March 2010

An away fixture against Stalybridge was our first test in March. Nic McDonnell, Simon Heslop and Sonny Cobbs were all still missing due to injury, so it was a bit of a make shift team that started the game. Stalybridge were sitting fairly comfortably in mid-table, whilst we were placed fairly uncomfortably in 16th. We didn't play well, and ended up losing the game 2-0, thanks to goals on either side of half time.

We were desperately seeking a win, and our next game brought us up against Fleetwood Town, who we had beaten 3-1 earlier in the season. Fleetwood were currently 2nd in the league, so it was going to be a tough ask to repeat our previous success. We couldn't have asked for a better start though; after six minutes, the returning Simon Heslop hit a first time shot from 30 yards that whistled past the Fleetwood 'keeper and into the back of the net. Apparently, we would be seeing that goal for some time. Brian Dutton doubled our advantage 20 minutes later with a strike from a narrow angle. We looked very comfortable, I must say. Someone who hadn't seen the league standings would've probably placed us in 2nd, and Fleetwood in 16th, not the other way round. This is what I don't understand about Harrogate. We go and do the double over one of the best sides in the league, yet we slip up against Solihull Moors and teams who look destined for relegation. It is really annoying.

A week later, we travelled to Ilkeston, who were 5th in the league and going strong. We were buoyed by our somewhat unexpected victory the week earlier, and we did have a good record against teams in the top six, so the whole team were expecting to get something from this game. Partnering Harry Hogarth at centre back was new recruit Joshua Vermooten, a South-African signed on a free after his Leeds United contract expired. He had a solid debut, but we ended up losing the game 2-0. Brian Dutton was given his marching orders with five minutes left on the clock, in what was a bit of a harsh decision. However, I kept my mouth shut this time though; I'd already been warned twice by the FA for comments made about refereeing decisions.

So that's March. Only three games this month, and only one month left of the season. Ideally, I'd like us to finish above 10th place, but somehow I don't think that will happen. Our run-in until the end of the season is pretty generous though; we still have to play Hyde who are bottom of the league.