), Hanson (6.9)
Gilpin (6.9)

Subs: Pitham, Bailey, Nwadike (6.8), Morris(7.3) , Caines(6.5), Cooper, Knox


Istead named MoM.