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2023-2024 Season: Cup preparation time…

We now had eleven days between games before the Steel and Sons Cup semi-final. As far as we were concerned though, it was just business as usual for us: three training sessions a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday but no game on the Saturday which meant we could get in an extra session on the Monday following. It would be the same for our next opponents, also being a semi-professional outfit, but the main thing to try and avoid injuries in that time which would force a rethink of who to play in what position. I had an idea of the team I wanted to name but I was equally aware my plans could be thrown into absolute chaos at any time .

One thing was for definite, I was going to ensure the team that would be taking the field would be my strongest one possible despite it being the first match in another hectic spell: we were set to play four matches in just eleven days. Just one of those was going to be a League one as the others were in three different Cup competitions.

The preparation got off to a good start before even the training session had been started. Allister McVeigh, Jonah Magill's deputy between the sticks, had been the target of four clubs in the week previous and I was resigned to think he was going to move on as they all probably were going to offer him a starters role albeit at a lower level to ourselves. Therefore I was pleasantly surprised when Allister advised he was very happy with what his role was at the moment with us, and wanted it to remain that way. You can imagine how delighted we were….

Another player being on the radar of other clubs is central defender Ben Mitchell. Mitchell, 24, who has played all but one game for us this season is rumoured to be a transfer target for our local rivals Queens University, and they have made it public knowledge as such. I've made it abundantly clear to them, Ben is not for sale at all but since he's a non-contracted player there's nothing we can do to stop him leaving if they make a formal approach. We just have to hope that Ben, like others, sees his future with us and not elsewhere. After all, the grass is not always greener if you move on. Just ask many a professional in this beautiful game of ours.

As regards, preparations never run smoothly when you have such a gap between one game and the next as we picked an injury scare 48 hours before the semi-final. The player injured? None other than the afore-mentioned Ben Mitchell who suffered a bruised shin in training which makes him a doubt for the Distillery match. If he fails to recover then Ryan Woods or Ben Gordon will deputise. It's time for heroes to step up and to be counted, nobody wants to on the losing side especially in a semi-final of any Cup competition.

2023-2024 Season: Aaaar-magh, as if we haven't enough of draws recently…but it's better than losing!

After spending the majority of October on the road, we have a series of three consecutive home matches in November before going on the road again as the month ends. To be honest, the Club needs it as it's not got much in terms of finances at the bank but that was something we knew when we took over the position. It also explains why most of the players we have on our books are on non-contract terms and can move between sides without a transfer fee being received.

So our second match in November sees a return to League action, and hopefully not lose a third consecutive game in the bread and butter.

Arriving at The Dub this afternoon are Armagh City, and they are a position above us in the table before kick-off. They are managed by former Ballymena United and Linfield striker Shea Campbell who is still turning out at the age of 42, and is in third spell with the Eagles. After being the favourites to win last week, it's back to normal this week. Armagh are 6-5 favourites to take the three points away with them, with us best priced at 2-1. You can get 5-2 if you think the sides will shake hands on a point apiece.

The Dub, Belfast

Attendance: 99 (3 away)

After making eight changes for the Killyleagh Cup game, we brought them all back to the starting eleven for the visit of the Eagles. Despite Sean Hill having a Man of the Match game against in the Cup, I went with Cian Stewart and Ernestas Verenka as I felt that they were the wingers more in form that the others we have at present in those positions. Naturally every position was covered on the seven-man substitutions bench as we like to do all the time. Eagles boss Campbell named himself on the bench which also included his goalkeeping coach too. A win for either side in the rain at The Dub would do them the world of good as they aim to get back into the fringes of the promotion race at this early stage of the season.

Naturally we started off again, slow which we have become accustomed to now bar the incredible xG we accumulated against Killyleagh. However, the game exploded with three goals in 11 first half minutes. The Eagles opened the scoring in the 27th minute when Ruairi (pronounced Rory) Duffy dispossessed Louis Blackstock in midfield and after the ball was recycled, found the ball at his feet just outside the penalty area and smashed home a shot that beat Jonah Magill at his near post. We equalised seven minutes later when Zach Annett's long ball forward was allowed to bounce in the away penalty area by Jordan Lyttle and top scorer Jonathan Doyle took it on to slide home a shot past Conner Byrne from an acute angle as the keeper looked to narrow the angle available for the chance.

We were prised open again in the 38th minute and to be honest it was horrible, horrible goal to concede. Duffy split open the defence with a ball into Conor Mullen and despite the close attentions Mark McCullagh and Andrew Ferguson, he was allowed to squeeze pass into strike partner and skipper Stefan Lavery who had the simple task of tapping home. The rain had abated for the second half and we knew that we needed to get the next goal as quickly as possible to avoid chasing the game. McCullagh swung in a deep cross from the right and Doyle climbed highest to head in his second of the afternoon and eighth of the season. The striker could have won it in time added-on when he connected with a Stewart cross but this time the header went over the bar.

For his double, Doyle collected the Man of the Match beers in a game where most of his team-mates were off the pace. It was his third Man of the Match award from 13 appearances this season. Next up, Distillery in the Steel and Sons Cup semi-final and a shot at redemption.

2023=2024 Season: The word on the street is…DRAW!

I was so happy to get the Killyleagh Irish Cup out of the way, and even better that we managed to get through despite making a raft of changes. I would have felt rather embarrassed if we had gone out to them especially considering the standard we play at and what they do, and that is not a dig at Killyleagh whatsoever. We have had, League Cup aside, been very good in the Cup competitions this season and are actually only 180 minutes away from picking some silverware already if truth be told.

We have to be happy with that.

Monday night on the Sports round-up on BBC Newsline NI, the draw for the fourth round of the Irish FA Cup was made, As one of 11 teams from our division in the hat, only Dollingstown (victims of Dunmurry Rec in the second qualifying round) and, Portstewart and Tobemore United (who lost to fellow Premier Intermediate League sides): there was every chance that we could get a divisional rival in the stage before the Championship and Premiership make their respective entries to the Cup arena. And guess what, we drew a divisional opponent:

We are yet to play Banbridge this season, and were actually going to play them on the date now earmarked for the Irish Cup encounter. As such the league game has been rescheduled for what was a blank weekend; the week before. Guess we will have an idea then in that dress rehearsal. Unlike the previous round, there will be no mass changes for this game.

It seems that the recent run of games has really appeased Mark McCullagh. The veteran, if you recall, was a bit of a moaning Minnie Mouse a few weeks previous and wanted a run in the first eleven. Which he has had, and I'm hoping he will realise that it's a squad game when I possibly rotate the defence in the next few weeks or so. The biggest problem I have at the moment looms in January when Ernestas Verenka, Raul Zabrauteanu and Nicholas Turkington all leave for pastures new. All three can play left wing, and in Turkington's case: also play left back. As of yet, I have been unable to find any replacements from the free agent market which is the only type of market I can access until the window opens again in January.

Having had a steady match against Killyleagh, number two ‘’keeper Allister McVeigh is attracting attention from four sides although lower in standard to ourselves. I really hope he decides to stay because that will be another area of recruitment I will need to address as I ideally want three keepers as a bare minimum on the books. 

That same Thursday saw BBC Radio Ulster broadcast on air, the second round draw of the Intermediate Cup. Which team would be our reward for sending Ballyclare Comrades out in the First Round?  We were drawn in the fourth tie of the last 64:

Divisional foes Tobemore United are our opponents, and this game sandwiches the two matches against Banbridge. We have played them twice this season, once in a seven goal thriller in pre-season and then a 2-1 win at Fortwilliam Park on the first Saturday in October when Jonathan Doyle scored a dramatic winner four minutes into six added-on at the end of the second half. We'll take something similar for sure. Tobemore overall, have not had a great season in League and Cup and their 5-0 First Round demolition of Portadown BBOB (which I think stands for Boys Brigade Old Boys) remains their only win in their last seven matches. I might plan the odd change or three for the Irish Cup tie against Banbridge just four days later but not sure where to tweak.

2023-2024 Season: Better late than never….

After the euphoria of the win at Ballyclare on my birthday, it was a case of switching our attentions to the Northern Irish FA Cup at the weekend. Aside of the League campaign, this is one competition I really want a decent shot and make the stages where the Premiership sides such as Linfield, Crusaders, Cliftonville, Purple Bricks FC (Larne) and Glentoran come into the equation.

Imagine us hosting one of the big names at a sold-out The Dub? Sounds delightful…but let's not get too ahead of ourselves!

We enter at the Third Qualifying Round, which is two stages before said Premiership sides enter. Our opponents on Saturday are KIllyleagh Youth whose standard is two divisions below our own. They've beaten Chimney Corner and Crumlin United to get to where they are now, and we are going to treat them with the respect a higher ranked side should give a lesser one. Because we're the higher ranked team, for once we're seen as favourites to win the game itself with the bookies having us at 8-15, Killyleagh are 5-1 and it's 3-1 to be a draw.

The Dub, Belfast

Attendance: 294 (85 away)

Because we were playing a lesser ranked side in Killyleagh, I was sorely tempted to make wholesale changes. As it was, I made eight in all which included a rare start in goal for Allister McVeigh and three of the back four swapped. Of the side that started at Ballyclare, only Ben Mitchell, Jonathan Doyle and skipper Johnny Wilson stayed in the starting eleven. I saw it as a chance for players such as Ryan Woods and Rory McLaughlan to show me what they are made of as well as Craig Briers, Sean Hill and Raul Zabrauteanu to force my hand a bit in terms of future team selections. Killyleagh had a side out where the oldest players on show for them were a mere 21. They had nothing to lose, but everything to gain.

Words were advised not to guard against complacency because we were playing in effect, a bunch of kids. The expectation was that we would win and win comfortably too but despite being on the front foot, as I wanted, Killyleagh actually took the lead in the 20th minute and what a strike it was! Some well constructed passing saw the ball land at the feet of Curtis Craig at the edge of the penalty area, and the lone striker turned Mitchell before absolutely walloping a shot beyond McVeigh and into the net. A goal that wouldn't have looked out of place in the top divisions for sure. And they kept it that way right the way up to half time leading again to the team being given a few choice bleeps.

The xG had been one of the best we had had all season so far, yet we were behind the proverbial eight ball. Time ticked on, and as I decided to swap Zabrauteanu for Cian Stewart: we equalised. The move was not because of Zabrauteanu having a bit of a ‘mare but in the last few games, Stewart has really been direct with his wing play. That equaliser came in the 70th minute when the afore-mentioned Zabrauteanu’s low cross find Doyle who was denied point blank by Jonathan Holland but the rebound pop out to Hill who tapped home. Sensing Killyleagh were tiring, I urged the players on for a winner as I didn't fancy extra time nor penalties. Surely we could find a winner that our domination deserved, and we did with three minutes to go when substitute Aaron Cochrane sent Hill raiding down the right and another low cross was met by Doyle as the Killyleagh defence dawdled for the winner. We deserved it, but had made hard work of it too.

For scoring one and creating the winner, Sean Hill received the Man of the Match beers. That said, all the starting front three played very well indeed and Craig Briers had a very good game at right-back. So do I continue with him there in seven days time or recall Mark McCullagh: one of the highly influential figures in the dressing room.

We now have seven days to prepare for the visit of Armagh City, but back to back wins will surely give us a bit of confidence going forwards. Makes a change from playing Saturday-Midweek-Saturday as we have done recently.

2023-2024 Season: Birthday presents in Ballyclare

Saturday's loss to bottom placed Limavady made it back to back losses in the league for us, and left us exactly halfway after seven matches. It had more complications than losing to the then basement dwellers, as results elsewhere meant we're just three points adrift of the new bottom placed side: Portstewart so unless we arrest (if you pardon the pun) this slide quickly then we could hurtle down the table quicker than Franz Klammer descending Kitzbuhel.

After such an impressive beginning, we're unravelling like Granny's knitted jumper at the moment.

Tuesday, gave us an away trip to Ballyclare on my birthday. The Intermediate Cup isn't a priority as much as some might picture but it's like any competition you enter: you've got to put the hard yards in to compete and advance. However, Ballyclare Comrades are a division above us in the league pyramid and lie 5th in the Championship after 12 games played. So naturally the bookmakers have the Comrades as favourites to progress with a best priced 4-6.  Obviously they think we have very little hope and are 7-2 to advance, it's 11-4 if you fancy a draw.

Dixon Park, Ballyclare

Attendance: 119 (37 away)

The Intermediate Cup meant we were back to naming just five substitutes instead of seven, so Jack Graham and Sean Hill were the ones to miss out from the squad that were on duty in Limavady last Sunday. I resisted the call to bring back Craig Briers in place of Mark McCullagh at right-back, believing the veteran would justify his inclusion with a good performance. However I did make one change, and that was to include Lithuanian winger Ernestas Verenka on the left wing in place of Nicholas Turkington to try and get more consistency in that position. The home side had youth team keeper Robbie Mather in between the posts, in fact none of their side was aged over 25. There was no place at all in the sixteen for former Coleraine and Crusaders defensive stalwart Howard Beverland; a veteran of 370 top division games.

Naturally we were under the proverbial pump from the start, but for some reason the home strikers seemed to have forgotten their shooting boots as the efforts were tamely at Jonah Magill or widely off target leaving their supporters completely perplexed and thinking they would pay the ultimate price. With this happening, we had the feeling that we might just be able to spring a surprise if we could manufacture a chance on goal. But their defence was proving a tough nut to crack open and I was preparing myself for saying “Job well done so far” at half time when the deadlock was broken in the first of two minutes added on and surprisingly enough it was us that scored it. McCullagh tried to play the ball into Jonathan Doyle but home defender Owen McConville got a foot in. The ball would land at the feet of Cian Stewart who steered the ball across Mather and low into the far corner for a shock lead. It was his team-leading sixth of the season.

The second half was a carbon copy as the Comrades looked to try to get back on level terms and save themselves from what their supporters were seeing as an embarrassing Cup exit. However, the 37 away fans were sensing something completely polar opposite and the perfect way to celebrate. Could we bag the icing on the cake or would we capitulate under the incessant pressure eventually? Yet time ticked on, and we got a corner in second half added-on time. Verenka delivered, and after the corner was headed out back to him - the Lithuanian winger crossed for Ben Mitchell to rise the highest and head in the clincher! Happy Birthday the away fans serenaded as the final whistle sounded just seconds later. A remarkable effort considering we had just the two efforts on target from six all game and both resulted in goals. Beautiful.

Mitchell was the choice for the Man of the Match beers but the back four as a whole were fantastic on the whole.

D

2023-2024 Season: Another case of the away day blues…

We had a week's break before the next game, which was on the road to the division's bottom placed side. Having lost in our last league match, we were hoping that the impressive showing against East Belfast would spur us on towards another win. But we couldn't take anything for granted, after all we were in a position that the media were not expecting us to be in.

Play to our strengths and we will be fine, right?

Despite being without a win in five, Limavady were installed as 11-10 favourites to take the win against us by those bookmakers. Our best price was around 11-5 with a draw best priced at 5-2. We knew full well that if we took the points on offer, and results went our way elsewhere then we could ascend the table again. The question was: could we do it?

Limavady Showgrounds, Limavady

Attendance: 101 (5 away)

With it being a league game, we were back to naming seven substitutes so we again covered all bases with our choices for the bench. The starting eleven showed a single change from the side that had appeared seven days previous. Andrew Ferguson came back into central defence at the expense of Jack Graham who had a reasonably decent match at East Park but not outstanding. Mark McCullagh kept his place at right back ahead of Craig Briers and I felt that this side had more than enough to defeat the basement dwellers. The Roesiders had a youthful squad out on duty keen to impress and make their collective mark on the game but this was offset by the experience provided by former Coleraine winger Ian Parkhill, centre half Graham Crown (who had played for a number of years at Institute and also Coleraine) and stalwart skipper Hugh Carlin who was in his ninth successive season at the Showgrounds.

In a game which had very few clear cut chances because of incessant rain throughout, we went behind three minutes before half time. A long range effort from Crown was parried by Jonah Magill, and as our defence hesitated, Parkhill drove home the rebound. We were being beaten by the league's bottom placed side and had been reduced to being absolute mediocre. I made changes, and it looked like nothing would come until we drew level with 19 minutes left on the clock. Skipper Johnny Wilson's pass saw two home defenders collide with each other in a moment of slapstick comedy; leaving Cian Stewart with an unchallenged run on goal and the loan signing advanced before confidently placing a shot into the far corner for 1-1.

We hoped that we would kick on from there and take the points. However, Stewart's effort turned out to be our only effort on target in the entire game as we continued to play absolute shocking football. With us hopelessly out of tune, the Roesiders had the chance to grab a morale boosting win and they got it with just three minutes to go. They recycled possession after Wilson half cleared, and the ball found its way to skipper Carlin who literally crunched it home from fully 25 yards out with Magill given no chance at all.

Hugh Carlin was the recipient of the Man of the Match beers with Stewart being the best performer from our shower of dog poo…

2023-2024: Six of the best…once again!

The midweek defeat in Lisburn really stung, especially considering how well we were playing beforehand. The fact our solid defence just collapsed like the proverbial deck of playing cards in just four minutes of sheer madness was unbelievable to say the least. Not even an improved second half showing could rectify the damage that had been done. So we watched those four minutes over and over again like a bad horror movie, dissecting the frailties.

We knew we had to get back to winning ways as soon as, ideally next game.

Before the next match, experienced defender Mark McCullagh expressed a few concerns that he wasn't getting as many games as he liked. Granted Craig Briers has been playing reasonably well, I felt MM needed a chance or two to show me what he can bring to the table. If he performs, he will stay in: simple as. One player who is happy though is back up keeper Allister McVeigh has pledged his future to us despite rumoured interest elsewhere; he's a very capable deputy to Jonah Magill. Just the tonic ahead of Saturday…

Saturday takes us to East Park, the home of East Belfast, in the quarter finals of the Steel and Sons Cup. This is a real chance to get into the semi-finals and within touching distance of a piece of silverware already. The bookies have priced both sides at 8-5 with 5-2 your best price for a draw. They're gonna fancy their chances, we just have to be up for the task in hand.

East Park, Belfast

Attendance: 329  (153 away)

In light of Tuesday's loss, we changed two members of the back four but not because we were making them scapegoats. Mark McCullagh was given a chance to prove his worth following his chat midweek whilst Jack Graham was given a start in central defender as we rested Andrew Ferguson. Vice-Captain Craig Briers was the one to make way for McCullagh, but this was not going to be the first time changes like this would happen. The bench was selected so we had cover for all positions should we needed to utilise it. East Belfast had a squad that had a number of Glentoran connections, including Congolese striker Nick Beta  and pacy teenager Jay Dalzell. Can we avoid the banana skin that was in our path?

After a surprisingly cagey start, we took the lead in the 22nd minute. The recalled McCullagh played a throw in to skipper Johnny Wilson who returned the ball to the full back and he in turn teed up Louis Blackstock to drill a sweet half volley into the far corner of the net. Then as half time seemed imminent we had a second; Zach Annett played the ball down the line for Nicholas Turkington who tucked inside to the onrushing Blackstock  to leather in his second of the game and fourth of the season into the top corner. It got better 25 seconds into the second half, Cian Stewart zipping down the right wing before finding Jonathan Doyle who found the net with a shot that clipped the post and in. Dreamland.

There had been little for the home support to cheer over but they did have something in the 49th minute when Beta outstripped Graham for pace before calmly slotting past Jonah Magill. Lithuanian Ernestas Verenka and Jake Moore were then introduced for cameo roles, and it cued up more goals for us. In the 76th minute Verenka's corner was met by a quality header from McCullagh who was certainly making the most of his inclusion, and then three minutes later Stewart again burst down the right and his cross picked out the onrushing Verenka to plant home a header for 1-5.  Dalzell scrambled in a second for the hosts with eight minutes to go after we had got ourselves into a unwanted tangle but we had the final word two minutes from time when McCullagh's punt forward caused indecision from home keeper Wayne Drummond and Moore nipped in to nod the ball home for our sixth of the afternoon. Semi-finals here we come!

There were many good performances out there in such a comprehensive away win, but the Man of the Match beers went to midfielder Louis Blackstock. Left winger Jordan McAdorey was the pick of the East Belfast team.

Minutes after the final whistle, the semi-final draw was made with Queens University, Distillery and Moyola Park joining ourselves in the hat. The draw gave us this.

A wee chance of revenge methinks? And also our first home tie in said competition too…

2023-2024 Season: A loss in Lisburn

After coming away with just a point on Friday night against Rathfriland, we were back in action on the Tuesday with a visit to Lisburn where Distillery were to be our hosts for the night. Distillery of course were the first club side of a certain Martin O'Neill. MON would make just seven appearances for the Whites before the legendary Brian Clough recruited him for Nottingham Forest; and the rest is history.

Could we extend our unbeaten run to eight games in all competitions tonight?

Well once more the bookmakers thought our chances of winning were remote. They had the home side as 11-10 favourites to take the win tonight with our best price being 9-4. However for those who think we would have a second successive draw on our hands, this was priced at 5-2.

New Grosvenor Stadium, Lisburn

Attendance: 191 (51 away)

We made changes again for tonight's match, in fact it was a double change once more. Zach Annett came for Raul Zabrauteanu in a switch that allowed Nicholas Turkington to move into the left wing spot vacated by the Romanian. The other change was a like for like one with loanee Cian Stewart coming in on the right wing for Sean Hill who like Zabrauteanu, dropped to the substitutes bench. The forward was again led by former Whites striker Jonathan Doyle who was keen to bag his fourth of the season against his ex-employers. The home side were skippered by former Ballyclare striker Joe Tully who has 18 goals in all competitions with 14 of them in the Steel and Sons Cup: and seven of them in one game against Carrick Rangers Reserves. He would be one that we would need to keep a very close eye on it. They also fielded all three of their loanees from the Premiership, two of them from the Reds of Cliftonville.

After the slow starts of the previous games, we opened the scoring after just eight minutes and it was tragic for the home side in the way that it came about.. Veteran defender Adam McCart looked to clear his lines but smacked it against team-mate Gerard Storey and saw it squirt loose into the path of Doyle who took a touch before twisting and blasting the ball into the net from the outside of the penalty area; giving home keeper Craig Robinson no chance whatsoever. Some way to open the scoring. Yet we imploded on the half hour as we conceded three times in just four mad minutes. Tully scored the equaliser, his 19th of the season, and then had contributions in the other two as we came apart in a state of disbelief.

Thankfully we didn't concede any more but to go from 1-0 up to 3-1 down so easily, meant that there were a number of harsh home truths said in the away dressing room at the interval. It had to be done to see if it could change our fortunes. As it happened, we came out with more fight as if we couldn't let this carry on at all, and we were rewarded with a second goal ten minutes into that second half. A surging run into the box from skipper Johnny Wilson saw him baulked by Mark McKee as he looked to pull the trigger. Penalty! Up stepped Andrew Ferguson to convert high into the net for his fourth of the season of which three have come from the spot in as many attempts. Alas we couldn't grab a third and equalising goal despite having 35 minutes to do so, and slipped to our first defeat since 27 August when Crusaders beat us 2-0 in the League Cup.

Whites skipper Tully, who had been a handful all night, took away the Man of the Match beers whilst Doyle was deemed to be our best performer in the second league loss of the season. This leaves us with an identical number of wins, draws and losses after six games and a goal difference that is neither in the positive or the negative. Queens University still lead the way with an immaculate record of six wins from six. their latest being a 2-1 home success over Portstewart where Matt McManus scored the winner 19 minutes from the end. That same evening saw Moyola Park and Limavady United serve up a 6-4 win for the Park at Coleraine Showgrounds. Not a dull match, then?

I just love how you start somewhere obscure @tongey  - this is just like days of yore. Stories like this are much more enjoyable than watching video stream stories in my opinion. It feels like retro Susie stories this way…..

Have recently started on a FM24 save of my own with a bit of a difference, may return to the FM19 and FM20 ones at some point in the future. 

More updates coming soon, bit busy with work related commitments.

Welcome back Tongey lad.

2023-2024 Season: Under the Lights

After the drama in Tobemore, we played a rare Friday night game under the lights of the Dub as we entertained Rathfriland Rangers. Rathfriland were our first competitive opponents of the season after we had finished with our pre-season friendlies. That game saw us edge past the visitors on their own patch, 2-1 after extra time thanks to a Louis Blackstock goal. 

Could we repeat the dose on own pitch this time?

it does seem though the bookmakers don't think we are as good as what our recent performances say we are. They have priced Rathfriland as 6-5 favourites to take the three points on offer tonight. We have been best priced at 2-1 whilst it is 5-2 for the fixture to end in a draw.

The Dub, Belfast

Attendance: 96 (7 away)

Despite winning at Tobemore, I opted to make a couple of changes for the Friday night fixture. Nicholas Turkington replaced Zach Annett at left back whilst Sean Hill, who created that last gasp winner, was on the right wing in place of loanee Cian Stewart. With Ryan Worthington still feeling his thigh a bit, we brought in Lithuanian Ernestas Verenka onto the bench. In fact, we had cover for every possible position which is a manager's dream. Rathfriland started each one of their three loan signings from the Premiership which further illustrated the pulling power between the sides. They were skippered by 40 year old midfielder Andy Kilmartin who started his career at Celtic but never made an appearance for the Glaswegian giants. He would then play almost 400 games in the top flight here with Glentoran, Distillery and Glenavon: but could our own skipper Johnny Wilson get the better of him?

Our first league match this season under the lights was an even affair with both sides having an equal amount of shots but neither side was more prolific in front of goal, although the match statistics seemed to suggest we were. The goals for ourselves and Rathfriland came either side of the half time interval with the away side taking the lead five minutes before the break when Aodhan Doherty, on loan from Linfield, crossed to the back post where fellow loanee Jordan Mooney rose high above Nicholas Turkington to place a header into the roof of the net.

We would equalise three minutes after the interval when a half cleared corner was headed out to Jonathan Doyle who laid it off to Turkington who in turn found Gary Brown 25 yards out. The veteran hit it first time and it simply rocketed into the net with Rathfriland's Ronan Burns given no chance whatsoever. Neither side could find a winner in the 42 plus 6 minutes  that followed, and we shook hands on a draw. Despite not winning, we rose a place to third as our incredible start to the season continued. Elsewhere, Queens University made it five from five with a 3-1 away win at Armagh City.

Newry City loanee Mooney, who tortured Turkington all night, took home the Man of the Match beers with goalscorer Brown being our best performer.

2023-2024 Season: Moving serenely onwards….

After that great win at Tobemore United, where we showed our great powers of recovery to turn defeat at one stage into a last gasp victory, our next game is Friday night against Rathfriland Rangers.

Such was the way we showed resilience of the highest order, we got three nominations in the Team of the Week. Goalscorers Johnny Wilson and Jonathan Doyle were named as was impact substitute Sean Hill whose all-important header put the ball into the danger zone for Doyle's dramatic winner. The actual team was as follows:

A very nice reward for all three players indeed.

We go into Friday night's match with a clean bill of health throughout the entire squad. Back up striker Ryan Worthington pulled up on the Monday with a tight thigh strain but it was not serious to keep him out of action for too long. The afternoon of the game saw us involved in yet another Cup draw, this time the First Round Proper of the Intermediate Cup. When our tie was drawn there were just eight teams left in the hat, anyone would think that we hadn't been included. Anyway we were handed a tough draw as you can see.

Yeah it's trip to Championship side Ballyclare Comrades who are having a similarly decent season in the second tier as we are having in the third. Instead of switching the trip to Limavady United for a second time, we will be playing in Ballyclare on Hallowe'en night which coincides with my birthday. I wouldn't mind a win on the night as a present, that would really scare everyone and give notice that this side is not to be taken too lightly by anyone. For sure, we aren't here to be just one of the numbers…we want to be successful in our own right!

2023-2024 Season: Back to the bread and butter of the League

We had begun October with the draw of the Irish Cup, but were still awaiting to find out where we would travel in the Steel and Sons Cup quarter-final. Tuesday night, and our opponents were confirmed. In a bit of goal fest at East Park, it was home side East Belfast who will be our opponents as they overcome visitors Valley Rangers 6-3. In goal for the visitors was Ryan Dalzell, a former Glentoran schoolboy prospect who will be joining us at the end of the winter window.

With us playing our quarter-final, the away trip to Distillery has been re-arranged for the Tuesday before this Cup game. It's a jam packed schedule for sure hence we need a strong squad, depth-wise, if we are to remain competitive in every game that we feature in.

Our first game in October is a league encounter with Tobemore United. We locked horns with United in our pre-season schedule and came out on top by the odd goal in seven at the Dub with central defender Andrew Ferguson starring with a brace. Can we build on a successful month of September and go six games unbeaten, a club record? Naturally enough the bookies didn't agree as they had the home side as 7-5 favourites, us best priced at 7-4 and 5-2 for a draw.

Fortwilliam Park, Tobemore

Attendance: 100 (5 away)

We made just the single change from the side that comprehensively defeated Dromara Village in the Fourth Round of the Steel and Sons Cup seven days ago. That change was left back where Zach Annett came in for Nicholas Turkington, who dropped to the substitutes bench. United's side contained former Moyola Park midfielder Daniel McIlhatton, experienced full back Shane Mulgrew as well as striker Gary Keane who is in his eighth season with them.

Once more we made a slowly beginning with United controlling proceedings as incessant rain made it very hard to maintain a serious foothold of the game. However, we started to get a bit more confident and twice struck the post through Jonathan Doyle and skipper Johnny Wilson with the 'keeper beaten all ends up on both occasions, Yet in between both efforts, Tobemore took the lead in the 34th minute when Owen McKeown escaped down the right before drilling in a low cross to the near post where skipper Keane tucked it home.

A few home truths were said in the dressing room as we look to get back on level terms. With things looking unchanged, we made a change just before the hour with Turkington coming into the defensive midfield role in place for veteran Gary Brown. We planned a second change shortly afterwards, to take off Jonathan Doyle as the striker was getting very little joy up front. But an equaliser changed that in the 63rd minute, Doyle picking the ball up just inside the United half and then going on a run before teeing up Wilson to drive home a shot from just inside the penalty area. That equaliser got our tails up, and we believed we could go on and win. It looked like a draw would be the outcome until a dramatic winner in the fourth minute of six added-on, Ben Mitchell lofted it forward and substitute Sean Hill headed it in the danger area when Doyle rose to head in from six yards out. Victory grasped from the jaws of defeat.

For his dramatic change in fortunes where he created the equaliser and scored the winner, striker Jonathan Doyle took the Man of the Match beers for the second time this season.

The win took us to a remarkable fourth place in the table, definitely overachieving. Elsewhere our local rivals Queens University maintained their 100 per cent record with a 3-0 home win over Coagh United since Dollingstown lost theirs despite coming from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Distillery at Planters Park. Attention now switches to a rare Friday night fixture under the Dub's floodlights, can we keep the momentum high?

2023-2024 Season: The beginning of October

So we are in the quarter finals of the Steel and Sons Cup, a tournament that we won in 1993 and have been runners-up three times in our history.

The draw for this latest stage was on conclusion of Saturday's matches, and sees us again on travels. We have been drawn against East Belfast or Valley Rangers with the tie being played on 21 October 2023. This fixture coincides with a league match at Distillery, the first ever club side of a certain Martin O'Neill before he made his name with Nottingham Forest. It's likely that one of these will be re-arranged.

The outstanding East Belfast/Valley Rangers is to be played at East Park, Belfast on 3 October 2023.

As we entered a new month, the Club chairperson Ken Green called us in for a wee chat and said he's very happy with how things are going. Hopefully we can start to kick on further after that and gain more success with maybe a bit of silverware chucked in for good measure. We're in five different competitions which illustrates why I felt we needed a large squad with cover in all positions being required.

The first Saturday in November also sees us start our adventure in the Irish FA Cup, and we have been given this particular draw in the Third Qualifying Round stage:

Our opponents are Killyleagh Youth Club who play in the fifth tier of the Northern Irish football structure. They have a young squad with the oldest players being 21: goalkeeper Jonathan Holland, central defender Aaron McKeown and striker Conor Dunne. The fixture replaces the league fixture at Limavady United which had been scheduled for that day, as a result it has been moved to the Saturday before but there's every chance it will be moved again as it is the First Round stage in the Intermediate Cup.

Before I post the next updates, I thought I would tell you about future stories which will be included in this collection. All stories will begin in 2023.

England - The Monkey Challenge: Get Hartlepool United into the second tier for the first time in their history and survive for a whole season. Time limit of 7 seasons.

Italy - Foggia Fortunes: In the 1990s, Foggia were an established Serie A side with players such as Bryan Roy, 'Beppe Signori and Luigi Di Biagio in their side under the management of Zdenek Zeman. Our task is to get them back there within five seasons.

Scotland - From Small Acorns Grow: We take charge of Bonnyrigg Rose and look to make them a Premier Division side in six seasons whilst also beat both Glasgow giants at least once in a season.

Sweden - The Potter Challenge: Graham Potter took Östersunds FK from the fourth tier to European football in five seasons. Our task is to pick a team from the lowest possible Swedish playable division and get them into Europe in the same amount of time.

If anyone else wants to add a challenge to this story in addition to those above, please let me know via PM. Thanks.

NB: I don't have all playable nations patch added onto my installation because of space constraints. Please bear this in mind when considering a challenge for me.

2023-2024 Season: September ends with another Cup match

So the second month comes to an end with yet another Cup game for us. Out of the five matches we have played in September, four of them have been away from home and three of them have come in the Steel and Sons Cup. Whilst the Board don't expect us to take the trophy, they do want us to put up a decent showing in the competition and that's what we are all about here. Today we head to the Down village of Dromara to take on their local side with a place in the last eight at stake for the winners. The hosts are managed by former Ballymena United and Glenavon striker James Costello.

Can we finish the month with our fourth win in the last five matches?

Bells Bridge, Dromara

Attendance: 107 (15 away)

With a place in the quarter-finals the winners' reward, I opted to field a very strong side this time out. Jonathan Doyle, who was outstanding in the previous round against Rosemount Rec, remained in the lone striker role whilst Raul Zabrauteanu came back on the left wing with Nicholas Turkington taking the left back spot ahead of Zach Annett. Craig Briers was also recalled in the right back position ahead of Mark McCullagh. The home side featured veteran goalkeeper John Connolly, 45 years young and a former top division custodian with Cliftonville.

The game kicked off in a downpour which made it hard for everyone to keep control of the ball on the slippery surface and for the first 20-odd minutes; we seemed to be affected by it more than them. A few choice words woke the Lads from the slumber, and three goals in just six minutes ended the tie as a contest before the 35th minute mark had been reached. In the 27th minute, Ben Mitchell's lofted ball forward landed at the feet of Doyle whose goalbound effort was diverted into his own net by Sam McKeown. Five minutes later we had a second, Louis Blackstock finding Zabrauteanu wide left and the Romanian cut inside before hammering home a shot into the net off the underside of the bar.

The cheers from the away support had barely subsided when we had our third. Skipper Johnny Wilson passed to Cian Stewart who had drifted inside from his right wing spot, and the Welders loanee unleashed a 20 yard effort that found the net, although Connolly will be angry at himself for letting the effort squeeze under him. It was his third goal for us since signing on loan, and in only his fifth appearance. We could have had more but did score a fourth with five minutes to go, McKeown tripping Stewart as they tangled in a chase for a Turkington ball. The forward picked himself up to drill the resultant spot kick perfectly in the bottom left hand corner for a team-leading fourth of the season. Quarter-finals here we come!

For his two goal performance, Cian Stewart took home the beers as he was declared Man of the Match for the first time this season.

After a slow beginning to the game, we controlled it with ruthless efficiency. Another very impressive xG stat which is very pleasing indeed!

2023-2024 Season: Time to to reflect on things so far.

We had a two and half week gap between games as the month of September draws to its conclusion. Being a part time outfit, with most of our players being amateurs means that they don't train as much as the professionals actually do. In fact,  we train alternative days like most teams in our division which in our case is Monday, Wednesday and Friday unless we have a midweek game.

Therefore it's a case of hoping that we don't pick up any injuries in that schedule. However, having a reserve team in place is a step forwards as we can have settled squads of first teamers and reserves. The objective behind that is that cover for all positions in each squad so we can adapt accordingly. The league table at the end of September is as follows:

Queens, one of our biggest rivals, lead the way at this early stage on the basis that they have scored one more goal than second placed Dollingstown. We would have been fourth if we had held on that bit longer against Ballymacash. It's surprising to see both Warrenpoint Town and Distillery (the latter being the club which launched the career of a certain Martin O'Neill) languishing in the bottom half but I'm sure both will pick up as long as it's not our expense. Expect more changes to come in this table as this season unfolds.

We finish this season with the Fourth Round of the Steel and Sons Cup, and our third away trip in succession in it. This is also the last sixteen stage of the competition which we are seemingly doing better than expected. If we can be competitive in every competition that we are in, whether it be League or Cup, then this will stand us in decent stead as we plan to progress. Once more though, the bookmakers are expecting us to fail again with their odds: Dromara Village (who play in the fourth tier, we play in the third) are seen as 5-4 favourites to advance, we're 2-1 and it's 5-2 the draw. With no midweek game after this, I'm torn between naming a strong side and picking a rotated line up like I have done in the last two rounds. 

One thing is for sure, we will be playing the same formation that we have since I took over. There's no point in changing that. But who starts and who doesn't is the conundrum we have to deal with. Can we make the quarter-finals? That would be nice… 

2023-2024 Season: More Steel and Sons Cup action

After being held to a 1-1 draw at home by Ballymacash Rangers thanks to them scoring an injury  time equaliser, we move back into Cup mode in midweek. We have played three games and lie in seventh place which is above what the pundits are expecting us to have. Midweek sees us to travel again for the Steel and Sons Cup game, this time to Islandview Road in Greyabbey to take on Rosemount Rec.

We got to this stage after seeing off Newbuildings United in the Second Round stage thanks to goals from Cian Stewart and Mark McCullagh (penalty) in a 2-1 victory. “The Mount” , as our hosts are known as, are the bookmakers favourites to make Round Four despite playing a division below, they have been priced as 6-4 favourites with us at 13-8 and 5-2 the draw. Naturally we will be resting a few names from Saturday's match despite this being our final game of September unless we are successful.

The teams named are as follows:

Islandview Road, Greyabbey

Attendance: 49 (15 away)

Our side showed three changes from the side that were in league action a few days before with McCullagh, Nicholas Turkington and Jonathan Doyle coming in for Craig Briers, Sean Hill and Raul Zabrauteanu. Our hosts are captained by Ryan Newberry who was once on the books of Glentoran, but is best known for his spells at Ards Rangers and playing in the second tier with Knockbreda. it will be a tough encounter for sure.

What would unfold, would be an outstanding away performance to secure a Fourth Round berth. However for the first 30 odd minutes, it was a tight affair with both sides refusing to yield to the other but we were the ones that broke the deadlock. 11 minutes before half time, Gary Brown played a short free kick to the recalled Doyle who found the back of the net from 20 yards out. A fantastic effort.  Five minutes later, we doubled the advantage when Turkington's free kick to the far post was nodded back into the danger by McCullagh to Andrew Ferguson who hooked in his third of the season from six yards. Three minutes before half time though, Rosemount halved the deficit when Zach Annett was dispossessed clearing his lines, and Newberry's cross was driven home by right back Jay Collins: giving Jonah Magill no chance whatsoever.

The second half was only a couple of minutes old when we bagged our third. Some concerted pressure saw skipper Johnny Wilson tee up midfield partner Louis Blackstock to drill home from just inside the area. We added a fourth seven minutes later, Turkington's corner being met by a thumping Ben Mitchell header. It was the signal for some home fans to leave and more left when we added goals five and six in the last quarter of an hour. Firstly in the 74th minute, Mitchell played in Doyle who finished calmly for his second of the night and almost immediately afterwards another Turkington delivery was this time headed in by Gary Brown for the veteran's first goal since re-joining us in the summer. Rosemount were well beaten, but scored a consolation second in time added on when David Moore found the net but by that time the majority of the home support had gone home.

Jonathan Doyle was given the nod for the Man of the Match beers for an excellent performances.

Just look at that xG, unbelievable! And even more remarkable when you consider the possession stat too…Our reward for winning this; is the following Fourth Round tie, which sees us again drawn away from home…

Gameplay on hold whilst I recover from a couple of procedures in hospital 

2023-2024 Season: League Match 3

After playing midweek, it was back to the bread and butter of the league on Saturday as we entertained Ballymacash Rangers at The Dub. Rangers hail from a very loyalist area just outside of the city of Lisburn, and their fans have naturally a fondness too to that of the Glaswegian side of the same name. We brought back a lot of the players that were rested midweek hence these were the sides selected:

The Dub, Belfast

Attendance: 140 (57 away)

After impressing in midweek as a striker, Stewart was again given the main striker role ahead of Jonathan Doyle and Jake Moore. The bench reflected cover for all positions in the side which is ideal for us when making substitutions. Ballymacash named former Glentoran players Francis “Fra” Brennan and Carl McComb in their starting eleven as well as former Coleraine midfielder Gareth Tommons; all who have played in the top division. Former PSNI striker Tony Tumelty was on the bench for the visitors, would he come back and haunt his former site?

The first half saw us edge matters in terms of chances created, but we would not break the deadlock until the first of three minutes added-on. A loose pass from Rangers' Thomas McComb was intercepted by Louis Blackstock who threaded it onto Stewart who took a touch before finding the net from fully 25 yards out. A proper highlight reel of a goal. The lead lasted until the second minute of time added-on in the second half when Rangers' substitute Gary Warwick cut inside Zach Annett and Ben Mitchell to arrow in an effort to the corner that Jonah Magill had no chance whatsoever of saving. It was an unstoppable effort indeed, meaning the game had a couple of long range specials. Honours shared meaning we have had a win, a draw and a loss in our first three league matches played. Consistency, eh?

Gary Warwick was given the nod for the Man of the Match beers; whilst skipper Johnny Wilson was deemed as our best performer on the day.

2023-2024 Season: Post-Warrenpoint activity with Steel and Sons Cup Round Two action

Winning at Warrenpoint Town has to be the pinnacle of my short career at PSNI so far. But football likes to throw up surprise results from time to time, and that has to be up with it. Imagine if it defines both 'Points and our season in the long term. However, we cannot afford to let ourselves carried away with this single result, we have a busy schedule ahead of us which continues with an evening away trip to Newbuildings United in the Toals Steel and Sons Cup Second Round which is a potential banana skin since they play at a lower standard to us.

I will be making a series of changes for the game, not the full eleven, but a considerable few to give them some match time and keep them content. Ahead of it, we were informed that left winger Nicholas Turkington has agreed to join Wakehurst, who play in the Ballymena and Provincial Intermediate League B when the winter transfer window opens on 1 January 2024. Looks like we will be scouring for a replacement then so we aren't left short on numbers. The ideal candidate or candidates will ideally be able to cover left back and left wing.

Newbuildings Community Centre, Newbuildings

Attendance: 102 (2 away)

One noticeable difference for the Steel and Sons Cup compared to the bread and butter of the League, just five substitutes can be named as opposed to seven, as a consequence you can only make a maximum of three substitutions compared to five in the League games. All in all, I made six changes from the winning starting eleven at Milltown. This included resting veterans Gary Brown and Andrew Ferguson and giving number two 'keeper Alister McVeigh a start in between the posts. I also pushed up loan signing Cian Stewart into a striker role with Sean Hill coming back on the right wing whilst impending departee Turkington was given a run out on the opposing wing. Would the raft of changes pay off or backfire massively? That was the question we needed to answer.

Well we couldn't have wished for an ideal start, as we scored within four minutes. A deep cross to the far post from the left wing by Turkington picked out Stewart who outjumped his marker to head into the net, his first goal for the Club. The game then saw both sides become very wasteful in front of goal when chances were presented with ourselves being very culpable indeed. We needed that second goal to calm any nervous tension, and got it with 13 minutes to play. Mark McCullagh sent in a corner which was challenged by the home side's Gareth O'Hara and our own Kian McConkey, however the former challenged a little too aggressively and the referee pointed to the spot: McCullagh assumed responsibility and blasted it into the top corner. Ethan Gray halved the deficit with three minutes to go, rifling in an unstoppable shot from fully 25 yards that Allister McVeigh saw whizz into the bottom corner. We held on after that but it hadn't been the most polished of performances yet we got the result we wanted.

Nicholas Turkington took home the Man of the Match beers for his efforts tonight.

Our reward for seeing off Newbuildings United is the following tie in Round Three:

Season 2023-2024: League Game 2

Second Saturday of the season, and a trip to the border town of Warrenpoint. “The Point” are everyone's tip to win the title this season, and we couldn't have asked for such a testing trip for our first away trip. We are not expected to come away with anything at all and remain pointless after our opening home and away fixtures. Can we surprise all and sundry?

Milltown, Warrenpoint

Attendance: 351 (7 away)

“The Point” hand a debut to their Premiership loan signing from Purple Bricks FC (Larne), Gibraltar Under 21 internationalist Kye Livingstone. We made a number of changes from the side that lost 2-0 to Crusaders on Tuesday ourselves, this included an instant debut for our loan signing from the Welders: Cain Stewart, whilst Romanian Raul Zabrauteanu was given a shot at redemption after his opening day red card a week ago against Dollingstown. We decided to go into the match with a defensive attitude in the hope we could frustrate Warrenpoint and maybe get something against the odds.

Despite the domination in possession, Warrenpoint were finding our defence unwilling to bend and as a result: see their chances fail to hot the target and untrouble Jonah Magill in our goal. So could we ride out our luck and land a sucker punch on the title favourites. Well we did with 17 minutes left to play when Gary Brown's left wing corner to the far post was met by a thumping header from Ben Mitchell and into the net past Lewis Deane. This set piece play seems to have worked pretty well so far. 

Then with confidence flowing, we hit them with a second just five minutes later when Louis Blackstock split them open with an inch perfect pass and Zabrauteanu showed ice cool nerves to drill past the exposed and advancing Deane for 2-0. They would pull one back in the 85th minute when substitute Jack Deery scored from distance with Magill scrambling to save in vain. However despite this, we held on for a quite incredible win which nobody thought would happen.

Warrenpoint's Ryan Jones took the Man of the Match beers; whilst Louis Blackstock was our best performer on the day.

2023-2024 Season: August draws to an end, and September starts

After losing so narrowly to the Crues and exiting the League Cup, it was down to business again and prepare for our second league game of the season on Saturday afternoon: our first one on the road at that.

However, we had to deal with a few things before looking to select a squad. Two of our defenders were targetted by other teams whilst we looked to bring in another player or two to add more competition for every position in the squad. I made no secret of this desire when the fourth estate called me on the Wednesday morning, well when you have a team where virtually everyone is an amateur and could depart at any given time, you have to be prepared to wheel and deal as often as you can whilst remaining within the constraints of a wage budget. With also the winter transfer window preparing to close on Thursday at 23:00 hours then you've got to strike at just the right point. After that you probably will have to make do with raiding the unattached players list to boost your squad depth.

Anyway as it happened, as I said a couple of our players were given offers to leave The Dub for pastures new and there would be nothing I could to stop them from leaving should they decide to move on. They had been looked at before, and rejected by the players in question initially but they were back for fresh attempts at testing the players' loyalties. Centre halves Ben Mitchell and Jack Graham were the players in question, with Newington of the Championship wanting Ben and our divisional rivals Tobemore United wanting Jack. I told them of the interest, and both came back with the same answer: “Not interested gaffer, want to stay with this bunch of lads.” and that was like music to my ears. I was keen also to add a left back and a right winger to the squad which would ensure I would have options in every possible position. Of the plan, only the right winger berth could be filled so it's going to be looking at the unattached market to fill the former. Joining us on a season long loan, and at no financial impact to us , is the following player:

Cain Stewart, a 20 year old who is comfortable playing either right wing or as a central striker. He joins from Championship side H&W Welders, but is yet to make a single appearance in the professional game for anyone including his parent club.

Meanwhile, since there has been no applicants for the assistant manager's position since we first advertised it I have decided to internally promote coach Kyle McDowell to the position, it just means we need a further coach to back fill. The search for that is underway.

MATCH PREVIEW

Saturday sees us make the trip to the border town of Warrenpoint, and their stadium Milltown. They are the media's prediction to win the title which goes to show what a tough task awaits us on our maiden away trip, and it's made harder when you consider that they were in the Premiership less than ten seasons ago with a 10th placed finish in both 2017-18 and 2018-19 being their best efforts. They have suffered back to back relegations in the last couple of seasons so are trying work their way back up.

Former Glentoran midfielder Jim O'Hanlon features in their midfield as does Stuart Hutchinson who had two spells with us when we were a Championship standard side. Experienced defender John Boyle, now 37, anchors the defence in front of Lewis Deane who has played in the second tier for knockbreda. The bookies have “The Point” as 8-15 favourites to take the three points with us at 9-2, and 3-1 the best price for a share of the spoils.. Tomorrow's referee is Ross Dunlop.

Warrenpoint won their first league game of the season last Saturday, a 3-2 win at Moyola Park with Hutchinson (with a penalty), Fran McCaffrey and youth prospect Ryan Jones scoring the goals with the Jones winner coming on his first team debut.

I seem to have deleted the image of the team sheet for this game so will revert to what I used beforehand for this report…

2023-2024 Season: League Cup R2

Second Round, 29 August 2023

Seaview, Belfast. Attendance: 1156  (106 away)

CRUSADERS    2 - 0    P.S.N.I FC

      Lecky 45', 47'                                      

Our reward for seeing off Rathfriland Rangers in the First Round of this season's League Cup was a trip to North Belfast, and the 4G pitch at Seaview: the home of Premiership big-hitters Crusaders. The media were expecting the home side to run up a bit of a cricket score due to the mis-match in standard, but even though I was not expecting us to cause a massive upset; I just wanted the team to put in the effort and give their best. With Raul Zabrauteanu serving a one match suspension for his red card against Dollingstown, the team was reshuffled with no less than five changes made and named as follows:

Magill; McCullagh, Ferguson (Mitchell 73), Graham, Turkington; Brown (Cochrane 73); Wilson ©, Blackstock,; Hill, Verenka, Jake Moore (Worthington 73). Unused Substitutes: Briers, McVeigh, Doyle, Annett.

Predictably Crusaders  gave us the runaround from first whistle to last, in fact the game would end with them having a remarkable 81% possession as they showed the difference in class. We held them at bay for the majority of the first half, and just when we thought that we would go in goalless they got the opener as the fourth official prepared to emerge with their time added-on board and cause a re-write of my half time team ralk. The goal came from a set-piece when Rory McKeown's inswinging corner was met by a thumping header by the giant that is Adam Lecky, all 6'5 of him.

The same two combined for the Crues second goal which came two minutes into the second half. Another McKeown inswinging corner, and another header into the net from Lecky. Jonah Magill was having to work unofficial overtime as Crues pushed forward for further goals to really rub proverbial salt into an open wound, and the custodian denied them a third in the 72nd minute when he turned Ben Kennedy's spot kick around the post; it had been given for a foul by skipper Johnny Wilson on Crues' substitute Jordan Owens as they challenged for a Ben Kennedy corner. They didn't score any more and we came away with a narrow loss but it should have been more in reality. It was a 2-0 hammering to be fair.

For his brace, Lecky was given the Man of the Match beers whilst Magill was our best performer on the night.

The big game of the round was at Inver Park where holders Linfield were beaten 2-1 by fellow Sports Direct Premiership side Larne; Cian Bolger's penalty had given the home side a 56th minute lead but Linfield equalised three minutes later through Chris McKee. Joe Thomson would score the winner for the Invermen eight minutes after that Blues leveller and probably please Mr Purple Bricks no end. There were a couple of shocks as Premiership sides Dungannon Swifts and Newry City were sent tumbling out by Championship sides Dundela and Institute respectively.

2023-2024 Season: League Match 1

Saturday, the opening league game of the season at The Dub. We welcomed Dollingstown, a team that were on paper: expected to beat us on the day and comfortably too. The wind was blowing a wee bit of a hoolie so it could a big part on how things pan out. Could we start the new league campaign with a win against the odds? These were the sides selected:

The Dub, Belfast

Attendance: 93 (12 away)

We played with our now usual 4-3-1-2 variant formation which we are on the attack, reverts to a 4-3-3. Of the new signings made under me, I opted to hand debuts to left back Zach Annett, defensive midfielder Gary Brown and winger Sean Hill. The Dollybirds featured former top flight players Gary Liggett (searching for his 100th goal of his career today) and David McCullogh as Glenavon loanee Odhran Smyth.

After a tight first quarter of the game, where Jonathan Purdy clattered an effort against the visiting side's crossbar, the deadlock was was broken in the 25th minute when Louis Blackstock delivered a slide rule pass into Doyle who was brought down by Cameron Purdy for a clear penalty. Up stepped veteran defender Andrew Ferguson to drill the spot kick despite Tiernan parker going the right way. The away side almost equalised immediately but Richard Thompson's crashed against our own crossbar with Jonah Magill left motionless. Four minutes from half time, it was 2-0 and a second goal for Ferguson from the penalty spot after Nathan McConnell had tripped Hill. The visitors were given a lifeline two minutes later when Craig Briers tripped Liggett, and the striker picked himself up to send Magill the wrong way for his landmark goal. Half Time: 2-1

Despite conceding so close to half time, I felt that we were dealing with Dollingstown comfortably and could go on and still win the opener. However, that all changed in the 56th minute when Romanian left winger Raul Zabrauteanu was dismissed for a two footed lunge on Stephen Flanagan. To be fair, it was reckless and as such the right decision. So we reshuffled, taking off Blackstock and bringing on Nicholas Turkington to keep the wingers in play but push Gary Brown alongside skipper Johnny Wilson. Could we hold on?  We were hauled back level 18 minutes from the end when a patient build up saw Stuart Davidson drive in a low near post cross and Richard Thompson converted from three yards out. Now the question was, escape with a point despite the man disadvantage, Those plans were ruined five minutes from the end when Liggett flicked on a Purdy long ball into the path of Thompson who lashed home his second and the eventual matchwinner. So close, one rush of blood cost us…

Dollingstown's Thompson took the overall Man of the Match beers, whilst Ferguson was declared as our individual best performer.

August 2023

After the dramatic win in Rathfriland, we started planning for the league opener which was just a week away. However, we would have to move forwards without the services of Jake McEneaney who was our left back in that League Cup game. Jake joined Dromore Amateurs on the Sunday morning which meant that we needed to recruit and recruit quickly ahead of the league opener as Nicholas Turkington is more a winger than he is a defender, even though he has the ability to play left-back or left wing-back.

So I consulted Chief Scout Sammy Kerr, and he recommended we try to bring in Zach Annett who is on the books of Rathfriland but didn't feature in the League Cup encounter. Zach is a natural left back, 22 years old, and has played for Newry City in the second tier earlier in his football career so the pedigree is definitely there. We got the deal sorted in 24 hours which pleased me no end, the last thing I wanted was for the transfer to drag out especially with a transfer window on the final Friday of the month.

The day we welcomed Zach to The Dub, also saw two more pieces of good news as both Ben Mitchell and Jake Moore resisted overtures from Tobemore United and Crewe United respectively to stay with us. Whilst neither are first choices, both players are more than adequate stand-ins for the men in their respective playing positions. 

MATCH PREVIEW

So we entertain Dollingstown at The Dub on Saturday in our first League game of the new season. The Dollybirds are expected to finish mid-table but have some experience in their ranks in the shape of former top flight forward Gary Liggett; a veteran of over 360 games; and defensive midfielder David McCullough who has almost 280 league games in his career. They have also taken midfielder Odhran Smyth on a season long loan from top flight side Glenavon which illustrates a bit of a gap in reputation between the two sides. The bookies have them as the favourites to take the points off us as they are priced at 5-4, us at 2-1 with 5-2 the best price for a draw.

The Dollybirds have had a mixed pre-season, playing five and winning two with one draw and two losses. Those wins came in their last couple of warm-up games, away to Ards Rangers and Willowbank respectively. Whilst their season opener was a game in the Final Qualifying Round of the Irish FA Cup, away to Sirocco Works. which they won 4-3 after extra time. This was played on the same day as we were taking Rathfriland Rangers.

August continues…

So we have now played our first competitive game of the 2023-24 season, and come away with a win after going behind so early on. Well happy with the goals we scored, unstoppable finishes from Craig (Briers) and Louis (Blackstock) right? The following day, the draw for the Second Round was made with the Premier Division sides included. It gave us this draw:

So we drew a Premier Division side in the shape of “Crues” at Seaview in the Second Round. Whilst financially it might be beneficial to the Club as it brings in some extra revenue, part of me is disappointed too. Why? Because I would have liked to go into the minimum of the Third Round stage as I know it will be hard to overcome Crusaders on their 4G pitch in North Belfast. The pick of the draw is an all Premier Division side where Purple Bricks FC (Larne) take on Linfield at Inver Park. We will just have to go to Seaview with no fear and try to upset the odds.

The same day, Albert Foundry lodged a bid for 22 year old reserve team central midfielder Matthew Devlin. Devlin, like most of the side, is an amateur and doesn't have an official contract so if he departs then we receive absolute nada in transfer fees. But that's how this league works at this level, and if we want to bring in some transfer fees then we need to progress through the divisions.

Midweek, Devlin made his mind up and he's agreed to leave us and join Foundry. Good luck in your endeavours there Matthew. Meanwhile I held a meeting with the Chairman and Club Captain Johnny Wilson, and agreed the level of bonuses to be paid out to the squad at the end of the season. We think we have come up as one with a good deal that benefits everyone. Then as soon as I came out of that meeting, I'm informed that defender Ben Mitchell and striker Jake Moore are wanted by Tobemore United and Crewe United respectively; we've countered both offers whilst still trying to acquire me a number two. No takers so far so might consider promoting in-house.

Saturday, and the draw for the Second Round of the Toals Steel and Sons Cup was made of which Bangor are the current holders. It produced us with this particular draw:

An away trip to some side called Newbuildings United who play at a lower level to us at the Newbuildings Community Centre. Newbuildings is a village that's 3km from Derry according to what Kyle (McDowell) tells me. Another new piece of information as we get used to our new surroundings.

The Season begins….

First Round, 12 August 2023

Iveagh Park, Rathfriland. Attendance: 79

RATHFRILAND RANGERS    1 - 2    P.S.N.I FC

Scannell 9'                                           Briers 88'

                                                                        Blackstock 111'

Louis Blackstock turned out to be an extra time hero as we came from behind to win this League Cup First Round on a sunny day at Iveagh Park. The home side took an early ninth minute lead when Matthew Holloway's left cross was turned in on his debut by Jonathan Scannell. We made a trio of changes to try and change the narrative of the game, and it was looking like we might leave with a Cup exit until we scored a dramatic 88th minute equaliser; Jake McEneaney's hopeful cross was headed away by Ross Black but only as far as Craig Briers who took a touch before hammering in a  shot that was too hot to handle for Rohan Burns and found its way home.

That was the boost we needed as we upped the ante afterwards, and pushed on for that all important second. Extra time duly was needed, and with penalties looking a possibility - we scored our winner in the 111th minute. Substitute Nicholas Turkington played the ball infield to Blackstock who drilled home from the edge of the penalty area via the far post. Rathfriland looked for an equaliser to take the game to a shootout but we stayed solid at the back to go into the hat for the Second Round where the big guns await.

Blackstock was given the Man of the Match award and took home the beers.

Our side was: Magill; Briers, Ferguson, Mitchell (Graham 64), McEneaney; Brown; Wilson ©, Blackstock,; Hill, Zabrauteanu (Turkington 64); Doyle (Worthington 84). Unused Substitutes: McCullagh, McVeigh, Gordon, Cochrane.