neilhoskins77 Posted August 4, 2014 Author Share Posted August 4, 2014 Saturday 25/10/14 - Northern Premier League Heritage Park, Bishop Auckland Darlington (0) 0 Ossett Albion (0) 0 Scorers : None Attendance : 1,877 Nick Pope; Ross Smith, Mansour Assoumani, Matt Fry; Brynjar Vidisson, Babis Stefanidis (Fabio Cesar 71), Jonathan Nyamekeh, Arron Davies; Jordan Owens; Nichlas Schon, Matt Harold. Is two games without a goal enough to be a crisis, probably not. But for a team that has scored plenty of goals in the past, being held twice isn't normal. At least the defence are doing their part, and we're not losing these games. The team was changed to allow some of the First Team regulars a rest. Matt Harold headed our best opportunity against the post from a corner, he did net after the loose ball was fed back into his path, but the flag went up for offside. Matlock won their game, so we're even at the top, though we have a better goal difference. Saturday 1/11/14 - FA Cup, First Round Heritage Park, Bishop Auckland Darlington (3) 3 Hartlepool United (1) 1 Scorers : Nichlas Schon (1,5), Matt Harold (26) Attendance : 1,994 Nick Pope, Ross Smith (Steven Topalovic 85), Mansour Assoumani, Matt Fry; Fabio Cesar, Nicky Platt, Ivan Reali, Arron Davies (Martin Brittain 85); Jordan Owens (Brynjar Vidisson 85); Nichlas Schon, Matt Harold. With a week long build up to the local derby in the FA Cup, it didn't take long for a war of words to brew. Hartlepool's manager is Graham Westley. He issued a statement to the press early in the week that his side were confident of picking up a morale boosting win at Heritage Park, and getting their season back on track. A quick glance at the nPower League One table shows you very much why Westley and his boys need a morale boosting win, entering November with just 11 points on the board from 17 games, a full 8 points from safety, and a horrible goal difference of -17. I didn't dignify him with a response, generally, I prefer my club to do it's talking on the park. But later in the week, Westley had another go, this time stating that Darlington were a small club with no business playing the likes of Hartlepool. This time, he gets a bite out of me. I tell him that failure to win on Saturday will almost certainly see him get the sack. A full strength side, a sell out crowd at home, the lads didn't need a team talk before the game, Westley had already riled them up enough. And boy did he get his words shoved down his throat, we're in front after just 12 seconds. Matt Fry hoists a long ball forward from left back and Nichlas Schon flicks it on towards Matt Harold. Their keeper comes rushing out to claim it, despite there being adequate defensive cover. Harold touches the ball left beyond the keeper and Schon arrives at pace to fire past the covering defender and give us a perfect start. Within a couple of minutes, the Swede finds the net again, in what is fast becoming his favourite competition. Fabio Cesar swings a free kick from the right in towards goal, and Schon finds half a yard against his marker, and finishes with a stunning volley. I stood on the touchline, allowing myself a little smile, thinking that poor Jeff Stelling will have his head in his hands on Soccer Saturday right now. 20 minutes later, and he might have been considering a live on air rant. Nicky Platt's corner was headed out to Ivan Reali, who fed it right back to Platt. His centre across the 6 yard box found us 3 on 1 with their defenders, and Matt Harold was left with an easy finish. 3-0 up, only a quarter of the way into the game, I asked the lads to play a little more defensively. They did that well for the most part, though Hartlepool did pull a goal back before the break. Ivan Reali loses the ball on the left, Franks plays in a cross, and Luke James provides the finish. At half time I asked the lads to keep doing what they were doing. The second half was solid, no heroics, nothing flashy, just a good defensive job. Other than a header from close range that missed the target, they didn't get a sniff, and we take them out of the Cup, and go into the Second Round. The cherry on top of the cake, the news that Graham Westley was sacked as Hartelpool United manager shortly after the game. Finally, something for Jeff Stelling to smile about! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilhoskins77 Posted August 4, 2014 Author Share Posted August 4, 2014 The draw for the Second Round of the FA Cup is kind to us, in as much as it gives us a real opportunity of reaching the Third Round. We'll play at home to Blue Square South outfit, Chelmsford City. The game will take place on Saturday 29th November, the day after my birthday. That would be a great gift if we could get into the Third Round and get a tie with a big team. 23 year old Faroe Islands international, Adrian Cieslewicz, joins the club on loan from Wrexham for the remainder of the season. He can cover a variety of positions across midfield, attacking midfield, and up front. He is blessed with blistering pace, and will be a useful guy to have around the club. Tuesday 4/11/14 - Northern Premier League Christchurch Meadow, Belper Belper Town (1) 1 Darlington (1) 4 Scorers : Matt Harold (9), Babis Stefanidis (46), Jordan Owens (68), Matheus Coelho (83) Attendance : 119 Nick Pope; Ross Smith, Mansour Assoumani, Matt Fry; Fabio Cesar (Nicky Platt 74), Brynjar Vidisson, Babis Stefanidis, Adrian Cieslewicz; Jordan Owens (Tumaini Adams 74); Nichlas Schon (Matheus Coelho 74), Matt Harold. An immediate return to League action, and a trip to bottom but one in the table, Belper Town. A couple of changes made to keep the team fresh, including a debut at right wing for our new loanee, Adrian Cieslewicz. An early goal looked on the cards with both Nichlas Schon and Fabio Cesar going close. When we got on the scoreboard, it was actually on the counter attack. Mansour Assoumani headed clear a cross, and the ball was headed straight for Nichlas Schon. He gestured to Matt Harold to start his run, and played him in with a cracking through ball. Harold showed his composure in front of goal, coolly firing his low shot beyond the keeper from just inside the box. Belper got themselves an equaliser just before the break, Frogatt scoring from close range after a good run and cross on the right from Brown. The boys got an earful at half time, told to up their game and stop being sloppy. They really took the words to heart, netting just 35 seconds after the restart. Brynjar Vidisson sets Cieslewicz away down the right, and he showed that pace by easily outpacing his marker and slinging in a cross that looked a bit too deep, but Babis Stefanidis arrived to slam a volley in. Number three arrived midway through the half, and looked to put the game safe, Vidisson with the knock down, and Jordan Owens driving his shot past the unsighted keeper from the edge of the box. Cieslewicz earned a man of the match award late on by setting up a fourth, another cross from the right, and substitute Matheus Coelho glanced his header just inside the far post. A good second half performance, and as Matlock lost on the weekend, we go 3 points clear. Wednesday 12/11/14 - Northern Premier League Bill Stokeld Stadium, Nottingham Carlton Town (0) 0 Darlington (2) 4 Scorers : Matt Harold (7), Nichlas Schon (40,63,68 pen) Attendance : 77 Nick Pope; Ross Smith, Mansour Assoumani, Matt Fry; Fabio Cesar, Nicky Platt (Arron Davies 68), Ivan Reali, Adrian Cieslewicz; Jordan Owens (Tumaini Adams 68); Nichlas Schon (Matheus Coelho 68), Matt Harold. In the week or so since we last played, Matlock have played, and won, twice. So we go into the trip to Nottingham to face relegation contenders, Carlton Town, three points behind the leaders, with two games in hand. They are also playing tonight. We fully expected a win from this game, and the lads didn't disappoint with a great performance. Skipper, Matt Harold, puts us ahead in the 7th minute. Just like the last game, it was Nichlas Schon playing him through, and although he was pushed a little wider than he'd have liked, Harold still found the net by shooting across the keeper and inside the far post. From then on, it was pretty much the Nichlas Schon show. He scores on the counter attack with five minutes remaining in the first half, latching onto the through ball from inside his own half by Jordan Owens, outpacing the defender and slipping the ball past the keeper. He got a second shortly after the hour in very similar circumstances, this time is was Nicky Platt who broke from his own box following a Carlton Town corner, and after dragging across two defenders, Schon had virtually the freedom of the park when Platt played him in, and he once again beat the keeper, this time shooting low and just inside the near post. Five minutes later and Schon was felled when there really wasn't too much danger, as he had his back to goal near the corner of the area. The ref pointed to the spot, Schon grabbed the ball himself despite not normally being a penalty taker, and coolly sent the keeper the wrong way, before exiting to a great ovation from the small group of travelling fans. Matlock have won again, so it stays the same at the top of the table, and we're back in Cup action on the weekend. | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Matlock Town | | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 36 | 15 | +21 | 41 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | [b]2nd | | Darlington | | 16 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 44 | 14 | +30 | 38[/b] | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | AFC Fylde | | 17 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 34 | 21 | +13 | 32 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Mossley | | 16 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 33 | 19 | +14 | 31 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Northwich Victoria | | 18 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 38 | 30 | +8 | 31 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| Big thanks to mark wilson27 for assistance with how to add League Tables to the updates in the authorised way. Cheers Mark. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilhoskins77 Posted August 5, 2014 Author Share Posted August 5, 2014 Saturday 15/11/14 - Northen League Challenge Cup, Second Round Heritage Park, Bishop Auckland Darlington (0) 1 Chasetown (0) 1 Scorers : Joonas Tamm (81) Attendance : 1,624 Joe Day; Steven Topalovic, Christian Burgess, Karlton Watson; Brynjar Vidisson (Nicky Platt 82), Arron Davies, Jonathan Nyamekeh, Martin Brittain; Tumaini Adams (Charis Charalabous 82); Matheus Coelho, Joonas Tamm. A Cup game that we could do without, given our extremely limited interest in this competition. It's very much a second string team that are selected for the game. The pre-match press conference was used to warn that extensive changes would be made for this game, and regular First Team players would be rested. It didn't seem to affect the fans enthusiasm though, a still very healthy crowd showed up for this one. Certainly more so than the players, who, after a blistering opening 5 minutes that saw three chances wasted, they seemingly lost interest in this one very quickly. It was difficult to understand why, as for some of the players picked today, this competition was potentially their best opportunity for any real game time this season with us. A scoreless first half, and then we fall behind ten minutes into the second half. Steven Topalovic attempted a speculative long ball from near his own corner flag, but only found Cadwalder near the centre circle. His pass picked out Michael Koral just inside the box, and he turned and fired low past Joe Day. As we entered the last 10 minutes, an equaliser looked unlikely, based purely on how wasteful we were being with possession, but in fact, one did arrive. Karlton Watson pumped a long ball upfield, Arron Davies flicked it into the box, and Joonas Tamm took it down deftly, before slamming it inside the near post. A golden chance to win the game was wasted, Nicky Platt played into space just outside the box, and with the defenders seemingly reluctant to leave their marking duties, he strode into the box, but fired his shot the wrong side of namesake, Daniel Platt's, far post. So we have to replay in midweek, which means the re-scheduling of our League game at Frickley. In all honesty, I'd rather have played the League match. I don't want us to find ourselves with three, four or five games in hand, and having to play a chasing game with Matlock, or anybody else. The winners of the replay will get a home match in Round Three against either Loughborough University FC or Northwich Victoria. There are plenty of manager sackings at the moment, and some interesting looking jobs around. Hereford United and Macclesfield Town of the Blue Square Premier. Carlisle United and Accrington Stanley of nPower League 2. Swindon Town, Hartlepool United and Sheffield United of nPower League One. I'd talked myself out of applying for them, mainly as I didn't expect to get a look in at this point. Tuesday 18/11/14 - Northern League Challenge Cup, Second Round Replay The Scholars, Lichfield Chasetown (0) 0 Darlington (1) 1 Scorers : Tumaini Adams (70) Attendance : 127 Joe Day; Steven Topalovic, Christian Burgess, Karlton Watson (Chris Doyle 76); Brynjar Vidisson, Arron Davies (Nicky Platt 76), Jonathan Nyamekeh, Martin Brittain; Tumaini Adams; Matheus Coelho (Louis Longridge 76), Joonas Tamm. The replay against Northern Premier League First Division South side, Chasetown in the Northern Premier League Challenge Cup, takes place just a few days later. The same `second string' team are named for the game, and the game itself wasn't dissimilar either. At least this time the team put in a bit more effort. It would be a bit of a stretch to say we controlled the game, but we certainly had the better end of things. It took far too long to get in front, but 20 minutes from the end, we took the lead. Brynjar Vidisson ran rings around their centre midfielders, and sent the ball right to Martin Brittain. He wasn't lacking for choice with targets in the middle, and he picked out Tumaini Adams, who made no mistake with a close range volley. Northwich Victoria squeeze past Loughborough Uni on penalties in their replay, and they will be the next opponents in the last 16 early in the new year. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark wilson27 Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 No worries mate, BTW there must be a bug in the game, because Matlock Town will never be at the top of any table hehehe...Anyway come Christmas they'll throw I away as per usual. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tenthreeleader Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 This is a clean and very nice read. No nonsense, good writing and a touch of humor. Well done, Neil. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilhoskins77 Posted August 5, 2014 Author Share Posted August 5, 2014 Lets hope that's the case Mark, they're keeping it going at the moment, but we play them next. On loan winger, Adrian Cieslewicz, played for the Faroe Islands against Romania in Piatra Neamt. He was taken off at half time, as the minnows crashed 5-0. Our League game this weekend in on the Sunday, and Matlock win 3-1 away to Nantwich on the Saturday afternoon, so a win is vital at the start of an important week. After this game, we have a midweek trip to the League leaders, followed by our FA Cup Second Round tie. Sunday 23/11/14 - Northern Premier League Heritage Park, Bishop Auckland Darlington (0) 0 Worksop Town (0) 0 Scorers : None Attendance : 1,888 Nick Pope; Ross Smith, Mansour Assoumani, Matt Fry; Fabio Cesar (inj - Brynjar Vidisson 81), Nicky Platt (Tumaini Adams 81), Ivan Reali, Adrian Cieslewicz; Jordan Owens; Nichlas Schon (Matheus Coelho 81), Matt Harold. The First Team regulars return for our League match with mid-table Worksop Town. The win the previous day for Matlock Town makes the need for a win more pressing as we approach the halfway mark of the League campaign. Worksop had other ideas though, they came for a draw, and they got it too. With just one man up front, and 5 across the middle, they set out to frustrate us. Adrian Cieslewicz was the biggest threat to their back four, constantly running at his man from deep areas, but his crosses either missing their mark, or finding strikers who weren't having their best day. Fabio Cesar takes a knock with around 10 minutes to go, enough for him to need to be taken off. We make some other changes at the same time, but can't cut through them, and it's a draw. Not the end of the world, but we really need to go to Matlock and get a win in midweek now. Fabio Cesar is ruled out for 3 weeks with a damaged elbow. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark wilson27 Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 I would wish you good luck for the mext game but I wont.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilhoskins77 Posted August 5, 2014 Author Share Posted August 5, 2014 Wednesday 26/11/14 - Northern Premier League Causeway Lane, Matlock Matlock Town (0) 0 Darlington (1) 3 Scorers : Matt Harold (36), Nichlas Schon (67), Tumaini Adams (90) Attendance : 418 Nick Pope; Ross Smith, Mansour Assoumani, Matt Fry; Brynjar Vidisson, Nicky Platt (Arron Davies 74), Ivan Reali (Babis Stefanidis 74), Adrian Cieslewicz; Jordan Owens (Tumaini Adams 74); Nichlas Schon, Matt Harold. This was a big day for the club, it wasn't lost on the players that the result today would go a long way towards shaping the destination of the Title, and the sole automatic promotion place. Even in the warm-up, you could see the intensity level was higher, though it was a little baffling as to why they were aiming for a certain spot on the terraces and not the nets....then I saw mark wilson27 stood there dodging football's for his life. It all makes sense now. I was expecting Matlock to go for it, but they never really did, just looking to grind us down. Even after a going a goal behind, they didn't really look up for it today. Nicky Platt forced their keeper Allinson into a fine save from his free kick in the 20th minute, but it wasn't until around 10 minutes from the break that we got ourselves ahead. Jordan Owens flicked on just outside the box, Nichlas Schon got his head to it, and directed the ball into the path of Matt Harold, who swept home the opener. At half time, I told the team not to get complacent. They followed up well, and we were the only team in it in the second half. Schon made it 2-0 midway through the half, Platt hit another free kick, this time beating the keeper, but coming back off the angle of the goal frame. Nolan tried to clear, but it hit one of his own team mates, and dropped for Schon to clip it into the empty net. With the game in the bag, we made some changes, and two of the subs combined, Babis Stefanidis corner headed home by Tumaini Adams. A comprehensive win against our nearest challengers for the title right now, and time to focus on the FA Cup tie on Saturday. But before that, just time to twist the knife a little more, giving an interview to the press stating that Matlock manager Mark Atkins couldn't fail to notice the difference between the sides, and that he'll need a serious rethink to take that promotion space from us. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilhoskins77 Posted August 6, 2014 Author Share Posted August 6, 2014 Saturday 29/11/14 - FA Cup, Second Round Heritage Park, Bishop Auckland Darlington (5) 5 Chelmsford City (0) 0 Scorers : Matt Harold (15, 41, 45+1), Adrian Cieslewicz (32), Nichlas Schon (33) Attendance : 1,895 Nick Pope; Ross Smith, Mansour Assoumani, Matt Fry; Brynjar Vidisson, Nicky Platt (Arron Davies 86), Ivan Reali (inj - Babis Stefanidis 68), Adrian Cieslewicz; Jordan Owens (Christian Burgess 68); Nichlas Schon, Matt Harold. A couple of the First Team regulars could have done with a rest, Ross Smith and Jordan Owens in particular. But there was no chance of them being rested today, and I doubt they would have wanted to miss this one. After a slow start, we got ourselves ahead in the 15th minute. We took the ball off the visitors after they had a throw-in near the corner. Nicky Platt stole the ball and found Matt Harold, who squared it across goal. Ivan Reali beat the keeper, but the shot rebounded off the upright, but went right to Harold who sidefooted the ball into the net. From then on, we were in control, and never looked like losing. Shortly after the half hour, and it was two. Jordan Owens had all the space he could wish for just outside the box, and he slid the ball into the path of Adrian Cieslewicz. The on loan winger made a run that his marker, Monteiro, couldn't match and fired beyond the reach of the keeper into the far corner. We kept our foot down, and netted again just a minute later. Platt was again the man who took the ball from Chelmsford, and who found Harold who linked with Owens. The big Northern Irish attacker was provider again, laying in a pass for Nichlas Schon, and he curled it past the keeper. As half time approached, we put the game beyond doubt, if there was still any doubt left. Brynjar Vidisson lifted the ball over the defence, Schon ran onto it, but scuffed his shot a little. The keeper pushed it away, but only into the path of Harold, who beat the beleaguered Monteiro to the ball and netted his second simple finish. Harold got his hatrick in first half injury time, and if the first two were simple finishes, the third was real class. Schon knocked the long ball down to Owens, and he played it first time over the high backline, and Harold ran in. With defenders snapping at his ankles, he coolly lifted the ball over the keeper and into the top corner. 5-0 at half time, game over. Ivan Reali took a knock in the second half and came off, and we took the opportunity to shift to a slightly more defensive option as Chelmsford looked to pour forward every time they got the ball. But the fight had well and truly been taken out of them, and they couldn't find a way through. The Supporters Club spokesman reported that the fans were singing `We're going to Wembley'. Maybe not, but we are going to Brighton & Hove Albion, as we draw the nPower Championship side at their place in the Third Round of the Cup. This means our trip to Frickley in the League is rearranged, and we'll play Northwich Victoria in the Challenge Cup on New Year's Eve. Speaking of Frickley, they hold Matlock to a scoreless draw in the League. The gap increases slightly, and so does the number of games in hand we now have. [b][u]Northern Premier League - Saturday 29/11/14[/u][/b] | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Matlock Town | | 21 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 39 | 19 | +20 | 45 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| [b]| 2nd | | Darlington | | 18 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 47 | 14 | +33 | 42 | [/b] | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | AFC Fylde | | 20 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 43 | 21 | +22 | 41 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Droylsden | | 19 | 11 | 2 | 6 | 33 | 23 | +10 | 35 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Northwich Victoria | | 21 | 10 | 5 | 6 | 42 | 33 | +9 | 35 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilhoskins77 Posted August 6, 2014 Author Share Posted August 6, 2014 This is a clean and very nice read. No nonsense, good writing and a touch of humor. Well done, Neil. Cheers tenthreeleader. Apologies, I missed your post yesterday. Glad you're enjoying the read, it's good to know people are reading. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilhoskins77 Posted August 6, 2014 Author Share Posted August 6, 2014 December will be a very busy month for the club. We have 7 League games scheduled, followed by a Cup game on New Year's Eve. That run of League games begins with 3 home games within a week, two of them against teams currently in the Playoff spots. Tuesday 2/12/14 - Northern Premier League Heritage Park, Bishop Auckland Darlington (3) 3 Droylsden (0) 0 Scorers : Matt Harold (19,26), Nichlas Schon (45+1) Attendance : 1,832 Nick Pope; Christian Burgess, Mansour Assoumani, Matt Fry; Brynjar Vidisson (Babis Stefanidis 76), Arron Davies (Adrian Cieslewicz 76), Jonathan Nyamekeh, Martin Brittain; Tumaini Adams; Nichlas Schon (inj - Matheus Coelho 76), Matt Harold. Droylsden are one of the teams waiting to pounce if ourselves and/or Matlock slip up. Some changes were needed as the schedule continued to leave some players in need of a rest. The team talk centred on the need to keep up our momentum and pressure the teams around us. I always get the feeling that once we get our noses in front, we're a difficult team to beat, and so it proved here. Matt Harold played another Captain's role today, notching first by collecting Arron Davies' pass on the edge of the box, using the defender as a blocker, and his low show skidded off the wet turf, the keeper seeing it too late and having to watch it flash past him. Harold got the second too, glancing home a close range header from Tumaini Adams floated corner kick. Nichlas Schon added a bit of shine to the scoreline right on half time, a clinical finish from Adam's through ball. We didn't shut up shop in the second half, but we certainly took our foot off the gas a little. The most noteworthy incident wasn't good, Schon crumpling to the grass in a heap after attempting a sprint. He's going to miss up to a month with a groin strain. Saturday 6/12/14 - Northern Premier League Heritage Park, Bishop Auckland Darlington (1) 2 AFC Fylde (0) 0 Scorers : Adrian Cieslewicz (25), Joonas Tamm (77) Attendance : 1,893 Nick Pope; Ross Smith, Mansour Assoumani, Matt Fry; Brynjar Vidisson, Nicky Platt (Arron Davies 74), Ivan Reali (inj - Babis Stefanidis 74), Adrian Cieslewicz; Jordan Owens; Matheus Coelho (Joonas Tamm 74), Matt Harold. The game that should have marked the halfway mark of the League campaign, but as it stands, we're one game short of that point. AFC Fylde are the other team trying to close the gap and prevent the Title becoming a two horse race. With Nichlas Schon missing, Matheus Coelho is chosen to take his spot, with Joonas Tamm taking the spot on the bench. The visitors lined up in a very narrow formation, and from the offset, it looked like Ivan Reali and Adrian Cieslewicz were going to cause them problems out wide. The ball was constantly finding it's way to the widemen, and Reali in particular was causing them a headache. However it was Cieslewicz who opened the scoring. Matt Harold had moved out into the channel, and played a short ball in towards the near post. Confusion reigned between the goalkeeper and his defender, Hughes, both leaving the other to deal with it. Cieslewicz nipped in and not only won the ball, but stabbed it past the keeper at his near post too. At the break, we told the lads we were sure they had more in them to kill this game off. The visitors weren't living up to their lofty League status, and seemed to be lacking in any creativity up front. Our own biggest threat, Reali, limped out of the game. We took the opportunity to make all our changes, and within minutes Cieslewicz crossed from the byline, and substitute, Joonas Tamm, climbed highest at the far post to nod in the second, his first League goal in our colours. Game over. Matlock win too, so we're still level, but our superior goal difference keeps us top, and with a pair of games in hand. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilhoskins77 Posted August 8, 2014 Author Share Posted August 8, 2014 Six games without conceding a goal is another new club record. It's getting to the time of year where players in other countries are out of contract, and we do a little shopping around to see if there are opportunities to improve. Fabio Cesar's knowledge is proving a valuable asset. We're made aware of players from Brazil and elsewhere in South America who are now free agent's, and players in Italy as well as other European markets who are available for loan. Making sure the players are EU passport holders is important, there is no point wasting our time otherwise, players won't get work permits to play in the Northern Premier League unless they historically have a huge amount of caps for their nation. Before we can move for any of these players, we need to free up some wage budget room. That process begins at the start of the week, but come Tuesday evening, there is a match to focus on. Tuesday 2/12/14 - Northern Premier League Heritage Park, Bishop Auckland Darlington (2) 3 Stafford Rangers (1) 2 Scorers : Adrian Cieslewicz (14,45), Brynjar Vidisson (54) Attendance : 1,842 Nick Pope; Christian Burgess (Ross Smith 83), Mansour Assoumani, Matt Fry; Brynjar Vidisson (Babis Stefanidis 83), Arron Davies, Jonathan Nyamekeh, Adrian Cieslewicz; Tumaini Adams; Matheus Coelho, Matt Harold. Another little shuffle around is needed for the midweek game. Adrian Cieslewicz has been nothing short of superb since arriving, and he netted a couple of goals in this one for a crucial victory in one of our games in hand. A quick break forward in the 14th minute, Matheus Coelho finds Matt Harold in the middle, outside the box. He spots the run of Cieslewicz on the right, and the winger showed great composure as a trio of defenders closed in to make a tackle, beating the keeper with a low drive inside the near post. Rangers levelled 20 minutes later, Kaisama skinning Arron Davies down their left, his cross headed down for Karl Ashton, who smashed an unstoppable shot high into the net. Cieslewicz puts us back in front, the cross from the left from Jonathan Nyamekeh finds him unmarked, he nudges the ball past the challenges of 2 defenders, and shoots across the keeper into the far corner. At half time I tell the team to keep working hard, but within 2 minutes of the restart its all square. Karl Ashton's close range header from a suspiciously offside looking position brings a wonder save from Nick Pope, but White gets to the rebound to finish. Step up Brynjar Vidisson to win the game with a free kick from just right of centre about 22 yards out, curling it over the end of the wall, and into the top corner. A goal worthy of winning us those precious three points. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilhoskins77 Posted August 8, 2014 Author Share Posted August 8, 2014 I declared my interest in the Leyton Orient job, with the side currently near the wrong end of nPower League Two. They say they would be interested to speak to me about the job, but couldn't afford to pay the compensation required to Darlington. So I'm left with the choice of quitting and hope they make an offer, or staying put. I opt for the latter, for the time being at least. Saturday 13/12/14 - Northern Premier League Borough Park, Workington Workington (0) 2 Darlington (3) 4 Scorers : Matt Harold (4), Jordan Owens (10), Matheus Coelho (42), Fabio Cesar (62) Attendance : 192 Nick Pope; Ross Smith, Mansour Assoumani, Matt Fry; Brynjar Vidisson (Arron Davies 84), Nicky Platt (inj - Fabio Cesar 45), Ivan Reali, Adrian Cieslewicz; Jordan Owens (Tumaini Adams 84); Matheus Coelho, Matt Harold. Apart from those still on the injured list (Nichlas Schon), the team is almost at full strength. Speaking of injuries, Fabio Cesar returns today, but is only deemed fit enough for a place on the bench. We get off to a good start, ahead in the 4th minute. Ivan Reali crosses from the left to the edge of the 6 yard box, where Matt Harold gets goalside of his marker to sweep a volley in. By the 10th minute, it was 2-0. Matheus Coelho showed good pace to beat a defender in the left channel, centred the ball from the byline, and the strength of Jordan Owens was key in beating a defender to the header and netting from close range. Coelho got a reward for his good first half late in the period, Haslam rose to beat Ivan Reali to win a defensive header, but his choice to try and get it back to his keeper was fatal, the header lacking pace, and Coelho stole in to knock it home. Nicky Platt took a knock right on the break, and after being assessed in the dressing room, it was decided he wouldn't play any further part, and Fabio Cesar would return. And did he ever return, curling home a left footed free kick shortly after the hour. It went close to the middle of the goal, but the sheer power meant that despite getting both hands to it, Scott couldn't keep it out. After about as solid an 85 minutes you would wish for from an away game, the team shipped two late goals within a minute of each other to spoil the scoreline somewhat. Brough took control of Haslam's long ball left, and his cross had a queue of red shirts waiting to apply the finish, Boyd it was who touched it home. Straight from the restart, they got another. Reali lost the ball trying to beat Wordsworth, and he found Haslam down the right. His cross, turned into a shot, as it looped over a back-pedalling Nick Pope, and found the far corner. Matlock win again to keep it tight at the top. Nicky Platt will miss a fortnight with the bruised ribs he sustained during the game. Northern Premier League - Saturday 13/12/14 | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| [b]| 1st | | Darlington | | 22 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 59 | 18 | +41 | 54 | [/b] | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Matlock Town | | 23 | 15 | 6 | 2 | 43 | 20 | +23 | 51 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | AFC Fylde | | 22 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 44 | 24 | +20 | 42 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Northwich Victoria | | 23 | 12 | 5 | 6 | 46 | 33 | +13 | 41 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Droylsden | | 23 | 13 | 2 | 8 | 36 | 28 | +8 | 41 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilhoskins77 Posted August 8, 2014 Author Share Posted August 8, 2014 Sunderland midfielder, Callum Hope, joins the club on loan for the remainder of the season. He's currently available on a free transfer, so we'll see how he gets on for the rest of this campaign. He's 19 years old, and has been at his hometown club since he was just 15. He's yet to make a First Team appearance, this is the first time he's left the club on loan. Tuesday 16/12/14 - Northern Premier League Heritage Park, Bishop Auckland Darlington (0) 3 Blyth Spartans (0) 1 Scorers : Matheus Coelho (56,90+3), Matt Harold (73) Attendance : 1,856 Nick Pope; Ross Smith, Mansour Assoumani, Matt Fry; Fabio Cesar, Arron Davies, Ivan Reali (Brynjar Vidisson 65), Adrian Cieslewicz; Jordan Owens (Tumaini Adams 65); Matheus Coelho, Matt Harold. You have to hand it to our fans, they're a loyal bunch. Sub-zero temperatures, hail falling, and just a week or so before Christmas, and they're still here roaring us on to, what will hopefully be, a third successive promotion, and back into the slightly less obscure Blue Square Leagues. The fans determination wasn't matched on the pitch in first half, by either side. A tepid half of football that didn't really produce any moments of real note. With ourselves looking to try and open up a gap on Matlock, and with Blyth desperately trying to haul themselves back into the Playoff picture, the second half was much improved, with Brazilian striker, Matheus Coelho stealing the show, and he's now looking like he's starting to settle into British football, a run of games no doubt helping the cause. He gave us the lead in the 56th minute with a counter attack. Blyth tried a short corner routine that failed miserably, Arron Davies picking up the ball and sending Jordan Owens away into space. He checked back, and held up the ball well, finding Adrian Cieslewicz on the right. His cross into the middle was just too far in front of Matt Harold, but Coelho was following behind him and half volleyed home with power. Blyth weren't about to throw in the towel, and got a goal back through their two dangermen. Dale took control of a long pass on the left of the box, and fought his way to the byline where he cut the ball back into the middle. Matt Fry and Barnes both tried to get a touch on the ball, but it pinballed around, only to fall perfectly for Bishop to nudge home a close range equaliser. It was the skipper, Matt Harold who got us back in front with around 20 minutes of game time left, Tumaini Adams tried to play in Coelho, a slide tackle dispossessed him, but the ball ran for Harold who got his body in front of the defender and lifted it over the onrushing keeper. As Blyth searched for a late, late leveller, they were caught on the classic counter attack. Arron Davies stole the ball and played Adams away in space on the left. His centre pass found Harold who knocked it down for Brynjar Vidisson. He in turn, played a perfect ball over the top which Coelho was onto, rounded the keeper and secured the win. Saturday 20/12/14 - Northern Premier League The Silverlands, Buxton Buxton (2) 2 Darlington (1) 2 Scorers : Fabio Cesar (24), Manour Assoumani (79) Attendance : 357 Nick Pope; Ross Smith, Mansour Assoumani, Matt Fry; Fabio Cesar (Callum Hope 69), Brynjar Vidisson, Ivan Reali, Adrian Cieslewicz; Tumaini Adams; Matheus Coelho (Joonas Tamm 69), Matt Harold. Our final game before Christmas. The team are getting tired, and quality reinforcements would be great, if we had the money in the budget to do it. In some countries, there is a winter break, in this country, you get a busier schedule. Some of the players looked like they were already celebrating Christmas, the season of goodwill extending to Michael McGrath, the defence backing up continually McGrath taking advantage and getting into the box and drilling a low shot beyond Nick Pope and inside the near post. Fabio Cesar is really finding his range with his free kicks, this one from 30 yards was probably one of the best I've seen, from the right of the box, curled over the wall and into the far top corner, leaving the keeper grasping thin air. With half time approaching, McGrath struck again. Stevenson tried a shot that hit Mansour Assoumani on the shins and rebounded straight to McGrath to beat a keeper already trying to recover from the initial deflection off his defender. The second half was dour, and an equaliser looked unlikely for long periods. With our unbeaten record looking like it was about to bite the dust, Assoumani rose to glance Brynjar Vidisson's floated corner into the net and preserve our lead at the top by a solitary point as Matlock win once again. We do still have a game in hand. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilhoskins77 Posted August 9, 2014 Author Share Posted August 9, 2014 Louis Longridge will leave the club on January 1st, he's signed for Gillingham on a free transfer. He was never happy at not attaining `first choice' status, and was very quick to not only complain to me, but to the media as well. Happy to get his wages off the budget. Jeremy Villeneuve leaves effective immediately for Spennymoor Town. The Mauritius International was signed with the intention of being the starting attacking midfielder, but Jordan Owens ruined that for him, and he's surplus to requirements with us. Michael McNaughton and Stuart Nicholson are both released from their contracts with immediate effect. Merry Christmas. Saturday 27/12/14 - Northern Premier League Heritage Park, Bishop Auckland Darlington (1) 2 Mossley (0) 0 Scorers : Jordan Owens (17), Adrian Cieslewicz (64) Attendance : 1,896 Nick Pope; Ross Smith, Mansour Assoumani, Matt Fry; Fabio Cesar, Nicky Platt (Brynjar Vidisson 76), Ivan Reali (Arron Davies 76), Adrian Cieslewicz; Jordan Owens; Matheus Coelho (Nichlas Schon 76), Matt Harold. Nichlas Schon returned to the squad over the Christmas period, and took a place on the bench for our last League fixture of 2014. While the win was nice, this game was very frustrating, we missed enough chances to win 4 or 5 games, and could have really made a statement going into the New Year. Jordan Owens opened the scoring, connecting with Fabio Cesar's free kick near the penalty spot, his header looping inside the near post. How it was only 1-0 at half time will go down as one of the great mysteries. Matheus Coelho and Matt Harold could have had a hatrick each. We had to wait until nearly 20 minutes into the second half to put the game to bed, Owens was given time on the ball, and he picked Adrian Cieslewicz run in field from the right channel, and he placed his left footed shot out of reach of the keeper. Nichlas Schon came on for the last quarter of an hour, hitting the bar with a volley within moments of entering the game. Matlock win away from home, so we still have a single point advantage and a game in hand, and we're now 10 points clear of the rest of the pack. Callum Hope is out for around 6 weeks with a twisted ankle that he picked up in training before the Challenge Cup game with Northwich Victoria on New Year's Eve. Wednesday 31/12/14 - Northern League Challenge Cup, Third Round Heritage Park, Bishop Auckland Darlington (0) 2 Northwich Victoria (0) 0 Scorers : Nichlas Schon (49,82) Attendance : 1,380 Nick Pope; Ross Smith, Mansour Assoumani, Matt Fry; Fabio Cesar, Nicky Platt (Brynjar Vidisson 79), Ivan Reali, Adrian Cieslewicz; Jordan Owens (Tumaini Adams 79); Nichlas Schon, Matt Harold. It decided to keep a full strength side out for the Northern League Challenge Cup clash. This season, we've been given other players a run out in this competition, but we're looking to continue a decent run of form heading into the FA Cup trip to Brighton on the weekend, and a lot of the squad players who were being used are either leaving, or have already left. Nichlas Schon returns to the starting lineup, switching with Matheus Coelho who sits on the bench. The first half was a bit of a non-event, neither club creating any clear cut chances, most shots were from range and didn't trouble the respective goalkeepers. At half time the players were urged to take control of the match and make sure they get the first goal. They didn't disappoint, Fabio Cesar delivering a free kick from the right touchline, Nichlas Schon moving off the back of his marker, and hitting a controlled volley inside the near post. It was nearly two within minutes, Fabio Cesar with another free kick, this time curled at goal from 25 yards, and just clearing the crossbar with the keeper looking beat. While it was only a one goal game, Northwich always had an opportunity to get themselves level, but Schon put the game to bed with less than 10 minutes to go, played in by Tumaini Adams, his first effort hit the post, but he got himself in front of the defenders to connect with the rebound and find the net again. The draw for the next round doesn't take place until Sunday, after our trip to Brighton. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilhoskins77 Posted August 9, 2014 Author Share Posted August 9, 2014 Joonas Tamm leaves the club on New Year's Day, signing for Blue Square Premier side, Hyde FC, on a free transfer. Another player who didn't cope well from the outset with not being an automatic first choice, the tall Estonian may well be someone we come up against next season if we get promoted, with Hyde FC very much involved in the relegation battle at the moment. Saturday 3/1/15 - FA Cup, Third Round American Express Community Stadium, Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion (3) 4 Darlington (0) 1 Scorers : Jordan Owens (71) Attendance : 14,882 Nick Pope; Christian Burgess, Mansour Assoumani, Matt Fry; Fabio Cesar (Nicky Platt 72), Brynjar Vidisson, Arron Davies (Ivan Reali 45), Adrian Cieslewicz; Tumaini Adams (Jordan Owens 45); Nichlas Schon, Matt Harold. It was unfortunate that we had to make some changes for our big day out at Brighton, but the reality is that we weren't likely to come down here and get a result, and the League is more important. So the players who need a rest get one here, namely Ross Smith, Nicky Platt, Ivan Reali and Jordan Owens. After making a promising start, it all came crashing down around us, courtesy of Argentinian striker, Leonardo Ulloa. He provided the knock down after Christian Burgess missed his header, and Andrew Crofts hits a low drive from outside the box that finds the bottom corner. Burgess bundled Ulloa to the floor five minutes later, and he picked himself off the floor and sent Nick Pope the wrong way. Ten minutes before the break, and Ulloa placed the ball on the penalty spot once more, this time Arron Davies mistimed his challenge on Liam Bridcutt. Ulloa went right down the middle after Pope went to his right, and we go in at the break three down. We made some half time changes, to try and give our travelling supporters something to cheer if nothing else. Just short of the hour, Ulloa gets his treble with a close range diving header. We do manage a consolation goal, Nichlas Schon runs off the shoulder of El-Abd, and fires a low shot that hits the inside of the post. The pair both try and get to the loose ball, but sub Jordan Owens beats them both to it and prods home from close range. Our FA Cup adventure is over for another year, but both our reputation, and bank balance, are all the more healthy for it. Matlock Town win in the League to leapfrog us at the top, but we now have a couple of games in hand. The draw for the Quarter-Finals of the Northern Premier League Challenge Cup, hands us a trip to Prescot Cables of Northern Premier League, First Division North. The game is pencilled in for Saturday 14th February. Tuesday 6/1/15 - Northern Premier League Heritage Park, Bishop Auckland Darlington (-) P Northwich Victoria (-) P Match Postponed due to a waterlogged pitch Rearranged for Friday 16/1/15 The pitch at Heritage Park has shown signs of the winter in the last few weeks, and it's no surprise that heavy rain leads to the postponement of this fixture. The rearrangement for the Friday evening means the remainder of this month is going to be a very busy one for the club. Matlock are held 0-0 at home by Droylsden. Northern Premier League - Thursday 8/1/15 | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Matlock Town | | 28 | 19 | 7 | 2 | 50 | 21 | +29 | 64 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | [b]2nd | | Darlington | | 25 | 18 | 7 | 0 | 66 | 21 | +45 | 61 | [/b] | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Droylsden | | 28 | 16 | 4 | 8 | 45 | 32 | +13 | 52 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Northwich Victoria | | 26 | 15 | 5 | 6 | 56 | 36 | +20 | 50 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | AFC Fylde | | 27 | 12 | 7 | 8 | 48 | 34 | +14 | 43 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.