September 2014

Jordan Watson was called up to the Northern Ireland U21 squad and therefore missed the first game of the month against Kidderminster Harriers, who at the point of playing us, sat at the top of the league. We found ourselves 2-0 down within 60 minutes, which left us a bit of a mountain to climb in order to salvage something from the fixture. Richard Offiong and Callum Harrison were brought on for Max Wragg and the injured Lewis Montrose and the formation was changed to an attacking 3-4-3. An 83rd minute Netan Sansara free-kick from the edge of the box brought us back into the game at 2-1, and then in the 2nd minute of stoppage time, Sansara was once again involved when his cross was met by Tom Parkes at the back post, who headed past the Kidderminster 'keeper to level things up and ensure we didn't go home empty-handed.

We went into our next match against Ebbsfleet without Jordan Watson who was still on international duty, and Lewis Montrose who was injured in the previous game. David Fox replaced the captain with Chris Robertson taking the armband, whilst Richard Offiong replaced Lewis Alessandra up front. A spectacular 35-yard effort from Ryan Charles put us in front after 12 minutes, with Tom Parkes' 2nd goal in as many games doubling our lead before the break. The decision to include Richard Offiong in the starting line-up proved to be a good one, as the striker grabbed a second half brace, either side of a consolation reply from Ebbsfleet's Jamie Forshaw. Offiong was named Man of the Match; an award that could've gone to any of the 14 players involved on the day.

A disappointing goalless draw away to York City was followed by another win; this time against last season's runners-up, Wrexham. Ryan Charles converted a penalty after 12 minutes, only for the Welsh side to grab one back on 35 minutes. However, in first half stoppage time, Richard Offiong put us back in front with a neat finish after he found himself one-on-one with the Wrexham 'keeper. The game finished 2-1 after a rather uneventful second half.

Our unbeaten run, which spanned seven games, came to an abrupt end when we travelled to Histon, as they beat us 3-1. Having come on as a substitute in the previous game for his first appearance for the club, Sam Pitman made his first start, replacing Max Wragg at right-back. Despite having 18 shots (double their efforts), including four clear cut chances, two shots that hit the woodwork and four blocked shots, we just couldn't find the finishing touch, and a Lewis Alessandra goal with not long left on the clock was merely a consolation.

We hosted AFC Wimbledon at New Bucks Head, hoping that we could get back to winning ways. Michael Noone partnered Mitchell McPike in the centre of midfield, as David Fox was taken off injured in the previous match, and unfortunately would be out for 3-4 months with a damaged Achilles tendon. The visitors scored first; centre back Leon Johnson rose at the back post to head in from a free-kick after 19 minutes. A scramble in the box just before half-time though, saw the ball fall to Jordan Watson's feet, who passed it into an empty net for his first goal for the club and to level things up, and this was the way things finished, at 1-1.

The final game of the month was an away fixture at Burton Albion, who found themselves second to bottom in the league, making it on paper an easy victory for us. It was far from that though. Two Michael Noone goals gave us a good start; the first a 25 yard shot into the top corner, and the second a penalty; but in the second half Burton responded with two goals of their own to draw themselves level. In an effort to find a winner, Lewis Alessandra was brought on to add some extra firepower, and the formation was changed to 3-4-3. It worked; on 75 minutes, Darius Charles was sent off for bringing down his namesake Ryan in the box and we were awarded yet another penalty. There was only one man who was going to take it; Michael Noone. He didn't disappoint, and cooly converted it to give us the lead and seal his hat-trick. Richard Offiong rounded things off with a low shot just minutes later, leaving the final score 4-2 to us.

We finished September in 2nd place behind Cambridge who were just a single point ahead of us. It was yet another good month, so all I can say is: more of the same next month... please.