After a brilliant September, we started October by losing away at Gillingham. It was a game in which we never really got going. Early on Doug Loft and Cody McDonald combined to force an excellent save from Joel Coleman, before McDonald was again denied by Coleman. But in the 25th minute Dominic Samuel nipped in front of defence to nod in the eventual winner. Rhys Murphy had a chance to equalise in the 86th minute, but Zeli Ismail's cross was just stretching too far to turn it in.





I decided to prioritise our League and League Cup campaign by putting out a weakened team to face Crewe Alexandra. We lost courtesy of a 10th Callum Saunders goal after a defensive mix up.





We got back to winning ways at home to Scunthorpe, but it didn't start off ideally. James Wilson turning the ball into our goal. But we rallied and pulled it back to 1-1 when Dominic Poleon finished Carl Winchester's cross. He almost got his second after some nice build up, but Luke Daniels parried his left footed effort toward Zeli Ismail and the on loan Wolves winger put us in the lead ten minutes into the second half. Poleon rounded off the scoring with a volley from a Richard Eckersley cross.





Our joy after the Scunthorpe win was short lived, however. Struggling Sheffield United snatching a 1-0 win by way of a Will Keane strike in 42nd minute.





We bounced back from that defeat in perfect fashion. With our biggest win of the season, right back Richard Eckersley gave us the lead after his first attempt from an Aaron Kuhl free kick. Raphael Branco then gave us a penalty after bringing down Dominic Poleon, Aaron Kuhl converted the subsequent spot kick with a powerful shot into the top left corner. Carl Winchester whipped in a superb cross onto the head of Dominic Poleon who brushed off Branco to crash home his header. The Brazilian centre back's day then got worse as he beat Dominic Poleon to a Timothee Dieng pass, but also beat his own goalkeeper to compound Swindon's misery.





Now for the derby, a 2-0 victory that could well prove crucial come May. It was a nervy first half, Zeli Ismail came closest in the first fourty five, with a shot from a tight angle that smashed against the post. Jonathan Forte gave us the lead just seven minutes into the second half, and Joseph Mills finished off Dale with a right footed lob in the 90th minute.





Another cup upset, as we saw off Derby County at Pride Park. The hosts took the lead after Fran Velez hooked in a Nick Blackman flick on from a corner in the 24th minute. That lead lasted just nine minutes though, as Velez cancelled out his opener by giving away the penalty which Jonathan Forte converted with a well placed shot into the bottom right corner. The game fizzled out in the second half, with Derby having the pick of the second half chances, Cyrus Christie slicing a golden opportunity into the side netting. It was left to Rhys Murphy to win it for us in the 115th minute, slotting home an Aaron Kuhl through ball with ease.





We ended October on a high, again having to come from behind against Burton Albion. On loan Derby youngster Mason Bennett gave the visitors the lead with a towering header twelve minutes in. Dominic Poleon pulled it back to 1-1 with a header of his own, before doubling his and our tally by pouncing on a mix up at the back twenty minutes from time.



Aaron Kuhl takes home his second player of the month award, after some dominant displays in midfield, he added to his growing assists tally and scored a penalty against Swindon Town. His loan transfer already looks a bargain.




By the end of October we had retained our 2nd placed spot in the league, but the four point gap against Barnsley remains, there is no place for slip ups as we head into November. Rochdale are just a point behind us and we have a crucial game against Barnsley at Boundary Park as well as the beginning of our FA Cup campaign against Stalybridge.

Very close at the top hopefully you can stay there for the rest of the season

That is a seriously busy month... you did well to get through that set of fixtures with such great results

Still going very strong in the league mate, keep it up and you'll be serious contenders for promotion at the end of the year!

ninjaskill, mgriffin2012: Cheers lads, hope so!

Griffo: Fixture list isn't getting easier, but it was a good month.

That Swindon win is top! You can really go for it now!

Jack: It was brilliant, big chance at promotion now!

Wednesday October 28th 2016

I watched the draw nervously, six Premier League teams in that. Including my beloved Manchester City.


''Hello and welcome to the Capital One Cup Quarter Final draw, it's been a big night of action at Pride Park with Oldham beating Derby at Pride Park and Manchester City edging past rivals Manchester United on penalties. We've got Gary Neville here with Jamie Carragher to draw the teams. Gary's doing the home teams, Jamie the away teams.''

GN: ''Number seven.''


JC: ''Number five''


Already a Championship side drawn, QPR the only none Premier League opponents we could face.



GN: ''Number six''


JC: ''Number one'''


I'm nervous, my stomach is doing flip flaps quicker than Ronaldinho. I can't feel my legs, not City. Please.



GN: ''Number two''


Okay, home advantage for the Quarter Final...just not City, not City, not City...

JC: ''Number eight''


City at home, the toughest team we could have gotten on paper. Divided loyalties. The club I work for, and the club I've supported all my life...



GN: ''Number three''

Awesome update with the draw, crazy to see you get that match up as well....

Griffo: Cheers mate, tried hard with the graphics on this one. I guess it was written I'd draw City...

Great update mate, looks incredible! Really challenging draw though

mgriffin2012: Thanks mate, put a lot of effort into the graphics. It is indeed a challenging draw but I'm up for it!

After a much needed full week rest, we started November with a trip to non league Stalybridge. Who provided a stern defence that our attack struggled to break down, Joseph Mills 91st minute strike settled it as we look to add to our cups runs the campaign.





Chesterfield proved easier pickings for us in the next match however, Dominic Poleon on target yet again with an acrobatic volley in the 34th minute. Joseph Mills was on target again, scoring two goals in six minutes, the first a mishit cross from the byline that swerved in. His second was an excellent finish from close range after a defence splitting through ball from Aaron Kuhl.





Our opening home game of the month was a crucial fight for 1st against Barnsley, Dominic Poleon provided the only goal. Smashing a low cross from Richard Eckersley at close range. But we were given a late scare when a loose ball slipped through Joel Coleman's gloves, however it was cleared by Jonathan Forte as we opened a one point at the top of the table.





We nearly slipped up in our very next game however, teenage centre back Theo Vassell the unfortunate man to bobble the ball into our goal. But two quickfire goals snatched us the three points, the first from Rhys Murphy after the Irishman took down a chipped through ball from Zeli Ismail with aplomb before finishing with ease. Ismail then turned scorer, firing in the rebound from a powerful Carl Winchester shot.





We ended November with a disappointing 0-0 draw against Crewe Alexandra. Anthony Gerrard had our best chance, but his near post volley was straight at Ben Garratt. The hosts best effort came via Zoumana Bakayogo.in 66th minute, with a curled effort from just inside the penalty area that cracked the post. Despite pressure from both sides neither could break the deadlock, as we shared the spoils.



Left back Joseph Mills takes the Player of the Month award for November, with three goals and four clean sheets. The 26 year old has proven himself equally adept playing further forward as a left winger in the absence of Jonathan Forte, on international duty with Barbados.




We head into the final month of 2015 with a five point over 2nd placed Barnsley, but the Tykes do have a game in hand on us against highflying Peterborough. In December we face Manchester City in our League Cup Quarter Final match. As well as matches against struggling sides, Blackpool , Coventry and Doncaster.

Looking great for you at the top!

Nearly half way through mate and being top of the table is a great position to be in with half a season left!