Bransay Athletic: Land of the Giants

---

Bransay Athletic have etched their name into club history with a sensational 2-1 victory over Premier League Burnley in the FA Cup Fifth Round at Forge Road, securing their first-ever quarter-final berth.

The League Two side, currently 8th and chasing a play-off spot, outfought their top-flight opponents in front of a raucous 8,000-strong crowd, surpassing their previous best runs to the Fifth Round in 2033 against Liverpool and last season against Tottenham.

The Irons struck first in the 15th minute when Rich Marshall opened the scoring, latching onto Ole Kunst Tangvig’s pinpoint through ball and rifling a low shot past Burnley goalkeeper Joe Povey. Burnley, sitting 12th in the Premier League, responded in the 27th minute as Neil Johnson equalised, heading in a corner to silence the home fans momentarily. However, Bransay’s resilience shone through in the 53rd minute when Kunst Tangvig restored their lead, nodding in a perfectly weighted at the far post to spark wild celebrations.

Despite Burnley’s pressure, Bransay’s defence, led by Jenson Lord and Ian Moore, held firm, with goalkeeper Andrew Reid making crucial saves. Manager Callum Baird, in his 20th year, hailed the result: “This is a dream come true for the club. Rich and Ole were immense, and the lads showed unbelievable heart against a Premier League side. The fans were our 12th man, and we’re buzzing for the quarter-final.”

Bransay now face a daunting away tie against either Brighton & Hove Albion or Newcastle United at Brighton Stadium or St James’ Park on 12 March.

The quarter-final draw sees all four remaining Premier League sides hosting EFL opponents: Manchester United (1st in Premier League) face Championship Plymouth Argyle (11th), who stunned West Ham earlier; Tottenham Hotspur (5th) take on League One Lincoln City (9th), who knocked out Arsenal; and Fulham (2nd) meet Championship Oxford United (23rd).

---

---

---

As we approach the final stretch of the 2043/44 League Two season, February and March have been tough for us, with only two wins, three draws, and five losses across 10 matches. Sitting 10th with 63 points from 42 games, we’ve slipped from our play-off position at the turn of the year, but our FA Cup Fifth Round triumph over Burnley remains a highlight.

We opened February with a 1-1 draw against Yeovil Town at Forge Road on 6 February. Jowan Johnny put Yeovil ahead in the 69th minute, slotting in Kemar Holding’s low pass. David Jones rescued a point in the 93rd minute, heading in Ian Moore’s pinpoint cross.

On 13 February, we drew 1-1 at Coventry City’s Coventry Arena. Steve Crosby gave us the lead in the 5th minute, volleying in Moore’s whipped cross, but Kevin Arnold’s 41st-minute red card for a second yellow shifted momentum. Alex Wickham equalised with a 60th-minute penalty, and Rui Calado’s 68th-minute red card for a reckless tackle left us with nine men, clinging on for the draw.

A 3-1 loss at Dorking Wanderers’ Meadowbank on 20 February was frustrating. Levi Waldon scored in the 37th minute, tapping in Rikardo Upton’s cut-back, followed by Jason Madden’s 42nd-minute header from Waldon’s cross. Dion Coverley pulled one back in the 56th minute, slotting in Liam Kinder’s through ball, but Danny Thompson sealed it for Dorking in the 93rd minute with a low drive.

The FA Cup Fifth Round on 24 February was a high point, as we stunned Premier League Burnley 2-1 at Forge Road. Rich Marshall opened the scoring in the 15th minute, rifling in Ole Kunst Tangvig’s through ball. Neil Johnson equalised for Burnley in the 27th minute, heading in Luca Koleosho’s corner. Kunst Tangvig won it in the 53rd minute, nodding in Federico Delli Carri’s cross, sending the Forge Road faithful into raptures.

We ended February with a 1-0 loss to MK Dons at Forge Road on 27 February. Ben Scott scored in the 18th minute, heading in Rees Cuggy’s cross, and Kunst Tangvig’s 61st-minute penalty miss after a handball cost us a chance to equalise.

On 1 March, we drew 1-1 at Northampton Town’s Sixfields. Carl White scored in the 17th minute, slotting in Richie Edwards’ pass, but Paul Hulme equalised in the 57th minute, heading in Martyn Tomlinson’s long throw.

We bounced back with a 3-1 win over Welling United at Forge Road on 9 March. Arnold opened the scoring in the 6th minute, tapping in Moore’s low cross, and added a second in the 36th minute, heading in Jones’ delivery. Charlie Evans pulled one back for Welling in the 74th minute, slotting in Daniel Gibson’s pass, but Crosby sealed it in the 90th minute, curling in Kinder’s through ball.

A 1-0 loss at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium on 12 March was tough. Niall Lee scored in the 34th minute, tapping in Rob Lewis’ cut-back. Calado’s 42nd-minute red card for a second yellow hurt us, though Callum Taylor’s 84th-minute penalty miss spared us further damage.

The FA Cup Quarter-Final on 18 March saw us lose 3-0 to Newcastle United at St James’ Park. Santiago Álvarez scored in the 20th minute, rifling in Rade Hasicic’s pass. Georgius Poncelet doubled the lead in first-half stoppage time with a low drive and sealed it in the 94th minute, heading in Hasicic’s cross. Peter Connolly’s 57th-minute red card for a second yellow left us with 10 men.

We closed March with a 3-0 loss to Accrington Stanley at Forge Road on 26 March. Chris Clarke scored a 7th-minute penalty, Jenson Lord’s 19th-minute own goal deflected a cross, and Gerallt Laurie sealed it in the 46th minute, slotting in Cauley Flitney’s pass.

---

Leyton Orient lead with 84 points from 42 games, poised to claim the title under Lewis Cowley. FC United hold second with 77 points, followed by Swansea City with 75 points in the automatic promotion spots.

Crewe, MK Dons, Shrewsbury and Carlisle United occupy the play-off spots.

Scunthorpe, Northampton, and we sit just outside the play-offs. Swindon, Woking, Welling, Accrington, QPR, Hartlepool, Cheltenham, Dorking, Burton, Yeovil, Luton and Cambridge form the mid-table and relegation fight.

Doncaster and Coventry City are in the relegation zone, with Coventry all but relegated.

---

---

---

As the 2043/44 League Two season drew to a close, we did end on a high note, winning three of our final four matches to secure an 8th-place finish with 72 points from 46 games. This marks a step up from last season’s 10th place, achieving our consolidation goal despite a challenging campaign. Playing just four league games in April due to our FA Cup run, we went 3-1-0, showcasing the squad’s resilience.

We kicked off April with a commanding 3-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road on 9 April. Steve Crosby opened the scoring in the 21st minute, curling a 20-yard effort into the top corner from Federico Delli Carri’s lay-off. Delli Carri doubled the lead in the 88th minute, heading in David Jones’ pinpoint cross. Rich Marshall sealed it in the 91st minute, tapping in Dion Coverley’s low cut-back after a swift counter.

On 15 April, we stunned title-bound Leyton Orient 2-0 at Forge Road. Dion Coverley struck in the 26th minute, slotting in Lewis Summerfield’s through ball after a quick break. Peter Connolly sealed the win in first-half stoppage time, heading in Delli Carri’s whipped cross, sending the home crowd wild.

A 2-0 loss at Doncaster Rovers’ Keepmoat Stadium on 20 April was a setback. Jack Parker scored in the 42nd minute, heading in Jonathan Newton’s cross, and added a second in the 71st minute, tapping in Haydn Dixon’s low pass. Despite the defeat, our play-off hopes remained mathematically alive.

We closed the season on 23 April with a 4-0 rout of Crewe Alexandra at Forge Road. Ole Kunst Tangvig opened the scoring in the 31st minute, rifling a low shot from a loose ball. He converted a 71st-minute penalty after a handball, and Federico Delli Carri made it 3-0 in the 83rd minute, slotting in Crosby’s pass. Kunst Tangvig completed his first career hat-trick in the 94th minute, heading in Marshall’s cross to cap a memorable finale.

---

Leyton Orient clinched the title with 90 points from 46 games, dominating under Lewis Cowley. FC United secured second with 87 points, while Swansea City took the final automatic promotion spot with 82 points (+31 goal difference).

Carlisle United (82 points, +26 goal difference) missed out on automatics but led the play-offs, followed by Crewe, MK Dons and Shrewsbury. MK Dons won the play-off final 2-0 against Carlisle at Wembley, with goals from Ben Scott and Charlie Spargo, earning promotion to League One.

We finished 8th with 72 points, tied with Scunthorpe United in 9th. Woking, Northampton, Welling, Swindon, Accrington, QPR, Hartlepool, Cheltenham, Dorking, Burton, Luton, Yeovil and Cambridge (36 points, -25 goal difference) completed the mid-table and relegation battle.

Doncaster (36 points, -36 goal difference) and Coventry City were relegated, with Coventry facing their first-ever non-league season.

Next season, relegated League One sides Blackburn Rovers, Grimsby Town, Eastleigh, and Bristol Rovers join us, alongside National League champions Boston United and play-off winners Solihull Moors, who beat Gloucester City in the final.

---

In goal, Andrew Reid was reliable with 44 league appearances, conceding 63 goals and keeping 9 clean sheets. Ger Brookes made 2 league starts, conceding 2 goals.

At right-back, Jordan Frear (31 appearances, 28 starts, 3 assists) shared duties with Paul Hulme (37 appearances, 21 substitute, 2 goals, 2 assists). Sam Perrott added 3 appearances for depth. At left-back, Ian Moore’s 33 starts and 6 assists earned him a move to Stoke City, with Lewis Summerfield impressing in 32 appearances (14 starts, 18 substitute, 2 goals, 3 assists).

At centre-back, Jenson Lord (34 appearances) and Youssoufa Mané (28 appearances) formed our main pairing, with Martyn Tomlinson and Lorcan O’Donnell providing solid backup.

In right midfield, Steve Crosby (31 appearances, 6 goals, 3 assists) edged out loanee David Jones (26 appearances, 3 goals, 2 assists). On the left, Liam Kinder (32 appearances, 5 goals, 7 assists) was a veteran leader at 34, with Rich Marshall (34 appearances, 17 starts, 4 goals, 4 assists) as reliable backup.

In central midfield, Federico Delli Carri shone with 38 appearances, 8 goals, and 8 assists. Rui Calado (29 appearances, 1 goal, 4 assists) was decent but unlikely to return permanently from Vitória de Guimarães. Peter Connolly (35 appearances, 2 goals, 4 assists) and Mark Rothwell (27 appearances, 19 substitute, 4 goals) were dependable, with Benjamin Lamptey offering depth.

Up front, Kevin Arnold led with 14 goals in 35 appearances on loan from Stoke. Ole Kunst Tangvig, 18, scored 13 goals in 40 appearances in his debut season. Dion Coverley (41 appearances, 24 substitute, 10 goals, 9 assists) and Hugh Clarvis (30 appearances, 25 substitute, 4 goals, 2 assists) were impactful off the bench.

---

---

Bransay Athletic have undergone a significant squad overhaul in the summer 2044 transfer window, balancing the departure of key players with 11 first-team signings, including three loanees, and four youth additions.

With eight outgoings and the return of five loanees to their parent clubs, manager Callum Baird has retained 11 players from last season’s 8th-placed League Two side. As relegated sides like Bristol Rovers and promoted teams like Solihull Moors join the division, here’s a timeline of Bransay’s transfer activity from June to July.

---

21 June: The English transfer window opened with a major blow as star midfielder Federico Delli Carri, one of Baird’s first EFL signings from West Brom in 2041, joined League One Leyton Orient for his £425,000 release clause. The 21-year-old Italian, who made 109 league appearances for Bransay with 16 goals and 24 assists, signed until 2047. The club softened the loss by confirming youth signings Marcos Martínez and Ahmed Salah.

1 July: Contract expiries saw youth player Muhamed Salkic depart for Nottingham Forest. Veteran left winger Liam Kinder, 34, retired after a stellar season (32 apps, 5 goals, 7 assists). Full-backs Lewis Summerfield (32 apps, 2 goals, 3 assists) and Sam Perrott (3 apps) also left.

6 July: Bransay’s first first-team signing arrived as 21-year-old right-back Emmanuel Gorowa joined on loan from Stoke City. Gorowa brings League Two experience from FC United (10 apps in 2042/43) and League One pedigree from Luton Town (22 apps).

8 July: Youth prospects Ben Eastham and Jordan Dodge joined the Blackstone Way academy, bolstering Baird’s youth pipeline.

9 July: A busy day saw four arrivals. Mersham’s 21-year-old left winger Carl White joined on loan after 14 apps, 2 goals, and 5 assists at Northampton last season, plus prior League Two experience at Burton Albion. Ghanaian centre midfielder Frimpong Boakye, 18, signed on a free from Sheffield Wednesday. Centre midfielder Josh Hutchings, 21, also arrived on a free from Brighton, having impressed on loan at Carlisle United last season. Huddersfield Town’s 21-year-old forward Steve White joined on loan, bringing 62 League One apps and a stint at Gateshead.

13 July: Bransay added experience with 31-year-old striker Vaughan Huffer from Bristol City and 30-year-old centre-back Owain Griffiths from Gloucester City. Huffer, previously with Nottingham Forest and Griffiths, with 288 EFL appearances across Bolton, Forest, Stanway Pegasus, Cambridge and Blackpool, add veteran nous.

14 July: Youth striker Maxime Muller, an 18-year-old Luxembourg international, was sold to Crystal Palace for £250,000. Signed last season and loaned back to Atert Bissen, Muller’s move reflects Bransay’s knack for profiting from youth.

19 July: Goalkeeper Leon Benning, 25, joined from Crawley Town for a club-record £50,000. The Jamaican international made 75 appearances, conceding 97 goals with 16 clean sheets, and is set to challenge Andrew Reid.

20 July: Backup goalkeeper Ger Brookes was loaned to South Shields to gain experience after two league starts last season.

22 July: Right midfielder Peter Jones, 23, signed from Wolves after loans at Reading and QPR in League One and Two last season.

24 July: Bransay broke their transfer record again, paying £58,000 for Liskeard Athletic’s 22-year-old Nigerian centre midfielder Abdul Kingsley. Centre-back Taurean Grant, 30, also joined from Solihull Moors, bringing 255 League One appearances with Chesterfield and 44 apps last season.

25 July: Centre-back Lorcan O’Donnell and midfielders Benjamin Lamptey and Peter Connolly were released, having provided depth last season.

29 July: Youth signing Fernando Aranda joined the academy, completing the window’s additions.

---

With 11 new first-team players and 11 retained from last season’s 72-point campaign, Baird has rebuilt a squad to compete in a refreshed League Two. The loss of Delli Carri stings, but signings like Huffer, Griffiths and Kingsley add experience, while young talents like Boakye and White promise flair. The £675,000 from Delli Carri and Muller’s sales, plus prior funds, ensures financial stability. As Bransay face new challenges from relegated sides like Blackburn Rovers and promoted Boston United, the Forge Road faithful are eager for another top-half push.

---

---

As I prepare for steering Bransay Athletic into the 2044/45 League Two season, the view from Forge Road is one of cautious optimism. Last season’s 8th-place finish with 72 points was a solid step forward, and our historic FA Cup quarter-final run - beating Burnley - proved we can punch above our weight. With 11 new first-team signings, including three loanees, and a refreshed League Two featuring relegated sides like Blackburn Rovers and promoted Boston United, we’re aiming for a play-off push. The bookies have us as 6th favourites at 10/1, and I’m confident our revamped squad can challenge.

Blackburn Rovers, relegated from League One and 2/5 title favourites under new manager James Marwood, are the team to beat. Despite losing defender Scott Taylor-Ward to Barnsley for £3.8 million and midfielder Tom Dolan to Macclesfield for £300,000, they’ve signed winger Morgan Dolphin permanently from Charlton for £450,000 and added five others, including Barnsley right-back Joe Vincent and Southampton striker Noel Gallagher. Their financial muscle and squad depth make them formidable.

Grimsby Town, at 4/1 under Matt Johnson in his fifth year, are second favourites after relegation. They’ve added three, including Blackpool midfielder Danny Henderson, and their experience could see them dominate.

Carlisle United, 5/1 favourites after a 4th-place finish, have signed three, including Brighton midfielder Gary Thomas and Leeds United’s versatile Lee Dae-Eui, who impressed on loan at Reading. They’re promotion contenders under Tony Gill.

Shrewsbury Town, at 7/1 under Jarrad Branthwaite in his third year, finished 7th last season and added four, including Swansea midfielder Geronimo Fiamengo. They’ll aim for another play-off run.

Crewe Alexandra, at 9/1 under Sam Wickenden, finished 5th and signed four, including Gloucester City defender Curtis Williams and Charlton loanee goalkeeper Jayden Lucas. Their consistency makes them dangerous.

We share 6th-favourite status at 10/1 with Cambridge United, who survived in 22nd last season under TJ Piergianni. Their seven signings, including Middlesbrough full-back Sean Wright and Sheffield United midfielder Shane Cretaro, signal ambition. Eastleigh, also 10/1 under new manager Tamar Snee post-relegation, lost Terrance Joseph to Galatasaray for up to £3.5 million but added six, including Shrewsbury defender Thomas Varian and Fulham midfielder Nebojsa Miladinovic.

Boston United, newly promoted at 12/1 under Sam Sang, mark their first EFL season since 2007 with three signings, including Bournemouth’s Didier Dias on loan. Former Bransay graduate Harry Morrison, who scored 10 goals in 36 apps for them last season, adds intrigue. Scunthorpe United (13/1, 9th last season) under Ryan Lonsdale signed three, including Sunderland striker Ryan Hughes. Accrington Stanley (13/1, 14th) under Raldane Smith added five, including Wrexham full-back Brayden Wensley.

QPR (15/1, 16th) under new manager Tylor O’Nien, Swindon (18/1, 13th) under David Baker, and Cheltenham (18/1, 17th) under new manager Glenn McNulty round out the mid-table contenders. Woking (25/1, 10th), Luton Town (25/1, 20th), Welling (33/1, 12th), Hartlepool (33/1, 15th), Burton Albion (33/1, 19th), Bristol Rovers (50/1), Northampton (50/1, 11th), Solihull Moors (100/1, promoted), Yeovil Town (200/1, 21st) and Dorking Wanderers (250/1, 18th) face varying battles, with Solihull and Dorking tipped for relegation.

---

Leon Benning, our signing from Crawley Town (75 apps, 16 clean sheets), is my starting goalkeeper, bringing Jamaican international pedigree. Andrew Reid (44 apps, 9 clean sheets last season) remains a reliable backup but needs to concede fewer than his 63 goals last term.

---

Emmanuel Gorowa, on loan from Stoke City (10 League Two apps with FC United), will compete with Paul Hulme (37 apps, 2 goals, 2 assists), whose reliability over three seasons makes him a tough incumbent. Both are versatile enough to adapt across the backline. Losing Ian Moore and Lewis Summerfield leaves us thin. Youssoufa Mané, Gorowa, Hulme, or Rich Marshall could fill in, but we’re scouring the market before the deadline. This is our priority to strengthen. Jenson Lord (34 apps) and Youssoufa Mané (28 apps) remain our first-choice pairing, their chemistry key last season. New signings Owain Griffiths (288 EFL apps) and Taurean Grant (255 League One apps) add immense experience, with Martyn Tomlinson retained for depth and aerial presence.

---

Peter Jones, signed from Wolves (13 apps, 1 goal, 3 assists at QPR), gets the nod to start, his youth and potential exciting. Steve Crosby (31 apps, 6 goals, 3 assists) is a proven option to reclaim his spot. Loanee Carl White, with League Two experience at Northampton (14 apps, 2 goals, 5 assists) and Burton (14 apps, 3 goals, 4 assists), is my starter. His pace and creativity should shine after a tough spell at Mersham. Rich Marshall (34 apps, 4 goals, 4 assists) is a steady backup. Delli Carri’s departure (38 apps, 8 goals, 8 assists) is a blow, but Josh Hutchings (33 apps, 4 goals, 5 assists on loan at Carlisle) and Abdul Kingsley (41 apps, 7 goals, 2 assists at Liskeard) form a dynamic new pairing. Frimpong Boakye, 18, from Sheffield Wednesday and Mark Rothwell (27 apps, 4 goals) provide youthful and experienced depth.

---

Vaughan Huffer (105 apps, 8 goals at Bristol City) and loanee Steve White (62 apps, 5 goals at Huddersfield) are my starting duo, bringing EFL nous. Ole Kunst Tangvig (40 apps, 13 goals), despite transfer interest, remains a key option. Dion Coverley (41 apps, 10 goals, 9 assists) and Hugh Clarvis (30 apps, 4 goals, 2 assists) were superb substitutes last season and will compete for starts.

---

---

Bransay Athletic have addressed their left-back shortage with two key signings before the transfer deadline, strengthening their squad for the 2044/45 League Two season.

Manager Callum Baird has secured 24-year-old George Wood from National League Newport County for £17,000 and smashed the club’s transfer record to sign 19-year-old England Under-19 international Danny Edwards from Coventry City for £375,000.

On 3 August, Bransay confirmed the arrival of George Wood on a one-year deal. The 24-year-old began his career at the i2i Academy before joining Gillingham in 2037, where he had loan spells in the sixth tier with Bath City and Brookside Athletic. In 2040, he moved to AFC Wimbledon in League Two, making 16 appearances, followed by loans at Bromley and Herne Bay. Released by Wimbledon, Wood excelled at Newport County last season, making 43 appearances in the National League and one this term. His experience and versatility add depth to a position hit hard by the departures of Ian Moore and Lewis Summerfield.

The headline signing came later in the day, with Baird breaking Bransay’s transfer record to secure Coventry City’s Danny Edwards for £375,000 on a contract until 2046. The 19-year-old, an England Under-19 international, rose through Coventry’s academy, debuting in 2042. He shone in their 2042/43 League One campaign, making 37 appearances despite relegation. Last season, Edwards struggled for game time in League Two under Alex How’s wing-back system, which didn’t suit his attacking style, and made one appearance this term in the National League following Coventry’s second consecutive relegation. Edwards’ pace, crossing, and defensive nous make him a long-term investment.

Baird was delighted: “George brings proven EFL experience and reliability, while Danny is a top young talent with huge potential. Losing Ian and Lewis left us thin at left-back, but these signings raise our squad’s quality. We’re ready to compete.”

---

---

Bransay Athletic are delighted to announce the transfer of 19-year-old Danish striker Ole Kunst Tangvig to Championship side Everton for an undisclosed fee, with the exciting addition that Tangvig will return to Forge Road on loan for the 2044/45 League Two season.

The deal, finalised on 12 September 2024, includes a sell-on clause, ensuring the club benefits from any future transfer of the talented forward. This move adds to the fees already secured from prior transfer dealings, further strengthening our financial position as we aim for a play-off push.

Tangvig, who joined Bransay from Brøndby last season, made an immediate impact in League Two, scoring 13 goals in 40 appearances during our 8th-place finish. His clinical finishing, highlighted by a hat-trick in the season-ending 4-0 win over Crewe Alexandra, and his work rate endeared him to the Forge Road faithful. The Denmark youth international’s performances drew interest from higher divisions, with Everton acting swiftly to secure his signature.

The loan-back arrangement ensures Tangvig continues his development with Bransay, where he’ll lead the line alongside new signings Vaughan Huffer and Steve White, with Dion Coverley and Hugh Clarvis as options.

Manager Callum Baird expressed his enthusiasm: “Ole’s transfer to Everton reflects his immense talent and our academy’s ability to nurture stars. Having him back on loan is a massive boost for our ambitions this season. He’s a fans’ favourite, and we’re thrilled to keep him in the Bransay shirt.”

---

---

---

As we close out the opening months of the 2044/45 League Two season, I’m pleased with our early progress despite a mixed bag of results. We’ve played eight matches - five league and three EFL Cup - winning four, drawing one, and losing three, placing us 4th in League Two with 9 points from five games, firmly in the play-off spots.

We kicked off the season on 30 July with a 2-1 victory against Burton Albion at Pirelli Stadium. Jared Haygarth put Burton ahead in the 24th minute, slotting in Ifeanyi Oladimeji’s low pass. Steve White equalised in the 28th minute, heading in Josh Hutchings’ pinpoint cross. Dion Coverley sealed the win in the 87th minute, rifling a low shot from Abdul Kingsley’s through ball, giving us a perfect league opener.

On 2 August, we edged Fleetwood Town 3-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Forge Road in the EFL Cup First Round. Abdul Kamara scored a 2nd-minute penalty for Fleetwood, but Ole Kunst Tangvig levelled in the 33rd minute with a penalty after a handball. Callum Edwards put Fleetwood ahead in first-half stoppage time, tapping in Kamara’s cut-back, but Kunst Tangvig equalised in the 75th minute, heading in Taurean Grant’s long throw. In the shootout, former Bransay left-back Ian Moore and Imran Mahmood scored for Fleetwood, but Kunst Tangvig, Coverley, and White converted ours to advance.

We suffered a 1-0 loss to Welling United at Forge Road on 6 August. Ricky Thorley scored the decisive goal in the 65th minute, curling a 20-yard effort from Kenniel Lodge’s lay-off, exposing our need for sharper defending.

A 3-0 win at Bristol Rovers’ Memorial Stadium on 13 August got us back on track. Steve Crosby opened the scoring in the 11th minute, slotting in Hutchings’ through ball. Abdul Kingsley doubled the lead in the 40th minute, heading in Carl White’s cross. Steve White sealed it in the 43rd minute, latching onto a long ball from goalkeeper Leon Benning and rifling it into the top corner.

On 20 August, we beat Luton Town 2-1 at Forge Road. Steve White struck in the 23rd minute, tapping in Grant’s low cross. Lee Mitchell equalised for Luton in the 48th minute with a low drive, but Danny Edwards won it in the 55th minute, heading in Youssoufa Mané’s whipped cross.

In the EFL Cup Second Round on 24 August, we drew 3-3 with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, winning 4-2 on penalties. Paul Hulme opened the scoring in the 12th minute, heading in Steve White’s cross. Danny Edwards made it 2-0 in the 21st minute, slotting in Jenson Lord’s pass. Manuel Calderón pulled one back for Sunderland in the 36th minute, tapping in Josh Quill’s cut-back. Steve White restored our two-goal lead in the 45th minute, curling in Kingsley’s pass. Edwards’ 65th-minute red card for a second yellow shifted momentum, and Gastón González scored in the 67th minute, heading in Adilson Fernandes’ cross. González equalised in the 96th minute from Lydon Smith’s pass, but in the shootout, Vaughan Huffer, Kunst Tangvig, Lord, and Frimpong Boakye scored, with only Calderón and Santiago Duarte converting for Sunderland.

A 3-1 loss at Northampton Town’s Sixfields on 27 August was a setback. Peter Rabiu scored in the 20th minute, slotting in Alex Baraclough’s pass, followed by Quentin Crichton’s 23rd-minute header from Liam Ross’ cross. Sam Devine added a 48th-minute penalty, and despite Steve White’s 60th-minute tap-in from Huffer’s cut-back, we couldn’t recover.

Our EFL Cup run ended on 30 August with a 3-0 loss to Bradford City at Valley Parade in the Third Round. George Llewellyn scored in the 27th minute, heading in David Williams’ cross, and added a second in the 36th minute, slotting in Niall Nicholson’s through ball. Matthew Lumley sealed it in the 95th minute, tapping in Paul Buchanan’s pass.

---

QPR lead with 12 points from five games under Tylor O’Nien, showing their ambition. Newly promoted Boston United are a surprise second with 11 points, while Cheltenham hold the final automatic spot with 9 points.

We sit 4th with 9 points, level with the play-off pack of Scunthorpe, Woking, and Dorking on 8 points each.

Welling United (8 points), Northampton, Shrewsbury, Grimsby, Crewe, and Solihull Moors (7 points each), Carlisle, Yeovil, Accrington, and Bristol Rovers (6 points each), Hartlepool, Luton, Burton, and Cambridge (5 points each), and Eastleigh (3 points) form the mid-table.

Relegation favourites Swindon and Blackburn Rovers languish with 2 points each, with Blackburn’s signings yet to gel.

---

---

---

September and October 2044 have tested us - properly tested us. Thirteen matches, four wins, a draw, and a string of losses that’s left us 21st in League Two with 16 points after 15 games. The investment in this squad - lads like Danny Edwards and Abdul Kingsley - set expectations high, but we’ve gone nine league games without a win. That’s a hard truth to swallow, even for a club that’s climbed so far to the EFL.

We opened with a 1-1 draw against QPR at home on September 3rd. Ole Kunst Tangvig, our Everton loanee, sparked hope in the 62nd minute, latching onto a pinpoint through ball from Josh Hutchings and rifling it past their keeper. But QPR’s Kent Gradley-Santangelo levelled in the 83rd, nodding in Monty Wilkinson’s curling cross. A point, sure, but it felt like two dropped.

The EFL Trophy offered a brief reprieve on September 7th, a 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town at Forge Road. Danny Edwards broke the deadlock in the 39th minute, volleying home a clipped pass from Peter Jones, before Carl White doubled it in stoppage time, bundling in Edwards’ low cross.

Then came Scunthorpe United on September 10th and, well, it was chaos. A 6-5 loss - the kind of scoreline that makes you check the scoreboard twice. Harvey Davies struck a penalty for them in the 2nd minute, followed by Richard Robinson’s tap-in from Ryan Hughes’ cutback in the 10th. Davies added another from Hughes’ flick-on a minute later. Peter Jones pulled one back in the 23rd, smashing a half-volley from a corner scramble. Davies completed his hat-trick in the 35th, Hughes made it 4-1 in the 43rd, and Davies scored again post-half-time. Steve White’s header in the 76th, Hugh Clarvis’ tap-in from Frimpong Boakye’s cross in the 80th, and Jenson Lord’s curling effort in the 89th gave us hope. Dion Coverley’s penalty in the 96th made it close, but we fell short.

Blackburn Rovers nicked a 1-0 win at Ewood Park on the 17th, Tom Fenton slotting home Bobby Smith’s low cross in the 68th.

Then Solihull Moors thumped us 4-1 at Damson Park on the 24th. Zak Lawrence’s penalty in the 18th and Layton McGaughey’s brace tore us apart. Carl White’s header from Vaughan Huffer’s cross in the 57th was our only reply before Bobby Preston sealed it for them in the 86th.

October didn’t start much better. Hartlepool United beat us 2-0 at Forge Road on the 1st, despite their Anthony Preston seeing red just before half-time. Marios Ristanis scored from Connor Vaughan’s pass in the 48th, and Loui Warre sealed it in the 90th from another Vaughan assist.

The EFL Trophy clash with Nottingham Forest on the 4th was a rollercoaster - a 3-3 draw, then a 4-2 penalty shootout loss. Paul Hulme’s header from Peter Jones’ cross in the 21st was cancelled out by Trystan Thompson’s strike. Kalvin Barford-Jacklin, one of our own academy lads now at Forest, haunted us with goals in the 45th and 54th. Martyn Tomlinson’s header from Carl White’s corner in the 87th and Steve White’s equaliser from Huffer’s cross in the 91st forced penalties, but Huffer and Boakye missed, and Forest converted all four.

Yeovil Town edged us 2-1 at home on the 8th. Rich Brown’s low drive from Kemar Holding’s pass in the 16th was matched by Josh Hutchings’ curled effort from Steve Crosby’s lay-off in the 23rd, but Brown’s penalty in the 42nd won it, even with Yeovil’s Donievam Linhares sent off later.

Crewe Alexandra took a 2-1 win at Gresty Road on the 15th - Dion Coverley’s header from Steve White’s cross in the 55th wasn’t enough after Ricardo Fletcher’s equaliser and Niall Rimmer’s winner from Shane Palmer’s pass.

Dorking Wanderers piled on at their shiny Richard Morris Park on the 19th, 3-1. Sean Walshe scored in the 10th from Stian Vikstrand’s cross, Frazer Solkhon added another in the 12th from Walshe’s pass, and though Tomlinson pulled one back in the 64th from Kunst Tangvig’s assist, Paul Middleton’s header from Harry Craddock’s cross in the 66th sealed it.

Relief came against Cheltenham Town on the 22nd, a 3-0 home win. Coverley opened with a clinical finish in the 27th, Steve White tapped in Rich Marshall’s cross in the 42nd, and Huffer rounded it off in the 86th from Emmanuel Gorowa’s pass, despite Marshall’s red card for a second yellow.

Shrewsbury Town fell 2-0 at the Croud Meadow on the 26th, Huffer converting two penalties.

The FA Cup First Round brought a 3-1 win over Flansham Park Rangers at home on the 29th. Timothy Bateau scored for them in the 25th from Peter Arthurs’ assist, and Mark Rothwell missed a penalty in the 30th, but Coverley equalised in the 32nd from George Wood’s pass. Hugh Clarvis then took over, scoring in the 71st from Hutchings’ assist and again in the 94th from Coverley’s through ball.

---

Welling lead with 29 points after 15 games, with Woking and Scunthorpe (both 28) in the automatic spots. Boston United (26), QPR (24), Shrewsbury (24), and Luton (22) hold playoff places.

We’re languishing in 21st with 16 points, just above Burton and Blackburn (15) and well clear of Northampton’s freefall (8 points, nine losses). Solihull and Bristol Rovers (22), Grimsby and Crewe (21), and Eastleigh, Cheltenham, and Carlisle (20) are all within reach, but that run - nine league games without a win - isn’t what we built this squad for.

---