August 2013

We won our final pre-season fixture against Stourport 1-0, with Denis Behan getting the only goal of the game. It meant that we'd kept four clean sheets in the six friendlies, conceding only against Glenn Hoddle's Academy (once) and against Aston Villa (six times). Things were looking promising for our defence which, at the end of last season, I said was the main priority to sort out.

Before the first game of the season against Histon, 27-year-old goalkeeper Tommy Lee was signed, and went straight into the starting line-up for the match. Also included in the starting line-up was new central defensive partnership Tom Parkes and Callum Harrison, and David Fox started in centre midfield. We dominated the game, but unfortunately didn't manage to hit the back of the net as the game ended 0-0.

Only one change was made for the next game against York; as Denis Behan replaced Richard Offiong up front. Ryan Charles opened the scoring for us after just 3 minutes, and Behan's involvement proved worthy when the striker doubled our tally just 3 minutes later. Charles scored his second on 13 minutes, before York grabbed one back. However, Behan restored our three-goal advantage in first half stoppage time with a neat back post volley. He completed his hat-trick on 55 minutes with a header from a Jake Simpson cross, to make the score 5-1. This was the way it finished; a very assured performance from us.

Our first away fixture of the season saw us travel to Wales to face Wrexham. 27-year-old centre back Chris Robertson, who had been on trial, signed permanently before the game, and went straight into the starting line-up to partner Callum Harrison in defence. Tom Parkes moved to left back to replace Matthew Duffy, in what was the only other change. We went ahead twice, only for the home side to draw level both times. Ryan Charles' brace was cancelled out on each occasion, the second of which came in the 60th minute, meaning we were heading for what was a well-earned draw. However, Wrexham's Heidi Taboubi had other things on his mind, and grabbed the winner for his side with 6 minutes to go. There wasn't enough time for us to draw level, and the game ended 3-2 to them.

Right back Lee Vaughan, who had made a record 217 appearances for AFC Telford, was sold to Rushden shortly before the next game at Stevenage. Vaughan had found his first team opportunities limited ever since Max Wragg was signed, and in recent times had found himself behind Paul Green in the pecking order. He had become increasingly unsettled, and a move seemed the best option for both parties. The Stevenage game ended goalless.

We were back to winning ways the following Saturday, when Denis Behan's goal gave us a 1-0 victory against newly-promoted AFC Wimbledon. However we didn't manage to end the month on a high, as we lost 3-0 away to Gateshead. It was a poor team performance, with hardly anyone performing to their full capability.

Overall, August was a very mixed month for AFC Telford. Two wins, two draws and two defeats meant we ended the month in 12th place. Very average indeed. Hopefully next month the squad will have gelled together a bit more, and we can then push for the top half, which is where we belong really.