Form is key in this league, with the most amount of games to play than the other 5 leagues above the National League North, we had to step up our game up in the 2nd half of the season.
As I look back at my career, this is the toughest yet, you think I have been top of the 2 seasons with Dial Square FC, but then with Matlock Town FC, we were mid-table and worked up last season to win it all.
The turn of the year started at home with Kings Lynn, but it was a loss to start the year. January is very busy with another 6 games to be played and Chorley was next up before the biggest game of the season vs Bristol City in the FA Cup. The team ran out winners, scoring 3 goals to Chorley 1. But in the cup, we came crashing down to earth with a 1-3 defeat to the Championship side, and out of the cup.
Southend knocked us out of the trophy in the next game on pens, which leaves us the league to fight for. In league action with wins against Mickleover, Scarborough and Hereford, scoring 9 and conceding 2.
The question is can we keep pace with the top team in the league, we are currently 2nd and need a good February, and that’s what we got. 4 wins in 5 games, victories against Chester, Boston, Braintree, and Marine plus a draw with Spennymoor closed the game at the top but pull away from the chasing pack. We were able to bring in a new defender, Mohammed Diaby arrived on a free Transfer.
Can we carry on in March, it started poorly, with a draw vs Kidderminster and a loss to Banbury. but wins against Oxford City and Darlington kept the pressure on South Shields. But crashing back down to earth with a defeat to Alvechurch ending the month.
Need a big April, as the run-in is heating up, players are all backing me to bring the fans glory at the end. 3 games stand between a top-two clash, and we started March like we are on a mission. Win Agiast Alfreton, Gloucester and Nuneaton put us a point behind South Shields. With them next up we needed a win, and we battered them coming out 3-1 winners which means we took the top spot. We increased the lead with a 2-1 win vs Southport with 2 games to go. With those 2 goal’s we gained a league record scoring 109.
Now down to the final 2 games of the season, one win brings the title to Matlock, and we have Basford Utd in our way, it’s a shame this match wasn’t at home but for the fans that traveled it will be a moment to remember.
after 20 minutes, it was route one football to get the game going, long ball from the keeper down the right side to Sivi, who managed to turn the left back, running to the bar line to put in a low cross for Palmer to nip in at the front post, and with a touch take it beyond the keeper to put us one nil up.
Brady hit the post early in the 2nd half from a well-worked corner but no one can pick up the rebound. 65 mins and Basford had a free kick on the edge of the area, they stepped up, curled around the wall, back off the bar, taking the keeper out only to see the rebound in the back of the net, 1-1 with 35 mins to play. But straight from kickoff, a break down the left with Ngwa, put a ball on a plate for Maguire to strike it clean with his right foot to the bottom left corner, the title party is still on. With a minute to go, the home side put a ball in from the left, and with 3 players unmarked it was a chance to pull level, but the 3 players in question all saw their names in lights but fumbled their lines and the keeper was able to save.
With that being said the Ref blew for full time, Matlock has done it, Champions again with a game to go.
With that being said, it has been a long hard season and to get the title with a game to go is amazing. I told the players in the dressing room afterwards to enjoy the moment and they all have the last game off. Speaking about the last game of the season, it was a much changed side which included 2 young promising stars aged 16, to give a taste of what will come for them. We finished losing the game 4-2. The game was a chance for the fringe players to show me what they have but more importantly to give them a moment.
On a personal note, I have kept up my run of winning a trophy every season and have a chance to get the manager of the season. I am very proud of this team, they showed grit to pull out results, passion because they put their faith in them, a togetherness to fight for each other. We will now sit down and make a plan for next season. Time to enjoy the open top bus ride.
I would like to say to everyone, thank you for the support in 2023, and have a happy new year.
#GladsAllOver
What a season 🔥👊
LikeLiked by 1 person