April 2012

A 0-0 draw with Braintree Town kicked off April; in what was the final month of scheduled fixtures. Considering our form going into the game, we really should've beaten them, especially since they were just below half way in the league, with nothing much to play for except their own pride. It really was a boring game, with only seven shots between the two sides. A very uncharacteristic performance by us.

We were back to winning ways two days later against Vauxhall however, with an assured 3-1 victory. Ryan Charles was the star performer on the day; grabbing his second hat-trick of the season, and consequently the Man of the Match award.

We achieved the exact same scoreline the following week against a poor Stalybridge side. Cheung Ka Ho, the opposition's 'keeper, put the ball into his own net after 9 minutes, and we were in full control from then on. Despite Stalybridge's equaliser, two neat finishes from Lewis Alessandra and Ryan Charles gave us the 3 points, with Charles once again receiving the Man of the Match award.

Two 3-0 victories against Tamworth and Eastwood left us in 3rd place going into the final game against Hinckley. Ryan Charles grabbed two goals in both games, and the Man of the Match award, to make it four in as many games, with eight goals coming in that time. He was on form, there was no doubt about that. However, the expectancy to perform well did seem to be getting to him. He was starting to feel the pressure from the fans and the media, who all predicted him to carry on scoring goals. Hopefully it won't be too much of a burden to his form though.

Despite lying 3rd in the table, our place in the play-offs wasn't cemented. 6th placed Nuneaton could still make them if results went their way, and if results went against us, we could drop out of the top 5 altogether. We basically needed at least a point from the Hinckley game, and a point was what we got. As with most 'big' games, it failed to live up to the expected heights and ended with a very poor goalless draw. Nevertheless, we had made the play-offs, although we had dropped a place to finish the season in 4th place.

We were drawn against Droylsden in the semi-finals, a team who have in recent years gotten the better of AFC Telford in the majority of the encounters. We are on form though, and I believe we can win. If only I was offered the job earlier in the season; we might've well been promoted automatically. Then again, things could have been so much different. I love the play-offs, but not when you're involved in them yourself. Wish us luck...