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

[ManUTactician247]

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

Pre-match press conference

Ricky McFall "You could decide to go out there and attack, attack, attack. Will you?"

Me "Banbridge normally play an offensive formation so as they say the best defence is a good offence."

Squads

GK: Stephen Brennan.......|GK: Stephen Ryan*

RB: Scott McCullough......|RCB: Tony Wallace

RCB: Stefan Thompson....|CB: Neil King

LCB: Andy Devlin............|LCB: Gerwyn Jones

LB: Alex Nicholson...........|RM: Wayne Carlisle

RM: Ryan Carlin..............|RCM: Niall Derry

RCM: Emmet Templeton...|LCM: Matthew McCartan

LCM: Wes Daly...............|LM: Mark Teggart

LM: Colin Tracey............|ST: Timmy Grant

ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Steven Craig£

ST: Kevin O'Neill.............|ST: Steven McArdle

Subs

Danny Hancock.....|Kyle Nelson*

Michael McMullan..|Jeff Brady

Adrian McCaffrey..|Kris Magill

Matt Boyd...........|Graham Feeney

Kevin Anderson....|Mark Stewart

* - Makes/Could make league debut for his club.

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

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

11 - Templeton plays a nice ball for Carlin and his shot is blocked for a corner.

15 - Derry shoots first time and it's just wide.

18 - Carlin's free-kick is met by a Thompson header and Ryan makes a good catch.

23 - Derry shoots from distance and it's just over the bar.

25 - Tracey's blocked shot comes to O'Neill who hits it wide under pressure.

33 - Carlin's free-kick is headed by Thompson and McArdle clears off the line! The ball falls to Carlin again who shoots but it's wide.

40 - Templeton sets up Daly who shoots from quite a way out and it's over but not by far.

42 - Anderson replaces Thompson against his former club.

45+3 - GOAL! The officials said there would be 2 minutes of added time but it's Banbridge who lead against the run of play, Teggart's cross should be an easy take for Brennan but he misses it and Grant scores probably the easiest goal of his life.

45+4 - Half time

We are really unlucky to be behind in this match, the match officials have screwed us for the umpteenth time but oh well. We can still turn it around.

45 - Brady and Stewart replace Carlisle and Teggart at half-time.

45 - King finds Grant but his shot is over.

61 - Devlin brings down Craig and gets a yellow.

61 - Grant's free-kick hits the cross-bar and bounces back out!

62 - Feeney is on for McArdle.

66 - Derry's long ball finds Grant who drags it wide from a tight angle.

67 - Douglas trips Derry and is booked.

68 - Feeney has a go from distance but it's over.

77 - GOAL! Banbridge seal it, Stewart's corner is headed in by Craig.

90+2 - Full time

A poor second half performance and once again, we can't get a point at home, so disappointing. We go down to 11th now.

Ratings

GK: Brennan (6.6)

RB: McCullough (6.9)

RCB: Thompson (6.7) sub 42

LCB: Devlin (6.2)

LB: Nicholson (6.5)

RM: Carlin (6.8)

RCM: Templeton (6.7)

LCM: Daly (6.8)

LM: Tracey (6.6)

ST: Douglas (6.6)

ST: O'Neill (6.5)

Sub

Anderson (6.0) sub 42

Post-match press conference

Ricky McFall "Neil King had a great game and won the man of the match award, what did you make of his performance?"

Me "Unfortunately for us, he put in a good performance."

[ManUTactician247]

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

Squads

GK: Danny Hancock.........|GK: William McFrederick

RB: Scott McCullough......|RB: Adam McCart

RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: Sam Christensen

LCB: Andy Devlin............|LCB: Stuart Moore

LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: William McBurney

RM: Ryan Carlin..............|RM: Ricky Nicholl

RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: William Wharry

LCM: Wes Daly...............|LCM: Chris Patterson

LM: Colin Tracey............|LM: Andy Simms

ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Gavin Burns

ST: Gerard Rooney.........|ST: Gavin Moore

Subs

Stephen Brennan..|Chris McKendry

Michael Fitzpatrick|Graham Crown

Kevin O'Neill.........|Luke Webster

Matt Boyd...........|Davie Turnbull

Kevin Anderson....|Martin Smith

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

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

7 - Carlin's corner is met by a towering header from Thompson and the keeper saves it.

8 - Gavin Moore shoots from distance but it doesn't trouble anyone.

13 - Goal disallowed for Brantwood, Nicholson's cross is headed in by Carlin but it's offside. Brantwood are not happy.

14 - Burns slips a clever ball in for Gavin Moore who powers it against the crossbar, he should have scored.

15 - Brantwood hit Glebe on the counter but Carlin wastes it with a long shot that is well wide.

21 - RED CARD! A dangerous two footed tackle from behind on Templeton by Patterson means Glebe are down to ten, that opens it up for the home side. Gavin Moore is unhappy with the decision.

23 - GOAL! Carlin's corner is headed in from point blank range by Devlin, 1-0.

36 - Smith replaces Simms.

42 - Carlin's corner is volleyed just wide by Thompson.

45+1 - Half time

We lead and that is what matters, I think on balance we deserve it, the red card certainly gave us a hand though.

45 - Webster replaces Christensen at half-time.

49 - GOAL! Glebe are level but it's very fortunate, Nicholl's corner comes to Burns whose shot is terrible but it comes off Templeton and in for an own goal.

57 - Turnbull comes on for Gavin Moore.

58 - Nicholl's free-kick is just wide of the post.

69 - The ref accuses Carlin of simulation and books him.

71 - Burns shoots from a way out but it's wide.

75 - Carlin's lovely cross finds Tracey at the back stick but he heads it straight at the keeper.

81 - Templeton finds Carlin who shoots and it's tipped round the post by McFrederick, great stop.

87 - Douglas' free-kick is over.

88 - Stuart Moore is forced off injured for Glebe and with no subs left, they go down to 9 men for the last couple of minutes!

90+2 - Douglas curls one and it's tipped onto the bar by McFrederick, he's really saved his team today!

90+4 - Full time

Wow, so unlucky not to take three points from this game, I hate to be this kind of manager but we were denied a good goal today and Glebe got really lucky with their goal, at least we're off the mark at home. We are now 12th.

Ratings

GK: Hancock (6.7)

RB: McCullough (7.1)

RCB: Thompson (6.7)

LCB: Devlin (7.3)

LB: Nicholson (6.7)

RM: Carlin (7.1)

RCM: Templeton (6.8)

LCM: Daly (6.7)

LM: Tracey (6.7)

ST: Douglas (6.7)

ST: Rooney (6.6)

Post-match press conference

Karl McIlroy "Emmet Templeton's own goal deprived your side of victory, how will the player react?"

Me "He's a good lad, he won't let something like this affect him."

[ManUTactician247]

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

Pre-match press conference

Ricky McFall "Lower Maze face Armagh today in a match where they'll look for points to help their relegation battle, can they survive?"

Me "I can't see that happening, only 1 point from 7 matches, it looks like they'll go straight back down."

Squads

GK: Stephen Brennan.......|GK: Robbie Hughes

RB: Scott McCullough......|RB: Mark Drake

RCB: Andy Devlin"...........|RCB: Simon Gibson

LCB: Michael Fitzpatrick...|LCB: Michael Thomas

LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: Robert Halliday

RM: Gareth Green...........|DM: William Garrett

RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Sammy Wright

LCM: Wes Daly...............|LCM: Andrew Hamilton

LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|RAM: Conal Burns

ST: Jamie Douglas..........|LAM: Ben Browne

ST: Matt Boyd...............|ST: Matthew McConnell

Subs

Danny Hancock....|Shane Murphy

Michael McMullan..|Johnny McClurg

Colin Tracey........|Robert Nicholl

Thai Blevins.........|Richard Chambers

Ryan Murray........|Michael McGroggan

" - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance

Matthew McConnell hasn't scored in 394 minutes of football for Chimney Corner.

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

12 - Thomas upends Douglas and gets a yellow.

20 - Burns is forced off injured and McGroggan replaces him.

21 - A boring game but finally there's a chance, Boyd turns and shoots but it's just wide of the near post.

28 - Drake's corner is headed by Hamilton straight at Brennan.

29 - McCullough's long ball puts Douglas through who tries to lob the keeper and it's over.

31 - McGroggan turns and shoots but Brennan tips it around the post superbly.

45+2 - Half time

It hasn't been too exciting but it's 0-0 at half-time, not a terrible result though.

46 - McGroggan finds Browne but he fires well wide.

50 - Devlin trips McGroggan and is booked.

50 - A poor pass by Halliday in the box goes to Boyd who sets up Douglas who hits the side-netting with a powerful effort.

57 - Nicholson has a very ambitious shot but it's over.

58 - Wright sets up McGroggan who leans back and hits it over.

66 - McClurg replaces McConnell.

66 - Devlin pulls it back to Templeton on the edge of the box but his shot is too high.

70 - Wright gives it to McClurg who is allowed to turn but he misses the target.

71 - Nicholl for Browne.

74 - O'Neill upends McClurg and receives a yellow card.

78 - Wright to McClurg again and this time it just misses the far post.

83 - Hamilton sets up Drake from a free-kick from distance but it's over the bar.

88 - Daly is booked for bringing down Wright.

89 - Halliday hacks down Green and is booked.

90+2 - Green gets payback on Halliday with the same outcome.

90+2 - Full time

I'm not too disappointed with a draw here as Chimney Corner are a tough side.

Chimney Corner 0-0 Brantwood

Ratings

GK: Brennan (7.1)

RB: McCullough (7.6)

RCB: Devlin (7.2)

LCB: Fitzpatrick (6.7)

LB: Nicholson (7.0)

RM: Green (6.4)

RCM: Templeton (6.7)

LCM: Daly (6.1)

LM: O'Neill (6.7)

ST: Douglas (6.5)

ST: Boyd (6.5)

[ManUTactician247]

October 2012 Review

Brantwood 0-2 Banbridge (NI2D)

For them: Grant (45+4), Craig (78)

Brantwood 1-1 Glebe (NI2D)

For us: Devlin (24)

For them: Templeton OG (50), Patterson (22)

Chimney Corner 0-0 Brantwood (NI2D)

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

[ManUTactician247]

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

Pre-match press conference

Ricky McFall "Will you be resting players to keep the squad fresh."

Me "Unfortunately we're not Barcelona, we don't have players who can play like slaves every match so the answer is yes."

Squads

GK: Stephen Brennan.......|GK: Patrick Appleton

RB: Andy Devlin..............|RB: Paul Carlin

RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: David Addis

LCB: Kevin Anderson........|LCB: Paul McElhatton

LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: Arron Ponton

RM: Ryan Carlin..............|DM: Andrew Rafferty

RCM: Scott McCullough....|RM: David Hutton

LCM: Wes Daly...............|RCM: Darren Berrigan

LM: Colin Trace..............|LCM: Ryan McGerrigan

ST: Thai Blevins.............|LM: Rory Doherty

ST: Gerard Rooney..........|ST: Kieran Gibson

Subs

Danny Hancock....|Darren Gibbons

Reece Moore........|Stephen Duff

Kevin O'Neill.........|Lee Towers

Joe Finlay............|Stuart Hendrie

Michael McMullan..|Robert Dunlop

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

3 - McCullough's game ends early, Moore replaces him.

7 - Tracey's free-kick is somehow not finished by Thompson! It's cleared off the line by Hutton.

19 - Devlin shoots from distance but it's well over the bar.

22 - Moore plays it to Blevins who scuffs it wide from distance.

33 - GOAL! Tracey finds Blevins who does really well to turn and shoot in the box and despite a touch by Appleton, it's not enough to prevent it from going in. Berrigan thinks it was offside and tells the referee. It looked like the correct decision to me.

36 - Hutton sets up McGerrigan who shoots over the bar.

44 - Hutton turns and shoots but it's over.

45 - Gibson goes for goal but he misses.

45+2 - Half time

Glad to be ahead at half time but we can't afford to be complacent, here's to a good 2nd half.

45 - Towers and Dunlop for Addis and Doherty at half-time.

58 - Hendrie is on for Gibson.

66 - GOAL! Brennan spills an easy cross by Towers and Hutton picks up the pieces, not good keeping there.

68 - Hendrie shoots from the edge of the box but it's wide.

76 - GOAL! A terrific low cross by Ryan Carlin finds Rooney who finishes it perfectly into the bottom corner, Brantwood back in front!

78 - A poor shot by McGerrigan is well wide of the post.

81 - GOAL! A great ball by Moore and Blevins beats the keeper to the ball to surely secure victory for the home side.

90+1 - PENALTY! Brantwood could get a 4th here, Tracey's corner sees Rafferty shove Thompson and the ref points to the spot. Armagh are furious

90+2 - GOAL! Blevins gets his hat-trick from the spot, it goes in off the inside of the post but he doesn't care!

90+4 - Full time

A great second half performance sealed a win for us today, 4th time lucky in the cups this year and a small milestone for me, Blevins scores the first hat-trick in my reign at Brantwood in his first appearance of the season! This is the kind of home performance we can't do in the league.

Ratings

GK: Brennan (6.6)

RB: Devlin (7.2)

RCB: Thompson (8.0)

LCB: Anderson (6.9)

LB: Nicholson (7.1)

RM: Carlin (7.3)

RCM: McCullough (N/A) sub 3

LCM: Daly (6.9)

LM: Tracey (7.2)

ST: Blevins (9.5)

ST: Rooney (7.7)

Sub

Moore (7.3) sub 3

[deltablue]

Thats more like it!

[ManUTactician247]

Thats more like it!

Exactly what I thought at the final whistle!

[ManUTactician247]

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

Pre-match press conference

Ricky McFall "Who will you use to counter the threat of Thomas Ryan."

Me "Ryan (Carlin) should be able to do the job."

Squads

GK: Stephen Brennan.......|GK: Kurt Fox

RB: Scott McCullough......|RB: Philip McBirney

RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: William McAllister¬

LCB: Andy Devlin............|LCB: Oliver Duffy+

LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: Thomas Ryan

RM: Ryan Carlin..............|RM: Jeffrey Monakana

RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Stephen McCain

LCM: Wes Daly...............|LCM: Ryan Brunt

LM: Colin Tracey............|LM: Jordan Keegan

ST: Jamie Douglas...........|ST: Mathew Selfridge

ST: Gerard Rooney..........|ST: Jordan Rugg

Subs

Danny Hancock....|Ross Preece

Michael Fitzpatrick|Barrie Kelly

Kevin O'Neill.........|Jordan Carter

Thai Blevins.........|Francis McCann

Kevin Anderson....|Bradley Hill

+ - Makes/Could make competitive league debut.

¬ - Makes/Could make 50th league appearance.

Mathew Selfridge hasn't scored in 761 minutes of football for Sport & Leisure.

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

4 - Carlin pulls it back to Douglas who powers one at goal and it's a fantastic save.

5 - Daly shoots from distance and it's over but only just.

9 - GOAL! An absolute beauty of a curler by Carlin, Templeton gives it to him and bends it superbly to the top corner, 1-0 Brantwood. His first for the club.

13 - GOAL! Brantwood are on a rampage, Rooney's cross is deflected but Carlin reacts quickest, a diving header to get his 2nd.

17 - Rooney shoots from a tight angle but it's over the bar.

22 - GOAL! 3-0, what a performance here, Daly finds Templeton who drills one into the bottom corner from 20 yards, another 1st goal for Brantwood.

32 - Douglas finds Daly on the edge of the box but the shot goes wide.

45+1 - Half time

What a half! This has to be our best half ever, we've completely dominated away from home and have a huge advantage. Long may this form continue!

45 - Both sides make changes, Rooney picked up an injury forcing Blevins on and Kelly and Hill replace Duffy and Rugg who has picked up a slight injury.

46 - RED CARD! It's all falling apart for the home side, Carlin takes the ball off of Ryan who retaliates with a dangerous tackle and gets sent off. The home side are not happy with the ref.

48 - Douglas' free-kick is over the bar.

62 - Templeton plays it through for Carlin but just misses, he's on a hat-trick.

64 - McCann is on for Monakana.

68 - O'Neill comes on for an injured Tracey.

79 - McBirney picks up an injury for S&L and with no subs left, they go down to 9!

90+3 - Full time

We toned it down a bit in the second half but an incredible performance by the team, we need to do that every match! We go up to 7th with that victory! However, it came with a cost, Rooney has twisted his knee and Tracey has strained his knee ligaments.

Ratings

GK: Brennan (6.9)

RB: McCullough (7.9)

RCB: Thompson (7.1)

LCB: Devlin (7.3)

LB: Nicholson (7.3)

RM: Carlin (9.1)

RCM: Templeton (8.0)

LCM: Daly (8.0)

LM: Tracey (6.9) sub 68

ST: Douglas (6.8)

ST: Rooney (6.9) sub 45

Subs

Blevins (6.2) sub 45

O'Neill (6.5) sub 68

Post-match press conference

Ricky McFall "Your side took an early lead courtesy of Ryan Carlin, did you feel a good result was coming after that goal?"

Me "Of course you get that feeling when your team scores first that it's just gonna be your day and what a day it turned out to be!"

[ShyBaldBuddhist]

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

[ManUTactician247]

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

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

[ManUTactician247]

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

[deltablue]

It was a good test run at least.

[ManUTactician247]

It was a good test run at least.

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

[ManUTactician247]

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

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

[ManUTactician247]

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

Pre-match press conference

Ricky McFall "What is your tactical approach at this game?"

Me "Well, on our current form we have to go for it, don't we? Attack is the way forward."

Squads

GK: Stephen Brennan.......|GK: Stephen Carroll

RB: Scott McCullough......|RB: Marc Harkness

RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: Kevin McGarry

LCB: Andy Devlin............|LCB: Dermot McVeigh

LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: Kieran McSherry

RM: Ryan Carlin..............|RM: Connor Mulholland

RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Seanan Clucas

LCM: Wes Daly...............|LCM: Stefan Bailey

LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LM: Ryan Melaugh

ST: Jamie Douglas...........|ST: George Bowerman

ST: Thai Blevins..............|ST: Jamie Garry

Subs

Danny Hancock....|Danny Creaney

Kevin Anderson....|Curtis Hassan

Adrian McCaffrey..|Mickey Young+

Matt Boyd...........|Daniel Hanna

Ashley Homes*....|Chris Morton

* - Makes/Could make league debut for his club

+ - Makes/Could make senior debut

Jamie Douglas hasn't scored in 384 minutes of football for Brantwood.

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

9 - Carlin slips a ball in for Douglas but he blazes it wide.

16 - Clucas curls it from distance but it's over the bar.

21 - Clucas is forced off injured as Hassan replaces him.

28 - Douglas with an ambitious effort but puts it wide.

31 - Blevins sets up Templeton who fires it over.

39 - O'Neill to Blevins from distance, wide again.

40 - Garry tries one from the edge of the box but puts it wide.

45+2 - Half time

You could certainly argue we are the better side but we aren't going anywhere near the Moyola Park goal, shots from distance are unlikely to win us this match so we need to get closer.

45 - Hanna is on for McSherry at the break.

46 - Nicholson gives it to Blevins who turns and shoots, over the bar.

51 - An absolute sitter for Brantwood, Carlins volley is blocked but it falls to O'Neill from 5 yards out who smashes it over, how did he miss.

53 - O'Neill to Blevins who shoots, well wide.

63 - Blevins breaks free down the left but selfishly goes for goal, missing the target.

65 - Templeton goes for it from distance, over.

66 - Mulholland is replaced by Young.

71 - McVeigh is booked for bringing down Douglas.

72 - GOAL! Finally the moment Brantwood deserve, Daly gives it to Blevins who turns expertly past his marker before slotting home.

90+3 - Full time

Few can argue we deserved the win at the end and it's a great 3 points to pick up as well. Fair play to the team for their patience. We are now 6th in the table.

Ratings

GK: Brennan (6.3)

RB: McCullough (7.0)

RCB: Thompson (7.5)

LCB: Devlin (7.0)

LB: Nicholson (7.4)

RM: Carlin (6.9)

RCM: Templeton (6.8)

LCM: Daly (7.8)

LM: O'Neill (6.8)

ST: Douglas (6.8)

ST: Blevins (7.4)

Transfer

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

[ManUTactician247]

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

Squads

GK: Stephen Brennan.......|GK: Scott Tynan

RB: Scott McCullough......|RB: Scott McCrory

RCB: Stefan Thompson¬...|RCB: Vinnie Heneghan¬

LCB: Ashley Homes*........|LCB: Andrew Nicholas

LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: Philip May

RM: Ryan Carlin..............|RM: Michael McCaffery

RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Ross Clarke

LCM: Wes Daly...............|LCM: Lukasz Adamczyk

LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LM: Chris Flood

ST: Jamie Douglas...........|ST: Sean Canham

ST: Tommy Amos............|ST: Daniel Subuola

Subs

Yilmaz Aksoy+.....|David Hughes+

Ryan Murray........|Paul McElroy

Jordan Watson.....|Stephen Mellon

Matt Boyd...........|Graeme Arthur

Andy Devlin.........|Liam Smith

* - Makes/Could make league debut for his club

+ - Makes/Could make senior debut

¬ - Makes/Could make 50th league appearance

Stephen Brennan hasn't conceded in 203 minutes of football for Brantwood.

Jamie Douglas hasn't scored in 474 minutes of football for Brantwood.

Tommy Amos hasn't scored in 393 minutes of football for Brantwood.

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

6 - Amos shoots from the edge of the area, high wide and not handsome.

8 - Douglas sends his free-kick over the bar.

18 - Flood thinks he should have a penalty for a foul by McCullough but its not given.

24 - Flood finds a way into the box before shooting and Brennan makes a good save.

29 - Nicholson sends the free-kick long and Douglas is unmarked but the header is straight at Tynan.

34 - Templeton is forced off with injury and Murray comes on to replace him.

45+2 - Half time

To be honest, neither side has deserved this. We're going to need to step it up a bit to win this game.

53 - Douglas finds O'Neill who attempts to place it first time but Tynan makes a smart stop.

60 - Carlin has picked up a minor knock and to avoid any risk, Boyd is on to replace him.

62 - Arthur is on for Subuola.

67 - Smith for Nicholas now.

67 - Thompson finds O'Neill who shoots but its a poor effort.

74 - Mellon replaces Flood.

76 - Boyd sends in a great cross which O'Neill heads over.

78 - O'Neills cross finds Amos who heads just wide.

90+4 - Full time

A disappointing draw, we played them off the park but didn't have the finishing to put them away, at least we're still unbeaten.

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

Ratings

GK: Brennan (6.8)

RB: McCullough (7.2)

RCB: Thompson (7.4)

LCB: Homes (7.1)

LB: Nicholson (7.0)

RM: Carlin (6.6) sub 61

RCM: Templeton (6.4) inj 35

LCM: Daly (6.9)

LM: O'Neill (6.2)

ST: Douglas (5.8)

ST: Amos (6.6)

Subs

Murray (6.6) sub 35

Boyd (6.7) sub 61

Post-match press conference

Ricky McFall "PSNI were denied a penalty today in controversial fashion, what did you think of the decision?"

Me "It looked like a penalty to me but I guess we got lucky with that one."

[deltablue]

Yay, a return to Brantwood!

[ManUTactician247]

Yay, a return to Brantwood!

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

[ManUTactician247]

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

Pre-match press conference

Ricky McFall "Many pundits say you'll be playing defensively this game, is that true?"

Me "Not at all, the last thing we should do against a big team is let them attack us, we'll be attacking"

Squads

GK: Stephen Brennan.......|GK: Nathan White

RB: Scott McCullough......|RB: Jonathan Gilliland

RCB: Stefan Thompson.....|RCB: Paul Devins

LCB: Andy Devlin.............|LCB: Andy Patterson

LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: Eamon Black

RM: Matthew Brown........|RM: Nick Carter

RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Kurtis March

LCM: Wes Daly...............|LCM: Liam Irwin

LM: Adrian McCaffrey......|LM: Matthew Clark

ST: Jason Paul...............|ST: Owen McAlynn

ST: Thai Blevins.............|ST: Paul McNeill

Subs

Danny Hancock....|Matt Armstrong-Ford

Reece Moore........|Stephen Cullen

Kevin O'Neill.........|Adam Clarke

Matt Boyd...........|Chris Elliott

Kevin Anderson....|Kevin Gall

Stephen Brennan hasn't conceded in 293 minutes of football for Brantwood.

If Brantwood don't lose today, they will pass their record of 6 games without defeat.

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

5 - GOAL! A great start for the home team as a loose ball falls to Clark who smashes it in despite the efforts of Brennan.

8 - Templeton has picked up a niggle and Brantwood take him off, replaced by Anderson.

12 - Anderson with a shot from distance but it's wide.

14 - McNeill cuts inside and shoots but just over the bar.

16 - Paul to Blevins who turns and shoots from distance but puts it wide.

17 - Blevins shoots from the edge of the box, over.

20 - Moore replaces Devlin.

45+3 - Half time

We certainly haven't given a bad account of ourselves but we're behind and that's all that counts in a cup game, who knows? We might get lucky.

45 - McNeill who was injured in the first half is replaced by Cullen.

53 - GOAL! 2-0 to Oxford, a dodgy back pass from Nicholson goes straight to Cullen who has a simple finish.

62 - Moore is booked for a trip on McAlynn.

62 - Elliott is on for March.

62 - Elliott hits one from distance, well wide.

64 - McAlynn strikes one from range but it goes wide.

68 - Anderson tries his luck from range and forces a good save out of the keeper.

82 - Gall replaces McAlynn.

90 - Gall finds Cullen who hits it first time and it rattles the underside of the bar before bouncing out.

90+3 - Bad news for Brantwood as Brennan the keeper is injured and Hancock replaces him.

90+4 - Full time

A disappointing defeat but an expected one I suppose, especially having played midweek. Bad news though is that Brennan has damaged his elbow and will miss 2/3 weeks of football.

Ratings

GK: Brennan (6.6) sub 90+3

RB: McCullough (6.7)

RCB: Thompson (7.6)

LCB: Devlin (6.5) sub 21

LB: Nicholson (5.0)

RM: Brown (6.0)

RCM: Templeton (N/A) sub 9

LCM: Daly (6.6)

LM: McCaffrey (6.2)

ST: Paul (5.9)

ST: Blevins (6.9)

Subs

Anderson (6.6) sub 9

Moore (5.9) sub 21

Hancock (N/A) sub 90+3

[ManUTactician247]

November 2012 Review

Brantwood 4-1 Armagh (IC 1st Round)

For us: Blevins (34, 82, pen 90+3), Rooney (77)

For them: Hutton (67)

Sport & Leisure 0-3 Brantwood (NI2D)

For us: Carlin (10, 14), Templeton (23)

For them: Ryan (47)

Brantwood 1-0 Moyola Park (NI2D)

For us: Blevins (73)

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

Oxford Utd Stars 2-0 Brantwood (IC 2nd Round)

For them: Clark (6), Cullen (54)

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

[ManUTactician247]

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

Pre-match press conference

Ricky McFall "Do you think that Gerry Mullan is Ballynures main threat this match.

Me "There's no reason to focus on a particular player in a game we are very likely to win."

Squads

GK: Danny Hancock.........|GK: Darren Hunter

RB: Scott McCullough......|RB: Sean Holmes

RCB: Stefan Thompson.....|RCB: Mark McGeough

LCB: Ashley Homes..........|CB: Andrew Williams

LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LCB: Paul Robertson

RM: Thai Blevins.............|LB: Daryl McGowan

RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Nathan McCluskey

LCM: Wes Daly...............|CM: Brian McVea

LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LCM: Robert Douglas

ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Aaron Murphy

ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Gerry Mullan

Subs

Yilmaz Aksoy........|James Gregg

Michael Fitzpatrick|Martin Black

Jordan Watson.....|Richard McCombe

Matt Boyd...........|Colin McGerrigan

Andy Devlin.........|Connor Ward

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

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

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

9 - GOAL! O'Neill sends in the corner and it comes off Robert Douglas and into his own net, an unfortunate way to fall behind for Ballynure.

15 - Set pieces appear to be a big weakness for Ballynure, O'Neill with another delivery and Thompsons header is well saved by Hunter and he gets to the rebound but the keeper saves again.

16 - GOAL! And just as I was saying, O'Neill takes another corner which is nodded in by Homes, his first for the club in his 2nd match.

21 - Daly brings down Murphy and is booked.

21 - GOAL! McCluskey with a fantastic ball to find Mullan who has a simple finish, Ballynure are back in it!

23 - GOAL! Nicholsons cross causes chaos in the area and a relieved Tommy Amos smashes it home for 3-1.

35 - Robert Douglas trips O'Neill, receiving yellow.

39 - Hunter spills Blevins' cross, it falls to Jamie Douglas but he snaps at it and it goes wide.

44 - Devlin comes on for Daly.

45+1 - Half time

It was disappointing to concede but we have a comfortable lead at the break and I'm sure we can add to that tally in the 2nd half.

45 - McGerrigan replaces McGeough at the break.

50 - Mullan plays the free-kick to McVea who fires over from distance.

53 - Nicholson curls one from distance but it's over.

55 - Amos is booked for a trip on Holmes.

56 - GOAL! It's come from a set piece again, O'Neills corner sees Homes beat his marker to the ball and get his second of the game.

64 - Templeton is booked for a trip on McVea.

66 - Jamie Douglas shoots from a free-kick but it's a wild effort.

73 - Black is on for McVea.

80 - McGowan is shown yellow for a trip on Amos.

81 - Devlin is next in the book for tripping Mullan.

83 - McCombe replaces the own goal scorer Robert Douglas.

90 - Hunters goal kick is met with a powerful Thompson header which sends Douglas through but the keeper makes a great save to deny him.

90+1 - Full time

While we did add 1 more goal in the 2nd half, I know we could have done more but a comfortable win and I have to be happy with that.

Ratings

GK: Hancock (7.0)

RB: McCullough (6.9)

RCB: Thompson (7.3)

LCB: Homes (9.3)

LB: Nicholson (7.2)

RM: Blevins (7.0)

RCM: Templeton (6.9)

LCM: Daly (6.9) sub 45

LM: O'Neill (9.0)

ST: Douglas (6.9)

ST: Amos (7.7)

Sub

Devlin (6.9) sub 45

Post-match press conference

Ricky McFall "After a terrific performance today, will you be looking to bring Ashley Homes into the club permanently?"

Me "It's much to early to be discussing that, the lad has only played 2 matches for us."

[ManUTactician247]

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

Squads

GK: Danny Hancock.........|GK: Darren Gibbons

RB: Andy Devlin..............|RCB: Osa Obamwonyi

RCB: Stefan Thompson.....|CB: Mitch Kelly

LCB: Ashley Homes..........|LCB: Peadar Toal

LB: Alex Nicholson...........|RWB: David Hutton

RM: Gareth Green............|LWB: Adam Dodd

RCM: Scott McCullough....|RCM: Jake Gillingwater£

LCM: Emmet Templeton...|CM: Frankie Sutherland

LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LCM: Paul McAreavey_

ST: Jamie Douglas£"........|ST: Stuart Hendrie

ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Thomas Gregg Lopes da Silva

Subs

Yilmaz Aksoy+......|Patrick Appleton

Kevin Anderson.....|Gerard Kerr

Jordan Watson.....|Ryan McGerrigan

Matt Boyd...........|Paul McElhatton

Michael McMullan..|Sam Cook

+ - Makes/Could make senior debut.

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

" - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance.

_ - 1 goal needed to reach 25 league goals.

Jamie Douglas hasn't scored in 654 minutes of football for Brantwood.

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

8 - Thompson loses the ball poorly to Lopes da Silva in a great position but he puts it over.

17 - McCullough picks up a knock and to avoid risk, is replaced by Anderson.

29 - Sutherland gets to the edge of the box and shoots with Hancock doing well to turn it around the post.

30 - Huttons corner is met by Hendrie and it hits the top of the cross-bar, unlucky.

36 - Douglas' free-kick is met by a Thompson diving header which goes wide.

36 - The sub is subbed as Boyd replaces Anderson.

42 - Kelly shoots from distance but it's over.

45+2 - Half time

We've had a poor first half and to win this, we need to be a lot better than this.

45 - McElhatton replaces Hutton at half time.

45 - Sutherland shoots from distance but it's not even close.

46 - RED CARD! Disastrous for Brantwood as a header puts Lopes da Silva through on goal and Thompson brings him down as the last man and he's off, it looked like a dive there, Brantwood are absolutely furious with the decision.

51 - GOAL! Ten man Brantwood take the lead as O'Neills corner is brought down and tapped in by Homes.

53 - McGerrigan replaces Gillingwater.

58 - Kerr is on for Hendrie.

74 - McElhatton is booked after tripping Amos.

74 - Boyds cross falls temptingly for Douglas whose volley unluckily bounces off the bar.

79 - Nicholsons cross finds Green whose effort is blocked but still forces a top save.

90+4 - Full time

A win we probably deserved on our 2nd performance, the red card looked like it would consign us to defeat but we only grew stronger and didn't even let Armagh have a good chance after that. Special praise to Ashley Homes, he scored our winner as well as leading our 3 man defence which was rock solid after the red.

Ratings

GK: Hancock (7.1)

RB: Devlin (6.8)

RCB: Thompson (7.0) red 47

LCB: Homes (7.8)

LB: Nicholson (7.0)

RM: Green (6.8)

RCM: McCullough (6.8) sub 18

LCM: Templeton (6.7)

LM: O'Neill (6.9)

ST: Douglas (6.8)

ST: Amos (6.8)

Subs

Anderson (6.8) sub 16 sub 37

Boyd (6.9) sub 37

[ManUTactician247]

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

Pre-match press conference

Ricky McFall "How do you rate your chances in the upcoming match?"

Me "Having beaten Armagh twice already this season, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't confident."

Squads

GK: Danny Hancock.........|GK: Darren Gibbons

RB: Andy Devlin..............|RCB: Robert Dunlop

RCB: Ashley Homes..........|CB: Peadar Toal

LCB: Kevin Anderson........|LCB: David Addis

LB: Alex Nicholson...........|RWB: Peter Darcy

RM: Ryan Carlin..............|LWB: Arron Ponton

RCM: Wes Daly..............|RCM: Paul McAreavey

LCM: Emmet Templeton...|CM: Darren Berrigan

LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LCM: David Hutton

ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Gerard Kerr

ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Kieran Gibson

Subs

Yilmaz Aksoy........|Patrick Appleton

Reece Moore........|Adam Rodgers

Adrian McCaffrey..|Lee Towers

Thai Blevins.........|Paul Carlin

Michael McMullan..|Sam Cook

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

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

14 - Devlin picks up a knock and just incase, Blevins replaces him.

15 - GOAL! Pontons cross is headed in by Kerr who was unmarked.

33 - Ponton is booked for a foul on Douglas.

37 - Daly is booked for tripping Hutton.

38 - Addis is brought down by Douglas who is booked.

43 - O'Neill plays it across to Daly who hits one well wide.

44 - Gibson tries his luck from distance and it hits the cross-bar.

45+2 - Half time

We've been very disappointing and need to improve if we are to stay in this cup.

45 - Paul Carlin and Cook replace Hutton and Kerr at the break.

51 - PENALTY! Brantwood have the chance to level as O'Neill swings in a corner and Addis pushes Homes for a spot kick. Armagh are not pleased with that decision.

52 - SAVED! Its a poor penalty by Douglas which Gibbons easily punches clear, straight down the middle.

54 - McAreaveys cross is headed wide by Addis.

57 - Ponton plays a lovely ball for Gibson but the shot is saved by Hancock.

61 - Ponton finds Cook who turns and shoots, just over.

63 - Hancock sends his free-kick long and puts Amos through but his shot is very well saved.

64 - Gibson is booked for a trip on Homes.

67 - Ryan Carlin sends a great ball over the top and Amos is through but his shot is tipped over.

69 - Amos does well to get to the edge of the box and smashes it just wide.

70 - Gibson shoots from the edge of the box and it goes wide.

73 - Rodgers is on for Addis.

74 - Templeton is brought down by Darcy who gets a yellow card.

83 - Blevins is tripped by McAreavey who gets yellow.

86 - The sub Blevins picks up an injury and is replaced by Moore.

90+4 - Full time

We had the chances, we even had a penalty but we are out of the cup, we would have had Portadown away in the next round anyway though.

Ratings

GK: Hancock (6.6)

RB: Devlin (6.8) sub 15

RCB: Homes (7.0)

LCB: Anderson (6.8)

LB: Nicholson (7.1)

RM: Carlin (6.7)

RCM: Daly (6.7)

LCM: Templeton (6.7)

LM: O'Neill (6.6)

ST: Douglas (5.8)

ST: Amos (5.8)

Subs

Blevins (5.8) sub 15 sub 87

Moore (N/A) sub 87

Post-match press conference

Ricky McFall "Arron Ponton was man of the match today, what did you think of his performance?"

Me "He had a great game, which wasn't great for us."

[deltablue]

3rd time unlucky against Armagh.

[ManUTactician247]

3rd time unlucky against Armagh.

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

[ManUTactician247]

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

Pre-match press conference

Ricky McFall "Who is going to stop Jordan Trincie-Lyne?"

Me "Probably Michael McMullan, he should do it."

Squads

GK: Danny Hancock.........|GK: Gerard Duff

RB: Scott McCullough......|RB: Ryan McLoughlin

RCB: Ashley Homes..........|RCB: Jamie Rooney

LCB: Michael Fitzpatrick...|LCB: Aswad Thomas

LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: Daniel Ting

RM: Gareth Green...........|RM: Anthony Finn

RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: George Young

LCM: Wes Daly♣.............|LCM: Marc Brown

LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LM: Ryan Markey

ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Jordan Trincie-Lyne

ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Darren Henderson

Subs

Yilmaz Aksoy+......|Steven Maguire

Ryan Murray........|Danny Rowe

Adrian McCaffrey..|Sean Waters

Matt Boyd...........|Danny Hawkins♦◘

Michael McMullan..|John Boyle

+ - Makes/Could make senior debut

♣ - Makes/Could make 200th league appearance

♦ - 3 goals to reach 25 league goals

◘ - 3 goals to reach 25 league goals for his club.

Jamie Douglas hasn't scored in 834 minutes of football for Brantwood.

Jordan Trincie-Lyne hasn't scored in 525 minutes of football for Warrenpoint.

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

12 - Amos finds Douglas with a good ball but the deflection on the shot makes it easy for the keeper.

24 - Templeton sends a great ball for Douglas but the shot is saved well by Duff.

29 - Douglas to Amos who shoots, but its well wide.

31 - Daly shoots from distance but it's over.

39 - GOAL! Brantwood lead, Nicholson just sends the free-kick into the box and Douglas directs it in, the relief on his face clear as his goal drought ends!

41 - Henderson gets to the edge of the area before firing just wide.

45+2 - Half time

We lead and deservedly so, great to see Douglas get a goal as well, hopefully we can hold on for a great three points.

45 - 2 Warrenpoint subs, on come Rowe and Waters for Finn and Markey.

51 - Boyle is on for Ting.

57 - Young picks out Rowe who shoots but Hancock makes the catch.

71 - O'Neill centres it for Amos whose shot is deflected for a corner.

74 - Goal disallowed for Brantwood! Douglas swings in the free-kick and Green appears to beat the keeper to it and head in but the ref pulls it back for a foul on Duff. Looked a harsh decision there.

81 - An injury to Young leaves Warrenpoint with ten men as they used all their subs.

82 - Templeton finds Green in acres of space but the shot is saved by Duff.

90+3 - Full time

A great and well deserved three points against a great team here, huge well done to the lads for this one. Takes us up into 5th, promotion maybe?

Ratings

GK: Hancock (6.7)

RB: McCullough (7.6)

RCB: Homes (7.2)

LCB: Fitzpatrick (6.9)

LB: Nicholson (8.1)

RM: Green (6.9)

RCM: Templeton (7.2)

LCM: Daly (6.9)

LM: O'Neill (6.9)

ST: Douglas (7.3)

ST: Amos (6.8)

Post-match press conference

Ricky McFall "Alex Nicholson won the man of the match award, how did you rate his performance."

Me "He pulled off a great assist to win us the match and I don't recall a single attack from his side."

[ManUTactician247]

December 2012 Review

Ballynure O.B. 1-4 Brantwood (NIC 2nd Round)

For us: Robert Douglas OG (10), Homes (17, 57), Amos (24)

For them: Mullan (22)

Armagh 0-1 Brantwood (NI2D)

For us: Homes (52), Thompson (47)

Armagh 1-0 Brantwood (NIC 3rd Round)

For us: Douglas missed pen (53)

For them: Kerr (16)

Brantwood 1-0 Warrenpoint (NI2D)

For us: Douglas (40)

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

[deltablue]

Well, 2 wins out of 2 in the league.

[ManUTactician247]

Well, 2 wins out of 2 in the league.

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

[ManUTactician247]

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

Pre-match press conference

Ricky McFall "Who will you use to counter Scott Hamilton."

Me "Alex Nicholson."

Squads

GK: Stephen Brennan.......|GK: Stephen Flowers

RB: Scott McCullough......|RB: Jonathan Cheevers

RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: Jordan Anderson

LCB: Ashley Homes.........|LCB: George Moore

LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: Joe McKee

RM: Ryan Carlin..............|RM: Scott Hamilton

RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Ryan Gregg

LCM: Wes Daly..............|LCM: Steven McIlroy

LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LM: Iain Edmunds

ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Conor Gregg

ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Jaimes McKee

Subs

Danny Hancock....|Russell Saunders£

Michael McMullan..|Jamie Cook

Colin Tracey".......|Stephen Kidd

Gerard Rooney.....|Chris Kerr

Andy Devlin.........|Simon Ainge

" - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance

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

Jaimes McKee hasn't scored in 865 minutes of football for Wakehurst.

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

3 - Amos trips Anderson and is first in the book.

4 - McIlroy shoots from distance and Brennan makes a great save to tip it round.

14 - Thompson tries one from 20 yards and the keeper is forced to save it.

16 - Ryan Gregg plays in Conor Gregg who drills it just wide of the post.

18 - Edmunds' corner is headed wide by Moore.

26 - Anderson is forced off injured, replaced by Ainge.

30 - Homes is booked for a trip on Conor Gregg.

43 - GOAL! Douglas does well to spot the run of O'Neill who takes a touch before placing it beyond the keeper.

44 - McIlroys long ball finds Edmunds who shoots over from a tight angle.

45+2 - Half time

I don't think we deserve it but we lead at the break, if we can hold on to this, we'll move even closer to the top 2.

45 - RED CARD! A nightmare start to the half for Brantwood as Amos is dismissed for his second yellow for diving after a challenge by Ainge in the box.

55 - Edmunds plays it short to Ryan Gregg who hits a scorcher from distance which Brennan just gets a hand on.

64 - Jaimes McKee shoots from distance and its just wide of the post.

68 - Cook and Kidd replace Hamilton and Edmunds.

75 - GOAL! Wakehurst are level, Brennans clearance is headed right back by Moore, it should be easy for the keeper but Jaimes McKee beats him to the ball and scores.

84 - Douglas is tripped by Moore who receives a yellow card.

90+3 - Full time

While the red card definitely made things worse for us, the manner we lost this lead was very frustrating, Brennan should have done a lot better. A draw isn't a terrible result though.

Ratings

GK: Brennan (5.7)

RB: McCullough (6.4)

RCB: Thompson (7.0)

LCB: Homes (6.7)

LB: Nicholson (6.5)

RM: Carlin (6.6)

RCM: Templeton (6.6)

LCM: Daly (6.7)

LM: O'Neill (7.4)

ST: Douglas (7.1)

ST: Amos (6.3) red 46

Post-match press conference

Ricky McFall "George Moore was on top form and won the man of the match award, your thoughts on him?"

Me "As well as the assist he was an effective barrier between our strikers and the goal."

Transfers

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

[ManUTactician247]

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

Squads

GK: Danny Hancock.........|GK: Tom Cox

RB: Scott McCullough......|RB: Matt McKeever

RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: Jamie Cleary

LCB: Ashley Homes.........|LCB: Justin Perrin

LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: Jason McLay

RM: Ryan Carlin..............|RM: Ciaran McGurgan

RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Danny Gardner

LCM: Wes Daly..............|LCM: Sean Heneghan

LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LM: Matt Fell

ST: Thai Blevins.............|ST: Jake Lee

ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Will Green

Subs

Stephen Brennan..|Tony Cornick

Kevin Anderson....|Sammy Devine

Colin Tracey".......|Tinashe Muskwe

Gerard Rooney.....|Daniel Burns

Andy Devlin.........|Barry Henry

" - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance

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

14 - Douglas heads it down for Daly who has a go but puts it over.

20 - Rooney replaces Douglas.

29 - GOAL! Gardners free-kick causes panic in the box and is scrambled in by Cleary for Tobermore.

37 - Rooney tees it up for Templeton who shoots just wide.

45 - Nicholson to Templeton who shoots from range but its well wide.

45+2 - Half time

Not at all happy to be behind, we shouldn't lose this match but we are. Not creating enough chances, that needs to improve.

48 - Daly is booked for a trip on Lee.

58 - Rooneys shot deflects into the path of Carlin but his shot is poor, well wide.

59 - Muskwe is on for Green.

60 - McCullough is forced off injured and Devlin replaces him.

61 - Henry replaces McLay.

61 - Templeton has a go from distance but it's wide.

67 - Heneghan shoots from distance but it's not even close.

70 - Anderson is on for Carlin.

74 - Muskwe pulls it back to Gardner who has a go and Hancock tips it over.

75 - McGurgans corner is met by a Perrin volley and Hancock reacts well.

77 - Fell is off and Burns is on.

80 - GOAL! An incredibly bizarre goal draws Brantwood level, Nicholson drills in what looks to be a hopeless cross and it comes off the goalscorer Cleary and in! It goes down as an own goal!

90 - Gardner swings in a free-kick and Muskwe beats the keeper to it but heads over.

90+4 - Full time

A huge slice of luck preserves our unbeaten record but we were very lucky to come out of this with a draw. It even takes us up to 4th. Bad news is that McCullough picked up a broken collarbone, ruling him out for up to 2 months.

Ratings

GK: Hancock (6.5)

RB: McCullough (6.9) inj 61

RCB: Thompson (6.8)

LCB: Homes (6.8)

LB: Nicholson (6.6)

RM: Carlin (6.5) sub 71

RCM: Templeton (6.8)

LCM: Daly (6.6)

LM: O'Neill (6.6)

ST: Blevins (6.5)

ST: Douglas (6.6) sub 21

Subs

Rooney (6.5) sub 21

Devlin (6.9) sub 61

Anderson (6.5) sub 71

[ManUTactician247]

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

Pre-match press conference

Ricky McFall "Is there a chance that Haughey will put pressure on McCullough for a first team place."

Me "Absolutely not, Scott has done more than enough to ensure his place in the team."

Squads

GK: Danny Hancock.........|GK: Darren Fox

RB: Andy Devlin..............|RB: Ross Dedman

RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: Marc Whitford

LCB: Ashley Homes.........|LCB: Kerr Young

LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: Joshua Webb

RM: Matthew Brown........|RM: Chris Williams

RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Kyle Alexander

LCM: Wes Daly..............|LCM: Liam Manning

LM: Colin Tracey"...........|LM: Danny Glover

ST: Eoin Boyle...............|ST: Amari Morgan-Smith

ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: David McMillan

Subs

Stephen Brennan..|Peter Donnelly"£

Kevin Anderson.....|Isaac Vassell

Kevin O'Neill.........|Tyree Clarke

Matt Boyd...........|Christian Seargeant_

Michael Fitzpatrick|David Cully

" - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance

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

_ - 1 goal needed to reach 25 league goals.

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

0 - It takes just 14 seconds for Morgan-Smith to zoom past the defence and shoot just wide of Hancocks post.

1 - Morgan-Smith gets another chance from just outside the area which is just wide again.

3 - McMillan is booked for a trip on Templeton.

3 - Thompson sends the free-kick into the area but Douglas' header is straight at the keeper.

14 - Brown plays it back to Boyle whose effort is deflected behind for a corner.

15 - Nicholson is booked for bringing down Williams.

19 - Alexander trips Daly and is booked.

20 - Daly does the same back to Alexander with the same punishment.

24 - Morgan-Smith shoots from distance but it's wide.

27 - Tracey is booked for a trip on Williams.

32 - Homes' header forward finds Douglas who lets fly but hammers it over.

41 - Glovers corner finds Whitford unmarked but the header is straight at Hancock.

45 - PENALTY! Brantwood could take the lead as after a scramble after a corner, the ref says Alexander tripped Thompson, no 2nd yellow for him and no arguments either.

45 - GOAL! Douglas sends the penalty into the roof of the net to give Brantwood the lead right on half time.

45+1 - Half time

We started off very nervy but gradually settled into this match and now have the lead as well, maybe this time we can hold on to it.

45 - 2 changes, Seargeant and Cully replace Williams and McMillan.

46 - Boyle is tripped by Whitford who gets into the book.

53 - Thompson picks up a knock for Brantwood, and just incase they bring him off for Anderson.

62 - Clarke is on for Glover.

62 - Clarke has a go from the edge of the box but puts it wide.

70 - Devlin brings down Morgan-Smith and is also booked.

71 - Douglas swings in the free-kick and Tracey has a free header but sends it over.

85 - Another yellow for Manning who fouled Douglas.

90 - Manning tries a volley from distance but its easy for Hancock.

90+1 - Seargeants free-kick comes off the wall and out for a corner.

90+1 - Goal disallowed for Dundela! Seargeants first-time cross is headed in by Morgan-Smith but the flag is up and rightly so. Dundela are furious.

90+2 - Boyle is booked for tripping Young.

90+3 - Full time

We've picked up what could be a very important three points today, we rode our luck a bit towards the end but I'm very happy to have won it.

Ratings

GK: Hancock (6.2)

RB: Devlin (7.2)

RCB: Thompson (7.0) sub 54

LCB: Homes (6.9)

LB: Nicholson (7.1)

RM: Brown (6.3)

RCM: Templeton (6.8)

LCM: Daly (6.9)

LM: Tracey (6.8)

ST: Boyle (6.6)

ST: Douglas (6.9)

Sub

Anderson (6.3) sub 54

Post-match press conference

Ricky McFall "A fantastic and unexpected victory today, how are you feeling?"

Me "Fantastic, Dundela put up a great fight but we held firm and I'm delighted to take home three points."

[ManUTactician247]

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

Pre-match press conference

Ricky McFall "Attacking at the start would certainly show your intentions for this match, will that be the case?"

Me "This is one game I expect to win so attacking is a necessity.

Squads

GK: Stephen Brennan......|GK: Stefan Hutchinson

RB: Craig Kirk.................|RB: Johnny Magee

RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: Adam Robinson

LCB: Ashley Homes.........|LCB: Peter Williams

LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: David Hutchinson

RM: Ryan Carlin..............|DM: Sam Cox

RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Aidan Collins

LCM: Matthew Weir........|CM: Alan Gaston

LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LCM: Carl Murray

ST: Jamie Douglas..........|AM: Gordon Hillis

ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Domonic Samuel

Subs

Yilmaz Aksoy+......|Sean Morgan

Kevin Anderson.....|Anthony Snook*

Colin Tracey.........|Mark Hamilton

Gerard Rooney"£...|Tony Taggart

Michael McMullan..|Kealan Dillon

* - Makes/Could make league debut for his club

+ - Makes/Could make senior debut.

" - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance

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

Tommy Amos hasn't scored in 382 minutes of football for Brantwood.

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

2 - Collins is booked for a push on Weir.

16 - Kirk with a nasty challenge on Hillis which earns him a yellow card.

16 - GOAL! Annagh lead as David Hutchinsons free-kick is headed in by Robinson.

19 - Carlin swings in the corner which finds Thompson at the back post but the header is saved.

21 - Carlin picks out Douglas with a through ball who fires it just wide.

32 - Kirk pulls it back to Templeton who hits it first time and it hits the underside of the bar!

33 - Carlins free-kick finds Thompson, straight at Stefan Hutchinson.

35 - Carlins corner is headed over by Homes.

43 - GOAL! About time a set piece got a goal for Brantwood as Carlins corner is headed in powerfully by Thompson, a majestic header!

45+2 - Half time

One shot, one goal for Annagh but glad we pulled level before the break. I'd be unhappy with anything less than a win as we have been dominant, hopeful we can get another.

45 - Gaston is replaced by Dillon at half-time.

46 - Murray is booked for upending Templeton.

49 - Cox is upended by Amos who receives a yellow.

55 - O'Neill has a go from distance but it's an easy catch.

61 - Dillon is holding back Templeton and is booked.

70 - Dillon shoots from distance but misses.

79 - Snook replaces Magee.

79 - Carlins corner is headed dangerously across goal by Thompson and Homes is open but the header is somehow saved.

85 - Robinson the goalscorer is replaced by Hamilton.

87 - Nicholson has a go but it's over.

90+4 - Full time

Disappointing not to win this as we had the chances but Annagh take an undeserved point out of this game. We still go up to 5th.

Ratings

GK: Brennan (6.8)

RB: Kirk (7.1)

RCB: Thompson (8.0)

LCB: Homes (7.0)

LB: Nicholson (6.7)

RM: Carlin (8.0)

RCM: Templeton (6.7)

LCM: Weir (6.7)

LM: O'Neill (6.2)

ST: Douglas (6.5)

ST: Amos (6.0)

Post-match press conference

Matt Crothers "Ryan Carlin was man of the match, your opinion of his performance?"

Me "Ryan put in an impressive performance, his deliveries from set pieces caused all sorts of problems and he was very much a menace."

Transfers

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

[ManUTactician247]

January 2013 Review

Wakehurst 1-1 Brantwood (NI2D)

For us: O'Neill (44), Amos (46)

For them: Jaimes McKee (76)

Brantwood 1-1 Tobermore Utd (NI2D)

For us: Cleary OG (81)

For them: Cleary (30)

Dundela 0-1 Brantwood (NI2D)

For us: Douglas (pen 45+1)

Brantwood 1-1 Annagh Utd (NI2D)

For us: Thompson (44)

For them: Robinson (17)

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

[mubzyp]

wow this is amazing mate

[ManUTactician247]

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

Squads

GK: Danny Hancock.........|GK: Lewis Fenney

RB: Andy Devlin..............|RB: Brian McKenna

RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: Stephen Crawford

LCB: Ashley Homes.........|LCB: Rhys Paul

LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: Peter Davies

RM: Ryan Carlin..............|RM: Ryan Godfrey

RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Owen Kabodi

LCM: Wes Daly...............|LCM: Jonny Kaye

LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LM: Liam Smyth

ST: Jamie Douglas..........|AM: Colin McAnallen

ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Phil Maloco

Subs

Stephen Brennan..|Andrew Wilson

Michael McMullan..|David Hutchinson+

Colin Tracey.........|Connor Murray

Thai Blevins.........|John Craig

Kevin Anderson....|Grzegorz Kryznocek

+ - Makes/Could make senior debut.

Tommy Amos hasn't scored in 472 minutes of football for Brantwood.

If Lower Maze don't win, it'll beat their record of 8 games without victory.

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

4 - The ball falls to Templeton who sends it over the bar.

7 - Carlin is booked for a trip on Davies.

11 - The ref sees a dive by Kabodi and books him.

12 - A poor pass across goal by Davies is intercepted by Amos who shoots but hits the bar. O'Neill then plays it to Templeton who hits it over.

38 - Douglas sets Templeton up from distance who smashes it wide.

45+1 - Half time

Very disappointing, we haven't done nearly as well as we could and could come out of this with only a draw.

48 - Devlins cross finds O'Neill with a great chance but his shot is saved.

56 - Amos slips a ball in for Douglas but his shot is also saved by Fenney.

63 - Kryznocek replaces Maloco for Lower Maze.

68 - Craig is on for Smyth.

71 - GOAL! Douglas plays in Amos who takes his time before executing the finish.

73 - Murray is on to replace McAnallen

76 - GOAL! Carlins corner is headed in by Thompson despite the attempts of Fenney.

90+2 - Full time

We took our time but got the three points we needed in this one.

Ratings

GK: Hancock (6.8)

RB: Devlin (7.4)

RCB: Thompson (8.1)

LCB: Homes (7.3)

LB: Nicholson (7.6)

RM: Carlin (7.3)

RCM: Templeton (6.8)

LCM: Daly (6.8)

LM: O'Neill (6.8)

ST: Douglas (6.8)

ST: Amos (7.4)

[ManUTactician247]

wow this is amazing mate

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

[ManUTactician247]

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

Pre-match press conference

Ricky McFall "Some say you will go defensive to avoid defeat, is this true?"

Me "No way, we'll be straight on the attack."

Squads

GK: Danny Hancock.........|GK: Ryan Martin

RB: Andy Devlin..............|RB: Josh Brizell

RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: Matthew Paget

LCB: Ashley Homes.........|LCB: Aaron Meharg

LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: Alex White£

RM: Ryan Carlin..............|RM: Ryan Dunlop

RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Stephen Shaw♦

LCM: Wes Daly...............|LCM: Declan Divin

LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LM: Tom Buckley

ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Damian Spencer

ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Leon Newell

Subs

Stephen Brennan..|Danny Evans*

Michael McMullan..|Jonathan Mernagh

Colin Tracey.........|Nathan Riddle

Gerard Rooney"£...|James Lavery○

John McCarthy*....|Matt McManus

* - Makes/Could make league debut for his club.

" - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance

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

♦ - 3 goals to reach 25 league goals.

○ - 1 goal to reach 50 league goals.

Danny Hancock hasn't conceded in 240 minutes of football for Brantwood.

If Brantwood don't lose today, it will have beaten their record of 6 games without defeat.

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

1 - Daly to Amos who shoots from the edge of the box but it's tipped over.

11 - Nicholson gets it back from O'Neill before sending it well over the bar.

12 - Buckleys cross is met by Dunlop but Hancock makes a superb catch.

12 - Devlins long ball over the top picks out Amos who shoots but Devlin saves.

15 - Buckleys corner is flicked on by Newell but Hancock collects.

16 - Carlins drilled cross finds Douglas who turns and shoots, just wide.

26 - O'Neill has a go from distance but puts it wide.

28 - GOAL! Newells free-kick is perfectly in the corner for Queens University.

36 - GOAL! Carlin finds Douglas from 25 yards out and he smashes it into the top corner, what a strike!

45 - GOAL! Templeton with a fantastic ball which the keeper comes out for and misses, Amos has an empty net and scores.

45+1 - Half time

I feared the worst when we fell behind but we responded incredibly well and got 2 great goals, lets keep it up!

45 - Newell is replaced by McManus at the break.

51 - Rooney replaces Carlin. Mernagh replaces Dunlop for Queens.

64 - O'Neill with a stunning ball over the top for Rooney, clean through but his shot is well saved by Martin.

66 - Buckley is replaced by Riddle.

72 - Thompson is booked for a trip on Spencer.

85 - Spencer slips in Shaw who must score but Hancock makes a heroic save to keep Brantwood ahead.

87 - Paget to Mernagh who shoots wide.

89 - GOAL! Brizells through ball finds Spencer who picks out the far corner to equalise for Queens University.

90+2 - Devlin has a hopeful crack from distance and it hits the bar! So close!

90+3 - Full time

A heartbreaking way to lose the three points but at least we avoided defeat.

Ratings

GK: Hancock (6.6)

RB: Devlin (6.7)

RCB: Thompson (7.0)

LCB: Homes (6.7)

LB: Nicholson (6.8)

RM: Carlin (6.9) sub 52

RCM: Templeton (7.1)

LCM: Daly (6.8)

LM: O'Neill (6.6)

ST: Douglas (8.3)

ST: Amos (7.2)

Sub

Rooney (6.2) sub 52

[ManUTactician247]

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

Squads

GK: Stephen Brennan......|GK: Blane Scott

RB: Craig Kirk................|RB: Mark Haughey

RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: Paul Johnson

LCB: Ashley Homes.........|LCB: Clark Mason

LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: Matt Lomas

RM: Ryan Carlin..............|RM: Jon Taylor

RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Liam Henderson

LCM: Wes Daly...............|LCM: Gary Murphy♂

LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LM: Robbie-Lee Crawford

ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Denis McLaughlin

ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Andy Pugh

Subs

Yilmaz Aksoy+......|Gavin Carlin

Michael McMullan..|Miguel Chines

Colin Tracey.........|Lewis Neal

Gerard Rooney......|Ryan Murphy

John McCarthy*....|Liam Carland

* - Makes/Could make league debut for his club

+ - Makes/Could make senior debut.

♂ - Makes/Could make 75th league appearance for his club.

If Brantwood don't lose today, it will have beaten their record of 7 games without defeat.

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

5 - Homes is booked for tripping over McLaughlin.

13 - Daly trips Henderson, yellow.

13 - Crawfords cross is headed by McLaughlin but Brennan makes a good stop.

18 - PENALTY! Nicholson sends in a long throw and Haughey brings down Carlin and Brantwood have a penalty. Haughey is booked.

19 - GOAL! The keeper guesses right but Douglas' penalty is out of his reach into the top corner.

25 - O'Neill shoots from distance but it's wide.

28 - Templeton has a go but it's over.

33 - Kirks trip on Crawford earns him a yellow card.

33 - Rooney is on to replace Amos.

38 - Rooney comes forward and shoots but it's harmlessly wide.

40 - Tight play on the edge of the area, Douglas sets up Rooney but he hits it over.

43 - McLaughlin trips Daly for a yellow.

45+2 - Knockbreda think they should have a penalty of their own for a foul by Homes but nothing given.

45+2 - Half time

It's only a penalty that separates the two sides but I think we've certainly earned our advantage and looking good for the win.

61 - McLaughlin is off and Ryan Murphy is on.

61 - Johnson trips Douglas and is booked.

62 - Thompson brings down Crawford, receiving a yellow.

64 - Neal is on for Crawford.

68 - Henderson trips Templeton, yellow card.

75 - Rooney to Douglas who hits one from range, wide. Not much action here.

78 - GOAL! Ryan Murphy sends in a cross which Pugh slides in, 1-1.

80 - On comes Carland for Pugh.

84 - O'Neill is booked for upending Taylor.

85 - Lomas is booked for tripping over Ryan Carlin.

86 - GOAL! A late winner surely for Brantwood, Douglas' free-kick finds Thompson free who somehow hits the bar but at least taps in the rebound.

89 - Templeton trips Gary Murphy, yet another yellow.

90+1 - GOAL! Icing on the cake for Brantwood, Lomas gives a free-kick away in an identical position, Douglas takes it again and this time Thompson doesn't need a second chance to head in his second.

90+3 - Full time

I feared we'd thrown away another three points but we managed to win it in the end, and that is an important one too! That takes us up to 4th.

Ratings

GK: Brennan (6.9)

RB: Kirk (7.0)

RCB: Thompson (9.1)

LCB: Homes (6.9)

LB: Nicholson (6.8)

RM: Carlin (7.0)

RCM: Templeton (6.8)

LCM: Daly (7.1)

LM: O'Neill (6.9)

ST: Douglas (7.4)

ST: Amos (6.9) sub 34

Sub

Rooney (6.8) sub 34

Post-match press conference

Ricky McFall "Undoubtedly Thompson was the saviour for your team, what was your opinion on his performance."

Me "Fantastic, his threat from set pieces as well as his defensive performance was immaculate, long may it continue."

[ManUTactician247]

February 2013 Review

Brantwood 2-0 Lower Maze (NI2D)

For us: Amos (72), Thompson (77)

Queens University 2-2 Brantwood (NI2D)

For us: Douglas (37), Amos (45+1)

For them: Newell (29), Spencer (90)

Brantwood 3-1 Knockbreda (NI2D)

For us: Douglas (pen 20), Thompson (87, 90+2)

For them: Pugh (79)

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

[ManUTactician247]

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

Pre-match press conference

Ricky McFall "Playing against the league leaders, you might play defensive to avoid defeat, will you?"

Me "Nope, that's exactly how they want us to play, we won't give them that privilege."

Squads

GK: Stephen Brennan......|GK: Andy Wright

RB: Andy Devlin.............|RCB: Conor Friel

RCB: Stefan Thompson....|CB: Alex Lacey

LCB: Ashley Homes.........|LCB: Niall Derry

LB: Alex Nicholson...........|RM: Mark Teggart

RM: Ryan Carlin..............|RCM: Alan Byrne

RCM: Emmet Templeton...|LCM: Liam Henderson

LCM: Wes Daly...............|LM: Ciaran Gargan

LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|ST: Tommy Coyne*

ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Steven Craig

ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Thomas Greenaway

Subs

Danny Hancock.....|Stephen Ryan

Michael Roberts+...|Jeff Brady

Colin Tracey.........|Kris Magill

Gerard Rooney......|Steven McArdle

Kevin Anderson.....|Neil King

* - Makes/Could make league debut for this club.

+ - Makes/Could make senior debut.

Thomas Greenaway hasn't scored in 598 minutes of football for Banbridge.

Neil King only needs to appear in 4 more matches to become Banbridges record appearance holder.

If Brantwood don't lose today, it will have beaten their record of 8 games without defeat.

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

19 - Daly thinks Brantwood should have a penalty for a foul by Greenaway on Devlin but nothing is given.

22 - GOAL! Carlin puts in a delightful cross which is headed in by Amos.

24 - King comes on for Teggart.

29 - Byrne is forced off injured and is replaced by Brady.

33 - Nicholson has a shot and Wright makes a good catch.

37 - Friel is booked for a foul on Douglas.

45+2 - Half time

Defensively we have been immense and we've managed a goal too, a win here would be great!

45 - McArdle is on for Gargan at the break.

46 - Craig heads it on for Coyne who hits it on the volley but over.

49 - The ball comes out to Devlin who strikes it and it's deflected behind for the corner.

51 - Amos is booked for a trip on Friel.

58 - RED CARD! Douglas goes past Friel who brings him down and the ref gives him his 2nd yellow!

61 - Roberts comes on to replace Devlin who has a minor injury.

74 - Amos is forced off injured and Rooney comes on.

76 - Carlins deflected cross falls to Douglas who hits the upright, unlucky for Brantwood.

78 - Templeton to Douglas who turns and shoots before smashing it over.

84 - GOAL! A late leveller for Banbridge as Derrys free-kick is headed in by the debutant Coyne.

89 - Another Brantwood player is forced off with injury as Anderson replaces Daly.

90+4 - Full time

1 shot on target, 1 goal for the leaders or should I say butchers with the players they injured. Disappointing not to win. We are now down to 5th. Only Daly came out of this match with an injury, he'll be out for about a week with a bruised rib.

Ratings

GK: Brennan (6.7)

RB: Devlin (7.0) sub 62

RCB: Thompson (6.8)

LCB: Homes (7.0)

LB: Nicholson (7.0)

RM: Carlin (7.1)

RCM: Templeton (6.6)

LCM: Daly (6.6) inj 90

LM: O'Neill (6.8)

ST: Douglas (6.6)

ST: Amos (7.2) inj 75

Subs

Roberts (6.8) sub 62

Rooney (6.7) sub 75

Anderson (N/A) sub 90

Transfers

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

[ManUTactician247]

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

Squads

GK: George Howard+.......|GK: Andrew Dickey

RB: Andy Devlin.............|RB: Adam McCart

RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: Stuart Moore

LCB: Ashley Homes.........|LCB: Sam Christensen

LB: Alex Nicholson...........|LB: William McBurney

RM: Ryan Carlin..............|RM: Ricky Nicholl

RCM: Scott McCullough¬..|RCM: Paul Burnside

LCM: Emmet Templeton...|LCM: Chris Patterson

LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LM: Andy Simms

ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Davie Turnbull

ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Gavin Moore

Subs

Stephen Brennan...|Chris McKendry

John McCarthy*....|Aaron Traynor

Colin Tracey.........|Graham Crown

Gerard Rooney......|Robert Ogleby

Michael Roberts.....|Martin Smith

* - Makes/Could make league debut for his club.

+ - Makes/Could make senior debut

¬ - Makes/Could make 50th league appearance

Davie Turnbull hasn't scored in 485 minutes of football for Glebe.

If Brantwood don't lose today, it will have beaten their record of 9 games without defeat.

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

6 - Carlins corner is headed over by Thompson from close range.

15 - McCullough plays a through ball for Douglas but he hits the side-netting.

25 - Patterson shoots from the edge of the area and its deflected for a corner.

35 - Nicholl is booked for a trip on Amos.

36 - Devlin trips Moore, yellow.

38 - Patterson hits one from distance, wide.

43 - Tracey comes on for Templeton.

45+2 - Half time

Pretty boring start, hoping we can improve.

53 - McBurney is booked for a trip on Douglas.

54 - Nicholls corner finds Turnbull who shoots but Howard makes a fantastic stop!

61 - Crown replaces Turnbull.

67 - Nicholson is booked for a trip on Nicholl.

74 - Ogleby is on for Simms.

75 - Patterson is tripped by McCullough who gets booked.

78 - Douglas trips McBurney and gets booked.

79 - Smith comes on for Stuart Moore.

84 - Thompson is booked for a trip on Ogleby.

84 - Ogleby flicks it on and Gavin Moore beats Howard to it but hits the inside of the post.

89 - RED CARD! Gavin Moore is tripped by Thompson who gets his 2nd yellow, Brantwood down to ten.

90 - GOAL! And from the resulting free-kick, Christensens long ball fins Ogleby who taps it in.

90+3 - Full time

A disappointing but deserved defeat, which ends a long unbeaten run.

Ratings

GK: Howard (6.6)

RB: Devlin (6.6)

RCB: Thompson (7.4) red 90

LCB: Homes (6.9)

LB: Nicholson (6.9)

RM: Carlin (6.1)

RCM: McCullough (6.6)

LCM: Templeton (6.6) sub 44

LM: O'Neill (6.6)

ST: Douglas (6.6)

ST: Amos (6.6)

Sub

Tracey (6.1) sub 44

Post-match press conference

Ricky McFall "Stefan Thompson won the man of the match award for his performance, what did you think about it?"

Me "He was solid while he was on the pitch so we can forgive him for the red card he got at the end."

Transfers

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

News

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

[ManUTactician247]

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

Squads

GK: George Howard.........|GK: Robbie Hughes

RB: Scott McCullough......|RB: Mark Drake

RCB: Ashley Homes.........|RCB: Lloyd Massey

LCB: Andy Devlin............|LCB: Simon Gibson

LB: Steven McQuillan......|LB: Robert Halliday♂

RM: Ryan Carlin"............|DM: Michael Thomas¬

RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Sammy Wright

LCM: Wes Daly..............|LCM: Andrew Hamilton

LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|RAM: Conal Burns

ST: Tommy Amos...........|LAM: Ben Browne

ST: Gerard Rooney.........|ST: Matthew McConnell¬

Subs

Stephen Brennan...|Shane Murphy

John McCarthy*....|Trevor Hutchinson

Colin Tracey.........|Robert Nicholl

Matt Boyd............|William Garrett

Michael Roberts.....|Gary Brown

* - Makes/Could make league debut for his club.

" - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance.

¬ - Makes/Could make 50th league appearance.

♂ - Makes/Could make 75th league appearance for his club.

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

6 - Boyd comes on for Rooney.

45+1 - GOAL! Its been a bore of a half but Chimney Corner lead, Hamiltons free-kick should be easy for Howard, but the youngster spills it and Templetons attempt at a tackle goes into his own net.

45+2 - Half time

Terrible really, no other words I can use for this match so far. Another defeat here would just ruin our chances of promotion.

45 - Garrett is on for Drake at the break.

47 - O'Neills through ball finds Boyd who hits it but its a good save by Hughes.

49 - RED CARD! There may be hope after all for Brantwood, McCulloughs throw to Amos and Halliday just clatters into the back of him, a dangerous challenge which sees them reduced to ten. No arguments.

50 - Chimney Corner respond by bringing Nicholl on for Brown.

54 - Daly to Amos who turns and shoots, just over.

56 - Daly to Templeton who fires one wide.

68 - Amos turns and curls one but it goes over.

73 - The corner comes out to McCullough who goes for goal and Hughes tips it round the post.

83 - Brown is on for McConnell.

89 - Amos thinks Brantwood should have a penalty for a foul by Nicholl as he challenged Carlin for a header, nothing given though.

90+5 - Templeton picks up a knock and to avoid risk is replaced by Tracey.

90+6 - Full time

We've been robbed, Chimney Corner literally had not one shot at goal yet came away with three points, it'll be difficult to pick up the team after this one.

Ratings

GK: Howard (5.8)

RB: McCullough (7.4)

RCB: Homes (7.0)

LCB: Devlin (6.7)

LB: McQuillan (6.6)

RM: Carlin (6.0)

RCM: Templeton (6.8) sub 90

LCM: Daly (6.7)

LM: O'Neill (6.7)

ST: Amos (6.4)

ST: Rooney (N/A) sub 7

Subs

Boyd (6.6) sub 7

Tracey (N/A) sub 90

Transfers

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

[ManUTactician247]

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

Pre-match press conference

Ricky McFall "Some say the defensive approach is best, what do you think?"

Me "I have to disagree, we play to win not draw."

Squads

GK: Stephen Brennan......|GK: Stephen Carroll

RB: Scott McCullough......|RB: Kieran McSherry

RCB: Ashley Homes.........|RCB: Kevin McGarry

LCB: Andy Devlin............|LCB: Daniel Hanna

LB: Alex Nicholson..........|LB: Daniel Day

RM: Ryan Carlin.............|RM: Roddy Paterson

RCM: Emmet Templeton...|RCM: Stefan Bailey

LCM: Wes Daly..............|LCM: Jamie Garry

LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LM: Ryan Melaugh

ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: George Bowerman

ST: Tommy Amos¬.........|ST: Chris Morton

Subs

George Howard.....|Danny Creaney

Michael Roberts.....|Dermot McVeigh

Colin Tracey.........|Curtis Hassan

Gerard Rooney......|Mickey Young

Kevin Anderson.....|Michael Hamilton

¬ - Makes/Could make 50th league appearance

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

10 - Daly to Amos who turns and shoots but Carroll makes a top save.

16 - What a missed chance for Brantwood! Nicholsons cross finds Carlin completely free but he just taps it into Carrolls arms!

18 - Amos to Douglas who shoots from distance but puts it wide.

27 - GOAL! O'Neills cross is somehow scrambled in by Douglas.

31 - Garry sends his free-kick over.

33 - Homes to Amos who takes it round the last defender before his shot is well saved.

34 - GOAL! Carlins corner finds Homes whose header is blocked but only into the path of Devlin who finishes it off.

39 - Homes is forced off injured and Anderson replaces him.

45+3 - Half time

A two goal advantage is very good going into the break, we should finish it off in the 2nd half.

45 - Hassan comes on for Morton.

53 - Templeton is replaced by Tracey.

58 - Bailey shoots from distance and Brennan tips it over.

59 - The corner comes out to Bowerman who hits it but its wide.

63 - Melaughs cross is headed over by Paterson.

84 - Young and Hamilton replace Garry and Melaugh.

84 - GOAL! Days deep cross is headed in by Bailey, hope for Moyola Park?

87 - Bowermans cross finds Paterson! But it's straight at Brennan to the relief of the Brantwood players.

90+3 - Full time

A great 1st half followed by a terrible second, we nearly lost our lead and weren't impressive at all, glad we won though. A bit of good news as Homes only had a dead leg and should be available for next match. We also go up to 4th with that victory.

Ratings

GK: Brennan (6.8)

RB: McCullough (6.9)

RCB: Homes (6.9) inj 40

LCB: Devlin (7.4)

LB: Nicholson (6.9)

RM: Carlin (7.0)

RCM: Templeton (6.9) sub 54

LCM: Daly (6.9)

LM: O'Neill (7.3)

ST: Douglas (7.3)

ST: Amos (6.9)

Subs

Anderson (6.0) sub 40

Tracey (6.6) sub 54

Post-match press conference

James Costello "Stefan Bailey of Moyola Park was judged the best player of this match, your opinion of his performance?"

Me "He was definitely bright, even though his team lost and scored a goal."

[ManUTactician247]

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

Squads

GK: George Howard.........|GK: Patrick Appleton

RB: Scott McCullough......|RCB: Victor Hill

RCB: Stefan Thompson....|CB: Andrew Ferguson

LCB: Andy Devlin............|LCB: Mitch Kelly

LB: Alex Nicholson".........|RWB: Jon Maxted

RM: Ryan Carlin.............|LWB: Seán Kelly

RCM: Emmet Templeton"..|RCM: Paul Stewart

LCM: Wes Daly..............|CM: Frankie Sutherland

LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LCM: Jake Gillingwater

ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Sam Cook

ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Thomas Gregg Lopes da Silva

Subs

Stephen Brennan...|Darren Gibbons

John McCarthy*....|Rory Doherty

Colin Tracey.........|Adam Dodd

Matt Boyd............|Stuart Hendrie

Michael Roberts.....|Osa Obamwonyi

* - Makes/Could make league debut for his club.

" - Makes/Could make 25th league appearance.

Sam Cook hasn't scored in 550 minutes of football for Armagh.

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

5 - Douglas shoots from range but it's over.

9 - Amos is booked for a trip on Hill.

20 - Tracey comes on for Daly.

34 - GOAL! Lopes da Silva pulls it back to Gillingwater who shoots beyond the reach of Howard for Armagh.

37 - Amos has a go but it's wide.

40 - Templeton to Carlin who shoots but it's too high.

43 - GOAL! Traceys cross finds an unmarked Amos who brings it down before finishing.

45+2 - Half time

So we went behind again but this time we've got a leveller which we can hopefully build on.

50 - Douglas sets up Templeton to shoot but he scuffs it wide.

51 - Hendrie is on for Cook.

57 - Dodd replaces Seán Kelly

59 - Gillingwater is booked for a trip on Templeton.

61 - RED CARD! Douglas is brought down by the scorer Gillingwater who picks up his 2nd yellow 2 minutes after his first!

62 - Templeton gives it to Amos who fires one wide.

67 - Kelly is booked for a trip on Douglas.

68 - Templeton upends Sutherland, yellow.

72 - Devlin sloppily loses possession to Hendrie in the area but the shot goes over.

79 - GOAL! Brantwood now lead, McCulloughs cross is flicked on by Douglas, it takes a heavy deflection off Hill and sneaks in, the credit goes to Douglas.

82 - Nicholson sets up Templeton on the edge of the area who places it just wide.

85 - Tracey is tripped by Stewart who receives yellow.

88 - GOAL! Just as Brantwood thought they'd won it, Hendrie spots the run of Lopes da Silva who takes a touch before finishing.

90 - Tracey thinks he should have a penalty for a foul by Hendrie but the ref's having none of it. Infact Tracey is booked.

90+2 - Full time

Why is this game so frustrating! Another late goal has stopped us from taking 2 points, we're now down to 5th.

Ratings

GK: Howard (6.5)

RB: McCullough (6.9)

RCB: Thompson (7.0)

LCB: Devlin (6.6)

LB: Nicholson (7.0)

RM: Carlin (6.7)

RCM: Templeton (6.7)

LCM: Daly (6.7) sub 21

LM: O'Neill (6.7)

ST: Douglas (7.2)

ST: Amos (7.2)

Sub

Tracey (6.9) sub 21

Post-match press conference

Ricky McFall "That late equaliser by Thomas Gregg Lopes da Silva must really have shook the team, how will they react."

Me "That's not a topic I feel comfortable talking about at the moment."

News

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

[ManUTactician247]

March 2013 Review

Banbridge 1-1 Brantwood (NI2D)

For us: Amos (23)

For them: Coyne (85), Friel (59)

Glebe 1-0 Brantwood (NI2D)

For us: Thompson (90)

For them: Ogleby (90+1)

Brantwood 0-1 Chimney Corner (NI2D)

For them: Templeton OG (45+2), Halliday (50)

Moyola Park 1-2 Brantwood (NI2D)

For us: Douglas (28), Devlin (35)

For them: Bailey (85)

Brantwood 2-2 Armagh (NI2D)

For us: Amos (44), Douglas (80)

For them: Gillingwater (35), Lopes da Silva (89), Gillingwater (62)

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

[ManUTactician247]

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

Squads

GK: George Howard.........|GK: Ross Preece

RB: Andy Devlin..............|RB: Lance McGlen

RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: William McAllister♫

LCB: Ashley Homes.........|LCB: Gary Byrne

LB: Alex Nicholson..........|LB: Thomas Ryan

RM: Ryan Carlin.............|RM: Barrie Kelly

RCM: Scott McCullough...|RCM: Ryan Brunt

LCM: Wes Daly..............|LCM: Matt Clark

LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LM: Jordan Keegan

ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Mathew Selfridge

ST: Gerard Rooney.........|ST: Jeffrey Monakana

Subs

Chris Mullin+.........|Kurt Fox

John McCarthy*....|Stephen McCain

Colin Tracey.........|Jordan Carter

Matt Boyd............|Francis McCann

Michael Roberts.....|Oliver Duffy

* - Makes/Could make league debut for his club

+ - Makes/Could make senior debut

♫ - Makes/Could make 50th league appearance for his club

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

1 - Devlin is booked for a trip on Keegan.

4 - Boyd comes on to replace Rooney.

13 - Douglas' free-kick finds Carlin who heads it well over.

14 - Homes' long ball is brought down by Douglas who tries a lob which drops just over the bar.

18 - Ryan heads it across to Clark who hits it on the volley, just wide.

26 - Carlin to Douglas who turns and shoots but puts it wide.

27 - Tracey comes on to replace McCullough.

29 - Clark trips Boyd and is booked.

31 - GOAL! Preece spills Carlins cross at the feet of Tracey who makes no mistake! Just on as well.

41 - Tracey to O'Neill who shoots first time but it's over.

45+1 - Keegan is tripped by Carlin, yellow.

45+2 - Half time

We're ahead and looking good value for it, hopefully we don't screw it up again.

46 - O'Neill finds Tracey who shoots, side-netting.

48 - McCann replaces Monakana.

49 - Traceys corner is headed over by Thompson.

56 - GOAL! McAllister fails to clear Carlins cross and loses it to Douglas who promptly finishes.

57 - McCain comes on to replace Clark.

61 - Nicholson is booked for shoving Selfridge.

64 - The sub is subbed as Roberts replaces Boyd.

71 - McGlen is booked for a trip on Tracey.

72 - O'Neills blocked shot falls to Carlin who hits it wide.

86 - Tracey is forced off injured and Brantwood have no subs so play the rest with ten men.

87 - Selfridge is booked for impeding Nicholson.

89 - McCann trips Thompson and is booked.

90 - Brunts free-kick is headed over by Ryan.

90 - Brunt is replaced by Carter.

90+3 - Full time

A solid victory which takes us up to 4th place, well done to the lads.

Ratings

GK: Howard (6.9)

RB: Devlin (7.3)

RCB: Thompson (7.4)

LCB: Homes (7.5)

LB: Nicholson (7.6)

RM: Carlin (7.1)

RCM: McCullough (6.7) sub 28

LCM: Daly (7.0)

LM: O'Neill (6.9)

ST: Douglas (7.4)

ST: Rooney (N/A) sub 5

Subs

Boyd (6.8) sub 5 sub 65

Tracey (7.6) sub 28 inj 85

Roberts (6.6) sub 65

[ManUTactician247]

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

Pre-match press conference

Ricky McFall "Pundits suggest a defensive approach may be best for this game, do you agree?"

Me "No, I do not, we shouldn't need to play defensive in this one."

Squads

GK: George Howard.........|GK: David Hughes

RB: Andy Devlin..............|RB: Raymond Harpur

RCB: Stefan Thompson....|RCB: Callum Dunne

LCB: Ashley Homes¬.......|LCB: Andrew Nicholas

LB: Alex Nicholson..........|LB: Philip May

RM: Ryan Carlin.............|RM: Michael McCaffery

RCM: Scott McCullough...|RCM: Sam Byles

LCM: Wes Daly♫............|LCM: Ross Clarke

LM: Kevin O'Neill.............|LM: Chris Flood

ST: Jamie Douglas..........|ST: Sean Canham£

ST: Tommy Amos...........|ST: Daniel Subuola

Subs

Stephen Brennan...|Scott Tynan

Michael Roberts.....|Sam Marshall

Colin Tracey.........|Stephen Mellon

Gerard Rooney......|Liam Smith

Kevin Anderson.....|Chris Shimmon

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

¬ - Makes/Could make 50th league appearance

♫ - Makes/Could make 50th league appearance for his club.

Daniel Subuola hasn't scored in 850 minutes of football for P.S.N.I.

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

1 - Subuola is booked for bringing down Thompson.

4 - Amos' shot is deflected but Douglas reaches it, however he smashes it over.

5 - Amos smashes it from distance but hits it over.

7 - Nicholson goes for goal but puts it wide.

9 - GOAL! Clarke finds Flood who shoots from a tight angle and it goes in despite the attempts of Howard.

12 - Amos trips Dunne and is booked.

16 - GOAL! An incredible 35 yard free-kick by May soars into the top corner! Brantwood have it all to do now.

19 - GOAL! Douglas tries a free-kick from a tough angle, the keeper saves but only onto the head of Amos who heads it in, what a match!

23 - Mays corner is headed wide by Nicholas.

30 - Douglas is booked for a push on Nicholas.

31 - Carlin is booked for impeding May.

32 - Clarkes corner is met by Nicholas but Howard makes the save.

32 - Homes is booked for bringing down Byles.

32 - May tries another long range free-kick but this one deflects behind for a corner.

36 - McCaffery shoots from distance but misses the target.

44 - Thompsons blocked shot falls into the path of Carlin whose diving header is weak and easily collected.

45 - Homes volleys it upfield for Amos who hits it over.

45+1 - Half time

2-0 down, worst possible start, we got one back though which we can hopefully at least level up in the 2nd half.

49 - RED CARD! Canham is brought down by Homes, and that is his 2nd yellow!

50 - May plays the free-kick across to Harpur who hits it well wide.

52 - Nicholas pushes Douglas and gets a yellow.

53 - Subuola shoots from distance, wide.

54 - Nicholson finds Amos who has a snap shot but it's over.

58 - GOAL! Dunne with a clever ball for Canham who finishes well to surely seal it for P.S.N.I.

66 - Smith is on for Nicholas.

67 - Byles finds Canham who tries again but this time Howard saves it.

70 - Canhams low cross is parried by Howard at the feet of Flood who somehow blazes it wide.

76 - O'Neills first-time cross finds Carlin who heads it wide.

77 - Floods free-kick picks out Dunne who heads just over.

78 - Mellon replaces Clarke.

78 - Devlin trips Subuola and is booked.

83 - Marshall is on to replace Flood.

83 - O'Neill upends McCaffery, yellow.

84 - Brantwood thought they had a lifeline, Daly sends a great ball for Amos who puts in a good finish but the flag is rightly up. McCullough is furious with the ref there.

87 - Canham sends Subuola through who rounds Howard but his shot is deflected and it's a corner.

89 - Douglas goes for a goal but puts it wide.

90+2 - Full time

Very disappointing, we never recovered from the red card which pretty much ended our hopes of this game, this card happy ref is seriously getting on my nerves. Promotion is now mathematically impossible.

Ratings

GK: Howard (6.5)

RB: Devlin (6.0)

RCB: Thompson (7.0)

LCB: Homes (5.9) red 50

LB: Nicholson (6.8)

RM: Carlin (5.9)

RCM: McCullough (6.1)

LCM: Daly (6.5)

LM: O'Neill (6.1)

ST: Douglas (6.8)

ST: Amos (7.2)

Post-match press conference

Ricky McFall "Philip May had a great game, as shown by his man of the match award, what did you think of his performance."

Me "I don't think I've seen a better goal than his this season, he put in a good performance today."

[deltablue]

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

[ManUTactician247]

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

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

27 games played

1. Banbridge 58

2. Wakehurst 55

3. Knockbreda 48

4. Brantwood 43

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