October 2014

Lewis Montrose returned to the squad for the next match against Forest Green who were struggling towards the bottom of the table. We were in front almost immediately when Michael Noone fed in Ryan Charles who hit a low shot into the corner from about 10 yards. We looked comfortable for the rest of the game, amassing a total of 14 shots, 10 of which were on target, but perhaps somewhat surprisingly we only managed one more goal. It came in the 86th minute when a Netan Sansara free-kick was parried to the feet of Sam Pitman who fired in his first senior league goal to make the final score 2-0.

Shortly before the next game against 4th placed Stevenage, our parent club Aston Villa signalled their intent on sending a youngster on loan to us for the rest of the season. The player in question was 19-year-old attacking midfielder Ray Smith, and the deal was finalised in time for Smith to make the bench for the Stevenage game. We now had six very strong centre midfielders, with Smith adding to a list that already included Lewis Montrose, Callum Harrison, Mitchell McPike, David Fox and Michael Noone. With no goals coming in the first half, I decided to throw on a couple more attacking options in the 67th minute by bringing on Smith for his debut, as well as Joe Benjamin up front. It didn't take the latter long to change the game; less than five minutes after being introduced, Benjamin was played in by Mitchell McPike, took one touch of the ball then powered a curling shot into the far corner of the goal to make it 1-0. Sam Pitman was brought off injured shortly after, but we managed to hold on and went away with the 3 points.

We made it four wins on the trot in the next game against Salisbury, despite going behind early on from the penalty spot and Michael Noone missing our own potential-leveller from 12 yards 30 minutes later. Mitchell McPike headed in shortly after the break to eventually equalise, and then substitute Ryan Charles' 7th goal of the season sealed the victory for us with 15 minutes left on the clock.

Our winning run unfortunately came to an end the following Saturday when we travelled to Aldershot, who were sitting in 3rd. An own goal from Ryan Charles in first half stoppage time gave the home side the lead, and their advantage was doubled from the penalty spot with just over 10 minutes of normal time left. An 89th minute tap-in from Paul Green, his first goal for the club, proved not enough and we went back to Shropshire empty-handed.

Fleetwood Town, who were tentatively floating around the relegation zone, then made the trip to New Bucks Head. We won the game 2-1 with goals from Ryan Charles and Richard Offiong, despite them having only 3 shots to our 16. Nevertheless, a win is a win.

The final game of October was an FA Cup tie against Stafford Rangers of the Blue Square North. Stafford were performing well in the league, sitting in 2nd place, but had lost two in a row going into our game. A rare start was handed to Lewis Alessandra which proved worthwhile as the striker got on the end of Lewis Montrose's pass for his 3rd goal of the season. Richard Offiong made sure of our victory in the 51st minute and we comfortably progressed to the 1st Round of the competition, with a tie at home to Guiseley to look forward to.

12 points from a possible 15 in the league meant we ended October at the top of the tree in 1st place, a point ahead of our nearest rivals Cambridge, who we play next month. The rest of November's fixtures are against bottom-half sides, sandwiching the FA Cup 1st Round tie.