View Full Version : Roll_Tide's FM 2005: The Coaching Career of Michael Hall
First off, let me thank you for taking the time to click on this link and read my work. I've always been a fan of stories done for the various NCAA football games over the years. In fact, the way I was introduced to Utopia several years back was the dynasty section on the old boards. I tried many dynasties on NCAA, some were interesting for a time, some were not, and I was never a successful teller of my trials through the world of college football. The only moderately successful thread I had was the "Player Tracker" I created where I followed the careers of several member created players as they went through their years of college to even the NFL. I loved the interaction, and more importantly I loved watching the players "grow" so to speak through the years.
I've been playing Football Manager 2005 since it was released. It's a great management game of the world of football or "soccer" as we know it in the United States. In an effort to not only share with you the ups and downs this game will always throw at me, I decided to compile a "dynasty thread" in the same model you see in the NCAA Football section. This game is not really easy, and success is not a guarunteed. Startng at the very bottom of the English divisions, this is not going to be a tale of three seasons and on top of the world. There is no promise of glory.
Now, with all that said, I hope you continue reading.
Database Size: Huge
Leagues: England(Premiership, Championship, League One, League 2, National Conference, Conference North/South)
Germany(Bundesliga)
Italy(Serie A)
Spain(La Liga)
France(Ligue 1)
Holland(Eredivisie)
Rules
No outside programs
No restarting
Now, without further ado, let's begin...
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/1023/bannernb3.jpg
The Beginning
Garry Wilson burst through the door. With a folded piece of paper in hand clenched tightly in his fist, he descended upon the small man on the desk.
"Yer trying to ruin this club! I won't stand for this!"
The man at the desk was small, a thinly man but he did not flinch. His appearance gave him the look of a business man in his late 50s, but infact, Len Smith was already well into his 60s. A tricky yet shrewd shipping man, he was known not only for his stubborness but also his ultra-conservative grip on money. Though, unfortunately, the shipping agency had moved on with technology, and dear old shrewd Len Smith hadn't moved with the times. His conservative side wasn't only on money, but all change.
"How'd you expect us to compete when you give me no funds? Yer sitting on yer money and ya just have stick yer head out of that bum of yours!"
Len Smith's cold, hard look never batted an eye as Garry Wilson continued his long winded rant over "money", "tranfers", and various other topics sandwiched into an extremely large vocabulary of obsenities. Folding his hands together on his desk, Len watched as this man, who had transformed from an optimistic, kindly old man to a tired, wrinkled shadow of his former confident self. Calmly, Len waited for a moment of silence and spoke.
"We don't have the finacial support for these risky ventures you intend to bring to our club. Eastbourne Borough, while small, is a very important part of this community and these rollercoaster rides with money is not only impossible due to our lack of funds, but determental to our club. We can't risk a fall back into the depths while we are so close to league football. Now, can I ask you, Garry, can you get the job done this year?"
"This is bollocks! You know full well that no one could get this job done. I'm the best manager you've had, I've been here for you, thick and thin when every other blasted manager in these parts turned you down. But even I am just as good as any damn man out there on the street if I am not supported!"
"You are not leaving me much grounds to support you any futher."
"Go ahead then, see who will follow my footsteps. I'm through, and you can thank me later when your next manager walks out on you!"
"I appreciate and sincerely thank you for your time here, Garry."
"Bollocks to you!"
And with that, Garry tossed the now crumpled up paper at the general direction of Len Smith, spun around and in a blustering, stomping pace smashed his way out of the small office. As the door slammed, Len Smith sighed, pulled his self up in his seat and began to think. The new season was coming up and he needed a replacement.
---
The young secretary hurriedly carried the platter holding Len Smith's afternoon tea. He was obviously in a bad mood, and it was important to enter quickly and leave even faster.
"Not a damn response, not a damn one," Len cursed toward the secretary but obviously more to himself. As much as he loved the club, he would not allow his own pride to be damaged by the downfall. With little talent, and an even small budget, the club was at it's peak just outside of the English official league football. A dream that seemed so far away was now in reach yet still light years away. With the current squad, relagation and another deep downfall into the English football was a very possible outcome in the next few years, but Len Smith guarunteed himself not to be the blame.
And then he had it.
As the secretary began to make for the door, Len stopped her with a hand.
"Go out and find me the first person you see with any football knowledge, and bring them here."
---
Looking up toward the street sign, Michael Hall glanced confusingly. 29 and he couldn't find himself out of a small town. Obviously lost, he sighed, took the map out of his side pocket and unfolded the map. The map didn't help any, and Michael conceded to his hopelessly lost cause. A European vacation, they said, it would be wonderful, they said. A way to forget about that messy divorce, that unjust firing, and a way to relieve stress. Well, the stress was back and it was in form of being lost somewhere deep in Southern England in a city called Eastbourne.
Tossing down his backpack, Michael plopped down on the curb. Pulling out yet another map(he had three of various kinds, yet all gave him little to no clear information of where the heck he was) and began to somehow trace a line in a futile attempt to point out his whereabouts.
"Excuse me."
A soft voice, a young woman, probably mid 20s startled Michael.
"I'm sorry...I probably can't be of much help, I'm kind of lost myself."
"Oh no, no, I just need am wondering, do you know anything about football?"
"Football? Yeah, been a fan for awhile. Love the Panthers."
This seem to confuse the young woman, and she flipped her fingers through his red, curly hair.
"Panthers? Well, if you don't mind, this is going to sound crazy, could you follow me?"
"Well, could you show me where the heck I am first, if you don't mind? I'm pretty damn lost."
"Sure, no problem, this should only take a minute..."
---
"So wait, you don't know me, I'm not from this country, and I know nothing about soccer yet you want me to manage your team?"
"For the last time, it's football, lad and yes. I am offering you a job and hearing your situation, this might be a great direction for you to go."
"But I know nothing about the sport, how can you expect me to be of any use?"
"Listen, only you and me know of your lack of knowledge and we'll keep in that way. Now, I'm paying you for a job you are obviously underqualified for, and I'm giving you my full support. You just have to keep this club afloat in time for me to find a new manager. I don't see how this is not in your favor."
"Alright, if it's temporary, I guess I could help out a little bit..."
"Good, I'm glad you finally see the light, now just sign here and I'll see you on Monday."
Michael Hall, still in a state of shock, picked up the pen and scribbled his name along the bottom.
"Now congratulations, Mr. Hall, you are now the new manager of the Eastbourne Borough Sports, now let's make them proud."
"Now quick question, where the heck am I going to stay?"
Michael Hall
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l100/SkeltonJC/ManagerScreen-1.jpg
Eastbourne Borough Information Screen
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l100/SkeltonJC/Eastbourne.jpg
Now, I need to figure out how to not get relegated. Should be interesting.
Introductions
Michael Hall entered the very underwhelming grounds known as Priory Lane late in the afternoon on Monday. The players were already taking part in their early workout session and the mood of relaxation and fun was in the air. There was no pressure, as the bunch of obviously unfit players jogged up and down the pitch involved in various drills as coaches with no appearance of being a coach besides a whistle joked with the others.
"So, this is it?" Michael asked Len Smith in a quiet tone, hoping not to anger this man that had obviously poured his heart into the club. "I've seen middle school football teams with more discipline."
Len kept quiet to the remark, and just looked onto the team and pointed to the man with the whistle.
"That's Nick Greenwood, he will be your assistant." Len spoke as he pointed to the middle aged man, with a head well into the stages of balding and a face that didn't seem to care. "He'll give you a rundown of the squad."
---
"That there is Matt Smart," Nick gestured. "He's probably our best overall midfielder. Decent on the ball, can control the game."
"That's Stuart Tuck, stubborn bloke that guy, plays a solid fullback and probably the real leader among the players. Been around awhile at this level, you know? He's a garbage man, too."
"Yemi and Richard over there will probably be our best forwards this year," Greenwood smiled pointing to probably the two youngest looking players as they passed the ball back in forth. Yemi was one of the few players that looked in decent shape and determined but Richard looked just happy to be outside and carefree. "Haven't seen a young partnership here in awhile, high hopes for them, I think."
The players continued to go through their drills when a young kid, while small, he had a presence that the rest of the players seemed to respect. He dashed past the defender Michael now knew as Darren Baker(a big tough, but pretty poor skill wised player) and sent in a nice cross where Richard knocked past the sole keeper on the entire squad, Lee Hook.
"Who is that?"
"Oh, I was saving him for you. A real treat that lad is, Matt Crabb. He's got a future, best try to hold onto him as long as possible."
"I'll remember that." Michael Hall grabbed the new notebook from his jacket pocket and wrote down a few notes and tid bits he had learned from Greenwood, his last note he underlined. It simply read...
"They are awful."
---
With no money to buy players, a squad full of players with a lack of talent in a cutthroat league that was the Conference Sotuh, Michael finally grasped the situation he was in. Picking up the phone, he dialed the number Len Smith had given him in their last meeting. This man, Barry Greaves, the club's one and only scout's number was scribbled on the small note.
"I hope he knows some athletes with some free time..."
WhoUTestin
10-13-2006, 02:11 AM
Edited the title for you.
Changes
Nick Greenwood's feet tapping had gotten to a maximum level. It had begun tapping since the first mistake by the Eastbourne backline and hadn't stopped. It had gotten even worse after a blatant penalty by 32 year old Stuart Playford when he carelessly pulled down the visitor's striker in the penalty area after a cross. If Nick was already getting nervous now, Michael Hall could only fear what would happen if it wasn't a meaningless friendly.
The match was as one-sided as they come, even for a friendly. Eastbourne were on their back heels for a majority of the match as another team of nobodies ripped through their patchwork defense. Only a mere week since Michael had gained the managmenet job, he was already watching his clueless team follow his clueless tactics in a whole situation that could only be deemed as "hopeless."
The ever quiet, focused Yemi Odubade had actually gotten Nick Greenwood to the edge of the touchline when he made a dashing run but his shot hit the sidenet and Nick was forced to take the long gloomy walk to the bench to sit back down next to Michael.
"We are getting torn apart." Michael said seeking advice from his assistant.
"They'll come through, they are tough lads, just have faith."
Michael sighed, rested his head in his hands as he watched this team that didn't even seem to have any connection to him getting run off the field infront of the obviously overfaithful 76 fans that came out to watch their preseason friendly match.
---
After the squad left, Michael finally finished up his notes on the 2-0 loss that came delievered by the Harrow Boro squad. His team would need more than a little luck and some sort of tactic, that much he knew. While Michael knew he wasn't very knowledge with this "Football" sport, he knew changes would have to be made. He'd seen the effect he sought in sports from the United States, the "Big player syndrome" and then the idea occured to him.
A big change might just be the thing this club needs. He looked through the list of players scribbled on the third page of his notebook. Jotted next to their names was their overall skill and little notes on their different talents. Going through the list several times, he had to make a choice. Who could he give up, who could spark a complete change in the mindset? Who would raise eyebrows and show he meant business?
His eyes fell upon a name about halfway down the list. He circled it with his pencil and then closed the notebook.
---
The hotel phone rang, and Michael woke up his daydreaming state. Picking it up, he heard the still unfamilar voice of Barry Greaves, the loyal Eastbourne scout.
"I got two kids, young talents but they are looking for their first club and I think they could offer us alot. The thing is, it's a two package deal. They are cousins and their parents want them to play together."
"Well, I have to meet with Len today, but send them on down to practice tonight and let Nick take a look."
---
Nick called that night as Michael got out of the shower.
"These boys are good, real good. Phillip Gilder's got a lot of fight in him, young lad, too, only 17 and I seem his as a right winger. Got a nice foot on 'em, but he's pretty rough around the edge. Though, he seems like a tough kid."
"And what about Matty Warner?"
"Kid's good, no mistaken. He's got an attitude though, he's a little too much of a head case. Doesn't seem to respect the squad, if you know what I'm saying. And Crabb's got that left wing spot locked down, and I just don't see room for him with our tight budget. He ain't a player I think we should take."
"Well, ok, thanks, I'll talk to Len about this."
---
Nick Greenwood was excited to see a trio of young athletes join the Eastbourne squad. Phillip Gilder, Matty Warner, and Richard Holmes, a 23 year old fullback who arrived on a free transfer, joined up with the rest of the team for their next friendly against Canvey Island at Priory Lane. Canvey Island sat a league above Eastbourne, so not only would it be an ideal time to test these new blood, but just the thought of having depth in a very small squad pleased Nick.
As the players began the game, Nick sat quietly, a very unnatural, unansy self.
"Hey, Nick, if you want to say something, just spit it out."
"Well, you see, I just don't think the lads are going to take too kindly for a young blood coming in and challenging Matt. He's been considered the future for the club."
"I know that, trust me."
"I just love this club, and I'd give anything to watch it succeed. Crabb is vital, he's the best player we've seen in awhile. I wouldn't want to hurt his confidence."
"I know, Nick, I know."
---
All three of the new players factored into the friendly at Priory Lane, but the new surge of life into the club was still buried by a Canvey Island squad that was clearly much better. A wondergoal by Tom Williamson had Eastbourne limping into halftime and Eastbourne never recovered.
"It's only a friendly," Michael reassured Greenwood as another bad mistake by makeshift right back Danny Chapman went unpunished just after he was subbed on for the new boy, Richard Holmes.
This didn't help the worried face of Greenwood. That face, Michael optimistically assumed, he would see for a long time this coming up season, if he lasted that long, and at this point he didn't want to.
Another goal late in the second half sealed off the game and Eastbourne would leave the match with a slightly better performance as their only positive point out of the game.
---
As he headed for his short walk to the hotel, Michael Hall was caught by a running Nick Greenwood. Short of breath, he gathered it while resting a hand on Michael's shoulder then spoke in a huff.
"Look, mate, I'm sorry. I think Warner is a good signing, and I'm sure we can mold him into the squad somehow, I think him and Crabb might be able to play together."
"I'm just going to go ahead and say it then Nick. I don't think that's going to work out."
"Are we not going to sign Warner? Well, I hate to influence your choices, I mean, it's not my place, mate, but you know, I think you are making the right choice."
"You don't understand, Nick."
"Sorry, I guess I'm confused."
"We've just sold Matt Crabb to Chester for $4,000. Len is finishing off the paperwork now."
Edited the title for you.
Thanks, really appreciate it but it's supposed to be 2005 and not 2006. Not that it matters too much, anyways.
I must admit I feel I've been rude. I guess I should take the time to introduce myself as any good gentleman would do. My name is Narrator and well you can call me, uh, well, maybe you could just call me narrator and leave it at that.
It's been a few weeks since we lasted visited Michael Hall and "The Sports" of fighting Eastbourne Borough, and unfortunately, their fight hasn't been going their way. After the loss of Matt Crabb, worrying faces of the local players have increased as the club has obviously taken a venture far away from the "fun-loving" approach embraced by dear ol' Nick Greenwood, and the new professional vision of Michael Hall.
Why is Michael Hall so incredibly comfortable with this new situation is a question that I'm sure has been brought up alot, and I guess I should dwell on this a bit and pick up my slacking.
He was born and raised in a city called Hickory, North Carolina. The town's boast of a great furniture mart and a private college known as Lenoir-Ryan are the key fixtures of their advertisement brouchure. His mother, a nice, sweet young lady worked at the local hospital and his father, a tough, proud man worked a landscaping business that never seemed to get off the ground. After graduating high school, our little Michael left old Hickory behind and ventured out into the world where he finally found his love and passion in life at a school we all know well as University of North Carolina. He loved sports, but more importantly he loved the stats. He loved the numbers, and he loved the whole ideal of pitting numbers against numbers in search for victory. This led to his appointment as a "stat man" for the Tar Heels basketball and football teams over his course at the university. His years on Chapel Hill were perfect and as he left with his degree in economics and after yet another imacculate graduation he married that first sweetheart in his life.
But all good things come to an end, and well maybe the next part of this story is better suited for another time. I do seem to indulge too much in the story telling of others, it is a nasty habit if I do say so myself.
Now let's see what's going on down at Priory Lane.
---
Another loss, another "better" loss and yet even another "only a friendly loss" but Michael Hall feared he was starting to get used to this. Matt Crabb had sealed his transfer to Chester a week ago, and the team still looked at loss. The new blood injection had stopped for awhile as to Michael Hall's new realization. A lack of money for wages and an even bigger lack of interest of even playing anywhere near Eastbourne were starting to make it's effects clear.
Michael, in a futile attempt, began to care for the squad after they were ripped apart by Oxford County, a club that sat a huge two leagues above them in the great ladder known as the English football leagues. Loss after loss, despite being just friendlies, could be disheartening yet the players still came out after their variety of first jobs and showed up at practice every time. He didn't want to get attached, sadly enough, he had made that mistake in the past and it burned him, and he continued to tell himself that this was only temporary and just until Len Smith found a new, more capable mananager.
But this didn't stop Michael Hall from watching football training videos every night, and reading the various collections of "Tactics" and "Football for Dummies" books he embarassingly bought at the nearest bookstore.
"It's for a friend," he said.
---
It came out of nowhere.
Michael paced infront of the shambles of the squad, trying to figure out the exact words to say in this situation, though they seemed to all fade away into oblivion. The recent events, that merely happened twenty minutes ago rapidly repeated through his head.
He had been writing notes, watching the team practice a five on five drill as they usually did in their final, light-hearted end to every training session. The events were crystal clear. Ollie Rowland, a big talker and an even bigger clown pickpocketed the ball off Matty Warner. On his dribbling spree he ran, tried his routine of street tricks and managed to skip by Danny Marney, a young forward that loved to run. With only Phillip Gilder infront of him, Rowland attempted yet another trick he had obviously seen on "Skysports" but before he could make it by Gilder, it came.
Michael Hall winced.
Matty Warner flew in, a horrible tackle, smashing into the back legs of Ollie Rowland. It had come out of nowhere and Ollie could only yell in pain as he fell to the ground. He grasped at his leg, obviously in serious pain. The first one over was Ollie's brother, Simon, who was one of the several strikers on the squad. Grabbing Matty off the ground, he grasped him by the collar. With a shove Matty, pulled free but was met by a shove himself by Kevin Hemlsey, the twenty three, big but not too intelligent central defender. As Matty stumbled forward, the first swing came. The blow struck Warner in the jaw and he fell to the ground. Phillip Gilder, Matty's cousin who turned out to be a very quiet, focused player, sprung onto Simon and it all erupted.
---
The players had all left many hours ago, but Michael Hall still sat on the coaching bench staring out on Priory Lane.
"Us Eastbourne lads have some fight in us," Nick Greenwood said as he sat down next to Michael.
"How's Ollie?"
"Oh, it wasn't that serious, he'll be fine. Ray says he'll only be out three weeks."
"Good, so, who do we have next?"
"Two more friendlies left, two tough teams, too. Barnet, Leyton Orient, and then the season starts at Dorchester. We'll be ready."
Michael sat in silence as Nick got up and left. As he walked away, Michael Hall spoke.
"Look, Nick, I'm sorry. This whole thing was my fault. It wasn't my intention to rip this club apart."
"Ripped apart, mate? It was just a little scruffle, we'll be fine."
Nick began to walk away again but after a few week, Michael stood up.
"I'll pull us out of this, I promise you that, Nick. I won't let your club fall."
Nick stopped there, slowly turned, and gave a small, sad smile toward the young manager.
"Our club, mate, it might help if you remember that."
Well, I guess I've decided to make myself a regular appearance for this little journey. It's probably because I love to hear myself chatter on and on about our little heroes over down in Eastbourne. I'm not sure where I last left off but I distinctly remember a little "episode" on our fair, great venue of Priory Lane between the new boys; Our up and coming, confident Matty Warner seemed to find himself in a little trouble against the solid niche of the Eastbourne lads.
Well, let's see here, July has ended for Michael Hall and the club as the preseason friendlies have come to an end, and I must say, for you loyal Eastbourners out there, they put on quite a show. With a little tinker to get some more players some action, Nick Greenwood and Michael Hall put out a rather interesting selection and saw our brave Sports find the net for the first time against the professional Barnet squad and earning a credible draw by the score of 1-1. In almost a fluke goal, Richard Brady found himself on the end of a tap in after Scott Ramsey tried to chip it over the Barnet keeper but only patted it down for Brady.
Only three days later, the big boys of Leyton Orient came to Priory Lane for the final warm up game. After a very slow first half, Eastbourne found themselves matching up well against the Leyton Orient squad and actually took the lead with a Scott Ramsey tap in. Though, it wasn't meant to be as Leyton pegged them back late in the half, but all Eastbourners were left content with the 1-1 draw.
It was a respectable ending to a quiet preseason for our brave Sports as the new season was now just around the corner.
Well, that being said, I guess I should give you a rundown of Michael Hall's club, and as much as I hate to say it, we got a tough battle ahead.
Goalkeepers
We have a fine keeper in twenty-five year old Lee Hook and an even better person. He has a top attitude, he's professional and can make a spectacular save if called upon. He's the rock in our rockless squad and our attempt to avoid relegation will be hugely impacted by him. His backup is a young boy named Seb Barton. He is only 16 years old and has a long ways to go but if anyone can mold a top keeper at this level, we have faith in Lee Hook.
The Defenders
To say the least, our Eastbourne defense will probably have its' struggles this year. Despite a solid routinely sharp performer and leader at left-back as Stuart Tuck, and veterans such as Stuart Playford, the rest of the squad is young and inexperienced. There is hope though as 23 year old Kevin Hemsley looks promising and looks to be pushed in the center by old veteran Darren Baker and seventeen year old Rhys Wyborne. At right back, our Sports have seen two new additions in the signing of quiet, reserved 23 year old Richard Holmes, and the season-long loan from Premiership squad Portsmoth, Shaun Cooper. Paul Stevens and Ollie Rowland round off the defenders, and will probably not factor into most contest.
The Midfield
This is the spot of our club that could actually shine. While the defense will struggle, and the attackers have alot of question marks, this area shouldn't be a problem. Let's start with the obvious, Matty Warner is ambitious, confident and should be a big threat from the left wing and with him came his cousin; the much more quiet, but not less confident Phillip Gilder. These two young lads, aged 19 and 17 will be the focus point of the Eastbourne attack and rightfully so. In the center, veterans Stuart Myall and Matt Smart look to lead a very tough battling midfield and will be relied upon to control the game and send the ball out into the wings. Not alot of depth here as players but Danny Chapman who will be our utility man bouncing between the defense and midfield hopes to provide ample back up. The rest of the midfield is filled with two attacking playmakers in the forms of Danny Simmonds a veteran playmaker without any real physical skills and Danny Marney a player that has alot of potential but not the nessicary skills to play a full, well rounded game.
The Attack
While there isn't a shortage of strikers, there might be a shortage of goals. While, each player tends to do somethings well, not doing anything great. Yemi Odubade seems to have the physical abilities but lacks the killer instict. Richard Brady seems to have that killer instinct but lacks the "physical abilities". Scott Ramsey looks to be an actual goalscoring threat, but unfortunately that's all he might be able to do and the question will be if he can do it on a regular basis. Simon Rowland rounds off the striking force.
The Squad: Overview
Note: All players are English.
Blue = On Loan
Name Position Age
Lee Hook GK 25
Seb Barton GK 16
Shaun Cooper DR 20
Richard Holmes DR 23
Stuart Tuck DC 29
Darren Baker DC 29
Kevin Hemlsey DC 23
Stuary Playford DC 32
Rhys Wyborne DC 17
Paul Stevens D/M L 38
Ollie Rowland D/M LC 21
Danny Chapman D/M C 29
Stuart Myall M RC 29
Matt Smart MC 28
Phillip Gilder AM R 17
Matty Warner AM L 19
Danny Simmonds AM/F RC 29
Danny Marney F RC 22
Richard Brady SC 21
Yemi Odubade SC 20
Scott Ramsey SC 23
Simon Rowland SC 24
Transfers as of August 1st, 2004
In
Matty Warner - Free
Phillip Gilder - Free
Richard Holmes - Free
Out
Matt Crabb - Chester($4k)
Loans In
Shaun Cooper - Portsmouth(Season Long)
Loans Out
None
Preseason Round-Up
Eastbourne Boro, 0 - Harrow Boro, 2 (Henry, pen 14)(Hall, 79)
Eastbourne Boro, 0 - Canvey Island, 2 (Williamson, 36)(Noto, 90)
Eastbourne Boro, 0 - Billericay, 1 (Lewis, 30)
Eastbourne Boro, 0 - Oxford, 1 (Hargreaves, 37)
Eastbourne Boro, 1 (Brady, 62) - Barnet, 1 (Sinclair 30)
Eastbourne Boro, 1 (Ramsey, 50) - Leyton Orient, 1 (Toku, 87)
So, now you've seen our collection of the best Eastbourne has to offer, now we can only hope that our very own Michael Hall with the guidance of Nick Greenwood can save this poor club from relegation. As I have said numerous times, it's going to be a tough time, but I know our brave Sports can pull it out. Until next time, your narrator.
The chinese food boxes cluttered the small table in Michael Hall's hotel room. A half eaten eggroll was all that was left on the paper plate that sat at the edge.
He poured over his latest notes, the last tid bits of the information he had collected about football, though he still slipped and said soccer much to the grief of the club. He had written out at least a dozen line-ups, formations in his head. Some Nick Greenwood had laughed at, others he agreed with, but Hall had not settled his mind. The lamp on the nightstand, and the beam of the TV were the only lights on in what seemed the entire city of Eastbourne, but this was routine. A deep night of studying, thinking and devotion about Eastbourne was now common place. His notebook was scattered with scratched-out lines, circles, and little notes about this player and that, but mostly it was filled with the things Nick Greenwood would mention in passing. The little things were the most important, Michael had figured.
The phone half-way startled Michael, knocking him out of his concentration, but the phone call was good news, he had learned to gauge. Chris Murphy, a twenty one year old forward from Cheltenham would be joining the Sports on a season long loan, great news for the young American as he looked to bolster his attacking force.
After the phone call, Michael went back to his work, scratching out yet another line-up until he finally gave up his efforts and closed the notebook for the night.
He couldn't believe it, he had been in so many major pressure situations, but he had never felt this way before. Two days until Eastbourne would play their first match in the Conference South and besides the few small hundred that would be affected by this game for at least a few days, it seemed almost meaningless. But Michael only had one thought.
"Why do I have butterflies?"
---
The look on Nick Greenwood's face said it all. Dismay filled his face as if a Christmas present was given to him early but it had only been coal. Things had started off so wonderful. Off the kick-off, Matt Smart had sent the ball out to Phillip Gilder who raced down the right side before sending a great cross to the nearpost where Richard Brady volleyed the ball in. It hadn't even been thirty seconds and Eastbourne were up. Nick Greenwood couldn't contain his excitement as he gave Michael Hall a shake and leapt up to cheer on the players. But Michael Hall didn't show any emotion, not that he wanted to. To be honest, Michael wanted to leap up from the bench, throw his fist in the air and shout as loud as he could, but that's not what managers did. He had watched video tapes, seen managers in the top flights not even bat an eye one way or the other, and he had to be the same.
Nick Greenwood's excitement took a hit in the 10th minute when an a great last ditch tackle by Kevin Hemlsey unfortunately fell perfectly for Dorchester's midfielder Joseba Barandiaran who placed his shot perfectly in the top right corner of the net. If it was only a jab, though, and the right hook came after a bad pass by Yemi Obudale led to a counter-attack finished off Mark Robinson in the 13th minute.
It had all gone wrong and Dorchester continued to knock on the doorstep and sought after a third goal, but Eastbourne escaped the half only down by one somehow after a Dorchester striker hit the inside of the post and the ball rolled along the goalmouth in the 45th minute.
But now Nick was as down as Michael had ever seen him. Only a minute into the half and Dorchester had put another one in. A mistake by Playford, who completely missed a tackle allowed a two-on-one attack for Dorchester and Warren Byerley made no mistake.
As soon as the goal went in, Michael Hall cursed, looked over to the bench and decided it was time to chase the game. In a knee-jerk reaction, he whispered to Nick his idea. Greenwood simply shrugged and half-way agreed. Nick waved his hand over to Chris Murphy, the brand new signing who did not look surprised by the gesture. He stood up and did a quick trot as Nick signaled Stuart Myall, the holding midfielder that he was switched out.
---
Michael Hall even found it hard not to celebrate when the ball hit the net for Eastbourne for the second time that half. His substitutes had seemed to work perfectly.
"We're in this lads! Get in there!" Nick Greenwood had yelled as Chris Murphy grabbed the ball out of the net. The move had paid off after Warner was sent free by Matt Smart and was allowed to do a perfect mirror image of the first goal done by his cousin and Richard Brady. Chris Murphy was on the end this team, and the lifeline was restored in the 59th minute.
If that move had made Hall look smart, his next made him look like a certified genius. Scott Ramsay was brought on for the frustrating Yemi Odubade right after Murphy's goal and in the 78th minute playmaker Danny Marney was brought into add life in place of Richard Brady. Only a minute had passed and after another beautiful cross by Matty Warner fell victim of a bad clearance, an Eastbourne Borough player fell on the loose ball and smacked the ball into the back of the net; of course, it was none other than Danny Marney.
All knotted up, Nick Greenwood couldn't contain his excitement anymore and was standing at the touchline making his pleasures clear. Michael Hall had to pull him back off the touchline to go over the tactics he wanted to place in to action.
The team drew back, playing a deep set 4-5-1 to try and slow down the very open game, and it seemed to pay off as the game came into stoppage time. And as most things seem to happen to Eastbourne, it came out of nowhere and was all a blur in Michael Hall's head.
He could only remember the minor details. Two minutes into stoppage time, the subbed on Danny Marney gathered the ball just on the Eastbourne side of the halfway line, then he was deep in Dorchester's half, then the ball was in the net.
Messages bounced in his head. Don't show emotion, show your confidence. Show that nothing effects you, but as soon as Nick shook him with that giant grin only Nick possessed, the words exploded...
The Recap
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l100/SkeltonJC/Dorchester.jpg
Line Up Sheet
Ratings in red (1-10)
Goals in blue
Hook(c) - 7
Tuck - 7
Holmes - 7
Playford - 7
Hemsley - 7
Myall(off 46) - 7
Smart - 8
Warner - 8
Gilder - 7
Brady(off 78) - 7 (1)
Odubade(off 60) - 7
Barton
Chapman
Marney(on 60) - 9 (78, 90+)
Murphy(On 46) - 8 (47)
Ramsay(On 78) - 7
Quick note: I will not be doing most matches like this, but being just an amazing match and my first competitive match in charge, I thought this was a just reaction
August Results
Eastbourne Borough - Margate
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
8/17/04
Line-up Sheet
Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Hemsley
Playford
Myall
Smart
Warner
Gilder
Brady
Odubade
Barton
Chapman
Marney
Murphy
Ramsay
After the heroics of the first match, our brave Sports came into their first home match under Michael Hall against promotion contenders Margate. After an edgy first fifteen minutes, we luckily found ourselves not down by a goal after several lapses in the defense went unpunished. But following the fifteen minutes, the game lost any sense of aggression as both teams were bottled down in the midfield. The magic of Danny Marney couldn't be repeated, though, he came agonizing close after his one-on-one opportunity was tipped around the post in the 90th minute. All in all, it was a decent result for Eastbourne as they managed to grab points from their first two matches.
Eastbourne Borough, 0 - Margate, 0
Notes on the game: Matty Warner was not a factor, and obviously without a strong performance on his part, the team struggled going forward. Odubade again wasted his opportunities and a few giveways by his bad passes openned up the Eastbourne backline.
The Attendance ar Priory Lane was 1517.
Best Performance: Stuart Myall played well today, breaking down several attacks and starting a few of his own.
Worst Performance: Matty Warner was frustrating. Gave the ball away and never looked dangerous on the left wing.
Farnborough - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Cherrywood Road
8/21/04
Line-Up Sheet
Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Hemsley
Playford
Myall
Smart
Warner
Gilder
Brady
Odubade
Barton
Chapman
Marney
Murphy
Ramsay
The game was a very tight affair. Michael Hall named another unchanged side(he's no Rafa) and both teams shared a few decent opportunties in the first thirty. Yemi Obudabe was sent through by Matt Smart in the 27th minute but he was unsurprisingly unable to finish. Let's just say, Michael Hall's reaction wasn't of joy and happiness. The game while edgy was very even but Farnborough stole a goal just before the halftime whistle. Stuart Tuck was beat by a run on the far post, where the man he marked(Robert Traynor) found himself free for a simple header that trickled by Lee Hook. That ten minute span showed the story of the game as only five minutes into the second half, Farnsborough found themselves two up, a Farnborugh's man again went unmarked in the box and Lee Hook had no chance from the ensuing header. In a knee jerk reaction Michael Hall tried desperately to throw on some attacking force, but no real pressure was ever put on Farnborough. Things only got worse when Matty Warner's frustrations got the best of him and a reckless challenge in the 91st minute forced the referee to give him his second yellow card on the night. Unfortunately, this referee was also not the same referee as the English World Cup representive and Warner was forced to leave the pitch. Farnborugh didn't waste the advantage with only two minutes left after the send off, for the third time a man was left unmarked in the box for a free header and sealed off a bad loss for our Sports.
Farnborough, 3 - Eastbourne Borough, 0
Trayor, 45
Hughes, 50
Taggart, 90
Notes: Very even game, to be honest. We looked just as likely to score early on as they did, but marking on crosses is something that needs to be worked on. We can't allow free headers anymore, which was a small problem overlooked by decent performances in the past. This was not the case today and Farnborough exposed our weakness. Our subs were ineffective and so was our performance.
The Attendance was 696 at Cherrywood Road.
Best Performance: Phillip Gilder had a few decent runs, but had no support when he tried to send in his crosses.
Worst Performance:: Matty Warner. His stupid sending off was bad, but he wasn't really adding anything to the game. Was very quiet in a tactic and formation that relies on him not to be.
Eastbourne Borough - Bognor Regis
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
8/28/04
Line-Up Sheet
Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Playford
Hemsley
Myall
Smart
Murphy
Gilder
Brady
Odubade
Barton
Marney
Chapman
Ramsay
Simmonds
Murphy in for the suspended Warner and Simmonds makes the subs bench were the changes made by Michael Hall. Up against one of the other teams tipped to battle relegation this season, Eastbourne hoped for no less than a point as they hosted Bognor Regis, but expected more. The game didn't start off nearly as Michael could have wished, as Odubade and Brady competed for the "worst miss" award and the judges couldn't decide the winner. Then, as they should have been, Eastbourne were punished for their misfired chances as Bognor split open the defense with a few passes in the middle and Steve McMahon slotted the ball past Hook. And somehow McMahon had an identical chance only 4 minutes later and should have buried it but missed. But, if fate would show it's true colors, it did that day when Odubade was dispossesed in the 38th minute and Bognor made the frustrating striker pay for yet another mistake as Lee Hook failed to punch the ball out of his own box. Michael Hall finally fed up with his faith in Odubade, switched him out for Scott Ramsay and Nick Greenwood was the only thing keeping Michael Hall from giving Odubade his "real thoughts" about his performance. Danny Marney pulled the Sports back into the match in the 68th minute with a diving header that was on the end of a Chris Murphy cross. But a McMahon shot in the 75th minute took a bad deflection off Stuart Playford and skipped past Lee Hook to regain their two goal cushion. With only a minute left until the whistle, Eastbourne again fell victim to reckless play by one of their players when usually dependable, cool-headed Matt Smart recieved a second booking for a shirt-pulling incident.
Eastbourne Borough, 1 - Bognor Regis, 3
Danny Marney(68) - Steve McMahon(25,75) Chic Charnley(39)
Notes: Bad performance. Going into the game, one point should have been a given, but to give up three goals was pitiful. Eastbourne outshot Bognor 12-8, but in this case those numbers lied. The brave Sports need to finish off chances.
The Attendance at Priory Lane was 754.
Best Performance: Chris Murphy was a lone bright spot for the club in a game where everyone else played average at best, Murphy actually shone. With Warner's recent performances, Michael Hall has a choice to make.
Worst Performance: Yemi Odubade. Wasteful. Starting to try the patience of Michael Hall.
In a table update, after 4 games Eastbourne currently sit 18th(out of 22) in the English Conference South with 4 points.
September Results
Carshalton - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: War Memorial Sports Ground
9/11/04
Line-up Sheet
Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Hemlsey
Playford
Chapman
Myall
Warner
Gilder
Marney
Brady
Barton
Baker
O. Rowland
Murphy
Odubade
Chapman came in for the suspended Matt Smart, and Ollie Rowland, Darren Baker found themselves on the subs' list. In a poor start to the game, usually impressive full-back Richard Holmes completely missed on a sliding tackle as Kevin Cooper dribbled by him in the box and easily knocked the ball past Lee Hook. Carshalton's Neil Le Bihan simply slipped and gave the ball away, which our Sports set in motion a nice counter-attack that ended with a great cross by Matty Warner to Richard Brady who was denied by a nice save, but Danny Marney was there to pounce on the ball and pass it into the back of the net. About two minutes after halftime, huge questions were again brought up on Eastbourne's marking in the box as a run on the near post on a very undeadly cross was left alone and the Sports found themselves down again. But to surpise of Carshalton, Michael Hall, and even Yemi himself, substitite Yemi Odubade equalized at the 78th minute. He was sent through on a pass by Danny Marney and must have taken the very sarcastic advice by Hall very literally and did just as he was told. "Don't aim for the goal, just hit the friggin' ball at the keeper, I don't care. As long as it's on target." And Yemi did exactly that and smashed the ball through the legs of the Carshalton keeper to steal the tough point away from home.
Carshalton, 2 - Eastbourne Borough, - 2
Kevin Cooper(17), Neil Le Bihan(58) - Danny Marney(35), Yemi Odubade(78)
Notes: Very happy with the point, but still trying to figure out the marking in the back.
The Attendance at the War Memorial Sports Ground was 349.
Best Performance:: Danny Marney, scored a goal and set up the final goal with a great pass. Has really cemented his place in the starting 11 after only a few performanced.
Worst Performance: Matty Warner is just struggling and it continued today. He had one decent cross in the entire game and it was huge, but he is just not making himself a factor. He isn't touching the ball. He was subbed due to the annoyance of his manager at the 55th minute.
Eastbourne Borough - Cambridge City
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
9/18/04
[i]Line-Up Sheet
Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Hemsley
Playford
Myall
Smart
Warner
Gilder
Brady
Marney
Barton
Simmonds
Chapman
Murphy
Odubade
Smart was back from suspension and put Danny Chapman back on the bench as Eastbourne faced a very tough opponent in Cambridge City. But, the Sports stunned the away side early when hardwork by Brady earned the ball back for Eastbourne deep in Cambridge's half, a shot by Kevin Hemlsey took a deflection off Danny Marney and Marney claimed the goal. It was only 6 minutes later when Marney earned his own clear goal when a Matty Warner free-kick found his head on a run toward the back post. Marney knocked it across goal and past the Cambridge keeper to give Eastbourne the improbable two goal lead. And the patience with the defensive back by Michael Hall paid off as the team finally seemed to gel in the back and held out the very lethal attacking force of Cambridge for the rest of the game. The two goals in the first twenty minutes were enough to see the Sports to a very eye-openning two goal win.
Eastbourne Borough, 2 - Cambridge City, 0
Danny Marney(13, 19)
Notes: Great performance. The defense finally had a decent all around performance with no key lapses, the best chances of the night for Cambridge were shots well outside the box. In a fixture that Eastbourne would have been happy with a point, the three points were very unexpected.
The Attendance at Priory Lane was 974.
Best Performance: Danny Marney. A player that wasn't expected to do much at the beginning of the season has stunned everyone, even his own staff with his form. Six goals in six appearances(4 of which have been off the bench)
Worst Performance: Chris Murphy. He had a chance in a very open game at the end to push a struggling Matty Warner for his starting spot but did nothing to help his cause.
Weymouth - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Wessex Stadium
9/25/04
Line-Up Sheet
Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuch
Hemlsey
Playford
Myall
Smart
Warner
Gilder
Brady
Marney
Odubade
Barton
Chapman
Murphy
Simmonds
Riding high off their win over Cambridge City, Michael Hall fielded an unchanged side as they traveled to Wessex Stadium to face the 5-3-2 of Weymouth. Weymouth piled on the pressure early, and a sitter was completely misfired by their striker Kirk Jackson. Weymouth finally made their obvious advantage pay as a fine movement found Playford in no man's land where he was beaten by Marvin Brown who knocked the ball past Lee Hook, off the post and into the net. Richard Brady was sent through twice before halftime but was unable to finish both one on one chances. After halftime, a poor giveaway by Richard Holmes allowed Weymouth to take a comfortable two goal lead as Marcus Richardson converted from close range, but Eastbourne were not done. Marney was dragged down in the penalty box, and Matty Warner stepped up in a chance to pull Eastbourne back into the match; the ball sailed over the bar. With the miss fell the confidence of the squad and Eastbourne while playing better in the second half were unable to put any more decent pressure on Weymouth and a comeback never looked likely.
Weymouth, 2 - Eastbourne Borough, 0
Marvin Brown(34), Marcus Richardson(48)
Notes: Very poor start, but the team played much better in the second half. Frustrating that besides the penalty miss, Eastbourne never looked like really getting back into the match.
The Attendance at Wessex Stadium was 579.
Best Performance:Matt Smart played really well. Set in motion the few movements that actually looked lethal, and held the midfield very well after the introduction of Chris Murphy left him all alone in the center.
Worst Performance: Richard Holmes, who has been very reliable this season had a very poor match. Made two major mistakes that led to both goals and was consistantly burned on the right side.
Eastbourne Borough - Hayes
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
9/28/04
Line-Up Sheet
Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Hemlsey
Playford
Myall
Smart
Warner
Gilder
Ramsay
Marney
Barton
Odubade
Chapman
Simmonds
Murphy
Richard Brady fell even past the subs' bench as Scott Ramsay was brought in to face Hayes, a team that sat at the very bottom of the table at 22. Despite a few decent chances by Eastbourne, the teams went into halftime with the score level at 0-0, with the Hayes 3-5-2 formation proving to be more frustrating than expected. Michael Hall decided to bring on Yemi Odubade at halftime to inject some pace into the attack, to hopefully create some holes. Yemi Odubade's entrance into the game came very close to paying off when Phillip Gilder's cross found Yemi unmarked but a brilliant save by Hayes' keeper kept the ball out. That save turned out to save the points for Hayes as Eastbourne left the match with only a point, or in this case a dropped two points.
Eastbourne Borough, 0 - Hayes, 0
Notes: Eastbourne dominated possession, dominated the game yet couldn't find the net. Hook and the defense were not bothered all game, yet the attack could not find the final ball to beat the Hayes' goalkeeper.
The Attendance at Priory Lane was 1086.
Best Performance: Matty Warner. He sent in many good balls, but the men in the box were unable to capitalize. He looked very good which was a very welcome sight to Michael Hall.
Worst Performance: Scotty Ramsay had his moment to shine and he blew it. He had 4 good chances in the first half and he botched each one in increasingly impressive ways. He was subbed at halftime for Yemi Odubade and that tells alot of his performance.
Table after September
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/2005/tableag4.th.jpg (http://img241.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tableag4.jpg)
Benny Bailey hopped over the chain-link fence that seperated the training pitch from any passer-byers. With the small journal in hand, Benny used his other hand to hold down his cap as he raced down the small hill that concluded on the edge of small flat area that was known as the "training location" of the brave Sports of Easbourne Borough. As he reached the bottom of the hill, he slowed himself to a brisk walk as he made his way toward a closer view of the squad in their training exercises.
Benny was twelve, wide-eyed, brown scruffy hair that was hidden by his very large hat. A thin boy, he stood in a crouching posistion as Phillip Gilder sent another cross into the box and the Eastbourne players stumbled and fell over eachother. With a very calm reaction, Michael Hall simply stood up from where he was watching the action and coolly walked away from the action. He turned, gave one last look at the chaos that was each Eastbourne player trying to pull themselves to their feet, and continued his walk away from the training area. His march continued past were Benny Bailey sat, and young Benny wouldn't allow such a missed oppurtunity.
"Mr. Hall, sir, Mr. Hall, I'm a big fan, sir."
Michael surprised by the little boy that seemed to appear out of thin air simply said, "I'm sorry."
Trying to make himself look larger than his skinny frame showed, Benny Bailey drew a deep breath, whipped out a small journal and said in the most serious voice he could muster in his high squeaking vocal chords.
"What are your thoughts on the Boreham Wood draw in the FA Cup?"
"What are you doing? Are you a reporter or something, kid?" Michael said with not just a small scent of sarcasm.
"Why, yes, sir, my name's Benny Bailey, I'm a sports journalist," Bailey said, sticking out his chest with pride while his hat slipped forward covering his eyes.
"Well, got to start sometime, I suppose."
"I'm very good, sir, I just have a few questions, it won't take long."
"Well, if you'd like to talk to someone, you could talk to some of the players, I really have nothing to say, especially for your young ears right now."
"I'm twelve and a half, sir!"
"That's great, kid, but now's not the time. But I tell you what, if you want to ask a few player's some questions, after we are done here, go for it."
And with that, Michael Hall drew out a cigarette from his pocket and lit it, taking a nice long first drag.
---
Michael and Benny watched as the players took part in another drill. Phillip Gilder slid the ball out to his cousin Matty Warner, who proceeded to juggle the ball with his feet. Yemi Odubade slid into the dancing Warner, knocking the ball free. Warner gave a push to Yemi, and Yemi responded by tackling Warner. Shouts rang out from the small field as players piled up throwing punches, tossing eachother around, and Michael Hall only sighed as he took the cigarette out of his mouth.
Looking down at Benny, he simply said,
"Do you smoke?"
Well, my friends it seems you've come at a bad time. As you can see by the look on dear ol' Nick Greenwood's face, I don't have to tell you the FA Cup tie at Boreham Wood didn't go as expected. After a 1-1 draw at Priory Lane, our Sports fell hard at Boreham, and I'm afraid the team didn't take it too well.
It's been a tough couple weeks around here as of late, and it seems our manager has picked up quite a nasty habit. But then again, this is a very stressful job and he's not a man that has dealt with stress well in his life, but again, that's a story for another time. Nick Greenwood still holds his pride in the club but the scuffles on the training pitch have already added a few more wrinkles on his face. But times aren't all bad, I can assure you, I still have complete faith in these brave lads of Eastbourne, and it can only be a matter of time before the team gels together. Right?
---
Warner left the room, seemingly relieved that he finally made it out back into fresh air from what had become a very dusty, gloomy, trashy hotel room that belonged to Michael Hall.
"Damn it," Michael cursed as the door came to a close and he sat in the room alone. He was such a talent, there was no denying that, but that attitude was costing him. On the field, Warner was a man on an island, a man that never seemed to touch the ball, and he was a boy against two teams, neither one liking him more than the other.
What annoyed Michael the most was that his cousin was so different. Phillip Gilder was a team player, while confident, he worked well in the team system, maybe even excelled in it and was starting to find himself fall in with the players but then there was Matty. As Gilder seemed to slowly immerse himself in the squad, Warner became more and more excluded, more and more alone.
And there was no getting through to him, Nick Greenwood had tried, Michael had gotten Phillip to try, and even the captain, model professional Lee Hook had tried, and now Michael had tried, and it seemed useless. There had to be a change, there had to be a way without losing him. Hall's biggest gamble had been the selling of Matt Crabb, a local icon, for Matty Warner who was anything but. Matt Crabb was a happy, easy-going local lad, Matty Warner was a cocky, tempermental, kid from the other side of the tracks.
Michael, openned up his notes, going briefly over the jots he had made about the dismal events against Boreham and how despite fielding in his thoughts of the best squad he could play, they went down against weaker opposition.
While Michael couldn't exactly be disappointed in the results the Sports had achieved in the league, there was a hope for more, there was almost a faith that he believed the squad could do better, and he needed to find out how to unleash this potential.
---
The phone rang, at 1 AM and Michael cursed as he sought to find his glasses then the obnoxious phone. It was Len Smith.
"I just thought I would let you know, I found a few managerial canidates"
"What?"
"You made a valiant effort, but I know this is not what you wanted so I think I've found a few names that will take over for you."
Michael's head spun. It might have been the sleep or actually the lack thereof. This was a job he had never seen himself doing or wanting to do. He didn't enjoy the weather, the accents, or the food. He hated the hotel room, he wanted to move on with his life, find a new, more comfortable job back in the States, re-start everything. He still called the sport soccer and this was a place where he was completely overwhelmed and out of place.
---
"This ain't Yankee land, mate, this here is my home. I want to make my name here, and I will. I want to win, and I'm going to play to try and make us win. Listen, I like you and all, you aren't a bad guy, but this is England. You don't belong here."
Those words had struck Michael like a backhand out of nowhere, and being the last words Matty had said before he left had given a very harsh, dramatic end to the hopes Hall had thought he could accomplish in a brief conversation with the player. Though, with that spark, with that anger in his eyes, Michael had seen a fire, a potential flame that possibly could be harnessed. How he could do that, well, he had no idea.
---
"Are you still there, Michael?"
"Yeah, and I just thought I should let you know..."
That intensity, that flicker in that young man's eyes. The words "You don't belong here" repeated in Michael's head over and over like a pounding drumline.
"...I want the job."
Only two fixtures for the rest of October due to re-scheduling.
Havant & Waterlooville - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Westleigh Park
10/19/04
Line-Up Sheet
Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Playford
Chapman
Myall
Smart
Warner
Gilder
Brady
Marney
Barton
Rowland
Simmonds
Murphy
Odubade
Chapman came in for the injured Kevin Hemsley.
From the kick-off this match was very one-sided. Havant dominated from the word go and Eastbourne sat on their back heels for a majority of the half. Luckily due to some decent last ditch tackles, the match went into halftime leveled at zero. But the second half was more of the same, as Havant really forced Eastbourne back, and finally started ripping gaps in the center of the defense. Geoff Pitcher found the end of a poor clearance by Chapman and buried it past Lee Hook, though, Hook should have made the save in all hindsight. A poor giveaway by Matt Smart after Hall tried to open up the game with for attacking power, forced Hook to come charging out of his goal but James Taylor skipped by him to seal off the game in the 82nd minute.
Havant & Waterlooville, 2 - Eastbourne Borough, 0
Geoff Pitcher(54), James Taylor(82)
Notes: Tough game as Eastbourne were never really in it. Midfield and possession were completely dominated by the home team and poor balls on counter-attacking attempts and sloppy giveaways sealed Eastbourne's fate.
The Attendance at Westleigh Park was 1062.
Best Performance: Matty Warner was a rare gem among the rest of the players, but he tends to shine while the rest of the team fails, this needs to be fixed. Hopefully he can prove he can pull off a win with a great performance and not just play well in losing efforts.
Worst Performance: Richard Brady was in over his head in a game where we had no possession. Without possession he is useless as he is not fast enough for a counter-attacking match.
Eastbourne Borough - Maidenhead
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
10/23/04
Line-Up Sheet
Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Playford
Hemsley
Myall
Smart
Warner
Marney
Odubade
Brady
Barton
Simmonds
Chapman
Murphy
Hemlsey was back in action after overcoming his ankle injury. Hall tried a new strike partnership in Marney and Odubade.
Maidenhead started off the match very well, hitting the woodwork in the 10th minute, and scoring an unpredictable goal off a corner kick in the 12th. But after the goal, the match became a very tight affair with both teams struggling for possession. Maidenhead entered halftime with the advantage, and Matty Warner seemed to never get going in the first half. Yet, the second half was a different story. With Richard Brady being subbed on for the ineffective Yemi Odubade early on, the Sports seemed to do much better and came very close to finding the equalizer. Deservedly, the team took a very aggressive formation and finally found the net when Richard Brady's head met the end of a Phillip Gilder cross in the 86th minute to grab a share of the points.
Eastbourne Borough, 1 - Maidenhead, 1
Richard Brady(86) - Andy Jennings(12)
Notes: A fluke goal stole the points from the Sports today. They were the better team after the first 10 minutes, and possibly could have won the game 2-1 or by more.
The Attendance at Priory Lane was 896.
Best Performance: Phillip Gilder, while a consistant performer, doesn't have too many great games, though this was one of them. He sent several great crosses in and looked dangerous when he got the ball out on the wing.
Worst Performance: Lee Hook, his blunder cost us the points. How you can let a corner fly into the net is beyond me.
----
Meet the Squad
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l100/SkeltonJC/yemiodubade.jpg http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l100/SkeltonJC/eastbourne.jpg
Yemi "Trainwreck" Odubade
Position: Striker
Age: 20
Nation: England
Career at Eastbourne
Seasons(at EB): First Season
Apperances: 12(6 as a sub)
Goals: 2
Yemi is a very fit player with a little bit of pace, and while he seems to have all the tools to be a very good striker for Eastbourne, he has struggled to find the back of the net.
The Tough Questions
(Contributed by Benny Bailey)
How do you feel about the current collection of players on the squad?
Ya know, I was thinkin' ta myself the odder day, there ain't lot of...my folk 'round here, ya know? Lotta caspers hangin' round here, ya know? It makes me that much popular, though, and ta tell ya the truth, I think they are 'fraid of me.
You have started off slowly at Eastbourne. Why do you think this is?
Ya know, I says to myself the same question the other day. Why is Yemi missing so many goals, I says, and then it occured, if the goal was bigger, I would score more, ya know? But then I figured, if the goal was bigger than the 'keeper would be bigger, and then it's no good.
What are your expectations for the year?
I'm gonna be modest with only thirdy-five goals dis year, no more.
And the team?
Thirdy-six goals
Lastly, how did you acquire the nickname "Trainwreck?"
I think it's 'cus I'm so big and powerful dat folk fear me and trainwrecks are da same. But coach says it's 'cus I do really well but then screw it all up in the end. I think my idea is better.
Thoughts on Yemi
Michael Hall, Manager
"Well, he's great up until he has to score, where he is absolutely stunning at making horrible misses. It's a talent, I suppose."
Lee Hook, Goalkeeper/Captain
"He's a young kid and he has alot to learn."
Richard Brady, Striker
"I've gotten him drunk a few times, turned out to be a bad idea. He gets all womanly, and that shit ain't cool."
Matty Warner, Winger
"He's crap."
November 2004
Eastbourne - Bromley
FA Trophy - First Round
Venue: Priory Lane
11/06/04
Line-Up Sheet
Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Playford
Hemsley
Myall
Murphy
Warner
Gilder
Ramsay
Marney
Barton
Chapman
Smart
Simmonds
Odubade
Scott Ramsay gets the opportunity to work up front with Danny Marney. Chris Murphy takes a role in the midfield as Smart moves to the bench.
After only 30 seconds Eastbourne found themselves down one goal in a very scary "deja vu" from their Boreham Wood game where they also were down 1-0 after less than a minute. This one also came off a goal that came from about 25 yards out as the Sports backline failed to close down on John Wilfort. But, after the goal Eastbourne piled on the pressure, earning several corners until Danny Marney took advantage of a scramble in the box and tapped the ball in to equalize in the 15th minute. The best goal by Eastbourne was denied incredibly by Lee Hook when Stuart Playford had an amazing clearing header that somehow looped back toward the top left corner of the Sports goal, but Lee Hook denied his own teammate from the spectacular own goal. Other than that terrible clearance, the Sports ended halftime with a solid grip on the match.
After the halftime break, Scott Ramsay was sent free by Stuart Myall but was unable to finish as he sent the ball high over the net. In the 53rd minute, Matty Warner held the ball in the Bromley box with his back towards the goal. With a great spin, he got room away from his defender and hit a great shot that bounced off the woodwork, but Eastbourne's master poacher, Danny Marney, was there to slide the ball into the net for his second goal of the match. Shortly after the goal, Bromley went a man down after their winger, Darren Boughey was sent off for two bookings. Michael Hall took the time to make some changes bringing on Odubade and Chapman. Yemi "Trainwreck" Odubade's shot in the 76th minute was denied well by the Bromley keeper, but a charging Chris Murphy smashed it home to give the Sports a well-deserved two goal advantage. Though, amazingly Eastbourne were not done after a Danny Simmonds(who just came on for Phillip Gilder) and Danny Marney was again in the right place at the right time, and wrapped up his hat-trick with another poached goal. This was the first ever hattrick under Michael Hall. But this was obviously not enough for Danny Marney as the goal extravaganza continued in the 90th minute when Marney broke by his defender to meet the end of a well-placed Matty Warner cross and Marney recieved his fourth goal on the night.
Eastbourne, 5 - Bromley, 1
Danny Marney, (15, 54, 79, 90) - John Wilfort(1)
Chris Murphy, (76)
Notes: After the first minute lapse, Eastbourne dominated the game, and this was probably the best performance of the season. Still worried about the finishing as most our goals were after missed opportunities, but no reason to complain after a big win and a place in the FA Trophy second round.
The Attendance at Priory Lane was 191.
Best Performance: Danny Marney. Man on the spot, he was there for every chance, and how could you not give it to the man that scored four goals?
Worst Performance: Lee Hook. Great performance by the team as a whole, but Lee Hook really should have done better when Bromley scored in the first minute. That goal could have really cost the Sports, but fortunately, it didn't.
---
Squad Update
Michael Hall and Len Smith completed the 1k move for Gareth Graham from AFC Wimbledon. A 25 year-old attacking midfielder, he was a very popular figure at his prior club. He had 5 caps for the Northern Ireland U-21 squad.
Gareth has supposedly only signed a contract that commits the player until the end of the season.
---
Eastbourne Borough - Redbridge
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
11/13/04
Line-Up Sheet
Hook(C)
Holmes
Tuck
Playford
Hemsley
Myall
Graham
Warner
Gilder
Marney
Odubade
Barton
Chapman
Smart
Murphy
Brady
Graham is thrown into the midfield only a mere five days after joining the squad. Odubade is paired up with Marney up front.
Redbridge would be the obvious favorites going into the match. In a great flowing, countering move Matty Warner found his cousin, Phillip Gilder, racing free out on the right wing. Gilder, took the ball well, and then slid a nice cross into Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade who also did well as he knocked the ball across the goalkeeper and placed the ball in the far left corner of the net. Eastbourne had the shock lead in the first ten minutes. In the 20th minute, Yemi was dragged down in the box, chasing after a Phillip Gilder through ball, and a penalty was awarded. Matty Warner smashed the ball into the top right corner of the net to get his first goal for Eastbourne, and more importantly, a two goal lead over Redbridge. Danny Marney very nearly made it a three goal lead after a scramble in the box after a Gilder cross, but his shot was just tipped around the post. Just before halftime, Lee Hook was forced to make a great stop after a Redbridge striker was sent free with a long pass, but Hook did well and kept the clean sheet going into the halftime break.
After a great first half, the second half had a bad start when Phillip Gilder picked up an injury and was forced to leave the pitch only a minute into the restart. Shocking misses by Redbridge and great saves by Lee Hook filled the second half as Redbridge openned up the game, but unfortunately for Eastbourne, the traffic was only going one way. But with the entrance of Matt Smart and Danny Chapman in the midfield around the 60th minute, Eastbourne was able to bottle down the midfield, and kill off the free flowing nature of the game. The frustrations mounted for Redbridge and finally boiled over in the form of Ben Lewis being sent off for two reckless challenges in the span of 5 minutes. Eastbourne were able to capitalize on their advantage shortly after when Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade beat the offsides trap and smacked the ball past the Redbridge keeper.
Eastbourne Borough, 3 - Redbridge, 0
Yemi Odubade(11, 82)
Matty Warner(pen 21)
Notes: Wow, a very eye-openning performance by the Sports. These last two performances were great. I just can't believe these are the same players that have botched chance after chance in prior matches, especially players like Yemi. Though, after the great win, it's hard to get too excited as Phillip Gilder was forced to leave during injury, and a long-term injury to one of our most consistant players could have a big impact.
The Attendance at Priory Lane was 454.
Best Performance: Yemi Odubade. He converted his chances and actually looked deadly when he got near the goal. Scored two, earned a penalty for a third.
Worst Performance: Danny Marney. Hard to say anyone had a bad performance, but Marney did not get involved in this match besides his one goal scoring chance where he was denied and probably should have scored.
---
Squad Update
Phillip Gilder has a groin strain and is expected to miss around two weeks.
This injury looks like it will force Gilder to miss the second round of the FA Trophy against Farnborough.
---
Eastbourne Borough - Basignstoke
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
11/17/04
Line-Up Sheet
Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Playford
Hemlsey
Myall
Graham
Warner
Marney
Ramsay
Odubade
Barton
Murphy
Chapman
Smart
Brady
Marney moves to to the right wing and Ramsay comes in up front to compensate for the injured Phillip Gilder. Eastbourne missed a good chance to take the lead in the first fifteen minutes when Gareth Graham sent Odubade free in the middle but Yemi was unable to keep the ball down and his shot went sailing. Graham also showed his skill when he sent Scott Ramsay free in the 30th minute, but Ramsay was unable to beat the keeper. But bad give-aways filled the final fifteen minutes of the half and Eastbourne considered themselves lucky to be even at halftime.
Basingstoke's Simon Hutchinson went just wide after the break and the visitors looked to be in complete control after the good start from the Sports. Possibly the best chance of the game so far fell to Richard Brady in the 67th minute after he came on for Scott Ramsay. Warner's free-kick took a deflection off the wall, and fell right to Richard Brady who shot the ball right at the Basignstoke keeper who saved easily. But Brady made up for it in the 83rd minute, when he smacked a free-kick over the wall from 23 yards out and the Basignstoke keeper never moved as the ball hit the back of the net.
Eastbourne Borough, 1 - Basignstoke
Richard Brady(83)
Notes: Despite having a few great chances, we did not deserve three points in this game,and probably not even a draw. We were dominated, but the goal by Richard Brady from an unpredictable free-kick stole the points, and we aren't complaining.
Eastbourne just finished a run of 4 straight games at home, drawing one and winning three.
The Attendance at Priory Lane was 1163.
Best Performance: Lee Hook. Game could had easily been 2-1, 3-1 but he had a remarkable game.
Worst Performance: Danny Marney. Probably not his fault, but he was playing somewhat out of of posistion and his lack of crossing skills proved him ineffective.
Newport County - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Newport Stadium
11/20/04
Line-Up Sheet
Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Playford
Hemsley
Myall
Graham
Murphy
Marney
Brady
Odubade
Barton
Chapman
Smart
Simmonds
Ramsay
Warner is being rested after the string of fixtures and Chris Murphy takes his spot out on the left wing. Richard Brady finds himself paired up with Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade up front.
Eastbourne had a great chance in the first minute when Richard Brady was sent through by a Danny Marney pass from behind the halfway line, but his shot went straight at the keeper and was easily controlled. In the 7th minute, the Sports found themselves up when a corner sent in my Richard Holmes found fellow full-back Stuart Tuck who buried the header into the net. Newport County equalized ten minutes later when a cross which should have been cleared crossed the goal mouth and Jamie Moralee was waiting on the far post for the easy tap in.
After the halftime break, Richard Brady had yet another great chance but his talent at hitting the ball right at the keeper was again shown. Just after being subbed on for Richard Brady, Scott Ramsay went just wide when he found some space in the box. Newport County had an equally great chance when Wilson-Denis sliced through the middle of the Eastbourne defense but his shot was well off target. A lapse in marking at the end proved very costly as Cortez Belle was left unmarked on a cross and volleyed it home from short range in the 85th minute.
Newport County, 2 - Eastbourne Borough, 1
Stuart Tuck(7)
Jamie Moralee(17)
Cortez Belle(86)
Notes: Well, the run had to come to an end, and in a game that was really a toss-up, it had to go one way or the other. Our backline made a crucial mistake in a game where we should have probably taken a point.
The Attendance at Newport Stadium was 488.
Best Performance: Danny Marney. In a complete turn-around from the last performance in the same position, Marney contributed to several great moves and was a legitment threat out on the wing.
Worst Performance: Yemi "Trainwreck" Odubade. He was very quiet and really had no impact in the game. Not good for the striker that you are depending on for goals.
Thurrock - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Unknown Stadium
11/24/04
Line-Up Sheet
Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Playford
Hemlsey
Myall
Graham
Warner
Marney
Brady
Odubade
Barton
Chapman
Smart
Murphy
Ramsay
Warner is back in action and Michael Hall is sticking with the Brady-Odubade pairing up front while Gilder recovers from his groin strain.
Eastbourne found themselves down in the first minute when a cross went uncontested in the box and Tresor Kandol pounced on the loose ball and hammered it home. Only 5 minutes later, the Sports probably should have been down by two but the shot by the Thurrock striker went awfully wide. Eastbourne were completely controlled in the first half, and were forced to gladly take only a one goal defecit into the halftime break.
Matty Warner almost equalized well against the run of play off a free-kick but the ball was barely punched around the post. That shot was the first actual attempt at goal for Eastbourne in the match. And that shot turned out to be the best chance of the half as Thurrock successfully killed off the game with no real fight from the Sports.
Thurrock, 1 - Eastbourne Borough, 0
Tresor Kandol(1)
Notes: We were outshot 18 to 1, and that one shot was off a free-kick. The score looks very forgiving compared to what it possibly should have been. We were unable to get the ball up to the strikers and when we did, they gave it away. Marney is needed up front, this is very clear.
The Attendance at the match was 409.
Best Performance: Richard Holmes. Yes, he was a defender, but he broke up several attacks by Thurrock and proved why he had cemented a place in the starting eleven.
Worst Performance: Yemi Odubade had yet another very quiet game.
Eastbourne Borough - Farnborough
FA Trophy - Second Round
Venue: Priory Lane
11/27/04
Line-Up Sheet
Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Playford
Hemsley
Myall
Graham
Warner
Simmonds
Marney
Odubade
Barton
Chapman
Smart
Murphy
Ramsay
Marney is back up front as Danny Simmonds gets his first ever start for Eastbourne. Phillip Gilder just misses out due to fitness level.
The Sports fell to Farnborough in their match against them earlier this season in the Conference South; 3-0.
Farnborough took an early lead as poor marking by Stuart Playford allowed a simple run to get behind him and Lenny Johnrose easily finished. But a very poor mistake by the Farnborough backline proved costly as David Murray's back pass was intercepted by Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade who notched his fifth goal of the season off the mistake. Poor clearances by Eastbourne almost proved costly for the squad, but two great saves by Lee Hook and a clearance off the line by Richard Holmes kept the scores level. Kevin Hemsley picked up a knock in the 37th minute and was forced to be taken off in a huge blow to the Sports backline. Danny Chapman was brought on in his place.
Lee Hook continued to keep Eastbourne in the match during the second half with great saves and Marney almost gave the Sports an against the run of play goal when he made a trademark run by the finish grazed the top of the bar. Lee Hook continued to be called in action when he was forced in yet another string of saves, concluding in a point blank save that cleared the ball just off the line. The 72nd minute marked another amazing save by Lee Hook as he turned over a close header off a cross and pushed it just over the bar. During the events of Lee Hook's saves, Marney failed to convert two counter-attacking oppurtunities. Stuart Playford was left in no man's land in the 80th minute, and Lee Hook couldn't even make the save but luckily for Eastbourne, the left post could and amazingly Eastbourne stayed level by the time the final whistle blew.
Eastborune Borough, 1 - Farnborough, 1
Lenny Johnrose(10)
Yemi Odubade(30)
Notes: We got lucky with this draw, but unfortunately it doesn't look bright as we will now have to travel to Farnborough for the replay. Marney did miss a few chances that should have made Farnborough pay for their lack of finishing, but can't complain too much.
The Attendance at Priory Lane was 1033.
Best Performance: Lee Hook, simply said he was absolutely brilliant.
Worst Performance: Danny Marney wasted key chances that could have stolen the game for us.
---
Squad Update
Kevin Hemsley will miss about a week due to a sprained wrist.
League Table
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/6052/table2wy5.th.jpg (http://img241.imageshack.us/my.php?image=table2wy5.jpg)
As you can see, despite the solid run of four games(one cup), Eastbourne were unable to pull too far away from the relagation zone, which is a worrying sign as it makes me wonder what more I can expect from my team and what the Sports need to do to avoid the drop. I'm not sure how often I will be able to win a string of matches and if 7 points from 3 games wasn't enough to put a decent gap inbetween, that can only be a bad sign.
The Gareth Graham Signing
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/4994/grahamsigningxh5.th.jpg (http://img201.imageshack.us/my.php?image=grahamsigningxh5.jpg)
Fans loved the new signing and he has quickly become a staple in the starting eleven. We can only hope that he performs well and can lead the team in the middle of the pitch and pull some strings that will keep us away from the bottom.
Matty Warner's form
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/911/warnerfindingformnw8.th.jpg (http://img241.imageshack.us/my.php?image=warnerfindingformnw8.jpg)
Matty Warner seems to be finding his form after a very hot/cold run. This can only be a good thing.
FA Trophy - Replay
Farnborough - Eastbourne Borough
FA Trophy - Second Round Replay
Venue: Cherrywood Road
12/01/04
Line-Up Sheet
Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Playford
Chapman
Myall
Graham
Warner
Gilder
Marney
Odubade
Ramsay
Barton
Smart
Murphy
Baker
Gilder is back in the side after overcoming a groin strain. Baker makes the bench as Chapman is in for the injured Hemsley.
Danny Marney was denied from close range in the 5th minute after a fine Eastbourne movement started by Phillip Gilder who sent Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade on a run, who centered to Graham, who exposed a gap in the Farnborough defense when he found Marney free. Farnbrough responded with a counter-attack that they somehow managed to botch after having two attackers clear with only Lee Hook to beat. Odubade was denied in the 30th minute when Danny Marney sent him through on a long pass, but the ball was tipped away after a weak shot by Yemi. That miss proved costly as Farnborough took the lead in the 35th minute when a deep cross was not cleared by Eastbourne defenders and Lenny Johnrose headed it past Lee Hook.
Shortly after the break Johnrose increased his tally against Eastbourne and headed in another ball, really hammering home the weakness of the Sports backline. A mistake by Playford allowed a Farnborough striker to skip by him after a long kick by the Farnborough keeper and seal off the game 3-0. Warner had a perfect chance to grab a goal back in the 78th minute after Gilder picked him out unmarked on the back post, but his volley hit the crossbar.
Farnborough, 3 - Eastboroune Borough, 0
Lenny Johnrose(35, 49)
Bertie Brayley(72)
Note: Harsh result. Two weak headers(one from the edge of the box) marked our doom and while chasing the game, Stuart Playford made an absolutely horrible, stupid mistake to let in the third weak goal of the match. The first header should have easily been cleared, no idea how the second header could be so wonderfully placed.
The Attendance at Cherrywood Road 678.
Best Performance: Matty Warner was one of the better players today. He made a few nice long passes to set our strikers free but they came to nothing.
Worst Performance: Stuart Playford. Absolutely wretched performance.
December 2004
Squad Update
Stuart Tuck signed a one year extension on his current contract to commit himself to the club until 2006.
On top of adding a year to his contract, Stuart also took a small paycut.
Eastbourne Borough - Weston-Super-Mare
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
12/8/04
Line-Up Sheet
Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Playford
Hemsley
Myall
Graham
Warner
Gilder
Marney
Odubade
Barton
Chapman
Smart
Murphy
Brady
Matty Warner pulled Eastbourne up one in the 25th minute when he found space at the edge of the box. With no defenders closing him down, Warner fired the ball into the top right corner of the net. Just before the halftime break, a cross along the ground by Matty Warner found Danny Marney in space, but Marney's shot went just wide and into the side-netting.
Weston found an equalizer 10 minutes after the break when Michael Jackson converted a free-kick just outside the box. Stuart Myall almost took the lead back for Eastbourne in the 74th minute when a Stuart Tuck cross found him unmarked in the box, but his volley was knocked away by the keeper. Chris Murphy had one last shot at grabbing the three points for Eastbourne but his shot was well-saved and stoppage time expired.
Eastbourne Borough, 1 - Weston-Super-Mare
Matty Warner(25)
Michael Jackson(55)
Notes: Eastbourne was obviously the better team during the match, but the Sports failed to put them away with their advantage and they paid for it with two points dropped.
The Attendance at Priory Lane was 869.
Best Performance: Matty Warner scored the nice goal and has really started to shine for the Sports.
Worst Performance: Danny Marney continued to fail under the pressure of converting key goals in key moments.
---
Squad Update
Just while he was on a great run of form after weeks of struggling, Matty Warner is expected to miss two weeks with a calf strain.
---
Bishop's Stortford - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Woodside Park
12/11/04
Line-Up Sheet
Hook(c)
Holmes
Tuck
Playford
Hemlsey
Myall
Graham
Murphy
Gilder
Ramsay
Marney
Barton
Odubade
Chapman
Smart
Simmonds
Scott Ramsay and Chris Murphy enter the starting eleven for the match against Bishop. Bishop sit 2nd on the table coming into the match.
Fan favorite Gareth Graham committed a penalty in the third minute, but Lee Hook bailed out the midfielder when he was able to stop the attempt from the penalty spot. But Steve Parmenter did give Bishop the lead after 10 minutes when he was left free to take a shot from distance and he didn't waste the chance. In the 25th minute Danny Marney gathered in a pass from Phillip Gilder, turned his man and buried the equalizing goal. But the even scoreline was short lived as a poor challenge by Richard Holmes led to a large gap that Bishop's Steve Morison exploited and hammered the ball through Lee Hook. Lee Hook was unable to control a shot in the 44th minute and the rebound was tapped in giving the Sports a huge defecit of 2 goals at the halftime break.
As the game approached the final 30 minutes, Danny Marney made the game interesting when he turned in a Chris Murphy cross to cut Bishop's lead to one. Lee Hook kept Eastbourne in the match shortly after when yet another simple cross created way too much trouble in the Sports' box and Lee Hook was forced to make a point-blank reaction save. Danny Marney went free in the 92nd minute and had a chance to seal his hattrick and a point for the Sports but his shot went wide.
Bishop's Stortford, 3 - Eastbourne Borough, 2
Steve Parmenter(10)
Danny Marney(26,62)
Steve Morison(35)
Spencer Knight(44)
Notes: We were obviously outplayed but were still in the game late and Marney had a great chance to steal a point against a top team in the division. Unfortuantely, it didn't go our way and Marney's shot went wide.
The Attendance at Woodside Park was 1560.
Best Performance: Danny Marney found his goal scoring boots, but unforunately they ran out of steam at the end, that did not completely tarnish his two goal performance.
Worst Performance: Gareth Graham had an absolutely horrible game and was subbed off at the halftime break.
---
Squad Update
In the last match, Danny Marney reached the yellow card limit of 5 and is automatically suspended for the next match at Welling who currently sit 4th in the table. Fucking great.
---
Eastbourne Borough - Welling
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
12/18/04
Line-Up Sheet
Hook(C)
Holmes
Tuck
Playford
Hemsley
Myall
Graham
Murphy
Gilder
Ramsay
Odubade
Baker
Barton
Chapman
Simmonds
Smart
Scott Ramsay returns into the starting eleven for the suspended Danny Marney.
The first half was brutal for Eastbourne. Shots rang in from everywhere, thank goodness the Welling strikers have horrible aim and only one out of their thirteen shots were on target. The biggest blow of the half came when Lee Hook was forced to leave the pitch at the 38th minute and 16 year-old Seb Barton was forced to come in for the keeper/captain. Stuart Tuck was given the armband.
The second half was more of the same and very much against the run of play Yemi "Trainwreck" Odubade turned in a cross by Chris Murphy to give the host the stunning lead. Welling deservedly but still heartbreakingly equalized in the 86th minute when a lapse of defending proved yet again very costly.
Eastbourne Borough, 1 - Welling, 1
Yemi Odubade(59)
Lee Spiller(86)
Notes: Despite the late equalizer by Welling, I really can't complain. They deserved the three points in this game really, and I think of it as a point gained.
The Attendance at Priory Lane was 812.
Best Performance: Chris Murphy played great in Matty Warner's absence.
Worst Performance: Matt Smart. He was brought on to kill off the game, but as soon as he came on, the game openned up. Go figure.
---
Squad Update
Stuart Tuck reached his yellow card limit and will miss the next match.
Lee Hook will miss about two months with a broken collarbone. We are fucked.
---
Lewes - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: The Dripping Pan
12/21/04
Line-Up Sheet
Barton
Holmes
O. Rowland
Playford
Hemsley
Smart(c)
Graham
Murphy
Gilder
Marney
Odubade
Baker
Chapman
Myall
Simmonds
Ramsay
Barton in for Hook, Rowland in for the suspended Tuck, Smart in for the exhausted Myall(who is still forced to take a place on the bench). Warner is still out due to injury and Danny Marney returns. No goalkeeper on the bench. Holy shit, this should be interesting.
6th minute: Barton misjudges a cross and leaves an open goal, 1-0 Lewes.
14th minute: Odubade misses a chance.
18th minute: Marney misses a chance.
28th minute: Lewes' goalkeeper kicks the ball out straight to Gareth Graham who was right outside the box. Gareth promptly shoots the ball into outer space.
34th minute: Lewes scores again, 2-0.
59th minute: Marney scores to make it a game.
66th minute: Barton cannot control a routine back pass and the ball goes to a Lewes striker, 3-1.
86th minute: 4-1 Lewes. This is no freaking joke. They were playing a 4-2-4 while up 3-1.
93rd minute: Game thankfully comes to a close.
Lewes, 4 - Eastbourne, 1
Barry Moore(7, 37)
Danny Marney(59)
Marc Whiteman(66, 86)
Notes: No comment.
The Attendance at The Dripping Pan was 648.
Best Performance: Phillip Gilder wasn't especially bad.
Worst Performance: Seb Barton.
---
Squad Update
Stuart Playford met the 5 card yellow limit and is suspended for the next match
Author's Note: Two more results in December still need to be reported. After that last match, I'm obviously taking a break.
Decemember 2004: Results(part 2)
Squad Update
Michael Hall signed 19 year-old English goalkeeper Michael Harrington on a contract until the end of the season.
---
Eastbourne Borough - Sutton United
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
12/26/04
Line-Up Sheet
Harrington
Holmes
Tuck(c)
Chapman
Hemsley
Myall
Graham
Warner
Gilder
Marney
Odubade
Barton
Baker
Smart
Murphy
Ramsay
Chapman comes in for the suspended Playford. Warner is back in action after his injury. Michael Harrington finds himself in the line-up only two days after signing with the club.
Another early goal on a very simple cross put Eastbourne Borough down a goal in the 2nd minute. Danny Marney looked to have made up for the poor defending in the back in the 28th minute when he dribbled through the box and slipped the ball under the Sutton goalkeeper. But, not wanting to give up the limelight, Eastbourne's defense were exposed yet again when another simple cross was not cleared when it should have been, and an unmarked Sutton midfielder, Paul Honey, slipped through for an easy goal.
The second half was a much quieter half. The best chance of the half came when Matty Warner picked out Scott Ramsay in the box, but the Sutton keeper made a great save on his volley attempt to keep the ball out in the 85th minute.
Eastbourne Borough, 1 - Sutton United, 2
Paul Honey(2, 32)
Danny Marney(28)
Notes: We played well, Harrington didn't make any costly mistakes, but this marking on crosses needs to be fixed and the Sports need to figure out how quick.
The Attendance at Priory Lane was 1525.
Best Performance: Matty Warner had a big impact on the match, when Eastbourne had a nice move, he was involved. His pass sent Danny Marney through for his goal, and his cross should have led to an equalizer when Scott Ramsay was denied.
Worst Performance(s): Kevin Hemsley and Danny Chapman. Their poor marking cost us this match.
Hornchurch - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: The Stadium
12/28/04
Line-Up Sheet
Harrington
Holmes
Tuck(c)
Playford
Hemsley
Myall
Graham
Warner
Gilder
Marney
Odubade
Barton
Ramsay
Murphy
Smart
Chapman
Stuart Playford is back after suspension.
Alex Varney found himself free in the box after a nice Hornchurch move and put Eastbourne down a goal after 12 minutes. A bad clearance by Richard Holmes in the 28th minute led to another goal by Hornchurch. A third goal came for Hornchurch in the 38th minute when David Morgan made space in the box on a cross and the Sports were down three goals going into halftime.
This game was over by halftime, no this was not Istanbul and we aren't Liverpool, obviously.
Hornchurch, 3 - Eastbourne Borough, 0
Alex Varney(13)
Andy Douglas(28)
David Morgan(38)
Notes: Hornchurch were a much better team.
The Attendance at The Stadium was 374.
Best Performance: Gareth Graham played well considering the overall performance
Worst Performance: Stuart Myall was a doormat during most Hornchurch attacks.
Eastbourne have fallen to 20th in the table and that means they enter the relegation zone. December has been an awful month for the Sports.
Other Football News
Yearly Awards
World Footballer of the Year
Ronaldinho (Barcelona)
Ruud van Nistelrooy(Manchester United)
Kily Gonzalez(Barcelona
World Player of the Year
Ronaldinho (Barcelona)
Ruud van Nistelrooy(Manchester United)
Kily Gonzalez(Barcelona
European Footballer of the Year
Ronaldinho (Barcelona)
Ruud van Nistelrooy(Manchester United)
Kily Gonzalez(Barcelona
European Goalkeeper of the Year
Oliver Kahn (Bayern Munich)
Victor Valdes (Barcelona)
Jens Lehmann(Arsenal
European Defender of the Year
Carles Puyol (Barcelona)
Edmilson (Barcelona)
Cristian Chivu (AS Roma)
European Midfielder of the Year
Ronaldinho (Barcelona)
Kily Gonzalez (Barcelona)
Joaquin (Real Betis)
European Striker of the Year
Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United)
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Adrian Mutu (Arsenal)
World Manager of the Year
Jose Mourinho (Chelsea)
Otto Rehhagel (Greece)
Rafael Benetiz (Liverpool)
The New Year: January 2005
Eastbourne Borough - Saint Albans City
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory lane
1/01/05
Line-Up Sheet
Harrington
Holmes
Tuck(c)
Playford
Hemsley
Chapman
Smart
Graham
Warner
Gilder
Marney
Barton
Baker
Murphy
Odubade
Myall
Pre Match Notes:Michael Hall switched around his formation and instead of the aggressive 4-4-2 in the past, Michael has worked his tactic out for a 4-5-1. Danny Marney will be up front, supported on the wings by Warner and Gilder, while Graham and Smart will control the midfield with Danny Chapman in the holding role.
Previous Tactic
FC FC
AML AMR
MC
DMC
LB DC DC RB
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New Tactic
FC
AML AMR
MC MC
DMC
LB DC DC RB
I'll be honest, I thought in the Conference South, one main tactic with minor tweaking match to match would be enough, but that hasn't proven the case. Eastbourne doesn't have the talent to beat teams with a simple tactic, and more, game to to adaptation is going to be required. We are going to need to beat teams tactically from now on if we have any shot at staying up, and luck might be required, too.
Match
The new tactic was seemingly working in the first third of the game, and the only real chance of the match in the first thirty came off a fluke, deflected shot that Harrington just parried over to keep the scores level. Danny Marney had the Sports' first chance of the match in the 35th minute on a counter-attack. He was set free by a nicely placed pass by Matty Warner, but he couldn't keep the shot down. The score was 0-0 at halftime, with very few chances on either side.
The game completely changed 3 minutes after halftime when Stuart Tuck gave up a stupid people with a poor challenge inside the box only seconds after Harrington was forced to parry his header away from a possible own goal. The penalty was converted, and Eastbourne were forced to chase the game. Substitute Yemi Odubade almost leveled on the 50th minute, but his shot was parried away. Gareth Graham sent Danny Marney free on the 57th minute, and Marney placed his shot well, equalizing for Eastbourne. After a Saint Albans' attempt went inches wide, Matty Warner made no mistake on a free-kick 23 yards out, knocking right over the wall and giving the oppposing keeper no chance in the 85th minute. A dramatic go ahead goal, and a goal that might possibly lead to a major 3 points. Only 3 minutes later, Phillip Gilder notched his first goal for Eastbourne as Saint Albans' were unable to recover as they threw men forward. With one defender against three attackers, Chris Murphy slid the ball across the box to Gilder who finished easily. To judge add the the chaos, a free-kick taken by the Saint Albans' keeper hit Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade in the head, and bounced into the goal from about 35 yards out.
Eastbourne Borough, 4 - Saint Albans' City, 1
Tom Davis(pen 49)
Danny Marney(56)
Matty Warner(85)
Phillip Gilder(88)
Yemi Odubade(90)
Notes: Cannot be more pleased, we needed luck and we sure got alot of it. After the poor penalty we gave up, I figured it was all over when I was forced to try and open the game back up. The Matty Warner free-kick put in motion the last two goals.
The Attendance at Priory Lane was 677.
Best Performance: Matty Warner. Amazing shot stole three points for Sports in a clutch goal. Absolutely brilliant performance just with that free-kick.
Worst Performance: Stuart Tuck. He's very lucky that penalty didn't cost Eastbourne.
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Eastbourne Borough - Dorchester
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
1/03/05
Line-Up Sheet
Harrington
Holmes
Tuck(c)
Playford
Hemsley
Chapman
Graham
Warner
Marney
Ramsay
Odubade
Subs
Barton
Baker
Smart
Murphy
Brady
Pre-Match Notes: Michael Hall decided to go with the aggressive 4-4-2 formation. Marney moves to the right attacking midfield role for Phillip Gilder who needed the rest. Chapman secures the holding role after a very solid performance two days prior. Scott Ramsay will be paired up with Odubade at the top. Richard Brady, who scored in the first minute in these two teams' last meeting starts on the bench.
If you don't remember the first match against Dorchester, it was the 4-3 thriller at the beginning of the season. Dorchester currently sit 21st on the table.
MatchEastbourne found themselves down afer 9 minutes when Harrington did well to block a shot, but was unable to stop the shot resulting from the rebound by Matty Groves. Yemi Odubade almost equalized shortly after when a Danny Marney cross took a deflection, but his shot was knocked over the bar. Scott Ramsay was tripped up inside the box in the 23rd minute in a reckless challenge and Matty Warner stepped up for the big penalty, and he buried it. Yemi Odubade went just wide in the 34th minute off a Matty Warner cross. Scott Ramsay picked out a run by Danny Marney on the far side, and Marney met his cross with a nice volley that hit the back of the net to give the Sports the lead. Eastbourne went into halftime clearly in control of the match.
Matty Warner almost made it 3-1 in the 62nd minute when substitute Richard Brady's shot took a deflection that fell to Warner but his shot went just wide. Matt Smart picked out Brady out in the 67th minute, and Richard Brady cooly knocked the ball by the keeper from the leftside and gave Eastbourne the two goal advantage.
Eastbourne Borough, 3 - Dorchester, 1
Matt Groves(9)
Matty Warner(pen 24)
Danny Marney(39)
Richard Brady(67)
Notes: We hammered them. Absolutely great result. Couldn't be more happy after another big victory. These two teams we just beat now both sit below us on the table. Major three points.
The Attendance at Priory lane was 864.
Best Performance: Matty Warner, can't seem to praise this player enough.
Worst Performance: Stuart Playford, made a very bad mistake when the game was 1-0, but he was fortunately not punished for it.
Margate - Eastbourne Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Crabble Athletic Ground
1/08/05
Last Meeting: 0-0 at Priory Lane
Line-Up Sheet
Harrington
Holmes
Tuck(c)
Playford
Hemsley
Chapman
Smart
Graham
Warner
Gilder
Marney
Subs
Barton
Murphy
Baker
Smart
Odubade
Pre-Match Notes: First-choice line-up by Michael Hall and after the last couple results, Eastbourne looked to continue their good form, but a draw would be a very good result in this match. Margate currently sit 5th in the table while Eastbourne have fought their way up to 18th.
Match
Che Stadhart went completely unmarked on a corner in the 4th minute and headed the ball past Harrington to give Margate the early lead. After Matt Smart as forced to clear the ball out for a corner, Che Stadhart had another great chance to score by Michael Harrington deflected the ball just over the bar. The half came to an end with Margate in complete control and the Sports not able to get a single shot towards the Margate goal.
Eastbourne got an undeserved equalizer in the 67th minute when subbed on Chris Murphy found Danny Marney in the box and his flicked on header floated over Paul Newell and into the back of the net. Harrington was forced into action in the 74th minute when he made a save off an open header by a Margate striker and the rebounded shot flew over the bar. Che Stadhart went inches wide only a few minutes later when he was left unmarked on ther right side on a crossed in free-kick. Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade almost scored a goal in the 85th minute off a Warner cross but his headed ball was cleared off the line. In the 91st minute, Che Stadhart beat Stuart Playford on a long ball, Michael Harrington came out to make the stop, missed the ball, and Stadhart easily finished to give Margate the lead in stoppage time.
Margate, 2 - Eastbourne Borough, 1
Che Stadhart(4, 90)
Danny Marney(67)
Notes: Tough loss to swallow be we were outplayed today and it was probably the fair result.
The Attendance at Crabble Athletic Ground was 331.
Best Performance: Matty Warner had another great game, he's been on great form.
Worst Performance: Phillip Gilder had a very rare bad match and was subbed off early in the second half.
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Squad Update
Matt Smart reached the 5 yellow card limit and will miss the next game due to suspension.
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Eastbourne Borough - Farnborough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
1/11/05
Last Meeting: 3-0 Farborough at Cherrywood Road
Line-Up Sheet
Harrington
Holmes
Tuck(c)
Playford
Hemsley
Chapman
Myall
Graham
Warner
Gilder
Marney
Subs
Barton
Baker
O. Rowland
Murphy
Odubade
Pre-Match Notes: Stuart Myall comes in for the suspended Matt Smart. Ollie Rowland makes the bench and Danny Marney starts up all-alone up front. Farnborough have beaten Eastbourne 3-0 twice at Cherrywood Road, but the last meeting at Priory Lane in the FA Trophy Cup ended 0-0.
Match
A cross in the 3rd minute went uncontested by the Eastbourne defense and Robert Traynor took full advantage of the easy oppurtunity with a header, giving the visitors an early one goal lead. Only 10 minutes later it was increased to a two goal lead when Stuart Tuck was beat on the left side and the ensuing cross was volleyed in by Lloyd Blackman. In the 32nd minute, Danny Marney broke free past the Farnborough backline and placed the ball just past the right side of the Farnborough keeper to pull a goal back. In an odd statistic, at this point only three shots had been made all game for both teams and all three had found the back of the net. And the trend continued in the 36th minute when Paul Harkness found space in the box and smashed the ball through Michael Harrington. The first missed shot of the match came only a short while later when Danny Marney was denied from close range after a nice run by the forward.
Michael Hall changed around the formation to a much more aggressive look for the second half. Yemi 'Trainwreck' Odubade was denied a half-volleyed goal in the 67th minute in the first real chance of the second half. Gareth Graham went just wide with a shot from long range in the 90th minute but it was still much too late for an Eastbourne comeback.
Eastbourne Borough, 1 - Farnborough, 3
Robert Traynor(3)
Lloyd Blackman(13)
Danny Marney(33)
Paul Harkness(36)
Notes: What more is there to say? Farnborough had three shots all game, all three went in. Frustrating. And we have yet to beat Farnborough in 3 chances. The goal ratio in our meetings is 10-2. At least that fairy Lenny Johnrose didn't score against us.
The Attendance at Priory Lane was 2172.
Best Performance: Danny Marney was a constant threat up front.
Worst Performance: Matty Warner had a very off-game.
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Squad Update
38 year-old Paul Stevens signed a contract Glapwell and will complete the free transfer when his Eastbourne Borough contract expires on July 1st.
Stevens has not factored into the starting eleven yet this season for the Sports.
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Bognor Regis - Eastbour Borough
Conference South League Match
Venue: Nyewood Lane
1/15/05
Last Meeting: 3-1 Bognor Regis at Priory Lane
Line-Up Sheet
Harrington
Holmes
Tuck(c)
Playford
Hemsley
Chapman
Smart
Graham
Warner
Gilder
Marney
Subs
Barton
Murphy
Baker
Myall
Odubade
Pre-Match Notes: Smart is back from suspension and Stuart Myall falls back to the bench. Bognor currently sit 4th in the league while Eastborough currently hold 17th.
Match
Bognor Regis should have taken the lead after only 30 seconds after a very nice movement from the kick-off but Steve McMahon's shot flew over the bar from short range. Steve McMahon made up for his earlier miss when he took a long-range shot and Michael Harrington deflected the ball into his own net. Danny Marney's shot sailed just wide after he was sent through by Matty Warner in the 25th minute and a Matty Warner shot sailed just over the bar a few minutes later. Luke Nightingale put Bognor up 2 goals in the 42nd minute when he made a nice run in the box and headed home a well placed cross.
It was 3-nil just after halftime when a long cross(just past the half line) found a completely unmarked run by Mark Parker. Marney shot went across the goal mouth in the 52nd minute after Phillip Gilder sent him free down the right side in the 52nd minute. Michael Harrington just knocked the ball around the post after Luke Nightingale was sent free through the middle as Eastbourne pushed men forward. A very poor giveaway late in the game just added the embarassment of the match when Stuart Playford's clearance made it just to the penalty spot and the pouncing Bognor player easily finished. Chic Charnley wasn't closed down in the 90th minute and he took the oppurtunity to smash the ball past Michael Harrington from distance.
Bognor Regis, 5 - Eastbourne Borough, 0
Steve McMahon(12)
Luke Nightingale(42)
Mark Parker(48)
Chris King(77)
Chic Charnley(90)
Notes: Ouch.
The Attendance at Nyewood Lane was 1172,
Best Performance: No one had a good match.
Worst Performance: King of the crap today was Stuart Playford. Congratulations Stuart it's a pretty tough feat to be the worst player on a team that just lost 5-nil.
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Squad Update
Kevin Hemsley reached the 5 yellow card limit and will be suspended for the next match.
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Eastbourne Borough - Carshalton
Confernce South League Match
Venue: Priory Lane
1/22/05
Last Meeting: 2-2 at the War Memorial Sports Ground
Line-Up Sheet
Harrington
Holmes
Tuck(c)
Baker
Playford
Chapman
Smart
Graham
Warner
Gilder
Marney
Subs
Barton
Odubade
Murphy
O. Rowland
Myall
Pre-Match Notes: Darren Baker is in for the suspended Hemsley. Ollie Rowland find himself on the bench. Carshalton currently sit 5th on the table while Eastbourne find themselves just above the relagation zone at 19th.
Match
Danny Marney was sent through in the 6th minute by a long ball by Phillip Gilder but his shot went horribly off target and he had another chance when Matty Warner sent a cross in a minute later but his header went over the bar. Michael Harrington was called into action after some actual fine play by the Eastbourne defense and a last ditch tackle by Richard Holmes fell to a Carshalton striker and Harrington did well to parry the shot. After a great clearance by Stuart Playford in the 28th minute, Phillip Gilder gathered the ball and found Danny Marney on yet another one on one, but the forward couldn't be the keeper with his low-driven shot. Carshalton took the lead shortly after when a cross found it's way through the box and found Nic McDonnelll at the end of it who tapped the ball in. After being booked earlier, Matty Warner decided that arguing an unimportant call was very important and promptly got his second booking and was sent off just before halftime.
Yemi Odubade came very close to equalizing in the 71st minute when a deflected pass by Phillip Gilder found him in the box. With the ball at his feet, Odubade turned his man and fired a shot that was just tipped away by the goalkeeper. After a long kick that cleared the backline of Carshalton, Yemi had a perfect oppurtunity to grab a huge equalizing goal in the 80th minute, and with only the keeper to beat Odubade completely misfired. McDonnell should have sealed the points for Carshalton shortly after but he completely