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Good start, looking forward to seeing what you can achieve.

2024-2025 Season: Rounding the month off

Well one's mind has been well and truly blown away by Saturday. We went to a Championship side, were expected to lose and actually came away with the win against the odds especially when we were 2-0 down at half time.

So we're in the last sixteen of the Intermediate Cup, who'd thought that? Also in the last sixteen are our feeder club, Dunmurry Recreation, who absolutely thumped Donegal Celtic 4-1.  Can we get a home draw in Tuesday's draw? Well, Tuesday came around quicker and all the boys were in the canteen at The Dub enjoying lunch when the draw was made. Once more, we were featured in the first fixture drawn out; which was:

Our opponents Ballymoney United are one of a handful of lower-tier sides left in the draw, and of course this means a quick hello to Cain Stewart who joined The Toon on a free transfer on Ne'er Day. However, and thankfully for us, he won't be trying to score in our net as he is cup-tied. But I'm sure as eggs are eggs though, he will be feeding his new club tips and tricks on how to beat us. This game means that we have a match in the third week of February as you can see. It was blank otherwise. Still every game is as tough as the one preceding it.

Friday arrived and with the test that is Transfer Window Deadline Day. Whilst I tried to scour for a highly quality centre half to come in and help us over the line, nothing materialised. The main thing also was the keeping of our “stars”, and we managed to do so. There had been mumblings that top scorer Jonathan Doyle would be leaving for Armagh City, central defender Ben Mitchell to either Limavady United or Portstewart and midfielder Owen Madine to Lisburn Distillery. Neither of those happened but I'm sure Mr Doyle will continue to get more suitors if he stays in the goals scored columns.

It also was the time for the Monthly League awards and for the fourth time this season…

I'm getting rather good at this aren't I? No wonder clubs like Crusaders were so keen to talk to me about their then managerial vacancy. Becoming a bit of a big deal, wouldn't you say? Well….

2024-2025 Season: The Comeback Kings

Every season we look at the competitions we are in and assess which ones are priority and which ones aren't. Of course the priority every season is the League, and in the Cups then we are expected to be competitive. Therefore to be in the Third Round of the Intermediate Cup, which is what Saturday's fixture is in, is overachieving on a grand scale.

And we like to prove everybody wrong, don't we?

So Saturday as I said sees us in Intermediate Cup action as we head south to Portadown to lock horns with Championship side Annagh United. The County Armagh side have made steady progress since being formed in 1963, and have been in the second tier since 2020. They have twice narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premiership, and currently are third in the Championship standings at the time of kick-off. The bookies think that this tie is going to go with form as in the higher ranked side is going to make the last sixteen. Annagh have been priced at 8-11 to progress whilst we are 7-2 outsiders to cause an upset. If you think that the match will be a draw after 90 minutes then you can get 11-4 for that if you want.

BMG Arena, Portadown

Attendance: 97 (2 away)

We make a total of three changes to the side that lost to Ballyclare Comrades just seven days previously. Ben Gordon replaces Ben Mitchell in central defence as the latter is taken out of the firing line following a few less than impressive performances, After coming through a couple of fitness boosting games, Portuguese winger Aexandre Machado is back in the matchday squad for the first time since 7 December when he was injured in the first half against Armagh City. Machado is also in his favoured left wing slot which allows Sam Morrow to go into his favoured right wing, meaning Aaron Porter is on the bench. Cathal Farren comes in up front to partner David Taylor with Jonathan Doyle a surprise inclusion on the bench. New loan signing Jamie Ingram makes the matchday sixteen and is in line to make a debut. Annagh also make three changes with Jason Craughwell, Craig Taylor and Ruairi McDonald coming in for Jamie Rat, James McClay and 14-goal top scorer Ryan Swan. This afternoon's referee at a rain-soaked BMG Arena is Peter McGrath from Belfast.

The home side thought that they had taken a ninth minute lead when former Glentoran winger Jonny Frazer found the net with a deflected effort that wrongfooted Ryan Dalzell, but McDonald was flagged offside to nullify the celebrations. Our first sight on goal came in the 25th minute when a short free kick from Callum McVeigh found Craig Briers unmarked on the left hand side of the penalty area and the full back picked his spot but clipped the bar with the effort. Seconds later another free kick from McVeigh whistled just over as we started to show some compete levels. Yet just as we showed that, Annagh took the lead in the 29th minute when Eoin Teggart picked out Andrew MacLeod and he poked the ball into the far corner. Five minutes later, they had a second when Frazer found McDonald who spun away from Gordon to blast an unstoppable effort beyond Dalzell.  Right up against it now.

Words were said but things were not changing on the pitch so Doyle was introduced in the 58th minute which delighted the hardcore two away fans. Yet as we headed towards to the final 20 minutes, Annagh still had that comfortable 2-0 lead. Well that changed in 69 minutes when we halved the deficit when a teasing cross from Morrow was converted with a thumping header by the returning Machado; and I had considered replacing Morrow just monents before. Two minutes later we were on parity, McVeigh's free kick was partially headed out to Machado who looped a header back into the mix where Taylor to swivel and execute a perfect volley beyond Craughwell. Twelve minutes from time they were back in front when a long ball forward from Paul Finnegan was brought down superbly by Frazer who then drilled his drive across Dalzell and into the far corner for 3-2. Surely that was it for us, right?

Wrong. We were in the final seconds of five minutes added-on at the end when Quinn was adjudged to have fouled Machado. Much to Annagh's protests, they thought Machado had “bought” the spot kick, Mr McGrath said penalty. Andrew Ferguson then showed nerves of steel to blast in the resultant twelve yard effort and make it a remarkable 3-3. Extra time then. The first chance came Annagh's way when Frazer headed just over from an Aaron Rogers corner, but five minutes came the moment. A left wing cross cross from Machado was headed against the bar by substitute Aaron Porter and the rebound landed at the feet of who else but Doyle who gleefully smashed it home from nigh on the goal line. Could Annagh come back themselves? No was the answer as we defended like our lives were on the line whilst Machado and Johnny Wilson had shots blocked in time added-on as we sought a fifth. What a win!

Our returning Portuguese winger Alexandre Machado took home the Man of the Match. Unfortunately for “Alex” the beers were Harp, when he actually prefers Sagres. 

After the first 45 we were being comfortably outplayed in all aspects but how we changed it around. Who needs to have all the possession, eh? Especially when you get an xG like that one….

2024-2025 Season: Couple of new faces in the ranks

After the meeting with Owen Madine and skipper Johnny Wilson, we agreed that we needed some reinforcements in central defence. Granted that Ben Mitchell and the veteran that is Andrew Ferguson have developed a good partnership, we have realised that the guys behind them in the pecking order are not of the same quality if we want to progress. That said too, Mitchell's form has been a bit up and down recently/

So this week, we have brought a couple of new faces in using the loan market. Both players have signed for the remainder of the season.

Arriving on Thursday was Keelan Gibson, ironically from Saturday's opponents Annagh United:

Keelan has come through the youth ranks at Annagh, and is somehow they are keen to let have some valuable match minutes elsewhere. He made his senior debut for United, playing the whole 90 minutes in a Mid-Ulster Cup game against Bourneview United which they won 3-1.

24 hours later we had our second loan signing,  Jamie Ingram from Loughgall.

Jamie, like Keelan, has come through the youth ranks at his parent club. However, he has yet to make his senior debut for the Villagers or anyone for that matter.

There's a mumbling that neither signing has been well received by the fans, but there's no financial risk to either and anyway Ken is very reluctant to open his wallet to fund signings and pay wages etc for them. Don't they realise this, eh? We have Ebenezer Scrooge as our chairman, simple as.

2024-2025 Season: Extra Time Anguish

The day before the Irish Cup tie against Championship side Ballyclare Comrades was the draw of the Second Round, live on BBC Radio Ulster. We were in the hat, and were actually first ones out too. Should we prevail tomorrow night, then we have another home encounter against another Championship side in the shape of Dundela. Distillery, the only other Intermediate League side in, are at home to Dollingstown whilst there a couple of tasty all-Premiership ties when Coleraine entertain Cliftonville and Crusaders host Glentoran,

Carrot definitely dangling for sure.

The rain is falling incessantly as we head towards kick-off and probably one of our biggest crowds of the season - probably over 300 are braving the souls to see if we can pull off a giant killing act of our own. Playing the Comrades, and at Annagh United on Saturday, are going to give us a real taste of what Championship football is going to be like should we manage to achieve the “P” word this season. The bookies think it's going to be a close game as indicated by their odds: they have made the visitors narrow favourites at 5-4 whilst we are best priced at 2-1. If you think it's going to be a draw, and bearing in mind this is just for 90 minutes play: then you can get 5-2 for that. 

The Dub, Belfast

Attendance: 337 (118 away)

Despite the collapse in the second half against Donegal Celtic, we have opted to go with an unchanged side again for tonight's game. That means that Alexandre Machado will not feature but there's every chance he will do so on Saturday against Annagh United. Another boost is the return to training of a certain Jonathan Doyle. Yes, I said Jonathan Doyle is back in full training. What a major fillip that is for us all, and he could also play a part on Saturday especially as on-loan striker Joshua Kee is cup-tied. Tonight's opponents make five changes from their last line up with of the five that been replaced, only Tomas Gilmour being on the bench. They have exciting left winger Aodhan Doherty, on loan from Linfield, starting, whilst Ryan Jordan makes his debut after signing on loan from Carrick Rangers. Tonight's referee is Diarmuid Harrigan from Derry.

Remembering that we humbled them in the Intermediate Cup last season, Ballyclare came out with a positive attitude and should have netted in the first 30 seconds or so when Daucia Shotayo fired wide after connecting with a Doherty cross. Comrades skipper Liam Hassin had the next couple of opportunities as they continued to press forward, first he sent a half chance over the bar and secondly: he got closer from a Zach Hamilton cross when his effort struck the post and bounced clear. Our first real chance came in the 16th minute Sam Morrow's cross picked out David Taylor who had two shots blocked before the ball landed at the feet of Kee who thought he'd scored himself until Daryl Wilson brilliantly tipped the effort over the bar.

Half chances came and went as the game remained goalless deep into the second half. We would go close again when Ben Mitchell headed wide at the far post from a Callum McVeigh corner before Marty Bradley sent his shot from distance over as the visitors responded. McVeigh thought he'd sneaked a low shot past Wilson but the Comrades keeper somehow kept it out at his near post and then substitute Owen Madine shot inches over in time added-on. Extra time. Comrades broke the deadlock in the 97th minute when Hassin found Jordan at the edge of the area and he whistled a goal on his debut past Ryan Dalzell. Dalzell was beaten again in the first minute of extra time's time added-on, a long range skidder off the surface by Doherty this time out. We needed something and halved the deficit in the 107th minute when Madine's initial shot struck the post, John-Joe MacDonald had his effort from the rebound - blocked but Morrow blasted in the third attempt. Could we salvage an equaliser to force panic and maybe, penalties. Alas no, and out we exit.

Ballyclare right wingback Caomhan McGuinness took the Man of the Match beers back with him. Sam Morrow was deemed as our best performer where others were a fair bit under par.

The match statistics tell their own story here; we were simply beaten by the better side on the night. We move on. 

2024-2025: Build up to a big game

Granted we had made seven league matches without defeat, the mood wasn't as upbeat as you would expected it to be. We had scored five away from home but conceded three, in my opinion, weak goals and they were weak goals scored by the bottom of the table placed side. I could have given them a right old rollocking but kept it to myself for now as we want a harmonious atmosphere right the way until the end of the season which is about three and half months away judging my the current calendar.

There was one thing to smile about though, Newington.

Why? Well instead of being five points clear after this latest round of fixtures, we are in fact now seven clear with just nine games to play. This happened because of events in Larne whilst we were making heavy weather of beating Donegal Celtic. Newington were hosting struggling Limavady United at Inver Park, and the relegation threatened side held them to a 1-1 draw. Furthermore, ihe gap to third placed Distillery is eight after their 2-2 home draw with another set of strugglers in Moyola Park and it's an astonishing thirteen over Queens (who are fourth) after their goalless home draw with Ballymacash Rangers. So we're definitely the winners this weekend aren't we?

Sunday was an equally busy time with Coleraine's second string coming down to The Dub to play our “Under 18” side. Whilst we lost again, 3-1 this time, the main thing was getting some minutes in the tank for our Portuguese winger Alexandre Machado. “Alex” got a full 90 minutes in and reported no issues afterwards, apart from feeling a bit “paggered” by the end - Matthew Hanna scored our only goal. Off-pitch saw Owen Madine inform me that he was not going to Armagh City after being offered a deal by them in the last 48 hours which I was convinced he'd take on, whilst Cathal Farren stated he wanted to stay ahead of a potential transfer to Portstewart who have also trying to entice Louis Blackstock away from us.

Saturday the 18th saw the majority of the Irish Cup ties being played. Because both Queens and ourselves had been drawn at home, the former got the Saturday game but Crusaders edged past them 3-2. Elsewhere in the battle of the Premiership big boys, Linfield defeated Purple Bricks FC (Larne) 5-2 at the National Stadium, current holders Coleraine comfortably saw off Ballymacash Rangers 4-1 at The Bluebell Stadium but there was one surprise of sorts when Distillery won 3-0 at Loughgall who are second in the Championship at present. Can we spring a surprise of our own on Tuesday night?

There was another 90 minutes for “Alex” on the Sunday as the “Under 18” side entertained Bangor Reserves at The Dub. This time, they arrested (if you pardon the terrible pun) their recent string of losses with a 5-2 win thanks to five different scorers - “Alex” being one of them. However, whilst the mood is pretty decent - a few think we're a bit lacking in depth in central defender hence we've decided to put loan deals in for squad depth in that position. Hopefully, both will sign and nullify the concerns.

Oh, there might be some more good news on the way…can you guess what that is?

Well done squire, well done indeed.

What's next? Conquering the CL?

2024-2025 Season: Goals, goals, goals….

It had been a busy old week following on from that win on the North Coast at Portstewart's Seahaven ground. It's another win ticked off the chart and leaves us with ten games left to play. I'm making it abundantly clear to all, we're taking it one game at a time and it's all about that. Yes; we are in really good position at the moment but just one reverse could send us into freefall and ruin everything that we have achieved at the moment.

And we certainly don't want that do we?

Saturday's game sees us head to Celtic Park, and before you ask I'm not taking the Lads to Glasgow - it's the Belfast version. We face bottom of the table Donegal Celtic, and that is a banana skin in itself. They are in serious danger of an immediate relegation, and also see us as one of their huge rivals hence they're gonna be fired up for this one. They held us to a 1-1 draw at The Dub earlier in the season so will think they have a chance to upset the leaders indeed. However, the bookies don't think they have that chance. They have made us 4-7 favourites to leave with another three points in the bank whilst Donegal are best priced at 9-2 to  record an unexpected home win. If you think it will be a draw again then you can get 3-1 for that.

Celtic Park, Belfast

Attendance: 239 (124 away)

So after much deliberation, we opted to go with an unchanged line up today. Even though Alexandre Machado had resumed full training in the week, we opted to not to feature him against Donegal but to give him some match practice against Coleraine's second string at The Dub tomorrow afternoon. Providing that he comes through that game and training in midweek, then there's a very good chance that he will be in contention for a starting spot when we host Ballyclare Comrades a week on Tuesday in the Irish Cup encounter. Our hosts make one change, and it's an enforced one at that. In comes Ruairi McEneaney for Darragh Kelly due to the latter having accumulated five yellow cards throughout the season. Today's referee is Kyle Barr of Derry,

The game itself was a classic Jekyll and Hyde performance by us, not one that you would have expected from the league leaders. This was outlined by us racing into a 4-0 lead in the first 12 minutes with all of the goals coming in a crazy six minute spell. Goal number one arrived in the sixth minute when a cross to the far post from left back Connor Maxwell was met by a downward header from teenage winger Aaron Porter. Less than a minute later, we had doubled the lead when Callum McVeigh sent Joshua Kee away down the right and the striker scooped the ball over to strike partner David Taylor to tuck his ninth goal of the season. It became 0-3 in the 10th minute when Porter's shot was parried by Connor Rooney straight to Sam Morrow who accepted the opportunity presented for his tenth of the season.

Two minutes post-Morrow's goal, we had our fourth. It came from the penalty spot after McEneaney had tripped Porter in the area right under the referee's nose; Andrew Ferguson stepped up and sent Rooney the wrong way from twelve yards. Just after the half hour, we bagged our fifth - again a penalty. This time Aaron Macrony clattered into Johnny Wilson, giving Mr Barr an easy call to make. Again Ferguson stepped up and once more he sent Rooney the wrong way, this time finding the opposite corner to what he had done twenty minutes beforehand. 0-5; one wondered how many more we were going to score. Donegal were much better in the second half, whilst we were absolutely pathetic as.  There had been an early warning when Patterson skewed wide when clean through in the opening minute, he really should have netted. Yet we nearly had a sixth when Wilson played the ball to Kee twenty yards out,  but his cleanly struck shot pinged off the post with Rooney stranded.

Yet after that effort, we switched off and seemingly complacent - not what you would expect from a side looking for promotion to the Championship. Donegal scored their first of the contest in the 64th minute when Connor McCloskey threaded a ball through to substitute Michael Gallagher  who slotted it under the advancing Ryan Dalzell. Four minutes later, they had a second and it was one that Dalzell will certainly want to forget all about when he parried a long range effort from Ben McGonigle straight to Curtis Murphy who couldn't believe his luck and gleefully tucked it away. More opportunities came but they converted one more, and that was in the 89th minute when Rooney's long goal kick was collected by Murphy who brushed aside Kian McConkey with ease before striking the ball beyond Dalzell to make it 3-5. Thankfully we didn't concede more after that and we held on, but it had been far from perfect,

Despite being on the losing side, the Man of the Match beers went the home side's striker Curtis Murphy for his brace. He had been hood with his finishing but we made him look good to be fair. Our best player was teenage winger Aaron Porter who was a constant menace on the right wing.

Whilst the home side had the better of the possession, just look at that xG - phenomenal or what? Imagine also what the scoreline could have ended up as if we had converted more of those shots. Still a win is a win, right?

Apologies for the next post not showing the team sheet image as usual. I clean forgot to do the screengrab and only did realise once I had played the fixture.

Who's a silly billy, eh?

2024-2025 Season: A busy week

It was a very happy bus coming home from the North Coast. We had avoided the banana skin at Portstewart, and kept the five point advantage in place with just ten games to play. Newington are our biggest challengers and we're due to play each other on the second Saturday in February so that could be a huge and defining moment. That said, February looks tough and probably make or break the unthinkable.

Sunday saw another outing for the “Under 18" side as they played Glentoran's second string at The Dub. Playing matches against the second string of bigger clubs is going to be a challenge, and it proved it again. The visitors took the spoils with a 3-1 win with Cathal Farren scoring our sole goal in the 66th minute but they, the Glens seconds, were 3-0 up and cruising by then. After the game I informed Farren that even though I appreciated him as a valued squad member, he could leave if anyone showed interest. The positive performance was that of teenage winger Jursten Bekman who caused the Glens right wing back a few issues on occasions. It just goes to show the gap in quality and ability between what we are still building and what clubs like Glentoran already have.

Interest for Farren peaked on Tuesday when Portstewart offered him a contract which he can either take or continue to be a bit part player here at The Dub.  He's thinking about it as we speak. Queens are also looking to bolster their strike force so the word on the street is that they might make an approach as well. Either way it's up to Cathal.

Wednesday and I was about to go out on the training pitch when my mobile rang, it was Ronnie Millar:

So who is David Rainey? Well he's been given the top job, after being their Reserves team manager previously. He's also pretty much a bit of a Club legend there too as he is their sixth highest goalscorer of all-time with 139 goals in 320 games spanning 2005-2013. Some record. Anyway, it gives me the chance now to focus again back to the ten season plan. Just imagine if we become bigger than the Crues in that period. That would be something, right?

But that was not all…

24 hours after that Madine asked for a one to one meeting. He was blunt, saying he wanted more game time so I was equally as blunt back: told him I just couldn’t guarantee him games in central midfield whilst Johnny Wilson and Callum McVeigh are playing so well together. Therefore he can leave if he gets an offer which he thinks is acceptable. No animosity, everything sorted amicably by two grown adults. It's the way the cookie crumbles, no room for sentiment.

Season 2024-2025: Seahawks are put to flight

None of the squad knew about the conversations that I held with Crusaders at the Crowne Plaza Hotel this morning. In fact I wanted to keep it as hush hush as possible so got pinkie promises from both Kyle (McDowell) and Club Captain Johnny (Wilson) that they wouldn't say a word either. It only takes a loose word either or there for the Fourth Estate to find out and start running stories, in other words Chinese Whispers as they say. As far as I am concerned, it's just business as usual for me and the Club. Whatever will be, will be right?

Anyway Portstewart presents to us a banana skin of a league match. We're of course riding high at the top of the table, they're in the lower reaches and thinking about survival. Chalk and Cheese football it is. 

Naturally the one other side wanting a Portstewart win today is Newington. The Larne-based side reduced the gap between us and them, in second, to just two points last night when they dismantled Queens 4-0 at Inver Park in a Friday night game. Therefore for us, an away win is imperative as it will make the gap grow back to five. Thus it has come as a bit of a shock when you see the odds offered by the bookies, you won't believe them especially given the disparity of the league positions. They have made us slight favourites at 5-4 to come back home with the three points that are available which is surprising to say the least. The Seahawks are 2-1 to shock us and provide Newington with a helping hand; whilst you can get 5-2 for the game to end in a draw.

Seahaven, Portstewart

Attendance: 97 (1 away)

We made a couple of changes from the side that crushed Lisburn Distillery in the final game of 2024. Following his cameo in said game, Sam Morrow was restored to the starting eleven albeit on the left wing, as opposed to his favoured right, He came in for John-Joe MacDonald who slipped down to the bench, and it was hard to make such a call but you want to name your best in every game then sometimes you have to make that decision. The other change came up front and it was an enforced one at that. With Cain Stewart now a Ballymoney United player, we gave an immediate debut for our new loan striker from HW Welders: Joshua Kee. Kee partnered Ballymena United loanee David Taylor in an exciting new partnership with Jonathan Doyle still absent until late February. Portstewart named an unchanged side themselves which meant starts for former PSNI central defender Louis McKeown and also Glenn Law who scored a hat-trick against us at The Dub last season in a 4-3 away win for them. This afternoon's referee is Evan Boyce of Ballygowan.

Knowing we needed to make a good start, we immediately went on the front foot as the game kicked off in persistent drizzle. That positive start was rewarded as early as the eighth minute when Joel Bradley tripped Morrow right under Mr Boyce's nose as they challenged for a Callum McVeigh cross. Penalty for us, and up stepped Andrew Ferguson to confidently put it away from twelve yards. We thought we had a second in the 23rd minute with McVeigh again involved, his well flighted free kick being met by Ben Mitchell who looped a header over Alan Walsh and into the far corner but it was chalked off for a pushing related infringement. We weren't to be denied that second as it came six minutes later when Ferguson's lofted pass found Kee making a run and the new signing connected with a sweet volley across Walsh for a debut goal and 0-2.

Morrow headed just over as we continued to dominate, surely a third wasn't that far away? It came in the 34th minute when McVeigh first of all nutmegged Law before whipping in a cross that McKeown headed away but straight back to the midfielder. Given a second opportunity, he sped away from Johnston before cutting inside and smashing an effort into the roof of the net with Walsh given no chance whatsoever. The home side looked shell shocked. They almost pulled one back on the stroke of half time Adam Davidson with a 25 yard free kick that went over the bar with Ryan Dalzell untroubled. But they must have had a right old rollocking at the break as they came out with more passion about them and reduced the arrears in the first minute after the restart when Bradley headed a Michael Leetch cross back into the mixer and although Ferguson headed it out, it was a weak one as it landed at the feet of Smith who volleyed it first time past a bemused Dalzell.

That got the home crowd excited again but we restored our three goal lead on the hour, Ryan Morrow tripping namesake Sam in the box and a second penalty of the afternoon for us. Again Ferguson assumed responsibility and he sent Walsh the wrong way for 1-4 with his second of the game. The scoring didn't end there as the Seahawks halved the deficit five minutes from Law weighted a pass into Bradley who provided the accurate low finish. They came at us with intensity after making it 2-4 and almost made it a one goal game six minutes from the end when substitute Seamus Duffy's cross was almost turned into his own net by Ferguson but Dalzell was alert enough to scoop the ball away and safe at the near post; sparing the veteran central defender's blushes. We held on after that, gap now back to five points with ten games to play.

For his brace from the penalty spot where he was as cold as ice, veteran central defender Andrew Ferguson took the Man of the Match beers back home with equally good contributions from Callum McVeigh and the debutant himself; Joshua Kee.

A comprehensive away performance in terms of the xG and the fact half of our shots were on target. They might have had the majority of the possession but the three points are coming home to roost with us; and that's all that matters right?

2024-2025 Season: I suppose it's good to talk, yeah?

So I'm now being headhunted for a role in the Premiership, Northern Ireland's top division, and by one of their “big” clubs in Crusaders. Ronnie Millar's phone call that Saturday was a real curve ball and I simply didn't know how to react? Did I call him back and accept or tell him thanks but no thanks? I needed guidance and that could only come from my three trusted lieutenants. So I walked into the meeting, which was in Callum McGuigan's office at The Dub, where they were waiting for me, and came out with the question without hesitation:

“Good morning men, I need to ask you one question. Just be honest with your reply. Crusaders want to interview me for their managerial vacancy, do I accept?”

“Go, see what they say.” Johnny Wilson responded, the first one to do so.

“Second that.” Callum McGuigan added.

“Third it.”  Kyle McDowell responded.

“Really?”

They all nodded in unison.

“Where do they want to interview you Mark?” Callum asked.

“Crowne Plaza, Milltown.” I replied.

“Go and see them, just don't feel pressured to accept because they're a bigger club in terms of size and reputation.”

“Cheers Callum. I'll be back within the hour. We got time, right?”

“Of course, bags of it. Rest of the squad ain't due here for the bus to Portstewart until 11:15am.”

Therefore I made the call to Ronnie Millar and told him I was en route to the Crowne Plaza at Milltown where the interview was going to take place. It was a place I knew well, having chilled in the Lockkeepers Arms in the summer and used the gym at the hotel itself many times in the past. Plus I knew a few of the lads that ran the Cooke Rugby and Instonians Rugby sides that played on the pitches on the fields adjacent to the hotel. Ronnie was there, welcoming me and conducting said interview, whilst Crusaders' Club Secretary was also there but purely in a note taking capacity for Ronnie.

As it was, the interview went OK. I presented my vision and thoughts to Ronnie but deep inside I knew I was being emotionally chewed up good and proper. However, I didn't let my body language suggest it which was good. Even though Ken has been a bit of an Ebenezer (Scrooge) when it comes to his financial acumen, inside I still felt that I owed him more. I was halfway through season two of my personal ten season plan, and we were making excellent progress to get out of the Intermediate League for an assault on the Championship. It was a season ahead of schedule as I had planned to get out of the current division by the close of season three, spend four seasons tops in the Championship and then the remaining three in the Premiership with the culmination of it all being PSNI in European Club Competition: Champions League, Europa League or Europa Conference League. I didn't care which.

After 45 minutes I thanked Ronnie for his time and headed straight back to The Dub where the three musketeers were still there. It was 10:20am.

Time to concentrate back on the away game at Portstewart now, and a chance to restore the five point lead at the head of the table. That was priority for me in the immediate train of thought, nothing else but. 

Been to watch Bohs, Slavia and Sparta play on various occasions when doing a speedway related holiday.

Surprisingly decent standard, good luck for the rest of the season.

2024-2025 Season: One in, one out and a Premiership call…

2025 and the start of a new year which is going to have many a up and equally many a down. 

It's also the opening of the winter transfer window too which lasts until 1 February. Like most clubs we are going to see what's available and what's not. As stated previously, we have now lost the services of Cain Stewart who has joined Ballymoney United, and whilst the fanbase are not happy: there's nothing we could do as this deal had been planned in October 2024 when Cain was struggling for form and goals. We tried to keep him but he decided to move on when the window re-opened and that's that really.

Coming into the Club is the confirmed loan signing, Joshua Kee.

Standing at exactly 6 feet tall, Joshua brings us height and goalscoring threat to our attacking options. He has appeared in the Championship for his parent club and has had a short yet unproductive spell in England's National League with Chesterfield. With Jonathan Doyle on the sidelines with his injury, I am hoping Joshua is going to do a great job for us up front. He will be given an instant debut alongside David Taylor in our first game of the New Year at Portstewart on Saturday, a place he knows well having been on loan there last season.

That said I couldn't believe the cheek of it though as struggling Limavady United are trying to tempt Sam Morrow away from us now the window is open. Of course Sam is aware of their interest and that we want to retain his services, as he forms a very integral part of our team jigsaw plan. I really hope he tells Limavady to go forth and totally multiply with their approach. I mean swapping a promotion challenge for a relegation scrap is like chalk and cheese, surely Sam is not that daft to go there…

There was reason to smile again on New Year's Day, and not because I stayed stone cold sober for the umpteenth time on Hogmanay despite being in London to see “The Bells” chime out the Old and ring in the New but because I've done it again. For the third time in five months, I have been awarded the Playr-Fit Intermediate League Manager of the Month; thereby increasing one's stock again. Director of Football Callum McGuigan was straight on the phone as soon as the news broke. Must be doing something good.

Continuing with the managerial talk, my hometown club Sunderland finally have appointed Michael “Cindy” Beale's permanent successor. They announced it on Christmas Day no less. Replacing Beale is the former Feijenoord Rotterdam and Rangers Head Coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

So it's Portstewart on the first Saturday in 2025, and a chance to keep the gap at five points after Newington's 4-0 demolition of Queens 24 hours previous. But life wouldn't be life without a bit of drama. Well I had arrived at The Dub early, 9:00am to be exact for an early pre-match briefing and chat with Kyle (McDowell), club captain Johnny (Wilson) and the afore mentioned Mr McGuigan before we set off for the North Coast when my mobile burst into life with its ringtone:

“Good morning Mark.”

“Morning. Who's this?”

“Oh yes, my name is Ronnie Millar.”

“Yes Ronnie, what can I do for you?”

“You might be aware or not that we at Crusaders disposed of Kevin Horlock just before Christmas.”

“Right. I wasn't aware but go on…”

“Well we've been really impressed with what you're doing at PSNI. Would you like to come for an interview for the position, you're one heck of a strong candidate Mark…”

“Um, let me process this and ring you back Ronnie. I have your number.”

“Sure, don't leave it too long though…”

Woah, absolutely holy sh*tbaws! Yeah Crues are struggling this season, 10th in the 12 team Premiership but they want to consider me as their new manager?  This is gonna test one's loyalty…

Bet Ken's panicking now, eh?

2024-2025 Season: Finishing off the year

So we managed to complete the double over Distillery with a comprehensive win under the floodlights at The Dub. Did I expect it? To be frank, nope. Whilst I like to go usually with a positive attitude in every game that we play, I chose to go with a cautious one against the Whites because I was so wary of their firepower which they have at their disposal. Whilst this meant that they would the majority of the ball, I believed we had a strong defence and the ability to pick them off when the opportunity arose.

Certainly worked didn't it?

We were the only match played on Friday night, everyone else was playing Saturday afternoon. Saturday's action would see Newington leapfrog the Whites into second place behind us and five points adrift as you can see from the below table. They achieved that second place by thrashing Ballymacash Rangers 5-2 at the Bluebell Stadium with teenage defender Michael Tipping scoring a brace of penalties and Peter McKiernan: a hat-trick.

Donegal Celtic's loss to Armagh City, and Limavady United's home draw with Knockbreda has seen those two swap positions and put the former in danger of an immediate relegation back to the fourth tier. That said, I wouldn't feel comfortable enough if I was Moyola Park nor Portstewart to be fair. Actually we open 2025 at Portstewart, so we could push their fears of relegation even more. It's also a chance for us to really kick on and maybe extend that advantage up top.

Skipper Johnny Wilson's brace took him to ten goals for the season, just three behind injured top scorer Jonathan Doyle. That said folks, I am very happy that the scoring has been so spread out this season with Sam Morrow just behind the top two on nine and David Taylor, our loan striker from Ballymena United, on eight alongside Callum McVeigh. There's a good spirit within the ranks but Craig Briers and Owen Madine are still walking around with long faces like a wet weekend in Wrexham. Briers is my first choice right-back and has had the attitude since I praised him for excellent form which he; remember took exception to. Strange bloke. Madine on the other hand finds himself on the sidelines due to the good form of Wilson and McVeigh, I cannot really drop them both or either because they have been dependable as. If Madine wants out, then away you pop young man.

The league position has also caught the attention of Ken so much so he has changed the wage budget to reflect so; we're £1 a week in debt to it now as opposed to £21 pre-adjustment. He wants to start talking contracts too which is good but I've walked away from it at the moment as it's no different to what is currently in place now. Jeez, show some ambition Kenny lad!  If we do go up, and I say if, perhaps the tune will change - it has to. 

One player isn't going to be part of us is midfielder T J Murray, whom we offered a contract to after his trial period had elapsed. He's decided to reject our offer, and sign for none other than Queens University - our biggest rivals. Guess there will be a bid of needle when we play The Students next in the latest Dub Derby. With Joshua Kee on his way on Ne'er Day, it's one in and one out then. I would really like to bring some quality but Ken's very stringent on what we pay out. Talking about Kee, he was on target for the Welders second string when they played against our “Under 18” side: the Welders winning 3-1 with Kee scoring their second whilst Scot Kevin Hanratty scored the others with John-Joe MacDonald scoring our lone goal.

Bring on 2025, eh?

2024-2025 Season: Some daylight…

Christmas had been and gone and nothing had changed, it was just business as usual as far as I was concerned. The main focus was seeing what we could achieve in the games that remained. If we could complete the double over Lisburn Distillery on Friday night under the lights at The Dub, then we could make a real statement that we were not going to give up what we have gotten so far: lightly.

Well if I want us to kick onto the next level then this season is a defining one.

Distillery are one of our biggest rivals, alongside the two relegated clubs and fellow tenants at The Dub: Queens University. They missed out on promotion last season and are expected to make a good challenge this, They have a better standing in the game than us and probably aren't as limited financially, so to complete the double over them would be a real statement of intent. I mean nobody expects us to win, right? We beat 3-0 on their own patch at the New Grosvenor Stadium earlier in the season and they are hurting over it, they want revenge for sure. The bookies quite fancy them to do it despite us leading the table as they have been priced as 6-5 favourites to go home with the three points. if you think we will complete that double then you can get a best price of 2-1 for us to do just that, it's 5-2 for the game to end in a draw.

The Dub, Belfast

Attendance: 234 (82 away)

The team news tonight was that we named an unchanged starting eleven for this top of the table encounter. This meant that Cain Stewart started on his final outing in our colours before his New Year transfer to Ballymoney United. However, there was plenty of excitement as Sam Morrow was named on it after sustaining a foot injury at the start of the month. Will he feature at some point, well that will be wholly dependent on how the game is going. If we're winning and comfortably then I might give him a run out but if it's too tight to call then I probably won't. Distillery also have an unchanged side out, and know that an away win which is by three or more goals, will see them replace us at the summit. We need to pay particular attention to the strike force of Joe Tully and Jason Lewis who have 31 goals between them this season, that said left winger Ellis Brown has 10 goals himself so this game is going to be a toughie. Tonight's referee is Mark Dillon of Bangor.

After a tentative opening 20 minutes where chances were at a premium, we had a sighter when David Taylor played in Stewart 25 yards out but the striker saw his effort sail over the bar with Niall Morgan untroubled. Three minutes later, Morgan was picking the ball out of his net when Callum McVeigh's right wing corner was met by a stooping header from central defender Ben Mitchell for his first goal of the season. The goal certainly irked the visitors and they almost equalised four minutes when a well flighted free kick from Brown only just cleared Ryan Dalzell's crossbar. There was nothing Dalzell could in the 33rd minute when Lewis' cross was headed out to Josh Lynch by Mitchell; Lynch headed it right to Tully who volleyed home his 19th of the season via the inside of the far post. Then just as the half time whistle was about to shrill, we regained the lead when Connor Maxwell's throw was collected by John-Joe MacDonald who spun away from his marker and the winger curled an effort out of the reach of Morgan for his first goal of the season as well. We had been outplayed comprehensively in those first 45 minutes but we were somehow ahead; totally against the run of play.

Obviously Distillery had been given a few choice words at the break as they came out determined, and Brown went close again with another long range free kick which this time drifted inches wide of goal. Our response was to go close to a third when a well judged right wing cross from Aaron Porter picked out Stewart but he directed his shot over the bar when well placed, he should have really hit the target to be fair. Midway through we had breathing space when MacDonald weighted a pass down the line for skipper Johnny Wilson; who shook off the weak challenge of Curtis Woods; before firing across Morgan and into the far corner for 3-1. There was a roar of excitement when Morrow was introduced for the final ten minutes and he had an important role in the fourth and final minute of time added on at the end as we scored a fourth; the popular winger with a pass to Wilson on the penalty spot and he swept home his 10th of the season - sparking delirium in the home support.

For his best performance since joining us, John-Joe MacDonald was given the Man of the Match beers. Not a bad showing for somebody who is not a regular choice in the starting eleven.

After 45 minutes we were completely outplayed, but as you can see we turned it around. We didn't have the biggest xG recorded considering we had just bagged four against our nearest challengers. Sometimes statistics mean nada, the points are the most important thing: right? 

2024-2025 Season: Feliz Navidad

The win at the Coleraine Showgrounds wasn't just a win that avoided a banana skin, but it was a win that ensured one main thing: that we would remain top of the pile over the Christmas period. We have a three point gap, and a better goal difference which some might argue is worth a point or three of its own to second placed Lisburn Distillery. Ironically we host them in our next game, our last game of 2024.

We now have 12 Cup Finals to go through and have no intention of letting this slip…

Our January fixtures are confirmed as follows:

Therefore winning the proverbial six pointer against Distillery and the back -to-back away games at struggling Portstewart and Donegal Celtic, which are potential banana skin games in their own right, would put us in a real strong position. We have banned the “P” word from the dressing room, believing that we shall take each game as it comes and do our best in them.

Back to Saturday's win, it was the penultimate outing for Cain Stewart in our jersey before his move to Ballymoney United when the winter transfer window opens for business on Ne'er Day. The problem is that we cannot get out of the transfer, it was arranged when Cain was struggling for form and goals earlier in the season following his summer free transfer move from the Welders.  With Jonathan Doyle out injured, we have to see what we can conjure up once that transfer comes up. One option was a bid to make David Taylor's loan move from Ballymena United permanent. Whilst the Sky Blues were happy to let him go on a free transfer and for us to sign him, the player himself turned down the permanent switch but is committed to seeing the season out with us. Maybe, just maybe, we might be able to bring him in the summer. He will be monitored closely. However, we had more luck 24 hours after that failed Taylor transfer as the loan target signing has agreed to join us on Ne'er Day. So it's a case of one in, one out.

Who is the new signing then? Well we've raided the Welders again and are bringing in their 22 year old reserve team striker Joshua Kee. With no financial outlay from our side, the deal makes perfect sense. He's also a striker that knows our division too which is a bonus in itself as he bagged 11 goals in 23 games on a loan spell with Portstewart last season including one against us when we won 2-1 at their place. If he can gel with Taylor then he becomes a very useful option to have under our sleeves when Doyle is fully fit again.

As for injuries, the treatment room is starting to slowly empty. Ivorian striker Éric Akassou has recovered from his thigh strain and is back in training but way short of match fitness. Another to start training soon is winger Sam Morrow, who has made a good recovery from his foot injury and should be training next week by all accounts. We could risk putting him on the bench for the Distillery clash but I'm wary that we might only get, at most, half an hour out of him and even then it's a risk as we don't want him to aggravate his injury. Such a tough call. Alexandre Machado is about 2-3 weeks away from returning to training from his ankle injury whilst the big one, Jonathan Doyle, won't be back until mid-to-late February with his absence. It's definitely going to be a case of juggle here and there and also see if there's anyone out in the market to give the quality we need on the pitch to get us over that line.

Christmas Day meant the Final of the Steel and Sons Cup at Fortwilliam Park, Tobemore. There was no surprise in it as our conquerors Newington took home the trophy for the third time in their history, which have all come in the last seven stagings, with a 2-1 win. Tiarnan McNicholl and Peter McKiernan, with his fifth goal in the competition, scored for the winners whilst Michael Tolan scored the sole home goal in front of 527 spectators. I didn't go however as a cracking Christmas Day meal was being consumed in the regal surroundings of the Europa Hotel in Belfast. It was another Christmas alone as Ms Coughlan and Ms Vorderman stayed at home with their familes but did wish a Merry Christmas by text. Kristin Davis said "Happy Holidays" via email from the States. Maybe the New Year might see one of them back in the picture but honestly don't hold your collective breaths.

2024-2025 Season: Leading the way as Christmas arrives.

The penultimate game of 2024 was around the corner, and to be fair the year had been quite a good one for us in all respects. We knew one thing was for sure; that if we could avoid defeat in Coleraine then we would be still in first place over the Christmas period ahead the final game of the month on the 27th against our nemesis from 23-24: Lisburn Distillery.

We have no intention of letting this go…

Moyola Park aren't having a good 2024-25 campaign as they find themselves in a race for survival. They are in 12th position with just Donegal Celtic and Limavady United below them. Our record against them sees us with one win from the three previous meetings, which was the Steel and Sons Cup Final, whilst the other two games have been draws. Despite languishing so low in the standings, the bookies have Moyola as 5-4 favourites to take the three points this afternoon. We have been best priced at 15-8 whilst you can get the draw at 5-2.  Can we record our third away win of the season or will Moyola inflict our third league loss on us - the previous two being away from home as well. One can only wait and see.

Coleraine Showgrounds, Coleraine

Attendance: 33 (3 away)

We made a couple of changes for the trip North to Coleraine, one enforced. That enforced change would be Cain Stewart leading the line alongside David Taylor in the absence of top scorer Jonathan Doyle whom is going to miss a massive chunk of the second part of the season. It was Stewart's penultimate outing in PSNI colours before his move on Ne'er Day. The other change saw John-Joe MacDonald come in on the left wing and Callum McVeigh switch back into the Mezzala role alongside skipper Johnny Wilson with Owen Madine dropping down to the bench. Moyola were unchanged from their last game which meant that Samuel McIlveen and Jake Morrow, both who shone against us last season, remained on the substitutes bench for Kenny Shiels' men. Today's referee is Glenn Buchanan of Ballycastle.

You've heard of the phrase “Like taking candy from a baby” right? Well, we certainly took the candy from the baby that is best known as Moyola Park today as we waltzed home with three more points in the bag despite the home side having the lions share of the play and possession. And we did it despite going a goal down in the first five minutes which makes it all that more impressive too. The home side took the lead when veteran striker Mark Kelly hoisted a corner to the far post for Matthew Ward to rise above all and power a header into the roof of our net. A bit of a shock to the old system. But we have resilience in our team and levelled in the 19th minute when MacDonald played a ball inside to Taylor who then showed incredible vision to scoop the ball over the home defence for Stewart to run onto and steer the ball beyond the advancing Findlay.

Ten minutes later we were in front. MacDonald's deep cross from the left  was challenged for by Stewart and home defender Zach Woolsey. However, in Mr Buchanan's vision Woolsey's challenge was a tad aggressive and awarded us a penalty whilst cautioning the centre half. Up stepped our reliable penalty taker, central defender Andrew Ferguson and he blasted it into the net despite Findlay going the right way. The match continued to see Moyola have the bulk of the possession and the greater amount of shots, we held stead fast on the premise we could score a third and clinching goal on the break. That came three minutes from time when Aaron Porter had a shot blocked by substitute McIlveen but the teenage winger steered his second bite of the proverbial cherry into the far bottom corner and out of the reach of Findlay to seal the points. 

Jingle bells, Jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh what fun it is to see the Police win away…

The Man of the Match beers went to our on-loan striker from Ballymena United, David Taylor. Taylor created the equaliser for Cain Stewart and was generally a nuisance up front which Park's central defensive duo of Selfridge and Vauls could not handle.

Despite having less shots than Moyola, less possession and a slightly less xG, we got the points that we needed to remain at the top of the table. Sometimes you can't always win pretty, ugly wins also count.

More updates are on the way….

2024-2025 Season: Still leading the way…

As I basked in the happiness of winning another game, our eighth league win from thirteen this season, I was more concerned with how bad Jonathan Doyle's ankle injury. It looked serious judging by the anguish which was showing on the striker's face as the stretcher headed down the tunnel. Martin McCarthy's immediate reaction was to send him to his contact at the nearby Kingsbridge Private Hospital rather than to the Royal Victoria Hospital. Since he had been substituted earlier, skipper Johnny Wilson took his stricken team-mate there and said he would update accordingly.

It was just after midnight when Johnny phoned with the diagnosis, and our worst fears were confirmed.

“Hey boss, it's me JW,”

“Alright Johnny lad, how's the patient coming along?”

“He's devastated boss, bawling his eyes out in the room.”

“Take it's a bad one then?”

“Yeah, damaged ankle ligaments. We're gonna be without him for a couple of months according to the quack."

“That's huge. JD's a massive reason why we have got where we are at this moment in time.”

“Tell me about it. He's a damn fine striker, reckon he was on for a 20+ goal season before this.”

“Absolutely, couldn't agree more Johnny.”

“Anyway they're gonna keep him overnight. I'm gonna head off home in a bit then I'll pick JD up tomorrow when they discharge him albeit on crutches.”

“Thanks for this Johnny, true captain you are.”

“It's what I do. Just takes the gloss off tonight's superb win. Some substitution masterstroke by you though even if I didn't appreciate being hooked.”

“Well…”

“Sign of a quality manager that. Anyway I'm away, speak in a few hours boss.”

“No problems, and thanks again.”

So that was that, our main goal threat was going to be a spectator for the next couple of months and we had to find a solution to cope without him. Granted that Éric Akassou was back training again but he's no Jonathan Doyle and without Cain Stewart from the New Year then we would need reinforcements coming in especially now. The decision for Dungannon Swifts to recall Jay McDowell was stinging even more. Aside of David Taylor, Akassou and Stewart (for the next couple of weeks anyway), we had Cathal Farren and Daniel Reynolds plus a number of unproven talents which again weren't as good as what JD is. So it would mean seeing what we could go out and bring in either as a free agent or a half season loan.

The true test of any manager is what he/she can do in the chaos of the transfer market, well that's what they say anyhoo.

We had to make a decision on TJ (Murray) as well as his four week trial was coming to its end. The problem was that we hadn't seen what he could do in a match as you can't play trialists in a competitive fixture and we had struggled to get any non-competitive matches scheduled in too. Do we give him a deal under the end of the season? That was my thinking and I was hoping Kyle would see it the same when I saw him on the training pitch that Wednesday morning for our post-game debriefing. I needn't have got myself so worked up over it as he agreed as soon as it was mentioned.

So with the Lads watching the post-game DVD as part of their debrief ahead of a light session in the gym, Kyle and I sat in the office trying to get a new striker in place. We made an absolutely audacious bid to try and get Jordan Owens in from Crues on loan, now that would have been a real statement but Crues told us to get stuffed. As they did when we asked about one of the striking prospects, saying that they wanted them to play with better quality players. Well doesn't our current league standing show how far we have come in 16 months, doesn't it? Obviously not. The same message came from Cliftonville, Linfield, Glentoran, Larne…you could go on but one club seemed interested and that club was Championship side HW Welders when we asked them about one of their players who was available on a loan. He had experience of playing at our level last season, scoring 12 times in 29 matches, which was a bonus. The biggest plus however was, the Welders didn't want us to provide any financial contribution to the agreement which is fabulous news for us considering our finances.

Now the question is, will he join us in the New Year?

We go back to the scene of a triumph on Saturday, the 4G pitch in Coleraine where we lifted the Steel and Sons Cup last season. Our opponents are Moyola Park, and they're having a wretched old season so far as they sit in 12th spot. But they could easily surprise us? My team selection is far from clear cut either. With Distillery just a point behind, we know we need to keep winning until the big game against them at The Dub at the end of the month. Every game, and every point counts…

2024-2025 Season: Second Half strikes see us home but JD injured

We had very little respite ahead of the midweek match with Rathfriland at The Dub. Rathfriland, like ourselves, have completely had a better season than last and go into Tuesday's game with designs on taking our top spot from us. They are just one of two teams who have defeated us in the league this season; Coagh United being the other; and you can't blame them if they fancy their chances of completing a double.

But we have no intention of letting that happen.

This is also the second game we are without our first choice wing pair, and we definitely missed their impact at Banbridge. But that was to be expected, right? The thing is that, we know we have to go and get a positive result against the Whites. This game takes us to the halfway point of the season, and it doesn't seem two minutes since we opened our season with a 6-2 Steel and Sons Cup Second Round victory at Seagoe. The bookies have us as slight favourites to take three points tonight with a best price of 11-10 on offer. The Whites are 9-4 to complete that league double with a draw best priced at 5-2 once more. Who will come out on top, eh?

The Dub, Belfast

Attendance; 97 (3 away)

Despite the less than impressive performances by Aaron Porter and Callum McVeigh at Banbridge, we opted to stick with the same side for Rathfriland's visit under The Dub's floodlights. If it didn't work out this time then a rethink of the strategy would be needed. One player not involved tonight and for the remainder of the season is striker Jay McDowell who has returned to his parent club Dungannon Swifts; Jay played 11 times for us this season with just a solitary goal to show. We wish him well. Rathfriland also opted for an unchanged side from the team crashed 5-2 on the same pitch against Queens University, which said a few things about them. We know that they will be a test and a half as they have three players who have scored double figures this season in the shape of strikers Ronan O'Hara and Jonah Mitchell as well as skipper Jonathan Scannell; who is in his 10th season with them. That's concerning. Tonight's referee is Ryan Hanna of Belfast.

We almost opened the scoring after just three minutes when Owen Madine's corner kick as headed just over by Ben Mitchell. The Whites first real opportunity came midway through that same first half when Nigel Prentice sent a half chance over the top of Ryan Dalzell's crossbar as the game started to open up. David Taylor had a goalscoring opportunity blocked by Jamie Fitzpatrick as the sides went in at half time; goalless. Surely it could get better, yeah? Well it did in the last half hour so with action a plenty at both ends of the pitch. We took the lead in the 63rd minute when a reverse pass from Jonathan Doyle released Porter who showed incredible skill to get away from Jack Barbour and provide a low cross for Taylor to tuck away. Rathfriland equalised immediately when a corner wasn't cleared and Steven Drumm angled a half volley past the unsighted Dalzell for 1-1.

Within 60 seconds we had almost regained the lead when a deep cross from Craig Briers was headed down by Cain Stewart (on for Madine) for Doyle who smacked a shot against the post and dribbled wide. Doyle had another chance in the 69th minute when he met Stewart's left wing centre with a fine header but Joe McGovern was well positioned to save for Rathfriland. The openness of the game continued a minute later when Scannell played in the ever-dangerous Jonah Mitchell (no relation to our Ben) clean through but the woodwork came to our rescue this time out. Mitchell then threatened again with 17 minutes to go, his gioalbound effort needing a brilliant save from Dalzell to stop the visitors taking the lead. The momentum had switched in the favour of the Whites and with 11 to go, the woodwork again rescued us when a short corner routine saw Prentice fire in an effort across goal that clanged off the far post. 

That let off was the cue for me to make a huge, and ballsy, call. I decided to take off skipper Johnny Wilson and replace him with Kian McConkey. McConkey had been my centre half substitute so far this season but he was moving into the Mezzala role here with McVeigh taking up Wilson's attacking midfield position. It had immediate dividends as a patient move saw Taylor roll the ball off to McConkey who steered the ball out of the reach of McGovern and into the far bottom corner. It was his first ever club goal. That seemed to take out the stuffing of the Whites as we scored our third a minute later; another deep Briers cross which Stewart headed through McGovern and into the net. With two minutes left to play, our elation turned to concern as Doyle was carried off following a tackle and he was in pain, serious pain. Surely, no? That brought six minutes of time added-on and we almost made it 4-1 in the first of them when Andrew Ferguson picked out the hugely impressive Stewart but the forward shot wide as an offside flag was raised.

So three huge home points in midweek, and at the expense of a title challenger too. But the question was, how bad was JD's ankle injury?

For an exceptional performance from the bench, Cain Stewart took home the Man of the Match beers back home with him. How we are going to miss his presence from the New Year when he leaves us for Ballymoney United. Can he change his mind, please?

Against Banbridge, we were a lot “off it” but the Rathfriland game here was a lot more like our normal service resumed. Granted they had the bulk of the possession but we scored more goals and got the three points. That's the most important factor here.

2024-2025 Season: Better late than never, eh Mr Madine?

The loss of both Sam (Morrow) and Alex (andre Machado) was something than I had not expected. I could deal with the loss of one winger but not both of them to be fair, as we had seemingly hit on a winning formula with them playing in those positions. However, whilst we do have cover in the positions: the quality isn't as good as what they provide.

Picking their replacements for the next four to five weeks is not going to be easy at all.

Banbridge Town, this Saturday's opponents, are a side that have a proverbial Indian sign over us. Not content with beating us twice at Crystal Park in the League and the Irish Cup, they embarrassed us at The Dub as well last season. It's time to set that record straight. But we have to do it without our strongest possible line up, so much so that we have to find bodies to step up. The bookies have obviously looked at the previous meetings when declaring their odds as they have made the home side slight favourites at 7-5. If you think we can get a win there, we're best priced at 7-4 with 5-2 the price for a share of the spoils.

Crystal Park, Banbridge

Attendance: 69 (5 away)

So new wingers in place and new partnerships to form with the full backs then. After much deliberation all week, I decided to go with the promising talent that is Aaron Porter on the right and Callum McVeigh on the left. There was options to go with either Cain Stewart, Sean Hill or Daniel Reynolds wide right but Porter really has that X-Factor in his play when he's on it. Granted he's just 18 but he has a maturity well beyond his tender years, and he deserves a shot to show the Intermediate League why we were so keen to have them. McVeigh, who replaces Machado, has played in the wide left role for us before and done rather well even though he's a natural Mezzala in central midfield. As for our hosts, they make just one change with Michael McCavitt coming into midfield in place of Jack McCreanor who drops to the bench. Today's referee is Tim Marshall from Irvinestown, County Fermanagh.

It was a very cagey beginning at Crystal Park as neither side was showing any sign to yield to the other, and we had to wait until the 13th minute for the first real attempts in anger so to speak. A deep cross to the back post by Craig Briers was headed against the post by McVeigh, and then recycled for Owen Madine to launch a long range strike that Ben Purvis in the home goal pushed away for a corner which ultimately produced nothing. Banbridge should have taken the lead nine minutes later when striker Jack Deeney found himself with a clear shot on goal six yards out but inexplicably struck the bar. We would punish that miss in the 25th minute when Porter's cross was headed away from McVeigh by Jake Redpath but straight to Connor Maxwell who took one touch before thundering a shot from just inside the penalty area and across Purvis to the far bottom corner. Sensational strike.

After skipper Johnny Wilson had gone close with a long range strike that didn't dip enough to go under the bar but inches over, Banbridge hit us with a double salvo in seven minutes. In the 33rd minute, Jordan King provided the inch perfect cross from the left and Deeney swept it home; then McCavitt's slide rule pass picked out Graham Ward who steered a low shot underneath Ryan Dalzell. Yet we had other ideas and would go into half time at 2-2 when Madine surprised all and sundry (including me) with a stunning curling free kick that beat the leaden footed Purvis at his near post when everybody was expecting him to put it into the mixer. A moment of genius. The home side should have regained the lead just eight minutes into the second half when King surged into the box but weakly shot straight into the palms of Dalzell.

With just 18 minutes left, they did edge back in front but in calamitous circumstances from our perspective. A cross from Scott Gormley was inadvertently turned into his own net at the near post by the luckless Ben Mitchell with Dalzell beaten. That was the cue for a late cavalry charge as we looked to get something. First McVeigh headed inches wide from a cross by substitute Reynolds then top scorer Jonathan Doyle smacked one against the bar from distance with Purvis again a virtual spectator. We kept pushing and in the second minute of six added-on, bagged the leveller. McKeown's clearance for Ward was intercepted by Andrew Ferguson to Wilson who quickly moved it onto Madine who struck a sweet effort from 25 yards into the bottom corner; his second of the game. Dramatic football or what?

In one of his best games in our shirt, Mezzala Owen Madine took the Man of the Match beers home with him. He has seemingly regained that role again after a spell where he was not in a good form beforehand. Two quite fantastic goals too!

We weren't at our best for sure today, and if it wasn't for Madine then we would slipped to a deserved loss on the record. As it is, one point is better than none. Who knows how crucial it might be in the final standings come next April?

Rathfriland in midweek, the re-arranged game that had been planned for the last Saturday in January initially. Another huge game, but then again every single one is.

2024-2025 Season: Hammer blow 1, 2, 3, 4….

It was good to make it three wins from three and start the month of December so positively with such a comprehensive home win over Armagh City. That win had seen us go two points clear at the top as Newington could only draw 3-3 at Rathfriland Rangers; the other side that were on 20 points at the start of the day's play. Distillery lie fourth, three points behind us, after a late 87th minute equaliser from Jack Morris gained them a 2-2 home draw with Ballymacash Rangers at the New Grosvenor Stadium in Lisburn.

Happy days indeed, right?

That definitely was making the post-match Guinness go down well, and a message from Kristin Davis telling us all how much SJP and her good self enjoyed their first ever experience of Northern Irish football. Both ladies are going to become supporters of the Club from deep inside the Hollywood hills going forwards and will be following our fortunes online. Who knows they might just come back for a second match sometime in the future when their busy schedules allow them to come across the pond to do so.

Surely nothing could dampen the feel good factor? That said neither Sam Morrow, Alexandre Machado nor Éric Akassou had come into the bar to join us and Sam's usually the first one to get to the bar before anyone else. It was then when Head Physiotherapist Martin McCarthy popped his head around the door, and beckoned me over to him. What did he want?

“Mark, need to speak privately. It's not good news mate.” Martin said.

“What's not good news Martin. Please enlighten, you're talking in riddles to me.” I replied.

“Well, we've picked up not one, not two but three injuries from today's game. Two of them are big losses, and it's really gonna hurt your team planning.”

“Go on….”

“Sam (Morrow) has a very damaged foot injury, Alex (Machado) a seriously twisted ankle and Éric (Akassou) a pulled thigh. The injuries to both Sam and Alex were because of some over zealous tackling by Armagh, I'm actually amazed Sam made it through the entire game to be fair. Both wingers are on their way to the Royal as a precaution for assessments, Éric has been taken home to rest by his wife.”

“What the?”

“Sorry Mark, I am surprised you didn't see me with my head in my hands most of the game.”

“I did wonder, and should have guessed with the amount of times you were running onto the pitch. You were like a Duracell bunny Martin…anyway how long do we have to do without their services more to the point?”

“Sam and Alex, between 4-5 weeks. Éric, maybe a week and a half.”

“Oh no, both my first choices wingers out for the rest of the month and the start of the New Year. Devastating Martin, simply devastating.”

“Yeah.”

“Right, thanks for informing anyway. I'm going to have to try find myself a Plan B, This is possibly season defining.”

With that, I walked back to the bar where Kyle was talking with Ken. I beckoned Kyle over, and told him the injury woes - he was as crestfallen as I felt at the time. Surely this couldn't get any worse, my mobile then rang….

“Mark, hello?” came the voice at the other end.

“Yes? Who's this?” I responded in an exasperated tone as if I wasn't wanting to chat.

“Mark, it's Tommy Mohan - Ballymena United manager.”

“Hi Tommy…what can I do for you? Your boy's found his feet now, scoring some serious goals for fun. Today's strike was a real worldie…”

“That's what I'm worried about.”

“Worried about him scoring goals, you for real? It's what we signed him on loan to do, provide goals.”

“You're not playing him as a poacher, it's his principal role. We agreed that when I allowed him to join you on loan.”

“Did we? Been a while, I can't remember that. Had a kip since then Tommy, surprised you could recall that from a fair few month ago.”

“Anyway, he needs to play in that role going forward. He'll do even better then. If he stays in the role at the moment, I might have to consider recalling him back to Ballymena. That's all.”

And with that Mohan ended the call before I could even reply. What a demanding diva or something stronger I thought. Mohan had just made my day even more darker after the injury blows. Who the actual f**k does he think he is?  Anyway we will see…

Finding solutions to the gaps now vacated by Sam and Alex's injury absences were paramount. Big holes indeed.

2024-2025 Season: Three from three as Armagh are swatted aside

The busiest period of any season are always the months of December and January. They can be very much, what they call it: season-defining. If you can make it through them without a multitude of defeats and an injury-free treatment room then you are going to have a good final quarter of the season left. For us, that's our target as we have five games in December and four, as it stands so far, in January of which the first seven are all league matches.

I know we're taking each game one by one, but it really is so crucial. This is a real testing time and I hope we can get through it.

After my cameo small screen involvement 24 hours previous, it was time to get serious again and welcome Armagh City to The Dub for our 11th league outing of  the season. Armagh had been actually the side that most pundits had predicted before the big kick-off to be this season's Champions but are in mid-table as they arrive here. That said, we will adopt the same attitude of not underestimating any opposition just in case it comes back to bite our collective arses as one. The bookies obviously think Armagh have a chance of walking away from The Dub with the points as they have made them slight favourites at 7-5. We, despite being at home, are 13-8 with a draw priced at 5-2.

The Dub, Belfast

Attendance: 108 (6 away)

We make just the single change from the side that won in the Irish Cup at Derriaghy, and it's a recall into the front line for Ballymena youngster David Taylor for Jay McDowell. Other than that we're unchanged, despite Craig Briers and his personal beef which he has with me despite him playing week in, week out. He'd be more upset if he wasn't getting a match at all so quite why he was affronted by getting some praise for top notch form is an absolute mystery. Armagh make a single change themselves with Lewis Anderson coming in for Darragh Conroy. They are captained by experienced striker Stefan Lavery who has hit 10 in 17 games after bagging 15 in 35 outings last season. He is partnered by Scot Chè Reilly who has scored nine times since arriving from Livingston  in the summer. Today's referee is Gareth O'Donnell from Enniskillen.

We made a positive beginning and opened the scoring after ten minutes on the clock. Some smart play on the right wing by Sam Morrow saw the winger drill in a low cross that was swept home from point blank range by top scorer Jonathan Doyle. It was JD's 12th of the season. We went close to a second eight minutes later when Alexandre Machado's corner was headed just over the bar by Ben Mitchell as we looked to assert a stranglehold on the match, and then Owen Madne saw his long range free kick brilliantly turned away by James Carson just as it looked it was going top bins. We did get that second on the half hour when skipper Johnny Wilson picked out Taylor in space 25 yards out and he smashed the ball into the roof of the net with Carson helpless. Armagh's first real chance came three minutes before the break when Carson's long clearance was picked up by Lavery who shrugged off the attentions of Ben Mitchell but sent his effort over the top.

Our plans suffered a bit of a setback just before half time when Machado had to be substituted following a late, but unpunished, challenge from Anton Reilly: Callum McVeigh taking the left wing spot vacated. We would bag a third in that time added-on when Taylor's dangerous cross caused mayhem and after Carson had denied Doyle and Wilson, there was little he could do with the third attempt which was slammed high into the net by Morrow for 3-0. The dominance continued in the 54th minute when Morrow left Shea Geraghty floundering like a whale washed up on a beach before finding Doyle who had the simple task of tucking away his second of the afternoon. Lavery then sent a shot high, wide and not very handsome over the bar as Armagh sought consolation; which finally arrived in the 69th minute when Anderson's pass was dummied by Lavery and Reilly tucked away his 10th of the season. Still we went forward and only an offside flag against McVeigh in the final minute denied us a fifth from the boots of Johnny Wilson.

A solid performance, but Martin McCarthy looked a worried man. What was on his mind?

For the second successive match, Sam Morrow was taking the Man of the Match beers home with him. The former Crusaders winger had a goal and two assists this afternoon, and was a deserved winner of the award to be fair.

If last Saturday was a dominating team performance then today was a whole different ball game. Granted Armagh did contribute but we were just completely a different level. I mean just look at that xG today….

2024-2025 Season: And just like that….

So who were the three special guests to be in the crowd against Armagh? Well Ken knew, he knows everything that has to be said…

You've heard of the TV show “Sex and the City” right, well there's been a follow up series to it called “And just like that” which continues the trials and tribulations of Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte. Well they've apparently made an episode where Carrie goes a world book tour, and part of it is being in filmed no less. There's a mini segue where Charlotte gets chatting online to a “footballer” online and he invites to watch him play hence the scenes at The Dub. Unfortunately for Charlotte it ends in tears as she finds out from the team's manager, that's where my cameo comes in, that he doesn't actually play for the fictional team “Belfast Athletic” and is actually a noted catfish who has duped many ladies around the world with his stories so much so that the FBI and Interpol are trying to apprehend him.

All sounds exciting, eh?

Therefore the guests are no other than Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon who play the three roles advised above. They were doing the filming for the football segment in small sections on Friday and on matchday, with the latter day being the shots of them being in the crowd and some of the game against Armagh City . I would get to meet them all on Friday afternoon, once training was out of the way and the players had gone home.

Before filming could begin on the Friday, all the players and backroom staff huddled into The Dub's canteen which is actually at the adjoining House of Sport, to see whom our Third Round opponents in this season's Intermediate Cup would be. We're on our travels as you can see:

It's not the easiest draw we could have actually asked for. This is because our hosts are having a reasonable season of their own in the second tier, lying third behind leaders HW Welders and second-placed Loughgall. They will be a real test of our credentials and have some very good players in the ranks who are definitely upgrades on our own across the pitch. Our lower league affliilate Dunmurry Recreation are still in this very same competition, they entertain our Intermediate League rival Donegal Celtic at the same stage. Imagine if we had been drawn against each other.

The filming lasted about an hour and three quarters, and was really good. My “speaking” role was with “Charlotte” aka Kristin Davis and my gosh, what an absolute cougar of a woman she is. You wouldn't believe she's coming up to her 60th birthday in February, I've never been in the company of such an attractive mature babe as her since meeting Cherie Lunghi ("The Manageress") a number of years further back. She was so dead polite as was Mrs Matthew Broderick (SJP) but Cynthia Nixon looked like she didn't want to be there at all. So after filming it was a quick drive to Kyle's and up to Coleraine to watch Moyola Park take on Coagh United in the Friday game. That would end 4-1 in the visitors with right-back Kai McCormick shining again, this time with two goals.

We're expecting a tough match tomorrow, can we make it three from three in this latest win sequence? Would be nice.

2024-2025 Season: That's November in the bag…

Those Cup wins really were a lift as losing them could have really damaged the team morale, not to mention again how embarrassing the Cup exits could have been. We're definitely exceeding all expectations this season but there's still plenty of football left to play. Whether this brings more trophies and a surprise P-word is still open to conjecture.

Anyway Monday started with me calling a team meeting and telling the players how immensely proud I was of them and what they have achieved this season so far. The response back was positive which was very pleasing. I then took three players to one side to congratulate them individually on their own excellent form. Skipper Johnny Wilson and star striker Jonathan Doyle both appreciated the warm thanks but Vice-Captain Craig Briers seemed a wee bit affronted when I said the same to him. Obviously he seems to be a sensitive wee soul.

With those tasks in hand, we listened as a group to BBC Radio Ulster at lunchtime to hear the Fifth Round draw (or to some the First Round proper) draw of this season's Irish Cup which we were so happy to be in. Whilst we sadly didn't land one of the big fish at The Dub, we bagged Championship side Ballyclare Comrades as a home tie and it's a tie which we think we can be successful as we beat them in the Intermediate Cup last season. The pick of the ties is a tasty all-Premiership fixture between Linfield and Larne at The National Stadium at Windsor Park. The matches are scheduled to take place on 18 January 2025. But Queens were also drawn at home, to last season's losing finalists Crusaders. Therefore one of us would be switched and unfortunately it was us who drew the short straw.

The 18th of January had also originally set aside for our home match against Rathfriland Rangers. However, as you can see it has been included in our December schedule whereupon we have five games to play as opposed to four:

Looking at those games, I quite fancy our chances in the first four but am fully invested in the fact the Distillery home game is the hardest one of them all. If we can harvest a double figure haul from all five matches then we will probably stand a good as anyone's chance of remaining in the top two. That said, Ken's issued us with his monthly board and supporter engagement survey results which are still highly promising. The only slight is that he thinks we're going to falter soon and finish mid-table as per his pre-season requirement. Oh, how I want to prove him wrong and get us promoted…

Apparently Saturday's home game against Armagh will have three extra special guests in the crowd, and I'm going to be filmed no less. What's this all about, eh? God knows….

2024-2025 Season: Two Cup wins in a week

After turning down Kettering, I was totally focused in getting the team prepared for the trip to Derriaghy Cricket Club on Saturday afternoon. It was another banana skin of a game, following on from Tuesday's Intermediate Cup win at Killyleagh. The message was quite clear and loud: don't underestimate them as they have already sent Donegal Celtic of our division out of the Irish Cup and will; on home turf; fancy their chances that we could be a second scalp.

But we're not in the mood to make that happen, are we?

Saturday's match also represents the final qualifying stage before the Premiership and Championship clubs come in. Even though it's the fourth qualifying round of the competition, it's technically the fourth round of it. This is the stage which we exited at last season when Banbridge Town defeated us 2-1 at Crystal Park in a tie that was remembered for the dubious sending off of Ben Mitchell 13 minutes from time which I still maintain to this day was an act of the dark arts by the Banbridge striker in opposition. We're not odds-on today to win away, but are slight favourites at 5-4. Derriaghy are 15-8 to make us another giant-killing whilst you can also get 5-2 for a draw after 90 minutes.

Seycon Park, Dunmurry

Attendance: 356 (184 away)

With the game at Killyleagh having gone to extra time, I was deliberating whether to make wholesale changes for today. Which players looked jaded, which players looked fresh as daisies - that was going through my thinking for my team selection. As it was I made just the single change, and that was to restore Andrew Ferguson into the centre of the defence alongside Ben Mitchell. Fergie's inclusion was just not because he was fresh and raring to go but Jack Graham had a bit of a 'mare at Killyleagh and needed to be taken out of the firing line. 

Other than this, we were unchanged which meant Owen Madine remained in central midfield and Jay McDowell was given another chance to impress up front alongside Jonathan Doyle despite Éric Akassou scoring twice from the bench on Tuesday night. Derriaghy made two changes with Sean Cleary and Neill Fordyce coming in for Marco Pertosa and Angelo Ferretti. Jonah Nicholl who saved two penalties in the shootout win in the previous round started in goal, determined to stop us. Today's referee is Colin Gray of East Belfast.

The weather was quite frankly awful as we kicked off in Dunmurry. Not content with that fine rain which absolutely soaks you through, we had a strong wind to deal with as well. Therefore playing it on the deck would be the best way to deal with it especially when you are playing into it as we would be doing so in the second half. Loan signing McDowell had the first real chance inside 11 minute when strike partner Doyle played him in but Nicholl denied him, anyway it wouldn't have counted as the striker was adjudged offside. We continued to force the pace and Sam Morrow drove an effort inches wide of the far post following a spot of head tennis in the home defence. It was only a matter of time for us to breach them, and Alexandre Machado was the next to go close with a shot from outside the area that clipped the post with Nicholl frantically scrambling across his goal.

The opener finally arrived in the 28th minute when Doyle's floated cross from the right was met by a downward header by Machado for the winger's third of the season. He nearly had his and our second eight minutes when a corner was half cleared to him but like Morrow earlier, saw his effort go inches wide of the far post. We had the wind against us in the second 45, and knew we had to play pass and move possession football as we thought Derriaghy would try and use the wind to their advantage. Seven minutes into the second half, we had a second when a great cross from Morrow was converted by the on-rushing skipper Johnny Wilson for his eighth of the season. Moments later it was almost three when Madine's cross was headed inches over by Machado. A third was due, and it came with 13 minutes left when some patient play from Craig Briers saw him find Morrow in a pocket of space and he lashed it furiously top bins at Nicholl's near post.

A fully professional performance by the boys to complete their second win in four days.

There were a number of good performances considering the majority were playing two games in such a short space of time. As it was, winger Sam Morrow took home the Man of the Match beers. It seems like he's most happier on the right and Alexandre Machado most happier on the left, so I reckon we will keep it that way going forwards.

A thoroughly top notch performance by the lads to book their place in the next round. To allow them just four shots in 90 minutes is really a credit to us, one word sums up our performance today: domination! Hopefully everyone's feeling a lot happier now, eh?

2024-2025 Season: Poppies are deflowered

When you are doing rather well in the managerial game then it's obvious that you are going to attract the attentions of other teams, and this is no exception whatsoever.

So far, I've declined offers from both Bangor and Knockbreda as I want to continue with my project here.

So it came as a real surprise that I got an offer from the English leagues as I was preparing for Saturday's Irish Cup game at Derriaghy. The call didn't come from my beloved Sunderland, who have yet to appoint their successor to Michael Beale who was sacked at the start of the month, but from Kettering Town. “The Poppies” ply their trade in National League North which is on par with the standard we are playing at the moment.

A few further background facts about Kettering Town:

• They were formed in 1972
• Club currently lies in 21st out of 22 in National League North, four go down
• They have a transfer budget of £6K, compared to zero here, and a positive bank balance
• Legendary Northern Irish footballer Derek “The Doog” Dougan was player/manager here between 1975 and 1977
• Under Dougan, Kettering were the first English side to have a shirt sponsorship deal which was with local business Kettering Tyres
• Other notable former managers of the Club have been Ron Atkinson, Tommy Lawton (twice), Graham Carr (father of TV “comedian” Alan) and Gazza
• They have fabled FA Cup history as giant killers, twice reaching the Fourth Round: most recently in 2008-09

They were very keen to invite me for an interview, and pay for my flights over to Birmingham International where I would be whisked to Latimer Park to discuss matters. As it was, I issued my third managerial decline and thanked them for their consideration. With things going well this season, I have my heart on staying until 2034…well that's if PSNI are willing to keep me that long!

2024-2025 Season: Killyleagh conquered in extra time Intermediate Cup success

It's safe to say that the back to back defeats from Newington and Coagh have an effect on the dressing room. Whilst the lads are still behind me, the mood has definitely been deflated like taking air out of a balloon. However, we are all in this same battle as one and we win as well as lose as one. All good teams have a bump in the road at some point, that's a given.

What is more crucial now is how we respond to these setbacks and look to get back to winning ways.

We start the last two games of November with the first of a pair of Cup matches. The Intermediate Cup Second Round tonight, and the Irish Cup on the Saturday. For us, it's a chance to progress further in both competitions in comparison to last season's efforts in the same tournaments. Last season we went out of the Intermediate Cup at this stage when Tobemore United defeated us 2-1 at Fortwilliam Park, so we are hoping that lightning doesn't strike twice. We face Killyleagh tonight, a team that we edged past in the Irish Cup last season. However, tonight sees them have home advantage as opposed to us. The bookies think we will make it through easily as we are 4-6 favourites to make the Third Round. Killyleagh, if you think they'll provide an upset, are 7-2 with a draw at 90 minutes best priced at 11-4. There has to be a winner tonight; no matter what.

Showgrounds, Killyleagh

Attendance: 99 (6 away)

To try and get back to the winners circle, I made a trio of changes from the side that was defeated at Coagh. Andrew Ferguson was rested with Ben Mitchell partnering Jack Graham in the heart of defence, Callum McVeigh was another that was given a rest but was available from the bench as Connor Maxwell started at left-back and Jay McDowell was given another time to shine up front alongside top scorer Jonathan Doyle. Trialist TJ Murray was ineligible for the game as he cannot play in competitive games like this but we will be trying to get him some match practice in before his trial period concludes. Killyleagh also made three changes of their own with Ciaran Monaghan, Kyle Martin and Conor Dunne replacing David Mallie, Reece Atkinson and Callum Mills in their starting eleven. Tonight's referee is Ross Dunlop of Carrickfergus.

We made the worst possible beginning as Killyleagh opened the scoring after just four minutes on the clock. A flowing move saw central midfielder Kyle Martin feed namesake and supporting right wing-back Karl Martin who was calmness personified as he slotted the ball beyond the advancing Ryan Dalzell. It was a reminder that we needed to be on our game and wake up otherwise we'd be on the end of an embarrassing Cup exit. We levelled on the quarter hour when Curtis Craig was dispossessed just inside our half, and from the loose ball the Portuguese winger fed Owen Madine who in turn produced a first time pass into skipper Johnny Wilson to curl a low finish from outside the area and past the despairing dive of Jonathan Holland. We should have been in front seven minutes when Doyle played in strike partner McDowell but the Dungannon loanee smacked it against the post when he really should have scored. A let off came in the 25th minute when Graham planted a weak header into the path of Craig who advanced but like McDowell, struck the post. Maxwell fired over in the first minute of time added-on but we went in at 1-1 from an entertaining first 45 which we slightly edged.

In the fourth minute of the second half, Killyleagh scored again to stun us once more when Craig spun Graham like a kipper and curled home a beauty from the edge of the box. We were really struggling, and that struggle got more serious with 19 minutes to go when they bagged a third. Craig created with a superb run down the right before turning it inside for the supporting Nathan Johnston  who leathered one top bins past Dalzell. Words were said and yelled from the touchline as we sought to save face. We needed the mother of all comebacks to stay in the tie. Five minutes after that third home goal, we had a lifeline when Madine's shot from distance was parried onto the post by Holland but the rebound was gladly converted by substitute Éric Akassou with his first touch since replacing McDowell. Sensing we could score, we poured forward and levelled it in the 78th minute when Wilson sent Machado speeding down the left wing and from his accurate low cross, Doyle finished superbly for his 11th of the season. Killyleagh looked at each other and wondered what had just happened.

No further goals in normal time came about so we headed into an extra thirty and possible penalties. Seven minutes into extra time, we hit the front for the first time in the game when the ever impressive Machado headed the ball into the path of Craig Briers who surged past the attentions of Monaghan before standing up an inch perfect cross for Akassou to head home his second of the evening. Yet we were thankful two minutes later to ‘keeper Dalzell who dived full length to push away Callum Carleton’s long range strike away and keep us in the lead rather than make it 4-4. Just before the end of that first period of extra time, we almost had a fifth when Briers saw his long range effort clip the bar and go over after Madine had teed him up. We did seal the deal with two minutes of the second extra fifteen when Briers saw his initial corner headed back to him by Ryan McDonnell, and he ventured into the area unchallenged before steering a shot across Holland and into the far corner for 3-5; game over. Whilst we didn't really want extra time, a win is a win and hopefully the morale has taken a positive stride forwards.

There were a lot of improved performances from a number of players tonight. However, our Portuguese left winger Alexandre Machado was given the Man of the Match beers to take home and naturally it was a case of Sagres.

In this extraordinary match which had everything, we were a lot more like ourselves as the xG demonstrates. Hopefully, we can take this dominating performances into the next game and beyond. It should improve the mood I would like to hope.

The Third Round draw will be made on Friday 6 December 2024.

2024-2025 Season: Getting prepared for the trip to Killyleagh

The feeling on the bus back from Coagh was a question of: how did we manage to lose that game? The answer was equivocally obvious; we were absolutely dog poo when it came to shots to being on target compared. Could we draw any positives from it? Yes, we had still retained top spot after the 10th round out of fixtures. This was because none of our nearest challengers could take full advantage of our slip up. However, what makes it more intriguing now is that there are three teams all on 20 points: ourselves, Newington and Rathfriland Rangers. We head them by goal difference only.

In the crowd on Saturday was former Linfield trainee Timothy “TJ” Murray, a 29 year old central midfielder who can play the Mezzala role which we have in our engine room. Whilst we currently have Callum McVeigh and Owen Madine battling for this role, my assistant manager thinks TJ represents an upgrade on both of them which given his pedigree is a fair old assessment. We have taken TJ on a trial for a 4 week period which takes him up to just before Christmas but there's every chance that he could obtain a regular gig with us if he shows what he's more than capable of producing.

As well as featuring for the Blues in the top division, TJ has also represented Carrick Rangers, Warrenpoint Town and Ballymena United in the Premiership, and it was during his spell with “The Point” in 2017 where he walked off the pitch for a period after alleged racial abuse in a League Cup match against Lurgan Celtic. He has also featured in the second tier with Dundela, Ards and Portadown who released him in the summer on a free transfer. So he has the pedigree for sure.

Sunday saw the “Under 18” team back in action trying to get back to winning ways themselves. They hosted the Ards second string at The Dub but despite teenage winger Aaron Porter bagging a brace, they endured a 5-3 loss to the same side that they beaten 6-1 nearly two months ago on the same pitch. The other goal came from Cathal Farren, playing in a front two with Jay McDowell.

We move onto a midweek date in Killyleagh, don't expect much in terms of changes - maybe one or two if that.