Sat 27th Apr, 2008 - Season 2008

As luck would have it, we find ourselves with an unlikely shot for the playoffs. We play Altrincham who are 2 points above us and Nuneaton (also level with Altrincham) are playing cellar dwellers Hyde. If we win and Nuneaton lose, we're in. Any other combo and we're out.

We flood forward on the muddy Altrincham pitch to nab an early one, but none are falling. The closest is a netted shot by Okike that was called back for offside in the 9th minute. Okike is leading the way up front though and it's not long before he finds a header to make it 1-0. We turtle up a little to hold onto the lead, but Hughes slots one for Altrincham and we're level again. A penalty on the stroke of half time gives them the lead.

The second half starts like the first with an agressive push toward an equalizer. A defensive lunge on the edge of the box earns Harban his second yellow and we're in with a hope against 10 men. The ball bobbles around predominantly in their half as we pile on the pressure. Finally a rebounded shot lands for Hatton to draw us level. We keep at it to get the winner, but it never comes. It finishes 2-2 and we're kept at 7th for the season. Nuneaton draw as well so it would have been all in vain if we were to win.

We rode up the charts on the back of some good loaners, so we're still a little light on for next year. The atmosphere is good though and a challenge for the playoffs was far above what the fans and media were expecting. Maybe next year we can get a better start.

Worcester rolled it in this season, and even with 4 losses at the end of the season they still hauled in 90 points for the season. Grats to the champions.

Sat 12th Apr, 2008 - Gateshead (2) v Worcester (1)

With the title already sewn up by Worcester and us out of playoff hopes in 9th, the game against them was lacking a little bit of fire. There has been some rivalry built up between our clubs and the boys were keen for a big one, but the exitement dulled once again upon the news of Southern's slipped disc. He's out for the season.

The game got away to a gentle start with quick stabs at goal by both sides. We save a top shot to the upper corner and it looks like Porter's going to have a big one. Webster is also getting larger up front and not even a yellow can keep him down. He's the first on the board with a pass-to-chest, drop and shoot. Worcester counter immediately, but many more balls through to Webster have them bottlng up.

2nd half keeps the same momentum and Webby's 2nd shot on target also blitzes the goalie. 2-1. Worcester loosen up and it's raining chances from all over the park for them. Porter is on song though and 8 screamers fail to find the back of the net. We could have easily lost by 5, but we'd also played well enough to justify the win.

That makes 3 losses in a row for Worcester, in fact they haven't won since they picked up the title. Something has dulled them. We're up to 8th after the win, but it's all to late for this season.

Sat 15th Mar, 2008 - Worcester 20 points clear

After we pummeled Blyth 3:0 over last weekend, Blyth then also hosted Worcester midweek to find themselves on another losing wicket. The game could have gone either way, but classy finishing is what Worcester is all about now and left the stadium with a 4:2 win. Even an own goal couldn't slow them down!

What might make a difference though is 2 serious injuries they picked up in the match. Bodkin had to be stretchered off and the news wasn't good; a torn calf muscle will see him out for the rest of the season. Webster, who's only got a start during Cornes' injury, was also stretchered off with equally bad news; a broken leg. That puts the injury count back up to 4 with the goalie and utility player already sidelined.

It won't make too much difference to the table though, Worcester are at least in the playoffs with 8 games to go, but with 21 points clear at the top it's very likely they'll finish up champions. Such a turnaround from the struggling club I was managing a little over a year ago! Bonesy is certainly trying some unconventional formations and employment tactics, but it's turned to gold. Even fringe players are now looking in top form and each game brings more and more scouts to see what's working.

We're still hovering outside the playoffs. There's been some tight matches that we've snuck out of, but blowout losses have use down in goal difference. Apart from Worcester it's tight at the top with 2nd to 5th separated by only 2 points, and us 5 points back in 7th. We're playing away to Harrogate this afternoon which should be an entertaining match. A win here and we'll be right in the race for 2nd.

Sat 22nd Dec, 2007 - Worcester (3) v Gateshead (0)

Game day came for the revenge match and we're ahead in the pressroom as well as with the bookies. Chris Cornes looks nervous for Worcester as he hasn't scored in over 9 matches. Traore' is still up front for them partnering Cornes to create a fearsome duo. Their wingers are greased lightning and will also cause some headaches.

We're on a 6 game unbeaten run since changing to a 5-3-2 formation, and a a 4-0 annihilation of Altrincham last Tuesday got us in the right mood. Baxter and Curtis are towers of strength at the back and Webster keeps banging them in up front. The 8-strong box at the back is proving to be a winner against regular 4-4-2's. Worcester seem to alternate between a defensive 4-4-2 and a more attacking 4-3-1-2 with a floating AM. Both formations should be OK for us and we've put in extra effort in training trying to counter the midfielder-come-striker. Worcester are also known for their possession game, fighting for the ball at every opportunity and passing frugally. It's going to be a tough one.

The game starts oddly expansive with many counterattacking moves lofting the ball from one side to the other. We're zinging them past the goal and unlucky to be still goalless by 10 minutes, but fall behind to a great knockdown and shoot by Traore'. The goal gives Worcester some confidence and our defensive formation is no longer engendering us to chase from behind. Worcester cooly control the ball to lock up the game going into half time with hardly letting in another shot on goal. Baxter and Logan are both carrying yellows to the break and it's going to be a dicey 2nd half.

9 minutes in and Hughes also picks up a yellow, making his set of 5 to trade in for a sideline spot next week. Ravenscroft backpasses to Black from the ensuing free kick, then hoists it up front for Traore' to head to a charging Cornes. He slots it and you can feel the game break. We're down by 2 and both strikers are firing for them. We got caught out slightly by Cornes and Traore' swapping positions for that play, but we'd practiced for that as they used to do it while I was at Worcester. I'm dissappointed the guys didn't pick it.

Hanson also suffers the yellows, but there's more problems than collecting cards when Cornes breaks free from the halfway line to thump his second home. 3-0 down and card trouble holding us back from going all out. Harwood also pick up a yellow and it's looking like the ref has our number. 6 with cards! Hughes is the first to feel Young's wrath with a second bookable offense sending him for an early shower. Young has lost control of the game and it's turning ugly out there. I sub out some of the guys with cards to get some fresh perspectives into the game, but Logan also picks up his second in the next phase of play! 9 men see out the last 10 minutes and I'm surprised we don't bleed more goals as we're just running from the ref.

A lot to take out of this game. Not too much of it positive though. We're licking our wounds from that one and need some easy games to recover. Even though Hughes picked up a double yellow in the game, he's still got more to offer and it feels as though he's playing within himself. He's our paceman in the middle and should really be dominating the play. He just seems to get caught up in the roll of the game instead of keeping above it like he should. We'll need to look more closely at counterattacking or possibly wing play as we had precious few opportunities to see the ball in the back of the net when we're getting behind and the opponent sits back. There's always a challenge ...

Wed 19th Dec, 2007 - Gateshead vs Worcester

It had been coming for a while. The showdown I'd been waiting on, us against Worcester. The fixture had been put back due to Worcester's good fortune in the FA Trophy. They managed to get past last year's winners Lewes and then a tough game vs Cambridge, who knocked us out of both cups last year. At least we made it further in the Cup than them this year. Worcester are also enjoying a firm grip on pole position in the league. They have had a couple of ups and downs, but have always managed to keep at least a 5 point buffer to the chasers.

We're gaining momentum going into this game and have worked our way back to 6th from an onerous 15th. Morale is superb and we're fresh.

Bonesy went to the press today and surprisingly was happy to see the best team win. I'd been egging the boys to gee them up for this game and it came as a bit of a shock to hear there may be no spite in the game. It seems like a sign of weakness, but it may also be mind games. We're certainly ready for it, whatever the game turns out to be.

Wed 31st Oct, 2007 - FA cup 1st round!

WE're through to the FA Cup 1st round after an emphatic 2-0 win at Bishop's Stortford tonight in the 4th qualifying round replay. Even if we get no further the win has done the squad a world of good and has swelled the coffers too.

After a lacklustre 0-0 draw at our place, it seems an inevitability that we'd go down on their own turf. It was a tight game with not much on offer in the first half. Hanson went down with a nasty gash on his cheek from a head clash, so we're forced to sub early. A chancey pass to Byrne in the second half saw him released onto the goalie to slot one through. We then walled up the joint and booted everything out to the sidelines to relieve pressure. 66 minutes in and we bought a corner off some desperate defense. The kick-in produced a mad scramble in their goalmouth enough to force Chris Wright to clear over his own goal. The goalie misread it and deflected it down for a 2-0 lead. We soak up some more pressure and we're through.

[Update]
We draw division 2's Accrington at home for the 1st round. A tough ask to put up against a professional outfit. We hang on to a 1 goal lead for a while, but ends up 2-2. We repeat the match a couple of weeks later but go down in a 4-1 drubbing. At least we picked up a bit from the gate. 3 days later and we're against Wimbeldon for the FA Trophy. We go in flat and get wiped 5-2. 3 days to relieve ourselves of all cup glory! We're downcast, but happy to get into the 1st round.

Sat 20th Oct, 2007 - Smedley needs to go back to Ref school

Tense game today against Blyth. Shillito lofted in a free kick to Parsons at the top of the square. Mason didn't quite reach him for the header and Parsons pivots on the ball toward goal. Hughes comes in from the blind side and takes the ball, but the ref blows for a penalty! Sure he bodychecked him on the way through and had to touch his shirt at some point, but the intent of the rule was that you can't use shirt grabbing to slow the player. You can't just ping someone for a simultaneous bump and grab. Even worse that the panalty lead to the solitary goal for the game. I'd even have been shocked if it was a penalty out on the field.

Woeful.

We're 10th in the division after 12 matches. Crowds are on the rise but I've noticed that the atmosphere doesn't really build in this stadium. It's almost too big! The running track certainly plays a role in seperating the fans from the game and it always looks like there's a poor turnout when you look up at the sparse stands before the game. Comes as a suprise when they announce bigger numbers at half time than Worcester used to have. Worcester have had a run of draws to only be 5 points clear at the top, but they can still turn it on thumping 5th placed Harrogate 3-0 today.

Next week is the 4th round qualifiers for the cup. We've had a relatively easy draw so far with 2 amateur sides trying their luck against us. This week will be the test as we've drawn conference nationals team Bishop's Stortford. We'll have home field advantage but will be without Webster due the loan terms.

Wed 22nd Aug, 2007 - 2nd on Ladder

Workington came to town but there wasn't much left of them when they left. We knocked 3 past their keeper and an additional own goal to wrap up an inspiring 4-1 win. The better news was that we moved up to 2nd on the ladder through goal difference! Early days I know, but for a side that was supposed to take the fall we're playing pretty darn well. Worcester are still on top with a 3 point margin and only 1 goal conceded (!).

Sunday 19th Aug, 2007 - Webster into the fray

With the need for more firepower up front, I've managed to snaffle David Webster on loan from Darlington for a couple of months. He's a decent 17 year old, and has that sense of being in the right place at the right time. We go into the game against Hucknall with Webster up front and he doesn't dissappoint. 2 goals before half time has the diehard fans welcoming him into the team with open arms. The game ends 2-0 and I'm glad I've got the season rolling.

Worcester picked up another dominating win and sit at top the table. We're in 7th but it's very early days...

Wed 15th Aug, 2007 - Gateshead vs Hyde

3 days in and it's the first outing for me in charge of Gateshead. We rock up to the International Stadium a little early to get some shirt signings in for the fans and I'm paraded around like some boiled fruit. A decent crowd made it out to see the new makeup of the team, and we're going in confident we can show them it's worth their time. 10 minutes in Seddon scoots clear for Hyde and thumps a 25 yard shot into the top corner. Fabulous shot; if you're a Hyde fan. 3 minutes later they poke in another to take a 2-0 lead.

We go in all guns blazing with everyone pushing for the ball and we manage to catch them napping at the back with a great 50 yard pass to Okike in the clear. A simple slot into the bottom corner means we're 1 down with only 14 minutes played. We're still gunnig for an equaliser and it's Okike again who manages to get clear and drive it home. We go to the break back on even footing and with momentum on our side.

It seems funny walking into a different dressingroom, but I knew what was needed from the lads. Another goal. We're here to win, not to be happy with a draw. The fans I'm sure would be sharing that sentiment. The second half is full of chances, but it all comes undone when Hyde thunder another one in from 35 yards out. 2 freaky goals were certainly the difference as we felt we'd done enough to get the win.

Worcester has started solidly with an away win and a 3-0 win at home to be 2nd on the ladder. It's going to be a tough road if I keep looking up at them :(

Sun 12th Aug, 2007 - Gateshead!

Ahh, the press release says it all really. I'm now the new manager of Gateshead!

We'd been in talks for a couple of weeks about a part time managerial position and the current status of the club. It's an amazing setup at Gateshead International Stadium, more famous for its atheletics than the footy, but still sporting a magnificent surface and seating for around 12,000. The talent is a little on the light side though and Gateshead has barely enough youth to see them through the local competitions. The proximity to Newcastle is probably the main cause of that as even the local crowd are known to come down to the ground in black and white. All I see is potential though, and with the side facing relegation it's a challenge I'm going to relish.

It's a pity the paperwork didn't go through a day earlier as I've missed the start of the season. Richard acting as caretaker manager steered the boys to a 1-0 win away at Guiseley to set a good, positive tone from the season opener. The boys look keen, and that's all I ask...