[FM11] - Loading every league at once, I must be insane!

[ManUTactician247]

20/10/12 - Brantwood vs Banbridge (Northern Irish 2nd Division)

Pre-match press conference
Ricky McFall "You could decide to go out there and attack, attack, attack. Will you?"
Me "Banbridge normally play an offensive formation so as they say the best defence is a good offence."

Squads
GK: Stephen Brennan.......|GK: Stephen Ryan*
RB: Scott McCullough......|RCB: Tony Wallace
RCB: Stefan Thompson....|CB: Neil King
LCB: Andy Devlin............|LCB: Gerwyn Jones
LB: Alex Nicholson...........|RM: Wayne Carlisle
RM: Ryan Carlin..............|RCM: Niall Derry
RCM: Emmet Templeton...|LCM: Matthew McCartan
LCM: Wes Daly...............|LM: Mark Teggart
LM: Colin Tracey............|ST: Timmy Grant
ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Steven Craig£
ST: Kevin O'Neill.............|ST: Steven McArdle

Subs
Danny Hancock.....|Kyle Nelson*
Michael McMullan..|Jeff Brady
Adrian McCaffrey..|Kris Magill
Matt Boyd...........|Graham Feeney
Kevin Anderson....|Mark Stewart

* - Makes/Could make league debut for his club.
£ - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance for his club.

Preview: A good match in store for us against a Banbridge side that have started brightly, I'm hoping to get off the mark at home today. Bad news for us is that Amos has picked up a hernia and will be out for a month so O'Neill gets to play up-front again.

11 - Templeton plays a nice ball for Carlin and his shot is blocked for a corner.
15 - Derry shoots first time and it's just wide.
18 - Carlin's free-kick is met by a Thompson header and Ryan makes a good catch.
23 - Derry shoots from distance and it's just over the bar.
25 - Tracey's blocked shot comes to O'Neill who hits it wide under pressure.
33 - Carlin's free-kick is headed by Thompson and McArdle clears off the line! The ball falls to Carlin again who shoots but it's wide.
40 - Templeton sets up Daly who shoots from quite a way out and it's over but not by far.
42 - Anderson replaces Thompson against his former club.
45+3 - GOAL! The officials said there would be 2 minutes of added time but it's Banbridge who lead against the run of play, Teggart's cross should be an easy take for Brennan but he misses it and Grant scores probably the easiest goal of his life.
45+4 - Half time
We are really unlucky to be behind in this match, the match officials have screwed us for the umpteenth time but oh well. We can still turn it around.
45 - Brady and Stewart replace Carlisle and Teggart at half-time.
45 - King finds Grant but his shot is over.
61 - Devlin brings down Craig and gets a yellow.
61 - Grant's free-kick hits the cross-bar and bounces back out!
62 - Feeney is on for McArdle.
66 - Derry's long ball finds Grant who drags it wide from a tight angle.
67 - Douglas trips Derry and is booked.
68 - Feeney has a go from distance but it's over.
77 - GOAL! Banbridge seal it, Stewart's corner is headed in by Craig.
90+2 - Full time
A poor second half performance and once again, we can't get a point at home, so disappointing. We go down to 11th now.

Brantwood 0-2 Banbridge

Ratings
GK: Brennan (6.6)
RB: McCullough (6.9)
RCB: Thompson (6.7) sub 42
LCB: Devlin (6.2)
LB: Nicholson (6.5)
RM: Carlin (6.8)
RCM: Templeton (6.7)
LCM: Daly (6.8)
LM: Tracey (6.6)
ST: Douglas (6.6)
ST: O'Neill (6.5)

Sub
Anderson (6.0) sub 42

Post-match press conference
Ricky McFall "Neil King had a great game and won the man of the match award, what did you make of his performance?"
Me "Unfortunately for us, he put in a good performance."

[ManUTactician247]

27/10/12 - Brantwood vs Glebe (Northern Irish 2nd Division)

Squads
GK: Danny Hancock.........|GK: William McFrederick
RB: Scott McCullough......|RB: Adam McCart
RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: Sam Christensen
LCB: Andy Devlin............|LCB: Stuart Moore
LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: William McBurney
RM: Ryan Carlin..............|RM: Ricky Nicholl
RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: William Wharry
LCM: Wes Daly...............|LCM: Chris Patterson
LM: Colin Tracey............|LM: Andy Simms
ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Gavin Burns
ST: Gerard Rooney.........|ST: Gavin Moore

Subs
Stephen Brennan..|Chris McKendry
Michael Fitzpatrick|Graham Crown
Kevin O'Neill.........|Luke Webster
Matt Boyd...........|Davie Turnbull
Kevin Anderson....|Martin Smith

Gavin Burns hasn't scored in 451 minutes of football for Glebe.

Preview: Glebe may have been relegated from the 1st division but they've had an underwhelming season and I have a sneaky feeling we can get something here.

7 - Carlin's corner is met by a towering header from Thompson and the keeper saves it.
8 - Gavin Moore shoots from distance but it doesn't trouble anyone.
13 - Goal disallowed for Brantwood, Nicholson's cross is headed in by Carlin but it's offside. Brantwood are not happy.
14 - Burns slips a clever ball in for Gavin Moore who powers it against the crossbar, he should have scored.
15 - Brantwood hit Glebe on the counter but Carlin wastes it with a long shot that is well wide.
21 - RED CARD! A dangerous two footed tackle from behind on Templeton by Patterson means Glebe are down to ten, that opens it up for the home side. Gavin Moore is unhappy with the decision.
23 - GOAL! Carlin's corner is headed in from point blank range by Devlin, 1-0.
36 - Smith replaces Simms.
42 - Carlin's corner is volleyed just wide by Thompson.
45+1 - Half time
We lead and that is what matters, I think on balance we deserve it, the red card certainly gave us a hand though.
45 - Webster replaces Christensen at half-time.
49 - GOAL! Glebe are level but it's very fortunate, Nicholl's corner comes to Burns whose shot is terrible but it comes off Templeton and in for an own goal.
57 - Turnbull comes on for Gavin Moore.
58 - Nicholl's free-kick is just wide of the post.
69 - The ref accuses Carlin of simulation and books him.
71 - Burns shoots from a way out but it's wide.
75 - Carlin's lovely cross finds Tracey at the back stick but he heads it straight at the keeper.
81 - Templeton finds Carlin who shoots and it's tipped round the post by McFrederick, great stop.
87 - Douglas' free-kick is over.
88 - Stuart Moore is forced off injured for Glebe and with no subs left, they go down to 9 men for the last couple of minutes!
90+2 - Douglas curls one and it's tipped onto the bar by McFrederick, he's really saved his team today!
90+4 - Full time
Wow, so unlucky not to take three points from this game, I hate to be this kind of manager but we were denied a good goal today and Glebe got really lucky with their goal, at least we're off the mark at home. We are now 12th.

Brantwood 1-1 Glebe

Ratings
GK: Hancock (6.7)
RB: McCullough (7.1)
RCB: Thompson (6.7)
LCB: Devlin (7.3)
LB: Nicholson (6.7)
RM: Carlin (7.1)
RCM: Templeton (6.8)
LCM: Daly (6.7)
LM: Tracey (6.7)
ST: Douglas (6.7)
ST: Rooney (6.6)

Post-match press conference
Karl McIlroy "Emmet Templeton's own goal deprived your side of victory, how will the player react?"
Me "He's a good lad, he won't let something like this affect him."

[ManUTactician247]

31/10/12 - Chimney Corner vs Brantwood (Northern Irish 2nd Division)

Pre-match press conference
Ricky McFall "Lower Maze face Armagh today in a match where they'll look for points to help their relegation battle, can they survive?"
Me "I can't see that happening, only 1 point from 7 matches, it looks like they'll go straight back down."

Squads
GK: Stephen Brennan.......|GK: Robbie Hughes
RB: Scott McCullough......|RB: Mark Drake
RCB: Andy Devlin"...........|RCB: Simon Gibson
LCB: Michael Fitzpatrick...|LCB: Michael Thomas
LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: Robert Halliday
RM: Gareth Green...........|DM: William Garrett
RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Sammy Wright
LCM: Wes Daly...............|LCM: Andrew Hamilton
LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|RAM: Conal Burns
ST: Jamie Douglas..........|LAM: Ben Browne
ST: Matt Boyd...............|ST: Matthew McConnell

Subs
Danny Hancock....|Shane Murphy
Michael McMullan..|Johnny McClurg
Colin Tracey........|Robert Nicholl
Thai Blevins.........|Richard Chambers
Ryan Murray........|Michael McGroggan

" - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance
Matthew McConnell hasn't scored in 394 minutes of football for Chimney Corner.

Preview: Chimney Corner have bounced back from being relegated and have made a strong start, they beat us in the Intermediate Cup last year so we won't take them lightly.

12 - Thomas upends Douglas and gets a yellow.
20 - Burns is forced off injured and McGroggan replaces him.
21 - A boring game but finally there's a chance, Boyd turns and shoots but it's just wide of the near post.
28 - Drake's corner is headed by Hamilton straight at Brennan.
29 - McCullough's long ball puts Douglas through who tries to lob the keeper and it's over.
31 - McGroggan turns and shoots but Brennan tips it around the post superbly.
45+2 - Half time
It hasn't been too exciting but it's 0-0 at half-time, not a terrible result though.
46 - McGroggan finds Browne but he fires well wide.
50 - Devlin trips McGroggan and is booked.
50 - A poor pass by Halliday in the box goes to Boyd who sets up Douglas who hits the side-netting with a powerful effort.
57 - Nicholson has a very ambitious shot but it's over.
58 - Wright sets up McGroggan who leans back and hits it over.
66 - McClurg replaces McConnell.
66 - Devlin pulls it back to Templeton on the edge of the box but his shot is too high.
70 - Wright gives it to McClurg who is allowed to turn but he misses the target.
71 - Nicholl for Browne.
74 - O'Neill upends McClurg and receives a yellow card.
78 - Wright to McClurg again and this time it just misses the far post.
83 - Hamilton sets up Drake from a free-kick from distance but it's over the bar.
88 - Daly is booked for bringing down Wright.
89 - Halliday hacks down Green and is booked.
90+2 - Green gets payback on Halliday with the same outcome.
90+2 - Full time
I'm not too disappointed with a draw here as Chimney Corner are a tough side.

Chimney Corner 0-0 Brantwood

Ratings
GK: Brennan (7.1)
RB: McCullough (7.6)
RCB: Devlin (7.2)
LCB: Fitzpatrick (6.7)
LB: Nicholson (7.0)
RM: Green (6.4)
RCM: Templeton (6.7)
LCM: Daly (6.1)
LM: O'Neill (6.7)
ST: Douglas (6.5)
ST: Boyd (6.5)

[ManUTactician247]

October 2012 Review

Brantwood 0-2 Banbridge (NI2D)
For them: Grant (45+4), Craig (78)

Brantwood 1-1 Glebe (NI2D)
For us: Devlin (24)
For them: Templeton OG (50), Patterson (22)

Chimney Corner 0-0 Brantwood (NI2D)

Summary: No victories in October is a shame, we started off with another poor performance at home and deserved defeat against Banbridge. We played much better against recently relegated Glebe and were extremely unlucky not to win, a fortunate own goal snatching them a point. We held out against strong opposition in Chimney Corner to continue our incredible record of not conceding once away from home this season in the league (go on, check!) Hopefully, November will have more success in store for us.

[ManUTactician247]

3/11/12 - Brantwood vs Armagh (Intermediate Cup 1st Round)

Pre-match press conference
Ricky McFall "Will you be resting players to keep the squad fresh."
Me "Unfortunately we're not Barcelona, we don't have players who can play like slaves every match so the answer is yes."

Squads
GK: Stephen Brennan.......|GK: Patrick Appleton
RB: Andy Devlin..............|RB: Paul Carlin
RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: David Addis
LCB: Kevin Anderson........|LCB: Paul McElhatton
LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: Arron Ponton
RM: Ryan Carlin..............|DM: Andrew Rafferty
RCM: Scott McCullough....|RM: David Hutton
LCM: Wes Daly...............|RCM: Darren Berrigan
LM: Colin Trace..............|LCM: Ryan McGerrigan
ST: Thai Blevins.............|LM: Rory Doherty
ST: Gerard Rooney..........|ST: Kieran Gibson

Subs
Danny Hancock....|Darren Gibbons
Reece Moore........|Stephen Duff
Kevin O'Neill.........|Lee Towers
Joe Finlay............|Stuart Hendrie
Michael McMullan..|Robert Dunlop

Preview: The cup draw could've been nicer to us but we are capable of winning this match.

3 - McCullough's game ends early, Moore replaces him.
7 - Tracey's free-kick is somehow not finished by Thompson! It's cleared off the line by Hutton.
19 - Devlin shoots from distance but it's well over the bar.
22 - Moore plays it to Blevins who scuffs it wide from distance.
33 - GOAL! Tracey finds Blevins who does really well to turn and shoot in the box and despite a touch by Appleton, it's not enough to prevent it from going in. Berrigan thinks it was offside and tells the referee. It looked like the correct decision to me.
36 - Hutton sets up McGerrigan who shoots over the bar.
44 - Hutton turns and shoots but it's over.
45 - Gibson goes for goal but he misses.
45+2 - Half time
Glad to be ahead at half time but we can't afford to be complacent, here's to a good 2nd half.
45 - Towers and Dunlop for Addis and Doherty at half-time.
58 - Hendrie is on for Gibson.
66 - GOAL! Brennan spills an easy cross by Towers and Hutton picks up the pieces, not good keeping there.
68 - Hendrie shoots from the edge of the box but it's wide.
76 - GOAL! A terrific low cross by Ryan Carlin finds Rooney who finishes it perfectly into the bottom corner, Brantwood back in front!
78 - A poor shot by McGerrigan is well wide of the post.
81 - GOAL! A great ball by Moore and Blevins beats the keeper to the ball to surely secure victory for the home side.
90+1 - PENALTY! Brantwood could get a 4th here, Tracey's corner sees Rafferty shove Thompson and the ref points to the spot. Armagh are furious
90+2 - GOAL! Blevins gets his hat-trick from the spot, it goes in off the inside of the post but he doesn't care!
90+4 - Full time
A great second half performance sealed a win for us today, 4th time lucky in the cups this year and a small milestone for me, Blevins scores the first hat-trick in my reign at Brantwood in his first appearance of the season! This is the kind of home performance we can't do in the league.

Brantwood 4-1 Armagh

Ratings
GK: Brennan (6.6)
RB: Devlin (7.2)
RCB: Thompson (8.0)
LCB: Anderson (6.9)
LB: Nicholson (7.1)
RM: Carlin (7.3)
RCM: McCullough (N/A) sub 3
LCM: Daly (6.9)
LM: Tracey (7.2)
ST: Blevins (9.5)
ST: Rooney (7.7)

Sub
Moore (7.3) sub 3

[deltablue]

Thats more like it!

[ManUTactician247]

Thats more like it!

Exactly what I thought at the final whistle!

[ManUTactician247]

10/11/12 - Sport & Leisure vs Brantwood (Northern Irish 2nd Division)

Pre-match press conference
Ricky McFall "Who will you use to counter the threat of Thomas Ryan."
Me "Ryan (Carlin) should be able to do the job."

Squads
GK: Stephen Brennan.......|GK: Kurt Fox
RB: Scott McCullough......|RB: Philip McBirney
RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: William McAllister¬
LCB: Andy Devlin............|LCB: Oliver Duffy+
LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: Thomas Ryan
RM: Ryan Carlin..............|RM: Jeffrey Monakana
RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Stephen McCain
LCM: Wes Daly...............|LCM: Ryan Brunt
LM: Colin Tracey............|LM: Jordan Keegan
ST: Jamie Douglas...........|ST: Mathew Selfridge
ST: Gerard Rooney..........|ST: Jordan Rugg

Subs
Danny Hancock....|Ross Preece
Michael Fitzpatrick|Barrie Kelly
Kevin O'Neill.........|Jordan Carter
Thai Blevins.........|Francis McCann
Kevin Anderson....|Bradley Hill

+ - Makes/Could make competitive league debut.
¬ - Makes/Could make 50th league appearance.
Mathew Selfridge hasn't scored in 761 minutes of football for Sport & Leisure.

Preview: A tough away match but we have every chance of getting something here.

4 - Carlin pulls it back to Douglas who powers one at goal and it's a fantastic save.
5 - Daly shoots from distance and it's over but only just.
9 - GOAL! An absolute beauty of a curler by Carlin, Templeton gives it to him and bends it superbly to the top corner, 1-0 Brantwood. His first for the club.
13 - GOAL! Brantwood are on a rampage, Rooney's cross is deflected but Carlin reacts quickest, a diving header to get his 2nd.
17 - Rooney shoots from a tight angle but it's over the bar.
22 - GOAL! 3-0, what a performance here, Daly finds Templeton who drills one into the bottom corner from 20 yards, another 1st goal for Brantwood.
32 - Douglas finds Daly on the edge of the box but the shot goes wide.
45+1 - Half time
What a half! This has to be our best half ever, we've completely dominated away from home and have a huge advantage. Long may this form continue!
45 - Both sides make changes, Rooney picked up an injury forcing Blevins on and Kelly and Hill replace Duffy and Rugg who has picked up a slight injury.
46 - RED CARD! It's all falling apart for the home side, Carlin takes the ball off of Ryan who retaliates with a dangerous tackle and gets sent off. The home side are not happy with the ref.
48 - Douglas' free-kick is over the bar.
62 - Templeton plays it through for Carlin but just misses, he's on a hat-trick.
64 - McCann is on for Monakana.
68 - O'Neill comes on for an injured Tracey.
79 - McBirney picks up an injury for S&L and with no subs left, they go down to 9!
90+3 - Full time
We toned it down a bit in the second half but an incredible performance by the team, we need to do that every match! We go up to 7th with that victory! However, it came with a cost, Rooney has twisted his knee and Tracey has strained his knee ligaments.

Sport & Leisure 0-3 Brantwood

Ratings
GK: Brennan (6.9)
RB: McCullough (7.9)
RCB: Thompson (7.1)
LCB: Devlin (7.3)
LB: Nicholson (7.3)
RM: Carlin (9.1)
RCM: Templeton (8.0)
LCM: Daly (8.0)
LM: Tracey (6.9) sub 68
ST: Douglas (6.8)
ST: Rooney (6.9) sub 45

Subs
Blevins (6.2) sub 45
O'Neill (6.5) sub 68

Post-match press conference
Ricky McFall "Your side took an early lead courtesy of Ryan Carlin, did you feel a good result was coming after that goal?"
Me "Of course you get that feeling when your team scores first that it's just gonna be your day and what a day it turned out to be!"

[ShyBaldBuddhist]

2 excellent results. Looks like you might of turned a corner

[ManUTactician247]

2 excellent results. Looks like you might of turned a corner

I agree with you there but I've got a bit of bad news, I'm taking a break from this save to play one with edited players in it and with me due to get FM12 soon I doubt I'll go back to this save. I know I was starting to do well but this may be the end.

[ManUTactician247]

I can now confirm I won't be continuing this save as I got FM12 for Christmas, I'm sorry to anyone who was enjoying reading this but fear not, another save is on the way soon...

[deltablue]

It was a good test run at least.

[ManUTactician247]

It was a good test run at least.

Yes, I knew this save wouldn't last very long but I'm sure the next one will .

[ManUTactician247]

I can now confirm I won't be continuing this save as I got FM12 for Christmas, I'm sorry to anyone who was enjoying reading this but fear not, another save is on the way soon...

Anyone remember this? Well... I've kind of changed my mind. Don't get me wrong, FM12 is a great game but for me, the only way to play the game is to load up all the leagues and start from the bottom, I tried this on FM12, some may remember my short-lived career with Chengdu Blades but the inability to even finish a match without the game crashing was simply unplayable for me. I tried other careers but none of which I enjoyed very much at all. So I've decided to go back to FM11 and see how far I can take Brantwood/join a better club. Apologies for my comment at the end of last year, the show will go on, although it will take a while to familiarise myself with the players again.

[ManUTactician247]

17/11/12 - Brantwood vs Moyola Park (Northern Irish 2nd Division)

Pre-match press conference
Ricky McFall "What is your tactical approach at this game?"
Me "Well, on our current form we have to go for it, don't we? Attack is the way forward."

Squads
GK: Stephen Brennan.......|GK: Stephen Carroll
RB: Scott McCullough......|RB: Marc Harkness
RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: Kevin McGarry
LCB: Andy Devlin............|LCB: Dermot McVeigh
LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: Kieran McSherry
RM: Ryan Carlin..............|RM: Connor Mulholland
RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Seanan Clucas
LCM: Wes Daly...............|LCM: Stefan Bailey
LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LM: Ryan Melaugh
ST: Jamie Douglas...........|ST: George Bowerman
ST: Thai Blevins..............|ST: Jamie Garry

Subs
Danny Hancock....|Danny Creaney
Kevin Anderson....|Curtis Hassan
Adrian McCaffrey..|Mickey Young+
Matt Boyd...........|Daniel Hanna
Ashley Homes*....|Chris Morton

* - Makes/Could make league debut for his club
+ - Makes/Could make senior debut
Jamie Douglas hasn't scored in 384 minutes of football for Brantwood.

Preview: Eager for revenge against Moyola for our late exit of the league cup, we are on good enough form to do it, though Moyola Park are above us in the league.

9 - Carlin slips a ball in for Douglas but he blazes it wide.
16 - Clucas curls it from distance but it's over the bar.
21 - Clucas is forced off injured as Hassan replaces him.
28 - Douglas with an ambitious effort but puts it wide.
31 - Blevins sets up Templeton who fires it over.
39 - O'Neill to Blevins from distance, wide again.
40 - Garry tries one from the edge of the box but puts it wide.
45+2 - Half time
You could certainly argue we are the better side but we aren't going anywhere near the Moyola Park goal, shots from distance are unlikely to win us this match so we need to get closer.
45 - Hanna is on for McSherry at the break.
46 - Nicholson gives it to Blevins who turns and shoots, over the bar.
51 - An absolute sitter for Brantwood, Carlins volley is blocked but it falls to O'Neill from 5 yards out who smashes it over, how did he miss.
53 - O'Neill to Blevins who shoots, well wide.
63 - Blevins breaks free down the left but selfishly goes for goal, missing the target.
65 - Templeton goes for it from distance, over.
66 - Mulholland is replaced by Young.
71 - McVeigh is booked for bringing down Douglas.
72 - GOAL! Finally the moment Brantwood deserve, Daly gives it to Blevins who turns expertly past his marker before slotting home.
90+3 - Full time
Few can argue we deserved the win at the end and it's a great 3 points to pick up as well. Fair play to the team for their patience. We are now 6th in the table.

Brantwood 1-0 Moyola Park

Ratings
GK: Brennan (6.3)
RB: McCullough (7.0)
RCB: Thompson (7.5)
LCB: Devlin (7.0)
LB: Nicholson (7.4)
RM: Carlin (6.9)
RCM: Templeton (6.8)
LCM: Daly (7.8)
LM: O'Neill (6.8)
ST: Douglas (6.8)
ST: Blevins (7.4)

Transfer
Well I signed him before my 7 month break from this save, Ashley Homes comes in as another loan signing to compete at CB, the Englishman arrives from Ballymena Utd.

[ManUTactician247]

21/11/12 - Brantwood vs P.S.N.I. (Northern Irish 2nd Division)

Squads
GK: Stephen Brennan.......|GK: Scott Tynan
RB: Scott McCullough......|RB: Scott McCrory
RCB: Stefan Thompson¬...|RCB: Vinnie Heneghan¬
LCB: Ashley Homes*........|LCB: Andrew Nicholas
LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: Philip May
RM: Ryan Carlin..............|RM: Michael McCaffery
RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Ross Clarke
LCM: Wes Daly...............|LCM: Lukasz Adamczyk
LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LM: Chris Flood
ST: Jamie Douglas...........|ST: Sean Canham
ST: Tommy Amos............|ST: Daniel Subuola

Subs
Yilmaz Aksoy+.....|David Hughes+
Ryan Murray........|Paul McElroy
Jordan Watson.....|Stephen Mellon
Matt Boyd...........|Graeme Arthur
Andy Devlin.........|Liam Smith

* - Makes/Could make league debut for his club
+ - Makes/Could make senior debut
¬ - Makes/Could make 50th league appearance
Stephen Brennan hasn't conceded in 203 minutes of football for Brantwood.
Jamie Douglas hasn't scored in 474 minutes of football for Brantwood.
Tommy Amos hasn't scored in 393 minutes of football for Brantwood.

Preview: PSNI are dangling just above the relegation zones at the moment so there's no reason not to look for a win here.

6 - Amos shoots from the edge of the area, high wide and not handsome.
8 - Douglas sends his free-kick over the bar.
18 - Flood thinks he should have a penalty for a foul by McCullough but its not given.
24 - Flood finds a way into the box before shooting and Brennan makes a good save.
29 - Nicholson sends the free-kick long and Douglas is unmarked but the header is straight at Tynan.
34 - Templeton is forced off with injury and Murray comes on to replace him.
45+2 - Half time
To be honest, neither side has deserved this. We're going to need to step it up a bit to win this game.
53 - Douglas finds O'Neill who attempts to place it first time but Tynan makes a smart stop.
60 - Carlin has picked up a minor knock and to avoid any risk, Boyd is on to replace him.
62 - Arthur is on for Subuola.
67 - Smith for Nicholas now.
67 - Thompson finds O'Neill who shoots but its a poor effort.
74 - Mellon replaces Flood.
76 - Boyd sends in a great cross which O'Neill heads over.
78 - O'Neills cross finds Amos who heads just wide.
90+4 - Full time
A disappointing draw, we played them off the park but didn't have the finishing to put them away, at least we're still unbeaten.

Brantwood 0-0 P.S.N.I.

Ratings
GK: Brennan (6.8)
RB: McCullough (7.2)
RCB: Thompson (7.4)
LCB: Homes (7.1)
LB: Nicholson (7.0)
RM: Carlin (6.6) sub 61
RCM: Templeton (6.4) inj 35
LCM: Daly (6.9)
LM: O'Neill (6.2)
ST: Douglas (5.8)
ST: Amos (6.6)

Subs
Murray (6.6) sub 35
Boyd (6.7) sub 61

Post-match press conference
Ricky McFall "PSNI were denied a penalty today in controversial fashion, what did you think of the decision?"
Me "It looked like a penalty to me but I guess we got lucky with that one."

[deltablue]

Yay, a return to Brantwood!

[ManUTactician247]

Yay, a return to Brantwood!

I can't lie, I certainly missed this save and regret switching to FM12 so quickly but I'm back now to hopefully make up for lost time .

[ManUTactician247]

24/11/12 - Oxford Utd Stars vs Brantwood (Intermediate Cup 2nd Round)

Pre-match press conference
Ricky McFall "Many pundits say you'll be playing defensively this game, is that true?"
Me "Not at all, the last thing we should do against a big team is let them attack us, we'll be attacking"

Squads
GK: Stephen Brennan.......|GK: Nathan White
RB: Scott McCullough......|RB: Jonathan Gilliland
RCB: Stefan Thompson.....|RCB: Paul Devins
LCB: Andy Devlin.............|LCB: Andy Patterson
LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: Eamon Black
RM: Matthew Brown........|RM: Nick Carter
RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Kurtis March
LCM: Wes Daly...............|LCM: Liam Irwin
LM: Adrian McCaffrey......|LM: Matthew Clark
ST: Jason Paul...............|ST: Owen McAlynn
ST: Thai Blevins.............|ST: Paul McNeill

Subs
Danny Hancock....|Matt Armstrong-Ford
Reece Moore........|Stephen Cullen
Kevin O'Neill.........|Adam Clarke
Matt Boyd...........|Chris Elliott
Kevin Anderson....|Kevin Gall

Stephen Brennan hasn't conceded in 293 minutes of football for Brantwood.
If Brantwood don't lose today, they will pass their record of 6 games without defeat.

Preview: A tough cup draw away to the side that was promoted out of our division last year, I have faith we can cause a shock though with the players we have. A big chance for Jason Paul to impress me with his first Brantwood appearance too.

5 - GOAL! A great start for the home team as a loose ball falls to Clark who smashes it in despite the efforts of Brennan.
8 - Templeton has picked up a niggle and Brantwood take him off, replaced by Anderson.
12 - Anderson with a shot from distance but it's wide.
14 - McNeill cuts inside and shoots but just over the bar.
16 - Paul to Blevins who turns and shoots from distance but puts it wide.
17 - Blevins shoots from the edge of the box, over.
20 - Moore replaces Devlin.
45+3 - Half time
We certainly haven't given a bad account of ourselves but we're behind and that's all that counts in a cup game, who knows? We might get lucky.
45 - McNeill who was injured in the first half is replaced by Cullen.
53 - GOAL! 2-0 to Oxford, a dodgy back pass from Nicholson goes straight to Cullen who has a simple finish.
62 - Moore is booked for a trip on McAlynn.
62 - Elliott is on for March.
62 - Elliott hits one from distance, well wide.
64 - McAlynn strikes one from range but it goes wide.
68 - Anderson tries his luck from range and forces a good save out of the keeper.
82 - Gall replaces McAlynn.
90 - Gall finds Cullen who hits it first time and it rattles the underside of the bar before bouncing out.
90+3 - Bad news for Brantwood as Brennan the keeper is injured and Hancock replaces him.
90+4 - Full time
A disappointing defeat but an expected one I suppose, especially having played midweek. Bad news though is that Brennan has damaged his elbow and will miss 2/3 weeks of football.

Oxford Utd Stars 2-0 Brantwood

Ratings
GK: Brennan (6.6) sub 90+3
RB: McCullough (6.7)
RCB: Thompson (7.6)
LCB: Devlin (6.5) sub 21
LB: Nicholson (5.0)
RM: Brown (6.0)
RCM: Templeton (N/A) sub 9
LCM: Daly (6.6)
LM: McCaffrey (6.2)
ST: Paul (5.9)
ST: Blevins (6.9)

Subs
Anderson (6.6) sub 9
Moore (5.9) sub 21
Hancock (N/A) sub 90+3

[ManUTactician247]

November 2012 Review

Brantwood 4-1 Armagh (IC 1st Round)
For us: Blevins (34, 82, pen 90+3), Rooney (77)
For them: Hutton (67)

Sport & Leisure 0-3 Brantwood (NI2D)
For us: Carlin (10, 14), Templeton (23)
For them: Ryan (47)

Brantwood 1-0 Moyola Park (NI2D)
For us: Blevins (73)

Brantwood 0-0 P.S.N.I. (NI2D)

Oxford Utd Stars 2-0 Brantwood (IC 2nd Round)
For them: Clark (6), Cullen (54)

Summary: The month kicked off with a convincing victory over Armagh in the cup, a relief after August had seen us knocked out of 3 cups at the first hurdle, a fantastic last 15 minutes saw us score 3 times, Blevins also got an impressive hat-trick. It was the reverse of that against Sport & Leisure where it was a convincing opening which saw us go 3-0 up after 23 minutes and hold on for a great win. We then defeated Moyola Park 1-0 in a pretty boring game, there wasn't much excitement against P.S.N.I. and we only got a 0-0 draw. Our only defeat of the month saw us knocked out of the cup against Oxford Utd Stars in the 1st Division which wasn't a terrible result but it means we only have 1 competition left.

[ManUTactician247]

1/12/12 - Ballynure O.B. vs Brantwood (Northern Irish Cup 2nd Round)

Pre-match press conference
Ricky McFall "Do you think that Gerry Mullan is Ballynures main threat this match.
Me "There's no reason to focus on a particular player in a game we are very likely to win."

Squads
GK: Danny Hancock.........|GK: Darren Hunter
RB: Scott McCullough......|RB: Sean Holmes
RCB: Stefan Thompson.....|RCB: Mark McGeough
LCB: Ashley Homes..........|CB: Andrew Williams
LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LCB: Paul Robertson
RM: Thai Blevins.............|LB: Daryl McGowan
RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Nathan McCluskey
LCM: Wes Daly...............|CM: Brian McVea
LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LCM: Robert Douglas
ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Aaron Murphy
ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Gerry Mullan

Subs
Yilmaz Aksoy........|James Gregg
Michael Fitzpatrick|Martin Black
Jordan Watson.....|Richard McCombe
Matt Boyd...........|Colin McGerrigan
Andy Devlin.........|Connor Ward

Jamie Douglas hasn't scored in 564 minutes of football for Brantwood.
Tommy Amos hasn't scored in 483 minutes of football for Brantwood.

Preview: We actually have faced this team, in a friendly just over a year ago, where with a terrible team we still scraped a win. But this should really be a walk in the park, their best player would be my 18th choice striker if he joined us, we must surely win!

9 - GOAL! O'Neill sends in the corner and it comes off Robert Douglas and into his own net, an unfortunate way to fall behind for Ballynure.
15 - Set pieces appear to be a big weakness for Ballynure, O'Neill with another delivery and Thompsons header is well saved by Hunter and he gets to the rebound but the keeper saves again.
16 - GOAL! And just as I was saying, O'Neill takes another corner which is nodded in by Homes, his first for the club in his 2nd match.
21 - Daly brings down Murphy and is booked.
21 - GOAL! McCluskey with a fantastic ball to find Mullan who has a simple finish, Ballynure are back in it!
23 - GOAL! Nicholsons cross causes chaos in the area and a relieved Tommy Amos smashes it home for 3-1.
35 - Robert Douglas trips O'Neill, receiving yellow.
39 - Hunter spills Blevins' cross, it falls to Jamie Douglas but he snaps at it and it goes wide.
44 - Devlin comes on for Daly.
45+1 - Half time
It was disappointing to concede but we have a comfortable lead at the break and I'm sure we can add to that tally in the 2nd half.
45 - McGerrigan replaces McGeough at the break.
50 - Mullan plays the free-kick to McVea who fires over from distance.
53 - Nicholson curls one from distance but it's over.
55 - Amos is booked for a trip on Holmes.
56 - GOAL! It's come from a set piece again, O'Neills corner sees Homes beat his marker to the ball and get his second of the game.
64 - Templeton is booked for a trip on McVea.
66 - Jamie Douglas shoots from a free-kick but it's a wild effort.
73 - Black is on for McVea.
80 - McGowan is shown yellow for a trip on Amos.
81 - Devlin is next in the book for tripping Mullan.
83 - McCombe replaces the own goal scorer Robert Douglas.
90 - Hunters goal kick is met with a powerful Thompson header which sends Douglas through but the keeper makes a great save to deny him.
90+1 - Full time
While we did add 1 more goal in the 2nd half, I know we could have done more but a comfortable win and I have to be happy with that.

Ballynure O.B. 1-4 Brantwood

Ratings
GK: Hancock (7.0)
RB: McCullough (6.9)
RCB: Thompson (7.3)
LCB: Homes (9.3)
LB: Nicholson (7.2)
RM: Blevins (7.0)
RCM: Templeton (6.9)
LCM: Daly (6.9) sub 45
LM: O'Neill (9.0)
ST: Douglas (6.9)
ST: Amos (7.7)

Sub
Devlin (6.9) sub 45

Post-match press conference
Ricky McFall "After a terrific performance today, will you be looking to bring Ashley Homes into the club permanently?"
Me "It's much to early to be discussing that, the lad has only played 2 matches for us."

[ManUTactician247]

5/12/12 - Armagh vs Brantwood (Northern Irish 2nd Division)

Squads
GK: Danny Hancock.........|GK: Darren Gibbons
RB: Andy Devlin..............|RCB: Osa Obamwonyi
RCB: Stefan Thompson.....|CB: Mitch Kelly
LCB: Ashley Homes..........|LCB: Peadar Toal
LB: Alex Nicholson...........|RWB: David Hutton
RM: Gareth Green............|LWB: Adam Dodd
RCM: Scott McCullough....|RCM: Jake Gillingwater£
LCM: Emmet Templeton...|CM: Frankie Sutherland
LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LCM: Paul McAreavey_
ST: Jamie Douglas£"........|ST: Stuart Hendrie
ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Thomas Gregg Lopes da Silva

Subs
Yilmaz Aksoy+......|Patrick Appleton
Kevin Anderson.....|Gerard Kerr
Jordan Watson.....|Ryan McGerrigan
Matt Boyd...........|Paul McElhatton
Michael McMullan..|Sam Cook

+ - Makes/Could make senior debut.
£ - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance for his club.
" - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance.
_ - 1 goal needed to reach 25 league goals.
Jamie Douglas hasn't scored in 654 minutes of football for Brantwood.

Preview: Just over a month ago, we hammered Armagh in the cup so we are definitely capable of a win here, lets go!

8 - Thompson loses the ball poorly to Lopes da Silva in a great position but he puts it over.
17 - McCullough picks up a knock and to avoid risk, is replaced by Anderson.
29 - Sutherland gets to the edge of the box and shoots with Hancock doing well to turn it around the post.
30 - Huttons corner is met by Hendrie and it hits the top of the cross-bar, unlucky.
36 - Douglas' free-kick is met by a Thompson diving header which goes wide.
36 - The sub is subbed as Boyd replaces Anderson.
42 - Kelly shoots from distance but it's over.
45+2 - Half time
We've had a poor first half and to win this, we need to be a lot better than this.
45 - McElhatton replaces Hutton at half time.
45 - Sutherland shoots from distance but it's not even close.
46 - RED CARD! Disastrous for Brantwood as a header puts Lopes da Silva through on goal and Thompson brings him down as the last man and he's off, it looked like a dive there, Brantwood are absolutely furious with the decision.
51 - GOAL! Ten man Brantwood take the lead as O'Neills corner is brought down and tapped in by Homes.
53 - McGerrigan replaces Gillingwater.
58 - Kerr is on for Hendrie.
74 - McElhatton is booked after tripping Amos.
74 - Boyds cross falls temptingly for Douglas whose volley unluckily bounces off the bar.
79 - Nicholsons cross finds Green whose effort is blocked but still forces a top save.
90+4 - Full time
A win we probably deserved on our 2nd performance, the red card looked like it would consign us to defeat but we only grew stronger and didn't even let Armagh have a good chance after that. Special praise to Ashley Homes, he scored our winner as well as leading our 3 man defence which was rock solid after the red.

Armagh 0-1 Brantwood

Ratings
GK: Hancock (7.1)
RB: Devlin (6.8)
RCB: Thompson (7.0) red 47
LCB: Homes (7.8)
LB: Nicholson (7.0)
RM: Green (6.8)
RCM: McCullough (6.8) sub 18
LCM: Templeton (6.7)
LM: O'Neill (6.9)
ST: Douglas (6.8)
ST: Amos (6.8)

Subs
Anderson (6.8) sub 16 sub 37
Boyd (6.9) sub 37

[ManUTactician247]

15/12/12 - Armagh vs Brantwood (Northern Irish Cup 3rd Round)

Pre-match press conference
Ricky McFall "How do you rate your chances in the upcoming match?"
Me "Having beaten Armagh twice already this season, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't confident."

Squads
GK: Danny Hancock.........|GK: Darren Gibbons
RB: Andy Devlin..............|RCB: Robert Dunlop
RCB: Ashley Homes..........|CB: Peadar Toal
LCB: Kevin Anderson........|LCB: David Addis
LB: Alex Nicholson...........|RWB: Peter Darcy
RM: Ryan Carlin..............|LWB: Arron Ponton
RCM: Wes Daly..............|RCM: Paul McAreavey
LCM: Emmet Templeton...|CM: Darren Berrigan
LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LCM: David Hutton
ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Gerard Kerr
ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Kieran Gibson

Subs
Yilmaz Aksoy........|Patrick Appleton
Reece Moore........|Adam Rodgers
Adrian McCaffrey..|Lee Towers
Thai Blevins.........|Paul Carlin
Michael McMullan..|Sam Cook

Jamie Douglas hasn't scored in 744 minutes of football for Brantwood.

Preview: Looks like the cup draw makes us face Armagh again. We should win but you never know, it was a close call last time.

14 - Devlin picks up a knock and just incase, Blevins replaces him.
15 - GOAL! Pontons cross is headed in by Kerr who was unmarked.
33 - Ponton is booked for a foul on Douglas.
37 - Daly is booked for tripping Hutton.
38 - Addis is brought down by Douglas who is booked.
43 - O'Neill plays it across to Daly who hits one well wide.
44 - Gibson tries his luck from distance and it hits the cross-bar.
45+2 - Half time
We've been very disappointing and need to improve if we are to stay in this cup.
45 - Paul Carlin and Cook replace Hutton and Kerr at the break.
51 - PENALTY! Brantwood have the chance to level as O'Neill swings in a corner and Addis pushes Homes for a spot kick. Armagh are not pleased with that decision.
52 - SAVED! Its a poor penalty by Douglas which Gibbons easily punches clear, straight down the middle.
54 - McAreaveys cross is headed wide by Addis.
57 - Ponton plays a lovely ball for Gibson but the shot is saved by Hancock.
61 - Ponton finds Cook who turns and shoots, just over.
63 - Hancock sends his free-kick long and puts Amos through but his shot is very well saved.
64 - Gibson is booked for a trip on Homes.
67 - Ryan Carlin sends a great ball over the top and Amos is through but his shot is tipped over.
69 - Amos does well to get to the edge of the box and smashes it just wide.
70 - Gibson shoots from the edge of the box and it goes wide.
73 - Rodgers is on for Addis.
74 - Templeton is brought down by Darcy who gets a yellow card.
83 - Blevins is tripped by McAreavey who gets yellow.
86 - The sub Blevins picks up an injury and is replaced by Moore.
90+4 - Full time
We had the chances, we even had a penalty but we are out of the cup, we would have had Portadown away in the next round anyway though.

Armagh 1-0 Brantwood

Ratings
GK: Hancock (6.6)
RB: Devlin (6.8) sub 15
RCB: Homes (7.0)
LCB: Anderson (6.8)
LB: Nicholson (7.1)
RM: Carlin (6.7)
RCM: Daly (6.7)
LCM: Templeton (6.7)
LM: O'Neill (6.6)
ST: Douglas (5.8)
ST: Amos (5.8)

Subs
Blevins (5.8) sub 15 sub 87
Moore (N/A) sub 87

Post-match press conference
Ricky McFall "Arron Ponton was man of the match today, what did you think of his performance?"
Me "He had a great game, which wasn't great for us."

[deltablue]

3rd time unlucky against Armagh.

[ManUTactician247]

3rd time unlucky against Armagh.

It was very disappointing as I know we are a better team than they are.

[ManUTactician247]

19/12/12 - Brantwood vs Warrenpoint (Northern Irish 2nd Division)

Pre-match press conference
Ricky McFall "Who is going to stop Jordan Trincie-Lyne?"
Me "Probably Michael McMullan, he should do it."

Squads
GK: Danny Hancock.........|GK: Gerard Duff
RB: Scott McCullough......|RB: Ryan McLoughlin
RCB: Ashley Homes..........|RCB: Jamie Rooney
LCB: Michael Fitzpatrick...|LCB: Aswad Thomas
LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: Daniel Ting
RM: Gareth Green...........|RM: Anthony Finn
RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: George Young
LCM: Wes Daly♣.............|LCM: Marc Brown
LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LM: Ryan Markey
ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Jordan Trincie-Lyne
ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Darren Henderson

Subs
Yilmaz Aksoy+......|Steven Maguire
Ryan Murray........|Danny Rowe
Adrian McCaffrey..|Sean Waters
Matt Boyd...........|Danny Hawkins♦◘
Michael McMullan..|John Boyle

+ - Makes/Could make senior debut
♣ - Makes/Could make 200th league appearance
♦ - 3 goals to reach 25 league goals
◘ - 3 goals to reach 25 league goals for his club.
Jamie Douglas hasn't scored in 834 minutes of football for Brantwood.
Jordan Trincie-Lyne hasn't scored in 525 minutes of football for Warrenpoint.

Preview: A tough fixture against a Warrenpoint side above us in the table but after 4 matches away, it is good to be home.

12 - Amos finds Douglas with a good ball but the deflection on the shot makes it easy for the keeper.
24 - Templeton sends a great ball for Douglas but the shot is saved well by Duff.
29 - Douglas to Amos who shoots, but its well wide.
31 - Daly shoots from distance but it's over.
39 - GOAL! Brantwood lead, Nicholson just sends the free-kick into the box and Douglas directs it in, the relief on his face clear as his goal drought ends!
41 - Henderson gets to the edge of the area before firing just wide.
45+2 - Half time
We lead and deservedly so, great to see Douglas get a goal as well, hopefully we can hold on for a great three points.
45 - 2 Warrenpoint subs, on come Rowe and Waters for Finn and Markey.
51 - Boyle is on for Ting.
57 - Young picks out Rowe who shoots but Hancock makes the catch.
71 - O'Neill centres it for Amos whose shot is deflected for a corner.
74 - Goal disallowed for Brantwood! Douglas swings in the free-kick and Green appears to beat the keeper to it and head in but the ref pulls it back for a foul on Duff. Looked a harsh decision there.
81 - An injury to Young leaves Warrenpoint with ten men as they used all their subs.
82 - Templeton finds Green in acres of space but the shot is saved by Duff.
90+3 - Full time
A great and well deserved three points against a great team here, huge well done to the lads for this one. Takes us up into 5th, promotion maybe?

Brantwood 1-0 Warrenpoint

Ratings
GK: Hancock (6.7)
RB: McCullough (7.6)
RCB: Homes (7.2)
LCB: Fitzpatrick (6.9)
LB: Nicholson (8.1)
RM: Green (6.9)
RCM: Templeton (7.2)
LCM: Daly (6.9)
LM: O'Neill (6.9)
ST: Douglas (7.3)
ST: Amos (6.8)

Post-match press conference
Ricky McFall "Alex Nicholson won the man of the match award, how did you rate his performance."
Me "He pulled off a great assist to win us the match and I don't recall a single attack from his side."

[ManUTactician247]

December 2012 Review

Ballynure O.B. 1-4 Brantwood (NIC 2nd Round)
For us: Robert Douglas OG (10), Homes (17, 57), Amos (24)
For them: Mullan (22)

Armagh 0-1 Brantwood (NI2D)
For us: Homes (52), Thompson (47)

Armagh 1-0 Brantwood (NIC 3rd Round)
For us: Douglas missed pen (53)
For them: Kerr (16)

Brantwood 1-0 Warrenpoint (NI2D)
For us: Douglas (40)

Summary: We kicked off the month with a convincing victory over lower league Ballynure. Our next match saw a successful visit to Armagh where despite being reduced to ten, still played very well and grabbed a winner thanks to new signing Homes. The English centre-half bagging his 3rd in 2 games. A 3rd match against Armagh in just over a month was too much to ask and while a penalty could have drawn us level, Douglas missed it and we were knocked out of our last cup. We however played a great match against Warrenpoint in our next fixture where Douglas atoned for his penalty miss by heading in the winner. We are 5th in the league and with a bit of luck, promotion could be on the cards!

[deltablue]

Well, 2 wins out of 2 in the league.

[ManUTactician247]

Well, 2 wins out of 2 in the league.

It seems like the reverse of last season, not doing too well in the cups but pretty comfortable in the league.

[ManUTactician247]

5/1/13 - Wakehurst vs Brantwood (Northern Irish 2nd Division)

Pre-match press conference
Ricky McFall "Who will you use to counter Scott Hamilton."
Me "Alex Nicholson."

Squads
GK: Stephen Brennan.......|GK: Stephen Flowers
RB: Scott McCullough......|RB: Jonathan Cheevers
RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: Jordan Anderson
LCB: Ashley Homes.........|LCB: George Moore
LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: Joe McKee
RM: Ryan Carlin..............|RM: Scott Hamilton
RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Ryan Gregg
LCM: Wes Daly..............|LCM: Steven McIlroy
LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LM: Iain Edmunds
ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Conor Gregg
ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Jaimes McKee

Subs
Danny Hancock....|Russell Saunders£
Michael McMullan..|Jamie Cook
Colin Tracey".......|Stephen Kidd
Gerard Rooney.....|Chris Kerr
Andy Devlin.........|Simon Ainge

" - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance
£ - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance for his club.
Jaimes McKee hasn't scored in 865 minutes of football for Wakehurst.

Preview: Another tough game away to 2nd placed Wakehurst, the media seem to think we'll win though and with Brennan back, its a possibility.

3 - Amos trips Anderson and is first in the book.
4 - McIlroy shoots from distance and Brennan makes a great save to tip it round.
14 - Thompson tries one from 20 yards and the keeper is forced to save it.
16 - Ryan Gregg plays in Conor Gregg who drills it just wide of the post.
18 - Edmunds' corner is headed wide by Moore.
26 - Anderson is forced off injured, replaced by Ainge.
30 - Homes is booked for a trip on Conor Gregg.
43 - GOAL! Douglas does well to spot the run of O'Neill who takes a touch before placing it beyond the keeper.
44 - McIlroys long ball finds Edmunds who shoots over from a tight angle.
45+2 - Half time
I don't think we deserve it but we lead at the break, if we can hold on to this, we'll move even closer to the top 2.
45 - RED CARD! A nightmare start to the half for Brantwood as Amos is dismissed for his second yellow for diving after a challenge by Ainge in the box.
55 - Edmunds plays it short to Ryan Gregg who hits a scorcher from distance which Brennan just gets a hand on.
64 - Jaimes McKee shoots from distance and its just wide of the post.
68 - Cook and Kidd replace Hamilton and Edmunds.
75 - GOAL! Wakehurst are level, Brennans clearance is headed right back by Moore, it should be easy for the keeper but Jaimes McKee beats him to the ball and scores.
84 - Douglas is tripped by Moore who receives a yellow card.
90+3 - Full time
While the red card definitely made things worse for us, the manner we lost this lead was very frustrating, Brennan should have done a lot better. A draw isn't a terrible result though.

Wakehurst 1-1 Brantwood

Ratings
GK: Brennan (5.7)
RB: McCullough (6.4)
RCB: Thompson (7.0)
LCB: Homes (6.7)
LB: Nicholson (6.5)
RM: Carlin (6.6)
RCM: Templeton (6.6)
LCM: Daly (6.7)
LM: O'Neill (7.4)
ST: Douglas (7.1)
ST: Amos (6.3) red 46

Post-match press conference
Ricky McFall "George Moore was on top form and won the man of the match award, your thoughts on him?"
Me "As well as the assist he was an effective barrier between our strikers and the goal."

Transfers
A couple of new signings, first is Rodney McLaughlin, a player over-rated by my scout who won't feature in my plans, he had been released by Wakehurst. Also Welsh centre-half Dave Humphreys is brought in for the future, the 18 year old has featured 6 times for Llanelli. Also Brantwood now have a physio as Trevor Morrison joins us, he retired in 2011 at Ballinamallard Utd so we have a former player on our side.

[ManUTactician247]

12/1/13 - Brantwood vs Tobermore Utd (Northern Irish 2nd Division)

Squads
GK: Danny Hancock.........|GK: Tom Cox
RB: Scott McCullough......|RB: Matt McKeever
RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: Jamie Cleary
LCB: Ashley Homes.........|LCB: Justin Perrin
LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: Jason McLay
RM: Ryan Carlin..............|RM: Ciaran McGurgan
RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Danny Gardner
LCM: Wes Daly..............|LCM: Sean Heneghan
LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LM: Matt Fell
ST: Thai Blevins.............|ST: Jake Lee
ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Will Green

Subs
Stephen Brennan..|Tony Cornick
Kevin Anderson....|Sammy Devine
Colin Tracey".......|Tinashe Muskwe
Gerard Rooney.....|Daniel Burns
Andy Devlin.........|Barry Henry

" - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance

Preview: We host a team in the bottom half and should win, as you can see Brennan has been dropped after that awful mistake last game, hopefully that sends him a message.

14 - Douglas heads it down for Daly who has a go but puts it over.
20 - Rooney replaces Douglas.
29 - GOAL! Gardners free-kick causes panic in the box and is scrambled in by Cleary for Tobermore.
37 - Rooney tees it up for Templeton who shoots just wide.
45 - Nicholson to Templeton who shoots from range but its well wide.
45+2 - Half time
Not at all happy to be behind, we shouldn't lose this match but we are. Not creating enough chances, that needs to improve.
48 - Daly is booked for a trip on Lee.
58 - Rooneys shot deflects into the path of Carlin but his shot is poor, well wide.
59 - Muskwe is on for Green.
60 - McCullough is forced off injured and Devlin replaces him.
61 - Henry replaces McLay.
61 - Templeton has a go from distance but it's wide.
67 - Heneghan shoots from distance but it's not even close.
70 - Anderson is on for Carlin.
74 - Muskwe pulls it back to Gardner who has a go and Hancock tips it over.
75 - McGurgans corner is met by a Perrin volley and Hancock reacts well.
77 - Fell is off and Burns is on.
80 - GOAL! An incredibly bizarre goal draws Brantwood level, Nicholson drills in what looks to be a hopeless cross and it comes off the goalscorer Cleary and in! It goes down as an own goal!
90 - Gardner swings in a free-kick and Muskwe beats the keeper to it but heads over.
90+4 - Full time
A huge slice of luck preserves our unbeaten record but we were very lucky to come out of this with a draw. It even takes us up to 4th. Bad news is that McCullough picked up a broken collarbone, ruling him out for up to 2 months.

Brantwood 1-1 Tobermore Utd

Ratings
GK: Hancock (6.5)
RB: McCullough (6.9) inj 61
RCB: Thompson (6.8)
LCB: Homes (6.8)
LB: Nicholson (6.6)
RM: Carlin (6.5) sub 71
RCM: Templeton (6.8)
LCM: Daly (6.6)
LM: O'Neill (6.6)
ST: Blevins (6.5)
ST: Douglas (6.6) sub 21

Subs
Rooney (6.5) sub 21
Devlin (6.9) sub 61
Anderson (6.5) sub 71

[ManUTactician247]

16/1/13 - Dundela vs Brantwood (Northern Irish 2nd Division)

Pre-match press conference
Ricky McFall "Is there a chance that Haughey will put pressure on McCullough for a first team place."
Me "Absolutely not, Scott has done more than enough to ensure his place in the team."

Squads
GK: Danny Hancock.........|GK: Darren Fox
RB: Andy Devlin..............|RB: Ross Dedman
RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: Marc Whitford
LCB: Ashley Homes.........|LCB: Kerr Young
LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: Joshua Webb
RM: Matthew Brown........|RM: Chris Williams
RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Kyle Alexander
LCM: Wes Daly..............|LCM: Liam Manning
LM: Colin Tracey"...........|LM: Danny Glover
ST: Eoin Boyle...............|ST: Amari Morgan-Smith
ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: David McMillan

Subs
Stephen Brennan..|Peter Donnelly"£
Kevin Anderson.....|Isaac Vassell
Kevin O'Neill.........|Tyree Clarke
Matt Boyd...........|Christian Seargeant_
Michael Fitzpatrick|David Cully

" - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance
£ - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance for his club.
_ - 1 goal needed to reach 25 league goals.

Preview: Dundela are one of the few teams that have beaten us this season, so revenge on them would be nice, they're also a place below us so getting some breathing distance would be nice too.

0 - It takes just 14 seconds for Morgan-Smith to zoom past the defence and shoot just wide of Hancocks post.
1 - Morgan-Smith gets another chance from just outside the area which is just wide again.
3 - McMillan is booked for a trip on Templeton.
3 - Thompson sends the free-kick into the area but Douglas' header is straight at the keeper.
14 - Brown plays it back to Boyle whose effort is deflected behind for a corner.
15 - Nicholson is booked for bringing down Williams.
19 - Alexander trips Daly and is booked.
20 - Daly does the same back to Alexander with the same punishment.
24 - Morgan-Smith shoots from distance but it's wide.
27 - Tracey is booked for a trip on Williams.
32 - Homes' header forward finds Douglas who lets fly but hammers it over.
41 - Glovers corner finds Whitford unmarked but the header is straight at Hancock.
45 - PENALTY! Brantwood could take the lead as after a scramble after a corner, the ref says Alexander tripped Thompson, no 2nd yellow for him and no arguments either.
45 - GOAL! Douglas sends the penalty into the roof of the net to give Brantwood the lead right on half time.
45+1 - Half time
We started off very nervy but gradually settled into this match and now have the lead as well, maybe this time we can hold on to it.
45 - 2 changes, Seargeant and Cully replace Williams and McMillan.
46 - Boyle is tripped by Whitford who gets into the book.
53 - Thompson picks up a knock for Brantwood, and just incase they bring him off for Anderson.
62 - Clarke is on for Glover.
62 - Clarke has a go from the edge of the box but puts it wide.
70 - Devlin brings down Morgan-Smith and is also booked.
71 - Douglas swings in the free-kick and Tracey has a free header but sends it over.
85 - Another yellow for Manning who fouled Douglas.
90 - Manning tries a volley from distance but its easy for Hancock.
90+1 - Seargeants free-kick comes off the wall and out for a corner.
90+1 - Goal disallowed for Dundela! Seargeants first-time cross is headed in by Morgan-Smith but the flag is up and rightly so. Dundela are furious.
90+2 - Boyle is booked for tripping Young.
90+3 - Full time
We've picked up what could be a very important three points today, we rode our luck a bit towards the end but I'm very happy to have won it.

Dundela 0-1 Brantwood

Ratings
GK: Hancock (6.2)
RB: Devlin (7.2)
RCB: Thompson (7.0) sub 54
LCB: Homes (6.9)
LB: Nicholson (7.1)
RM: Brown (6.3)
RCM: Templeton (6.8)
LCM: Daly (6.9)
LM: Tracey (6.8)
ST: Boyle (6.6)
ST: Douglas (6.9)

Sub
Anderson (6.3) sub 54

Post-match press conference
Ricky McFall "A fantastic and unexpected victory today, how are you feeling?"
Me "Fantastic, Dundela put up a great fight but we held firm and I'm delighted to take home three points."

[ManUTactician247]

26/1/13 - Brantwood vs Annagh Utd (Northern Irish 2nd Division)

Pre-match press conference
Ricky McFall "Attacking at the start would certainly show your intentions for this match, will that be the case?"
Me "This is one game I expect to win so attacking is a necessity.

Squads
GK: Stephen Brennan......|GK: Stefan Hutchinson
RB: Craig Kirk.................|RB: Johnny Magee
RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: Adam Robinson
LCB: Ashley Homes.........|LCB: Peter Williams
LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: David Hutchinson
RM: Ryan Carlin..............|DM: Sam Cox
RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Aidan Collins
LCM: Matthew Weir........|CM: Alan Gaston
LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LCM: Carl Murray
ST: Jamie Douglas..........|AM: Gordon Hillis
ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Domonic Samuel

Subs
Yilmaz Aksoy+......|Sean Morgan
Kevin Anderson.....|Anthony Snook*
Colin Tracey.........|Mark Hamilton
Gerard Rooney"£...|Tony Taggart
Michael McMullan..|Kealan Dillon

* - Makes/Could make league debut for his club
+ - Makes/Could make senior debut.
" - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance
£ - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance for his club.
Tommy Amos hasn't scored in 382 minutes of football for Brantwood.

Preview: Annagh are fighting for their lives in relegation so this should be three points even with a couple of back-ups getting a chance today.

2 - Collins is booked for a push on Weir.
16 - Kirk with a nasty challenge on Hillis which earns him a yellow card.
16 - GOAL! Annagh lead as David Hutchinsons free-kick is headed in by Robinson.
19 - Carlin swings in the corner which finds Thompson at the back post but the header is saved.
21 - Carlin picks out Douglas with a through ball who fires it just wide.
32 - Kirk pulls it back to Templeton who hits it first time and it hits the underside of the bar!
33 - Carlins free-kick finds Thompson, straight at Stefan Hutchinson.
35 - Carlins corner is headed over by Homes.
43 - GOAL! About time a set piece got a goal for Brantwood as Carlins corner is headed in powerfully by Thompson, a majestic header!
45+2 - Half time
One shot, one goal for Annagh but glad we pulled level before the break. I'd be unhappy with anything less than a win as we have been dominant, hopeful we can get another.
45 - Gaston is replaced by Dillon at half-time.
46 - Murray is booked for upending Templeton.
49 - Cox is upended by Amos who receives a yellow.
55 - O'Neill has a go from distance but it's an easy catch.
61 - Dillon is holding back Templeton and is booked.
70 - Dillon shoots from distance but misses.
79 - Snook replaces Magee.
79 - Carlins corner is headed dangerously across goal by Thompson and Homes is open but the header is somehow saved.
85 - Robinson the goalscorer is replaced by Hamilton.
87 - Nicholson has a go but it's over.
90+4 - Full time
Disappointing not to win this as we had the chances but Annagh take an undeserved point out of this game. We still go up to 5th.

Brantwood 1-1 Annagh Utd

Ratings
GK: Brennan (6.8)
RB: Kirk (7.1)
RCB: Thompson (8.0)
LCB: Homes (7.0)
LB: Nicholson (6.7)
RM: Carlin (8.0)
RCM: Templeton (6.7)
LCM: Weir (6.7)
LM: O'Neill (6.2)
ST: Douglas (6.5)
ST: Amos (6.0)

Post-match press conference
Matt Crothers "Ryan Carlin was man of the match, your opinion of his performance?"
Me "Ryan put in an impressive performance, his deliveries from set pieces caused all sorts of problems and he was very much a menace."

Transfers
A couple of Irish youngsters join the club, left winger Colin Meade who was released by 1st Division Waterford Utd and RB/CB John McCarthy who was released by UCD.

[ManUTactician247]

January 2013 Review

Wakehurst 1-1 Brantwood (NI2D)
For us: O'Neill (44), Amos (46)
For them: Jaimes McKee (76)

Brantwood 1-1 Tobermore Utd (NI2D)
For us: Cleary OG (81)
For them: Cleary (30)

Dundela 0-1 Brantwood (NI2D)
For us: Douglas (pen 45+1)

Brantwood 1-1 Annagh Utd (NI2D)
For us: Thompson (44)
For them: Robinson (17)

Summary: An unbeaten but slightly disappointing month. A goalkeeping error by Brennan denied us a very important three points away to Wakehurst which was disappointing. This was followed by a poor performance against Tobermore where we were very lucky to win a point. An away win to Dundela followed, a win I was very pleased with, even though it was won with a penalty. The last match was not great, we dominated at home to Annagh but conceded with their only shot and didn't have the cutting edge to finish them off. One thing I've noticed is 3 out of the 4 goals we scored in January were on the stroke of half-time, a bit weird but it is a great time to score.

[mubzyp]

wow this is amazing mate

[ManUTactician247]

2/2/13 - Brantwood vs Lower Maze (Northern Irish 2nd Division)

Squads
GK: Danny Hancock.........|GK: Lewis Fenney
RB: Andy Devlin..............|RB: Brian McKenna
RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: Stephen Crawford
LCB: Ashley Homes.........|LCB: Rhys Paul
LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: Peter Davies
RM: Ryan Carlin..............|RM: Ryan Godfrey
RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Owen Kabodi
LCM: Wes Daly...............|LCM: Jonny Kaye
LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LM: Liam Smyth
ST: Jamie Douglas..........|AM: Colin McAnallen
ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Phil Maloco

Subs
Stephen Brennan..|Andrew Wilson
Michael McMullan..|David Hutchinson+
Colin Tracey.........|Connor Murray
Thai Blevins.........|John Craig
Kevin Anderson....|Grzegorz Kryznocek

+ - Makes/Could make senior debut.
Tommy Amos hasn't scored in 472 minutes of football for Brantwood.
If Lower Maze don't win, it'll beat their record of 8 games without victory.

Preview: We must win, no ifs, no buts, Lower Maze have only 6 points this season and with our best available squad, should really be knocking a few goals past them.

4 - The ball falls to Templeton who sends it over the bar.
7 - Carlin is booked for a trip on Davies.
11 - The ref sees a dive by Kabodi and books him.
12 - A poor pass across goal by Davies is intercepted by Amos who shoots but hits the bar. O'Neill then plays it to Templeton who hits it over.
38 - Douglas sets Templeton up from distance who smashes it wide.
45+1 - Half time
Very disappointing, we haven't done nearly as well as we could and could come out of this with only a draw.
48 - Devlins cross finds O'Neill with a great chance but his shot is saved.
56 - Amos slips a ball in for Douglas but his shot is also saved by Fenney.
63 - Kryznocek replaces Maloco for Lower Maze.
68 - Craig is on for Smyth.
71 - GOAL! Douglas plays in Amos who takes his time before executing the finish.
73 - Murray is on to replace McAnallen
76 - GOAL! Carlins corner is headed in by Thompson despite the attempts of Fenney.
90+2 - Full time
We took our time but got the three points we needed in this one.

Brantwood 2-0 Lower Maze

Ratings
GK: Hancock (6.8)
RB: Devlin (7.4)
RCB: Thompson (8.1)
LCB: Homes (7.3)
LB: Nicholson (7.6)
RM: Carlin (7.3)
RCM: Templeton (6.8)
LCM: Daly (6.8)
LM: O'Neill (6.8)
ST: Douglas (6.8)
ST: Amos (7.4)

[ManUTactician247]

wow this is amazing mate

Thanks, it's a lot of work but I enjoy doing it .

[ManUTactician247]

9/2/13 - Queens University vs Brantwood (Northern Irish 2nd Division)

Pre-match press conference
Ricky McFall "Some say you will go defensive to avoid defeat, is this true?"
Me "No way, we'll be straight on the attack."

Squads
GK: Danny Hancock.........|GK: Ryan Martin
RB: Andy Devlin..............|RB: Josh Brizell
RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: Matthew Paget
LCB: Ashley Homes.........|LCB: Aaron Meharg
LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: Alex White£
RM: Ryan Carlin..............|RM: Ryan Dunlop
RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Stephen Shaw♦
LCM: Wes Daly...............|LCM: Declan Divin
LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LM: Tom Buckley
ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Damian Spencer
ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Leon Newell

Subs
Stephen Brennan..|Danny Evans*
Michael McMullan..|Jonathan Mernagh
Colin Tracey.........|Nathan Riddle
Gerard Rooney"£...|James Lavery○
John McCarthy*....|Matt McManus

* - Makes/Could make league debut for his club.
" - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance
£ - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance for his club.
♦ - 3 goals to reach 25 league goals.
○ - 1 goal to reach 50 league goals.
Danny Hancock hasn't conceded in 240 minutes of football for Brantwood.
If Brantwood don't lose today, it will have beaten their record of 6 games without defeat.

Preview: An important game against a team three points below us, avoiding defeat here is essential. For the first time in a while, I've kept the team unchanged.

1 - Daly to Amos who shoots from the edge of the box but it's tipped over.
11 - Nicholson gets it back from O'Neill before sending it well over the bar.
12 - Buckleys cross is met by Dunlop but Hancock makes a superb catch.
12 - Devlins long ball over the top picks out Amos who shoots but Devlin saves.
15 - Buckleys corner is flicked on by Newell but Hancock collects.
16 - Carlins drilled cross finds Douglas who turns and shoots, just wide.
26 - O'Neill has a go from distance but puts it wide.
28 - GOAL! Newells free-kick is perfectly in the corner for Queens University.
36 - GOAL! Carlin finds Douglas from 25 yards out and he smashes it into the top corner, what a strike!
45 - GOAL! Templeton with a fantastic ball which the keeper comes out for and misses, Amos has an empty net and scores.
45+1 - Half time
I feared the worst when we fell behind but we responded incredibly well and got 2 great goals, lets keep it up!
45 - Newell is replaced by McManus at the break.
51 - Rooney replaces Carlin. Mernagh replaces Dunlop for Queens.
64 - O'Neill with a stunning ball over the top for Rooney, clean through but his shot is well saved by Martin.
66 - Buckley is replaced by Riddle.
72 - Thompson is booked for a trip on Spencer.
85 - Spencer slips in Shaw who must score but Hancock makes a heroic save to keep Brantwood ahead.
87 - Paget to Mernagh who shoots wide.
89 - GOAL! Brizells through ball finds Spencer who picks out the far corner to equalise for Queens University.
90+2 - Devlin has a hopeful crack from distance and it hits the bar! So close!
90+3 - Full time
A heartbreaking way to lose the three points but at least we avoided defeat.

Queens University 2-2 Brantwood

Ratings
GK: Hancock (6.6)
RB: Devlin (6.7)
RCB: Thompson (7.0)
LCB: Homes (6.7)
LB: Nicholson (6.8)
RM: Carlin (6.9) sub 52
RCM: Templeton (7.1)
LCM: Daly (6.8)
LM: O'Neill (6.6)
ST: Douglas (8.3)
ST: Amos (7.2)

Sub
Rooney (6.2) sub 52

[ManUTactician247]

16/2/13 - Brantwood vs Knockbreda (Northern Irish 2nd Division)

Squads
GK: Stephen Brennan......|GK: Blane Scott
RB: Craig Kirk................|RB: Mark Haughey
RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: Paul Johnson
LCB: Ashley Homes.........|LCB: Clark Mason
LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: Matt Lomas
RM: Ryan Carlin..............|RM: Jon Taylor
RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Liam Henderson
LCM: Wes Daly...............|LCM: Gary Murphy♂
LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LM: Robbie-Lee Crawford
ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Denis McLaughlin
ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Andy Pugh

Subs
Yilmaz Aksoy+......|Gavin Carlin
Michael McMullan..|Miguel Chines
Colin Tracey.........|Lewis Neal
Gerard Rooney......|Ryan Murphy
John McCarthy*....|Liam Carland

* - Makes/Could make league debut for his club
+ - Makes/Could make senior debut.
♂ - Makes/Could make 75th league appearance for his club.
If Brantwood don't lose today, it will have beaten their record of 7 games without defeat.

Preview: We know a win here takes us above Knockbreda in the league table and we know we can do it.

5 - Homes is booked for tripping over McLaughlin.
13 - Daly trips Henderson, yellow.
13 - Crawfords cross is headed by McLaughlin but Brennan makes a good stop.
18 - PENALTY! Nicholson sends in a long throw and Haughey brings down Carlin and Brantwood have a penalty. Haughey is booked.
19 - GOAL! The keeper guesses right but Douglas' penalty is out of his reach into the top corner.
25 - O'Neill shoots from distance but it's wide.
28 - Templeton has a go but it's over.
33 - Kirks trip on Crawford earns him a yellow card.
33 - Rooney is on to replace Amos.
38 - Rooney comes forward and shoots but it's harmlessly wide.
40 - Tight play on the edge of the area, Douglas sets up Rooney but he hits it over.
43 - McLaughlin trips Daly for a yellow.
45+2 - Knockbreda think they should have a penalty of their own for a foul by Homes but nothing given.
45+2 - Half time
It's only a penalty that separates the two sides but I think we've certainly earned our advantage and looking good for the win.
61 - McLaughlin is off and Ryan Murphy is on.
61 - Johnson trips Douglas and is booked.
62 - Thompson brings down Crawford, receiving a yellow.
64 - Neal is on for Crawford.
68 - Henderson trips Templeton, yellow card.
75 - Rooney to Douglas who hits one from range, wide. Not much action here.
78 - GOAL! Ryan Murphy sends in a cross which Pugh slides in, 1-1.
80 - On comes Carland for Pugh.
84 - O'Neill is booked for upending Taylor.
85 - Lomas is booked for tripping over Ryan Carlin.
86 - GOAL! A late winner surely for Brantwood, Douglas' free-kick finds Thompson free who somehow hits the bar but at least taps in the rebound.
89 - Templeton trips Gary Murphy, yet another yellow.
90+1 - GOAL! Icing on the cake for Brantwood, Lomas gives a free-kick away in an identical position, Douglas takes it again and this time Thompson doesn't need a second chance to head in his second.
90+3 - Full time
I feared we'd thrown away another three points but we managed to win it in the end, and that is an important one too! That takes us up to 4th.

Brantwood 3-1 Knockbreda

Ratings
GK: Brennan (6.9)
RB: Kirk (7.0)
RCB: Thompson (9.1)
LCB: Homes (6.9)
LB: Nicholson (6.8)
RM: Carlin (7.0)
RCM: Templeton (6.8)
LCM: Daly (7.1)
LM: O'Neill (6.9)
ST: Douglas (7.4)
ST: Amos (6.9) sub 34

Sub
Rooney (6.8) sub 34

Post-match press conference
Ricky McFall "Undoubtedly Thompson was the saviour for your team, what was your opinion on his performance."
Me "Fantastic, his threat from set pieces as well as his defensive performance was immaculate, long may it continue."

[ManUTactician247]

February 2013 Review

Brantwood 2-0 Lower Maze (NI2D)
For us: Amos (72), Thompson (77)

Queens University 2-2 Brantwood (NI2D)
For us: Douglas (37), Amos (45+1)
For them: Newell (29), Spencer (90)

Brantwood 3-1 Knockbreda (NI2D)
For us: Douglas (pen 20), Thompson (87, 90+2)
For them: Pugh (79)

Summary: Oh so nearly a perfect month. We eventually got the win we deserved against Lower Maze though it should have been a lot easier. 2 important games were followed, after a superb comeback from 1-0 down to Queens University to 2-1, a last minute goal robbed us of the three points. We almost threw it away against Knockbreda as well but Stefan Thompson saved us with 2 late goals leaving us 4th at the end of February, just 4 points off a promotion spot, could we do it?

[ManUTactician247]

2/3/13 - Banbridge vs Brantwood (Northern Irish 2nd Division)

Pre-match press conference
Ricky McFall "Playing against the league leaders, you might play defensive to avoid defeat, will you?"
Me "Nope, that's exactly how they want us to play, we won't give them that privilege."

Squads
GK: Stephen Brennan......|GK: Andy Wright
RB: Andy Devlin.............|RCB: Conor Friel
RCB: Stefan Thompson....|CB: Alex Lacey
LCB: Ashley Homes.........|LCB: Niall Derry
LB: Alex Nicholson...........|RM: Mark Teggart
RM: Ryan Carlin..............|RCM: Alan Byrne
RCM: Emmet Templeton...|LCM: Liam Henderson
LCM: Wes Daly...............|LM: Ciaran Gargan
LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|ST: Tommy Coyne*
ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Steven Craig
ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Thomas Greenaway

Subs
Danny Hancock.....|Stephen Ryan
Michael Roberts+...|Jeff Brady
Colin Tracey.........|Kris Magill
Gerard Rooney......|Steven McArdle
Kevin Anderson.....|Neil King

* - Makes/Could make league debut for this club.
+ - Makes/Could make senior debut.
Thomas Greenaway hasn't scored in 598 minutes of football for Banbridge.
Neil King only needs to appear in 4 more matches to become Banbridges record appearance holder.
If Brantwood don't lose today, it will have beaten their record of 8 games without defeat.

Preview: A tough fixture away to the league leaders, I have faith in the boys to pull something off but it will be difficult, no doubt.

19 - Daly thinks Brantwood should have a penalty for a foul by Greenaway on Devlin but nothing is given.
22 - GOAL! Carlin puts in a delightful cross which is headed in by Amos.
24 - King comes on for Teggart.
29 - Byrne is forced off injured and is replaced by Brady.
33 - Nicholson has a shot and Wright makes a good catch.
37 - Friel is booked for a foul on Douglas.
45+2 - Half time
Defensively we have been immense and we've managed a goal too, a win here would be great!
45 - McArdle is on for Gargan at the break.
46 - Craig heads it on for Coyne who hits it on the volley but over.
49 - The ball comes out to Devlin who strikes it and it's deflected behind for the corner.
51 - Amos is booked for a trip on Friel.
58 - RED CARD! Douglas goes past Friel who brings him down and the ref gives him his 2nd yellow!
61 - Roberts comes on to replace Devlin who has a minor injury.
74 - Amos is forced off injured and Rooney comes on.
76 - Carlins deflected cross falls to Douglas who hits the upright, unlucky for Brantwood.
78 - Templeton to Douglas who turns and shoots before smashing it over.
84 - GOAL! A late leveller for Banbridge as Derrys free-kick is headed in by the debutant Coyne.
89 - Another Brantwood player is forced off with injury as Anderson replaces Daly.
90+4 - Full time
1 shot on target, 1 goal for the leaders or should I say butchers with the players they injured. Disappointing not to win. We are now down to 5th. Only Daly came out of this match with an injury, he'll be out for about a week with a bruised rib.

Banbridge 1-1 Brantwood

Ratings
GK: Brennan (6.7)
RB: Devlin (7.0) sub 62
RCB: Thompson (6.8)
LCB: Homes (7.0)
LB: Nicholson (7.0)
RM: Carlin (7.1)
RCM: Templeton (6.6)
LCM: Daly (6.6) inj 90
LM: O'Neill (6.8)
ST: Douglas (6.6)
ST: Amos (7.2) inj 75

Subs
Roberts (6.8) sub 62
Rooney (6.7) sub 75
Anderson (N/A) sub 90

Transfers
2 English youngsters arrive, keeper Joe Martin who Barnsley released and Michael Roberts who can play at right-back or centre back, he was released by Middlesbrough and made his debut in this match.

[ManUTactician247]

9/3/13 - Glebe vs Brantwood (Northern Irish 2nd Division)

Squads
GK: George Howard+.......|GK: Andrew Dickey
RB: Andy Devlin.............|RB: Adam McCart
RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: Stuart Moore
LCB: Ashley Homes.........|LCB: Sam Christensen
LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: William McBurney
RM: Ryan Carlin..............|RM: Ricky Nicholl
RCM: Scott McCullough¬..|RCM: Paul Burnside
LCM: Emmet Templeton...|LCM: Chris Patterson
LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LM: Andy Simms
ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Davie Turnbull
ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Gavin Moore

Subs
Stephen Brennan...|Chris McKendry
John McCarthy*....|Aaron Traynor
Colin Tracey.........|Graham Crown
Gerard Rooney......|Robert Ogleby
Michael Roberts.....|Martin Smith

* - Makes/Could make league debut for his club.
+ - Makes/Could make senior debut
¬ - Makes/Could make 50th league appearance
Davie Turnbull hasn't scored in 485 minutes of football for Glebe.
If Brantwood don't lose today, it will have beaten their record of 9 games without defeat.

Preview: We should win this one, even if I'm playing a debutant goalkeeper.

6 - Carlins corner is headed over by Thompson from close range.
15 - McCullough plays a through ball for Douglas but he hits the side-netting.
25 - Patterson shoots from the edge of the area and its deflected for a corner.
35 - Nicholl is booked for a trip on Amos.
36 - Devlin trips Moore, yellow.
38 - Patterson hits one from distance, wide.
43 - Tracey comes on for Templeton.
45+2 - Half time
Pretty boring start, hoping we can improve.
53 - McBurney is booked for a trip on Douglas.
54 - Nicholls corner finds Turnbull who shoots but Howard makes a fantastic stop!
61 - Crown replaces Turnbull.
67 - Nicholson is booked for a trip on Nicholl.
74 - Ogleby is on for Simms.
75 - Patterson is tripped by McCullough who gets booked.
78 - Douglas trips McBurney and gets booked.
79 - Smith comes on for Stuart Moore.
84 - Thompson is booked for a trip on Ogleby.
84 - Ogleby flicks it on and Gavin Moore beats Howard to it but hits the inside of the post.
89 - RED CARD! Gavin Moore is tripped by Thompson who gets his 2nd yellow, Brantwood down to ten.
90 - GOAL! And from the resulting free-kick, Christensens long ball fins Ogleby who taps it in.
90+3 - Full time
A disappointing but deserved defeat, which ends a long unbeaten run.

Glebe 1-0 Brantwood

Ratings
GK: Howard (6.6)
RB: Devlin (6.6)
RCB: Thompson (7.4) red 90
LCB: Homes (6.9)
LB: Nicholson (6.9)
RM: Carlin (6.1)
RCM: McCullough (6.6)
LCM: Templeton (6.6) sub 44
LM: O'Neill (6.6)
ST: Douglas (6.6)
ST: Amos (6.6)

Sub
Tracey (6.1) sub 44

Post-match press conference
Ricky McFall "Stefan Thompson won the man of the match award for his performance, what did you think about it?"
Me "He was solid while he was on the pitch so we can forgive him for the red card he got at the end."

Transfers
2 more young players join, Irish CM Anthony Forde was released by Wolves and he looks like he has a bright future. Also George Howard, a young English GK who Charlton released, he didn't have a bad debut by any means, hopefully he'll turn out good too.

News
I have been linked with a job at AFC Wimbledon, who are 16th in League 2 should their manager leave at the end of the season, something I might have taken into consideration.

[ManUTactician247]

16/3/13 - Brantwood vs Chimney Corner (Northern Irish 2nd Division)

Squads
GK: George Howard.........|GK: Robbie Hughes
RB: Scott McCullough......|RB: Mark Drake
RCB: Ashley Homes.........|RCB: Lloyd Massey
LCB: Andy Devlin............|LCB: Simon Gibson
LB: Steven McQuillan......|LB: Robert Halliday♂
RM: Ryan Carlin"............|DM: Michael Thomas¬
RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Sammy Wright
LCM: Wes Daly..............|LCM: Andrew Hamilton
LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|RAM: Conal Burns
ST: Tommy Amos...........|LAM: Ben Browne
ST: Gerard Rooney.........|ST: Matthew McConnell¬

Subs
Stephen Brennan...|Shane Murphy
John McCarthy*....|Trevor Hutchinson
Colin Tracey.........|Robert Nicholl
Matt Boyd............|William Garrett
Michael Roberts.....|Gary Brown

* - Makes/Could make league debut for his club.
" - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance.
¬ - Makes/Could make 50th league appearance.
♂ - Makes/Could make 75th league appearance for his club.

Preview: Chimney Corner are just above the relegation zones so we should be looking for a win here.

6 - Boyd comes on for Rooney.
45+1 - GOAL! Its been a bore of a half but Chimney Corner lead, Hamiltons free-kick should be easy for Howard, but the youngster spills it and Templetons attempt at a tackle goes into his own net.
45+2 - Half time
Terrible really, no other words I can use for this match so far. Another defeat here would just ruin our chances of promotion.
45 - Garrett is on for Drake at the break.
47 - O'Neills through ball finds Boyd who hits it but its a good save by Hughes.
49 - RED CARD! There may be hope after all for Brantwood, McCulloughs throw to Amos and Halliday just clatters into the back of him, a dangerous challenge which sees them reduced to ten. No arguments.
50 - Chimney Corner respond by bringing Nicholl on for Brown.
54 - Daly to Amos who turns and shoots, just over.
56 - Daly to Templeton who fires one wide.
68 - Amos turns and curls one but it goes over.
73 - The corner comes out to McCullough who goes for goal and Hughes tips it round the post.
83 - Brown is on for McConnell.
89 - Amos thinks Brantwood should have a penalty for a foul by Nicholl as he challenged Carlin for a header, nothing given though.
90+5 - Templeton picks up a knock and to avoid risk is replaced by Tracey.
90+6 - Full time
We've been robbed, Chimney Corner literally had not one shot at goal yet came away with three points, it'll be difficult to pick up the team after this one.

Brantwood 0-1 Chimney Corner

Ratings
GK: Howard (5.8)
RB: McCullough (7.4)
RCB: Homes (7.0)
LCB: Devlin (6.7)
LB: McQuillan (6.6)
RM: Carlin (6.0)
RCM: Templeton (6.8) sub 90
LCM: Daly (6.7)
LM: O'Neill (6.7)
ST: Amos (6.4)
ST: Rooney (N/A) sub 7

Subs
Boyd (6.6) sub 7
Tracey (N/A) sub 90

Transfers
2 more young keepers come in, 19 year old English keeper Chris Mullin was released by League 2 Macclesfield and had a failed trial at FC Halifax in the BSN. Also Welshman Daniel Ward was released by BSP side Wrexham, he made 6 appearances for them and kept 3 clean sheets as well as only conceding 3 goals in the other games.

[ManUTactician247]

23/3/13 - Moyola Park vs Brantwood (Northern Irish 2nd Division)

Pre-match press conference
Ricky McFall "Some say the defensive approach is best, what do you think?"
Me "I have to disagree, we play to win not draw."

Squads
GK: Stephen Brennan......|GK: Stephen Carroll
RB: Scott McCullough......|RB: Kieran McSherry
RCB: Ashley Homes.........|RCB: Kevin McGarry
LCB: Andy Devlin............|LCB: Daniel Hanna
LB: Alex Nicholson..........|LB: Daniel Day
RM: Ryan Carlin.............|RM: Roddy Paterson
RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Stefan Bailey
LCM: Wes Daly..............|LCM: Jamie Garry
LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LM: Ryan Melaugh
ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: George Bowerman
ST: Tommy Amos¬.........|ST: Chris Morton

Subs
George Howard.....|Danny Creaney
Michael Roberts.....|Dermot McVeigh
Colin Tracey.........|Curtis Hassan
Gerard Rooney......|Mickey Young
Kevin Anderson.....|Michael Hamilton

¬ - Makes/Could make 50th league appearance

Preview: We're level on points with Moyola and both of us are on a bad spell so I hope we can take the spoils here.

10 - Daly to Amos who turns and shoots but Carroll makes a top save.
16 - What a missed chance for Brantwood! Nicholsons cross finds Carlin completely free but he just taps it into Carrolls arms!
18 - Amos to Douglas who shoots from distance but puts it wide.
27 - GOAL! O'Neills cross is somehow scrambled in by Douglas.
31 - Garry sends his free-kick over.
33 - Homes to Amos who takes it round the last defender before his shot is well saved.
34 - GOAL! Carlins corner finds Homes whose header is blocked but only into the path of Devlin who finishes it off.
39 - Homes is forced off injured and Anderson replaces him.
45+3 - Half time
A two goal advantage is very good going into the break, we should finish it off in the 2nd half.
45 - Hassan comes on for Morton.
53 - Templeton is replaced by Tracey.
58 - Bailey shoots from distance and Brennan tips it over.
59 - The corner comes out to Bowerman who hits it but its wide.
63 - Melaughs cross is headed over by Paterson.
84 - Young and Hamilton replace Garry and Melaugh.
84 - GOAL! Days deep cross is headed in by Bailey, hope for Moyola Park?
87 - Bowermans cross finds Paterson! But it's straight at Brennan to the relief of the Brantwood players.
90+3 - Full time
A great 1st half followed by a terrible second, we nearly lost our lead and weren't impressive at all, glad we won though. A bit of good news as Homes only had a dead leg and should be available for next match. We also go up to 4th with that victory.

Moyola Park 1-2 Brantwood

Ratings
GK: Brennan (6.8)
RB: McCullough (6.9)
RCB: Homes (6.9) inj 40
LCB: Devlin (7.4)
LB: Nicholson (6.9)
RM: Carlin (7.0)
RCM: Templeton (6.9) sub 54
LCM: Daly (6.9)
LM: O'Neill (7.3)
ST: Douglas (7.3)
ST: Amos (6.9)

Subs
Anderson (6.0) sub 40
Tracey (6.6) sub 54

Post-match press conference
James Costello "Stefan Bailey of Moyola Park was judged the best player of this match, your opinion of his performance?"
Me "He was definitely bright, even though his team lost and scored a goal."

[ManUTactician247]

30/3/13 - Brantwood vs Armagh (Northern Irish 2nd Division)

Squads
GK: George Howard.........|GK: Patrick Appleton
RB: Scott McCullough......|RCB: Victor Hill
RCB: Stefan Thompson....|CB: Andrew Ferguson
LCB: Andy Devlin............|LCB: Mitch Kelly
LB: Alex Nicholson".........|RWB: Jon Maxted
RM: Ryan Carlin.............|LWB: Seán Kelly
RCM: Emmet Templeton"..|RCM: Paul Stewart
LCM: Wes Daly..............|CM: Frankie Sutherland
LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LCM: Jake Gillingwater
ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Sam Cook
ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Thomas Gregg Lopes da Silva

Subs
Stephen Brennan...|Darren Gibbons
John McCarthy*....|Rory Doherty
Colin Tracey.........|Adam Dodd
Matt Boyd............|Stuart Hendrie
Michael Roberts.....|Osa Obamwonyi

* - Makes/Could make league debut for his club.
" - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance.
Sam Cook hasn't scored in 550 minutes of football for Armagh.

Preview: A potentially tough game but we know we can win it.

5 - Douglas shoots from range but it's over.
9 - Amos is booked for a trip on Hill.
20 - Tracey comes on for Daly.
34 - GOAL! Lopes da Silva pulls it back to Gillingwater who shoots beyond the reach of Howard for Armagh.
37 - Amos has a go but it's wide.
40 - Templeton to Carlin who shoots but it's too high.
43 - GOAL! Traceys cross finds an unmarked Amos who brings it down before finishing.
45+2 - Half time
So we went behind again but this time we've got a leveller which we can hopefully build on.
50 - Douglas sets up Templeton to shoot but he scuffs it wide.
51 - Hendrie is on for Cook.
57 - Dodd replaces Seán Kelly
59 - Gillingwater is booked for a trip on Templeton.
61 - RED CARD! Douglas is brought down by the scorer Gillingwater who picks up his 2nd yellow 2 minutes after his first!
62 - Templeton gives it to Amos who fires one wide.
67 - Kelly is booked for a trip on Douglas.
68 - Templeton upends Sutherland, yellow.
72 - Devlin sloppily loses possession to Hendrie in the area but the shot goes over.
79 - GOAL! Brantwood now lead, McCulloughs cross is flicked on by Douglas, it takes a heavy deflection off Hill and sneaks in, the credit goes to Douglas.
82 - Nicholson sets up Templeton on the edge of the area who places it just wide.
85 - Tracey is tripped by Stewart who receives yellow.
88 - GOAL! Just as Brantwood thought they'd won it, Hendrie spots the run of Lopes da Silva who takes a touch before finishing.
90 - Tracey thinks he should have a penalty for a foul by Hendrie but the ref's having none of it. Infact Tracey is booked.
90+2 - Full time
Why is this game so frustrating! Another late goal has stopped us from taking 2 points, we're now down to 5th.

Brantwood 2-2 Armagh

Ratings
GK: Howard (6.5)
RB: McCullough (6.9)
RCB: Thompson (7.0)
LCB: Devlin (6.6)
LB: Nicholson (7.0)
RM: Carlin (6.7)
RCM: Templeton (6.7)
LCM: Daly (6.7) sub 21
LM: O'Neill (6.7)
ST: Douglas (7.2)
ST: Amos (7.2)

Sub
Tracey (6.9) sub 21

Post-match press conference
Ricky McFall "That late equaliser by Thomas Gregg Lopes da Silva must really have shook the team, how will they react."
Me "That's not a topic I feel comfortable talking about at the moment."

News
I've again been linked with AFC Wimbledon (16th in League 2) should their manager leave at the end of the season.

[ManUTactician247]

March 2013 Review

Banbridge 1-1 Brantwood (NI2D)
For us: Amos (23)
For them: Coyne (85), Friel (59)

Glebe 1-0 Brantwood (NI2D)
For us: Thompson (90)
For them: Ogleby (90+1)

Brantwood 0-1 Chimney Corner (NI2D)
For them: Templeton OG (45+2), Halliday (50)

Moyola Park 1-2 Brantwood (NI2D)
For us: Douglas (28), Devlin (35)
For them: Bailey (85)

Brantwood 2-2 Armagh (NI2D)
For us: Amos (44), Douglas (80)
For them: Gillingwater (35), Lopes da Silva (89), Gillingwater (62)

Summary: March could have gone better it's fair to say. We put in a great display away to league leaders Banbridge and were unfortunate to concede with their only shot on target. We put in a bad performance against Glebe and probably deserved defeat although the 90th minute goal was a killer. We then lost again at home to Chimney Corner who didn't even have a single shot, an own goal winning them the game. It seemed that nothing could go right until we faced Moyola Park where a quality first half more than compensated for a poor 2nd half as we won 2-1. Even Douglas & Amos scoring in the same match against Armagh was not enough to defeat them as once again a late goal robbed us of the win, disappointing indeed. Promotion is mathematically possible but recovering a 9 point gap with 5 games left is extremely unlikely but we can't give up until we know it's not possible.

[ManUTactician247]

6/4/13 - Brantwood vs Sport & Leisure (Northern Irish 2nd Division)

Squads
GK: George Howard.........|GK: Ross Preece
RB: Andy Devlin..............|RB: Lance McGlen
RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: William McAllister♫
LCB: Ashley Homes.........|LCB: Gary Byrne
LB: Alex Nicholson..........|LB: Thomas Ryan
RM: Ryan Carlin.............|RM: Barrie Kelly
RCM: Scott McCullough...|RCM: Ryan Brunt
LCM: Wes Daly..............|LCM: Matt Clark
LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LM: Jordan Keegan
ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Mathew Selfridge
ST: Gerard Rooney.........|ST: Jeffrey Monakana

Subs
Chris Mullin+.........|Kurt Fox
John McCarthy*....|Stephen McCain
Colin Tracey.........|Jordan Carter
Matt Boyd............|Francis McCann
Michael Roberts.....|Oliver Duffy

* - Makes/Could make league debut for his club
+ - Makes/Could make senior debut
♫ - Makes/Could make 50th league appearance for his club

Preview: Sport & Leisure are just above the relegation zone and we battered them in the away fixture so we should win here.

1 - Devlin is booked for a trip on Keegan.
4 - Boyd comes on to replace Rooney.
13 - Douglas' free-kick finds Carlin who heads it well over.
14 - Homes' long ball is brought down by Douglas who tries a lob which drops just over the bar.
18 - Ryan heads it across to Clark who hits it on the volley, just wide.
26 - Carlin to Douglas who turns and shoots but puts it wide.
27 - Tracey comes on to replace McCullough.
29 - Clark trips Boyd and is booked.
31 - GOAL! Preece spills Carlins cross at the feet of Tracey who makes no mistake! Just on as well.
41 - Tracey to O'Neill who shoots first time but it's over.
45+1 - Keegan is tripped by Carlin, yellow.
45+2 - Half time
We're ahead and looking good value for it, hopefully we don't screw it up again.
46 - O'Neill finds Tracey who shoots, side-netting.
48 - McCann replaces Monakana.
49 - Traceys corner is headed over by Thompson.
56 - GOAL! McAllister fails to clear Carlins cross and loses it to Douglas who promptly finishes.
57 - McCain comes on to replace Clark.
61 - Nicholson is booked for shoving Selfridge.
64 - The sub is subbed as Roberts replaces Boyd.
71 - McGlen is booked for a trip on Tracey.
72 - O'Neills blocked shot falls to Carlin who hits it wide.
86 - Tracey is forced off injured and Brantwood have no subs so play the rest with ten men.
87 - Selfridge is booked for impeding Nicholson.
89 - McCann trips Thompson and is booked.
90 - Brunts free-kick is headed over by Ryan.
90 - Brunt is replaced by Carter.
90+3 - Full time
A solid victory which takes us up to 4th place, well done to the lads.

Brantwood 2-0 Sport & Leisure

Ratings
GK: Howard (6.9)
RB: Devlin (7.3)
RCB: Thompson (7.4)
LCB: Homes (7.5)
LB: Nicholson (7.6)
RM: Carlin (7.1)
RCM: McCullough (6.7) sub 28
LCM: Daly (7.0)
LM: O'Neill (6.9)
ST: Douglas (7.4)
ST: Rooney (N/A) sub 5

Subs
Boyd (6.8) sub 5 sub 65
Tracey (7.6) sub 28 inj 85
Roberts (6.6) sub 65

[ManUTactician247]

13/4/13 - P.S.N.I. vs Brantwood (Northern Irish 2nd Division)

Pre-match press conference
Ricky McFall "Pundits suggest a defensive approach may be best for this game, do you agree?"
Me "No, I do not, we shouldn't need to play defensive in this one."

Squads
GK: George Howard.........|GK: David Hughes
RB: Andy Devlin..............|RB: Raymond Harpur
RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: Callum Dunne
LCB: Ashley Homes¬.......|LCB: Andrew Nicholas
LB: Alex Nicholson..........|LB: Philip May
RM: Ryan Carlin.............|RM: Michael McCaffery
RCM: Scott McCullough...|RCM: Sam Byles
LCM: Wes Daly♫............|LCM: Ross Clarke
LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LM: Chris Flood
ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Sean Canham£
ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Daniel Subuola

Subs
Stephen Brennan...|Scott Tynan
Michael Roberts.....|Sam Marshall
Colin Tracey.........|Stephen Mellon
Gerard Rooney......|Liam Smith
Kevin Anderson.....|Chris Shimmon

£ - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance for his club.
¬ - Makes/Could make 50th league appearance
♫ - Makes/Could make 50th league appearance for his club.
Daniel Subuola hasn't scored in 850 minutes of football for P.S.N.I.

Preview: We face the team who are 13th, we know what to do, so let's hope we do it!

1 - Subuola is booked for bringing down Thompson.
4 - Amos' shot is deflected but Douglas reaches it, however he smashes it over.
5 - Amos smashes it from distance but hits it over.
7 - Nicholson goes for goal but puts it wide.
9 - GOAL! Clarke finds Flood who shoots from a tight angle and it goes in despite the attempts of Howard.
12 - Amos trips Dunne and is booked.
16 - GOAL! An incredible 35 yard free-kick by May soars into the top corner! Brantwood have it all to do now.
19 - GOAL! Douglas tries a free-kick from a tough angle, the keeper saves but only onto the head of Amos who heads it in, what a match!
23 - Mays corner is headed wide by Nicholas.
30 - Douglas is booked for a push on Nicholas.
31 - Carlin is booked for impeding May.
32 - Clarkes corner is met by Nicholas but Howard makes the save.
32 - Homes is booked for bringing down Byles.
32 - May tries another long range free-kick but this one deflects behind for a corner.
36 - McCaffery shoots from distance but misses the target.
44 - Thompsons blocked shot falls into the path of Carlin whose diving header is weak and easily collected.
45 - Homes volleys it upfield for Amos who hits it over.
45+1 - Half time
2-0 down, worst possible start, we got one back though which we can hopefully at least level up in the 2nd half.
49 - RED CARD! Canham is brought down by Homes, and that is his 2nd yellow!
50 - May plays the free-kick across to Harpur who hits it well wide.
52 - Nicholas pushes Douglas and gets a yellow.
53 - Subuola shoots from distance, wide.
54 - Nicholson finds Amos who has a snap shot but it's over.
58 - GOAL! Dunne with a clever ball for Canham who finishes well to surely seal it for P.S.N.I.
66 - Smith is on for Nicholas.
67 - Byles finds Canham who tries again but this time Howard saves it.
70 - Canhams low cross is parried by Howard at the feet of Flood who somehow blazes it wide.
76 - O'Neills first-time cross finds Carlin who heads it wide.
77 - Floods free-kick picks out Dunne who heads just over.
78 - Mellon replaces Clarke.
78 - Devlin trips Subuola and is booked.
83 - Marshall is on to replace Flood.
83 - O'Neill upends McCaffery, yellow.
84 - Brantwood thought they had a lifeline, Daly sends a great ball for Amos who puts in a good finish but the flag is rightly up. McCullough is furious with the ref there.
87 - Canham sends Subuola through who rounds Howard but his shot is deflected and it's a corner.
89 - Douglas goes for a goal but puts it wide.
90+2 - Full time
Very disappointing, we never recovered from the red card which pretty much ended our hopes of this game, this card happy ref is seriously getting on my nerves. Promotion is now mathematically impossible.

P.S.N.I. 3-1 Brantwood

Ratings
GK: Howard (6.5)
RB: Devlin (6.0)
RCB: Thompson (7.0)
LCB: Homes (5.9) red 50
LB: Nicholson (6.8)
RM: Carlin (5.9)
RCM: McCullough (6.1)
LCM: Daly (6.5)
LM: O'Neill (6.1)
ST: Douglas (6.8)
ST: Amos (7.2)

Post-match press conference
Ricky McFall "Philip May had a great game, as shown by his man of the match award, what did you think of his performance."
Me "I don't think I've seen a better goal than his this season, he put in a good performance today."

[deltablue]

Just a little feedback. I know you do an update for each month but otherwise it's hard to comment every time you update on a match by match basis without seeing a bigger picture. As an example, obviously the last game was disappointing but can't really see how close you are to promotion (or relegation/title/playoffs/top half/wherever you aim to finish) as things get interesting so can you please mention where you are more often to give us a better understanding of how things are going? Thanks.

[ManUTactician247]

Just a little feedback. I know you do an update for each month but otherwise it's hard to comment every time you update on a match by match basis without seeing a bigger picture. As an example, obviously the last game was disappointing but can't really see how close you are to promotion (or relegation/title/playoffs/top half/wherever you aim to finish) as things get interesting so can you please mention where you are more often to give us a better understanding of how things are going? Thanks.

No problem, thanks for the feedback, right now the table looks like this

27 games played
1. Banbridge 58
2. Wakehurst 55
3. Knockbreda 48
4. Brantwood 43

So it was always unlikely and Wakehurst have been consistently winning and are having a strong end to the season so it was never likely.

[deltablue]

Thanks I had a feeling it was unlikely now but wasn't sure whether there was still a chance.

[ManUTactician247]

Thanks I had a feeling it was unlikely now but wasn't sure whether there was still a chance.

Not getting promotion was a slight disappointment but the team has certainly moved forward a long way from last season.

[ManUTactician247]

20/4/13 - Warrenpoint vs Brantwood (Northern Irish 2nd Division)

Squads
GK: George Howard.........|GK: Gerard Duff
RB: Scott McCullough......|RB: Ryan McLoughlin
RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: Ciaran Harper
LCB: Michael Roberts......|LCB: James Clarke
LB: Alex Nicholson£........|LB: Aswad Thomas
RM: Matthew Brown.......|RM: Andy McGrory
RCM: Emmet Templeton£.|RCM: Gary Reel
LCM: Wes Daly..............|LCM: Sam Jones
LM: Colin Tracey............|LM: Ryan Markey
ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Tony Smith
ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Danny Hawkins

Subs
Yilmaz Aksoy+......|Steven Maguire"£
Kevin Anderson.....|Sean Waters
Kevin O'Neill.........|Danny Rowe
Matt Boyd...........|Darren Henderson"
John McCarthy*...|Jamie Rooney

* - Makes/Could make league debut for his club.
+ - Makes/Could make senior debut.
" - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance.
£ - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance for his club.
Tony Smith hasn't scored in 432 minutes of football for Warrenpoint.

Preview: With no promotion to aim for, I guess we're playing for pride, needless to say I want a good performance.

6 - Douglas turns and shoots before hitting it over.
7 - Douglas picks up a slight knock and is replaced by Boyd.
11 - GOAL! Templeton picks up the ball in a great position, gives it to Amos who has a go and Duff makes a mess of it as it goes in.
14 - Templeton to Amos again but this time it is straight at Duff.
18 - Goal disallowed for Brantwood as Browns cross is dive-headed in by an offside Amos. No arguments from Brantwood.
20 - GOAL! Jones plays in Smith who places it past Howard to equalise.
34 - GOAL! Reel has a go from the edge of the box and it goes in off the inside of the post!
45+2 - A loose ball falls to Amos who strikes it against the cross-bar!
45+3 - Half time
Extremely disappointing to be behind, I'm putting my faith in youngster Howard but he seems incapable of stopping shots, hopefully we can recover in the 2nd half.
45 - Double sub at the break, Waters and Rowe for McGrory and Markey.
47 - Boyd is booked for a trip on Harper.
51 - Henderson comes on for Smith.
54 - Henderson sets up Hawkins from distance but hits it just wide.
56 - Nicholson trips Waters, yellow card.
61 - Rowe is tripped by Brown who is booked.
65 - Waters plays it through for Henderson who hits it well wide.
67 - Thomas' free-kick is headed straight at Howard by Henderson.
69 - Roberts has picked up a slight injury and is replaced by Anderson.
73 - RED CARD! The sub Boyd is off, he brings down Thomas and picks up his 2nd yellow.
90+3 - Amos is booked for a trip on Reel.
90+4 - Waters' cross is blocked into the path of Hawkins who must score but Howard makes the save.
90+4 - Full time
Disappointing performance, another defeat, another red card, this is not the end to the season I was hoping for. That takes us down to 5th.

Warrenpoint 2-1 Brantwood

Ratings
GK: Howard (6.6)
RB: McCullough (6.6)
RCB: Thompson (7.0)
LCB: Roberts (6.0) sub 70
LB: Nicholson (6.6)
RM: Brown (6.2)
RCM: Templeton (6.8)
LCM: Daly (6.6)
LM: Tracey (6.2)
ST: Douglas (N/A) sub 8
ST: Amos (7.5)

Subs
Boyd (6.0) sub 8 red 74
Anderson (6.7) sub 70

Post-match press conference
Ricky McFall "Gary Reels goal consigned you to defeat, what effect will losing like that have on the team?"
Me "Not a good one, it'll be a big blow, hopefully they can recover."

News
Again linked with 19th in League 2 AFC Wimbledon if their manager leaves.

[ManUTactician247]

April 2013 Update

Brantwood 2-0 Sport & Leisure (NI2D)
For us: Tracey (32), Douglas (57)

P.S.N.I. 3-1 Brantwood (NI2D)
For us: Amos (20), Homes (50)
For them: Flood (10), May (17), Canham (59)

Warrenpoint 2-1 Brantwood (NI2D)
For us: Amos (12), Boyd (74)
For them: Smith (21), Reel (35)

Summary: We're not exactly ending the season strongly, we started strongly with a professional win against Sport & Leisure before 2 early goals put us behind against PSNI, we looked like getting back in it before we were reduced to ten and they finished us off. We then took the lead at Warrenpoint but conceded twice more to put us behind before a red card put us down further. Promotion is impossible but I at least want to have a positive last two games.

[SRL88]

Anymore news on the AFC Wimbledon job?

[ManUTactician247]

4/5/13 - Brantwood vs Wakehurst (Northern Irish 2nd Division)

Pre-match press conference
Ricky McFall "Who do you think is the best to deal with the prolific Jaimes McKee."
Me "I'm hoping that Ashley (Homes) will do the job for us today."

Squads
GK: Daniel Ward*...........|GK: Stephen Flowers
RB: Andy Devlin.............|RB: George Moore
RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: Simon Ainge
LCB: Ashley Homes.........|LCB: Mark Liggett"£
LB: Alex Nicholson..........|LB: Joe McKee
RM: Matthew Brown.......|RM: Keith Murray
RCM: Scott McCullough...|RCM: Ryan Gregg
LCM: Emmet Templeton...|LCM: Richard Mellon
LM: Kevin O'Neill............|LM: Iain Edmunds
ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Jaimes McKee☼
ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Matthew Waters

Subs
George Howard.....|Russell Saunders
John McCarthy*...|Robert McAuley*
Colin Tracey........|Jamie Cook
Gerard Rooney.....|Chris Kerr
Kevin Anderson....|Connor Warren

* - Makes/Could make league debut for his club.
" - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance.
£ - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance for his club.
☼ - 1 goal to reach 25 league goals for his club.
Matthew Waters hasn't scored in 555 minutes of football for Wakehurst.

Preview: So I'm trying out my 4th different GK this season, hopefully the Welshman Ward impresses, a tough game but nothing to play for, nothing to lose.

5 - Greggs through ball picks out Murrays run from the right but he hits it over.
7 - Douglas swings in the free-kick and Thompson heads it wide.
29 - GOAL! Jaimes McKee finds Joe McKee in the box and he sticks it in for Wakehurst.
32 - O'Neill to Amos who turns and shoots but Flowers catches well.
35 - GOAL! This time it's the other McKee, Jaimes who converts after Murrays low cross.
44 - PENALTY! Edmunds sends in the cross and Nicholson pushes Waters, penalty for Wakehurst. Devlin is furious with the decision.
45 - GOAL! Gregg drills it into the corner, what an embarrassment from Brantwood today.
45+2 - Half time
Terrible, just terrible, I'd rather not get further into it.
48 - Mellon plays it to Jaimes McKee who turns and shoots but over.
51 - Rooney is on to replace Amos.
56 - Jaimes McKee turns into the box and shoots but puts it wide.
65 - Mellon is forced off injured and replaced by Cook.
71 - McAuley and Warren replace Liggett and Edmunds.
75 - Wakehurst counter with Jaimes McKee finding Waters who blazes it wide.
86 - Douglas is booked for a trip on Warren.
89 - McAuley to Jaimes McKee who can turn and shoot but Ward turns it around for a corner.
90+2 - Full time
A terrible performance, thank goodness it's coming to the end of the season because 3 defeats in a row is simply unacceptable and the manner of the defeat was not at all pleasing either . That takes us all the way down to 7th.

Brantwood 0-3 Wakehurst

Ratings
GK: Ward (6.4)
RB: Devlin (6.1)
RCB: Thompson (6.6)
LCB: Homes (6.7)
LB: Nicholson (5.5)
RM: Brown (6.1)
RCM: McCullough (5.3)
LCM: Templeton (6.5)
LM: O'Neill (6.0)
ST: Douglas (6.4)
ST: Amos (6.6) sub 52

Sub
Rooney (6.6) sub 52

News
The Brantwood board have offered me a 1 year contract for an extra £40 a week so I now earn £230 per week. I have faith we can do better.

[ManUTactician247]

Anymore news on the AFC Wimbledon job?

I doubt it will ever come up, it's one of those where I would be considered if the manager leaves at the end of the season and it doesn't seem likely.

[deltablue]

Pity the season's ending so badly.

[ManUTactician247]

7/5/13 - Annagh Utd vs Brantwood (Northern Irish 2nd Division)

Pre-match press conference
Ricky McFall "Some say a defensive approach is best, do you agree?"
Me "No I do not, who are these people anyway?"

Squads
GK: George Howard.........|GK: Sean Morgan
RB: Andy Devlin.............|RB: Anthony Snook
RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: Mark Hamilton
LCB: Ashley Homes.........|LCB: Patsy Malone
LB: Alex Nicholson..........|LB: Johnny Lindsay
RM: Gareth Green...........|RM: Gary Dodds
RCM: Scott McCullough...|RCM: Michael Doran
LCM: Wes Daly..............|LCM: Sam Cox
LM: Colin Tracey............|LM: Tony Taggart
ST: Eoin Boyle...............|ST: Ashley Yeoman
ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Domonic Samuel

Subs
Yilmaz Aksoy+......|Stefan Hutchinson
Kevin Anderson.....|Kealan Dillon
Ryan Carlin...........|Ashley Gregg
Joe Finlay............|Tony McQuade
Michael McCartney|Adam Robinson

+ - Makes/Could make senior debut.

Preview: We've been on terrible form but it's the last day against an already relegated Annagh Utd, surely we can at least draw this one!

2 - GOAL! Doran to Yeoman who is allowed to turn and shoot... and score.
9 - Taggart fires his free-kick wide.
26 - McCullough goes for goal but it's over.
29 - Taggart gets into the box and shoots but straight at Howard.
29 - Nicholson finds Boyle who goes for goal and the keeper makes a great save.
35 - Taggarts free-kick from range goes wide.
38 - Boyle picks up a knock and Brantwood decide to replace him with Finlay.
45+5 - Half time
Well it looks like we can't even draw this one, how terrible, what a shame after such a good season to throw it away with a terrible last few games.
45 - All subs have been used by Annagh, Gregg, McQuade and Robinson are on for an injured Snook, Malone and Samuel.
50 - Goal disallowed for Brantwood, Daly with a great ball for Tracey who drills it home but it's offside, looks like the wrong call there
60 - Finlay shoots from distance but it is a poor effort.
65 - Tracey brings it down and shoots from a tight angle but smashes it over.
73 - Nicholson cuts inside and shoots but it hits the outside of the post.
74 - Daly picks up an injury which Brantwood choose to react to by bringing Carlin on for him.
78 - Brantwood break quickly and Amos finds Tracey but he hits it wide.
79 - Taggarts free-kick goes over.
86 - Lindsay is booked for tripping Green.
87 - Yeoman goes for goal from distance and Howard makes a good save.
88 - Taggarts cross is met by Robinson but it's straight at Howard.
90+3 - Full time
We lost yet again... but at least we played a bit better in the 2nd half, that means after being 4th a few games ago our final position is 8th.

Annagh Utd 1-0 Brantwood

Ratings
GK: Howard (6.6)
RB: Devlin (6.7)
RCB: Thompson (6.7)
LCB: Homes (5.9)
LB: Nicholson (6.7)
RM: Green (6.6)
RCM: McCullough (6.8)
LCM: Daly (6.6) sub 75
LM: Tracey (6.7)
ST: Boyle (6.3) sub 39
ST: Amos (6.0)

Subs
Finlay (6.7) sub 39
Carlin (6.9) sub 75

Post-match press conference
Ricky McFall "What is this poor run going to affect in terms of the players?"
Me "Its difficult to see when our next win is but that's because it's the end of the season

[ManUTactician247]

Pity the season's ending so badly.

Yeah, it has been a complete disaster, it took us from a very good 4th to a slightly better than last season 8th.