Good day, fledglings. Welcome back to #NewtonHeath ! You join us after 16 league games, and we occupy the top-spot in the Conference (just). We are still in all cup competitions; The FA Cup, FA Trophy, and surprisingly we feature in EFL Trophy from the Conference. Lots of games, tight nucleus squad. Lets go!
Saturday 2nd December, Conference, Barnet
Our captain Luke McCullough is our only player currently sidelined. It means that Ro-Shaun Williams and Tom Thorpe marshal the back-line. Luke Daniels is chosen to take the armband.
The first half is tepid, but little chances created. At halftime I ask the team to take more risks – what I didn’t envisage was the whole team pile forward for a corner and leave an wide-open space for Barnet to exploit. Daniels palms away the shot, but a quickly taken corner catch us out, and defender Paul Williams scores.
A rallying cry from Marnick Vermijl has the desired effect and DJ equalizes immediately. We push for the winner, but it’s not to be. A 1-1 draw.
We suffer a blow, losing Matty Willock for a month in Monday’s training session.
Sunday 9th December, Conference, Bromley.
Will Matty injured, I bring in D’Mani Bughail-Mellor to the top of the diamond. DJ moves over to the left. The rest of the team remains unchanged.
It’s another slow start for the team, played without urgency. D’Mani is not able to create space in the midfield, so I push DJ back up, bringing in David Fox.
In the second half Bromley score straight from kick-off. I really don’t know how to address this little anomaly, as it ALWAYS HAPPENS! (Read through previous episodes, you can check!)
Danny Rowe pulls us level and I can see us converting a winner. As we press, Bromley exploit the space and Shane McGinty scores a winner. We lose 2-1.
Despite the loss, the press are enjoying the performances of our Danny-boy.
Tuesday 12th December, Van Trophy North, Round 1
As mentioned in the opening paragraph, this in an unexpected competition. I can’t remember playing in it in S2, so after a little research have discovered that eight conference teams are included in the first round draw. I guess it’s because I finished in the top-8 last season…
We actually have a tough draw against our former enemies Stockport. They did the double over us last season, being promoted as Champions. I actually opt to field a strong side, with Fox coming in for D’Mani and our ‘minor cup goalkeeper’ Henderson in for Daniels. Luke McCullough is fit-again so partners Ro-Shaun.
It’s another tight game, and after David Fox puts us ahead, I go all Jose and build a brick-wall at the back. I replace Possebon for Tom Thorpe and drop him from central midfield back as a sweeper. The tactic works, and we are able to see the game out. I might try it more often!
It’s into round 2!
After the game I get some exciting news through via email from an agent. Will Keane, out of favour and running down his Sunderland contract, opts to join us on a free – as an ‘indispensable player’ – snubbing Championship clubs incl. Leeds and Derby. That will get the fledglings’ faithful purring in the summer!!!
Saturday 16th December, Conference, Leyton Orient
I stick with an unchanged outfield ten for the trip to Leyton Orient. Luke Daniels goes back in goal. I will need to manage the fitness of Richardson, Fox and the returning McCullough.
As is true to our league form, we go behind after our center backs fall asleep at another corner. Striker Alex Fletcher gets a leap on Williams and he’s stuck under it like a pinned flailing jellyfish. Williams responds with a bullet header of his own from a DJ corner to silence the O’s fans behind the goal. Its on the stroke of halftime, so timing is good. I bring off Fox at halftime for Aiden Barlow, and on 60 minutes sacrifice Rowe for SEB. Richardson switches out for Kellett and McCullough is made to soldier through.
It’s SEB to gets the decisive goal – another 74th minute winner! That puts us back on track!
After the game #NoMoreMrNiceGuy is trending, after the most unlikely of events unfolds at Cardiff. The AI must be taking liberties…
We get dealt a blow of our own on the training pitch. We’re without our boy wonder for a month.
And Birmingham decide to have a nibble. You could buy 44 and half DJs for every Ravel Morrison with that money. I respond with two fingers.
Wednesday 20th December, Conference, Bury
Its another Manchester derby, and Bury are struggling in the league. We should be comfortable favorites. Aiden Barlow makes a rare start in place of the injured Rothwell. The side, otherwise, is settled at the moment.
Danny Rowe has a storming first half; running, pressing, finding space, and giving the Bury back-line a torrid time. He deserves his two goals, and we go in at halftime happy.
I pull out Jose-esque bus pass, and bring on Thorpe again for Gardner. Thorpe goes to sweeper and Possebon drops back. It works in nullifying the Bury forwards. The fledglings faithful don’t like it and cries of “ATTACK, ATTACK” as we sit comfortably. Kellet and SEB make late cameos for Kieron and Rowe, and we see the game out. 2-0!
Saturday 23rd December, Conference, Dagenham
The last game of this week’s episode sees first play third, as we travel back down the M40 to Dagenham and Redbridge. We are, despite some recent slip-ups, occupying top-spot. D&R are the side in-form, having put together a good run.
I have the luxury of keeping another unchanged side. The team this season are able to better play through the mid-week games. Last season I had to rotate full-backs every game! (Could it be the heavy pre-season?!)
We go 2-0 down early on and never fully recover. I bring D’Mani on a half time for Aiden Barlow (DJ dropped back) to give a different option. Danny Rowe reduces the gap to 1 goal straight away, but despite battling, we can’t get an equalizer. I even try two up front in the final quarter-hour, but to no avail.
We lose, 2-1 to the better side.
Despite the loss, we still occupy top spot in the league. We are exactly at the halfway point and have a five-point lead over fourth-placed Tranmere. Things are looking good, but as seen last season, things can quickly change as the games come fast.
Join us next week as the transfer window opens and we see a couple of new faces to help bolster the squad for the four competitions we are competing in!
Until next time, fledglings.
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