[FM21] Return of the Phoe Nix - Rise of the Raven. FC Isle of Man Youth Save.

[Sonic Youth]

Gowdy’s two windows away from being your most capped International on top of scoring the most international goals 

[Punch]

OCT 2040 - Match Day 9 - Vs Tottenham Hotspur

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A strange game where we scored all four goals, but the three points weren't secured until late in the game as Spurs put in a massive defensive effort.

Gary Gowdy doing Gary Gowdy things to get us on the board just before the half hour mark.

The visitors put in a great defensive effort to keep it only at 1-0 at the break.

We kept up the attacks in the second half, but it was one of the rare Tottenham attacking raids, where we managed to turn a ball into our own net, to make it a shock 1-1 scoreline.

We continued to attack, and the Spurs defensive line continued to frustrate us, but with 10 minutes to go, a stunning strike from defender Glynn Crosby finally broke the stalemate in our favour.

Substitute Craig Hoston smashed home a volley to complete a 3-1 result a few minutes later.

Probably harsh on Spurs to get beaten 3-1, but we were really the only team attacking.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Situation all the same at the top.

 

 

Up next...we travel to Istanbul for Champions League Group match 3 against Besiktas.

[Punch]

1 hour ago, Sonic Youth said:

Gowdy’s two windows away from being your most capped International on top of scoring the most international goals 

Yep, and throwing goals in for fun in every competition.

[Punch]

OCT 2040 - Group Stage 3rd Match - At Besiktas AS

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A turkey shoot in Istanbul as Besiktas are put to the sword.

We rotated the squad slightly to rest some legs against a team we were heavy favourites, and the gamble paid off.

The boys went on an attacking spree, Billy Johnson and Aled Harden had a brace each by half time.

Craig Hoston and Martin Challinor also got on the score sheet to round out a perfect six.

 

A brilliant performance, money in the bank, and three points.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Real won at tight match at Club Brugge in the other match.

 

A big win and Brugge's loss puts us 2nd outright.

 

 

Up next...a big League clash as we welcome Manchester United to The Isle.

[Punch]

OCT 2040 - Match Day 10 - Vs Manchester United

 

Match Report

Spoiler

We have been involved in some high scoring epics lately, but this was a one goal epic at The Isle.

Both sides put in mammoth defensive performances, John Hodgson was nearly Man of the Match, justifying my decision to stick with him.

0-0 at the break, but it was anything but a snooze-fest, both sides going after the game.

After the break, it was two of our best that conspired to eek out the only goal of the game, as some fancy footwork from Obinna Tamara managed to create some space for Gary Gowdy to fire us into the lead.

That would be the only goal of the game as both defences held firm, and we collected another three points.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

We pass the quarter mark of the season still perfect, having peeled off an incredible 40 goals along the way.

Also pleasing, while our defence isn't the best, it's right up there with them.

 

 

Up next...the rotated squad will be out as we travel to QPR for the League Cup 4th Round.

[Sonic Youth]

Top result against Man Utd, with who else but Gowdy popping up with the winner 

Your GA/FOR are amazing  

[Punch]

1 hour ago, Sonic Youth said:

Top result against Man Utd, with who else but Gowdy popping up with the winner 

Your GA/FOR are amazing  

Haha yeah, he seems to find himself in the right spot a lot.

40 goals in 10 games, it's been an insane start to the season.

[Punch]

OCT 2040 - League Cup 4th Round - At Queens Park Rangers

 

Match Report

Spoiler

We sent out a lot of youngsters against QPR, and what a stunning result.

We scored first, but had to come from behind to make it 2-2 at half time.

The kids turned on the afterburners in the 2nd half, smashing in 5 goals to run away with a 7-3 win.

Mateusz Stępień peeled off a hat-trick, and four other scorers made for a brilliant attacking performance, although conceding three was not so great.

 

The Quarter Final draw is not until next week.

 

 

Up next...back to League action as we travel to struggling Everton.

[Punch]

OCT 2040

A brilliant month results wise, and especially in attack as we scored 5 or more goals in 4 of our 6 matches.

We stay perfect in the League, important wins in the Champions League to push our claim for the next round, and the kids went nuts in the League Cup.

 

Not surprisingly, the Analyst still has our attack almost off the scale, but our defence, while still good, slipped a little this month.

 

10 out of 10 as we've rattled off 40 goals, in an amazing start to the season.

City blinked first with a draw at Wolves, giving us a two point lead.

 

Stats

 

Goalkeeper

Cusato still gets his chances to impress, but Hodgson is still my number one.

 

Defence

 

Midfield

 

Forwards

 

 

Gary Gowdy has 20 goals, on an xG below 10, he just keeps taking his game to another level.

 

Still perfect in the League, leading me to another award.

 

Another small loss this month, but we can wear those after selling plenty of players in the last few years.

 

While Hodgson has been installed back into the number one slot for England, Cusato was also called up to the senior squad for the first time, meaning we now have 7 players in the England National squad.

 

An important month coming up, and a lot of home games, but this month could go a long way to progressing to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

[Jtomsett11]

Another excellent month and its good to see City falter slightly! 7 youth intake players in the England squad is sensational. Looking forward to the rest of the season!

[Punch]

8 hours ago, Jtomsett11 said:

Another excellent month and its good to see City falter slightly! 7 youth intake players in the England squad is sensational. Looking forward to the rest of the season!

Thank you!

And 3 of the 7 are Isle of Man natives, which is crazy as well.

[Punch]

NOV 2040 - League Cup Quarter Final Draw

The rotated squad will travel to Stoke for the Quarter Final.

 

We don't have a great record against them, but it's been some time since we met.

[Punch]

NOV 2040 - Match Day 11 - At Everton

 

Match Report

Spoiler

The execution was off today, as we created plenty of chances, but really struggled to hit the target.

We were good in defence, but the game was decided by a single goal.

Mark Walsh was brought down in the box, and Gary Gowdy made no mistake smashing home the penalty on 20 minutes.

Not our best performance, but we take the points.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Same same for top two, but we take a big break over the field as City beat Arsenal.

 

 

Up next...Champions League Group Stage 4th match against Besikstas.

[Punch]

NOV 2040 - Group Stage 4th Match - Vs Besiktas AS

 

Match Report

Spoiler

We took the gamble to rest some of the regular players against a much weaker opposition, and it paid off with the rotated squad getting the job done, while being able to rest some of the legs of the regular starters.

An own goal and a Martin Challinor header had as a comfortable 2-0 lead by half time.

We continued to dominate the second half, but only managed two more goals.

The first on the hour to Craig Hoston, and the second in injury time to James Phelan to complete a 4-0 victory.

 

Three points and prize money to boot.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

A shock result in the other match as Real give up points at home to Club Brugge.

 

If Real had won, we would be qualified, but we now require at least 1 point from our final two games to qualify for the knockout rounds.

 

 

Up next...back to League action as Sheffield Wednesday travel to The Isle.

[Punch]

NOV 2040 - Match Day 12 - Vs Sheffield Wednesday

 

Match Report

Spoiler

We returned to our attacking best with a dominant performance against The Owls.

Dave Keogh got us off the mark on 20 minutes, heading home a Gary Gowdy free kick.

We were playing like the better team, but some good defending, and very little luck resulted in the match staying 1-0 until late in the second half.

Gary Gowdy was brought down in the box, and converted the chance on 71 minutes to make it 2-0.

Substitute Craig Hoston made a great run and picked the perfect ball into the path of John Wright to make it 3-0 a few minutes later.

Three goals, a clean sheet, three points, and we stay perfect for the season.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

The table almost looks ridiculous, us and City are so far ahead already.

 

 

Up next...an international break with 37 players on duty, before we take on Burnley at The Isle.

[Punch]

NOV 2040 - Internationals

 

37 players called up for youth and senior international duty this month.

 

 

Gary Gowdy reaches 75 caps, and equals the all time record.

[Punch]

NOV 2040 - Match Day 13 - Vs Burnley FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Showing how far we have improved, this was a game over the last few years that we would have gotten frustrated into a draw.

The visitors took the lead on 12 minutes after a defensive lapse at a corner allowed a free header.

Ten minutes later, Gary Gowdy unleashed a vicious curling free kick to level the scores.

The scores stayed that way, and although we had plenty of chances, we couldn't put them away.

Instead of having to settle for a draw, our boys kept at it, and on 73 minutes we pressured Burnley into a defensive mistake, with substitute Michael Pilkington picking out Gowdy in the box, who volleyed home the winner, making it 2-1.

We then turned it over to the defence to lock it down and secure another three points.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

City were held to a draw by Liverpool, so we have extended out lead slightly.

 

 

Up next...Champions League returns to The Isle as Real Madrid pay us a visit.

[Punch]

NOV 2040 - Group Stage 5th Match - Vs Real Madrid

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A brilliant result as we knock over Real at The Isle.

Constant pressure forced an error from the Real defence, allowing Mark Walsh to steal in and slot home for a 1-0 lead.

Just before half time Martin Challinor headed home a corner to make it 2-0, putting us in a great position.

We kept the pressure up in the second half and were rewarded just after the hour, after we forced another defensive error, again allowing Mark Walsh to slot home, completing his brace for a 3-0 lead, which we kept to the end.

 

Keeping the prize money rolling in.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Besiktas held Club Brugge to a draw.

 

We confirm qualification for the knockout rounds, and even snatch 1st place from Real.

 

 

Up next...back to League action as we travel away to Watford.

[Punch]

NOV 2040

A pretty special month as we stay perfect in the League, win both Champions League matches, qualifying for the knockout rounds in the process, and only concede a single goal.

 

Makes for a very happy analyst as our defence has improved this month, although our attack is still nearly off the scale, we could have scored more goals.

 

We lead City by 4 points, with a huge gap back to 3rd.

 

Stats

 

Goalkeepers

Hodgson passes 450 appearances for the club.

 

Defence

 

Midfield

 

Forwards

 

 

Gowdy's continued brilliant form leads him to a 4th straight Player of the Month award.

 

Staying perfect in the League also gets me back to back awards.

 

Gowdy was voted the best player in the world in the Goal 50 award.

 

A small loss again this month, but pretty much the normal at the moment.

 

We are top of the tree when in comes to Premier League player development.

 

Also well inside the top 10 across Europe.

 

I said in another thread that December seems to be the month that schedulers seem to like trying to kill players, and this is no different.

A monster month, including the monster clash on Boxing Day against Manchester City.

[Punch]

DEC 2040 - Match Day 14 - At Watford

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Carnage at the Vicarage as we run riot over Watford.

It took us just two minutes to get on the board as Mark Walsh smashed home an early goal.

Gary Gowdy converted a penalty after he was brought down in the box on 23 minutes.

By half time Gowdy had netted twice more, to give us a 4-0 lead.

On 52 minutes, Gowdy had his 4th, and a 5-0 lead.

A perfect half dozen was completed on 73 minutes after Michael Pilkington came off the bench to slot home for a 6-0 scoreline.

A brilliant attacking performance, a clean sheet, 6 goals, 3 points, and all while resting several players.

There will be plenty of that going on this month.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Fourteen on the trot, and the news got even better as City were beaten by Aston Villa, giving us a 7 point lead.

 

 

Up next...away again as we travel to Wolves.

[Punch]

DEC 2040 - 3rd Round Draw

Peterborough will travel to The Isle for Round 3.

 

We have a perfect record against them, but again, it's been some time since we met.

[Sonic Youth]

Nice win against Watford! Been wondering when we’d see a performance like that from Gowdy 

[Punch]

1 hour ago, Sonic Youth said:

Nice win against Watford! Been wondering when we’d see a performance like that from Gowdy 

Going to change his name to Fine Wine...just keeps getting better with age

[Punch]

DEC 2040 - Match Day 15 - At Wolverhampton Wanderers

 

Match Report

Spoiler

15 and 0 as our next man up policy continues to work wonders through the packed schedule.

Wolves took a shock 8th minute lead, but full credit to our guys as they weren't rattled.

Working our way back into the match and building pressure, we were rewarded when Kyle Christian slotted home and equaliser on 13 minutes.

With Gowdy resting on the bench, Martin Challinor took over the penalty duties, and calmly slotted his chance home on 30 minutes after John Wright was brought down in the box.

The hosts had a player sent off in the second half, making any chance of a comeback unlikely.

Seven minutes later we put it beyond doubt, Challinor heading home to complete his brace, and confirm a 3-1 victory.

We made hard work of it at times, but good that we could rest some players and still get the job done.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

15 and 0, 55 for, 11 against, and a 7 point lead. No one would have predicted that, and we couldn't have done much more.

 

 

Up next...a tougher match as we take on Norwich at The Isle.

[Punch]

DEC 2040 - Match Day 16 - Vs Norwich City

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Disappointing collapse is correct, as we gave up the lead twice to go down to a red hot Norwich City team.

We started well with Mark Walsh netting us an early lead.

The Canaries hit back and it stayed 1-1 at the break.

Just after the break, defender Glynn Crosby scored with a sweet strike from distance, but the lead only lasted a minute as the visitors hit back with their own long distance bomb.

Our last 20 minutes was disappointing as we put in a tired looking performance, conceding two late goals to go down 2-4.

A worry to put in such a tired performance only a week into a massive month.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Our first loss of the season, but the blow was softened by Leeds holding Manchester City to a draw, our lead reduced to 6 points.

 

 

Up next...Champions League as we travel to Belgium to take on Club Brugge.

[TelcontarTargaryen]

I was hoping you could go undefeated through the whole season... well the league at least.

[Punch]

1 hour ago, TelcontarTargaryen said:

I was hoping you could go undefeated through the whole season... well the league at least.

That would have been awesome, but a huge challenge, especially playing Game of Fatigue around so many matches.

[Punch]

DEC 2040 - Youth Intake Preview

Take this as you will, as I am pretty sure the Youth Intake Preview is broken.

What you end up with, rarely ends up lining up too closely to what's in the preview.

 

But fullbacks and midfielders, and not much else at this stage,

[Punch]

DEC 2040 - Group Stage 6th Match - At Club Brugge KV

 

Match Report

Spoiler

We take the chocolates in Belgium, with a solid all round performance.

Still working our way through a hectic month, playing the game of Fatigue Manager, a heavily rotated squad went out for a game, that while we had already qualified for the knockout round, 1st place in the group was still up for grabs.

An early goal for Maks Kazalac got us off to the positive start we needed, and by 15 minutes it was 2-0 after Craig Hoston smashed home.

From there we could control the game, and cruise to victory, Stewart Kearney sealing the win with a great shot just before the hour to complete a 3-0 win.

 

Chocolates and prize money, what a trip.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

Imagine scoring four goals in a Champions League match...and not being Player of the match

Real running riot over hapless Besiktas.

 

We top the group after losing our first match to Real.

The first knockout round draw is still a week or so away.

 

 

Up next...back to League action as Chelsea travel to The Isle.

[Punch]

DEC 2040 - Match Day 17 - Vs Chelsea FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Back on track with a solid performance against Chelsea.

The visitors sat back and gave us plenty of attacking chances, and we slowly working our way into the game.

Lewis Hoey headed us into the lead on 31 minutes, and it stayed 1-0 through to the break.

We really turned it on in the second half with 3 goals coming in a 20 minute stretch.

Kyle Christian made it 2-0 on 55 minutes, Gary Gowdy putting the game out of reach of the Blues 6 minutes later.

Michael Pilkington came of the bench to put the cherry on top on 75 minutes, completing the 4-0 rout.

A good bounce back from our first loss of the season.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

City win as well to maintain the 6 point gap.

 

 

Up next...the rotated squad will travel to Stoke for the League Cup Quarter Final.

[Punch]

DEC 2040 - First Knockout Round Draw

We get RB Leipzig in the First Knockout Round.

They have themselves a nice big stadium now too, after becoming one of the power house teams in Germany.

 

Just the one previous meeting when we won our first ever European trophy, beating them in the Europa League final in 2037.

[Jtomsett11]

What a season so far! Unbelievable record considering it's youth only as well.  Fingers crossed for the title (I have faith!)

[Punch]

32 minutes ago, Jtomsett11 said:

What a season so far! Unbelievable record considering it's youth only as well.  Fingers crossed for the title (I have faith!)

If we can get through this month reasonably unscathed, we might be in for a good shot. It's months like this I am glad I carry a bigger squad than I should.

We just hope to have City have a few more stumbles, because I am sure we will have some before the season ends.

[Punch]

DEC 2040 - League Cup Quarter Final - At Stoke City

 

Match Report

Spoiler

We sent out the kids and fringe players in the League Cup, and they performed brilliantly to keep The Potters scoreless, and put two goals away themselves.

Young midfielder Leigh Agnew got us an early lead with a curling effort from the edge of the box.

We kept the pressure on them, but couldn't put it away until late in the second half, when another youngster, Ryan Mitchell put the game to bed.

A good performance, and good to get some youngsters game time.

 

 

Semi Final Draw

Spoiler

We get Southampton in the two legged Semi Final. We get the 2nd Leg at home.

 

A good record against them, but it will be the rotated squad play them again.

 

 

Up next...a tough match at The Emirates as we take on Arsenal.

[Punch]

DEC 2040 - Match Day 18 - At Arsenal

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A stunner at The Emirates as two substitutes combine to rescue a point.

A tight battle between two in form clubs, but it was the hosts who struck first, on 24 minutes, keeping the lead to half time.

We played better in the second half, but lacked the execution, with our front four really struggling to hit the target.

With time running out, Billy Johnson made a great run before picking out Mateusz Stępień, who calmly slotted home.

Not our best performance, but we collect a share of the points on the road.

This crazy month continues.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

City make up some ground, but we still have the four point gap.

 

 

Up next...the monster Boxing Day clash in Manchester as we take on City in a top of the table blockbuster.

[Punch]

DEC 2040 - Match Day 19 - At Manchester City

 

Match Report

Spoiler

An absolute epic at the City of Manchester Stadium, as we give a full house a game worthy of the top of the table clash.

The hosts had the ball in the net in the first minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

We quickly set to work putting them under pressure, and it paid off after 6 minutes with Gary Gowdy sliding home a Kyle Christian cross to give us the lead.

Ten minutes later, some lazy defending gave away a penalty, and City took the chance to equalise.

On 37 minutes we failed to defend a corner and the hosts took the lead with a thumping header, and it stayed 1-2 until the break.

Just after half time, Kyle Christian was at it again to set up another goal, this time picking out Mark Walsh, who made no mistake to equalise.

We were creating chances and keeping the pressure on looking for a winner, but we got caught committing too many forward, and after a break away, the City striker was able to chip the advancing Hodgson to secure the winner.

We were not able to create enough pressure to score an another equaliser, so City take the points.

An exciting game, but disappointing to give up three goals, and come away with nothing.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

The midway point of the season and City have cut the lead to a single point.

We have smashed home an astonishing 64 goals in the first half of the season

 

 

Up next...Sheffield United travel to The Isle.

[Sonic Youth]

Tough last couple of games against Arsenal and Man City.

The one that really gets me is Norwich. That FOR and AG! That would be tough to sit through, especially knowing what your doing along with Man City.

[Punch]

6 minutes ago, Sonic Youth said:

Tough last couple of games against Arsenal and Man City.

The one that really gets me is Norwich. That FOR and AG! That would be tough to sit through, especially knowing what your doing along with Man City.

Tough couple of games to run into at the end of a monster month.

I am guessing we will get them again at the end of the season.

[Punch]

DEC 2040 - Match Day 20 - Vs Sheffield United FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A devastating result as The Blades are put to the sword.

We sent out a few youngsters to rotate the players, and they run amok taking 40 shots as goal, 21 on target, 5 different goal scorers, and two more against the woodwork, so the score could have ended up anything.

We got off the mark in the 4th minute, and then just kept scoring at regular intervals.

This was both an excellent chance to rest some legs, and a brilliant bounce back from a disappointing loss.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

City win as well keeping the gap at one point.

 

 

Up next...another big clash as we'll start the New Year with the Manannan Derby, away to Liverpool.

[Punch]

DEC 2040

A monster month, book ended by big wins against lower teams, but we did have our first loss of the season, followed by a draw and a 2nd loss.

In better news we topped our Champions League group, and the rotated squad marched on in the League Cup.

 

Our attacking stats are still off the charts, but our defence slipped again this month.

 

Just past the midway point and it's looking like a two way battle as we are now four games clear of third place.

 

Stats

 

Goalkeepers

The workload has been getting shared, but both players are performing well.

 

Defence

The combination of rotation, minor injuries, and card accumulation suspensions mean plenty of players have had to step up in defence.

This could be the cause of some of our issues at the back.

 

Midfield

Tamara has been struggling with fatigue, so players like Lee and Hamilton have been getting their chances.

Kyle Christian has probably been one of the most improved players at the club, in terms of consistency, over the last few seasons.

 

Forwards

Aled Harden would be the superstar on any other team, but like everyone else, he lives in Gary Gowdy's shadow.

30 goals across all competitions on and xG of 16. The guy is playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers at the moment.

More to come on that in the next post.

 

Another small loss, but nothing unexpected.

 

Another monster month, 6 League games, the FA Cup kicks off, but the League Cup will be for the rotated squad.

[Punch]

DEC 2040 continued

Awards night

 

The end of the year and we celebrate some awards:

 

Surprisingly, Gary Gowdy didn't win everything, with young striker Craig Hoston taking out the first award.

Another vastly improved player, who has been taking his chances and forcing his way into the lineup.

 

The rise, and rise, and rise...

 

Gowdy didn't win the first award, but he did win just about everything else...

 

 

Golden Ball, World Footballer, World Player, and Team of the Year honours for the man who has been head shoulders above the competition for the last few years.

 

The news then got even better for the club, as he committed to staying long term...again...

 

Gowdy signed on for another 5(+1) years.

It's a lot of money, but at the moment, he is worth every cent, and probably more.

 

Although there is a possibility others may want more money now, but I am ok with that.

 

A brilliant end to the year, for what's been a spectacular first half of the season.

 

Up next...we kick off the new year with The Manannan Derby against Liverpool at Anfield.

[Punch]

JAN 2041 - Match Day 21 - At Liverpool FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A Manannan Derby for the ages as we hold off The Reds at Anfield.

A brutal first half with solid challenges coming from both sides, but with little in the way of scoring chances, it ended 0-0 at the break.

The second half picked up right where the first left off, with the Ref finally losing patience and handing out yellows like business cards.

How both sides ended up with 11 players still on the field is a mystery to everyone.

The big moment came just before the hour when our pressure game forced a mistake from the hosts defence, Obinna Tamara showing real skill to pick out the head of Craig Hoston who headed his shot over the keeper to give us the lead.

The aggressive nature of the game continued, but as time wore down, Gary Gowdy was hacked down in the box, leading to yet another yellow.

Gowdy showed composure to dust himself off, and then calmly send the keeper the wrong way to slot home the spot kick, sealing the 2-0 win.

The Manannan Derby may not have the history of the Mersey-side, or some of the other great rivalries, but it's taking on a life of it's own in it's short history.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

A win for City keeps the gap at 1 point.

Looking like a final day shoot out for the League Title if this keeps up.

 

 

Up next...we travel to Elland Road to take on Leeds.

[Punch]

JAN 2041 - Match Day 22 - At Leeds United FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

We made hard work of it, but got the job done at Elland Road.

A goal in each half, both set up by Aled Harden, both converted by Gary Gowdy.

Not much more to say about this one, we got the three points.

 

Although this was a highlight, Gowdy overtook Jordan Williams as our all time League scorer.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

City also won, situation remains the same.

 

 

Up next...the rotated squad will be out for the First Leg of the League Cup, away to Southampton.

[TelcontarTargaryen]

Gowdy's numbers are insane.

[Punch]

5 hours ago, TelcontarTargaryen said:

Gowdy's numbers are insane.

Just keeps getting better, and still only 25.

[Punch]

JAN 2041 - League Cup Semi Final 1st Leg - At Southampton FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

The rotated squad keep marching on in the League Cup.

A good win in the away Leg, a top defensive effort, keeper player of the match, and a clean sheet, while scoring two.

It took us nearly an hour, but Laurie Turton got us on the board with a nice volley.

Victory secured in the final ten minutes when Almamy Gakou converted from the spot.

While the Board are not interested in this competition, it's pleasing to see us doing well, with the rotation players.

 

The second leg is at the end of the month.

 

 

Up next...The FA Cup kicks off as we welcome Peterborough to The Isle.

[Punch]

JAN 2041 - FA Cup 3rd Round - Vs Peterborough United FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Another game foe the fringe players against League One Peterborough, and didn't they put on a show.

Youngster Luca Pache took 2 minutes to get us on the board, going on to score a brace and provide an assist in a Player of the Match performance.

We'd blown them off the park with a 4-0 half time lead, cruising through the second half on our way to a 5-0 victory, and a spot in the 4th round.

 

Full house in at The Isle as well to keep the money rolling in.

 

 

Round 4 Draw

Spoiler

The Ravens and The Magpies renew rivalries at The Isle

 

A long history, but it's been one way traffic recently.

 

 

Up next...League action as we take on Leicester at The Isle.

[Punch]

JAN 2041 - Match Day 23 - Vs Leicester City FC

 

Match Report

Spoiler

Both teams threw caution to the wind in a highly attacking fixture at The Isle.

It was end to end stuff right from the kick off, but it was Gary Gowdy who got us off the mark on 12 minutes, with Mark Walsh doubling the lead 5 minutes later.

The Foxes then probably had the best of the next 20 minutes or so creating several chances, with John Hodgson being tested and making plenty of saves.

Against the run of play, a Gowdy break away allowed Craig Hoston to to slot home our third.

Just before half time, Walsh completed his double to put us 4-0 up, but from the kick off, we switched off early and conceded a needless goal, to make it 4-1 at the break in a highly entertaining first half.

Straight after the break, Gowdy completed his own brace to finish the scoring at 5-1, and from there the game settled down with few genuine chances after that.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

City went down to United in the Manchester Derby, giving us a 4 point buffer.

 

 

Up next...we travel to London to take on West Ham.

[Punch]

JAN 2041 - Match Day 24 - At West Ham United

 

Match Report

Spoiler

A tale of two halves as we come from behind to beat The Hammers.

A very tired looking first half as West Ham were the better side, creating plenty of chances.

Some good defending and a bit of luck meant that we were still in the game at half time only 0-1 down.

After a half time bake, it was a complete turn around as our attack clicked into gear.

Gary Gowdy scored a hat-trick, and Michael Pilkington came off the bench to score the sealer. Even though the hosts also scored a late goal, we'd done enough to secure the points.

 

 

Table

Spoiler

City win, keeping the gap at 4 points.

 

 

Up next...the struggling Aston Villa travel to The Isle.

[Punch]

JAN 2041 - Phoe Nix re-signs

The Board offered, and I accepted, a contract extension to keep me at The Isle for another 4 years.

My new deal at £68k per week, is now more than double my previous deal of £29k per week, and a far cry from my first contract £220 per week