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End
of Season Report 06/07
I've just sat and
read through the last couple of end of season reports and this season has in
fact, kind of, gone to plan. We have been, for a long time now, a steady
Division 1 team, who always found a way to finish somewhere in and around mid
table. Last season's effort was no disgrace when you consider that the
teams who finished above us have generally gone on to do well.
Phoenix
are a top 3 Premier League side and Coleshill have reached the Open Cup Final.
There
was a defining moment for me at the end of last season. We played the last
match away at
Phoenix
. They had already been crowned as Champions and we didn’t have a lot
to play for. We went to the game without Mark Williams who was away and
this meant that I could have a real close look at everybody else, particularly
in midfield. I knew all along that the side lacked something and I could
never really put my finger on it. Going in to this match I was wondering
whether I needed to go away and try to find 5 or 6 new lads. Our
performance was truly excellent and a lot of players who I had become unsure
about turned in quality performances on the day, to reassure me that there was
enough in this squad to do better than we were. We competed for long
periods in this game and only lost it when the legs got heavy in the latter
stages.
The
following Thursday we had our final training session of the season and I had
renewed optimism about season 06/07. I now had to get the players to
believe. Other Premiership clubs had already been sniffing around our
stars so I sat the players down and told them my vision. It was Promotion
the following season. I asked that anybody who may be considering a move
to give it 1 more season.
Every
season prior to this one we had 2, 3 or 4 players go their separate ways at the
end of the season. This time Jim was the only player to go so I knew I
would not need to find too many.
I
sat down and went back through the previous seasons games with the top teams and
I tried to find out why we always got pipped at the post in the tight games.
It became very apparent that we were shipping too may goals in and I would need
to address this. I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to add Matt
Barber’s pace and leadership to our back four. This would leave an
almighty hole in midfield so the search for a replacement began. Just as I
was giving up, my prayers were answered in the form of Rob Bissell. Rob
had played for us for 4 seasons in the early years before taking a break from
football all together. The gap that Rob had left had never really been
filled and to have him back allowed me to do more with Matt and Mark. All
of a sudden the side was taking shape.
The
pre-season friendlies were sound, if not spectacular. Matt was taking time
to adjust to centre back and Rob and Sonny had both missed so much football that
they were off the pace and needed time to settle.
The
opening day of the season could not have been any worse. Steve and Jack
were on holiday. Rob and Henry were injured. We had the bare 11 and
we had drawn the worst possibly fixture. Chelmsley away. As most
expected we were beaten comfortably and 3-0 could have been a lot worse. I
was disappointed with how easily some of our lads gave up that day and I was
quick to point this out to certain individuals at the following training
session. I had shown faith in these boys by holding on to them and I had
expected a lot more in the way of effort.
We
were quickly over this result and we bounced back with a 7-2 win over Halesowen.
The new look front line of Dyl and Halloran were both in the goals and we were
off and running. Unfortunately we were not allowed to gain any momentum
when CCC beat us 2-1 the week after with 2 late goals.
I
looked at the table. Played 3, lost 2 and I feared that in a division of
only 9 teams we were possibly out of the race already. Our lads just
simply did not have the belief to come through in tight games against the likes
of CCC and Chelmsley.
Then,
the turning point and the day that I believe instigated what eventually became
our fantastic season. We had drawn Oaklands in the cup. I just
thought “typical”. Oaklands had 2 successive promotion seasons without
losing a game and they were littered with Aston Villa coaches and various
Academy players. We came through a game where we had our backs firmly
against the wall. Matt Barber finally justified his addition to the
defence with a tremendous performance. Sonny scored what had to be an
early contender for goal of the season and just when it looked like we had
thrown the game away, Ryan tucked a way a last minute penalty to send us into
the next round.
From
this point, the belief, the quality of training sessions and the togetherness of
the squad all clicked. We went on a winning streak in both league and cup
games. Everybody was contributing at both ends of the field and the
confidence just grew and grew. One thing that was becoming very clear was
that our team was based around a very sound defensive unit (midfielders
included). Mark and Matt were playing tremendously and they were eagerly
supported by Mikey, Jacko and Pete. The support given by the midfielders
was outstanding and Gray, Rob and Henner’s in particular shone through this
period. Stevo was playing with great confidence and the unit looked un-breachable.
Dayle
was another to have a particularly scintillating start to the season. He
set up something like 50% of our goals in the 1st 8 games. Ryan, Dyl and
Halloran continued to plunder the goals and with Pete and Jack’s determination
blossoming, everything was rosey. We had knocked the top team at the time,
Phoenix,
out of the cup and we had made our way into 2 Quarter finals.
The
1st Quarter saw Ryan score a brilliant winner at Chelmsley. Once again we
kept a clean sheet against a top side. Next it was Shenley Radford’s
turn to visit us. A close game went to penalties and Mark, Henry, Graham,
Sonny, Matt and Halloran held the nerve to send us through.
The
1st semi final saw a classic encounter with Ulverley Hawks. This Ulverley
side beat us 9-0 in the cup 2 years ago. We matched them all the way and
once again we edged a penalty shootout. This time it was Mark, Matt, Henry
and Graham who got the goals that sent us through to our 1st ever final.
Unfortunately
we were out battled in a tough game with Bell Youth in the other semi and I
think surely we would have been far too greedy to expect to be in that final as
well.
Back
in the league we slipped up at Halesowen which gave the teams around us the
edge. Chelmsley, Robins and Oaklands were all above us. It would
come down to the final 4 games. Could we hold our nerve? Knowle
Robins at home and away would hold the key. We went to the Robins and a
great 1st half display was spoiled with a lacklustre 2nd. 1-1. 3 games to
go and we sat in 4th knowing that 9 points would be needed.
The
Robins came to
Damson Lane
in a winner takes all game. We turned on a real top performance.
Winning 1-0 but dominating from front to back in a game that should have been a
much more comfortable score line. Dyl got the goal that gave us a great
chance.
Next
was Moor Green away and we knew that a win would see us promoted. Early
tension was eased when Mark blasted a free kick in but the Moors levelled just
after the break. The 2nd half saw us show our class and more super goals
from Rob, Dyl, Halloran and Dayle took us up to the Premier Division.
Then
the Cup Final. Cadbury were obviously clear favourites and although the
result never quite worked out, the day as a whole was one to remember.
Nerves got the better of our boys and we were 2-0 down before we really started
to compete. We matched Cadbury after that and Halloran got us a deserved
goal. I believe we earned a lot of peoples respect that day.
Particularly from the Cadbury players, parents and Management. News had
quickly filtered through that Chelmsley had lost to Moor Green and that we would
now have the chance to fulfil our own target and go up as Champions.
I
was never in any doubt about the Eagles game after I had seen the lads train the
Thursday before the game. Selection for this game was even harder than for
the Cup final as everybody had turned it on at training to make an impression.
The Sunday arrived and the lads oozed confidence. Although we had an
average first 20 mins we were always on top and from the point when Halloran
fired us ahead we never looked back. I believe the 2nd half performance
was our best attacking display of the season. 4-0 could have easily been a
lot more.
So,
League Champions, League Cup Runners up and Open Cup semi-finalists. Not
even I had seen that coming. Promotion yes was the goal, anything else
would be a bonus but I have sure enjoyed those bonuses along the way. We
have had victories against
Phoenix
, Shenley, Ulverley and we competed on an even keel with Cadbury and Bell
Youth.
I
will not only remember this season for those results. I will remember it
as the season that Peter, Jack and Dayle emerged as top class players. I
will remember it for Rob and Sonny once again walking out with a Raven on their
chest. I will remember the pride, grit and determination that came out in
Matty Barber when we hadn’t seen that side of him before. I will
remember the team spirit of the
Phoenix
cup game and Chelmsley league game, when backs were against the wall,
togetherness pulled us through. I will remember the nerves from everybody in our
dressing room 5 minutes before the final (me included). It showed me just
how much all of those lads cared.
Who
knows what next season holds in store. The fact that we are going to be
playing the best players, in the best teams, in the best division, every week
can only be a good thing. It is where I have always wanted us to be.
It is where our lads deserve to be.
We
all have a few months to reflect on a terrific campaign. Enjoy the
accolade boys, you all deserve it.
But….remember
how we got here. From the day that you reported back to Pre-Season
training in July, you were all focussed on our goal. You worked hard from
day 1. Let’s make sure that we apply ourselves in the same way and who
knows, in 12 months time maybe we will be talking about an even greater season.
Steve
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