October 2012

The start of October saw a new face, and an old friend, added to the coaching staff. Ian Cox, captain of my Harrogate team, was brought in as a coach and Steve Wynn's contract was terminated.

I was able to choose from a full strength squad for the first match of the month against Chester, who were sitting in the relegation zone in 22nd place. However it was the visitors who got the first goal; former Everton striker Nick Chadwick scored on 42 minutes to give his side the lead going into half-time. Shortly after the restart, Chester went down to 10-men, and then less than 10 minutes later we made the extra man count, with Jake Simpson firing in from the edge of the area to level things up. Lewis Alessandra, back from injury, replaced Richard Offiong after 65 minutes, and the striker took only 7 minutes to get himself on the scoresheet for what was his first goal of the season. Considering he was so clinical last season, it was pretty hard to grasp that he'd only just scored in what was his 13th game of the campaign, although the majority of those appearances were made as a substitute. Michael Noone then fed in Ryan Charles 4 minutes later to make it 3-1 to us, and the rout was completed with 2 minutes to go; Alessandra getting his second of the game.

Play-off contenders Aldershot were out next opponents, and to be fair, we didn't have the best of outings. After a goalless first half, the home side opened the scoring shortly into the second, and although we got a goal back on 71 minutes through an own goal, they managed to grab a winner with 15 minutes left, and we just didn't have enough fight to draw level. To add insult to injury, Lewis Alessandra twisted his ankle, an injury which would leave him out for up to 7 weeks.

The squad were determined to bounce straight back after the disappointing result against Aldershot, with Forest Green Rovers providing us with our next test. They were on form; they'd won their last three games, leaving them mid-table. An own goal broke the deadlock in the first having and gave us the lead, and Denis Behan's 10th goal of the season in the second half sealed the victory. We won by the exact same scoreline the following game, against struggling Newport County, with Jake Simpson and Richard Offiong getting on the scoresheet.

We were given a break from the league in the next game, as we faced Stafford in the FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round. Stafford were in 5th place in the Blue Square Premier, but despite this, we were 2-0 up after only 13 minutes, thanks to two goals from Richard Offiong. Stafford managed a goal back on 40 minutes, but our two goal lead was restored in the first minute of first half stoppage-time through Netan Sansara; his first goal of the season. Offiong completed his hat-trick, and indeed the victory for us, in the 74th minute with a spectacular curling effort from 25 yards. Predictably, he went away with the Man of the Match award, although it was a brilliant team performance, and we were given a home tie against League One's Hartlepool in the 1st round proper next month.

Right back Max Wragg was given the Player of the Month award, showing that it wasn't just our attacking players drawing all the plaudits. Wragg had had a solid month, with some very good consistent performances, and thoroughly deserved his award. We finished October in 6th place, with next month possibly providing us with much sterner tests; we played top-of-the-table Rushden, and also Kidderminster, who lie in 4th. This is as well as the FA Cup game against Hartlepool. I'm sure you'll admit though, AFC Telford are certainly showing they're no pushovers in this league.