This Is England!

[Burgess Basso]

Authors Note- This is my first story back in the forum after a summer break. I have already played one season so I will just be going through the results and other important news that happened during the year. As always I’m playing Football Manager 2006 on a small database. England and Scotland Leagues playable down to the lowest league. I will be trying out doing Monthly Updates and see if I like the style. I do not have tables from the start of the first season as I didn’t even know I’d be writing a story so bare with me on the tables.

Thanks guys.

4/7/2005

George Burgess Signs In At Robins

Cheltenham Town have taken a massive gamble by signing unproven manager George Burgess. It is understood that the League Two club didn’t want to shell out loads of money because of their financial position. The Robins are one of the lowest teams in the West Country with Swindon, Bristol City, Bristol Rovers and Plymouth ahead of them in league status.

The club are expected to fight against relegation to the Conference National this year and many pundits are expecting Cheltenham to have an R next to their name at the end of the season.

[Elrithral]

Nice to see you back and writing, Burgess.

[Faramir]

Welcome Back to the writing- glad you are back

[Burgess Basso]

Faramir & Elrithal, thanks very much, great to be back in the swing of things!

Pre-Season 2005

Chesham United 1-0 Cheltenham Town

Cheltenham Town 1-2 Falkirk

Cheltenham Town 1-0 Scunthorpe United

Cheltenham Town 2-0 Chesterfield United

Queens Park 0-2 Cheltenham Town

Dagenham & Redbridge0-1 Cheltenham Town

Transfers

Barry Conlon (FC) Barnsley- Free

Jacob Burns (MC) Barnsley- Free

Darren Way (DM) Barnsley- Free

Leo Fortune West (ST) Doncaster- Free

Dave Walton (DC) Shrewsbury- Free

Julian Watts (DC) Free Agent

Paolo Vernazza (MC) Rotherham- Free

Darren Barnard (DL/WBL) Aldershot- Free

Junior Mended (ST) Huddersfield- Free

Lee Crooks (DM) Bradford- Free

Alan Pouton (DM) Gillingham- Free

Players Out

Andrew Gallinagh Released

Gavin Caines Released

Michael Taylor Released

Jerry Gill Released

[Burgess Basso]

August 2005

The League Two campaign started and we started off with a point away to Grimsby with a 0-0 draw.

Our first midweek game saw us get off the mark with a solid 2-0 win over Rochdale. Junior Mendes grabbed his first goal for us, youngster Sas Yao also achieved this.

We faced a long journey as we travelled to Carlisle a early goal settled the match and we had made the trip for nothing, The match ended 1-0.

Local rivals Bristol Rovers made the trip to Whaddon Road next and we silenced the away supporters by racing into a 5-1 lead by half time. Junior Mendes fired in 4 goals to send him top of the goal scoring charts in every division, Barry Conlon also grabbed his first in a solid display. The final score was 5-2.

We faced Championship opponents Wolverhampton Wanderers in the League Cup. The class showed and we were rolled over 4-1 with Kenny Miller on form, Junior Mendes got a late consolation for us.

We travelled to The Moss Rose Ground to face Macclesfield both teams cancelled each other out but a star performer was Brian Wilson in our defence who made several important tackles. The game ended 0-0.

The final match of the month saw Shrewsbury Town visit us. We battered the away team but a young Joe Hart basically stole a point for the away side and we had to share the spoils with a 0-0 draw, but we ended the month just inside the play offs.

[mark wilson27]

As with all your stories I will be following Burgess and as the other have said, its good to have you back writing

[Burgess Basso]

mark- thanks very much, i enjoyed writing this story and it's great to be back in here

September 200

A crowd of almost 6,000 saw us thrash promotion hopefuls Notts County 4-0. Sas Yao, Junior Mendes, Barry Conlon and a smashing free kick from John Finnigan got the goals to keep up our impressive start to the season.

We went into the borderline of Wales and England to take on Chester City. We moved the ball around on a beautiful day but only great defending and bad finishing stopped us from taking all 3 points as the game fizzled out 0-0

We travelled to Sixfields to take on slow starters Northampton Town an early goal saw us on the backfoot and we never recovered. Northampton scored shortly before half time to give them their third win of the season.

Newly promoted Barnet were hopeful of capitalising on our bad performance at Northampton. It didn’t happen, an early goal from Barry Conlon gave us a great start and John Finnigan scored just past the hour mark to keep us hovering in the play offs.

We made our first trip to London to take on Leyton Orient. Striker Barry Conlon continued his good form by giving us a first half lead. Unfortunately a mix up between Brian Wilson and Shane Higgs gave Gary Alexander an easy chance to take and he did to give Orient a share of the spoils.

[Burgess Basso]

October 2005

We started October badly after Lincoln scored within the first 5 minutes. We hit back with a Barry Conlon Hat Trick, Brian Wilson then missed from the penalty spot. Lincoln set up a nervy last couple of minutes with a late goal. We held out for a 3-2 victory.

Our biggest crowd of the season saw us draw 1-1 with mid table Peterborough . We scored our equaliser through Julian Watts from a well worked set piece.

A brace from Junior Mendes saw off Bury The home side however got a consolation deep into injury time and hit the post. We hung on, barely to record a 2-1 win.

A low crowd saw us beat Aldershot to reach the second round of the LDV Vans Trophy. Junior Mendes gave us a early lead and John Finnigan scored at the end to end the Conference side’s cup chances.

We were on the road to Wycombe who were struggling at the wrong end of the table with a change of early management. The game ended 0-0 with both goalkeepers on outstanding form.

A crowd of almost 7,000 turned up only to see us get thrashed 3-0 by a rampant Torquay United side. Leon Constantine particularly on exquisite form to bag a brace.

[Burgess Basso]

November 2005

Our run in the F.A Cup started and we drew 1-1 away to Woking a flukey free kick from Shane Duff looked to have settled a very close game, but a late equaliser proved otherwise, and we had to face a replay at home.

We drew at home to local rivals Oxford. Ashley Vincent gave us a lead going into half time but it was wiped out by Andrew Campbell. Oxford also missed a penalty to our delight .

We won our replay to Woking in an entertaining game. Goals from Craig Armstrong, Barry Conlon and Ashley Vincent saw us come back from 2-0 down to record a slender 3-2 win and we now face Scunthorpe in the next round.

High flying Rushden & Diamonds saw us off 4-2 at their patch with a hat trick from Chris O’Grady. Kayode Odejayi scored 2 penalties to make the score look more respectable, but we’re losing consistency.

Barnet must be sick of facing us as we advanced to the next round of the LDV Vans Trophy by beating then 2-0 at Underhill. 2 great goals from Steve Guinan gave us a much needed cash prize and a place in the next round.

We missed 2 penalties from different takers as Mansfield took full advantage to walk away from Whaddon Road with a comfortable 2-0 win, I think the cups are tiring us out as a couple of players had to be taken off because of knocks.

[Burgess Basso]

December 2005

Our run in the F.A Cup was ended early by a clinical Scunthorpe side who dominated all over the pitch but could only walk away with a 2-1 victory, we only are competing in the LDV now.

However we bounced back in the best possible way with a 3-0 win over Wrexham. Damien Spencer, Kayode Odejayi and Jacob Burns all got on the score sheet as we scored an easy victory in Wales.

If our last performance was good this was utterly bad, two defensive mistakes gave Boston a easy away win and we now sit outside the play offs.

A late goal saw us with coal in our stocking as Stockport battled back for a 2-1 victory with only 10 men after keeper Brad Jones got sent off to a tackle on Spencer. Brian Wilson converted the penalty, to only 2 late goals.

An extra time goal saw Oxford beat us 3-2 in a thrilling encounter at the Kassam. An early goal from Junior Mendes and a late one from Barry Conlon looked like we had won the game. Oxford hit back in the dieing minutes and got the important goal in extra time to end our cup run in the LDV.

We held top of the table Darlington to a draw as we gained a impressive point at home. Jacob Burns gave us an early lead but Darlington showed why they were top and battled back and scored a great free kick (which later won goal of the season!) The game finished 1-1.

We threw away a 2 goal lead as Grimsby battled back for a point, we are a really inconsistent side as we played amazing in the first half but let it go to our heads and we threw it away. Damien Spencer and Sas Yao gave us a great start. The match ended with the scores level at 2-2.

[Burgess Basso]

January 2006

Transfers

In

Phillip Marsh- (FC) Manchester United- Free

We started the month just as bad as we ended the last one with a 1-0 loss at Rochdale. A goal just before half time by the prolific Rickie Lambert settled the game and we stretch our winless run to 5 games including the LDV.

Rock bottom Carlisle made the long journey to Whaddon Road. Both teams were off form and a low key match would be on most peoples prediction list. Yes it was low key but a 20th minute header from Barry Conlon gave us our first win in 6 games to lift the morale in camp.

We made the short journey to Bristol where we faced Bristol Rovers who occupied the relegation spot. We fell behind just before the 20th minute from sloppy defending. Barry Conlon equalised to send the away fans jumping out of their seats. It looked like the half time team talk would be about how we could take the lead, but Michael Townsend had other ideas and put us in front. We soon missed the chance to extend our lead when Brian Wilson missed from the penalty spot to keep the game alive. We did secure the 3 points with a swift counter attack in the 84th minute with Barry Conlon tapping in to an empty net to put Rovers into deep trouble.

After 2 great wins on the bounce we played Macclesfield who were also mid table. Both teams were hoping to make a late charge for the play offs. A point wasn’t very good for either of us but it would have to do. Junior Mendes put us in the lead for a short while before Macclesfield equalised.

Gay Meadow was our next destination as high flying Shrewsbury were sitting comfortably in the play offs. We didn’t let the Shrews have time on the ball and played great passing football. A great pass from Jacob Burns set Barry Conlon up for the opening goal inside 10 minutes. It got even better when Conlon pounced on a rebound from the keeper and couldn’t miss. One of our best goals of the season came in the second half when the impressive Burns smashed a low driven shot in from 25 yards to seal a memorable victory.

Another team doing well, Northampton were our next opposition and it was a very close game. We’ve sure had a lot of penalties and we got another one in this match, thankfully Brian Wilson kept his nerve and gave us a second half lead, but on the hour mark Northampton equalised and both teams had to settle for a point.

[Burgess Basso]

February 2006

Crisis club Chester made the trip to Cheltenham but they might as well of not turned up as we thrashed the English/Welsh team 4-0. Barry Conlon scored when most people hadn’t even got in the stadium, Grant McCann and John Melligan basically settled the game before the half time whistle. Brian Wilson stepped up for another Penalty! But missed, fortunately it didn’t matter as Phillip Marsh scored his first for the club and we climbed a couple of places with a great win.

We travelled to apparently the worse ground in the football league, we took on Barnet at Underhill. The game wasn’t a great one as heavy wind and a muddy pitch made it hard for any sexy football to be played on the floor. We had more shots but they had more possession, none of the teams made it count and both had to be content with a point.

We took the road to Nottingham as we played Notts County a team who were doing well,. The black and whites took the lead just before half time and were looking good for the lead. I made a substitution and Guinan didn’t disappoint and he lashed in from 5 yards. It ended with us extending our unbeaten run to 8 games.

We faced a mid table Leyton Orient also coming onto good form, we grabbed an early lead thanks to Phillip Marsh’s neat finish within 5 minutes, Brian Wilson scored but in the wrong net to give Orient a undeserved equaliser. Both teams had chances to win it, but great goalkeeping proved otherwise.

We started bad at Lincoln and fell to an early goal, thankfully a minute later Marsh grabbed the equaliser straight from kick off. We took the lead on the 15 minute mark with a great diving header from Melligan. The entertaining match got even more entertaining when Lincoln pulled level just before the half hour mark after a smart set piece. Another goal came and it was us who were celebrating when John Finnigan raced clear and slotted underneath the oncoming keeper. A minute after half time and it was 3-3 after Paul Shaw copied Melligans goal. The match stayed 3-3 with both sets of fans clapping after a great advert for League 2 football.

[Burgess Basso]

March 2006

Our low point of the season came in our first match in March as we were thrashed at Peterborough 5-1. The struggling team were clinical and James Quinn grabbed 4 of the 5 goals. Phillip Marsh grabbed a later consolation as we made the trip back to Cheltenham feeling sorry for the fans and ourselves.

We took on another struggling team, Bury. Amazingly we were awarded a penalty in the opening 5 minutes, Brian Wilson took the duty and slotted it in the bottom left corner. Jon Newby equalise for Bury when his shot deflected of Walton and wrong footed Shane Higgs. It looked like both teams had to settle for a point, but Phillip Marsh had other ideas and a miss hit cross found it’s way into the net in the 90th minute to go some way to forgetting about Peterborough.

We made the short trip to Oxford a team who I was fed up of facing. It was easy to see why as we were 3-1 down by half time. Kayode Odejayi gave us an early lead but Oxford hit back with 3 quick fire goals. We made a fight of it shortly after half time as John Melligan gave us hope. But Oxford remained strong and held on for the win.

We went to the seaside to take on Torquay who weren’t doing too badly, the beast of Enoch Showunmi settled the game in the first half after he scored a powerful header. The sun shone through but we didn’t and we lost a tight game 1-0.

[Burgess Basso]

April 2006

With our play off hopes still alive we took on Rushden & Diamonds who also had the same hope. We took a 20th minute lead thanks to Junior Mendes after great communication with Marsh. Rushden were awarded a penalty in the second half and took their chance to level the game. They took the lead on the hour mark after a scramble in the goalmouth lead to a scrappy goal. It didn’t look good for us but Junior Mendes grabbed us a share of the points with his second goal in the 84th minute.

Wycombe were most people’s favourites to go up, I guess the pressure was getting to them and they sat 21st in the table. The strugglers got no favours off us and we won a open game 1-0. Grant McCanns great free kick rippled the net and continued an important month for us.

We made a second trip to Nottingham way and played Mansfield. A team who should be safe from going down this season, we took a deserved lead , Barry Conlon tapped into an empty net after fine work from Mendes. The game was in our favour until the 90th minute, Adam Birchall grabbing a late equaliser for the Yellows who can probably start looking forward to next season.

Welsh team Wrexham made the trip to Whaddon Road for a bank holiday game. We raced into a 3 goal lead by half time. The first from McCann after another great free kick, the second from Mendes who scored his 15th of the season with a great diving header, the best was last with Mendes grabbing his second with a goal from 35 yards with a slight deflection to help it in. Jamie Reed grabbed a goal back late on for the Dragons, and we completed the double over Wrexham.

We travelled to Boston where a win would keep alive our slim play off hopes. A hard to team to beat at home and they proved why with a 1-0 win which ended our aspirations. Players and fans were disappointed but optimistic for next season.

With a bunch of teams vying for the last 2 play off spots it was going to be close, Stockport were one of them. Nothing but a win for the away side would end their hopes. A free kick 20 minutes from time ended the Blues hope. Corrected- Grant McCann ended their play off hopes. A chorus of “We F****D YOUR SEASON UP” Rang out around the ground and we ended our home campaign on a high.

[Satio]

Really enjoying this, Marsh seems to have been a real good signing, and on a free too

[Burgess Basso]

Satio- Thanks very much. I think my writings coming along well And yes Marsh looks like a good signing

May 2006

Our last game of the season was at already promoted Darlington but still had to win to claim the Championship. We took the gloss of a great season for them and stole an away win which made us finish 11th in the table, just 3 points off the play offs. John Finnigan’s effort meant Grimsby took the title on the final day.

[Burgess Basso]

English Round Up

Premiership

Arsenal took the Premiership by storm and won the title with a game to spare over Liverpool. Chelsea and Tottenham took the remaining Champions League spots with Manchester United missing out.

Fulham were deducted 9 points and relegation was confirmed in early April, Wigan and Portsmouth also made the drop with Bolton and West Brom very close.

Championship

It went down to the last day but Watford and Luton both got promotion only 1 point ahead of Wolves who lost in the play offs to Cardiff who earned the final spot in the Premiership.

Brighton, Leeds and Crewe all made a return to League One after disappointing seasons for them all.

League One

Huddersfield and Swindon both his the 80 Point mark and were early promotion favourites in a tight division. Bradford earned a promotion straight back to the Championship with a play off win over Bristol City L

Scunthorpe and Rotherham were down in the depths of relegation early in the season and never got going, MK Dons and Yeovil, Port Vale and Gillingham all had 54 points. It came down to goal difference and by 2 goals Port Vale and Gillingham stayed up.

League Two

As I said earlier Grimsby and Darlington both went up, Northampton joined them in the final automatic promotion spot. Barnet grabbed the last promotion spot by beating Notts County in the final, a great season for them.

Carlisle and Bristol Rovers J made the drop and fell out of the football league which had me and my team smiling on the last day.

Conference

Exeter regained their football league status after they strolled to the title in a very consistent season. Stevenage made club history by being promoted through the play offs.

Altrincham and Tamworth were relegated after very bad results on the final day

[Burgess Basso]

Cheltenham Round Up

We finished 11th in a very good season, if we could’ve turned most draws into win’s we could’ve had a chance in the play offs. Finances are very bad and it doesn’t look like I’ll be signing anyone for next season. Junior Mendes and Barry Conlon turned out to be a great partnership hitting 32 goals between them. Phillip Marsh also looks a great prospect. Shane Higgs was named in team of the year after a great season for the goalkeeper.

High Points-

A double over Bristol Rovers and Wrexham

4-0 win’s over Notts County & Chester

Last Day win at Darlington

Great end to the season

Low Points-

Multiple losses to Oxford

Our winless streak

Getting hammered art Peterborough

[Burgess Basso]

Season 2006/2007

June 2006

Sas Yao is called up for the Ivory Coast World Cup Squad, he is our only player at the World Cup and the experience will be great for him.

England thrash Angola 4-1 with James Beattie getting a hat trick.

The board inject £200 Thousand pounds to help with the finances of the club, we also announce a new shirt sponsor with us earning £12 Thousand a Year.

England beat Serbia and Montenegro 2-0 with James Beattie getting a brace.

Barry Conlon wins Player of the Year by supporters. We also receive £230 Thousand pounds for T.V Rights.

England win all 3 of their group games with a 4-1 victory over Costa Rica, Rooney and Vassell grabbing braces.

England win in extra time against Argentina to keep alive their dream of winning the World Cup in 40 Years since their last one.

[Burgess Basso]

July 2006

We sign 3 new players-

Andrew Campbell (FC) Cardiff- Free

Toni Koskela (A M) Cardiff- Free

Daryl Smylie (MC) Newcastle- Free

Out

Darren Barnard- Released

Leo Fortune West- Released

Adam Connolly- Released.

England Thrash Uzbekistan 4-0 to reach the semi final of the World Cup, Jermaine Defoe grabbed all 4 goals.

Brian Wilson leaves for £55 Thousand pounds to Chesterfield who successfully match my asking price for the defender. Brian had a great season and I will not deny him the chance to play in a higher division.

England reach the final after a 3-1 win over Poland, the nation is on the edge of their seats and glued to the tellies

England thrash Germany 5-0 to win the World Cup! Jermaine Defoe makes history by scoring 4 goals in the final.

In other news we win our first friendly of the Pre Season 3-1 at Nuneaton, Barry Conlon, Andrew Campbell and Steve Guinan scored.

We beat Scottish side Ayr 2-0 in Scotland, a double from Steve Guinan sent the few Cheltenham supporters home happy.

Our third win on the bounce came at Eastbourne a free kick by McCann on the stroke of half time settled the game.

Hull City saw us off 4-1 at Whaddon Road which is our first loss in Pre Season.

We beat Championship side Swindon Town thanks to an own goal by Liam Fontaine, Swindon dominated us but we held on for a great victory.

We ended the Pre Season with a loss against Stoke City who were clinical in front of goal and deservedly won 2-0.

[Burgess Basso]

August 2006

The betting odds come out and we’re 16-1 to achieve promotion, the favourites are MK Dons, Rochdale, Rotherham and Stockport.

We draw Championship Opposition in the League Cup and Millwall will make the trip from London.

We made the long trip to Bury for our first game and it was a great match. Bury raced into a 2 goal lead mainly because of goalkeeping mistakes by Higgs. We came back with 2 goals from Barry Conlon. However Higg’s day got worse and was at fault for 2 more Bury goals. Andrew Campbell grabbed a goal on his debut but we lost a close match 4-3.

Our disappointing start to the season continued as Rushden & Diamonds grabbed a win at Whaddon Road. Poor defending led to a 2 goal lead for Rushden, a late goal from John Melligan wasn’t enough for us and it’s 2 losses on the bounce.

What an awful month, our bad form continued with a loss at Leyton Orient I will be trying to figure out what’s going wrong, but we don’t look committed. A goal shortly after half time gave Orient their first win of the season.

I was very proud of my boys, to come back from 2-0 down with 10 men and draw Is a great achievement, Lincoln must feel robbed. We fell 2 goals behind and when Julian Watts got sent off it looked grim, but Barry Conlon gave us hope before Andrew Campbell beat the keeper to a header and secured our first point of the season in the 88th minute.

We were unsurprisingly beaten by Championship opposition Millwall who went 4-0 up in the first half. 2 goals from Andrew Campbell and John Melligan made for an interesting second period but a goal from David Healy settled a open affair.

Another loss away to Oxford. We’re looking very dire and I am going to change the tactics next round after a crap display. Junior Mendes grabbed a consolation but it doesn’t look very good.

We finished the Month with a draw over Macclesfield who are one place above us, Barry Conlon gave us the lead but Macclesfield equalised on the stroke of half time. Both teams finished strongly but I feel we should’ve won this.

[Burgess Basso]

September 2006

We started September very badly with a 3-1 defeat at fellow strugglers Wycombe the only positive was possibly Dele Adebola scoring his first goal for the club. The goals were sloppy and we look very vulnerable.

Not unexpected- a 4-0 defeat at home to Chester see’s us slip to the foot of the table with myself questioning how much long I’ll be here. Charlie Mulgrew got sent off in the first half and I don’t know how much more I can take it here.

9 games without a win as we crash 2-0 at Notts County who dominated us, the players look disinterested and low on morale. Teams are enjoying playing against us right now and I can’t blame them.

We were denied our first win in the cruellest of ways against Rochdale, we went 2-0 up and were looking like the Cheltenham from last season. Goals from Finnigan and Koskela looked like we were on our way to 3 points, a 89th minute goal from Proudlock, a 94th minute own goal from Townsend completed a comeback for Rochdale.

11 games without a win, we travelled to Exeter and were thumped 4-2, a great finish from Adebola meant we took the lead but it was soon whiped out by 4 goals, we grabbed a consolation when Adebola finished a neat move. I’m still surprised I’m here, I think the board can’t afford to sack me.

12 Games! We didn’t play that badly against Scunthorpe but they took their chances, a double from Billy Sharp gave them a win, we took an early lead through Koskela. I think the win is coming.

[Burgess Basso]

October 2006

Your not going to believe this but we actually won! We travelled to 2nd placed Shrewsbury who were doing very well. We raced into a 2 goal lead due to Dele Adebola. Although the Shrews pulled one back Koskela grabbed the third and final goal to put a 1 in our win column.

We achieved another win against Rotherham who were also doing well in the league. A great defensive display after Adebola scored on the 22nd minute after a great cross found the big man unmarked.

We advanced into the next round of the LDV after a win over League One Bournemouth who had 10 men. We took the lead through Junior Mendes, but Bournemouth equalised a minute after half time before they were reduced to 10 men. Grant McCann scored the winner in extra time to knock Bournemouth out.

Our decent run had to come to an end and Stockport ended it. Despite Koskela getting us the lead Stockport hit back and we were beaten 3-1 at home. We’re slowly catching up on teams above us thought!

We ended the month pretty well with a 3-3 draw against Torquay at Plainmoor. Chris Killen scored his first goals for us with a brace, the latter coming in injury time to earn us the point. John Finnigan grabbed the other goal.

[Burgess Basso]

November 2006

We started November brightly and gave me a late birthday present by beating Bury in the F.A Cup First Round. Chris Killen fired a brace to take his tally to 4 goals this season. Bury equalised shortly after we took the lead in the 1st Minute but Killen scored minutes before half time to send the Robins home happy.

We face Staines in the next round.

We faced a tricky away tie to Stevenage a team one place above us in the league. We fell 1-0 behind thanks to a great strike from a centre midfielder. We bounced back in the best possible way with 2 goals in 3 minutes, Dele Adebola equalised it from a corner, a great corner again from Koskela ended up with John Finnigan heading in our second. Substitute Andrew Campbell raced clear and scored the third on a great counter attack to pull us closer to our rivals. And a game in hand thanks to international breaks.

Our next match was the LDV with Brenford. It was a very cruel match as we played great football but a missed penalty sent it into extra time and a further penalty shootout which Brentford won 3-2. Chris Killen gave us the lead before a swift counter attack ended with Mark McCammon scoring for Brentford.

One of our favourite teams Wrexham came to Whaddon Road looking for an easy game, we gave them anything but that. Despite the Welsh team dominating they couldn’t find a way through, and when Andrew Campbell came on and scored a goal you could sense it would be the only one. It turned out I was right and we are only 2 points behind Bury and 3 points from coming out of the drop zone with a game in hand!

We moved off the bottom of the table after a great win against bogey team Peterborough We dominated the whole game and it looked like it was going to be 2 points lost. Chris Killen jinxed past the Peterborough goalkeeper and passed it into the empty net to cap a great night for us.

Position- 23rd

[Burgess Basso]

December 2006

The month started well and I was awarded Manager Of The Month for November, my first at the club.

We saw off 9 men Staines in the F.A Cup by 2 goals to nil. I hope we get a big name in the third round to get some much needed money into the club, Koskela and Melligan got the goals to cap a miserable day for Staines.

We got at big as it gets and drew Manchester United away in the third round of the F.A Cup!

Our good run came to an end at Mansfield Nsungu scored a brace to send us back to the foot of the table but I think it’s just an off day at the office.

We took a point against MK Dons despite falling behind to a Ebanks Blake goal in the first half. Will Puddy was inbetween the sticks today and performed brilliantly to keep McLeod out on several occasions, we got lucky and Grant McCann slotted home a penalty when it really mattered.

We played Yeovil a team directly above us and level on points away at Huish Park. We were lucky Will Puddy dived the right way when he saved a Jevons Penalty, Killen gave us a short lived lead, Harold equalised and both teams couldn’t find the decisive goal.

Boston visited us at Whaddon Road and left it with a point, a low key game where the ball was stuck in the middle of the park for most of it. The goalkeepers had very little to do and both were probably bored.

We threw away a 2 goal lead against Bury on boxing day to stay bottom of the League. John Melligan and Andrew Campbell looked to have sewn up a win for us but Bury hit back with 2 late goals.

We lost a tight game at Lincoln to stay bottom going into the new year, Despite Lincoln scoring 2 own goals we couldn’t find a winner but they could and did so in the 89th minute to break our hearts. It doesn’t look as bad with only 2 points separating us from 22nd place.

Position- 24th

[Burgess Basso]

January 2007

It wasn’t pretty and it wasn’t deserved but we grabbed a vital away win at Rushden & Diamonds. Junior Mendes scored only his 3rd goal of the season to give us the lead before Rushden equalised on the half hour mark. Sos Yao got his first goal of the season just before half time to give us a unlikely 3 points. We actually climbed out of the drop zone for the first time in months. We’ll see how long we can keep out of the drop zone now.

We travelled to Old Trafford for the F.A Cup against Man United it was a forgone conclusion we would lose this but we did pretty well to keep the score down at 3-0, Eidur Gudjohnson and Park Ji Sung won the game easily for the Devils but we got a good deal of money out of it.

We followed up a decent performance at Old Trafford by seeing off Leyton Orient at home. Junior Mendes scored a sweet half volley to send us one up. It got better when Orient were reduced to 10 men, when one of their players aimed a kick at Smylie. Grant McCann wrapped up the win with 20 minutes to go hitting a low first time volley past the keeper.

A team I didn’t really want to face was Oxford, my team saw I was nervous but put on a great display. A 4th minute header from Koskela gave us the lead and we never looked like losing it. Everyone played their heart out today and I hope we can keep this going.

We travelled to Macclesfield and lost 3-1 to a team who were bottom, they deserved it as we played very sloppy football and didn’t get away with it. The only good point was Chris Killen’s fire bolt of a shot for a consolation.

Another bad loss to Wycombe a team one place below us before this tie, a early goal from Stewart gave the Wanderers a crucial 3 points, we however do sit just outside the relegation zone.

[Burgess Basso]

February 2007

We had a tough game against leaders Notts County but a 90th minute equaliser salvaged a point for us and we keep getting important points on board which will hopefully go a long way to securing safety.

We lost in the cruellest of ways to Rochdale who turned a impending loss into a victory with 2 goals in the last 20 minutes. The last coming from Grant Holt deep into injury time to break our hearts, Darren Smylie and Dele Adebola gave us a 2 goal lead but we blew it in style.

We travelled to the ground made of lego to take on Chester, we didn’t get going in this match and dropped back into the drop zone after Bradley Orr scored in the 82nd minute to dampen our spirits.

We could’ve had all 3 but Exeters goalkeeper was on such fine form and we had to settle for just the one. We’re only one victory of going out the drop zone again, it’s that tight. It’s going to go down the wire.

We travelled to promotion contenders Scunthorpe, with our chances not high of winning. I was proved right and we were hammered 4-1, Jamie Slabber scoring a hat trick for the Home side who have had a great season unlike ourselves.

Position- 23rd

[mark wilson27]

Not looking good Burgess, espcially now your in the tail end of the season

[Burgess Basso]

Mark- it's not looking good

March 2007

We started of March in the best possible way with a win over Shrewsbury, We took the lead early on, Koskela controlled a beautiful ball by Bird and did the easy bit by sticking it in the net, Grant McCann doubled our lead with a penalty, It looked like it was going to be nervous with Shrewsbury scoring in the 78th minute, but a great pass from Bird again set Andrew Campbell up for our third and final goal.

We got no favours off Rotherham as they continued their promotion push with a 1-0 win over us, we came close on several occasions but lacked the finishing touches. We need to get whatever wins we can and hope teams slip up.

Another loss, it’s just like earlier in the season, with big must win games coming up It’s not going to be easy, we lost to Stockport 3-0 as they ran rampant over slack defending and no desire to win the game from us.

A late goal from Torquay salvaged a point for the away side and denied us a much needed 3, we took the lead through a great header from Chris Killen, but the yellows equalised just before the full time whistle.

The month ended with a 2-0 defeat at Peterborough we were reduced to 10 men when Michaeal Townsend got himself marching orders and Peterborough took full advantage and secured a easy win.

Position- 23rd

[Burgess Basso]

April 2007

With only 5 games left we needed to win against Stevenage, we didn’t and were beat 2-0 at home, I wanted to smack their goalkeeper after he basically stopped us from winning, it looks like we’ll be playing Conference football next season.

It’s not long before we’re put out of our misery, despite going 1-0 up at Wrexham the Welsh team hit back with 2 goals and people are starting to want me out, surprised it’s this late in the season. But I don’t see where we went wrong.

We gave ourselves a great lift when we beat Mansfield who were 2 places above us in the League. Chris Killen headed us in front before Nsungu equalised just after half time. Andrew Campbell replaced Koskela who had a knock and Campbells first touch turned out to be the winner.

22: Macclesfield- 41 Points

23: Cheltenham- 41 Points

24: Mansfield- 40 Points.

Anyone can get out now and only 3 games left to play.

A last minute goal salvaged a point at MK Dons, we took the lead early second half when Chris Killen finished from a tight angle, 2 quick fire goals meant The Dons took the lead. Koskela scored a beautiful diving header in the last minute to secure us a well earned point.

A heavy loss by Yeovil meant we needed to win on the final day to have any chance of survival, we had a great chance today but blew it, we play Boston United on the final day of the season.

[MaCeR]

So... what happened in the Boston game?