FM12 Eastwood Town (2012 BSBN Champs)

[Poli]

With Scott Duncan calling this match, we put in our standard "stay on your feet" order.

Caines finds Keane with a free kick. Keane heads it in, just 5 minutes into the game. While we manage a few more shots, nothing comes of them.

1-0 at the half.

[Poli]

At the 52 minute mark, Hanson tries a cross to Lee in front of the net, but it's knocked out toward Cooper. Coop shoots it back to Lee who puts a laser into the corner.

I use that as a chance to pop in McIntosh and Burge for some match experience. With 10 minutes to go Morris pops in for Lee.

Keane's named MoM. 454 were at the match.


Lee 7.5, Green 6.8

Elliott 6.8, Cooper 6.9, Gardner 6.8

Riley 7.4, Troke 6.9, Keane 8, Caines 7.1, Hanson 6.8

Gilpin 6.9

Burge 6.7, Pitham, Istead, Morris --, McIntosh 6.7

[Poli]

We're given 8k for beating Bury Town. We'll take it.

[Poli]

Basingstroke's manager was in the stands. He was looking at Keane. Keane's MoM. That's great news.

Not.

[Poli]

Lee continues to lead the league in scoring. He is behind the leader in average rating by .01. He's a 7.43.

[Poli]

The FA Trophy 2nd round was drawn today. We get Boston United at their place. The last time we were there worked out well (7-0), I'm hoping the return trip is more of the same.

Game's not for a month, though. Scheduled for Jan 14, 2012 (It's Dec 12, 2011 right now).

[Poli]

Gloucester: 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 Gloucester, according to Sky Bet.

Eastwood have been playing above all expectations so far this season and find themselves in 1st place in the Blue Square Bet North. Eastwood could be overtaken by the likes of Nuneaton and drop as low as 5th if they fail to win their next game.

Gloucester are currently lying in 13th place in the Blue Square Bet North.

The referee for the match will be Seb Stockbridge from Gateshead who has shown 69 yellow cards and 4 red cards in his fourteen Blue Square Bet North games so far this season. Stockbridge's last Eastwood Town match was Eastwood's 3 - 1 Blue Square Bet North victory over Blyth on Saturday 24th September.

[Poli]

Current Top 5 Standings, Blue Square Bet North

1. Eastwood, 37
2. Nuneaton, 37
3. Hinckley, 37
4. Workington, 34
5. Histon, 34

[Poli]

Eastwood 11-4-4

@

Gloucester 7-5-7

Lee, Green

Elliott, Caines, Gardner

Riley, Troke, Hanson, Keane, McIntosh

Gilpin

Istead, Cooper, Morris, Edwards, Pitham

[Poli]

Troke's having a terrible game. He went for a tackle and ended up knocking an own goal in. Later he fouls someone in the penalty area. They convert the penalty kick.

Francis Green has kept us in the game with just his 2nd goal of the season.

I am subbing Troke out now at the half. I can't keep him out there.

[Poli]

We get nothing done in the 2nd half despite desperate measures to do so. We just miss on a number of chances.

Lee 6.8, Green 7.2

Elliott 6.6, Caines 6.7, Gardner 6.6

Riley 6.8, Troke 5.6, Hanson 6.5, Keane 6.5, McIntosh 6.2

Gilpin 6.3

Istead 6.7, Cooper, Morris, Edwards, Pitham

[Poli]

The loss drops us to 3rd as both Nuneaton and Hinckley won.

[Poli]

Keane has an offer on the table from Drogheda United. They're in Ireland. Keane's from Ireland. The board says I can't have more cash.

I can't see this going well.

[Poli]

Hampton & Richmond of the Blue Square Bet South have now made an offer on Keane as well.

[Poli]

Truro City and Basingstroke of Blue Square Bet South have entered the fray as well.

It's on like Donkey Kong.

[Poli]

On top of the drama, we have two games in three days.

Workington, in 5th place and then FC Halifax, currently in 7th.

[Poli]

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

Blue Square Bet North surprise package Eastwood's home advantage gives them the edge in what should be a close encounter against league runners up Workington, according to Sky Bet.

Eastwood have been playing above all expectations so far this season and find themselves in 3rd place in the Blue Square Bet North. Eastwood could fall out of the play-off places if they lose to Workington and results elsewhere go against them.

Workington have been performing above expectations in the Blue Square Bet North so far this season and find themselves in 5th place.

The referee for the match will be Wayne Barratt from Bromsgrove who has shown 9 yellow cards and no red cards in his six Blue Square Bet North games so far this season.

[Poli]

Current standings:

1. Nuneaton 40
2. Hinckley 40
3. Eastwood 37
4. Boston United 36
5. Workington 34

[Poli]

Workington, 9-7-4
@
Eastwood, 11-4-5

Lee, Green

Elliott, Nwadike, Gardner

Riley, Caines, Keane, Troke, Hanson

Gilpin

Knox, Cooper, Istead, Morris, McIntosh

[Poli]

At least Emeka Nwadike is back.

[Poli]

That was short lived. He leaves at the 20 minute mark due to injury. On comes Istead. We had a number of shots early on but didn't convert. No score at the half.

[Poli]

Hanson and Gardner sub out around 70 for Cooper and McIntosh. I figure I need their legs to try and recover for the match two days from now.

Green missed the best chance of the match to win it for us late in the game. It ends scoreless.

Lee 6.6, Green 6.6

Elliott 6.6, Nwadike 6.7, Gardner 6.5

Riley 7.2, Caines 6.8, Keane 6.8, Troke 6.7, Hanson 6.8

Gilpin 6.7

Knox, Cooper 6.7, Istead 6.5, Morris, McIntosh 6.5

523 were out for the match.

[Poli]

I've decided to try and just cut the cord with Knox. He's not much of a player for us and is drawing the paycheck I need for Keane.

[Poli]

I didn't realize it, but the last match was held the day after Christmas.

[Poli]

I call Knox in for a mutual termination. It doesn't go well. I give him 10k on a free transfer. I can give Keane the contract he wants now.

Thankfully.

At least I didn't let him go ON Christmas Day.

[Poli]

Keane agrees to a deal for $180 a week through next season.

[Poli]

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

Blue Square Bet North surprise package Eastwood are up against it in their home encounter against underachieving FC Halifax, according to Sky Bet.

Eastwood have been playing above all expectations so far this season and find themselves in 3rd place in the Blue Square Bet North. Eastwood could fall out of the play-off places if they lose to FC Halifax and results elsewhere go against them.

Following FC Halifax's 3 - 1 Blue Square Bet North victory over Hinckley last Monday, the promotion contenders are currently 5th in the Blue Square Bet North with 36 points from 21 matches.

The referee for the match will be Matthew Bristow from Manchester who has shown 12 yellow cards and no red cards in his eighteen Blue Square Bet North games so far this season. Bristow's last Eastwood Town match was Eastwood's 0 - 2 Blue Square Bet North defeat against Histon on Wednesday 9th November.

[Poli]

Current Standings:

1. Nuneaton 41
2. Hinckley 40
3. Eastwood 38
4. Histon 37
5. FC Halifax 36

[Poli]

FC Halifax, 11-3-7
@
Eastwood, 11-5-5

Lee, Morris

Burge, Nwadike, Gardner

Riley, Caines, Hanson, Keane, McIntosh

Gilpin

Pitham, Edwards, Green, Cooper, Troke


The best news is that the keeper "Eastwood" for FC Halifax is out injured. One, that means they have a bad keeper. Two, I won't be confused by the Eastwood comments.

[Poli]

A quiet match in the first half until Morris finds Lee on a counter. Lee streaks upfield and hits one in the opposite corner from 20 yards out.

We take the lead, 1-0, to the half.

[Poli]

We're dog tired, so I make all 3 subs at 65 to combat that.

Edwards in for Lee. Cooper in for Riley, swapping spots with McIntosh. Troke in for Nwadike.

Fortunately, they're as tired as we are. We win, 1-0.

[Poli]

Lee 7.3, Morris 6.8

Burge 6.9, Nwadike 6.8, Gardner 6.8

Riley 7, Caines 6.9, Hanson 7.2, Keane 6.9, McIntosh 7.2

Gilpin 6.7

Pitham, Edwards 6.4, Green, Cooper 6.7, Troke 6.7


David Lee takes MoM.

550 were in attendance.

[Poli]

Keane has yet to officially sign the contract. Hanson's now picking up a suitor. Dover's showing major interest.

[Poli]

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

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

Eastwood have been playing above all expectations so far this season and find themselves in 2nd place in the Blue Square Bet North. By winning the upcoming match, Eastwood can move up to 1st in the standings and will hope to leapfrog Hinckley.

Guiseley have now suffered nine straight defeats and the relegation candidates find themselves in 21st place in the Blue Square Bet North.

The referee for the match will be Colin Harwood from Manchester who has shown 13 yellow cards and no red cards in his sixteen Blue Square Bet North games so far this season. Harwood's last Eastwood Town match was Eastwood's convincing 7 - 0 Blue Square Bet North victory over Boston Utd on Saturday 19th November.

[Poli]

December 31st, 2011

I receive a call from the Sligo Rovers asking about David Lee.

I get a good laugh out of it.

[Poli]

Sonofagun. Keane signs his deal...but it's only good through the end of this season. How did I flub that? Stupid negotiations!

[Poli]

U-18 action:

I forgot to mention that the Utes won their last match, 7-1. I was impressed enough with the kid that got 5 goals that I gave him 8 bucks a week to stick around.

They had a scoreless draw today.

[Poli]

Current standings:

1. Hinckley 43
2. Eastwood 41
3. Nuneaton 41
4. Histon 37
5. Altrincham 36

[Poli]

Well, nevermind on Guiseley. Waterlogged field. Rescheduled for Jan 18th.

[Poli]

Eastwood: Pick 'Em (Fav) Draw: 11-5 Corby: 11-5 (Blue Square Bet North)

Blue Square Bet North surprise package Eastwood's home advantage gives them the edge in what should be a close encounter against struggling Corby, according to Sky Bet.

Eastwood have been playing above all expectations so far this season and find themselves in 2nd place in the Blue Square Bet North. Eastwood could be overtaken by the likes of Nuneaton and drop as low as 4th if they fail to win their next game.

Beck's men are on a poor run of five games without a win and the relegation candidates find themselves in 22nd place in the Blue Square Bet North.

The referee for the match will be Jeremy Simpson from Lancaster who has shown 21 yellow cards and one red card in his eight Blue Square Bet North games so far this season.

[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, some of the the fans have voiced their concern over Alex Troke's performances and that is something that you should think about.

The club made a profit of $17.25K last month.

Monthly Turnover: $97.27K
Previous Month: $104K
Main Income: Gate Receipts $67.74K

Monthly Expenditure: $80.02K
Previous Month: $63.39K
Main Expenditure: Match Day Expenses - $23.6K

We are 44.26k in the green on the balance.

[Poli]

Current standings:

1. Hinckley 46
2. Eastwood 41
3. Nuneaton 41
4. FC Halifax 39
5. Histon 37

[Poli]

Jan 2, 2012

Corby, 1-7-15
@
Eastwood, 12-5-5

We go 4-4-2 with attacking wings in a game like this.

Lee, Green

Edwards, Nwadike, Elliott, Istead

Riley, Troke, Keane, Hanson

Gilpin

Burge, Cooper, Morris, Caines, Gardner

[Poli]

We have 7 shots but only 1 is on target. We look sloppy and I tell them that at the half. Suck it up, boys.

[Poli]

Keane picks up a booking immediately after the half.

Hanson, Elliott, and Istead piece together a goal right after that speech. 1-0, good guys.

I sub in Burge for Elliott...I feel it's a safe sub to get some rest for Elliott and some PT for Burge. I sit Keane for resting purposes as well. Cooper in. He swaps spots with Hanson. Finally, Edwards is dinged so I sub Morris in for him.

[Poli]

Troke and Cooper pick up yellow cards after the subs.

Green nearly gets a goal, but the ball is kicked away into their own net. We'll take it, though it cost Green.

Green would later cross a pass to Lee in front of the net for an easy 3rd goal.

3-0 good guys, final.

[Poli]

Lee 7.7, Green 7

Edwards 6.9, Nwadike 6.9, Elliott 6.9, Istead 8

Riley 7.4, Troke 7.5, Keane 6.8, Hanson 7.3

Gilpin 6.9

Burge 6.9, Cooper 6.9, Morris 6.9, Caines, Gardner


Istead's MoM. 525 at the game. Not bad for the last place team in town.

[Poli]

David Lee is named to the Team of the Week.

I'm told Mr. Benjamin is almost recovered from the broken ankle. He's been seen hobbling around without crutches. I'm told it's a few more weeks and he'll be back.

[Poli]

Hanson is offered a contract by Dover.

Green is offered a contract by Southport. Boston United's reportedly still interested as well.

Stay away from my guys.

[Poli]

Hanson rejects the offer. That's the one I was worried about.