December Report - A Merry Christmas
Going into the end of this year, we were sat in a great position but we knew that these next few months are going to be the biggest ones, starting with this month, as we have three cup games and yet more important league fixtures, here's to Christmas everyone!
Results
In our first game of this month, we faced League 1 side Doncaster in the FA Cup Second Round and the game wasn't very exciting due to solid defending from both teams. Our lads did well stopping the threat of their attackers but our forwards were just not sharp enough and we couldn't score. This draw means we have to head to Doncaster for a replay which may be harder due to us being away.
No one deserved this award.Next we were still at home against Fleetwood for a place in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy North Final. We took the lead through Aristote Nsiala rising highest from a corner and smashing his header into the top net. Fleetwood then equalised through Sarcevic, as he scored from a neat passing move which you just had to applaud, however it did not matter as Solly March won us a penalty after he was hacked down by a defender and Ryan Hall stepped up and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner to make it 2-1 heading into half time. We came out for the second half with a spring in our step and Jake Forster-Caskey won us yet another penalty as he was pulled down in the box, which he then stepped up and smashed the ball past their keeper to make it 3-1. Solly March then capped off a great performance with a magnificent solo goal which saw he dribble past multiple defenders before chipping the ball over the keeper to send us through to the final!
Solly MarchWe then faced Portsmouth at Fratton Park in a game we dominated. It took until the second half to get our much deserved goal as Ryan Hall played in a cross which their defender handled and Jake Forster-Caskey stepped up to take the penalty and sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 1-0. Solly March then scored from 12 yards after a good passing move leaving the winger one on one with the keeper and he calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner earning us a huge three points!
Ryan HallIn our FA Cup Second Round Replay against Doncaster we caused a huge upset and beat the League 1 side comfortably. Doncaster never showed up as we dominated the midfield. Again, like the previous game, it took us until the start of the second half to take the lead, and Joe Rothwell thumped the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-0 and Luke Watson shortly made it 2-0 to put the game beyond doubt after a neat finish to send us through to the third round of the FA Cup!
Joe RothwellThen we faced Dagenham and Redbridge in the league which resulted in a very tight game and both teams came out with a point each. We took the lead through Ryan Hall, who has been in inspired form as he went round the goalkeeper and slotted the ball into the centre of the net to make it 1-0. They equalised shortly after through a 20 yard strike from Scott Doe to earn Dagenham a vital point and rob us of all three.
Ryan HallAnd for our final game of the month we faced James Beattie's Accrington Stanley at home. They took the lead when Kal Naismith was set through on goal and finished past Rob Lainton. However we equalised shortly after when Ryan Hall found the net yet again to make it 1-1 within the first 35 minutes. Both teams went into half time relatively happy and Accrington took the lead yet again when Daniel Trickett-Smith headed in from a corner but Cameron Park rescued us a point as he fired in from point-blank range to end the month undefeated.
Ryan HallLeague Table
Although we've dropped down to 5th place, we have a game in hand to all those above us and a win would yet again send us to the summit of League 2. We aren't taking anything for granted, that's for sure!
Player of the Month
Ryan Hall
What a surprise... The winger has been in immense form for us and is pretty much taking us to the league title! He has scored over 10 goals for the club this season now in the league but he also has over 10 assists too! What a signing he has been! I hope he carries on his form heading into the New Year.
Slater's Thoughts
Yet another great month from the lads! The results in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and the FA Cup are absolutely amazing but what I like about this month is our results didn't drop in the league and we stayed undefeated, which means our defence has been a vital part of our glorious season so far. We have yet more important games coming up which I'm looking forward too.
The Month Ahead
We've got a very long month on the horizon, and fitness in our players may be a key factor to how we perform. Looking at those games we have a huge one at the start of the month against Southampton and then a big chunk of our League games, which I hope we get at least 15 points from.
nice to see he's doing well for you though.
