[FM10] When The Saints Go Marching In - Crouchy's Mighty Saints Save!

[crouchaldinho]

END OF NOVEMBER 2009 SUMMARY:

Blue Square South Standings:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team               |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   |       | Woking             |       | 19    | 11    | 6     | 2     | 28    | 15    | +13   | 39    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   |       | Weston-super-Mare  |       | 19    | 11    | 4     | 4     | 31    | 14    | +17   | 37    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Dover              |       | 20    | 10    | 7     | 3     | 28    | 15    | +13   | 37    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Newport Co         |       | 18    | 10    | 2     | 6     | 32    | 20    | +12   | 32    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | Bromley            |       | 19    | 8     | 8     | 3     | 22    | 12    | +10   | 32    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 6th   |       | Staines            |       | 19    | 9     | 4     | 6     | 29    | 21    | +8    | 31    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
[b]| 7th   |       | St. Albans         |       | 19    | 9     | 4     | 6     | 24    | 19    | +5    | 31    |[/b] 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 8th   |       | Dorchester         |       | 19    | 8     | 6     | 5     | 25    | 18    | +7    | 30    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 9th   |       | Chelmsford         |       | 19    | 8     | 4     | 7     | 22    | 19    | +3    | 28    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 10th  |       | Basingstoke        |       | 20    | 6     | 9     | 5     | 23    | 19    | +4    | 27    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 11th  |       | Havant & W         |       | 19    | 7     | 6     | 6     | 24    | 21    | +3    | 27    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 12th  |       | Thurrock           |       | 19    | 6     | 7     | 6     | 19    | 20    | -1    | 25    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 13th  |       | Bath               |       | 19    | 6     | 7     | 6     | 20    | 23    | -3    | 25    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 14th  |       | Eastleigh          |       | 19    | 6     | 4     | 9     | 26    | 30    | -4    | 22    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 15th  |       | Bishop's Stortford |       | 19    | 7     | 1     | 11    | 20    | 29    | -9    | 22    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 16th  |       | Worcester          |       | 19    | 4     | 9     | 6     | 16    | 22    | -6    | 21    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 17th  |       | Maidenhead         |       | 19    | 4     | 8     | 7     | 25    | 25    | 0     | 20    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 18th  |       | Braintree          |       | 19    | 5     | 4     | 10    | 17    | 27    | -10   | 19    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 19th  |       | Lewes              |       | 18    | 4     | 5     | 9     | 12    | 23    | -11   | 17    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 20th  |       | Hampton & Richmond |       | 19    | 3     | 8     | 8     | 11    | 23    | -12   | 17    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 21st  |       | Weymouth           |       | 19    | 4     | 5     | 10    | 15    | 31    | -16   | 17    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 22nd  |       | Welling            |       | 19    | 1     | 6     | 12    | 13    | 36    | -23   | 9     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

First Team Squad Statistics (all competitions):

| Pkd   | Inf   | Name               | Apps  | Gls   | Ast   | MoM   | Av Rat| Age   | Nat   | Value | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| GK    | PR    | Paul Bastock       | 25    | -     | 1     | -     | 6.64  | 39    | ENG   | £1K   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DR    |       | Justin Clayton     | 24    | 1     | 1     | 1     | 6.83  | 20    | ENG   | £1K   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DL    | PR    | Peter Smith        | 14    | 1     | 1     | -     | 6.96  | 24    | ENG   | £8K   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DC    | PR    | Andy Duncan        | 16 (3)| -     | -     | 1     | 6.70  | 32    | ENG   | £5K   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DC    | Rsv   | Ryan Carolan       | 9     | -     | -     | 1     | 7.11  | 20    | IRL   | £50K  | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DMC   | PR    | Godfrey Poku       | 17 (3)| 1     | 3     | -     | 6.93  | 19    | ENG   | £28K  | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DMC   | Loa   | Solomon Shields    | 21    | -     | 3     | 1     | 6.73  | 20    | ENG   | £55K  | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| AMR   | PR    | Gary Cohen         | 18 (3)| 2     | 5     | 1     | 6.59  | 25    | ENG   | £8K   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| AML   | Loa   | Jonathan O'Donnell | 4 (2) | 1     | 1     | -     | 6.78  | 18    | ENG   | £40K  | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| AMC   | Inj   | Jason Norville     | 9 (5) | 6     | 1     | -     | 6.75  | 26    | TRI   | £8K   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| ST    | PR    | Paul Hakim         | 17 (3)| 8     | 3     | 1     | 6.88  | 27    | ENG   | £20K  | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S1    | PR    | Ryan Frater        | 2 (4) | -     | -     | -     | 6.66  | 24    | ENG   | £5K   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S2    | PR    | James Quilter      | 10 (7)| -     | -     | -     | 6.75  | 26    | ENG   | £5K   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S3    | Inj   | Danny Williams     | 11 (4)| 4     | 3     | 2     | 6.91  | 28    | ENG   | £3.5K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S4    |       | Chris Sullivan     | 12 (9)| 2     | 3     | 1     | 6.65  | 22    | ENG   | £2.5K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S5    | Rsv   | James Lindie       | 7 (3) | 3     | -     | 1     | 6.88  | 19    | ENG   | £20K  | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S6    | Inj   | James Fisher       | 22 (1)| 2     | 1     | 3     | 7.22  | 25    | ENG   | £3K   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S7    | Rsv   | Adam Everitt       | 12 (2)| -     | 1     | 1     | 7.06  | 27    | ENG   | £1.5K | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Mark Peters 7/7    | 0 (4) | -     | 1     | -     | 6.85  | 37    | WAL   | -     | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Drew Roberts       | 10    | 1     | 1     | -     | 6.50  | 26    | ENG   | -     | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Inj   | Jake Beecroft      | 4 (11)| -     | 2     | -     | 6.84  | 20    | ENG   | £18K  | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Michael Emery      | -     | -     | -     | -     | -     | 19    | ENG   | -     | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Angus McLachlan    | 6 (6) | 1     | -     | -     | 6.65  | 21    | AUS   | £2K   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Lamine Sagna       | 4 (3) | 1     | -     | -     | 6.08  | 21    | SEN   | -     | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

[Almondo]

NIce one on hitting up the 3rd round of the FA Cup. It's always a big thing getting past those first and second rounds. Also unlucky with the FA Trophy and the two away losses there.

[AcidBurn]

Well done Crouchy that is brilliant. People can say what they want about the FA Cup but as you say in real life and on the game matches like that are what makes it such a great competition. Bring on Bolton would be magical to grab a draw and go to the Reebok for a replay although that would be a very tall order.

Just out of curiosity how are your AMC and ST set up, I have been using an AMC and ST with great attacking effectiveness. Seems it's the best formation to use upfront.

Good luck with the FA Cup Crouchy I will be eagerly awaiting that result.

[crouchaldinho]

Cheers guys.

Almondo, I see you managed to get the third round as a BSP side. You know how tricky it is. You need luck of the draw and to perform way above expectations for one or two matches. We were lucky with the draw but also beating Stockport County was pretty special in my eyes.

Acidburn, I'm using an advanced forward (attack), with an attacking midfielder (support) behind him at the moment.

As for the Bolton game, I'll just be looking for the team to perform well. I doubt we'll get anything out of it. As you say, a replay would be amazing, and bring in some much needed funds, but I'm not going to be holding my breath!

[AcidBurn]

I am just looking forward to seeing how you approach the game sit back or attack. Your teams goals seem to be spread out do you prefer this or would you like to have 2 main goalscorers you can rely on?

[crouchaldinho]

I couldn't tell you how I'm going to approach it. I've no idea at the moment! I will have to have a big think before the game. I will describe my choices in detail on here though!

Team goals are quite spread out but I think this has quite a lot to do with the way I have been rotating players quite a bit. Now that we're out of the Trophy, and have a break from the FA Cup, I'm hoping to settle the team a little bit more. My idea is to try to keep us in touch with the play-offs for as long as possible and hopefully as the team gels at the end of the season, we might push on and have a chance of getting up there and challenging for a place.

As for goalscorers, well, that's a problem St. Albans City have had in real life all season long, so it looks as though the researcher has done a good job here (whoever he is! ) I expect Paul Hakim to hit around 20 league goals and to probably be the main source of goals. Jason Norville, a new signing, seems to be pretty good at scoring important goals coming in from his deep position in the hole, so that's good too. I also expect the wide players to chip in with a few. We'll see how it goes.

It's quite an attacking line-up in a way. I've got three from Danny Williams, Jason Norville, Gary Cohen and JJ O'Donnell to play behind Paul Hakim. The main problem we will have is lack of depth really, as the backups like McLachlan, Sullivan and Sagna aren't good enough. Whether they will improve in the future, I don't know, but I think it will be a major target to strengthen the depth of the squad for next season. We've got quite a strong spine to the team though, so that is pleasing.

[hrbfcrule]

Congratz on getting to the FA Cup 3rd Round and maybe further who knows.

Great win against Stockport

[iacovone]

My time has been so sparse on these forums lately I even missed the beginning of your Saints career Crouchy

I'll catch up on your progress over the course of the week, but hope its going well and Paul Hakim is doing the business for you

That Eastern European save will be shelved for the time being . Damn work, dammit it to hell

[Cardiovascular]

Fantastic work here crouchy - great layout as well for your updates which are easy to read.

Fantastic progress with the Saints - will the FA Cup 3rd Round game be a keep the score respectable one, or will you look to win it?

[crouchaldinho]

Congratz on getting to the FA Cup 3rd Round and maybe further who knows.

Great win against Stockport

Thanks for that hrbfcrule!

My time has been so sparse on these forums lately I even missed the beginning of your Saints career Crouchy

I can't believe it.

I'll catch up on your progress over the course of the week, but hope its going well and Paul Hakim is doing the business for you

Don't worry, I will sort Paul Hakim out.

That Eastern European save will be shelved for the time being. Damn work, dammit it to hell

Real life getting in the way of FM again then?

Fantastic work here crouchy - great layout as well for your updates which are easy to read.

Fantastic progress with the Saints - will the FA Cup 3rd Round game be a keep the score respectable one, or will you look to win it?

Cheers Cardiovascular. Thanks for the kind comments.

As for the 3rd Round game against Bolton, it'll surely be a case of keeping the scoreline respectable!

[williamshankley]

Great Work Crouchy. I think it'll be about 4-0 to Bolton, but who knows with the Magic of the F.A Cup

[crouchaldinho]

Thanks for your optimism williamshankley!

[Cardiovascular]

Honestly don't know why I put 'go out to win it' because I certainly wasn't thinking it!

At least the Saints will go marching in and out with their heads held high!

[bobatwal]

Crouchy

Are you going to do a bulid up with fans thoughts and then the match your team talk etc

Good luck

[crouchaldinho]

Not sure yet bobatwal. Don't worry though, there will be lots of writing about it! There always is with me.

[crouchaldinho]

TRANSFER NEWS AT CLARENCE PARK

St. Albans City announce the signing of Craig Calver from Southend United.

This guy had previously been on loan with us during this season. When I saw that he was transfer listed, I took the chance of making a £0 bid and was delighted when it was accepted and we agreed terms.

As you can see from the screenshot above, Calver is a decent looking striker at this level, and still very young so should continue improve.

Great signing, I think.

Unfortunately, I had to let Drew Roberts go in order to find the wages for this signing. Drew hadn't really impressed for me in his 9 appearances this season and I don't have a place for him in the first team right now.

[iacovone]

real life is the worst thing ever

i'll try to keep an eye on the Saints, KUTGW Crouchy

[crouchaldinho]

Hope you are back among us soon Iacovone.

I tell you one thing about this save and that is it is very quick indeed. It feels effortless to play.

Any future saves may well see me going back to just loading leagues from one country in the future. It just feels so much more accessible and speedy on my machine. A few clicks on continue and you are really to play the next game!

[EvilDave]

Hope you are back among us soon Iacovone.

I tell you one thing about this save and that is it is very quick indeed. It feels effortless to play.

Any future saves may well see me going back to just loading leagues from one country in the future. It just feels so much more accessible and speedy on my machine. A few clicks on continue and you are really to play the next game!

Amen to that Crouchy Just popping in to say I'm following, and to congratulate you on the update so far. You can tell from reading just how much you're enjoying playing as your team, the level of detail is great. Hope the Bolton game goes well (or as well as it can!), good luck for the rest of the season!

[crouchaldinho]

Thanks EvilDave.

Yes, as much as I love all manner of different saves on FM, there is nothing quite like playing with your favourite club!

[AcidBurn]

Please don't keep us waiting too long for the Bolton game Crouchy.

[WH]

Good progress in the league

Isn't the F.A. cup great, especially for non league clubs. The big clubs hope for an easy game in the 3rd round and us non league supporters hope for the biggest club possible to play against. The fact that an away tie against a Man Utd will fund the club for a couple of seasons is always a good incentive.

[crouchaldinho]

Please don't keep us waiting too long for the Bolton game Crouchy.

I'll try not to!

Been a busy week so not had much FM time.

Should at least have an update tonight. I'm itching to get to the Bolton game!

Good progress in the league

Isn't the F.A. cup great, especially for non league clubs. The big clubs hope for an easy game in the 3rd round and us non league supporters hope for the biggest club possible to play against. The fact that an away tie against a Man Utd will fund the club for a couple of seasons is always a good incentive.

Thanks for the comments WH.

I always love the early rounds of FA Cup in real life. Terrific entertainment and always an underdog to cheer on!

[Nobby_McDonald]

I'll try not to!

Been a busy week so not had much FM time.

Should at least have an update tonight. I'm itching to get to the Bolton game!

Thanks for the comments WH.

I always love the early rounds of FA Cup in real life. Terrific entertainment and always an underdog to cheer on!

Especially when Chasetown beat Port Vale and then took the lead against Cardiff in Round 3 a couple of seasons back.

[crouchaldinho]

UPDATE FOR DECEMBER 2009:

SAINTS 3 – 0 Basingstoke Town (Blue Square South)

This was an utterly dominant performance against the mid-table side.

Paul Hakim gave us an early lead before JJ O’Donnell doubled it after half-an-hour.

Hakim pretty much ended all chances of a ‘Stoke comeback just before half-time and we more or less cruised through the second-half.

City scorers: Paul Hakim x 2 & JJ O’Donnell.

City MoM: Paul Hakim.

Attendance at Clarence Park: 318.

SAINTS 0 – 0 Chelmsford City (Blue Square South)

This was always going to be a tough game against one of the promotion favourites.

The pleasing thing is that we were on top and definitely edged it. If games were awarded on points then they would have been ours today. Alas, unfortunately they aren’t, and we just couldn’t find the back of the net. Good performance though.

City scorers: None.

City MoM: Defender Ryan Carolan.

Attendance at Clarence Park: 370.

Dover Athletic 2 – 0 SAINTS (Blue Square South)

New signing Craig Calver came in for his first game since signing for us. It was a day to forget for him as he played really poorly.

The worst thing about this game was that we really deserved at least a draw. We dominated possession with Sol Shields and Godfrey Poku bossing the midfield. We also create more than them but it just wasn’t to be.

They are a very strong side and one of the promotion candidates so we can’t feel too disappointed here. Another good performance without the result coming our way.

City scorers: None.

City MoM: Godfrey Poku.

Attendance at the Crabble: 1038.

Maidenhead United 2 – 2 SAINTS (Blue Square South)

Mid-table Maidenhead gave us a really tough game here.

We went ahead early on through a Paul Hakim wonder goal. This was probably the best goal I have seen on this version of FM.

Hakim picked up the ball inside his own half on the edge of the centre-circle. He then advanced with the ball into the opposition half, darting between their number 9 and number 5, and swerving past the latter player. With a turn of pace, Hakim advanced on the Maidenhead ‘keeper and then slotted it perfectly underneath him and sent his shot into the bottom corner of the net. Absolutely perfect.

The joy was short-lived though as Maidenhead pulled level around 10 minutes later.

In the second-half, Maidenhead took the lead with 20 minutes left to play. We pushed forward, switched to 4-2-4 and tried everything to get level. Chris Sullivan grabbed an equaliser in the 89th minute to save a point.

We were good value for the point and arguably should have got more from the game.

City scorers: Paul Hakim & Chris Sullivan.

City MoM: Paul Hakim.

Attendance at York Road: 213.

SAINTS 1 – 0 Welling United (Blue Square South)

With the Christmas fixture congestion and that all important FA Cup tie coming up in early January, I decided to rotate for this game. We were still largely dominant and fully deserved to take the three points.

Chris Sullivan popped up with the only goal of the game in the first 10 minutes. The freshness of the players coming in really helped us here and we punished the Wings for their poor condition. An important win for us.

City scorers: Chris Sullivan.

City MoM: Chris Sullivan.

Attendance at York Road: 284 (SI really need to work on Christmas attendances!)

SAINTS 0 –0 Maidenhead United (Blue Square South)

With the FA Cup tie against Bolton coming up in a couple of days, I took the decision to rest key players. You might think I’m mad to rest players for a winnable league game in order to save them for a game which is almost impossible to win. Maybe I am a little crazy but I want to put in the best performance we can in the FA Cup Third Round for our fans to be proud of!

In the end, this was the dullest of dullest games. A draw was always the most likely result. Our weakened team defended well but never looked like scoring.

We had a let off deep into injury time, in the 94th minute of the game, when Paul Bastock had to save from the penalty spot to keep it at 0-0. Luckily for us, he managed to save it and get the ball away, ensuring that we took a point from this match.

City scorers: None.

City MoM: Andy Duncan.

Attendance at Clarence Park: 303.

Manager Comments for December:

The month started promisingly but went downhill towards the end. 9 points from 6 games isn’t too bad considering that we had one eye on our cup tie for half of those fixtures. This return will need to improve though if we want to challenge for the play-offs.

Next up, it’s FA Cup Third Round time!

[crouchaldinho]

END OF DECEMBER 2009 SUMMARY:

Blue Square South Standings:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team               |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   |       | Woking             |       | 24    | 13    | 8     | 3     | 34    | 19    | +15   | 47    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   |       | Weston-super-Mare  |       | 24    | 13    | 6     | 5     | 37    | 19    | +18   | 45    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Newport Co         |       | 24    | 13    | 3     | 8     | 36    | 24    | +12   | 42    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Dover              |       | 25    | 11    | 9     | 5     | 32    | 22    | +10   | 42    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | Chelmsford         |       | 24    | 12    | 5     | 7     | 30    | 21    | +9    | 41    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 6th   |       | Staines            |       | 24    | 11    | 7     | 6     | 37    | 27    | +10   | 40    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
[b]| 7th   |       | St. Albans         |       | 25    | 11    | 7     | 7     | 30    | 23    | +7    | 40    | [/b]
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 8th   |       | Bromley            |       | 24    | 10    | 8     | 6     | 30    | 18    | +12   | 38    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 9th   |       | Dorchester         |       | 24    | 10    | 7     | 7     | 31    | 24    | +7    | 37    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 10th  |       | Havant & W         |       | 24    | 9     | 7     | 8     | 28    | 26    | +2    | 34    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 11th  |       | Thurrock           |       | 24    | 8     | 9     | 7     | 23    | 22    | +1    | 33    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 12th  |       | Basingstoke        |       | 25    | 7     | 11    | 7     | 27    | 24    | +3    | 32    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 13th  |       | Eastleigh          |       | 24    | 9     | 5     | 10    | 32    | 37    | -5    | 32    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 14th  |       | Maidenhead         |       | 25    | 6     | 12    | 7     | 32    | 28    | +4    | 30    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 15th  |       | Braintree          |       | 24    | 7     | 7     | 10    | 19    | 27    | -8    | 28    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 16th  |       | Bath               |       | 24    | 6     | 9     | 9     | 25    | 32    | -7    | 27    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 17th  |       | Lewes              |       | 24    | 6     | 8     | 10    | 22    | 28    | -6    | 26    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 18th  |       | Bishop's Stortford |       | 24    | 8     | 2     | 14    | 27    | 38    | -11   | 26    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 19th  |       | Worcester          |       | 24    | 4     | 11    | 9     | 16    | 27    | -11   | 23    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 20th  |       | Hampton & Richmond |       | 24    | 4     | 9     | 11    | 15    | 29    | -14   | 21    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 21st  |       | Weymouth           |       | 24    | 4     | 6     | 14    | 15    | 37    | -22   | 18    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 22nd  |       | Welling            |       | 24    | 3     | 6     | 15    | 18    | 44    | -26   | 15    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

First Team Squad Statistics (all competitions):

| Pkd   | Inf   | Name               | Apps    | Gls   | Ast   | MoM   | Av Rat| Age   | Nat   | Value | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| GK    |       | Paul Bastock       | 31      | -     | 1     | -     | 6.66  | 39    | ENG   | -     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DR    |       | James Fisher       | 26 (1)  | 2     | 1     | 3     | 7.18  | 25    | ENG   | £7K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DL    |       | Peter Smith        | 18      | 1     | 1     | -     | 6.96  | 24    | ENG   | £8K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DC    | Rsv   | Justin Clayton     | 25      | 1     | 1     | 1     | 6.84  | 20    | ENG   | £1K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DC    |       | Ryan Carolan       | 14      | -     | -     | 2     | 7.05  | 20    | IRL   | £35K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DMC   | PR    | Godfrey Poku       | 21 (3)  | 1     | 5     | -     | 7.04  | 19    | ENG   | £28K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DMC   |       | Solomon Shields    | 25      | -     | 4     | 1     | 6.75  | 20    | ENG   | £55K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| AMR   |       | Danny Williams     | 15 (6)  | 4     | 4     | 2     | 6.90  | 28    | ENG   | £3K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| AML   | Loa   | Jonathan O'Donnell | 8 (4)   | 2     | 1     | -     | 6.78  | 18    | ENG   | £40K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| AMC   |       | Jason Norville     | 10 (5)  | 6     | 1     | -     | 6.76  | 26    | TRI   | £8K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| ST    | PR    | Paul Hakim         | 21 (4)  | 11    | 3     | 2     | 6.95  | 27    | ENG   | £20K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S1    |       | James Quilter      | 11 (10) | -     | -     | -     | 6.73  | 26    | ENG   | £5K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S2    |       | Jake Beecroft      | 6 (12)  | -     | 2     | -     | 6.84  | 20    | ENG   | £20K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S3    |       | Gary Cohen         | 22 (5)  | 2     | 5     | 1     | 6.59  | 25    | ENG   | £8K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S4    |       | Chris Sullivan     | 14 (11) | 4     | 3     | 2     | 6.69  | 22    | ENG   | £2.5K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S5    |       | Craig Calver       | 3       | -     | 1     | -     | 6.20  | 18    | ENG   | £65K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S6    |       | Andy Duncan        | 22 (3)  | -     | -     | 2     | 6.70  | 32    | ENG   | £5K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S7    | Rsv   | Angus McLachlan    | 7 (6)   | 1     | 1     | -     | 6.73  | 21    | AUS   | £2K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Mark Peters 7/7    | 1 (4)   | -     | 1     | -     | 6.92  | 37    | WAL   | -     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Adam Everitt       | 14 (2)  | -     | 1     | 1     | 7.04  | 27    | ENG   | £1.5K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | PR    | Ryan Frater        | 4 (6)   | -     | -     | -     | 6.67  | 25    | ENG   | £1K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Inj   | James Lindie       | 8 (6)   | 3     | -     | 1     | 6.80  | 19    | ENG   | £1.5K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

[crouchaldinho]

I forgot to add that Godfrey Poku got the Blue Square South Player of the Month award.

Special FA Cup report coming up next!

[crouchaldinho]

FA CUP THIRD ROUND UPDATE

SAINTS 0 – 3 Bolton Wanderers (FA Cup Third Round)

St. Albans was gripped by FA Cup fever and a full capacity crowd of 6,000 was expected at Clarence Park for this match that would go down in history as the first FA Cup Third Round tie that the Saints have ever contested.

Before the match, I was told that the Saints were facing the impossible. During the pre-match press conference, I was quite optimistic about our chances, suggesting that we had a chance. This didn’t go down well with the players. :o

To be honest, I wasn’t too nervous about this game. I was far more nervous before the Stockport County game because I felt that we could win that and make some history. Now we are here against Bolton Wanderers, I feel as though we have reached the pinnacle for our little club, and I’m not expecting too much really.

Before the game, I was thinking a goal would be nice and to just keep them out for as long as possible. I really wanted to keep the score below 3 or 4 goals and if we could get a goal of our own to thrill our fans, then that would be enough for me.

Prior to the match, I had some tough decisions to make. The team more or less picked itself, to be honest, with the exception of defender Andy Duncan who was not fit enough to start. Justin Clayton would come in for him. But basically the rest of the team picked itself and I had no problem with this aspect of preparation. The main decisions I had to make were tactical and motivational, and I had no idea about either.

My scout report told me that Bolton play a defensive 4-4-2 and that their defence is a little slow and might be exposed by pace. I knew that Bolton would likely change their tactics today against us so I didn’t pay too much attention to this. I did decide, however, that we would start off by attacking them. My idea was to play quick tempo, attacking football, and to try to take the game to them early on. If we were going to get a goal then I felt it would have to come early in the match, thus I decided to have a real go at them for the first 15 minutes and see where we were after that. I would then likely become more defensive and play on the counter.

As for motivation, I couldn’t decided whether to tell my players the pressure was off or whether to try to get them really up for it by telling them to do it for the fans. In the end, I decided the latter. I wanted to get the players fired up and felt that saying ‘no pressure’ would give the wrong impression. I told a few players that I had faith in them and also asked key player Paul Hakim for a performance (‘expect a performance’) hoping that this would spur him on to grab us a goal.

Much to my surprise, we held our own for the first 15 minutes, so I decided to keep attacking. We were playing some decent stuff without ever really getting close to their goal.

We kept the score at 0-0 until the half hour mark when Kevin Davies grabbed a goal for Bolton. He ran onto a through-ball and got into the area before slamming a powerful shot home past Paul Bastock.

Vladimir Weiss double their lead quickly afterwards. A 45 yard pass to Weiss saw him get behind his fullback and he managed to get a shot away to score their second of the game.

Getting us into half-time without conceding any more was the priority now and we immediately became more defensive. The half-time whistle was a relief.

At half-time, I gave a really mixed talk. Some players I was more or less happy with, while others were disappointing me. I took the opportunity to bring on Gary Cohen for the second-half hoping that he might be able to improve our service from the wide positions.

The team seemed fired up for the second-half. I decided to play on the counter-attack, feeling that we might still be able to snatch a goal. Again, we held our own for a while without really ever threatening the goal. It was all long shots or nice passing moves that broke down.

In the end, Kevin Davies got his second, and Bolton’s third, meeting a fine cross from the left with a powerful header at the back post. Game well and truly over.

The real disappointment here was that we didn’t really create much. We totally restricted Bolton’s chances and we also kept the ball really well and had more possession. But we were restricted to a few long shots and barely threatened to score a goal.

Still, the object of the exercise was to keep the scoreline respectable and we did that at least in front of a capacity crowd at Clarence Park.

Match report

An amusing message suggesting that we were expected to be among the challengers for the cup! :confused:

Line ups

Match stats

We also made some money from this cup tie but not as much as I had hoped. I guess we paid the price of having to play it at home rather than away where there would have been more gate receipts to share.

Overall, I’m proud of the achievement and so were the fans.

City scorers: None.

City MoM: Fullback Peter Smith.

Attendance at Clarence Park: 6,000.

 

[hrbfcrule]

As usual great updates:thup:

unlucky on the fa cup 3rd round loss

[crouchaldinho]

Cheers hrbfcrule.

In a way, it is a relief to be out of the cups now. We really need to concentrate on the league.

We haven't been at our best in the league but some of the other teams have been poor too. I have the feeling that we could be in the play-off positions if we hadn't had the distraction of the cup (not that I wouldn't have wanted it because I loved being in the Third Round!)

We now have the opportunity to push on and to try to get a play-off spot. That would be a great achievement this season. We'll see how it goes.

[crouchaldinho]

By the way, there was 111 league places between us and Bolton.

[bobatwal]

wow that is a little, unlucky Crouchy

[crouchaldinho]

UPDATE FOR JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2010:

Havant & Waterlooville 2 – 0 SAINTS (Blue Square South)

I’m calling this an FA Cup hangover.

We were just awful here against the mid-table side. We went behind to a penalty in the first-half and then scored an own goal through Peter Smith to seal the deal for Havant & Waterlooville.

It was just a day to forget for us. Confidence isn’t so good now and we really need to get the side settled and pick up where we left off in the league.

City scorers: None.

City MoM: Ryan Carolan.

Attendance at Westleigh Park: 416.

SAINTS 2 – 1 Dorchester Town (Blue Square South)

We made this as difficult as possible for ourselves.

All seemed to be going well when we took the lead through Paul Hakim on 24 minutes. However, Gary Cohen managed to get himself sent off before the half was up.

In the second-half we managed to concede a penalty early on and the Magpies levelled the score.

Dorchester looked like they were going to keep us out even as we switched to an attacking 4-3-2 formation. Paul Hakim had other ideas though and he finished off a lovely team move as we headed towards the last 10 minutes of the game. We held on for a most important win.

City scorers: Paul Hakim x 2.

City MoM: Paul Hakim.

Attendance at Clarence Park: 329.

Newport County 2 – 1 SAINTS (Blue Square South)

The Exiles are one of the favourites for the title and so it was always going to be a tough game here.

The disappointing thing is that we were probably worth a draw here. We bossed possession, equalled them on chances and I think we would have been good value for a point.

They scored quick two goals after half-an-hour. Here comes the disappointing part. They were both very soft goals and our ‘keeper should have done better.

I’ve noticed that Paul Bastock has been in decline over the last few months, especially in physical terms and particularly his agility. He is 39 years old. Unfortunately, he always declines quickly on Football Manager, whereas in real life old Bazza probably has quite a few seasons left in him!

Anyway, the goals we conceded confirmed to me that I should be looking for a new ‘keeper. I wanted to get Bazza through a whole season but we haven’t quite managed that. Still, he will have played the majority of games.

Back to the match, and Jason Norville pulled one back for us from the penalty spot just before half-time. Unfortunately, in the second-half, we never looked like pulling level, although we had a few chances.

Disappointing but we really need to move on. I’m looking for a little bit of a run to come along now as our form is all over the place.

City scorers: Jason Norville (pen).

City MoM: Sol Shields.

Attendance at the Newport Stadium: 827.

SAINTS 2 – 1 Bath City (Blue Square South)

It’s the derby of the Roman cities. Verulamium versus Aquae Sulis!

It was a really tight game here against Bath City. We just about edged it but Bath will be disappointed that they didn’t take at least a point.

Paul Hakim gave us an early lead and Chris Sullivan doubled it late in the second-half. Bath pulled one back in the last minute of the game but it was no more than a consolation.

A good win and perhaps a turning point now. I feel that a good run of form is just around the corner.

City scorers: Paul Hakim & Chris Sullivan.

City MoM: Paul Hakim.

Attendance at Clarence Park: 325.

SAINTS LOSE PAUL HAKIM TO INJURY. HAKS WILL BE OUT FOR UP TO 8 WEEKS WITH STRAINED KNEE LIGAMENTS.

TRANSFER UPDATE:

As we came to the end of January, I managed to do a bit of business in the transfer market to strengthen the team.

First of all, I released striker Lamine Sagna, who had made 7 appearances for the club this season, scoring 1 goal in the FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round. The striker was on big wages and wasn’t playing, so he had to go. This freed up some funds for new signings.

I brought in a couple of young centre-backs on the cheap to start off with. You won’t hear much about Laurence Gaughan and Simon Dunn to begin with as they are signings for the future. They wanted next to nothing in wages so this was a good deal.

Next up, I brought in Nathan Silver, a young goalkeeper from Oxford United. He is intended to be Bastock’s understudy. Again, he is one for the future and wanted very little in terms of wages.

Finally, the next signing will either be a big flop or a masterstroke. I moved to bring back former St. Albans City legend Lee Clarke back to Clarence Park. Lee was with Welling but transfer listed and I couldn’t resist bringing him back. The former Saints captain has a few fitness problems caused by injuries over the years and has perhaps been in decline over the last few years. Make no mistake, this is a big gamble. I am intending to retrain him for a midfield position as I can see Clarke directing the play and being very effective in the midfield. We will have to wait and see if this is a good signing but hopefully it will lift everyone at the club. He comes on a fairly big wage but I’ve only signed him until the end of the season, so we’ll see how it goes and perhaps part again in the summer without anything really lost. In other words, he has until the end of the season to prove himself, and I either gain a quality player, or I release him with my lesson learnt.

SAINTS 1 – 0 Weston-super-Mare (Blue Square South)

Don’t ask me how but Weston-super-Mare are top of the league. The relegation candidates are the surprise package of the season in a big way. So this result is actually pretty impressive.

Losing Paul Hakim to injury in our last game was obviously very disappointing but I brought in Craig Calver to deputise for him. Calver has been a disappointment since signing so I really wanted him to turn it around and show improvement today. Also starting was new goalkeeper Nathan Silver.

We got an early lead through Craig Calver who scored with a fine finish and I felt a great deal of relief that he had finally got off the mark at the club.

Nathan Silver, the new ‘keeper, had been doing quite well up until the half-hour mark where he managed to divert a cross into his own net. It never makes a good impression to score an own goal on your debut. This made it 1-1.

A draw was looking the most likely result until Jason Norville picked up the ball on the edge of the final third, played a quick one-two with Gary Cohen, and then went on to score with a terrific low finish past the goalkeeper. This goal came in the 87th minute and Weston-super-Mare had no time to recover. We had won a most important three points and this also meant back-to-back wins in the league for the first time since November. Terrific stuff!

City scorers: Craig Calver & Jason Norville.

City MoM: Jason Norville.

Attendance at Clarence Park: 330.

Thurrock 0 –2 SAINTS (Blue Square South)

This was a great three points against the relegation battlers. The truth is, it wasn’t pretty, but we came away with the points and that’s all that matters.

It took two first-half penalties by Jason Norville to win us this match and he held his nerve on both occasions to put us ahead and then double our lead heading into the break.

In the second-half, we were in control and didn’t look like conceding. It was fairly comfortable for us. It was pleasing to see the new young ‘keeper, Nathan Silver, having a good game in goal.

The whole team looks full of confidence at the moment and this makes it three wins on the trot.

City scorers: Jason Norville (pen x 2).

City MoM: Jason Norville.

Attendance at Ship Lane: 220.

Staines Town 1 – 1 SAINTS (Blue Square South)

I really wanted to keep the good run of form going and we managed to do so with a decent draw away at Staines here.

We went ahead late in the second-half thanks to JJ O’Donnell who got on to the end of a Danny Williams cross and bundled the ball home at the back post.

Unfortunately for us, a Nathan Silver own goal (his second since signing) got Staines level in the middle of the second-half. Nathan appears to be a reliable shot-stopper but prone to the occasional mistake. Perhaps he will settle once he has some more games under his belt.

A draw was probably a just result although we perhaps edged it and maybe deserved all of the points today. Still, a very good result as far as I am concerned.

City scorers: JJ O’Donnell.

City MoM: Danny Williams.

Attendance at Wheatsheaf Park: 256.

Manager Comments for January & February:

Not bad progress from us in Jan and Feb.

In January, we managed 6 points from 4 games, which wasn’t terrific form. I was worrying about our lack of ability to pick up points on the road.

In February though, we did really well, picking up 7 points from 3 games, including a precious win away from home, which we hadn’t managed since November. We also picked up three wins in a row during these two months and we are now on a nice little unbeaten run of four games. Long may it continue!

[crouchaldinho]

END OF FEBRUARY 2010 SUMMARY:

Blue Square South Standings:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team               |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   |       | Weston-super-Mare  |       | 33    | 17    | 9     | 7     | 50    | 30    | +20   | 60    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   |       | Woking             |       | 33    | 17    | 9     | 7     | 47    | 32    | +15   | 60    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Chelmsford         |       | 33    | 16    | 8     | 9     | 45    | 34    | +11   | 56    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Newport Co         |       | 33    | 16    | 6     | 11    | 51    | 40    | +11   | 54    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | Bromley            |       | 33    | 14    | 11    | 8     | 45    | 30    | +15   | 53    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
[b]| 6th   |       | St. Albans         |       | 32    | 15    | 8     | 9     | 40    | 31    | +9    | 53    | [/b]
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 7th   |       | Dover              |       | 34    | 13    | 13    | 8     | 42    | 37    | +5    | 52    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 8th   |       | Staines            |       | 33    | 13    | 11    | 9     | 46    | 36    | +10   | 50    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 9th   |       | Dorchester         |       | 33    | 14    | 8     | 11    | 47    | 40    | +7    | 50    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 10th  |       | Bishop's Stortford |       | 33    | 15    | 3     | 15    | 51    | 50    | +1    | 48    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 11th  |       | Basingstoke        |       | 33    | 11    | 14    | 8     | 38    | 31    | +7    | 47    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 12th  |       | Havant & W         |       | 33    | 12    | 10    | 11    | 39    | 35    | +4    | 46    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 13th  |       | Eastleigh          |       | 33    | 13    | 7     | 13    | 47    | 48    | -1    | 46    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 14th  |       | Lewes              |       | 33    | 11    | 12    | 10    | 34    | 33    | +1    | 45    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 15th  |       | Maidenhead         |       | 33    | 9     | 14    | 10    | 46    | 41    | +5    | 41    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 16th  |       | Braintree          |       | 33    | 10    | 10    | 13    | 38    | 45    | -7    | 40    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 17th  |       | Bath               |       | 33    | 10    | 9     | 14    | 43    | 46    | -3    | 39    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 18th  |       | Thurrock           |       | 32    | 9     | 11    | 12    | 27    | 32    | -5    | 38    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 19th  |       | Hampton & Richmond |       | 32    | 6     | 12    | 14    | 22    | 40    | -18   | 30    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 20th  |       | Worcester          |       | 33    | 5     | 14    | 14    | 22    | 39    | -17   | 29    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 21st  |       | Weymouth           |       | 33    | 4     | 10    | 19    | 17    | 46    | -29   | 22    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 22nd  |       | Welling            |       | 33    | 4     | 7     | 22    | 28    | 69    | -41   | 19    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

First Team Squad Statistics (all competitions):

| Pkd   | Inf   | Name               | Apps    | Gls   | Ast   | MoM   | Av Rat| Age   | Nat   | Value | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| GK    | Sus   | Nathan Silver      | 3       | -     | -     | -     | 6.63  | 17    | ENG   | -     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DR    |       | James Fisher       | 33 (1)  | 2     | 1     | 3     | 7.09  | 25    | ENG   | £7K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DL    |       | Peter Smith        | 26      | 1     | 1     | -     | 6.91  | 24    | ENG   | £8K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DC    | Rsv   | Andy Duncan        | 26 (4)  | -     | -     | 2     | 6.69  | 32    | ENG   | £4.5K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DC    | Rsv   | Ryan Carolan       | 22      | -     | -     | 2     | 6.96  | 20    | IRL   | £35K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DMC   |       | James Quilter      | 13 (14) | -     | -     | -     | 6.70  | 26    | ENG   | £5K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DMC   |       | Solomon Shields    | 33      | -     | 5     | 1     | 6.78  | 20    | ENG   | £40K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| AMR   | Rsv   | Danny Williams     | 22 (7)  | 4     | 5     | 3     | 6.81  | 29    | ENG   | £2K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| AML   | Inj   | Jonathan O'Donnell | 15 (5)  | 3     | 1     | -     | 6.64  | 18    | ENG   | £2K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| AMC   |       | Jason Norville     | 16 (5)  | 10    | 3     | 2     | 6.83  | 26    | TRI   | £8K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| ST    |       | Craig Calver       | 7 (2)   | 1     | 2     | -     | 6.56  | 19    | ENG   | £60K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S1    | Rsv   | Laurence Gaughan   | -       | -     | -     | -     | -     | 20    | IRL   | £9K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S2    |       | Jake Beecroft      | 6 (16)  | -     | 2     | -     | 6.82  | 20    | ENG   | £16K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S3    | Rsv   | Lee Clarke         | -       | -     | -     | -     | -     | 26    | NIR   | £2K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S4    |       | Gary Cohen         | 23 (10) | 2     | 6     | 1     | 6.53  | 26    | ENG   | £7K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S5    |       | Chris Sullivan     | 15 (16) | 5     | 3     | 2     | 6.66  | 22    | ENG   | £1.5K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Paul Bastock       | 36      | -     | 1     | -     | 6.64  | 39    | ENG   | -     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Simon Dunne        | 1       | -     | -     | -     | 6.80  | 20    | IRL   | £7K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Adam Everitt       | 14 (2)  | -     | 1     | 1     | 7.04  | 27    | ENG   | -     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Inj   | Paul Hakim         | 26 (4)  | 14    | 5     | 4     | 6.99  | 27    | ENG   | £18K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | James Lindie       | 8 (6)   | 3     | -     | 1     | 6.80  | 19    | ENG   | £1.5K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Justin Clayton     | 27      | 1     | 1     | 1     | 6.82  | 20    | ENG   | £500  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Sus   | Godfrey Poku       | 28 (3)  | 1     | 5     | -     | 6.94  | 19    | ENG   | £28K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Angus McLachlan    | 8 (7)   | 1     | 1     | -     | 6.68  | 21    | AUS   | -     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

[hrbfcrule]

Out of the playoffs on goal difference at the moment, just a final push needed to get there. Good Luck

and H+R finally at of the relegation zone

[crouchaldinho]

UPDATE FOR MARCH 2010:

Eastleigh 1 – 2 SAINTS (Blue Square South)

This was a pretty special result against one of the promotion favourites.

We had to come back from being 1-0 down. At the moment, we are struggling for goals due to missing Paul Hakim. In this game, it was two midfielders who made the difference for us.

Sol Shields grabbed the first to get us level, and then Jake Beecroft finished the job off in the last minute of the game. What a comeback and what a way to win it!

We were well worth the three points as well, as we were very much the better side on the day. A great victory to keep us in the race for the play-offs.

City scorers: Sol Shields & Jake Beecroft.

City MoM: Sol Shields.

Attendance at Silverlake Stadium: 491.

SAINTS 0 – 0 Bromley (Blue Square South)

A disappointing draw at home against play-off chasing Bromley.

I had to rest a few players for this mid-week game, which in some ways explains why we dropped the points.

However, whichever way you look at it, we were very poor today and Bromley easily could have won this game. In fact, they probably should have come away with the points.

Getting a point is actually a bit of a let off today. A disappointment after the amazing win away to Eastleigh and a shame we couldn’t follow it up with another 3 points.

City scorers: None.

City MoM: Defender Simon Dunn.

Attendance at Clarence Park: 445.

SAINTS 2 – 0 Thurrock (Blue Square South)

We were clear favourites for this one and did a professional job to get the win against Thurrock.

Jason Norville opened the scoring from the penalty spot. Godfrey Poku scored with a long-range effort at the beginning of the second-half to seal the points.

A dominant performance today and a very good win. This keeps us right in the chasing pack for the play-offs and we aren’t actually that far off the top of the table!

City scorers: Jason Norville (pen) & Godfrey Poku.

City MoM: Godfrey Poku

Attendance at the Clarence Park: 373.

Worcester City 0 – 1 SAINTS (Blue Square South)

With Paul Hakim out, we have really been struggling for goals. When Craig Calver got himself injured in the first half of this game, I really worried about where on earth we could get a goal from.

We were clear favourites today but really struggled to find the back of the net until Godfrey Poku scored with one of his trademark long-range efforts.

A very, very important win, which keeps us right in it!

City scorers: Godfrey Poku.

City MoM: Godfrey Poku.

Attendance at St. George’s Lane: 551

SAINTS SIGN ATTACKING MIDFIELDER ADAM WATKINS ON LOAN FROM LUTON TOWN – Adam seemed like a promising youngster so I took the opportunity to bring him in on a short-term loan. He will add a bit more depth and bolster the squad for our promotion push.

SAINTS 3 – 1 Dover Athletic (Blue Square South)

A fantastic comeback here saw us putting some real distance between ourselves and Dover, who are in 6th position in the table.

Dover got ahead first after around 20 minutes and I feared the worst. However, we pulled one back before the half was out when Jason Norville slotted home a penalty.

In the second-half, the players looked really fired up. We got the lead when Norville scored his second of the game. Craig Calver then ended his goal drought by scoring a third to seal the deal.

This is an amazing win for us against the team directly below us. It gives 8 points of breathing space, practically assuring us of a play-off spot. We would really have to muck things up to lose our position in the play-offs now. We’re also, extremely surprisingly, up there and in with a chance for the title.

City scorers: Jason Norville x2 (1 x pen) & Craig Calver.

City MoM: Jason Norville.

Attendance at Clarence Park: 450.

Manager Comments for March:

Amazing progress for us this month. 13 points from 5 games, which is a fine return. We won 4 out of our 5 games and put ourselves in with a great chance of a late title challenge.

I have no idea if we can challenge for this title. I would suggest that the team isn’t quite strong enough but you never know. We have a tough looking run in with teams like Woking still to play and three away games to come.

To be honest, I would be very satisfied with a play-off place at the end of it all but I hope to keep it interesting right up until the last match of the league campaign.

We are coming on to form at just the right time and, with Paul Hakim to return, we could have a real chance here to challenge for the title.

[crouchaldinho]

Oh, and I came 2nd in the Manager of the Month award.

[crouchaldinho]

END OF MARCH 2010 SUMMARY:

Blue Square South Standings:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team               |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   |       | Weston-super-Mare  |       | 37    | 20    | 9     | 8     | 57    | 35    | +22   | 69    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   |       | Newport Co         |       | 37    | 20    | 6     | 11    | 65    | 44    | +21   | 66    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Chelmsford         |       | 37    | 19    | 9     | 9     | 50    | 34    | +16   | 66    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
[b]| 4th   |       | St. Albans         |       | 37    | 19    | 9     | 9     | 48    | 33    | +15   | 66    |[/b]
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | Woking             |       | 37    | 19    | 9     | 9     | 53    | 40    | +13   | 66    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 6th   |       | Bromley            |       | 37    | 16    | 13    | 8     | 52    | 33    | +19   | 61    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 7th   |       | Dover              |       | 37    | 14    | 14    | 9     | 48    | 42    | +6    | 56    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 8th   |       | Staines            |       | 37    | 14    | 11    | 12    | 51    | 44    | +7    | 53    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 9th   |       | Dorchester         |       | 37    | 15    | 8     | 14    | 51    | 49    | +2    | 53    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 10th  |       | Havant & W         |       | 37    | 14    | 10    | 13    | 46    | 42    | +4    | 52    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 11th  |       | Eastleigh          |       | 37    | 15    | 7     | 15    | 53    | 51    | +2    | 52    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 12th  |       | Basingstoke        |       | 37    | 12    | 15    | 10    | 41    | 36    | +5    | 51    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 13th  |       | Lewes              |       | 37    | 13    | 12    | 12    | 40    | 38    | +2    | 51    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 14th  |       | Braintree          |       | 37    | 13    | 11    | 13    | 44    | 47    | -3    | 50    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 15th  |       | Bishop's Stortford |       | 37    | 15    | 4     | 18    | 53    | 56    | -3    | 49    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 16th  |       | Bath               |       | 37    | 12    | 10    | 15    | 46    | 48    | -2    | 46    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 17th  |       | Thurrock           |       | 37    | 10    | 12    | 15    | 29    | 38    | -9    | 42    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 18th  |       | Maidenhead         |       | 37    | 9     | 14    | 14    | 47    | 47    | 0     | 41    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 19th  |       | Worcester          |       | 37    | 7     | 14    | 16    | 26    | 44    | -18   | 35    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 20th  |       | Hampton & Richmond |       | 37    | 7     | 12    | 18    | 25    | 47    | -22   | 33    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 21st  |       | Welling            |       | 37    | 7     | 7     | 23    | 36    | 75    | -39   | 28    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 22nd  |       | Weymouth           |       | 37    | 4     | 10    | 23    | 18    | 56    | -38   | 22    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

First Team Squad Statistics (all competitions):

| Pkd   | Inf   | Name               | Apps    | Gls   | Ast   | MoM   | Av Rat| Age   | Nat   | Value | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| GK    | Inj   | Nathan Silver      | 8       | -     | -     | -     | 6.71  | 17    | ENG   | -     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DR    |       | James Fisher       | 37 (1)  | 2     | 2     | 3     | 7.13  | 25    | ENG   | £7K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DL    | Rsv   | Peter Smith        | 30      | 1     | 2     | -     | 6.95  | 24    | ENG   | £8K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DC    |       | Andy Duncan        | 31 (4)  | -     | 1     | 2     | 6.72  | 32    | ENG   | £3.5K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DC    |       | Ryan Carolan       | 27      | -     | 1     | 2     | 6.99  | 20    | IRL   | £35K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DMC   |       | Godfrey Poku       | 31 (3)  | 3     | 5     | 2     | 7.00  | 19    | ENG   | £26K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DMC   |       | Solomon Shields    | 37      | 1     | 5     | 2     | 6.80  | 20    | ENG   | £35K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| AMR   | Rsv   | Gary Cohen         | 26 (11) | 2     | 6     | 1     | 6.54  | 26    | ENG   | £7K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| AML   |       | Jonathan O'Donnell | 20 (5)  | 3     | 1     | -     | 6.65  | 18    | ENG   | £2K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| AMC   | Inj   | Jason Norville     | 21 (5)  | 13    | 4     | 3     | 6.85  | 26    | TRI   | £8K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| ST    |       | Craig Calver       | 12 (2)  | 2     | 4     | -     | 6.69  | 19    | ENG   | £60K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S1    | Rsv   | James Quilter      | 14 (16) | -     | 1     | -     | 6.70  | 26    | ENG   | £1K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S2    | Rsv   | Jake Beecroft      | 7 (18)  | 1     | 2     | -     | 6.83  | 20    | ENG   | £16K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S3    | Rsv   | Angus McLachlan    | 8 (9)   | 1     | 1     | -     | 6.69  | 21    | AUS   | -     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S4    |       | Chris Sullivan     | 15 (20) | 5     | 3     | 2     | 6.65  | 22    | ENG   | -     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S5    | Loa   | Adam Watkins       | -       | -     | -     | -     | -     | 18    | ENG   | £35K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Paul Bastock       | 36      | -     | 1     | -     | 6.64  | 39    | ENG   | -     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Simon Dunne        | 2       | -     | -     | -     | 7.00  | 20    | IRL   | £7K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Laurence Gaughan   | -       | -     | -     | -     | -     | 20    | IRL   | £8K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Inj   | Danny Williams     | 24 (7)  | 4     | 5     | 3     | 6.76  | 29    | ENG   | £2K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Lee Clarke         | 0 (4)   | -     | -     | -     | 6.60  | 26    | NIR   | £2K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Adam Everitt       | 15 (2)  | -     | 1     | 1     | 7.05  | 27    | ENG   | -     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Paul Hakim         | 26 (4)  | 14    | 5     | 4     | 6.99  | 27    | ENG   | £16K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Inj   | James Lindie       | 8 (6)   | 3     | -     | 1     | 6.80  | 19    | ENG   | £1.5K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Justin Clayton     | 28      | 1     | 1     | 1     | 6.83  | 20    | ENG   | £500  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

[Almondo]

You're looking good there mr. C. 4th in the table is very respectable at this point in the season. Also well done on keeping Bolton out for 30 mins in the FA Cup.

[crouchaldinho]

Thanks Almondo. Doing much better than I expected.

Forgot to add above that Weston-super-Mare are obviously unlikely title challengers in real life but in this FM save they have been taken over by businessmen from Singapore and have a bit of money to spend, which has obviously gone a long way!

[crouchaldinho]

UPDATE FOR APRIL 2010:

SAINTS 0 – 1 Bishop’s Stortford (Blue Square South)

We lost the Hertfordshire derby with a pathetic display here at Clarence Park.

My masterplan was to rest some key players today in order to save them for our midweek game away to Hampton & Richmond. I felt that this match was more winnable and therefore made quite a few changes. It backfired.

The team I put out was too weak, highlighting the fact that the depth just isn’t there in this squad. I also put Adam Watkins, on loan from Luton Town, in for his debut, and the youngster had a shocker.

We went down to a first-half goal and just never looked like coming back.

This loss has badly dented our title hopes.

City scorers: None.

City MoM: Justin Clayton.

Attendance at Clarence Park: 640.

Hampton & Richmond 0 – 2 SAINTS (Blue Square South)

We bounced back with this fine win.

Two second-half goals from Jason Norville (from the penalty spot) and Craig Calver sealed the points.

A marvellous win away from home, let down by the fact that we lost Sol Shields, Paul Hakim and Gary Cohen to injuries during the game.

We now have a bit of an injury crisis at the worst possible time.

City scorers: Jason Norville (pen) & Craig Calver.

City MoM: Danny Williams.

Attendance at the Beveree Stadium: 195.

Braintree Town 2 – 2 SAINTS (Blue Square South)

This was a tough game against one of the better sides in this division.

We got our noses in front through Craig Calver but then ended up conceding on the half-hour mark.

Somehow, we managed to forge ahead again through Calver and we went into the break with a 2-1 lead.

Braintree were playing well though and always threatening. In the end, we couldn’t hold on, and they equalised in the last few minutes of the game.

A draw was a fair result in the end. Unfortunately, this all but puts us out of the title race. A win here would have kept us competing but it is more or less over now bar a miracle. Instead, we must now focus on finishing the season as strongly as possible and preparing for the play-offs.

City scorers: Craig Calver x 2.

City MoM: Craig Calver.

Attendance at Cressing Road: 389.

SAINTS SIGN GOALKEEPER ROSS WORNER ON A FREE TRANSFER – I’ve been looking for a decent ‘keeper for a while and when I saw Ross was available, I went for it. I think he will come straight in and do well for us.

SAINTS 0 – 0 Woking (Blue Square South)

Funnily enough, Ross Worner’s first game was against his old club and he’ll no doubt be pleased with the clean sheet.

Woking are another play-off side and so this was a good test. Due to various injuries, we were missing Paul Hakim and Jason Norville, and it showed in terms of our attack, which rarely threatened to break through the Woking defence.

A bit of a snooze-fest really. A dull game.

What makes it really bad is that we lost Godfrey Poku to injury during this game. We now have three key players who are doubtful for the play-off semi-final.

City scorers: None.

City MoM: Defender Ryan Carolan.

Attendance at Clarence Park: 478.

Bath 2 - 0 SAINTS (Blue Square South)

We had guaranteed ourselves at least 4th place in the league and we needed to win this one to stand a chance of finishing in 2nd. In the end, this was a huge disappointment.

With our current injury problems, we looked a shadow of the side who had gone on that amazing unbeaten run to pull us into title contention.

To make matters worse, we got another injury, losing young winger JJ O’Donnell.

We’re going to really struggle in the play-offs with such a depleted squad.

City scorers: None.

City MoM: Defender Ryan Carolan.

Attendance at Twerton Park: 515.

SAINTS DRAW NEWPORT COUNTY IN THE PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINALS.

Manager Comments for April:

Pretty disastrous end to the season really. 5 points from 5 games. Not good enough.

It started badly when I rotated against Stortford and ended up suffering the consequences of fielding a weakened side. That result and the draw at Braintree put us out of the title race.

We’ve ended up with several bad injuries which are going to put us in a tough situation for the play-off semi-finals. Also, the defeat to Bath at the end of the season has really hit the morale of the squad and I’m extremely worried about how I am going to pick the players up.

I think the Newport County semi-final will be one step too far for us. They are clear favourites and with our injury crisis, I can only see one outcome.

Details of the play-offs to follow.

[crouchaldinho]

BLUE SQUARE SOUTH PLAY-OFFS UPDATE

SAINTS 0 – 2 Newport County (Blue Square South Play-off Semi-final, First leg)

We were missing three key players for this one. Attacking midfielder Jason Norville was out, as was defensive midfielder Godfrey Poku. JJ O’Donnell was also injured and unable to start.

I rushed back a half-fit Paul Hakim through desperation really, knowing that he would only be able to play half a game.

I realise that I’m making excuses before I’ve even started but this wasn’t our best team. James Quilter came in for Poku, while Chris Sullivan deputised for O’Donnell. They are both half decent players but they can’t replace the quality of Poku and O’Donnell. A half-fit Paul Hakim didn’t exactly help matters but you need your best players in the team and that’s why I played him today.

I should also add that confidence was on the low side after recent performances and particularly the loss away to Bath on the last game of the league campaign.

Things started off poorly when Newport County scored after just 7 minutes. We had a pitiful first-half, and ended up conceding a second after half-an-hour.

At half-time, I subbed off both Paul Hakim and Craig Calver, who hadn’t had a sniff of a chance in the first-half.

In the second-half, we improved, but not enough to get a goal. I felt we really needed to take something back to Newport for the second leg but we just weren’t good enough.

Newport were the better side and deserved the victory. We now have an almost impossible task to overturn this defeat away at Newport. We’ll go there and attack them from the off but I can’t see it happening to be honest.

Line ups

Match stats

City scorers: None.

City MoM: Ryan Carolan.

Attendance at Clarence Park: 3,144.

Newport County 2 – 1 SAINTS (Blue Square South Play-off Semi-final, Second Leg)

- Newport County win 4-1 on aggregate and go through to the final

We rushed back Godfrey Poku for this game hoping that he might make a difference for us.

Newport got the lead after the half-hour mark from the penalty spot. In the second-half, they doubled their lead as we were frantically pushing people forward and chasing an impossible comeback.

Craig Calver pulled a goal back for us but it was no more than a consolation.

Confidence had been rocked after the first leg but, all in all, this was actually a better performance. I guess that's not much of an achievement considering that disastrous first leg game at Clarence Park.

We had our chances to get level on the day but, to be honest, Newport were value for the win once again.

Line ups

Match stats

City scorers: Craig Calver.

City MoM: Godfrey Poku.

Attendance at the Newport Stadium: 4,046.

Final Thoughts

I’ve no bitterness or upset about this exit from the play-offs at all.

We could blame the injury crisis. We could blame the confidence of the team. But ultimately, we were beaten by the better side.

We weren’t ready for the Blue Square Premier just yet. I had never anticipated getting a promotion this season anyway and I wanted at least another season in the Blue Square South.

We’ve got building to do but we clearly have a great spine to the team. How can I be unhappy with this season? Predicted 14th and finished 4th with a marvellous FA Cup run to the 3rd round chucked into the bargain. A super season really even though it has finished on a bit of a low. A great achievement and hopefully the start of a great adventure for the mighty Saints!

[crouchaldinho]

END OF THE SEASON SUMMARY:

Blue Square South Standings:

| Pos   | Inf   | Team               |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   | C     | Weston-super-Mare  |       | 42    | 24    | 10    | 8     | 71    | 36    | +35   | 82    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   |       | Chelmsford         |       | 42    | 21    | 12    | 9     | 58    | 39    | +19   | 75    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   | P     | Newport Co         |       | 42    | 22    | 8     | 12    | 67    | 46    | +21   | 74    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
[b]| 4th   |       | St. Albans         |       | 42    | 20    | 11    | 11    | 52    | 38    | +14   | 71    | [/b]
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | Woking             |       | 42    | 20    | 10    | 12    | 58    | 50    | +8    | 70    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 6th   |       | Bromley            |       | 42    | 17    | 14    | 11    | 57    | 39    | +18   | 65    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 7th   |       | Dover              |       | 42    | 15    | 18    | 9     | 56    | 48    | +8    | 63    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 8th   |       | Basingstoke        |       | 42    | 15    | 16    | 11    | 50    | 43    | +7    | 61    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 9th   |       | Lewes              |       | 42    | 16    | 13    | 13    | 48    | 43    | +5    | 61    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 10th  |       | Eastleigh          |       | 42    | 17    | 9     | 16    | 64    | 60    | +4    | 60    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 11th  |       | Bishop's Stortford |       | 42    | 18    | 6     | 18    | 60    | 58    | +2    | 60    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 12th  |       | Dorchester         |       | 42    | 17    | 9     | 16    | 56    | 54    | +2    | 60    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 13th  |       | Staines            |       | 42    | 15    | 13    | 14    | 57    | 52    | +5    | 58    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 14th  |       | Havant & W         |       | 42    | 16    | 10    | 16    | 52    | 50    | +2    | 58    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 15th  |       | Braintree          |       | 42    | 14    | 13    | 15    | 53    | 57    | -4    | 55    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 16th  |       | Bath               |       | 42    | 14    | 10    | 18    | 49    | 53    | -4    | 52    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 17th  |       | Maidenhead         |       | 42    | 11    | 15    | 16    | 52    | 54    | -2    | 48    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 18th  |       | Thurrock           |       | 42    | 11    | 14    | 17    | 32    | 43    | -11   | 47    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 19th  |       | Worcester          |       | 42    | 10    | 16    | 16    | 34    | 47    | -13   | 46    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 20th  | R     | Hampton & Richmond |       | 42    | 8     | 12    | 22    | 28    | 53    | -25   | 36    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 21st  | R     | Welling            |       | 42    | 7     | 8     | 27    | 41    | 89    | -48   | 29    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 22nd  | R     | Weymouth           |       | 42    | 5     | 11    | 26    | 22    | 65    | -43   | 26    | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

First Team Squad Statistics (all competitions):

| Pkd   | Inf   | Name               | Apps    | Gls   | Ast   | MoM   | Av Rat| Age   | Nat   | Value | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| GK    | Rsv   | Ross Worner        | 4       | -     | -     | -     | 6.50  | 20    | ENG   | £2.5K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DR    |       | James Fisher       | 43 (1)  | 2     | 2     | 3     | 7.06  | 26    | ENG   | £6K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DL    |       | Peter Smith        | 36      | 1     | 2     | -     | 6.89  | 24    | ENG   | £7K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DC    |       | Andy Duncan        | 38 (4)  | -     | 1     | 2     | 6.71  | 32    | ENG   | £2.5K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DC    | Rsv   | Ryan Carolan       | 34      | -     | 1     | 2     | 6.98  | 20    | IRL   | £40K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DMC   |       | Godfrey Poku       | 35 (3)  | 3     | 5     | 2     | 6.99  | 19    | ENG   | £24K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| DMC   |       | Solomon Shields    | 43      | 1     | 5     | 2     | 6.79  | 20    | ENG   | £35K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| AMR   | Rsv   | Danny Williams     | 26 (10) | 4     | 6     | 4     | 6.77  | 29    | ENG   | £2K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| AML   |       | Chris Sullivan     | 19 (21) | 5     | 3     | 2     | 6.60  | 22    | ENG   | -     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| AMC   |       | Paul Hakim         | 28 (6)  | 14    | 5     | 4     | 6.87  | 27    | ENG   | £14K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| ST    |       | Craig Calver       | 19 (2)  | 6     | 4     | 1     | 6.70  | 19    | ENG   | £50K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S1    |       | James Quilter      | 16 (21) | -     | 1     | -     | 6.67  | 26    | ENG   | £4.5K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S2    |       | Jake Beecroft      | 8 (19)  | 1     | 2     | -     | 6.83  | 20    | ENG   | £18K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S3    |       | Gary Cohen         | 31 (13) | 2     | 6     | 1     | 6.50  | 26    | ENG   | £6K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S4    |       | Angus McLachlan    | 8 (10)  | 1     | 1     | -     | 6.65  | 21    | AUS   | -     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| S5    | Rsv   | Adam Watkins       | 2 (2)   | -     | 1     | -     | 6.30  | 18    | ENG   | £40K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Paul Bastock       | 36      | -     | 1     | -     | 6.64  | 40    | ENG   | -     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Simon Dunne        | 2       | -     | -     | -     | 7.00  | 20    | IRL   | £7K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Inj   | Mark Peters 7/7    | 1 (4)   | -     | 1     | -     | 6.92  | 37    | WAL   | -     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Laurence Gaughan   | 1 (1)   | -     | -     | -     | 5.95  | 20    | IRL   | £10K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     |       | Jason Norville     | 23 (5)  | 14    | 6     | 3     | 6.87  | 26    | TRI   | £7K   | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Inj   | Lee Clarke         | 0 (5)   | -     | -     | -     | 6.48  | 26    | NIR   | -     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Adam Everitt       | 16 (2)  | -     | 1     | 1     | 7.04  | 27    | ENG   | -     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | James Lindie       | 8 (7)   | 3     | -     | 1     | 6.78  | 19    | ENG   | £1.5K | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Justin Clayton     | 29      | 1     | 1     | 2     | 6.86  | 20    | ENG   | £500  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Rsv   | Nathan Silver      | 11      | -     | -     | -     | 6.72  | 18    | ENG   | -     | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| -     | Inj   | Jonathan O'Donnell | 24 (6)  | 3     | 1     | -     | 6.66  | 18    | ENG   | £24K  | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

[crouchaldinho]

Crouchy's Mighty Saints Save - St. Albans City in the Blue Square South (Season One at Clarence Park - 2009/10)

End of Season 2009/10 Screenshots:

League Table

League Positions Graph

FA Cup - an amazing run through to the 3rd round!

FA Trophy - A disappointing and embarrassing early exit at the hands of AFC Hayes. :o

Transfers - Best signing was defender Ryan Carolan, while the best loan signing was Godfrey Poku from Luton Town. Flop of the season award goes to Lee Clarke. It was always a risk bringing him back and he certainly didn't do enough for me to consider renewing his contract at the end of this season.

Key players:

Ryan Carolan - Ryan was the signing of the season. He was also the fans' player of the season. An outstanding season from the ever reliable defender.

James Fisher - a surprise choice and not a player I expected to be featuring in this list. Fisher played mainly at right-back and proved himself to be a very consistent and reliable performer for us this season.

Godfrey Poku - the defensive midfielder was our loan signing of the season. Absolutely outstanding in the middle of the park. The tough tackling midfielder was a key player and I desperately want to bring him back next season.

Jason Norville - A great season for Jason Norville. Probably one of the best of the new signings this season. Scored some pretty vital goals but had difficulties with injuries. Hopefully he will get a full season in next year.

Paul Hakim - another injury prone player this year. Hakim missed way too much of the season with injuries. When in the team, he always looked dangerous as like he would be scoring goals. A decent return of around a goal a game. I'll be looking for more of the same from him next season.

Team of the Season.

Overall Best XI - as above.

Other Club Info:

Fans’ Player of the season: Ryan Carolan.

Signing of the season: Ryan Carolan.

Top goalscorers: Paul Hakim and Jason Norville both on 14 goals in all competitions. Jason Norville top league goalscorer with 12 goals.

Most Assists: Gary Cohen, Jason Norville and Danny Williams all on 6.

Most MoM awards: Danny Williams and Paul Hakim on 4.

Best Average Rating: James Fisher 7.06 (43 apps).

Average Attendance: 782 (boosted considerably by the FA Cup and Play-offs).

Season Tickets: 84.

City Legends: Wilfred Minter, Steve Clark, Phil Wood (no new additions).

City Icons: Colin Lippiatt, Lee Clarke, Peter Risley, Kevin Mudd, Richard Evans, Paul Bastock (no new additions).

City Favourites: Paul Hakim, Ben Martin, Ryan Frater, Luke Thurlbourne, Solomon Shields, Godfrey Poku, JJ O'Donnell, Gary Cohen (no new additions).

Most League Apps for Club - Steve Clark 488 (all time), Paul Bastock 192 (current).

Most League Goals for Club - Steve Clark 322 (all time), Paul Hakim 52 (current).

Other News:

- Blue Square South: Weston-super-Mare win the league. Newport County promoted via the play-offs. Hampton & Richmond, Welling and Weymouth relegated.

- The Big Boys:

o Arsenal win the league. Man Utd and Liverpool finish outside the top four and are replaced by Villa and Chelsea. Stoke, Fulham and Wigan are relegated.

o Tottenham win the FA Cup. Man Utd win the League Cup.

o Juventus win the Champions League. Europa is won by Stuttgart.

- Local Interests: Luton win the BSP, Stevenage finish second and then go up via the play-offs.

- Ex-Saints: Nothing interesting to report, I'm afraid.

Manager Achievements:

- 2009/10 Blue Square South Manager of the Season runner-up.

Youth academy products season reports (the youngsters that my assistant recommended): None at present. Hoping to track my youths here and probably contribute to the YP thread in CSE started by NepentheZ.

100 club (players that have made 100 apps for the club under my management): None that qualify at present. Credits go to Terk for this great idea. All the kids are doing it these days.

Career Overview:

Cups:

| Season 	| FA Cup	| FA Trophy		| 
|-------------------------------------------------------|
| 09/10 (BSS) 	| 3rd Rnd    	|   3rd Qual Rnd 	|

League:

Season      	Team      		League      Position   	Achievements & Notes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2009/10      	St. Albans City   	BSS	    4th      	FA Cup 3rd Rnd, Play-off semis, 2nd in Manager of Season 

Next Season: The main objective will be to improve the squad depth. A few of the fringe players will be released to free up some funds and I will be looking to strengthen in every position. I also hope that I can bring Poku, O'Donnell and Beecroft back on loan again. In terms of the league, I would hope to be up there challenging for promotion and that is what I will be telling the board. Come on you Saints!

Note to self: Add in finances for next update

[crouchaldinho]

Wow, check out this quality youth product that has just come through the academy at the beginning of season two:

Luke Hoyte YP1

Luke Hoyte YP1 Coach Report

[crouchaldinho]

We're predicted to finish 8th this season with promotion odds of 35/1.

[hrbfcrule]

Unlucky on losing out on the playoffs

Luke Hoyte looks amazing for that level

[Standard liege!]

Just read this thread, and its been very interesting so far! Will look out for updates and wish you a lot of success in the future! Keep up the good work Crouchaldinho!

[hrbfcrule]

So, looking at the squad I have at the beginning of this save, I have a very decent spine to set off with.

We have a great goalkeeper in veteran goalie Paul Bastock for starters.

Here is a photograph of the legendary Saints 'keeper:

The only trouble with Bazza, as he is known at Clarence Park, is that he is getting on a bit and I will certainly need to bring in someone as his understudy.

Went to the game today and just wanted to say your keeper is a legend. He made some incredible saves and despite conceding 3 he still joked around with the h+r fans behind the goal

[Mike7077]

Haven't been on the Careers Forum in a while. Come back and find this lovely little thread. Enjoyed having a read through it. Decent first season there, Crouchington.