October Report - Racking up points
Another gruelling month in League 2, with yet more games here there and everywhere. Though, the team are performing and hopefully we can continue picking up points heading into the last few months of the Year. Let's hope this month we can continue our good run!
Results
We travelled to Mansfield for our first game of the month which we got a decent result out of. Our on-loan forward,
Euan Smith, added to his ever-growing goal tally for this season and make it 1-0 with a nice flick into the goal but they equalised from a set-piece which eventually gave us a point to take back home.
Euan Smith
Then we faced our local rivals, Rochdale, at Edgeley in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Second Round. We took the lead early on in the second half through a sweet volley from
Ryan Hall and we later made it 2-0 after a great run from
Solly March which he finished off emphatically, placing the ball into the bottom right corner to send us through to the next round!
Ryan Hall
Next was Wycombe away, which ended in a boring 0-0 draw with no chances created at either end. I guess it was a solid defensive performance from both teams and a taking home a point isn't the worst possible outcome is it?
Aristote Nsiala
Another local derby followed the Wycombe game against Oldham at home in the league which was a fierce game but we came out on top as
Ryan Hall, who has been an inspired signing, ran past his man and curled a low shot past the goalkeeper to win us the game and get one over our local rivals! What a great month for our fans, two local derbies, two wins!
Ryan Hall
Hartlepool then came to Edgeley with a team full of loaned in players but they were good enough to earn Hartlepool a decent point.
Euan Smith got yet another goal from a powerful strike which nestled into the top corner. We made it 2-0 when
Aristote Nsiala leaped above his man and headed in. However they made it 2-1 from a neat passing play and then earnt a penalty 10 minutes from the end which their forward struck into the top corner to end the game level at 2-2.
Euan Smith
Next was an away trip to Burton, which we played superbly and got a great result! They took the lead after some shabby defending however
Euan Smith scored yet again with a superb first touch finish to make it 1-1.
Euan Smith then got this brace when he dribbled past the goalkeeper and tapped the ball into the centre of the goal! What a comeback but what a game by Euan!
Euan Smith
And finally we finished with a home game against Exeter.
Ryan Hall added yet another goal to his tally with a half volley which the goalkeeper misjudged as it rocketed into the bottom corner to make it 1-0. They equalised through a corner which our defenders struggled to deal with and it was headed in to make it 1-1. However
Ryan Hall got his second goal after some neat passing which lead to a one touch finish! However we couldn't hold on as they equalised from a great effort from 30 yards to end the month with another point.
League Table
We're still one point behind York but we've maintained our place in 2nd, with a great start to the season we can really pressure York and possibly knock them off their perch within the next few months. But overall, I'm very happy with this month!
Player of the Month
Euan Smith
Euan has been class this month, getting the majority of our goals! Hopefully we can tie him down to a permanent deal soon as he's proving to be an inspired loan signing and I think he can lead us to back-to-back promotions once more!
Slater's Verdict
What a good month it has been. The lads were undefeated and showed that they were no push-overs in the games that we weren't expected to win in. Euan has been by far the best player of this month, his goals are really inspiring the team to play better as we push further up the league. If we keep our morale up high I seriously do believe promotion is on the cards, but as I always say we need to stay focused until the end of the season.
The Month Ahead
Although it's a short month, we some very important games with another local derby against Oldham in Johnstone's Paint Trophy Quarter Final. We also have some league games to play which hopefully we can do well in and move up to the summit of League 2.