Eastwood Town: From The Bottom, To The Top

Gilpin is still rated my best keep by far, I bought a back-up keeper of similar ability just to be safe. Hopefully he can grow into league 2.

#53450 kingcraigan : Gilpin is still rated my best keep by far, I bought a back-up keeper of similar ability just to be safe. Hopefully he can grow into league 2.

Nice one! Commiserations with the Trophy Final by the way mate, although it's a bit refreshing to see someone write a story where they win absolutely everything all the time!

Thanks, all conference cup competitions have eluded me on every version of football manager. I've won countless Champions League/FA Cups etc but when it comes down to the FA Trophy and the old Conference Shield I just can't seem to register a win. I thought this was the year, but it wasn't to be again lol

August
Morecambe 3 – 3 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 3)
Jamil Adam 4’ 42’
Jonathan Lynch 26’
Gary MacDonald (Morecambe)
Eastwood Town’s first ever game as a fully professional football league was away at Morecambe. The relegation favourites defied the odds and raced into a three goal lead at half time. However after a lot of poor defending they let this lead slip and ended up settling for a point

Bolton Wanderers 6 – 0 Eastwood Town (HT: 5 – 0) League Cup 1st Round
Ismail Abdul-Lateef (Bolton)
Eastwood Town travelled to the Reebok Stadium facing impossible odds and the question on everyone’s mind was how many are the Badgers going to concede. In the end, Bolton put 6 past a shocked Badgers defence.

Eastwood Town 1 – 1 Grimsby Town (HT: 1 – 0)
Jamil Adam 10’
Ross Gardner
Coronation Park hosted its first league game as they entertained Grimsby. Once again, the Badgers went ahead early but were made to pay for bad defending as the Mariners grabbed a point.

Northampton Town 0 – 1 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 0)
Danny Coles 63’
Danny Coles
Eastwood Town secured their first ever league win with a very defensive performance against Northampton. Despite the Cobblers dominating possession and chances, Eastwood Town hit them on the break to record their first win of the campaign.

Eastwood Town 0 – 2 Cheltenham Town (HT: 0 – 1)
Jermaine McGlashan (Cheltenham)
Eastwood welcomed Cheltenham to Coronation Park hoping to build on their performance from the previous game. Despite an even match, the Robins picked up the victory with two goals either side of half-time.

Eastwood Town 2 – 2 Burton Albion (HT: 1 – 1)
Tresor Kandol 12’
Ashley Cain 60’
Billy Kee (Burton)
Coronation Park was still waiting for a first win when Burton came to visit. Eastwood Town went ahead twice through goals from Tresor Kandol and Ashley Cain but the Brewers hit back each time to leave with a point. The Badgers still waiting for a first home win.


Eastwood Town 15th

League Cup: Lost in 1st round (v Bolton)

September
Eastwood Town 2 – 3 Doncaster Rovers (HT: 1 – 0) JPT North 1st Round
Lewis Whiteley 13’
Danny Mitcheley 84’
Stacy Long (Doncaster)
Eastwood Town’s first taste of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy ended in defeat to League One Doncaster. The Badgers got off to a fine start and led at the interval, Rovers hit back and took the lead. With time running out Danny Mitcheley scored a late equaliser but deep in stoppage time, Rovers showed their class to progress to the next round

Macclesfield Town 0 – 2 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 2)
Jonathan Lynch 10’
Danny Mitcheley 22’
Danny Mitcheley
Back in the league, the Badgers had an away trip to Macclesfield. Despite the opinions of the bookies, Eastwood Town grabbed a deserved win with both goals coming before half-time.

Eastwood Town 1 – 2 Bury (HT: 1 – 2)
Tresor Kandol 10’
David Foley (Bury)
Coronation Park hosted Bury hoping for a first home win. Bury had much better of the game and despite Tresor Kandol’s early goal giving the Badgers the advantage, they managed to overcome Eastwood Town.

Plymouth Argyle 0 – 1 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 0)
Danny Mitcheley 86’
Thomas Lyskov
The Badgers visited Home Park for the first time hoping to pick up another win. Despite Plymouth looking the stronger side, Eastwood Town recorded a smash-and-grab win as Danny Mitcheley secured all three points.

Wycombe Wanderers 0 – 0 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 0)
Keith Lowe (Wycombe)
A bracing day in Wycombe welcome the Eastwood Town players, and most fans probably wished they hadn’t made the trip as the game fizzled out into a bore draw.

Transfers: Eastwood Town sign Andy Robinson on loan from Southampton for 3 months

Eastwood Town 1 – 2 Walsall (HT: 0 – 2)
Jamil Adam 56’
Manny Smith (Walsall)
Coronation Park was left waiting for its first win as Walsall came and inflicted another defeat on Eastwood Town. For the Badgers fans, it is apparent the gulf in class between the two teams and Eastwood will be lucky to stay in the league.

League Table:
Forgot to screenshot this. Still early days in the league though.

League Cup: Lost in 1st round (v Bolton)
JPT: Lost in North 1st round (v Doncaster)

October
Eastwood Town 1 – 1 Torquay United (HT: 1 – 0)
Andy Robinson 17’
Ian Morris (Torquay)
Eastwood kicked off October with a visit from fellow strugglers Torquay. It was Eastwood who had the better chances in the first half, and went into the interval a deserved goal up. The second half was a more even affair and went Torquay went down to ten men, the Badgers fans could taste three points. However, it was not to be as Eastwood conceded another late goal.

Gateshead 1 – 1 Eastwood Town (HT: 1 – 1)
Tresor Kandol pen 15’
James Curtis (Gateshead)
The 2012/13 Blue Square Premier rivals played each other yet again, this time in League 2. Once again, the teams shared a draw. Tresor Kandol put the Badgers ahead but Gateshead hit back and in the end, the draw was the fair result.

Eastwood Town 4 – 5 Hartlepool United (HT: 2 – 2)
Jamil Adam 1’
Scott Garner 45+1’ 50’ 68’
Scott Garner
Coronation Park hosted a cracker of a game when Eastwood entertained recently-relegated Hartlepool. Despite taking the lead many times, the defense was the Badger’s downfall as despite scoring four goals, they got no points.

Barnet 3 – 2 Eastwood Town (HT: 1 – 0)
Jamil Adam 48’
Tresor Kandol 63’
Greg McDermott 75’
Sam Deering (Barnet)
Once again, Eastwood Town proved the equal of their opponents for long stretches of the game at Underhill, but defensive mistakes cost them the match. Eastwood Town will have a real battle to stay in the league, there is no money for wages and the low club stature means there are no high-quality loans. Chaplin is doing well to achieve results with a wage budget of 1/10th(!) of the other clubs in League 2.

Eastwood Town 0 – 4 Gillingham (HT: 0 – 1)
Ben Alnwick (Gillingham)
Gillingham struck lucky to leave Coronation Park with all three points. Eastwood Town bombarded the opposition goal but could not score, and four counter-attacks left the Badgers with a heavy defeat.

League Table:

Eastwood 19th with 15 points - 6 points above relegation

League Cup: Lost in 1st round (v Bolton)
JPT: Lost in North 1st round (v Doncaster)

November
Exeter City 4 – 1 Eastwood Town (HT: 2 – 0)
Danny Mitcheley 51’
Matthew Regan (Exeter)
The Grecians brushed aside a disappointing Eastwood Town at St. James Park running out 4 – 1 winners. Danny Mitcheley grabbed a consolation for the hosts early in the second half. Eastwood are now on a really poor run of form.

Oxford United 3 – 1 Eastwood Town (HT: 1 – 1)
Paul Lorraine 4’
James Constable (Oxford)
Eastwood Town made their way to Oxford hoping to turn around their worst form for a few years. Despite getting an early lead, a poor performance from the Badgers (that made Oxford look like Barcelona) meant that they were left empty-handed again.

Eastwood Town 0 – 0 Gateshead (HT: 0 – 0) FA Cup 1st Round
Joe Anyon (Gateshead)
The FA Cup provided a welcome distraction for the Badgers fans as they once again faced Gateshead. Yet again, there was nothing to separate the teams, Eastwood mustered the only shots on target but it goes to a replay at the International Stadium.

FA Cup Draw – Eastwood Town or Gateshead will be away at Blue Square South leaders Dover in the 2nd round.

Eastwood Town 4 – 1 Bradford City (HT: 0 – 1)
Paul Lorraine 59’ 90’
Andy Robinson 76’
Chris Martin OG 90+3’
Paul Lorraine
The Badgers hoped to turn around their worst form in Craig Chaplin’s managerial tenure as Coronation Park welcomed Bradford. Eastwood were poor in the first half and went into the break 1 – 0 down. With a few fans wondering whether to stay or not, Eastwood Town came out and put in a much improved performance, managing to put four goals past Bradford. In a post-match interview, some players in the Eastwood dressing room said that it was the manager’s words at half-time that turned things around for them.

Gateshead 0 – 1 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 0) FA Cup 1st Round Replay
Tresor Kandol pen 63’
Andy Robinson Injured (Fractured ribs – 2 months)
Sam Rents (Gateshead)
Once again, these two teams played each and there was almost nothing to choose between them. Despite Gateshead dominating chances at home, Tresor Kandol scored a penalty and a fine defensive performance put Eastwood through to the 2nd Round.

Eastwood Town 1 – 2 Port Vale (HT: 1 – 0)
Tresor Kandol pen 45+1’
Bradley Garston (Port Vale)
With Eastwood gathering a little bit of form, they hosted Port Vale in a relegation six-pointer. The Badgers had the better of the first half and deservedly took the lead through Tresor Kandol’s penalty. Port Vale managed to pick up the points as they seized on Eastwood’s defensive mistakes.

League Table:

Eastwood Town 21st with 18 points - 3 above relegation

FA Cup: Second Round - Vs Dover (A)
League Cup: Lost in 1st round (v Bolton)
JPT: Lost in North 1st round (v Doncaster)

December
Dover 1 – 1 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 0) FA Cup 2nd Round
Tresor Kandol 78’
Marcel Seip (Dover)
Eastwood Town travelled to Dover in the 2nd round of the FA Cup. After a very even first half, Dover opened the scoring to send to home fans crazy. Tresor Kandol equalised to force a replay.

FA Cup Draw: Eastwood Town or Dover will be at home to Reading of the Championship

Accrington Stanley 0 – 1 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 0)
Tresor Kandol 50’
Scott Garner
Back in the league, Eastwood Town faced a tough trip away to Accrington. Despite the league standings, the Badgers managed to pick up all three points to another Tresor Kandol goal just after half-time.

Eastwood Town 2 – 1 Dover (HT: 1 – 0) FA Cup 2nd Round Replay
Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz OG 37’ 81’
Adam Scorfield (Dover)
With a little bit of fixture congestion, Eastwood Town fielded a team with a host of changes for the FA Cup replay. Despite Dover having the better of the game, they could not pull off a shock as the Badgers went through to face Reading thanks to 2 own goals.

Eastwood Town 1 – 2 Shrewsbury Town (HT: 1 – 1)
Keith Briggs 3’
Keith Briggs
Coronation Park hosted high-flying Shrewsbury as Eastwood attempted to get more points to stay up. The Badgers were off to a flyer through Scott Garner, however Shrewsbury showed their ability and recorded a 2 – 1 victory.

Luton Town 2 – 3 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 2)
Jamil Adam 20’ 77’
Jonathan Lynch 27’
Tresor Kandol injured (Strained ankle ligaments – 6 weeks)
Jamil Adam
Eastwood Town secured a massive victory in the Boxing Day game. The Badgers were on a bad run of form, but Jamil Adam and Jonathan Lynch put them 2 goals up at half-time. Bad defending is a key theme of this campaign and that was on show once again as Luton pulled 2 goals back. Jamil Adam delighted the away supporters by scoring the winner.

Eastwood Town 0 – 0 Morecambe (HT: 0 – 0)
Paul Lorraine
In a reverse of the first day fixture, the Badgers hosted Morecambe. This game was not a free-scoring affair however as it petered out into a bore draw. The Badgers had the better of the game, but will happily take another point.

League Table:

Eastwood Town are 19th with 25 points, 4 above relegation

FA Cup: Second Round - Vs Reading (H)
League Cup: Lost in 1st round (v Bolton)
JPT: Lost in North 1st round (v Doncaster)

Half-Season Review
Quite simply, this is my most frustrating season on FM ever. With 1/10th the wage budget of other sides it is a minor miracle I am achieving what I am. The stature of the club is pretty low which means I can’t get any decent players on loan; the Board can’t find a parent club either.
Most of the players I have are rated “decent BSP players” and to still be above the drop-zone is amazing.

My target is 50 points, it will be enough for me to stay in the league, and hopefully receive some finances to move up. I will not end this story after a few bumps, you are here till the bitter end of being sacked, or the glory of the premier league!

January
Transfers In:
Adam Wixted (AML) – Loan from Derby
Theo Vernon (ST) – Loan from West Ham
Peter Grant (DC) – Loan from Peterborough

Eastwood Town 0 – 2 Reading (HT: 0 – 1) FA Cup 3rd Round
Jimmy Kebe (Reading)
Reading were the visitors to Eastwood in the 3rd round of the FA Cup and eased to a 2 nil victory. Eastwood had a few chances but they never expected to get a result here.

Eastwood Town 1 – 1 Northampton (HT: 1 – 0)
Keith Briggs 15’
Adam Wixted
Eastwood Town will be the more contented team as they picked up a point at home to Northampton. Keith Briggs scored a good header to give the Badgers a lead, but the Cobblers fought back after half-time to gain a point.

Grimsby Town 4 – 1 Eastwood Town (HT: 1 – 1)
Danny Coles 24’
Andi Thajoy (Grimsby)
Eastwood Town travelled to relegation rivals Grimsby hoping for some points. They left disappointed as Grimsby showed their class to run out 4 – 1 winners.

Cheltenham Town 1 – 1 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 0)
Adam Wixted 75’
Jeff Goulding (Cheltenham)
Another match against relegation rivals, Eastwood Town managed to win a point as Adam Wixted scored an equaliser to share the spoils. On this performance, the Badgers may yet reach their points target and stay up.

Eastwood Town 2 – 1 AFC Wimbledon (HT: 1 – 0)
Thomas Lyskov 30’
Keith Briggs 53’
Adam Wixted 5’
Keith Briggs
Eastwood Town put in an excellent performance to record a massive three points at Coronation Park. Adam Wixted put the Badgers at a disadvantage when he got himself sent off for a two-footed challenge. Eastwood Town changed things around a bit but still managed to dominate the game, recording a good three points in the process

Burton Albion 0 – 1 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 1)
Jamil Adam 3’
Jamil Adam
The build-up to this game was dominated by Paul Peschisolido disparaging remarks about the Eastwood style of play. The Badgers made him eat his words as they recorded a second straight victory, Jamil Adam getting an early goal. A good defensive performance by Eastwood made sure they left with three points.

League Table:
Forgot to take a screen shot of this, but Eastwood have 33 points.

FA Cup: Lost in 3rd round (v Reading)
League Cup: Lost in 1st round (v Bolton)
JPT: Lost in North 1st round (v Doncaster)

February
Eastwood Town 2 – 2 Macclesfield Town (HT: 1 – 1)
Jamil Adam 31’
Ashley Cain 49’
Ben Tomlinson (Macclesfield)
Eastwood Town welcomed Macclesfield to a half-full Coronation Park, the Badgers went behind early but rallied to go in level at half time. Ashley Cain put the home side ahead after the interval but Macclesfield scored an equaliser to rescue a point.

Bury 0 – 0 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 0)
Paul Lorraine
Gigg Lane hosted Eastwood in a boring stalemate. With hardly any incidents of note, the Badgers were happy with another point that keeps them edging towards their target.

Eastwood Town 2 – 2 Plymouth Argyle (HT: 1 – 1)
Jamil Adam 1’ 77’
Jamil Adam
Eastwood Town played a high scoring draw against relegation rivals Plymouth at Coronation Park. Jamil Adam getting the hosts off to the flyer before Argyle equalised just before the break. In the second-half, the chances were all Eastwood’s and Jamil Adam grabbed his second goal of the game. A home win was denied however, as Plymouth snatched a late equaliser.

Walsall 2 – 1 Eastwood Town (HT: 1 – 0)
Jamil Adam 63’
Tom Naylor (Walsall)
Eastwood Town travelled to the Bescot Stadium on a small undefeated run. This came to an end at the hands of Walsall though. Walsall dominated chances in the first half and went in ahead. Jamil Adam grabbed an equaliser before Walsall snatched a late winner to keep the home fans happy.

Torquay United 3 – 3 Eastwood Town (HT: 1 – 1)
Greg McDermott 2’ 60’
Tresor Kandol 57’
Miles Storey (Torquay)
The Badgers took a trip to the English Rivera for a relegation six-pointer against Torquay. Eastwood managed to get into a 3-1 lead with 30 minutes to go before letting it slip to leave with a point.

League Table:

Eastwood Town 18th with 37 points - 6 points above the dropzone

FA Cup: Lost in 3rd round (v Reading)
League Cup: Lost in 1st round (v Bolton)
JPT: Lost in North 1st round (v Doncaster)

March
Eastwood Town 0 – 0 Wycombe Wanderers (HT: 0 – 0)
James Gilpin
Thomas Lyskov injured (hip injury – 2 months)
The Badgers were held to a dull draw by the fellow strugglers Wycombe, the only incident of note was promising left-back Thomas Lyskov stretchered off with a long-term injury.

Eastwood Town 1 – 1 Gateshead (HT: 1 – 0)
Greg McDermott 12’
Greg McDermott
Eastwood Town once again shared the spoils with an in-form Gateshead team. Greg McDermott scored an early long range effort, but Gateshead equalised after the break to take a point.

Hartlepool United 1 – 1 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 0)
Danny Coles 51’
Danny Coles
Despite the bookies giving the Badgers high odds to even get anything out of the game, Eastwood put in a very good performance. Danny Coles put the Badgers ahead with a headed goal just after half-time, but Hartlepool equalised to deny Eastwood another three points.

Eastwood Town 4 – 1 Barnet (HT: 2 – 0)
Jamil Adam 12’ 23’ 66’
Keith Briggs 52’
Jamil Adam
The Badgers were putting together a vital unbeaten run when Barnet came to visit. The side from London was left shell-shocked as Jamil Adam put on an amazing show. He scored two goals before half time to give Eastwood a strong lead then completed his hat-trick in the second to mean Eastwood scored 4 at home and gained 3 points.

Gillingham 2 – 2 Eastwood Town (HT: 1 – 1)
Jamil Adam 42’
Jonathan Lynch pen 88’
Reuben Reid (Gillingham)
Eastwood travelled to the Priestfield Stadium to face Gillingham, looking for a second straight victory. The first half was pretty even, with the score 1 – 1 at half time. Gillingham took the lead in the second-half but a late penalty from Jonathan Lynch denied them the three points.

Transfers In
Dale Tonge (DR) - Free
Mark Duffy (AMR) - Free

Eastwood Town 2 – 2 Exeter City (HT: 2 – 2)
Keith Briggs 35’
Jamil Adam 45+1’
Jamil Adam
Coronation Park hosted an Exeter side fighting at the completely different end of the table. The form book was proven wrong however, as the Badgers picked up another vital point, with all the goals coming in the first half.

Eastwood Town 0 – 3 Oxford United (HT: 0 – 0)
Callum Chambers (Oxford)
With a small unbeaten run forming, Eastwood hosted playoff hopefuls Oxford. The first half could have gone either way and it was goalless at the break. Oxford took advantage of tired legs in the second-half and went away deserved winners.

League Table:

Eastwood Town 18th with 45 points - 8 points clear of the drop

FA Cup: Lost in 3rd round (v Reading)
League Cup: Lost in 1st round (v Bolton)
JPT: Lost in North 1st round (v Doncaster)

April
Bradford City 2 – 0 Eastwood Town (HT: 1 – 0)
Craig Fagan (Bradford)
Eastwood Town kicked off April with a trip to Valley Parade. Bradford controlled the game, but the Badgers fans won’t mind, with the end of the season in sight, they can see safety.

Port Vale 1 – 0 Eastwood Town (HT: 1 – 0)
Adam Forshaw (Port Vale)
With tired legs after a long season, Eastwood just didn’t turn up for this away game. Port Vale picked up three deserved points.

Eastwood Town 1 – 0 Accrington Stanley (HT: 0 – 0)
Jamil Adam 82’
Danny Coles
Coronation Park welcomed Accrington for a relegation six-pointer. And it was the Nottinghamshire team who picked up a vital win with Jamil Adam grabbing a late goal.

Shrewsbury Town 4 – 1 Eastwood Town (HT: 3 – 1)
Jamil Adam 6’
James Collins (Shrewsbury)
Shrewsbury Town were on a 20 match unbeaten run when they hosted strugglers Eastwood. Jamil Adam threatened to upset the promotion chasers when he put the Badgers ahead; however Shrewsbury reacted well to record a big victory.

Eastwood Town survive in League 2, they are 7 points clear with only 2 games remaining!

Eastwood Town 2 – 0 Luton Town (HT: 1 – 0)
Mark Duffy 21’
Danny Coles 62’
Danny Coles
Coronation Park was in a triumphant mood as their manager had led the Badgers to safety with games to spare. Luton were the visitors and Eastwood put in a dominant performance to leave the fans happy on the last home game of the season.

League Table:

Eastwood 19th on 51 points - 10 points clear of relegation and SAFE!

FA Cup: Lost in 3rd round (v Reading)
League Cup: Lost in 1st round (v Bolton)
JPT: Lost in North 1st round (v Doncaster)

May
AFC Wimbledon 2 – 0 Eastwood Town (HT: 0 – 0)
James Gray (AFC Wimbledon)
With safety assured, Eastwood Town hosted a raft of changes for the final league game. AFC Wimbledon ran out deserved winners but overall, the season was a success for the Badgers.

Transfer News: Jamil Adam announces he will leave Eastwood Town at the end of the season. The club were not able to match the wage demands of the striker.

Final League Table:

Eastwood finish 19th with 51 points - 10 points clear of relegation!

FA Cup: Lost in 3rd round (v Reading)
League Cup: Lost in 1st round (v Bolton)
JPT: Lost in North 1st round (v Doncaster)

End of Season Review
I’m very satisfied to stay in League 2, with the players I had for most of the season it was impossible to achieve anything else. The cup competitions were just a distraction away from the main goal of staying in the league.

Fan’s Player of the Season – Jamil Adam

Next season I hope to use the raised stature of my club to achieve some stellar players to push on in the league and maybe get promoted, I at least hope to be challenging at the right end of the table.
It’s disappointing that Jamil Adam wanted too much money to stay, but no player is bigger than the club.
The club received £250k by staying in the league, and hopefully this will allows us to compete better with our rivals.