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.