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33. Trouble at t'Mill

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As the season reaches its latter stages we have reason to be pretty happy with how things are going. We have been more consistent this season and this form has propelled us into the playoffs, where we have been able to sustain 4th place in the league. We are also still in the First Division Cup, so we still have some chance of silverware this season. The team has been relatively settled and Ellis has managed to regain his best form.  There seems little reason for anybody to be unhappy... Then, there was a knock at my door. It was my defensive midfielder, Jack Broadhead, somebody I had a lot of respect for. "Boss.. I want to start more games. I'm wasted on the bench and think I could make a real difference in the team." This was strange because I had actually started him in the last game. Maybe he was making sure he stayed in the team. This was nothing new and to be fair he was good enough to command a more regular first team place.. it's just that cult hero, Sam Wrigh...

32. Comeback Kings

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  Match 21: Irlam v Morley Town- First Division Cup Third Round Irlam. Just a couple of miles away from Old Trafford in West Greater Manchester and the place where Michelle Keegan grew up.. although I’m sure she has long since moved away. They are doing very well and are top of the NW Counties Division One South, while we are in 4 th place, so we could not have asked for a tougher draw. I retain the 4-3-3 formation Team: Thompson, Cotteril, Wilkinson, Bentley, Morley, Broadhead, Wright, Henderson, Wood, Ellis, Smith Subs: McLachlan, Clery, Brooksby, Stead, Gutzmore Irlam: Hartley, Cousins, Saidy, Edwards, Hatton, Molikinov, Foley, Green, Walker, Williams, Bangoura Match Action Things don’t start well. Williams sends Green down the left and his low cross is tapped in by Bangoura..   Irlam look good in possession but we can’t keep the ball for toffee and keep giving it away. Williams once more gets down the left with Cotterill nowhere to be seen and another low cros...

31. Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold

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  Match 15: Ryburn United v Morley Town – First Division Cup Second Round Once again we enjoy a bye to the second round of the intra North West Counties Division 1 League tournament as we travel to mid-Pennine side, Ryburn United. In league stakes, not that it matters, Ryburn are down in 15 th , while we are in 5 th . Morley Town: Thompson, Brooksby, Wilkinson, Cotteril, Clery, Broadhead, Henderson, Bett-Wildsmith, Greenwood, Wood, Gutzmore Subs: McLachlan, Preston, Smith, Bentley, Morley Ryburn United: Kennedy, Taylor, Ohene, Cooper, Spencer, Convery, Kirk, Lord, Moore, Proctor, Whitehouse Match Action The home side attack first and they sting the palms of Thompson early on. Then we win a throw in. Clery crosses in and Wood heads the ball up in the air which causes panic in the Ryburn defence. The ball falls to Jack Greenwood who swivels and fires the ball low and hard into the corner. Good goal from the youngster. Ryburn attack and have a goal disallowed for offside. ...