I've Never Been To Scunthorpe - Scunthorpe United RTG - (FM24)

[Ozza1996]

I've Never Been To Scunthorpe - Scunthorpe United RTG - (FM24) - Part 1 - Introduction

 

“I've Been Southampton, But I've Never Been to Scunthorpe." I'm not going mad, but if you're of a certain age, you will be replaying that line in your head from Tinie Tempah's 2010 song, “Pass Out”. I was 13 when that song came out, but I never thought I'd be using it for the title of a save over the Summer with Football Manager 2024. But I am. And here it is. Scunthorpe United have a very interesting history with top players who used to play for the club, but in more recent times, the supporters have been through the ringer. Let's look at their history. 

 

Scunthorpe United: A Brief History Scunthorpe United were founded in 1899 and quickly merged with North Lindsey United to become Scunthorpe and Lindsey United. They spent most of their early years pre World War Two playing in the Midland League, and winning the title in 1927 and 1939. During this time, they consistently attempted to apply for election to the Football League, but several times missed out on actually gaining Football League status. That would change in 1950, when the Football League was expanded from 88 to 92 clubs. They beat off opposition like Workington and Wigan Athletic to gain a place in the Third Division (North). In 1958, they won the title in that league (only one team went up from North and likewise in South) to enter the Second Division for the first time, and for a long time, they were making progress through the league, while never seriously threatening the promotion spots. They dropped the “And Lindsey” from their name in preparation for their debut in the second tier. In 1964, they dropped from the Second Division, and by 1968, were plying their trade down in the Fourth Division, where they would bounce around between the Third and Fourth Divisions for the longest time. They produced England internationals in the 20th century, two for football in Kevin Keegan and Ray Clemence, and a third in a completely different sport altogether, Ian Botham, who played for the club before transitioning to his famous cricket career. In 1987, they moved to their current stadium of Glanford Park, and in 2008, they returned to the Championship for the first time in 44 years. This period of success saw them play in 3 out of the next 4 Championship seasons, before relegation in 2010-11 spelled their last season at that level. They were relegated down to League Two in 2013, but came back immediately, and had two play-off finishes in the next few years in League One. By 2019, they got relegated back down to League Two, and by 2022, their slide down to current Non-League football was completed after their 72-year stay in the EFL drew to a close. In 2023, they were relegated one step further down to the Vanarama National League North, and that's where we pick up the club. 

So with knowing what's happened recently at the football club, this is a team needing to improve their league position and move back up the levels. They've never made the top flight, so maybe that will be what we aim for. Welcome to Scunthorpe United!

The supporter profile is simple at this football club. They want promotion out of the National League North as champions this season, that's definitely something we can strive to do. Obviously none of our major rivals play anywhere near this level really, with Grimsby and Doncaster in League Two, and Lincoln in League One. It's very tight inbetween Core, Family and Casual supporters, all 3 being in the mid-high 20s. 

There's no reason to look further than this season, because we have to be successful this time around. You've got your usual wage budget and reputation demands at this level. That's why I like lower leagues. What the board want is always nice and simple. We should be OK financially. But the big one is in light purple halfway down the screenshot. Gain automatic promotion to the National League. No play-offs. That's not good enough. We need to win the title. They also want us to make it through the qualification rounds of the FA Cup, and that's what I'm aiming for as well, so we can get nice money later on in the season. I'm going to show you now the finances. But, first of all, something noticeable has come up as soon as I start the save. 

In real life, Scunthorpe United went through a transfer embargo, as they were struggling with their finances, and were a few minutes away from moving out of their Glanford Park home and potentially having to share with near neighbours Gainsborough Trinity. Thankfully, that never happened, but it does mean, we won't be able to improve the team until later in the season, when most of the season will have gone anyway, so it may be that we just have to keep our players around until we are able to buy more. 

We've got no finances to work with as well, so it could just be a season of trying to make sure our best players don't want to leave, and just giving them the belief that they can make it into the National League automatically. 

Jacob Butterfield (DM, CM) Our first main man at the start of the season that is fit (you'll see who I'm talking about in a moment), is Jacob Butterfield who has experience, not just in the EFL, but around the world as well as you can see in the bottom right corner. We're mainly going to be playing a triangle in midfield, which Butterfield will be instrumental in. His long shots and corners stand out already at 14, which is quality for the sixth tier. He's a decent free-kick taker as well, and his decision making and determination could be the experience we need to get out of this league first time. He may not be the quickest in terms of pace, but he's definitely a forward thinker. 

Ross Fitzsimons (GK) A goalkeeper with decent non-league experience is what you need to achieve all your goals at the back, and in Ross Fitzsimons, we've got a goalkeeper with recent National League experience having played for Chesterfield so recently. He dominates his box, and is good when it comes to restarting play quickly. He will be huge all season, and hopefully he doesn't get tempted away. 

Squad: These are all our senior squad members with their star ratings as well, and two of my top performers in this team are out injured like I mentioned earlier, with Cal Roberts and Jason Law out for about half a season, so we're going to have to make do without them in the first half of the season. There are very few players under two and a half stars and most of them are either starting their career, or in Andy Butler's case, about to reach the end of it. In terms of top earners, we've got a few on £1,200 which isn't bank breaking, but we're going to have to leave that as the maximum while we're in this league. 

Despite our problems in terms of injuries and lack of transfer ability, we are very overwhelming favourites to win the title this season. Scarborough and Chester are very close to us as well, with real life champions Tamworth in 6th position. 

Next Update: So my next update will be going through our pre-season friendlies, any transfer interest for our own players, but hopefully not too much, and then starting the National League North season, covering the whole of August as we try to stop the Scunthorpe United rot, and return them up to the big time in non league football, before making them an EFL club. Can we do it? Let's wait and see. But I hope you're excited for the journey. I'll see you next time. 

[Ozza1996]

I've Never Been To Scunthorpe - Scunthorpe United RTG - (FM24) - Part 2 - Rough Start to the Season

Hello and welcome back to Part 2, and in this update, we're going to start the season. The plan is to bring just a quick update about all the pre-season matches we played, as we prepare for our first season in the Scunthorpe United job, before in depth match updates from the start of the National League North season. We're going to have a quick Summer as we can't actually sign anyone, and we're just going to make sure we can keep hold of our players as I said before. The main formation will be a 5-2-3 formation mainly with the option to go four at the back. I just feel with the squad we've got, that's the best formation we can possibly play in with two main attacking wingers feeding the ball into the box. This is why I play pre-season matches, unlike several content creators. 

Friendlies: Our first match of pre-season was at Glanford Park against our own Second XI, a match we won 4-1 using a wing play tactic. That will probably be the way we go mainly as well, because the players were linking up so well, with three of our goals coming from balls into the box. Cameron Wilson scored twice with further goals from Will Evans and Maxim Kouogon. David Jones got one back for the reserves. We took on a team from our level in the form of Braintree Town away from home, and unfortunately fell to a 1-0 defeat thanks to a goal on the break from Alfie Pavey. It was a boring game and at least it was in a friendly this sort of game happened. In our third pre-season match, we gained a credible draw at home to Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone. We took the lead through Cameron Wilson firing home, but the bigger side levelled up with 20 minutes to go, Adama Sidibeh finding the leveller. We had a big chance to win it at the death, but Scales fired narrowly wide. Our fourth game was an away draw against FC United of Manchester, the game ending 1-1. We had the better chances, but it was the fan led Reds who took the lead. Keane Barugh scored for the hosts in the first half, but we managed to equalise from the spot in the second half, Harrison Poulter finding the back of the net. Our final pre-season game was a tester at home to Oldham Athletic and unfortunately we lost 1-0. They are a team who should be challenging for promotion up to the EFL, and they showed it. The only goal came from a tap in from Alex Reid up front, and despite us having a go, Oldham were the better team, and we unfortunately come away with no wins against other teams. 

New Head of Youth Development: At the moment, we don't have a youth team, but I thought we should put the motions in place to get something going, and we've brought in some brilliant experience in the shape of Andy Awford who most recently has spent 7 years at Premier League Luton Town. He's green when it comes to working with youngsters, which is great for this level, and it just shows we should be miles ahead of everyone else. I'm buzzing with this appointment.

New Chief Scout: We've got a brand new Chief Scout at the football club as well, with Chris Trotter coming in from National League side Hartlepool United, on a 2-year deal. He has Championship experience when he was a recruitment analyst with Rotherham United and Middlesbrough, and he's got 11s in terms of Judging Players and Staff all round. His negotiating isn't great, and it may take him a while to get them to play in our system, but I think he's good for what we can afford right now. 

Danny Elliott is the first injury of pre-season, after picking up a hamstring strain in our 1-1 draw at FC United. He will be out for the first game of the season at Tamworth, and maybe a few after that. The unfortunate thing about having no youth setup is that you can't play them back into fitness that way, so we've got to be patient with him, and bring him off the bench when we can. 

Official squad numbers for the season for those who are interested, and maybe want to get their own shirts made. 

Danny Whitehall is the second striker to pick up an injury this pre-season, and it means we could have a bit of a crisis as we start this season up front. We only currently have one fit striker, which is thankful that we only play a one striker formation at the moment. Harrison Poulter is going to have the world on his shoulders as we start. We can't get anyone in, so we have to make do with this situation.

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And now our main man in that midfield role, Jacob Butterfield has been ruled out for the season, with damaged cruciate ligaments. I do wonder if it'll force him to retire and become part of the backroom team, or whether he will wait out the season. But this has made this season a hell of a lot tougher than what it should have been.

Saturday 5th August 2023: Tamworth 3-1 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League North) Our league campaign began away at fellow promotion favourites Tamworth, and we struggled throughout losing 3-1. Kyron Farrell gave the Lambs the lead after 3 minutes, with an insane free kick into the top left hand corner from 30 yards out. The home side doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute, Matt Curley whipping in a beautiful cross from the right, which a running Ben Acquaye met beautifully on the left and smashed into the top left hand corner. We got a goal back before half time, giving us some hope. A counter attack down the right allowed Cameron Wilson to find Harrison Poulter in the box, he couldn't get the ball towards goal, but took it away from the diving goalkeeper. He played it back to Cameron Wilson, and while the keeper was on the floor, he fired in from a narrow angle for 2-1. We looked like we'd be the next to score, but unfortunately we were dealt a huge blow by the sending off of a stupid Maxim Kouogon, who went through one of their midfielders on the half way line for no apparent reason. We still had the chances to equalise, but it left us more vulnerable at the back, despite me bringing the wing-backs back into a back 4. The third and final goal for them came from a cross into the box we just couldn't clear, and a vital tackle from us found Dan Creaney virtually on the line, and he tapped into an empty net. We played well attacking wise, but couldn't really get it together at the back, and we need to improve. 

New Head Performance Analyst: We need one of these before the Data Hub kicks in, with Dan Bedeau coming into the football club after spending a bit of time out, being the Under 18s performance analyst at Watford. He also was a scout for Guam for a year as well which I find rather remarkable. I'd love to know how that came about.

Saturday 12th August 2023: Scunthorpe United 3-3 Peterborough Sports (Vanarama National League North) We've just had the worst collapse in the history of my time in Football Manager. We should have won this comfortably but we were just awful all second half. Harrison Poulter picked up an injury early on, and we will see in a moment what's happened and how long he will be out for, but it allowed Danny Elliott to come on in his place. He converted a penalty to give us the lead after 20 minutes, and then managed to flick a header over the Sports keeper, after receiving a Barrows scoop ball to make it 2-0 before half time. The second half started amazingly again, this time a ball in from Wilson on the right, was flicked back by Beestin, and Dion Sembie-Ferris fired into the corner to give us what should have been an unassailable 3-0 lead. But no one gave my defence that memo. Ross Barrows put the ball into his own net rather than clear a looping header away for 3-1. Alban-Jones ran through down the left next for the away side, and his narrow shot was saved by Campbell, but Jack Serrant-Green tapped home the rebound for 3-2. They then hit the bar which made me believe we would hold on, but in the 94th minute, we tried to play a long throw in, which I will turn off cause it just doesn't work. They countered, Nicholson played in a sliding cross from the left, and Mark Jones slid into the bottom corner to make it 3-3. Fuming is not the word. 

Another striker out as well, with Harrison Poulter picking up an injury which will leave him out for 3 weeks. It's been a disaster to kick things off. 

Tuesday 15th August 2023: Scunthorpe United 3-1 Darlington (Vanarama National League North) We picked up our first win of the campaign at home to another former league team in Darlington. The first goal was from a massive mistake in the Darlo defence, as Cameron Wilson picked up the ball, and lashed home first time from the right side of the area to give us the lead after 24 minutes. We had the lead at half time, but we made a defensive mistake of our own which allowed the away side to make a move, which left Curtis Main beating the offside trap in a one-on-one position and slotting past Campbell for 1-1. I thought it was going to be another frustrating draw but we took the lead with just 2 minutes of normal time to go. A long ball from the halfway line was scooped forward to Dion Sembie-Ferris and he took the ball down and fired home from the narrowest of angles into the net, to make it 2-1. The game was made safe in the 94th minute. Sembie-Ferris turned provider as he led a counter attack from a Darlington corner, squared it to Kian Scales who slotted into the bottom corner to make it 3-1. 

League Table Update: We've played three matches so far, and we've had a win, a draw and a defeat, and we currently sit in 11th. Chorley are the only team with a maximum number of points from 3 games, with King's Lynn, Tamworth and Blyth Spartans on 7 points apiece. Banbury United and Bishop's Stortford are both on 0 at the moment, with Warrington Town and Hereford joining them in the bottom 3. 

So we've reached the season and it's been tough. It's been difficult defensively, but we're always in games and it's good to see goals being scored. Tomorrow I will probably continue to our first FA Cup game, and we'll see who we face in that tomorrow. But I'm happy we got the first win, and hopefully we can push on from here. Thank you for joining me, and I'll see you next time. 

[Ozza1996]

I've Never Been To Scunthorpe - Scunthorpe United RTG - (FM24) - Part 3 - Are We The Bottlers?

The season started slowly, but in our last game, we looked the real deal. Now it's time to see if we can continue that start, and then try and start a cup run this season, as we aim to get into the First Round and a potential tie against an EFL side in the FA Cup. A slow start isn't necessarily the worst thing, as the team slowly try to gel, despite the fact they should all be familiar with each other. There'll be no distractions of new players in the team any time soon, so it's the best opportunity for the players to build a rapport with each other. Let's take a look at our fixtures for today. 

Today's Fixtures: We face seven games in a short space of time as we try and establish a good run of form in a short space of time. We start at a Rushall Olympic side who currently occupy a play off place after a good start following promotion. Curzon Ashton are near us in the table, so it will be an interesting game away from home. Our first home game is another tough game against Scarborough Athletic before a trip to Alfreton Town. We have a home double header against both South Shields and Buxton before we find out who we will play in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round. Let's pray for a nice draw. 

Saturday 19th August 2023: Rushall Olympic 1-2 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League North) More late drama in the sixth tier of English football, as we scored a last minute winner to take us into the play off places for the first time this season. A headed clearance fell to Cameron Wilson, who made a dart down the right before playing the ball into the box to find Alfie Beestin running in to pick up his first goal of the season. We had several more chances but the Rushall goal was leading a charmed life. I thought we would hold out until the 90th minute, but unfortunately we conceded with 2 minutes of normal time to go. A ball into the box from Maher found Fletcher, whose header hit the post, but Sam McLintock fired into the roof of the net with Campbell on the ground. I thought that would be more dropped points, but Cameron Wilson found some inspiration by running around the entire defence down the right, cutting inside, and firing across the goalkeeper into the far corner, to spark scenes, and pick up 3 important points at this early stage. 

New Head of Sports Science: More new staffing as we try to progress as a club, with Craig Smith moving to the football club after more recent experience with Peterborough United and Watford. 

Injury has affected the squad again, with Maxim Kouogun out injured and out for the next month after picking up an abdominal strain. We're going to have to make do at centre back, but at least we haven't got the same problem that we had with the strikers. 

Saturday 26th August 2023: Curzon Ashton 1-2 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League North) Another hard fought away win makes it 3 wins in a row, as we won away at Curzon Ashton. We won a penalty within the first 15 minutes, but Harrison Poulter's attempt was saved by Cameron Mason. It was 0-0 at half time, but we turned it up in the second half and took the lead just after the hour mark. A corner was cleared out of the box, but only as far as Dion Sembie-Ferris. The ball was recycled back in, and he found Michael Kelly at the far post and he nodded it home. We doubled the advantage late on, Kelly, Clunan and Sembie-Ferris connected from a throw in, with the latter firing beyond Mason to make it 2-0. They got one back towards the end, with the ball finding Miles Storey on the edge of the box, where he fired a powerful shot through Campbell's gloves to make it 2-1. Thankfully we held on, but I could do without the nerves at the end. 

Monday 28th August 2023: Scunthorpe United 1-4 Scarborough Athletic (Vanarama National League North) We crumbled after winning three games in a row, conceding 4 to a potential promotion rival in Scarborough Athletic. They took the lead inside 13 minutes, Luca Colville held it up for Lewis Maloney to overlap on the wing, who then played it back into the box for the former to sweep home for 1-0. They then set it up to double the scores by playing the ball around in the middle of the park, offloading it to Purver, who played a slide through ball to Colville, who cut inside and slid it into the near post with the keeper standing no chance. We got our consolation before half time, Clunan playing the ball into Cameron Wilson, who took a touch in the D, and fired superbly into the top corner. We thought we could get back into it, but unfortunately, we shot ourselves in the foot twice. Lewis Maloney became goalscorer in the second half with a driven free kick 18 yards out, deceiving Fitzsimons, who came back into net to be given a chance, but he was about as good as he was against Tamworth. Purver then became provider again, but this time, it was a mistake by Denton as he tried to head back to Fitzsimons, and Jake Charles finished it off for 4-1. An awful game defensively, and we drop outside the play off spots on goal difference. 

New Fitness Coach: We have a brand new Fitness Coach as well as we try and put together a more professional football club for the sixth tier. His name is Darren Simpson, and previously he has been with Harrogate Town and York City, so he stays in the North of England. He’s a 13 when it comes to his Fitness attribute, and that is good enough for me right now. 

Saturday 2nd September 2023: Alfreton Town 3-2 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League North) This is so annoying and frustrating! We should never have lost this game, but now we’re halfway down the league table with two defeats on the bounce. Alfreton took the lead after 16 minutes, when Nathan Newall delivered a free kick from the left wing, which found Adam Lund rising at the far post for 1-0. We equalised 5 minutes later, when Andy Butler scooped a ball over the top from the halfway line, finding Dion Sembie-Ferris cutting inside, and he shot across the keeper for 1-1. We then took the lead before half time, with Harrison Poulter converting from the penalty spot. But this team has a tendency to throw games away. The Alfreton equaliser came from a counter attack, when Liam Waldock played a defence-splitting through ball on to Gerry McDonagh, who ran through on goal and fired past the keeper for 2-2. A Clackstone throw in then caused havoc at the back for us, the ball went back to him, he played it to Lewis Salmon, and he slid the ball into the bottom corner to win the game for the home side, and move us down to 11th. 

Tuesday 5th September 2023: Scunthorpe United 2-2 South Shields (Vanarama National League North) I thought I would change the system to more of a counter-attacking one to see if that would help the defensive problems and it really didn’t. They just seem to be a bunch of bottlers, and we’re still only a point outside the play off places. We took advantage in the 41st minute of a poor throw-in by South Shields, which fell to Dion Sembie-Ferris, and he played the ball into Harrison Poulter who slid it under the keeper for 1-0. Danny Elliott provided the second goal on the stroke of half time, finding Andy Butler at the far post for 2-0. We should have held on, but again they bottled it. Nyarko had a corner for South Shields in the second half, but the ball was cleared away only as far as Mongoy. He played it along to Dylan Stephenson who made it 2-1 with it all to play for. Lufudu set up the equaliser, as he played it to Burke, who found David Nyarko and he slid home past the keeper for 2-2. We couldn’t find a third, and now I need to decide what I’m going to do. I want to attack, but our strikers are nowhere near as clinical as I want them to be. We’re good at pressing, but we need to be strong defensively as well. What do we do from here?

Saturday 9th September 2023: Scunthorpe United 6-2 Buxton (Vanarama National League North) Our three match winless run is now over, after we took on leaders Buxton, and absolutely battered them in the first half, running out 6-2 winners. Barrows played the ball out of defence in the 3rd minute to Kian Scales, who played it forward to Cameron Wilson and he slotted into the bottom corner for 1-0. 12 minutes later, we doubled our advantage. Clunan’s corner into the box was headed back by Evans. Barrows then headed it across the box, before Alfie Beestin volleyed home into the top corner to send the fans wild. Clunan’s corners upset their defence again, and this time, it was the head of Will Evans who got our third goal. Wilson made a run down the right in stoppage time, before finding the run of Michael Clunan, who continued his exceptional first half with a great goal on the edge of the box to make it 4-0. A third corner from Clunan was cleared away back to him, when he found Cameron Wilson, also on the edge of the box, running in to the area, and dispatching for 5-0 before half time. In the second half, the corners continued to bamboozle their defence. Clunan’s ball into the box was cleared to Scales, who laid it off for Alfie Beestin, who got his second of the game from close range for 6-0. Our match continued to get better, as Buxton were reduced to 10 men. Sam Minihan was sent off for a second booking. Buxton got two goals in the last ten minutes. A long clearance from Buxton keeper, Joe Young, found Sam Osborne one on one, and he slotted past the keeper for 6-1. And the final goal of a crazy game was scored with 3 minutes to go. Sam Osborne turned provider this time, his cross was cleared away initially, but the ball was played back to him by Hull. He played it across to Curtis Weston just outside the box, and he fired home into the corner to make it 6-2. This 4-3-3 formation features two inside forwards, and one pressing forward. If we can’t defend, we might as well press and score teams to death.

FA Cup Second Qualifying Round Draw: We have an interesting tie coming up in the Second Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup, as we face Marine, who went on an unbelievable run to the Third Round in 2021, where they lost to Tottenham Hotspur at home. We face them next. 

Another injury to be made aware of, as Tom Pugh will be out for a couple of weeks after picking up a pulled hamstring. He’ll miss the game against Marine, and in the next update, we start with a huge game against Chorley, so we’ll have to see if he can come back just in time. 

Saturday 16th September 2023: Marine 0-5 Scunthorpe United (The Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round) We faced a potential banana skin in the FA Cup and we were fine this time, advancing through to the Third Qualifying Round with a comfortable 5-0 win over Marine. Cameron Wilson set up the first goal of the day after 12 minutes, finding Harrison Poulter in the box, and he slid past the keeper for the lead. The second came from a Clunan corner, which found Will Evans at the near post to nod home. The third came after the hour mark, Clunan was on the left, playing it inside to Shrimpton, and he found Kian Scales, who smashed it home from 25 yards out to give us a nice end to the game. The fourth was well worked, when Kouogon played the ball long down the right, finding Cameron Wilson, who played it across goal for Dion Sembie-Ferris to tap in for 4. The final goal came from a free-kick from Kelly, who played it down the left for Sembie-Ferris, who then played it back to find an onrushing Poulter for his second of the game, to bookend the result, and book our place in the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.

League Table Update: At the moment, it’s a tight league with our next opponents Chorley, Buxton, and King’s Lynn Town, all tied on 20 points at the top of the table. Rushall Olympic and Tamworth are flying the flag for the promoted teams in 4th and 5th, while we’re level on points with Spennymoor Town and Boston United. Bishop’s Stortford are struggling with life in the 6th tier, and sitting on 2 points. Banbury United, Brackley Town and Warrington Town are also struggling in the bottom 4, but it’s still early days. 

 

And that’s it for this update. We’re chasing play-offs in the league and we’re through to the next round of the FA Cup, but we need to do more, otherwise my job could be in danger. Join me next time, but until then, I hope you’re enjoying it. I’ll see you next time.

Edited June 12 by Ozza1996

[Ozza1996]

I've Never Been To Scunthorpe - Scunthorpe United RTG - (FM24) - Part 4 - 4-3-3 OP?

 

Hello and welcome to Part 4 of my Return to Glory Save with Scunthorpe United. Last time out, we won our place in the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round, and the first thing we will do in this part of the save is look and see who we will get. I’m happy if we can get lower ranked teams like we did in the last round just to get to the First Round. That’ll be the aim of today ultimately, and I also want to move closer to the top of the league. The main question now is to see if the new 4-3-3 I’m using will continue working. We’ve scored 11 in 2 games, so hopefully we can keep up that goalscoring record. 

Fixtures Today: We will start with a game against league leaders Chorley away from home, which will be difficult. Can our goalscoring form continue? We then carry on into the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round, so we’ll wait and see who we get there. We follow that up with a home game against Brackley Town, who are struggling at the bottom. A Lincolnshire derby follows up away at Boston United, but there is a chance that game will be moved for the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. We follow that up with an away game against Chester. We end October with games against Spennymoor Town and Bishop’s Stortford. 

The Emirates FA Cup Third Qualifying Round Draw: We’ve been drawn out at home to Witham Town from Essex. They currently play in the Isthmian League North Division, a couple of tiers underneath us, so I’m hopeful of an easy path through, but no game is that easy. 

Saturday 23rd September 2023: Chorley 2-3 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League North) We made it three in a row in all competitions after beating potential promotion rivals Chorley 3-2. It was always going to be a tense game, but both teams went at it, between two promotion favourites. Adam Blakeman gave Chorley the lead after 16 minutes, with a fantastic free kick into the top left hand corner, which gave Fitzsimons no chance. Kelly and Scales helped combine for our equaliser before half time, the latter crossing it to the far post, where Beestin played it back, and Cameron Wilson had an easy tap in. We took the lead for the first time after 68 minutes, Tyler Denton exchanged passes on the left, then swung the ball into the area for Wilson to nod it home virtually on the line for 2-1. Danny Elliott then converted from the penalty spot to make it 3-1. Before Adam Blakeman got his second of the game from the penalty spot to make it 3-2. Fortunately for us though, it moves us into the play-off places, and only 4 points off Buxton, who have retaken the lead this weekend. 

Jacob Butterfield to Retire: Jacob Butterfield has decided that the injury he picked up in Part 2, was as I suspected, enough to retire him from the game at the age of 33. I was hoping he would be a major part of this season, but unfortunately, he picked up Damaged Cruciate Ligaments that kept him out for the season. It’s a sad end to his career, but we wish him the best.

Saturday 30th September 2023: Scunthorpe United 5-1 Witham Town (The Emirates FA Cup Third Qualifying Round) A game in which we could have easily scored 10 meant we absolutely dominated Witham Town. The rout started when Barrows ran down the right wing with the ball, then chipped it to Cameron Wilson, who laid it off to Kian Scales and he slid the ball home from the edge of the box for 1-0. In the 23rd minute, Scales was on the scoresheet again, this time the ball was worked from the left. Tom Pugh played it to the aforementioned Scales, and he slid it home under the keeper from the edge of the box. Witham tried to clear their lines before the third goal, but only as far as Barrows. He nodded it down to Pugh, who found Scales even further out, and he smashed it home from 30 yards out to complete an incredible hat-trick. Our fourth goal came from a corner, with Cameron Wilson swinging it in from the right, and Will Evans nodded home at the far post. For the fifth, we worked it from right to left from Barrows, to Scales, to Shrimpton, who found Dion Sembie-Ferris running towards the six yard box, and he tapped it in for 5-0. Witham Town scored a consolation with 10 minutes to go. A goal kick by us was played straight back to Witham. Aron Leng scooped it over the top to find Ronald Pierre who steered it beyond Maison Campbell to make it 5-1. It was a complete team performance by us, and our place in the Fourth Qualifying Round is booked. 

The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round Draw: Our first game against a team in a playable league in the FA Cup will come in the Fourth Qualifying Round, with an away tie against fellow National League North outfit, Farsley Celtic. They currently sit in 15th place, and they got here by thrashing Kettering Town 7-0. Their league campaign is not going too well, so they will try and make a point of getting to the First Round. 

Saturday 7th October 2023: Scunthorpe United 4-1 Brackley Town (Vanarama National League North) We picked up yet another win in the league, this time against second-bottom Brackley Town, who we thrashed 4-1. Tyler Denton ran down the left flank ahead of the first, swinging a ball across the middle to that man Kian Scales and he shot low from 30 yards, which flew into the bottom corner for a 1-0 lead. The second goal came from a ball on the left by Clunan, whose cross was nodded down by Beestin, to Danny Elliott, who managed to get on it first time and fire it into the top left corner for 2-0. Elliott converted from the penalty spot in the second half, to get his second and our third, and make the three points safe. Elliott then provided the opportunity for the fourth from a corner, which was brought down by Sembie-Ferris, for Michael Clunan to take a touch, and then rifle it into the top corner to make it 4-0. Our problem now is keeping clean sheets, and we let ours go with 10 seconds of injury time remaining. A brilliant passing move from Brackley got them a consolation, finding Jimmy Armson unmarked in the box, and he slid it past Fitzsimons to make it 4-1. That result brings us to within three points of the top of the league, and our challenge feels like it’s gaining traction. 

The injuries have greatly reduced recently, and with Cal Roberts and Jason Law recovering from theirs, we’re slowly getting back to full fitness, but unfortunately, Cameron Wilson has injured his hamstring, and will be out for about a month as he gets back to full fitness. Hopefully it’s not too detrimental. 

Saturday 14th October 2023: Farsley Celtic 2-3 Scunthorpe United (The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round) Our Fourth Qualifying Round tie was always going to be a highly contested affair, but we were the team who booked our place in the First Round of the FA Cup. We took the lead in the 4th minute, with Michael Clunan picking the ball up in the middle of the park, and running it down the left hand side. He played the ball into the box for Dion Sembie-Ferris to nod home for 1-0. Farsley Celtic equalised in the 22nd minute thanks to a counter-attack where a long ball from Ryan Watson found the veteran Clayton Donaldson,  and he shot across the keeper for 1-1. A mistake at the back allowed Michael Coulson to receive the ball unmarked, and he struck from just outside the box into the top corner, to have us on the brink of going out. We did equalise two minutes later, Danny Whitehall, who was making his debut, had come on as a replacement for Elliott, played a through ball to Dion Sembie-Ferris, and he smashed beyond the keeper for 2-2. We scored the winner before the hour mark, the ball being played across by Beestin, and Danny Whitehall scored the winner to confirm our place in the First Round of the FA Cup, and to score a goal on his debut. 

FA Cup First Round Draw: Our reward for making it through the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup is a trip to League One outfit, Port Vale, who are currently sitting in 9th in the second tier, and only a point outside the play-off places so it will be a tough match. 

League Table Update: Chorley and King’s Lynn Town are fighting each other for top spot both on 23 points, while Tamworth, Buxton and ourselves are also within touching distance of first place. Scarborough Athletic and Spennymoor Town complete the top 7. At the bottom, Bishop’s Stortford have recently picked up their first win, but remain on 5 points. Brackley Town and Gloucester City are both struggling on 8 points, with Warrington Town in the bottom four on 10 points, but only behind Southport on goal difference.

 

So I’ll leave it here because I do have a full time job I have to get to, so if I carried on, I could have been in danger of getting nothing out today. But all wins, all the way through, and we’re going to the First Round of the FA Cup. Hopefully, we can keep this run of form up as we try and break into the title race properly as well. I’ll see you in Part 4, where we will face Port Vale and also try and go top of the league. Thank you for joining me, and I’ll see you next time.

[Ozza1996]

I've Never Been To Scunthorpe - Scunthorpe United RTG - (FM24) - Part 5 - Title Race?

 

Hello and welcome to Part 5 of this save, a save where so far, it has been frustrating, but we’re starting to get results to pair together. Last time out, you saw us enter the FA Cup First Round in my first year at Scunthorpe United, where we will face Port Vale away from home, a team that are three levels above us so it will be a tough game. But we also have a few favourable games coming up in the National League North where we look like we’re getting back in the promotion race. Let’s take a look at today’s fixtures. 

Today’s Fixtures: We’re going to continue with what I couldn’t yesterday and start with our Lincolnshire battle against Boston United. We will play all games up until the First Round tie with Port Vale in the FA Cup. We’re going to use the next five matches to gear up for it, and hopefully maintain the level of performance we’ve had over the last few games. 

Tuesday 17th October 2023: Boston United 1-4 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League North) We picked up yet another win away at Boston, as we thrashed them 4-1, and move up to 3rd in the National League North. Danny Whitehall got his first start for the club in this game, and he gave me more food for thought as he scored an absolute pearler of a free-kick to give us a great start. Dion Sembie-Ferris made one of his trademark runs down the right wing, before he picked a ball into the box and Danny Elliott ran to get his head on it, past the keeper for 2-0. Boston got one back before half time, Knowles received a beautiful ball over his head down the left. He made a run into the box, played it across goal, and there was Michael Gyasi to tap it home for 2-1. Any nerves that Boston could come back into it were soon forgotten about, as we scored within 20 seconds of the kick off in the second half. Ogle found Dion Sembie-Ferris sprinting down the right, who cut inside and fired through the keeper to make it 3-1. Sembie-Ferris then provided a beautiful ball diagonally to the left hand side, who found Elliott down the left, as he played it across goal into the six-yard box, and Danny Whitehall tapped home to make it 3 goals in 2 games. 

Saturday 21st October 2023: Chester 1-4 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League North) Alfie Beestin proved his worth in this game as his brace sent us to the top of the National League North with a 4-1 win away at Chester. A run down the left by Tyler Denton was concluded by a cross to the far post for Dion Sembie-Ferris, who powered a header past the keeper. Tyler Denton also set up the second with a free-kick from the right, nodded down by Danny Whitehill, and Reagan Ogle volleyed in from close range for his first goal for the club. We didn’t score again until late on. Kelly played a low ball to Sembie-Ferris on the right. He played it across the edge of the box but it escaped Whitehill in the middle, only to be hit first time by Alfie Beestin, who was left unmarked as he fired into the top corner for 3-0. Chester took away our clean sheet bonus once again, as a corner from the right was cleared away back to the corner taker, Windsor, who played it back in, and found a rising Kole Hall who got a consolation. We secured a 4-1 win thanks to Alfie Beestin once again being left unmarked, and he fired into the top right hand corner in an almost carbon copy goal, as we go top because Chorley lost to Rushall Olympic. 

Tyler Denton unfortunately got a knock in the last game, and so he will be out for about 4 weeks with a thigh strain. We seem to be clicking nicely with the entire squad though, so I’m not as worried as I once was with this team. 

Tuesday 24th October 2023: Scunthorpe United 4-2 Spennymoor Town (Vanarama National League North) A game of two halves went our way after we thrashed Spennymoor in the first half, before we let go in the second 45. We took the lead after 3 minutes, when Alfie Beestin played the ball through to Danny Elliott, who played it across the box to Harrison Poulter, who tapped home for 1-0. We doubled the advantage 9 minutes later, when Kieran Ogle had the ball on the right. He played it in to Clunan on the edge of the box, who played it on to Harrison Poulter, who chased his touch and slotted it beyond the keeper. We forced them into an own goal for 3-0, Kieran Ogle played it across the box, and it was deflected in by Henry Fieldson. Kelly set the fourth up from a free kick, Ogle headed down, and Andrew Boyce was there to steer home for his first goal of the season. Spennymoor got a couple back in the second half, the first coming on a counter attack. Callum Ross played a ball down the left to Glen Taylor, whose shot towards the near post caught Fitzsimons by surprise, and he let it go through his body for 4-1. Goalscorer turned provider late on, as Taylor played the ball towards the penalty spot, and Will Harris slotted the ball into the bottom left corner for 4-2. Not the best second half, but we stay top on goal difference from Chorley. 

Saturday 28th October 2023: Scunthorpe United 5-0 Bishop’s Stortford (Vanarama National League North) Top played bottom at Glanford Park as we aimed to keep our lead at the top however little it may be, and we proved our dominance in this one. 5 first half goals keep our fight going. Finlay Shrimpton set up the first, playing a diagonal to the right for Dion Sembie-Ferris. He played the first time cross, and found Danny Whitehall running in the box to nod home after 5 minutes. Scales then pumped a ball forward towards Sembie-Ferris, who flicked on this time, to Whitehall and he chested down, and fired through the keeper for 2-0. Butler had a free-kick on the halfway line, which he lofted to the left for Beestin. He crossed into the area, and this time it was Michael Clunan sweeping home for 3-0. Clunan then had the ball in the middle of the park, finding Ogle on the right, who played it short to Dion Sembie-Ferris, who took a touch, turned and fired home from the edge of the box, which the keeper could have done better with. Kian Scales set up the 5th as well, running from the centre to the right, round the defence. He ran to the goal-line, played it back, and Dion Sembie-Ferris slid home for 5-0. Bishop’s Stortford made it worse for themselves after half-time, Darren Foxley was sent off for a scything tackle on Alfie Beestin. A really good result, a strong performance, and we stay top.

Run of Wins: I don’t always take a screenshot of these updates, but I will do this time. It’s not just the 7 wins, look at the amount of goals we’ve scored. 30 goals in the last 7 league games, top scorers in the league, we’ve been incredible. 

Tuesday 31st October 2023: Blyth Spartans 1-3 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League North) We went to Croft Park in this one, against a Blyth Spartans team performing OK in the league without going over the top, and we managed to extend our run of wins after beating them 3-1. Michael Kelly was the creator of our first goal, his initial cross being blocked, it came back to him, so he ran in the area, lifted it to the far post, and Dion Sembie-Ferris continued his amazing season so far with a powerful header for 1-0. Kian Scales started and finished the move for the second goal. His initial ball allowed Sembie-Ferris to get away, although he couldn’t find anyone in the box. He rolled it back to Ross Barrows, who found Scales on the edge of the box, and he fired into the top corner for 2-0. Blyth Spartans got one back with 10 minutes to go until half time, with an exchange of passes between John Stewart and Jordan Hickey meant the latter could run into the box and fire into the roof of the net from close range. We sealed the win in the second half however. The ball was played forward by Ross Barrows, who found Dion Sembie-Ferris down the right. His advances led to him rolling the ball back for Danny Whitehall who slotted home first time into the bottom corner to allow us to take all 3 points. With Chorley losing this evening, we now open up a 3-point lead at the top of the National League North.

Manager of the Month for October: I’ve picked up my first Manager of the Month award in this save, the one for October, after we won all our games in my birth month. We’ve gone from knocking on the door for the playoffs last month, to now going 3 points clear, taking advantage of teams making mistakes. We haven’t lost since I changed to the 4-3-3 Gegenpress, so it’d be stupid to change things in the league here. 

Saturday 4th November 2023: Port Vale 4-1 Scunthorpe United (The Emirates FA Cup First Round) I didn’t think we could play our all out attacking play against a team who we are three levels lower than, and maybe I should have attacked them more, after we got knocked out of the FA Cup with little more than a whimper. Early on, Port Vale focused their play down the right and that’s how they got their first goal, with a neat passing move, before James Wilson fed through Alex Mighten, who slotted past Fitzsimons for 1-0. We had a goal through Danny Elliott ruled out for offside, which was gutting as Port Vale ran down the other end for their second. Smith played the ball from right back to Garrity, who laid it off for Alex Mighten who slotted it into the corner for 2-0. Jensen Weir then lobbed Fitzsimons from 30 yards to show off their bigger team stance, before we got one back through a defensive mistake which led to Michael Clunan firing home from the edge of the area to give our fans something to cheer about. It was then 4-1, when Sang played a free-kick in from the left towards the back post, Clark headed down, and Jesse Debrah forced it over the line for 4-1. Not our best performance, but we got through to the First Round of the FA Cup and that was the minimum requirement. 

League Table Update: We lead the way by 3 points from Chorley in second, which is remarkable to see given our start right at the start. It’s a tight play off battle being led by Scarborough Athletic and Rushall Olympic, with the latter having a great start at this level. It’s all to play for. At the bottom, Bishop’s Stortford are still bottom on 6 points, with Brackley Town still surprisingly in the bottom 4. Gloucester City and Hereford complete the bottom 4. 

 

So this brings us to the end of this update, and it’s been a good one so far. It’s been a strong season, and with us sitting at the top of the table, there’s pressure to stay up there, but I’ve got no pressure in my job at the moment. Making the FA Cup first round is a money spinner for our football club, but unfortunately, we won’t go any further, but we do have many seasons to be doing that. The plan is to have a decent run in the FA Trophy now, but the most important thing is to win promotion. Thank you for enjoying this journey so far, and I’ll see you next time.

[Ozza1996]

I've Never Been To Scunthorpe - Scunthorpe United RTG - (FM24) - Part 6 - Does 4-3-3 Still Work?

 

Hello and welcome back to the save where we attempt to take Scunthorpe United back to where they once belonged. The ultimate aim, as I realise I haven’t mentioned it, is to take Scunthorpe United to at least as high as the Championship, but as this save will continue up until the end of September/start of October, we could take them even higher. In the short term, we’ve just been knocked out of the FA Cup, but we also sit top of the National League North, 3 points clear of Chorley, and we can focus mostly on the league with the occasional FA Trophy match in between. Here are the fixtures I will be bringing you today.

Today’s Fixtures: Four of the five league games we’re playing today currently involve teams that are in the bottom half of the table, with the sole team in that run in the top half being King’s Lynn Town who are holding on to a play-off place at the moment. We also make our debut in the FA Trophy as a manager this month. For anyone unaware of what the FA Trophy is, it’s basically the non-league FA Cup, where the biggest non-league teams can have their day out at Wembley. We’ll have the draw for that some time soon, and we can hopefully go on a decent run in that, though that’s not hugely vital. 

Tuesday 7th November 2023: Banbury United 0-3 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League North) A rather routine performance for us today, as we won away at lowly Banbury United 3-0. It was a rather dire first half, not much going on at all as we tried to get a result after being thumped by Port Vale in our previous game. We took charge in the second half. A poor clearance at the back by the hosts actually advanced our position on the left, as Dion Sembie-Ferris picked it up. He played a cross into the box which Danny Elliott swept away to make it 1-0. Two minutes later, Elliott converted from the penalty spot to double our advantage and double his goal bonus for today. He completed our win and the hat-trick in the 77th minute. This time, we worked the ball on the right. Ogle played it to Butler, whose ball into the box was swept into the top left corner by Danny Elliott. The gap stays as it was with Chorley picking up a win.

Not the worst injury, but Alfie Beestin has twisted his knee and will be out for just over a week. At least we’re not being punished as much as the start of the season, we currently have three players injured, but all will be back in the next week or so. 

Saturday 11th November 2023: Scunthorpe United 5-3 Gloucester City (Vanarama National League North) Another important win today as we opened up a 5 point gap at the top of the National League North. All 5 of our shots on target went in, but I wish we were that on it defensively. We opened the scoring after 5 minutes. A Michael Clunan was cleared away to the edge of the box, but only as far as Cameron Wilson who has recovered from his recent injury, and smacked in a shot that hit the underside of the bar and went in. We then conceded a stupid equaliser two minutes later. A Reagan Ogle throw-in was given straight to the Gloucester City attack. Theo Robinson’s ball across found Danny Wright, and the 39-year old found the net despite the desperate dive of Fitzsimons. We got angry, and decided to go all out on Gloucester. We set up the play for the next goal down the left where Danny Whitehall had the ball. He tried to play a cross into the box but was blocked at the back, and intercepted by Sembie-Ferris. His cross found Cameron Wilson at the far post, and he tapped home for 2-1. Danny Whitehall scored from the spot to improve his run of form recently. We then scored a bizarre fourth goal, straight from the kick-off in the second half. Cameron Wilson went straight on the attack down the right, cut into the box, played it across to find a teammate, and Sam Dreyer slid in as his keeper came out, and put it through his own net. Michael Clunan set up the fifth goal from a corner from the left, which found Andy Butler at the far post, and a powerful header found the net. We let go a little bit at the end and allowed Gloucester City back into the game with two goals in 3 minutes. Hanks played the ball forward to Danny Wright, who found the onrushing Theo Robinson with a perfect through ball, and he fired home for 5-2. Theo Robinson then picked the ball up down the right, and swung it into the box for Danny Wright to meet at the far post with a lovely volley to be fair, and that made it 5-3. That’s when the goals stopped, and we now go 5 points clear after Chorley wasted a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2. 

FA Trophy Second Round Draw: We get an easier tie than I thought we might in the FA Trophy, as we begin our journey in that competition this season at home to Bedford Town, who currently play in the eighth tier, so 2 divisions below us. Hopefully, we can get a decent result.

Tuesday 14th November 2023: King’s Lynn Town 2-2 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League North) Our winning run came to an end away at King’s Lynn, but we remain unbeaten on this run. This is the closest we’ve come to losing for a long time, but The Walks Stadium is always a tough one to go to. King’s Lynn took the lead after 10 minutes. Clifford had the ball on the left hand side, took our defender one way then the other, dropped his shoulder and passed it into Cybulski, who played it back to Ben Stephens who fired into the roof of the net to give the home side the early lead. We equalised mid-way through the first half, Ross Barrows picked up the ball in the right back position, and played it long down the wing towards Cal Roberts who took one look at the keeper, and rifled home for 1-1. After a long spell out injured, that was his first goal for the club. Parity wasn’t restored for long however, as King’s Lynn retook the lead. They worked it from the left again, finding Oduka, who in turn found Ronan. He laid it off to George Morrison whose deflected effort deceived Fitzsimons for 2-1. We equalised just after half-time. The ball was with Danny Elliott in the middle, and he found Cal Roberts again, this time running in from the right, and he slid beyond the keeper into the bottom corner for 2-2. We had the chance to win it, but unfortunately, Danny Eliott saw his penalty saved. 

Saturday 18th November 2023: Scunthorpe United 4-0 Bedford Town (The Isuzu FA Trophy Second Round) We produced a dominant performance with a much changed side as we beat Bedford Town 4-0. Shrimpton and Beestin played the ball between them, when the latter found Ross Barrows running down the right. The right back played the ball across to Cal Wilson, who rolled it home for 1-0 after 3 minutes. For the second goal, a cross from the right was cleared away as far as Michael Kelly on the left. Instead of crossing it in, he played it across the edge of the box to Pugh, and he rolled it right to Alfie Beestin who took a touch, and then hit a fizzer low into the bottom left corner from 20 yards, as we had a 2-goal cushion at half time. Danny Whitehall then added to the tally from the penalty spot. Ross Barrows then ran the ball down the right, played a one-two with Alfie Beestin, played the ball across the six-yard box, and there was Danny Whitehall again to tap home and make it 4-0. A place in the Third Round is ours.

The Isuzu FA Trophy Third Round Draw: We’ve been drawn in the Third Round draw against FC Halifax Town who are currently sitting in 11th in the National League. Last season, they won the FA Trophy, so will be a tough team to compete against, and I want to see how we fare against a team we could easily be facing next season if we go up. 

Tuesday 21st November 2023: Scunthorpe United 1-2 Southport (Vanarama National League North) Our first defeat since September occurred in a home defeat to Southport, a team that have looked difficult to beat this season. We gave away a penalty after 20 minutes, which Declan Evans duly converted for 1-0 to the visitors. It was 2-0 before half-time, Doyle and Billington working it down the left, before Doyle swung the ball into the box, and Luke Burgess headed home for Southport’s second. We played better in the second half, and managed to get a goal back in the 62nd minute. Roberts took a corner from the right, which was cleared away as far as Clunan. He played it across to Jason Law, who volleyed home into the corner to make it 2-1. Despite several chances, we were unfortunate not to equalise, and now we’re only 2 points clear thanks to Chorley not winning their game tonight.

So 12 games undefeated comes to an end, as we’ve not been great in recent games. Hopefully, we can get over that defeat fairly quickly. 

League Table Update: As we head into the middle of the season now, we currently sit top of the table, although the gap has reduced significantly after the last two league matches. Tamworth are now our closest challengers in second place on 40 points, ahead on goal difference of Chorley. Outside of the title race, Scarborough are on 35 points, with Rushall Olympic on 33, Alfreton at 32, and King’s Lynn on 31. Buxton and Blyth Spartans are a point outside the play-offs. At the bottom, the bottom three are in danger of being left behind this season, with Bishop’s Stortford and Gloucester City on 11, and Brackley Town on 13 points, 10 and 8 points off safety already. Curzon Ashton are the other team in the bottom 4 on 20 points, but it’s very tight, with 2 points between them and Peterborough Sports in 16th place.

 

That’s it for today, and our next update will be a big one, as we go from the start of December, probably until the end of January, when we can start signing players. Thank you for keeping updated and I’ll see you next time.

Edited June 15 by Ozza1996

[Ozza1996]

I've Never Been To Scunthorpe - Scunthorpe United RTG - (FM24) - Part 7 - Being Pushed Close

 

Hello and welcome to the latest update as we try to take Scunthorpe United back up the leagues. Last time you were with me, we made some form of progression, but also a little bit of regression towards the end as we haven’t won for 2 league games, which is a barren spell for us at the moment. It’s going to be a long update because I want to get some way through the season now, as we try to go for automatic promotion up to the National League. The plan is to make it to the end of January, which is also when our transfer embargo is up. 

Fixtures Today: As I said, it’s going to be a long update as we try to make progress, so we’re going to go through the whole of the Christmas period, and also we’re going to see how the new year begins, especially as we try and make the top spot our own. There is the chance we may have to change our formation, but we will wait and see. I did a lot of chopping and changing at the start, and I don’t really want to have to do that too much now. 

We start today’s update with an injury. Andy Butler, who is now 40 years old, has got a lower back stress fracture unfortunately. I’ve decided to send him to a specialist to give him a chance, and hopefully allow him to end the season, as he could retire at any moment like Danny Butterfield did. I hope he can come back to see us over the line. 

Saturday 2nd December 2023: Hereford 2-5 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League North) We picked up our first win in 3 league matches with a 5-2 win over struggling Hereford. Finley Shrimpton found Reagan Ogle bombing down the right, so played into him. Ogle continued his run, found the ball into the box, and Danny Whitehall tapped over the line to give us the lead. Two minutes later, the advantage was doubled when Cal Roberts swung a corner in from the right, and found the head of Will Evans at the far post. We then struggled for the rest of the first half, and allowed Hereford back into it. Andrew Boyce attempted to clear the ball but it fell to Aurio Neto-Texeira who found Jason Cowley through the middle, and he fired home for 2-1. Hereford equalised before half time. Kyle Howkins hit a hopeful ball over the top of our defence from his own half, as the ball rolled for Jason Cowley to pick it up, and fire past a hesitant Fitzsimons for 2-2. We took the game by the scruff of the neck after half-time. Reagan Ogle attempted a cross into the box, which was headed to the feet of Dion Sembie-Ferris. He dropped his shoulder and ran into the box, squared it to Danny Whitehall and he tapped it home for us to regain the lead after 50 minutes. Danny Whitehall completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after 71 minutes, putting the ball far beyond the keeper’s reach. Cal Roberts then provided another one of his superb corners, this time finding the head of Andrew Boyce who had little to do other than get the header on target which he did. We’re only a point clear because teams have played games in hand, but now we are a point clear of Scarborough with a game in hand. 

Cameron Wilson to Barnet: Our first major departure of this save is the sale of Cameron Wilson to Barnet. The 21-year-old winger has been a major part of us being at the top of the league so far this season, after scoring 10 goals and making 2 assists in 13 league games this season. Barnet came in with an offer of £16,000, which could rise to £23,000, which is a decent amount in the sixth tier, and he wanted to go and try his best in the National League. I don’t mind giving him that chance, and I hope we see him again in the future. 

Saturday 9th December 2023: FC Halifax Town 2-2 Scunthorpe United (FC Halifax Town win on penalties) (The Isuzu FA Trophy Third Round) We’re out of the FA Trophy at the Third Round stage, but only after we truly bottled it against National League opposition. After a cagey first half, we took the lead with 22 minutes to go. Finlay Shrimpton took a short corner and it ended up with Alfie Beestin, who cut into the area, and he smashed the ball into the net off the bar to give us a lead against the run of play. Halifax then attempted to clear the ball, but Michael Kelly got to it first. He played it to Pugh, who found Kian Scales on the edge of the box, and he fired into the bottom corner from there, and I genuinely thought we’d managed the shock result. It wasn’t to be though. Tylor Golden had the ball down the right for the home side, he was played to the by-line but managed to find the cross, and found the head of Eno Nto at the far post to reduce the arrears. I still thought we would hold on, but Golden was involved again down the right. He played it left to Rayan Kolli, who played it further left to Angelo Cappello, with Campbell out of position, and it was an easy tap-in for 2-2. Misses from Scales, Beestin and Kelly meant Halifax went through to the Fourth Round. It's the league for the rest of the season from now on for us. 

Kian Scales New Contract: On the back of that disappointment, but because of his impressive form, we’ve managed to secure Kian Scales for the next 18 months, with him earning £1,500 a week until the end of next season. 

Tuesday 12th December 2023: Scunthorpe United 4-4 Warrington Town (Vanarama National League North) We dropped points in our game in hand, but stay a point clear at the top after an entertaining draw at home to Warrington. The fun got started after 2 minutes, when Ross Barrows chipped a free-kick to Cal Roberts on the right. He looked for the run of Alfie Beestin on the edge of the box, and he fired home for 1-0. Warrington equalised in the 44th minute, Sembie-Ferris tried to run the ball out of defence, but only ran into Williams, who found Simms, and he found an unmarked Isaac Buckley-Ricketts in the area and he tucked into the corner for 1-1. They took the lead just before half-time. Poor defensive play on our part again found Buckley-Ricketts with the ball on the left, he crossed into the box, Fitzsimons was caught in no man's land, and Jim Simms rose above him to nod into the empty net. In the second half, we got back on level terms when Dion Sembie-Ferris and Danny Whitehall exchanged passes, allowing the former to cut inside and squeeze between keeper and post for 2-2. Warrington retook the lead in the 73rd minute following a Grivosti run down the left, his cross was cleared but only partially. Buckley-Ricketts laid it off to Connor Woods and he rolled it home to make it 3-2. It looked like Warrington had won it in the 84th minute. Grivosti rolled the ball to Buckley-Ricketts, who turned his man, scooped the ball into the box, and found Connor Woods at the back post, where he looped over Fitzsimons for 4-2. The comeback was on when Danny Whitehall benefitted from a terrible back pass to make it 4-3. The unreal equaliser came just a minute later, when Tyler Denton had the loose ball from a clearance, rolled it to Will Evans, and from the edge of the box, he turned and shot into the top corner to send the home fans wild and keep us top. 

Youth Intake Preview: Please always take these previews with a pinch of salt, as the youth intake will be important the more this save goes on, but we have strong ratings for Wide Midfielders and Strikers if it is to be believed, and we’ve got competent Goalkeepers, Central Midfielders, Attacking Midfielders and Wingers. A 5 star rating is always good to see, but we will find out in March how it really looks.

Tuesday 19th December 2023: Scunthorpe United 5-2 Chorley (Vanarama National League North) We picked up a rather impressive 5-2 win over Chorley, a game where we scored our first 3 goals in the first 18 minutes. Jason Law took a corner from the right, finding Danny Elliott at the far post to nod home for 1-0 after 3 minutes. Another Law corner caused a melee in the box, the ball was chested down by Tom Pugh, and Alfie Beestin ran in to shoot through the crowd to put us 2-0 up. The third goal came from the left, with a Tyler Denton throw-in. As the ball came back to him, he hung it into the box, where Dion Sembie-Ferris beat the keeper to the punch, and nodded home for 3-0. Chorley got one back after 21 minutes. Justin Johnson showed Reagan Ogle down the left, before playing it back for Madou Cisse, and he curled it beautifully into the bottom right corner for 3-1. Tom Pugh then got his first goal for Scunthorpe with a beautiful free-kick from 30 yards out, into the top corner before half-time. Chorley got another goal back in the second half, and another beautifully worked goal. A ball down the left from Adam Blakeman found Justin Johnson ahead of him. This time, he cut back to the edge of the box, and Madou Cisse hit another perfect first time finish to bring them back within 2. We got a fifth with about 20 minutes to go. Elliott and Pugh exchanged passes down the left, before Pugh’s cross was intercepted but only cleared to Dion Sembie-Ferris, who chested down, and volleyed into the bottom left corner to give us an easy win. We moved three points clear of Buxton, after winning our game in hand. 

Saturday 23rd December 2023: Buxton 1-0 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League North) Second played first at The Tarmac Silverlands Stadium, as Buxton played Scunthorpe United. We hit the post and crossbar in a move early on in the game as we looked like we could be extending our lead at the top of the table, but unfortunately nothing came of it. The only goal came from Buxton in the 39th minute. Joe Ackroyd had the ball in the right back position, and he lobbed it forward to Josh Hinds, who saw Ross Fitzsimons off his line, and he just chipped it over him, in off the post, and Buxton pulled level on points, although we’ve got a much bigger goal difference. With Scarborough and Tamworth both winning today as well, they’re both within 3 points of us. I love this league, but I'm starting to get nervous. Let’s see what happens in our double header against Farsley Celtic. 

Potential Takeover: So, this came up almost unexpectedly, where Michelle Harness is about to put the club up for sale. Where this will leave us, I don’t know. There’s no hint of what money will be coming in, there’s nothing telling me what I’ll have to spend in the future, but with the transfer embargo ending soon, and us at the top of the table, I think I thought we were OK, but we will wait and see what happens. 

Tuesday 26th December 2023: Scunthorpe United 5-4 Farsley Celtic (Vanarama National League North) A Christmas cracker, as we had a 5-1 lead at one point, but nearly threw it away. A throw-in from Tyler Denton set up the first goal, as he played it to Michael Clunan, who found Jason Law down the left. He cut inside and fired in at the near post to give us the lead early on. Kouogun set the ball moving for the second to Kian Scales through the middle, who found Dion Sembie-Ferris running into the box, and he slid it into the corner to double the advantage. Kouogun again played an important pass for the third, to the left for Tyler Denton, who slid it across the box, and Danny Whitehall was in that tap home position again, and did just that to make it 3-0 before half time. Farsley Celtic started to play in the second half. Conor Branson played it back to Isaac Assenso, who played it long forward to Sam Leverett who shot home for 3-1. We went down the other end a minute later, with a slick passing move, playing it around the area, before Kian Scales fed Danny Whitehall and he shot on the turn into the corner to put us 4-1 up. He then converted from the penalty spot to put us 5-1 up and complete his hat-trick. But we’ve been prone to bottling it, and we nearly did again. Williams Lowe had the ball down the right for Farsley, Silva swung the ball in and Darren Stephenson headed in at the far post to make it 5-2. Leverett provided the assist for Farsley Celtic’s third goal, from an inswinging corner, which Conor Branson had two bites of the cherry, before he tapped in for 5-3. Isaac Assenso made it 5-4, with an absolute humdinger at the death after the ball was cleared away, volleying home from 25 yards. We held on, but we shouldn’t have been put in that position. 

December Update: So our results across the month have been interesting in some ways, and infuriating in others. We’ve been knocked out of the FA Trophy, when we ought to have beaten Halifax, but we also have been able to keep our lead at the top of the National League North, despite struggling to keep clean sheets, and sometimes our composure has been lacking as well. 

League Table Update: So, we will stay top heading into 2024, but only by a point ahead of Scarborough Athletic. Tamworth and Buxton are also in touching distance, as this title race threatens to bubble up until the final game. Chorley are sort of in no man’s land as they’re not currently in a title battle, but they’re also safely in a play off place as well. Blyth Spartans and King’s Lynn Town also sit in the top 7. Bishop’s Stortford and Gloucester City still prop up the table on 18 points, with Brackley Town only 2 points ahead of them. Hereford have 24 points, and are three points adrift of Banbury and Peterborough Sports.

 

So we’ve had a good month staying top, although I’d have liked to have gone further in the FA Trophy. But that does mean we get some breaks in between games which is vital for this level, as we try and continue our run in the league. We’ll go through January tomorrow. But until then, I hope you’re enjoying these updates, and the Euros so far. Lots of goals like there have been in this save. See you tomorrow.

[Ozza1996]

I've Never Been To Scunthorpe - Scunthorpe United RTG - (FM24) - Part 8 - Are We Falling Apart?

 

Hello, welcome back to our Scunthorpe United save, and we have now entered the second half of the season in terms of the change of the year. We enter 2024 with just league to focus on, with us already out of the FA Cup and FA Trophy. I’m now more determined than ever to get this league campaign, and our promotion over the line as we enter January. It’s a tight title race at the moment, with us only being a point clear. Scarborough and Tamworth are teams we’ve got to keep an eye on. Let’s take a look at our January fixtures. 

Fixtures This Month: Some interesting games coming up. We start 2024 with an away game against Farsley Celtic in the second of our double header against them. It’s then a Lincolnshire derby with a home clash with Boston United. Brackley Town will be a game we need to get points from, before we play a promotion six-pointer at home to Tamworth. Two away games complete the month, with matches against Darlington and Peterborough Sports. 

Player of the Month for December: For the first time, one of our players has picked up the player of the month award, and it’s for Danny Whitehall, thoroughly deserved after picking up 7 goals and 1 assist in 4 matches. An average rating of 8.12 is almost unheard of, and he absolutely deserves all the accolades coming for him at the moment. 

Performance Analysis: I thought I would show you how the board and supporters view us at the moment halfway through the season. We’ve got Bs with both of them, with supporters slightly more happier with us. They both like the tactics we use, and they’re happy with the squad and results. We’ve just got to keep it up to keep them both on side. 

Monday 1st January 2024: Farsley Celtic 1-3 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League North) We have started 2024 with a 3-1 win over Farsley Celtic. We’ve become famous for our quick starts, and we’ve done it again in this game as we took the lead after two minutes. Tyler Denton played the ball down the line from his left-back position to find Dion Sembie-Ferris. He played it to feet for Kian Scales, whose shot was blocked, only to roll for Jason Law for his third goal of the season for 1-0. We then got a penalty 10 minutes later after attacking Farsley non-stop, and Danny Elliott fired into the top right corner, with the keeper having no chance. We got a third just before half time after the home side cleared the ball away. Scales retrieved it and rolled it to Dion Sembie-Ferris down the left. He went the direct route this time, swung it to the far post, and Jason Law nodded home for 3-0. Farsley Celtic had chances, but were mostly wasteful, and we weren’t really dealt any problems. They got one back at the end, George Smith made a run into the left corner, rolled it back to Sam Leverett, who crossed into the box, and Darren Stephenson headed home to make it 3-1. Scarborough lost their match, and we’re now top by 3 points. 

New Contracts: We’ve signed Alfie Beestin for another season, with him going to £1,300 a week on a contract that ends at the end of next season. I know they may not be able to make the step back up to the National League, but it’s worth keeping as much of this team together, and Beestin has been an incredible part of this team. Another player sticking around for the same length of time is Finley Shrimpton. He has signed a new contract where he will be an important player, and he has signed for £900 a week. He’s played less than Beestin, but when he has played, he’s been competent in the same position. We’ve been strong in the centre midfield position despite losing Danny Butterfield, and that’s one thing I’m buzzing about. 

Saturday 6th January 2024: Scunthorpe United 5-5 Boston United (Vanarama National League North) A ten-goal thriller was the order of the day at Glanford Park, but unfortunately, we only got a point after the game ended 5-5 with Boston. Alfie Beestin played the ball to Kian Scales, whose looped ball over the top found the running Danny Elliott, whose own looping header left the keeper stranded to make it 1-0. The veteran Martin Woods rolled back the years for Boston, scoring a beautiful free-kick which Fitzsimons had no chance with after 13 minutes. Danny Elliott turned provider after 27 minutes, his near post corner finding the glancing header from Will Evans to put us back in front. But Boston battled back once again. Michael Bostwick lumped it forward from the halfway line, and it was met by Jordan Richards who lashed it into the top corner for 2-2. We retook the lead just before half-time however. Reagan Ogle played it back to Will Evans, who played a long ball down the right, into the box for Danny Elliott to chest it down and fire in across the keeper to make it 3-2. Martin Woods sent Ross Fitzsimons the wrong way from the penalty spot to level matters again at 3-3. Beestin and Shrimpton combined down the left to help set up our 4th. Beestin played it into the path of Michael Clunan, whose shot was deflected in by Danny Elliott who claimed his hat-trick in the process. Another lump forward from Boston’s defence, namely by Zak Mills, found Jimmy Knowles, who put his name on the scoresheet when he rifled home for 4-4. Boston then took the lead for the first time with ten minutes to go. A Zak Mills throw-in was cleared but only to Martin Woods who turned his man, and smashed home beyond the keeper, to give Boston the lead for the first time in this one. It wouldn’t last for long, however. Danny Elliott provided the corner from the right, and Maxim Kouogun headed home above the rest, to make it 5-5. That was the final goal of a thriller, but everyone else around us drew as well, so we didn’t lose ground. 

Brackley Town Postponed: Our game against Brackley is the first one to be called off because of the weather. Their pitch was waterlogged and so we will face them instead at the end of this update. At least we get a decent break. 

Our first major injury for a little while, and Tom Pugh will be out injured for the rest of January, after pulling knee ligaments in training. 

Saturday 20th January 2024: Scunthorpe United 1-3 Tamworth (Vanarama National League North) Our first defeat of 2024 was a 3-1 defeat to Tamworth at home. The Midlanders took the lead after 2 minutes, Nathan Tshikuna had a shot blocked, before a cross from the left was blocked by Carlos Richards, before Kyron Farrell hit a shot first time from the left corner of the box, and it flew into the top corner for 1-0, and a flying start for the away side. Kyron Farrell set up the second from a throw-in played back to him by Richards, before he found Nathan Tshikuna on the edge of the box. He turned his man, and again fired into the top right corner for 2-0 after 20 minutes. We got one back in the 39th minute. Andrew Boyce lofted a ball down the right for Dion Sembie-Ferris, whose cross found Alfie Beestin at the back post for 2-1. Tamworth secured the win before half-time, when Ben Milnes delivered the ball into the box, George Abbott headed on, and Kyron Farrell headed home on the line to make it 3-1. We tried to come back in the second half, but unfortunately, we dropped off the top to be replaced by Scarborough and Buxton, who dropped us to third. 

We’re Not Being Taken Over: So, I assumed there would be some sort of takeover after the last update. It turns out, apparently not. 

Tuesday 23rd January 2024: Darlington 3-2 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League North) We made it two defeats in a row and dropped to 4th following a shock defeat away at Darlington. They got the opener after 15 minutes, when Andoh played the ball forward down the right to Cameron Salkeld. He played it across the box to Akwasi Asante who tapped home for 1-0. They doubled their lead about a quarter of an hour later. Ben Liddle took a corner which was partially cleared, but Akwasi Asante looped a header which was softly deflected in over Fitzsimons for 2-0. Akwasi Asante could have completed his hat-trick before half time, but his penalty was saved. We got one back when a Michael Kelly throw-in ended with Kian Scales playing it to Danny Elliott who turned and shot from the edge of the box for 2-1. Darlington then extended their advantage in injury time, Lawlor played the ball to Ben Liddle, who found Cameron Salkeld running in from the right, and slotted home for 3-1. We got another goal back two minutes later. Jason Law took a corner from the right, and Andrew Boyce nodded home for 3-2. It wasn’t a good performance at all, and we need to improve and put our foot down. 

Cal Roberts has picked up his second injury of the season during that defeat to Darlington, which is all we need at the moment. He will be out for 4-5 weeks after picking up a twisted ankle while being tackled during the game.

New Record: We’ve set a new goalscoring record and it’s only January. We’ve scored 90 goals in league games, which is a club record, and with 16 games left, it’s untold how many more we could get. I just hope we can start keeping them out. 

Headline of Doom!!!!!!: The headlines are coming out about me potentially losing my job. I don’t think I will, but we’ve failed to win for three games, which is our longest run without winning. We’re moving to a 4-2-4. I tried tiki taka for one game but it really didn’t work. 

Postponement: Our second game that has been postponed away from home, with Peterborough Sports being cancelled this time. It’ll be covered in my next update. 

Fan Day Announcement: There’s been more announcements than matches this month, as they’ve picked Rushall Olympic at home for a fan day, where we have cheaper tickets for local fans. Hopefully, we can be back winning by then.

Tuesday 30th January 2024: Brackley Town 0-3 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League North) I changed the system against Brackley as they’re second bottom at the moment, and this was the time to do it as we ran out 3-0 winners. Danny Elliott set up the first goal just before half-time, with him bringing the ball out of his own half and going on a long run before being tackled, but the ball rolled into the path of Alfie Beestin, who ran through one-on-one, and fired into the top corner to give us the half-time lead. Dion Sembie-Ferris was another player to make a run, this time down the right, and this resulted in a cross into the box, which Danny Whitehall met to fire home to make it 2-0. Danny Whitehall turned provider from a corner on the left, which found Reagan Ogle at the back post in second half stoppage time to make it a comfortable victory, with a clean sheet which is already an improvement on recent times. 

January’s Results: We started the month with a comfortable 3-1 win away at Farsley Celtic, before an unreal 5-5 draw at home to Boston United. With a couple of postponements, we then didn’t play for 14 days, and I think it showed as we lost 3-1 to Tamworth, followed by a 3-2 defeat away at Darlington. I decided to change it up a little bit as something needed to happen, which resulted in a 3-0 win away at Brackley Town.

League Table Update: Buxton now sit top of the Vanarama National League North, the first time we’ve not been top for a couple of months. Scarborough Athletic are in second place, with Tamworth sitting in third place, as we’ve dropped down to fourth. Chorley are five points behind us in 5th, with Blyth Spartans and now South Shields completing the play-off places. The relegation battle has become tighter, with Gloucester City now bottom on 25 points. Brackley Town sit on 26 points, with Bishop’s Stortford and Banbury United now on 29 points. Farsley Celtic sit outside the relegation zone on 30 points, with Peterborough Sports 2 points ahead of them. 

 

So this month was tough, we tried to find a way to concede less goals heading into the new year and we dropped off the top of the table. We had to find a way to make other teams think, is the 4-2-4 the future of this team? Let’s wait and see, but we need to try something to stay in this title race, close the gap, and make sure we hit all our targets this season. Play-offs aren't enough, we can’t afford to risk another season at this level. Let’s hope we improve in February. I’ll see you for that.

[Ozza1996]

I've Never Been To Scunthorpe - Scunthorpe United RTG - (FM24) - Part 9 - Back on Track

 

We’ve hit February 2024 now, and our first season has all of a sudden got more challenging. We had a rough start to the calendar year, falling for two defeats in a row and all of a sudden, we dropped down to 4th. We’ve got a bit of a way to make up, being 5 points behind Buxton who are now top, but don’t forget, we have a game in hand on a couple of the teams above us, and it’s really not over. The other teams may have commitments across the FA Trophy as well, I’m not entirely sure. But we definitely still can have a go at the title. 

February Fixtures: So February looks like this. We start the month at home to Rushall Olympic, which is the kind of game we have to win. Rushall Olympic have had a solid season so far, and sit in 9th so we can’t take them lightly. We then face our rearranged game against Peterborough Sports. Curzon Ashton are still fighting to stay up, and we face them in the next game, before we face a huge game against Scarborough away from home. South Shields are in the box seat in the playoff places at the moment, so they won’t be easy away from home. Our final game of the month is against mid-table Alfreton Town. 

Transfer Embargo Lifted! That’s been the announcement we’ve been waiting for, as we can now make signings for the rest of the season. I’ve wasted no time in putting in an offer for one player the scouts have been going after. If the player I’m after comes in, I’ll show you his attributes. 

Performance Analysis at Start of February: We’ve been reduced to a C by both the board and supporters because we’re not quite reaching where we need to be in this league, which is champions. It’s not been the worst season, with our exploits in the FA Cup, which they’re both excited by, but the league is the bread and butter, and that’s what’s letting me down at the moment. Let’s wait and see how we can improve it this month. 

Saturday 3rd February 2024: Scunthorpe United 2-1 Rushall Olympic (Vanarama National League North) We started February with a battling game against Rushall Olympic, and we managed, just about, to beat them 2-1, despite them having a real go in the second half. We had a Danny Whitehall goal ruled out for offside early on, before taking the lead after 33 minutes. Finley Shrimpton played the ball to Andrew Boyce, who found Michael Clunan ahead of him. Clunan chipped the ball into the box for Dion Sembie-Ferris who controlled it superbly with his chest, and volleyed into the roof of the net, leaving the keeper no chance. We scored three minutes later, Jason Law had the ball on the left and played it across to Finley Shrimpton, who in turn found Reagan Ogle. His ball into the box played Sembie-Ferris in again, who shot, but was deflected in for an own goal by Jordaan Brown. We didn’t have the best second half, and allowed Rushall Olympic back into it. Rushall Olympic played keep ball down the right in the second half, and it allowed Brandon Lonsdale to play it in towards Ronan Maher, and he put his foot through it to make it 2-1. Rushall did have a goal ruled out late on for offside, with Emmanuel Ilesanmi being the unlucky man, but we held on, and go to within 2 points of top spot with a game in hand. 

The Fan Day was a success!!!! Hopefully we now get more fans in through the door, with that game having an attendance of 4,349. Our highest attendance other than that so far this season was against Boston United with just over 4,000. Most of the season has just been 3,000. 

Tuesday 6th February 2024: Peterborough Sports 2-1 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League North) This couldn’t have come at a worse time. Buxton were playing at the same time, they won and we lost, and we’re now 4 points behind, still with a game in hand, but now I’m feeling the pressure. One of Danny Elliott’s famous corners gave us the lead after 16 minutes, finding Andy Butler to nod home at the far post. But Peterborough Sports equalised on the stroke of half time. Jack Serrant-Green played the ball back to Trevon Bryan, before the latter played it back to Serrant-Green. He ran down the left, ran into the area, played it across to Mark Jones who tapped home for 1-1. Harrison Poulter got injured in the second half and we’ll see the extent of that injury shortly. I was going to be disappointed with a point, and it got even worse in the 97th minute. Dan Lawlor picked up the ball on the halfway line and played it on to Sam Bird, who played in Michael Gash. His shot was straight at Ross Fitzsimons, but he dropped the ball over the line for us to lose cruelly. 

Harrison Poulter is out for up to 5 weeks after that injury after he got a twisted ankle while tackling. He misses the next few games, but hopefully our new striker can come in and take over that mantle from him while he’s out. 

First New Signing!!!! This is the new signing I was talking about. Josh Woods has come in on loan for the rest of the season from League Two side Accrington Stanley. He’s on £450 a week with us. He has played some matches in League Two this season for the club, scoring once in 5 starts, so he will take two steps down to see if he can help us with our goal scoring exploits. Admittedly, he doesn’t look a million dollars, but he’s got a work rate of 14 and bravery of 11, so he’s not afraid to get involved at least. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can offer us. He’s only 23 so he’s got a long way to go. 

Saturday 10th February 2024: Scunthorpe United 3-0 Curzon Ashton (Vanarama National League North) This was a good performance but unfortunately, Josh Woods picked up an injury half an hour into his debut. We’ll see how bad that was in a minute. The opening goal came from a Michael Clunan short corner which ended up with Reagan Ogle. He played it back to the oncoming Clunan and he fired into the corner to give us the lead after 7 minutes. Danny Elliott doubled our advantage after 57 minutes to make it more comfortable for us. We got the 3rd with 17 minutes to go. Maxim Kouogun gave the ball to Reagan Ogle on the right, who produced his trademark run, slid it across the box, and sub Danny Whitehall scored his 18th of the season to become our top scorer so far, when I thought he wasn’t good enough early on. I’m definitely pleased with what I’m seeing. There’s now 2 points between the top 4, and we’re right in the race for the title. Let’s see what damage Josh Woods has done though. 

Josh Woods is injured as I said, and it turns out it’s pulled ankle ligaments from a tackle in the game. These things happen, but injuries in the first game are Football Manager shenanigans, and I should have half known it was going to happen. Finley Shrimpton is also out for 2 weeks with the flu. I feel like I should add a bless him with that. 

New Signing: We’ve signed another young striker on loan from Southampton because you can’t have too many options up top, and he’s one hell of a safe word. His name is Princewill Ehibhatiomhan. I wonder which parent is paying for that on the back of a top. He’s here until the end of the season, and looks potentially better than Josh Woods. He’s on £500 a week. His finishing and technique impress me off the bat, as he’s 13 for finishing and 12 for technique. His decision making is also at 14, and he likes getting involved and in your face, because he’s 13 for aggression.

Saturday 17th February 2024: Scarborough Athletic 0-1 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League North) We took a vital 1-0 win away from home against Scarborough Athletic, despite being down to 10 men for most of the second half. It was a tight game for most of the match, Scarborough had their moments. We managed to get a goal 4 minutes before half time, Reagan Ogle and Dion Sembie-Ferris worked a throw in together, before the former crossed the ball in for Alfie Beestin to nod down to Princewill Ehibhatiomhan, who tapped home on his debut to score the winning goal. Kian Scales was sent off in the second half for a second bookable offence, but thankfully we held on, without having to go defensive. A huge win, and we go up to third in the table. 

Tuesday 20th February 2024: South Shields 1-3 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League North) We’re properly back into winning ways now, as we’ve won another promotion six-pointer 3-1 against South Shields. A couple of crosses were blocked ahead of our first goal by Jason Law, before it was rolled back to Reagan Ogle. He played a slide rule pass into the box, and Alfie Beestin was there to fire home in the six-yard box to give us the lead. Reagan Ogle set up the second goal, with a long run from his own half down the right. His cross was deflected into the path of Michael Clunan, running into the edge of the box, and he fired home first time for 2-0. Josh Morris stuck a penalty away for the home side to make it 2-1 and give them a chance, but we killed all their hopes late on. A long diagonal ball from Michael Clunan to the right was saved from going out by Jason Law. He swung the ball back into the box, and a deflected volley by Alfie Beestin found the net for his second, our third and our third successive three points. 

Our First Non-Loan Signing: We’ve signed a fringe player really, but could make the next game more interesting. We’ve signed Josh Clackstone from Alfreton Town who we play in our next game. We’ve got a long thrower, which is the first thing I see. I might make that our thing when he gets into the team, on the odd occasion he is. His tackling is good so he’s more of a full-back. Don’t expect to see too much of him for us, but he will play a part.

Another Loan Signing: We’ve signed a centre-back this time on loan for the rest of the season, with James Debayo arriving from Leeds United. His tackling is 16, good at playing out from the back with 12 for passing, and for technique. He’s a good marker, so does all the things he’s expected to do really. 

Saturday 24th February 2024: Scunthorpe United 1-0 Alfreton Town (Vanarama National League North) I think we’ve started to take this league seriously as we’ve beaten Alfreton Town 1-0. These one-goal wins are huge to keep up momentum in the league, especially as Buxton keep winning. We hit the woodwork four times in this game, it could have been so much easier. The only goal came in the second half, after Alfreton Town tried to clear on the edge of the box. Kian Scales intercepted and ran with the ball, finding Danny Elliott on the edge of the box. He turned and shot and it went in off the post for the only goal of the game. Alfreton had a man sent off in injury time. Harry Perritt was sent off for a second bookable offence. We held on for the win, it was quite easy in the end. 

Another Rumour of the owner stepping aside: Michelle Harness is once again ready to leave the club, after the initial rumour at the turn of the year falling through.

February Results: This is how we’ve done this month then. 5 wins in 6, including 3 clean sheets is definitely what we needed this time around. Peterborough Sports was a blip rather than the norm, and that’s fine. We just need to keep this form up next month which will come out tomorrow. The team seem composed and the new additions are playing their part already. I’m very pleased with how it’s going at the moment. 

League Table Update: All teams have at most ten games remaining now and it looks tasty at the top. Buxton remain top this month on 76, but we’ve closed right behind them on 74, having scored 104 goals with 10 games to go. Tamworth sit on 72, with Scarborough sitting on 71 points. The top four will all still be going for that title. Chorley are 5th on 67 points, with an outside chance of joining this battle. Blyth Spartans and now Rushall Olympic sit in the top 7. At the bottom, Brackley Town sit bottom on 27 points, and sit in real danger of going down. Gloucester City, Bishop’s Stortford and Hereford sit in the bottom four also. Banbury United and Farsley Celtic are now the only ones in real danger of being caught, but there’s still a little way to go. 

 

We needed this month. Some new signings, some new heads through the door. Coming straight into the team, playing together, moulding together. I’m so proud of how it’s gone this month. The defence have shown they can defend finally. We’ve been getting little 1-0s here and there now, and finally they’re showing I can trust them. With the addition of James Debayo in the squad, hopefully he can help keep that defence strong. Come back and see how we get on next time.

[Muttley84]

Nice progress and decent update (the all bold writting is killing my eyes). Promotion within reach, fingers crossed!

[Ozza1996]

I've Never Been To Scunthorpe - Scunthorpe United RTG - (FM24) - Part 10 - All Aboard For The Run-In!

 

Hello and welcome to March, we’re hurtling towards the end of the season, and the title race is getting spicy in the penultimate month of the season. We’re two points off the lead at the top of the table, Buxton are in flying form though, so we have to hope they have a disgraceful month coming up. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the lineup for this month. 

March Fixtures: We have a month which starts with a home game with Chester, which is coming up very shortly. Bishop’s Stortford and Spennymoor Town away are two games we ought to be winning. Spennymoor aren’t really playing for much anymore, other than probably wanting to automatically secure survival fairly soon. We then face a home game against relegation-threatened Banbury United, who will also be scrapping at the bottom of the table. We end with two mid-table teams, in Warrington Town away, and King’s Lynn Town in a home game. 

New Record Incoming: We have ten matches to score five goals, is the long and short of it. We’ve hit 104 goals so far this season, and the record holders are AFC Fylde with 109 goals at this level. I’m sure we will be fine, but hopefully we can keep the run of clean sheets going. 

Manager of the Month award second place for February: After the strong February we had, we came second in the MOTM award for February. We came second to Chorley’s manager, Andy Preece, but it was very close. 

Saturday 2nd March 2024: Scunthorpe United 2-1 Chester (Vanarama National League North) We started the month with a home game against Chester like I mentioned earlier, and it was a tight and tense game, but we came out of it on the right end with a 2-1 victory over the away side, to take us top on goal difference. Chester had the better of a tight first half with Charlie Caton having a goal ruled out for offside after 5 minutes. The same man then put Chester in front. The goal came after a cross from the left was headed away to Sean Fusire, whose cross into the box was dropped by Ross Fitzsimons, and Charlie Caton was there to pounce to make it 1-0. We equalised in injury time in the first half. Tyler Denton’s cross was headed out as far as Reagan Ogle who ran into the box, and coolly slotted into the bottom corner to leave the keeper no chance for 1-1. It was tight for the rest of the game, and it looked like it was heading for a draw, but with 3 minutes to go, Kian Scales had a throw in which between him and Josh Woods, they worked into the box. The striker then rolled it back to his fellow newbie, Princewill Ehibhatiomhan, who touched it in to send the fans crazy. We went back to the top after Buxton drew.

Sam Collins Joins On Loan: We’ve signed a left-back for the rest of the season. Sam Collins has joined on loan from Middlesbrough, when he’s been lacking a lot of first team football this season. He’s made no appearances apparently for anyone all season, so he won’t be completely fit, but he’s worth the chance. He’s apparently progressing to be a League One level left-back, so if he can play like that now, it could be the signing to give us the title. 

Tom Pugh misses the Bishop’s Stortford game, and potentially the Spennymoor Town game, after picking up a bruised thigh. I hope he’ll be OK for the latter, but I don’t think we’d have necessarily needed him against Bishop’s Stortford anyway due to the gulf in class. 

Saturday 9th March 2024: Bishop’s Stortford 2-3 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League North) We secured our sixth league win in a row, as we came out better in a five-goal game against Bishop’s Stortford, but it should have been more comfortable. Reagan Ogle picked up an injury really early on in the game, so we’ll check that in a minute. We got a penalty after 6 minutes, but the man who is normally no problem from the spot, Danny Whitehall, hit the bar and the rebound went wide. That’s why I was nervous when we got another penalty just 12 minutes later. This time, Danny Whitehall made no mistake, and slotted home from the spot to give us the lead. The relegation candidates equalised after 39 minutes. Harry Beadle played a long ball into the box to find Darren Foxley, who managed to shoot across Fitzsimons to equalise for 1-1. In the second half, we put our foot down, and retook the lead after 68 minutes. A Danny Whitehall corner was cleared back to him, so he played it across the edge of the box to Andy Butler. He played a neat through ball to Alfie Beestin, who turned and his deflected shot trickled in to make it 2-1. We made it 3-1, when a deflected cross from Kian Scales found Alfie Beestin, who played it across to Princewill Ehibhatiomhan, whose first time effort left the keeper clutching at air, and put us back on top of the league. Bishop’s Stortford got a second goal back in injury time. Jack Thomas played a short pass to Kennedy Mupomba, who ran like our defence wasn’t there, and he ran through one-on-one, into the bottom corner, where he made it 3-2. We held on, and took the three points. 

Reagan Ogle is out for the next 3-4 weeks unfortunately, after the tackle he was injured in left him with sprained ankle ligaments, and he will take his time to return to the team. We’ll need him for those final few matches. 

Tuesday 12th March 2024: Spennymoor Town 3-3 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League North) A thrilling second half made up for a quiet first half, as Spennymoor scared us late on before holding us to a 3-3 draw, a result which keeps us top, and even extends the gap. Will Evans played the ball to Michael Clunan, who played it over the top of everyone, finding Danny Elliott on the left side of the box, and with one touch, he powered beyond the keeper to make it 1-0. Spennymoor equalised 4 minutes into the second half. They worked it well from a throw-in, which allowed Callum Ross to swing into the box, and a tame header from Owen Gallacher shouldn’t have gone in, but Ross Fitzsimons palmed it in for 1-1. We retook the lead almost straight away. Ehibhatiomhan had the ball, and rolled left to Jason Law. His ball into the box found Danny Elliott in the six-yard box, and he swept home to make it 2-1. Spennymoor equalised on the hour mark, as a well worked free kick started and ended with Glen Taylor who received a return pass in the box, and he smacked in off the post to make it 2-2. Spennymoor took the lead for the first time 6 minutes later. Olsen and Mbeka worked it between them from a throw-in, with Mbeka swinging it into the box, and Corey McKeown was there to nod home over Fitzsimons, who’s going to be leaving at this rate. We scored our equaliser after 72 minutes, when a corner from Cal Roberts was cleared, before finding Tom Pugh, whose deflected effort bamboozled the keeper, and made it 3-3. We’ll take the point, but we need to not be so close to defeat next time. 

New record Holders: The previous match means that we have scored more goals than anyone in one season in the history of the National League North, after scoring 112 goals, in just 39 matches. We have seven games to go this season to try and secure the title. We’re going to end up with some amazing numbers at the end of the season. For you stats fans out there like myself, that’s nearly three goals a game. 

Saturday 16th March 2024: Scunthorpe United 1-1 Banbury United (Vanarama National League North) It was a tale of two corners against relegation threatened Banbury United, a tighter game than I bargained for, as their relegation fight showed in this 1-1 draw. Dion Sembie-Ferris was unfortunately injured in first half stoppage time. We took the lead with 13 minutes remaining after so much frustration in this game. A Josh Woods near post corner on the left found the head of Andrew Boyce who scored his fourth goal of the season to make it 1-0, and look like we were really going to extend our lead at the top of the league. In the end, we did, but we had to settle for a point. A Jack Tompkins corner was almost a carbon copy, as he found Jack Davies at the near post, despite the attempts of Campbell to catch it on the line. We’ll take a point as we now are four points clear, with Buxton getting beaten by South Shields, and they look like they’re bottling it. 

Dion Sembie-Ferris will miss the rest of the season, unless we miss out on the title somehow. He picked up a twisted ankle following a tackle during the Banbury game, and we will miss him in that run-in. Let’s do it for Dion. 

Michael Kelly will miss the Warrington Town away game, potentially followed by the next game against King’s Lynn Town after pulling his groin in training. A vital role in this squad and this team, and hopefully he can recover quickly as we try to keep our best players towards the end. 

Saturday 23rd March 2024: Warrington Town 3-2 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League North) Warrington came into this game with their heads up after a 7-1 thrashing of Gloucester the previous week, and it showed as they came from behind to upset us in this one. We opened the scoring after 11 minutes, Michael Clunan’s pass finding its way all the way through to Josh Woods, who scored his first goal of his loan deal by slotting under the keeper for 1-0. They equalised almost straight away, with Evan Gumbs playing the perfect ball from centre-back to Isaac Buckley-Ricketts who chested down and fired home for 1-1. In the second half, Warrington took over proceedings and took their chances. Andre Wisdom (Yes, the same Andre Wisdom of Liverpool and Derby fame), played a throw-in to Connor Woods, got it back, swung the ball into the box, and in came Jim Simms to turn the game in the home side’s favour and nod home. Connor Woods then became goalscorer, switching it back to Wisdom, who found Liam Humbles to his left, before a through ball to a continuing run from Woods, who managed to slot home for Warrington’s winner, and their third. Jim Simms put the ball in the net late on but it was ruled out for offside. We got a late consolation in the 95th minute, after some poor decision making by the Warrington defence, allowed Cal Roberts to put a ball in the box, which the keeper messed up in collecting, and Danny Elliott tapped into the empty net for 3-2. A disappointing defeat, but we stay top and still with a four point lead. A shout out to Warrington, who if they can be more clinical next season and more consistent in their results, can go up at some point in the next few seasons. 

Youth Intake is Actually Good for this Level: We’ve actually got a pretty decent youth intake with one elite right midfielder in the shape of Aaron Pepper, and we’ve also got a top quality goalkeeper in Joshua Murray, and two attacking wingers with Jake Johnston and Aidy Simmonite. When we decide who we’re signing, I’ll include it in an update. 

Non League Deadline Day Signing: We’ve signed a new goalkeeper on Non League Deadline Day, with Adam Smith moving down two divisions from Morecambe, on a 2-year deal. I can’t wait to see what he can do. He’ll be earning £725 per week in his time here. He’s 31 years old, so in his prime years, and will probably be useful throughout our lower league days in this save. He’s in the yellows for a lot of his attributes, including Aerial Reach, Communication, Eccentricity, Kicking, One on Ones and Punching. He looks like he’ll be OK when it comes to commanding his area, which is what we’ve been missing this season. Aggression and Bravery are also good to see as well, with his Teamwork, Work Rate, Anticipation and Determination highly rated. He’s a good signing. 

Still No Takeover: She’s changed her mind again, and she doesn’t want to sell up. I’m not surprised with how well we’re doing on the pitch, and the business we’ve done since the transfer embargo was lifted. 

Friday 29th March 2024: Scunthorpe United 4-1 King’s Lynn Town (Vanarama National League North) We kept up our pressure on Buxton at the top of the table, and we stayed top following a 4-1 win against King’s Lynn Town. With Adam Smith making his debut in goal, it gave the back line that little bit more confidence. Alfie Beestin set up the first goal, with a crossfield ball that was lucky to get through to right-back Ross Barrows, who lashed home towards the near post to pick up a rare goal for himself, and his first of the season. Sam Collins received a ball on the left, and he played it forward to Beestin on the left again, and this time a cross into the box found Princewill Ehibhatiomhan in the six-yard box, and he volleyed home to make it 2-0. Danny Whitehall tucked home a penalty in the 37th minute to all but seal the three points, before a beautiful free-kick from Whitehall found the top left corner to make it 4-0 in the second half. Smith had made a few saves and got lucky with a couple of crossbar hits, but King’s Lynn did get one back with 6 minutes to go. A corner came in from the left from Tom Clifford, to find an unmarked Bartosz Cybulski at the far post, who volleyed home to get the away side’s consolation. We certainly felt confident, mainly down to the team meeting I gave before the game. 

Reagan Ogle is back in training and nearly back at full fitness after he recovers from those sprained ankle ligaments, and should hopefully be back for the title run-in, although Ross Barrows has been particularly impressive, so we’ll wait and see. 

March Results: This month was a difficult one, with a bit of a blip in the middle of March but we’ve ended it top of the table as we head into the final month of the season. We started well beating Chester 2-1, and then followed that up with a 3-2 win over Bishop’s Stortford. We then started to stutter a little bit, drawing 3-3 with Spennymoor and 1-1 with Banbury United. We lost 3-2 to Warrington Town, but ended the month with a 4-1 thumping of King’s Lynn Town, 

League Table Update: We lead the way with four matches to go for most teams, with Buxton second a point behind us, but we have a game in hand on them due to their FA Trophy commitments. Tamworth and Scarborough Athletic are the only other teams to have made at least a playoff place. Blyth Spartans sit in 5th place, with Darlington and Chorley in 6th and 7th, and both look fairly safe in that top 7. At the bottom, Brackley need to win all their games, Hereford to lose theirs, and for there to be a 32-goal swing in four matches. Gloucester City, Bishop’s Stortford, and Banbury United all need snookers as well. Hereford look safe. 

 

Four games to go, 1 point clear, and the league is in our hands. We need all 12 points to go up, but there could be a point where we need less. We can’t let this slip out. Famous last words. But I hope we can get it sorted in the next update. Can we do it? Let’s hope so. See if we can next time.

Edited June 20 by Ozza1996

[Ozza1996]

I've Never Been To Scunthorpe - Scunthorpe United RTG - (FM24) - Part 11 - Final Day Showdown

 

This is the final month of the regular league season! Welcome back to our Scunthorpe United FM24 RTG, and we are about to complete step 1 of the climb potentially. We have 4 games to go in the National League North, with the first game coming in just a moment. If we win this one, we will only be three wins from promotion. Can we get the ball rolling, and then get it over the line? Scunthorpe United should be in national football, not regional, and the National League would be the first step to that. Let’s take a look at our final league games of the season. 

April Fixtures: We begin the month with a revenge mission against Southport, who beat us in our previous meeting. We’ve then got back-to-back home games, against relegation-threatened Hereford, and Blyth Spartans, who are wanting to confirm their play-off place. Our final game is away at Gloucester City, which still very well could be us needing a win or something for the title, and Gloucester are likely to be already relegated. 

Board and Fans Performance Reviews: Everything looks fine in terms of how everyone thinks we’re doing in terms of our job, with the board giving me a B-, and the supporters giving me a B. I hope we can get it up that little bit higher, once we secure our place back in the fifth tier of English football. 

Monday 1st April 2024: Southport 1-2 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League North) We held on to our lead in the title race, following a 2-1 win away at Southport. Reagan Ogle gave the ball to Finley Shrimpton, who turned and played a slide pass into Princewill Ehibhatiomhan, who turned and shot past the keeper himself to put us 1-0 to the good. In the second half, we couldn’t clear a corner from Southport properly, and the ball fell to Sam Billington, whose shot from the edge of the area got the better of Adam Smith to make it 1-1. We thought we’d fall behind in the title race, until we got a winner in injury time. Cal Roberts’ corner found Will Evans at the back post who nodded home to give us the all important win to keep us top of the table. 

Dion Sembie-Ferris has signed a new one-year deal as we aim to get this season over the line and a title which we have deserved this season. He is on £750 a week, which is a little more than what he was on, but he’s been one of our top performers all season. He deserves everything he gets at the moment. Let’s get him back to full fitness now. 

Saturday 6th April 2024: Scunthorpe United 6-5 Hereford (Vanarama National League North) We can’t complete a season without one final goal bonanza, as this 11-goal thriller went our way. We took the lead after 44 seconds, Kian Scales found Ross Barrows on the right, and he rifled into the bottom corner for 1-0. We doubled the lead after 14 minutes, a Ross Barrows cross found Danny Elliott, who headed home. Hereford got their first after 23 minutes, Hudson’s corner was tossed in the air to Jason Cowley, who headed down for Marcus Sabiler to volley into the corner. Kian Scales set up the third, his long ball being fired across goal by Jason Law, and Danny Elliott tapped in for his second of the game. It was 3-2 when a long ball wasn’t exactly cleared by Debayo, and Jason Cowley benefited from it to tap in. Neto-Texeira then played a ball onto Yusifu Ceesay from a throw-in, and his shot went in off the post to make it 3-3 before half time. Kian Scales sent another ball up the pitch, almost his trademark now, as Josh Woods played it across for Danny Elliott to stoop low and net his hat-trick. A minute later, Alfie Beestin capitalised on an awful loose ball to find Danny Elliott, and he had the easiest finish of the afternoon for his fourth to make it 5-3. We were then undone by a long throw-in towards the area, which Kyle Howkins headed on to Alex Babos who headed home for 5-4. We went down the other end to make it 6-4, Boyce ran the ball down the right, to Finley Shrimpton, and he found an unmarked Alfie Beestin to his left who gave us a two goal lead. We were undone by another set-piece at the end, Alex Babos sending his corner in for Kyle Howkins to power past the keeper. A game like no other, leaves us needing a win, and just a win to go up. 

Saturday 13th April 2024: Scunthorpe United 2-3 Blyth Spartans (Vanarama National League North) We had a 2-0 lead with 5 minutes to go. Why do I put myself through this game every year? It was a boring first half with no goals for 80 minutes overall. We took the lead after 81 minutes, Andy Butler giving us what looked to be a title clinching goal from a Cal Roberts corner. Roberts repeated the trick 2 minutes later, this time finding Andrew Boyce to double the advantage. But we threw it away with 5 minutes to go. With Blyth countering, Bobby Duncan played the ball forward to Rafael Garcia who thundered in, leaving the keeper no chance. They equalised on 89 minutes. McGrath’s ball forward hung in the air, he found Bobby Duncan, who fed it again to Rafael Garcia, and we knew it was heading to the last day. But Blyth Spartans rubbed the salt in and won it in the 96th minute. Luke Daley produced the cross from the left, and found Ne-Jai Tucker at the back stick to give the North East side a playoff spot, and leave us fighting for the title on the final day with Buxton.

Saturday 20th April 2024: Gloucester City 0-0 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League North) We took on relegated Gloucester City for our final match of the season, knowing that a win would get us promoted, while a draw could get us promoted as long as Buxton managed to fail to win themselves. It was a dire game where Gloucester started to dominate, mainly because they now had nothing to play for, while we had our whole future to play for. We had a couple of chances here and there but nothing important. Buxton took the lead early on in their game, but Farsley Celtic scored three goals without reply, and seemed to dominate the rest of the game. It ended 3-1, and that means, it doesn’t matter how we’ve done it, or how long it took, but in the end, when it all comes down to it, we are…

CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!! It was such a difficult season but no one is caring. We’ve returned to the National League after a year away, and will play at the fifth tier for just the second time in our history. It’s been a team performance, it’s been incredible, and it just gives me a massive boost. Let’s take a look at the final table. CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!

Final National League North Table: We’re champions with 92 points, which is a new record for us, and we’ve beaten the record for goalscoring in this league by a full 20 goals, beating AFC Fylde’s record. Buxton and Tamworth have a home play-off semi-final, while Scarborough Athletic, Chorley, Blyth Spartans and Darlington will play in the eliminators. Brackley Town, Gloucester City, Bishop’s Stortford and Banbury United have all been relegated out of the playable leagues. 

Budgets have been set for next season. We’re going to be getting slightly more than this season, especially as we can spend it from the start. Wage budget is £38,000 a week, and the transfer budget is just under £12,000. 

Princewill Ehibhatiomhan has been ruled out for 3-4 weeks (not like it matters anymore), with a twisted ankle. The plan is to try and sign him permanently, and to be honest, who knows what we can do? We will be linked with some decent League Two and League One level players this year as we try to sustain our place in the National League, so you can bet I’ll be doing anything to try and get a decent squad together. 

April Results: You’ve already seen the final table, but here are the results that led us to it. We started April with two wins in a row, beating Southport 2-1, and Hereford 6-5. We were 2-0 up against Blyth Spartans, before losing 3-2, but a 0-0 draw against Gloucester City secured us a place in the National League. 

 

So that’s it for the season. I will be doing a Summer special, where we take a look at how we’ve done, if we’ve won any awards, and also we will be setting up our pre-season, signing new players, letting old ones go, and finding out who we will play in our first season back in the fifth tier. Proud of the boys, and thank you for supporting me. I’ll see you in the Summer.

[Ozza1996]

I've Never Been To Scunthorpe - Scunthorpe United RTG - (FM24) - Part 12 - Post-Season Shenanigans

 

Hello and welcome to the Summer of 2024, where we are going to go through everything. We’re going to say goodbye to some fantastic players whose contracts are running out, and we’re also going to be signing some brand new players, some new heroes for me and the fans. We’re going to see who our team of the season was, see how many players make the league’s team of the season. We’re also going to be seeing who comes up with us out of the National League North, and last but not least, look at our new league and new surroundings. 

Another stat from the season, and it’s a fun one. Our total of 92 points is a record for Scunthorpe United overall, and surely that makes us a good personnel in our history already. 

These are the big stats in the league this season. Dion Sembie-Ferris was the best player in the league performance wise this season, picking up a 7.51 average rating from 30 appearances, and Danny Whitehall was third with his average rating, with a 7.36 rating. We got two of the top three in assists as well, with Dion Sembie-Ferris getting 15 assists, and Michael Clunan second on 14. 

Supporters and Board Profile: This is the new Supporters Profile for next season then. They want us to, over everything else, survive relegation next season, which is a good and achievable target for us at least. They’d prefer us to play counter-attacking football and defensively solid football for next season, which is completely different to what we were playing. We’ve got a couple of thousand more social media followers after promotion, so that’s always good to see we’re getting more fans. No changes in types of fans either. I’m not going to show the board profile as it’s literally the same thing.

Injury League Table: Cal Roberts is champion this season!!!! He missed out on four months of action after being missing for the first few months, and picking up little niggly injuries here and there. Jason Law and Josh Woods (who came in on loan), also missed a decent amount of football this season.

Youth Category Dropped: The first setback of the Summer is the fact we’re going to get worse youth intakes from next season. Our youth category has dropped from Category 3 to Category 4, after it was reviewed by the authorities. 

These are the revenue totals for this season as well. Obviously they’re all going to look pretty decent, but next season will be the one where we find out how well we did comparatively. 

Scouting Budget: I know we’re a fifth tier team, but that’s no excuse to only give me £40,500 for the full season in my scouting budget. That is ludicrous. I know we don’t need to go overboard, but the only package we can even get is for the scouting of National League North/South players which we are leaving behind. I’d rather go for no package, and then we will see what we do when we just get random players come through.

Michael Clunan has signed a new deal, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2025-26 season. He’s only going to be a fringe player on £700 per week, but he seems happy enough with that, and he will be that experience we need to keep around the club, just to keep us afloat over the next couple of seasons. I’m happy with this signing. 

Aaron Pepper has signed for us from the youth intake. He was the best player from it, with a high rating for technique of 12. His balance and jumping reach are really good for a lad of 16 years old, and we will be keeping an eye on his progress. Between you and me, he will probably be the only one playing regular football in the future from this entire youth intake. If anyone does make their full debut though, I will introduce you to the players. Two other strong players are goalkeeper Joshua Murray and right winger Jake Johnston.

Buxton have been promoted up to the National League. They beat Scarborough Athletic 1-0 in the playoff final, and I’m buzzing for them. They were clearly up there with us all season, so that’s fine by me. 

 

End of Season Review:

Transfers In By Me: Princewill Ehibhatiomhan from Southampton (Loan) A+, Josh Woods from Accrington Stanley (Loan) A+, Josh Clackstone from Alfreton Town (£1,400) B-, James Debayo from Leeds United (Loan) A+, Sam Collins from Middlesbrough (Loan) A+, Adam Smith from Morecambe (£1,300) A+

Transfers Out By Me: Cameron Wilson to Barnet (£23,000) C

Loans Out By Me: Josh Robertson to Gainsborough Trinity (Loan) E

Competition Review: We passed everything in terms of what the board expected for us this season. I only got a B- for winning the National League North, which I find ridiculous. But we got Cs for what we did in the FA Cup and FA Trophy, which isn’t too bad. 

Memorable Matches: Our biggest win of the season came in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round against Marine, who we thrashed 5-0. The Match to Remember was a 2-1 win over Chester in March in the league. Kian Scales got the goal of the season in a 4-1 win over Brackley.

Finances: The finances look really good for a team of our level. The sponsorships look awesome, and people are wanting to get behind us due to our success. 

Team of the Season: Our team of the season looks like this. We didn’t play 4-3-3 in the second half of the season, but this was the season where Dion Sembie-Ferris came into being an absolute legend for this team. Danny Whitehall was incredible after I bought him off the subs bench in a cup game earlier in the season, and ended up scoring 21 goals in 26 appearances. I’ve been super impressed with most of the team, but the goalkeeping department really let me down this season. There’s a reason why I bought Adam Smith in, and it’s to get over that really. 

Awards and Accolades: I got one Manager of the Month award in the National League North, and that was back in October, when we properly started to get going. A lot of the records are only ones for this save, because FM doesn’t keep all of the data from previous years unfortunately. 

New Signing: Our first signing of the transfer window is a niche Premier League player from back in the day, as Callum McManaman joins us from being a free agent, as he will earn £1,700 a week on a one-year deal. He last played for Wigan Athletic last season, but only made three league appearances. He’s all yellows basically, including crossing of 13, dribbling, first touch and technique of 12. He’s the perfect experience that we could have possibly had. Premier League experience as well. 

New Signing: I’ve signed Jamie Walker, who has spent a lot of his career playing league football with Hearts in Scotland, most recently of Bradford City. He was a sporadic starter for Bradford across the past couple of years, and he’s still only 30 so in his prime years, but he will be stepping down to the National League next season on a year long contract at £3,700 a week, easily the highest paid player at the football club. 

Andy Butler has taken the decision to retire from football at the age of 40. He still did a job for us in our title win last season, and I’m happy for him to leave it at that. He doesn’t have any plans for the future as of yet, but I hope he comes back up in the save at some point, as he becomes a backroom member. Maybe we could sign him. 

First departure of a player heading back to his parent club, and Maison Campbell is heading back to York City after a season playing as our second keeper this season. He made 17 appearances, and in my opinion, he was probably better than Ross Fitzsimons. He’s had his moments, and he’s been a good squad member this season. 

New Contract For Youth Player: A brand new pre-contract agreement with a promising 16-year-old, who goes by the name of Jake Johnston. He was in the youth intake last season, and he is a central midfielder, who can also play on the right wing. His technique is the best attribute he’s got at the moment, but he most definitely will improve over time. His Jumping Reach is already improving. 

New Signing: We’re making the most of the current free agents and we’ve signed our third one this Summer. Lewis Gard is a DM/CM, who has a lot of non-league experience with Tonbridge Angels. He’s played league football with new season opponents Southend United, including experience in League One. His passing and technique are really strong at 12 apiece. He’s got strong composure as well as good teamwork stats. 

Vanarama National League Build-Up: A week to go until we find out who we will face in the Vanarama National League and in what order. MK Dons and Accrington Stanley both came down from League Two, two teams I was nowhere near expecting to come down. Joining us are Buxton, Yeovil Town and Bath City from the sixth tier, and I reckon it’ll be interesting to see who can stay up this time around. I hope we all stand a chance. 

Our Stature in the Game has remained the same. That’s always good to see, but hopefully it won’t be long before we really improve in the English game. 

Josh Robertson has signed a brand new deal, following his loan at Gainsborough Trinity last season. He’s going to be on our books for another two seasons, where he will probably be on loan for a lot of time as well. Hopefully, he can improve as a player though, and be in the first team fairly shortly.

So that is all of our post-season deals that we managed to get done. Now is the time to start preparing for our 2024-25 season, and my first in the National League with Scunthorpe United. I will provide an update of pre-season tomorrow, including pre-season friendlies, and how we’re looking with the bookies, before we start a brand new league season next week. Until then, I’ll see you next time. 

[Ozza1996]

I've Never Been To Scunthorpe - Scunthorpe United RTG - (FM24) - Part 13 - Pre-Season Business

 

It’s officially the start of pre-season. The fixtures are out, the players are fit, all have come back in a good state. Our pre-season friendlies are set up. All is good in the world. In response to the owner wanting good counter attacking football, but making sure we’re good defensively, I’m going to be trying a 4-2-3-1 counter attacking formation during pre-season, in which we have already sorted out four friendlies against teams in leagues above and below us. Let’s take a look at our new season fixtures, and we’re being thrown in at the deep end at the start.

Our Opening Fixtures: I’ll show you our first five fixtures to show you how much harder this league will be than last season. We start at home to fellow sixth tier champions, Yeovil Town, to inadvertently see who the best champions were. Our first away game is away at relegated Accrington Stanley, who will be searching for a place back in the league. Rochdale then visit us 4 days after that one, followed by a trip to Aldershot Town. The final one of those games, is Southend United at home on the 24th August. The game you can’t see straight after that, is an away game against MK Dons, so both relegated teams away in the opening month. 

Friendlies: Four friendlies have been arranged so far, with trips to Spennymoor Town and Darlington arranged, as well as Harrogate Town of League Two. We’ve got a home game with Bradford City.

The Under 18s are Back: With the youth intake we’ve had, we’ve been allowed to have an Under 18s team that have been invited into the National U18 Youth League. It’s always a good back up to have around, and I can’t wait to see who we can develop into first team players given the opportunity. 

Reagan Ogle has ruined our perfect start with injuries and will miss 4 weeks of pre-season with a twisted ankle picked up in a training session. He knows he’s allowed to take it easy early on, right? I just hope we don’t have the same trouble we had with him last season, although it wasn’t too bad. 

Andy Butler has now officially retired from football. Like I said in the previous update, he was great to have around for the experience, plus he got a medal in his final season, which lets him leave on a high. Thanks to him, we’re back in the National League. He was solid at the back, and hopefully he will come back at some point. 

A number of players have left the club either at the end of their loans and contracts. James Debayo has gone back to Leeds United after playing 9 matches for us, and Josh Woods has gone back to Accrington Stanley with 1 goal in 8 appearances. We also say goodbye to Andrew Boyce, Will Evans, Marcus Carver, Danny Elliott, who was our top scorer with 24 goals last season so thank you, Tyler Denton, Reagan Ogle, Richie Bennett, and Ross Barrows. We’re starting afresh this season. 

More departures from the club because of loan deals finishing, includes Sam Collins returning to Middlesbrough, and Princewill Ehibhatiomhan (Just aced typing that name out) heading back to Southampton, and both had good times with us, especially the latter with a goal nearly every 2 games. 

New Signing: Our first signing of the official pre-season is Corey Panter, who has arrived from Eastleigh for free. He will be on £575 per week, on a one-year deal, and will be a fringe player. He’s a centre-back with some really strong attributes, including Corners, Crossing and Free Kick Taking, so he can definitely get us some goals, either by taking the kicks, or getting his head on them, because he is 6 '2'’ tall, and has a Jumping Reach of 14. 

Jason Law was getting restless as we hadn’t offered him a new contract. I hate moaning players normally, but when he was involved last season, he actually played quite well, and will be used a lot by us next season to galvanise the team and get us up the table a little bit. He has signed a new deal worth £1,400 on a two-year deal, with the promise he will be an important player. It may come back to bite me, but we shall wait and see. I’m happy with no attitude from him for now. 

Saturday 13th July 2024: Spennymoor Town 1-1 Scunthorpe United (Friendly) Our first pre-season friendly was the first game we tried our new counter-attacking formation, with the 4-2-3-1, and we drew 1-1 with a team we struggled against last season in Spennymoor Town. Jamie Walker played his first game in a Scunthorpe shirt, as did Corey Panter. I used youth as well, with Aaron Pepper playing most of the game, and impressing from what I could say, playing the right passes. We took the lead in the 73rd minute, when Michael Kelly had the ball on the left, he picked out Harrison Poulter unmarked, and his header was too hot to handle for the Spennymoor keeper, who palmed it onto the post before it rolled in. Spennymoor Town equalised 10 minutes later. A quick throw-in by the home side ended with Oliver Patrick, whose searching ball on the left found the head of Rob Ramshaw, who nodded past Adam Smith in goal. A 1-1 draw is a good start to pre-season, and we definitely performed well, and looked tighter at the back. But there’s a long way to go until the start of the league season, and I want to see how it develops against tougher opposition, beginning with Bradford City.

Jamie Walker picked up an injury while making a tackle, and it was worse than I thought, as he will miss the next few weeks of pre-season with a damaged foot, just as I thought our history with new players getting injured couldn’t get any worse. 

Wednesday 17th July 2024: Scunthorpe United 0-3 Bradford City (Friendly) Our second pre-season friendly was always going to be tough. We kept it at 0-0 up to half-time, but Bradford’s league quality showed in the second half as we lost 3-0. Harry Chapman opened the scoring with a scorching 30-yard free-kick into the top corner, as no goalkeeper would have saved that. Three goalkeepers wouldn’t have saved it. We fell 2-0 down with a throw-in by Finn Cousin-Dawson being rolled back to him. His cross found Clarke Oduor virtually unmarked, and all he had to do was nod it down for 2-0. Harry Chapman became goal provider for the third, as he hung a cross in the air for Tyler Smith to rise and head home to make it 3-0. We were just outperformed on the day, and we must improve.

New Signing: This one is more for squad building as we have signed Kevin Adueni who was a free agent. He’s on £375 a week, on a two-year contract, as a fringe player. He definitely won’t be playing all that much as he’s only our fifth best centre-back, but he’ll more than likely be waiting for injuries to happen. His Marking and Tackling look strong for this level which is good to see, and he’s definitely exciting and someone who can improve. We’ll just have to see how well he does on the training ground. 

New Numbers for the Season: Here are the squad numbers for the new season. New signing Kevin Adueni takes the 19, Aaron Pepper is number 21, Josh Robertson, who was on loan at Gainsborough last season, takes number 23.

Finley Shrimpton, who is our new captain right now, has signed a new 3-year deal at the football club, keeping him with us until 2027. He’s obviously going to be an important player with the departures that we’ve had, and I can’t wait to see what more he can offer, but I’m sure he can be a leader in this team, and keep the boys on the ground. 

Tuesday 23rd July 2024: Harrogate Town 3-2 Scunthorpe United (Friendly) I was impressed with this performance, as we played a decent game against League Two Harrogate Town, but it wasn’t to be with a 3-2 loss. Harrogate took the lead after 4 minutes, Felix taking the ball through the middle, finding March on the right. He got the ball back, played it across and Dean Cornelius stroked it home to go 1-0 up. Josh Clackstone set up the equaliser in the 39th minute, his one-two with Dion Sembie-Ferris eventually found Alfie Beestin rising at the far post, and it was in off the post to make it 1-1, and get us motivated a little bit. Aaron Pepper’s lack of experience showed as Harrogate retook the lead in the second half, after losing the ball in his own box to Matty Foulds, and his tackle rolled through to Josh March who tapped home from close range to make it 2-1. We conceded a third in unfortunate circumstances, when Abraham Odoh’s cross was deflected home by Corey Panter for an own goal to make it 3-1 when Josh March was lurking behind him anyway. We got one back a minute later however. Kian Scales ran with the ball from the middle of the park, and found Cal Roberts on the edge of the box. He spun his man inside out, ran past him, cut inside, and slotted underneath the keeper to make it 3-2. A good performance despite not being a good result, they’ve got a right to be more confident. 

Callum McManaman has broken his collarbone in training after being tackled unfortunately, and he will miss the start of the new season, which is a huge blow majorly to the younger lads who probably need that experienced head around in the dressing room. I’m sure he will be back fighting fitter, but he’s off to see a specialist about it all. 

Saturday 27th July 2024: Darlington 2-1 Scunthorpe United (Friendly) For a second season in a row, we completed our pre-season matches with no victories whatsoever with a narrow 2-1 defeat to National League North side, Darlington. Lewis Gard cleared away before the first goal, but it only found Jonny Ngandu on the wing. He played a short ball to Dallas Omoruyi, who produced a superb curling effort that nicked the post and bounced across the line for 1-0. We equalised a minute later, Tom Pugh with a cross into the area found Alfie Beestin lurking at the back post to level up for 1-1. Darlington scored what turned out to be the winner after 42 minutes. They kept the ball going in the middle of the park, where Alex Healy-Byrne played the ball into the box for Cedric Main to turn and shoot to make it 2-1. A third defeat in a row in pre-season. It doesn’t look too great, but we will see what we can do in the season. There could be a lot of chopping and changing until we find something that works, but that’s what this season is all about. 

New Loan Signing: We’ve signed right-back Joey Phuthi on loan from Sheffield Wednesday, and he’s got the potential to be a solid League One player, according to our scouting team. He will be with us for the first half of the season, but hopefully we can extend that in January. We’re paying him £650 per week while he’s here. He seems like he can bomb down the right, which is what we’re good at, or at least we were in the past. His dribbling is at a 12 which is brilliant, but he’s also got a finishing stat of 11, so he can even cut inside and score. 

Joshua Murray has signed a professional contract for when he turns 17 years old, with a £150 per week contract, on a two-year deal. He’s a goalkeeper so he’s got a long career coming up, and hopefully he can progress in the best possible way. He’s not looking brilliant at the moment, but we don’t want to put too much pressure on him. He can only improve. 

Kian Scales has signed a brand new deal, worth £2,200 per week, which makes him the second highest paid player at the football club. He’s that important to us, I haven’t got a problem with offering him that kind of money. He’s also here for the next three years, and if it takes us a little while to get out of non-league, he could be the talisman we need in that defensive midfield spot. Being only 22, he’s not yet in his prime, and he’s going to be improving in training. 

Aaron Pepper has signed a brand new contract, where he will sign for two years once he turns 17 years old. He has impressed somewhat in pre-season, he’s definitely a forward thinking player, making brilliant connecting passes, and he’ll be getting some action at certain points in the season, but I shouldn’t be expecting him to be starting every game anytime soon. 

New Loan Signing: Our signings continue this Summer, as we have signed Luke Daley from Huddersfield Town on loan this season. He will be on £750 per week while he is here, and he will be another regular starter for us as we attempt to stay in this league, and become decent at this level. In terms of his attributes, his mentals and physicals take the lead. 14 for Determination, and 13 for Work Rate look impressive. 

Predictions for This Season: As we hit the day of the beginning of the season, this is where I leave the save for this update, but MK Dons are the favourites for an automatic return to the EFL, while Accrington Stanley, Gateshead, Barnet, Rochdale, Solihull Moors and Aldershot Town are favourites to make the playoffs as of right now. We’re currently predicted to finish 16th while clubs improve around us, while the favourites to go down are Wealdstone, Dorking Wanderers, Bath City and Buxton. I think 16th would be a quality season for us as we aim to keep our status as a fifth tier club for more than one season. 

 

And that’s it. The season starts in the next update, and that will come out either this evening or tomorrow depending on how quickly I can finish the first month of the season. It’s a little bit nervy in terms of how I think we can start, but the earlier we can get some decent points on the board, the better. I hope you’re excited to see how we cope with higher competition, and definitely more challenging teams.

[Vakama2619]

MK Dons in Non-League     

[Ozza1996]

I've Never Been To Scunthorpe - Scunthorpe United RTG - (FM24) - Part 14 - Welcome to the National League!

 

Welcome to the official start of Season 2 in this save with Scunthorpe United, and our first in the Vanarama National League. To me, in recent years, this league has had more proper league clubs than League Two has. I find it amazing that there still isn’t a three up, three down system at this level, and I don’t think it’s a matter of time either unfortunately. But we’re going to try our best over the next few years to get out of this level, and head our way back up to where we know we belong. But one promotion is not enough to satisfy me so far in this save, the business starts now, we’ve got a strongish team, so let’s go and take a look at this month’s fixtures. 

August Fixtures: So we start this season in a moment, with a game against fellow tier 6 divisional champions, Yeovil Town, in a battle of North v South to see who the best champions were. We travel to Accrington Stanley straight after, following that up with a home game vs Rochdale. We then travel to Aldershot Town before our final home game of the month is against Southend United, a team that have been through their own troubles in recent years. We then face the favourites for the league in our final game of the month, in MK Dons. I can’t believe they’re down here either. 

Saturday 3rd August 2024: Scunthorpe United 0-1 Yeovil Town (Vanarama National League) Our first game back at this level after over a year away, was that game against Yeovil Town, who won the National League South last season, and we were unfortunate to come away from the game with a 1-0 defeat, after both teams went all hell for leather, we hit the bar three times, and they did twice. With Sam Slocombe in goal, he proved unstoppable in this game despite our chances. Yeovil improved in the second half, and Ross Fitzsimons probably had the best game he’s had since I started at this club, but unfortunately, Yeovil won it with 12 minutes to go. A corner from Rowan McDonald was cleared as far as new signing Jordan Maguire-Drew, who controlled it, ran into the box, and lifted a superb effort into the top corner to give Ross Fitzsimons no chance. A disappointing start to the season, but 45 more games to go to make up for it.

Season Ticket Sales Are In: We have had more season tickets come through the ticket office, and we’re up by about 200 from last season, with us having sold 1,604 season tickets. It’s always good to get more fans through the door, and the support of this club needs to go back to pre Non-League levels. 

Tuesday 6th August 2024: Accrington Stanley 2-0 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League) We lost for the second successive game, this time to Accrington Stanley, who go top of the league as the only team with a 100% start to the season. We had a hatful of chances to score again, but we couldn’t take them, which is something we’re going to have to be better at. The first goal came from a piece of incredible football we just couldn’t deal with as Ethan Ennis and Korede Adedoyin worked it down the left, before the latter played it back to Ennis on the edge of the box, who cut inside and fired into the top corner to make it 1-0. They got the second after 68 minutes, when a free-kick into the box was headed onto the bar by Matt Lowe. We tried to clear after that, but Jack Hannah managed to roll it back to the boot of Ethan Ennis, who fired into the top corner once again to make it 2-0. Two defeats from two means a lot of work to do. 

Saturday 10th August 2024: Scunthorpe United 2-2 Rochdale (Vanarama National League) We came the closest so far this season to a win, as we drew 2-2 against Rochdale, who remain unbeaten. We took the lead after 7 minutes. A free kick on the left by Danny Whitehall was headed in by Maxim Kouogun, as he picked up our first league goal of the season. Rochdale equalised on the half hour mark, when Mills drove a corner into the box. We couldn’t clear it at all, as the ball fell to Adam Reach, who played it along to Kairo Mitchell and his shot flew through a mass of bodies which gave Fitzsimons no chance to make it 1-1. Danny Whitehall then converted from the penalty spot after 50 minutes, to give us a second goal and a huge goal to take the lead. Rochdale had a goal ruled out 2 minutes later, but Tyrese Sinclair was narrowly offside. Rochdale equalised with 16 minutes to go, Harley Mills saw his free-kick hit the post, and it bounced out to Harvey Gilmour, who tapped it in on the rebound with Fitzsimons not able to recover. We held on for a point, and it’s always good to get off the mark. We sit in 20th place after three matches.

Our first injury of the season was sustained in the game against Rochdale, as Tom Pugh made a tackle in the game which made him pull his knee ligaments, and he will be out for 3 weeks. 

Saturday 17th August 2024: Aldershot Town 3-5 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League) I obviously have been going back to the attacking formation because what’s the point in trying to defend if you’re not scoring or having the chances? It does mean we return to these kinds of games, but I’m not bothered as long as we play well. We took the lead after 14 minutes, thanks to a bit of luck in the Aldershot defence. Cal Roberts cut inside from the wing, and kept running and taking on the defence. He played it across the box, Christian Maghoma stuck his leg out, and we went 1-0 up. We doubled the lead 12 minutes later. Joey Phuthi picked up a loose ball from a clearance, and ran down the right towards the byline. Again he crossed it from the right, and this time Danny Whitehall fired home to make it 2-0, and pick up his second of the season. Aldershot fought their way back into it after 28 minutes. Aaron Jones had the ball down their right, and swung the ball into the box, finding Lorent Tolaj virtually on the line to reduce the arrears. They were level after an unbelievable opening 32 minutes, when Widdrington played it back to Staunton, before he found Dejan Tetek. He looked to his left to find Olly Scott cutting in from the wing, and he fired past Fitzsimons to make it 2-2. We retook the lead on the stroke of half time. Luke Daley sent a ball into the box that was nodded down by Cal Roberts, and Danny Whitehall had the easiest goal of his life, firing home from 2 yards out. We made it 4-2 midway through the second half, when Maxim Kouogun converted from a Jamie Walker corner. Luke Daley set up the fifth as well, with his throw-in played back to him, he threw a cross into the box, and Cal Roberts got a much deserved goal to make it 5-2. Aldershot got a consolation with a peach of a free-kick by Reece Brown, leaving Fitzsimons no chance. We were the better team, and took all three points. 

Saturday 24th August 2024: Scunthorpe United 6-2 Southend United (Vanarama National League) Both our strikers scored hat-tricks in this game as we thrashed Southend 6-2. We opened the scoring after 2 minutes, a Luke Daley cross wasn’t properly dealt with, the ball hung in the air for an age, and Harrison Poulter rose highest to nod beyond the keeper for 1-0. Southend equalised after 18 minutes. Sam Paul received a pass on the right, before curling in a low cross, which Harry Cardwell superbly met on the half volley to make it 1-1. Basil Tuma thought he gave the Shrimpers the lead but he was offside. We then got a penalty on the half hour, which Harrison Poulter tucked away for his second of the game. It was 2-2 at half time, we attempted to clear the ball, but only found the edge of the box, where Harry Taylor laid it off for Cavaghn Miley to shoot home from the edge of the box to level up. We took the lead for the third time in the game just after half-time. Michael Clunan ran down the left flank to set up Jason Law, who laid it off to Danny Whitehall across the box, and he scored his 4th in three matches to put us 3-2 up. A minute later, we had a throw-in which made its way to Michael Clunan, who fed Harrison Poulter waiting in the box, who turned and twisted and fired home from 8 yards out to give us some breathing space, and give him his hat-trick. Our next goal came in the 54th minute, Danny Whitehall with a beautiful free-kick into the top left hand corner to make sure we hit 5 goals in consecutive games in this league. Joey Phuthi then made a run down the right, from his own half, completely unmarked, before rolling a ball across the face of goal, and Danny Whitehall slid it home at the near post, to make it 6-2 and confirm his hat-trick. 2 wins in a row, and I think we’re getting the hang of this. I’m beginning to like it here. 

Saturday 31st August 2024: Milton Keynes Dons 3-1 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League) We went to Stadium:MK, the soulless bowl of the country, as we took on league favourites MK Dons away from home, but unfortunately lost 3-1. The home side took the lead after 7 minutes, with two exchanges of passes between Jack Tucker and eventual scorer Sean Clare. The right back cut inside the box and fired into the bottom left corner to give us the worst possible start. Stephen Wearne had a goal ruled out for offside before he got on the scoresheet himself. Maxim Kouogon gave the ball away to Sean Clare, who ran down the right, floated the ball into the area, and Stephen Wearne headed home for 2-0, to get over his offside goal. James Tomkins had a goal ruled out for offside early in the second half as MK dominated us. Things turned from worse to unbearable when Michael Clunan managed to get himself sent off with a horrendous challenge from behind. We got one back when Harrison Poulter sent the ball back to Luke Daley. He played it long to Poulter, who brought it down in the box, and managed to get the ball in at McGillivray's near post. We kept on knocking on the door, but couldn’t break it down, and MK Dons managed to win it in the 95th minute. A period of one-touch football started with Sullay Kaikai, who in turn gave it to Sean Clare, and he provided a first time ball into Matthew Dennis, who hit a first time shot into the bottom left corner, no chance for us to defend, and MK Dons climb into the playoff places. 

August Review: Our return to the National League has been a little bit indifferent, a little bit inconsistent. We look world beating in some matches, then can’t beat up a fly in other matches. We lost our opening two matches, 1-0 to Yeovil and 2-0 to Accrington. A 2-2 draw against Rochdale showed we have fight, before we followed that up with two wins back to back, 5-3 at Aldershot and a 6-2 win over Southend. We ended the month with a 3-1 loss to MK Dons. 

League Table Update: It’s Halifax that lead the way early on, with 14 points to their name. MK Dons and Southend United are their nearest challengers with 4 wins from 6 games on 12 points apiece. Several teams share 11 points, with AFC Fylde, Gateshead, Rochdale and Yeovil Town all in the playoff places. Boreham Wood have lost all 6 games so far, with Hartlepool and Bath City struggling on 3 points. Aldershot are in the relegation zone on 4 points, but only on goal difference, sitting behind Wealdstone. We currently sit in 16th, which is a decent start.

 

And that wraps up August, with us having a decent start, but not the best. We’re currently passing most objectives, but the big one is to keep the goals out, and that’s what we need to start doing. I will be playing a 4-3-3 DM formation to play some of the weaker teams in the league with, and we will see if we can improve our defensive results with that, even if it means we draw 0-0 a few times. Join us next time to see what we can do.

[Ozza1996]

I've Never Been To Scunthorpe - Scunthorpe United RTG - (FM24) - Part 15 - Back To Back Promotions?????

 

We’re here in September of our second season of this save, as we try to become accustomed to life in the Vanarama National League. We weren’t great defensively, which could prove decisive unless we can score enough goals this season. I’ve decided to go to a 4-3-3 with an Anchor role playing in midfield, just to help the backline just a little bit. The moment has come when that difficult start goes by us, and now we can take on the teams that are less fancied at this level. Let’s take a look at those fixtures. 

Player of the Month for August: Danny Whitehall is having a great start to life as a centre-forward at this level with 6 goals and 1 assist in his opening month, and that lands him second in the player of the month award. I’m delighted with how he’s playing so far, and let’s hope it continues when he becomes the lone centre-forward. 

Cal Roberts is now injured after kicking the ball in training, which always sounds ridiculous. He’s managed to pull knee ligaments and he will be out for the next 3 weeks, while he recovers. He’s been creating chances in big games both this season and last, and hopefully he will be back as our talisman as soon as possible. 

Saturday 7th September 2024: Scunthorpe United 1-0 York City (Vanarama National League) Our first match with the 4-3-3 anchorman has led us to our first clean sheet of the season, beating York City 1-0. There were several chances for both teams, but most of York’s chances never really threatened the goal. With it being 0-0 at half time, we had to step things up in the second half and we did when we scored after 63 minutes. Luke Daley won a header in the midfield, and found Kian Scales to his left. He ran inside, took on 4 or 5 men, cut even further, and fired into the top right corner to put us 1-0 up. That would prove to be enough, despite us having further chances to go 2-0 up. Danny Whitehall missed from the penalty spot, and Harrison Poulter had a goal ruled out for offside. We held on for a 1-0 win, and it moves us into mid-table. 

Callum McManaman has started back training thankfully, hopefully ready to actually make his debut for the football club, following the collarbone injury. Hopefully we can now see what kind of experience he can show the team. 

Saturday 14th September 2024: Bromley 3-2 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League) A topsy-turvy game at Hayes Lane, was incredible to be a part of, but unfortunately we lost 3-2. We played the game as best as we could against a team who should be so much higher than mid-table. We took the lead after 16 minutes, when Finley Shrimpton played in a wide open Luke Daley on the left, his cross found Danny Whitehall in the middle, and he tapped home for his seventh goal of the league season. But Bromley were always dangerous, and they equalised after 34 minutes. A goal kick evaded our entire back line, who I pushed up to make us more dangerous, and it bounced all the way through to Conor Falls who put it far beyond Fitzsimons for 1-1. Three minutes later, they turned the game on its head, when Richard Chin’s cross was cleared to Besart Topalloj on the left, and his beautiful shot found the top right hand corner. We equalised again just after half time, Finley Shrimpton finding Luke Daley on the left. His initial cross was blocked, but he ran into the area, and his deflected effort crawled into the net to make it 2-2, and give our fans something to hope for. Ross Fitzsimons picked up an unfortunate injury which we will find out about in a minute. I thought we were heading for a well deserved, although unlikely point, but Bromley won it with 4 minutes to go. Fanning launched the ball forward from the halfway line and found Michael Cheek. He held it up for his strike partner, Kenny Coker, to run in and finish off into the top left to win the game for the home side. They move a point outside the play off places, but we’re doing OK as well. 

Ross Fitzsimons has broken his lower arm, which believe it or not, is quite vital for a goalkeeper to do their job properly. He will be out for up to 8 weeks, while he is getting specialist treatment, which means Adam Smith will return to the goal to see how well he can do. 

Tuesday 17th September 2024: Scunthorpe United 2-1 AFC Fylde (Vanarama National League) A game which we were expecting to be tight, ended just on the right side for us, as we beat AFC Fylde 2-1 to reach the top half of the table. We took the lead after 9 minutes, Poulter playing back to Law. He found Scales, who in turn found Callum McManaman, making his debut for the Irons, and his curling effort found the bottom corner to give us the lead. We held the lead until half time, but as was a thing last season, we conceded straight away after half time. Josh Kay attacked our right side of defence, and his ball found Omari Benjamin unmarked, who nodded in for 1-1. We won the game with 10 minutes left, Callum McManaman’s corner was cleared out to Jason Law. His layoff found Alfie Beestin, who from the edge of the box, stroked the ball into the bottom corner to score a beautiful goal, and give us a huge win. We need to keep winning at home to have a successful, stress-free season, and the lads are doing it at the moment. 

Saturday 21st September 2024: Wealdstone 0-2 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League) “You’ve got no fans!!!!!” Sorry, I’ve always wanted to write that. We picked up a good win away at struggling Wealdstone, beating them 2-0. We opened the scoring after 13 minutes, when Joey Phuthi ran the ball down the right, he found Michael Clunan through the middle. Jamie Walker cut inside to receive the through ball from the midfield, and his shot was too hot to handle for the Wealdstone stopper to make it 1-0. We hit the woodwork a couple of times during the game, but managed to seal the win in the last minute, as Danny Whitehall scored his 8th goal at this level for the season, a striker that’s adapted well to life at this level. Another three points takes us to within a stone’s throw of the play off places. 

Josh Robertson is on the move and he’s going to Stalybridge Celtic until the end of the season, where I said he might have a chance of squeezing into the team, but I just haven’t had the chance to include him yet, and he’s not getting annoyed but I think I would be if I wasn’t playing regularly. 

Cal Roberts will return to the fold fairly shortly, as he’s now recovered from his pulled knee ligaments, and will be back in training until further notice. We haven’t necessarily missed him because we’ve been on a good run of form, but I’ll give anything to have him playing well in this team. 

Guys, what a signing! We’ve signed free agent Jack Hinchy who has been without a club since the Summer after being let go by Brighton after playing on loan at Shrewsbury Town. He’s your classic CM with good first touch, passing, technique and tackling. I’m delighted to have signed this guy, and I love my scouting team for finding out about him. Hopefully he can be top quality. 

Michael Clunan has now got himself injured after picking up a thigh strain which is horrible. He obviously is a main part of the midfield, and I really want him to hurry up with the return. He will be out for 3-4 weeks, which with Jack Hinchy coming into his position, makes the stress slightly lighter, but now we’re going to have to wait and see if he can get himself back into the team regularly. 

Saturday 28th September 2024: Scunthorpe United 2-0 Gateshead (Vanarama National League) A tight game in the first half, turned our way in the second half, as we beat high flying Gateshead, 2-0. As I said, it was tight in the first half, and they hit the bar a couple of times, but we got into the game as we progressed. We took the lead in the 53rd minute, when Callum McManaman’s corner was met by Maxim Kouogun. His header was saved point blank, but Danny Whitehall nodded in the rebound with the keeper nowhere to be seen to continue his goal scoring form. 8 minutes later, Danny Whitehall stepped up and fired home from the penalty spot to make it double figures already for the season as we won 2-0. We’re not in the playoffs yet, but it’s surely not far off now.

The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round Draw: We face a former league rival in the next round of the FA Cup, as we look to qualify for the first round for the second year in a row, as we will take on Boston United in an all-Lincolnshire clash. We managed to pick up 4 points against this lot last season, so we should be expecting to go through to the next round. 

September Results: We started off the month with a 1-0 win over York City, but we then lost 3-2 to Bromley. We completed the month with three wins in a row, beating AFC Fylde 2-1, and then 2-0 wins over Wealdstone and Gateshead. For the first time in this save, we’ve picked up three clean sheets in a month, and we’re defensively getting better. I’m proud of this team, and we’re certainly working towards the next step as we try to progress.

League Table Update: It’s a tight old league this season, as we’re only three points off the top, and we’re in 10th. Southend United lead the way, with Barnet following them on 22 points each. Accrington Stanley, Yeovil Town and MK Dons are all sat on 21 points. Halifax, Bromley and Dagenham have 20 points, and that’s the entirety of the playoff places. Us and Gateshead are both on 19 points. Boreham Wood are in danger of having the worst season ever. They lost their first 10 games, before picking up their first point. Aldershot are second bottom on 6 points, with Hartlepool struggling on 9 points. Buxton, who we came up with, complete the bottom 4, but they’ve not embarrassed themselves for me. 

Top Goalscorer Table: I don’t normally bring this up, but look at Danny Whitehall this season. He’s scoring a goal every game he plays at the moment, and I’m absolutely buzzing. At the start of last season, I was barely playing him, and now he’s probably my best player. 

 

And that’s it for this month. It came out so late because my laptop charger stopped working unfortunately, so I had to sort out a new one. I’ll get back to as close as daily as possible so I’m sorry about the gap. Anyway, this month has been incredible. We’ve got the best goalscorer in the league, probably the best form in a crazy league at the moment. Can we break down the barrier in the first season and go for a playoff place, or even the title? That would be incredible. I’ll see you in the next update.

[Ozza1996]

I've Never Been To Scunthorpe - Scunthorpe United RTG - (FM24) - Part 16 - Early 6-pointer?

 

Welcome back to I’ve Never Been to Scunthorpe as we enter October of Season 2, where we currently sit just outside the playoff places in the National League. September saw a new month, and therefore a new way of playing for us, where we played more of a counter-attacking play in the 4-3-3, and it has worked in the main. 4 wins from 5 saw us be brought into a battle for the playoffs rather than just mid table. Let’s take a look at our fixtures for this month as we try and carry on our form. 

October Fixtures: We start this update with a trip to Halifax, who we could climb above should we beat them. Altrincham and Boston United follow that in a double header, the latter one of those being in the FA Cup. We then play Boreham Wood, who currently can’t buy a win and only have 1 point from 11 matches. We have a potential 6-pointer at the top later this month when we play Barnet at home, and we end the month with a trip to East London, playing Dagenham & Redbridge. 

Young Player of the Month: Another player comes in the top 3 of an award, this time in the Young Player of the Month for September, Luke Daley came second behind Omari Benjamin, who has been incredible for AFC Fylde so far this season. 

Manager of the Month: I got Manager of the Month for September, as we won 4 out of 5 matches last month, with the only manager even getting close to me being Gary Bowyer from Accrington Stanley. I’m so proud of me and the boys becoming accustomed to this level finally. 

For the first time ever in this save, we have an A+ performance rating from both the board and the supporters as we have been rising faster than I could have imagined. This is the new high point of the save, but there’s a long way to go this season, so I’m not counting my chickens too much yet. 

Miguel Freckleton: We have a brand new signing for the football club, in Miguel Freckleton, who is an English Centre-Back, he’s got an incredible future ahead of him according to our scouts. He’s previously a Sheffield United prodigy, but was released by them in the Summer. Last season, he was out on loan at Chesterfield who got promoted to the National League, but didn’t play a lot for them. He is now wanting to become a regular in a National League side, and the fact he’s here permanently will hopefully help him settle. He can play it out from the back with a passing of 11 at least. 

New Contract For Me: I’ve been offered a brand new contract, being offered one for £1,300 a week until the end of the 2025-26 season. Michelle Harness is absolutely buzzing with how well and how far we’ve taken the club over the first one and a bit seasons. We haven’t had the best budget, but find ourselves seriously competing at the right end of the table, and I can only hope it continues. 

Saturday 5th October 2024: FC Halifax Town 1-3 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League) We made it 4 wins in a row in the League, as we beat a decent Halifax side 3-1. They have lost a lot of games, have Halifax, so I felt we could take advantage of that, and we definitely did that. Cal Roberts made a run early on, but there was no one there to help him out much in his return. He rolled it back to Joey Phuthi, who managed to cut inside and fire into the near corner, to get his first goal since arriving from Sheffield Wednesday. We doubled our advantage after 34 minutes with another first time scorer, when Jack Hinchy received the ball from Roberts, ran through a challenge, kept the ball, and slotted into the bottom corner for 2-0. The Shaymen got one back before half time, after a throw-in from Tylor Golden was played back to him, and his cross found Ryan Galvin at the far post who headed home to reduce the lead before half time. We sealed the deal in the 53rd minute, and the man who isn’t without a goal recently, Danny Whitehall, finished a beautiful passing move along the floor, and he shot into the corner for his 11th of an outstanding start to the season. We moved into the playoff places, but can we stay there?

Tuesday 8th October 2024: Scunthorpe United 3-1 Altrincham (Vanarama National League) We made it 5 wins in a row, after we secured a second 3-1 win in a row, this time over Altrincham, as we showed we have what it takes to rival anyone in this league. We opened up the scoring inside 12 minutes, as we started to play down the left, with Jamie Walker finding Danny Whitehall in the six-yard box, and he gave us the lead, at this point I’m willing to say obviously. We seemed to be playing some sort of short passing when we got into the box, and it paid off as we went 2-0 up after 44 minutes. The final ball from Jack Hinchy into Kian Scales was delightful, and Scales swivelled and shot into the corner to make it 2-0. Hinchy and Pugh played the ball between them from a throw-in, and Hinchy played it back to Jason Law, who cut inside and fired across the keeper into the corner to give us a resounding lead. Justin Amaluzor set the consolation up with 20 minutes to go, his ball hanging in the air to find the head of Elliott Nevitt, into the bottom corner to make it 3-1. We kept the ball towards the end, and won our fifth game in a row at a canter. 

Towards the end of that game, we went down to ten men, not because of a sending off, but an injury to Jamie Walker, who has fractured his lower arm. There was the option to allow him to wear protection, but I’ve decided to send him to the specialist, just to get on top of it. It means we’ll be without him for 6-7 weeks, but we’ve got a big enough and good enough squad to not panic too much.

Zak Bradshaw is a new player on loan from Championship side Lincoln City. He spent last season on loan at Dundalk in Ireland, and did well making 17 appearances across the two different seasons he spent in Ireland. He’s another centre-back, and I know we’ve got a lot of them, but we can’t be too careful. He will get the minutes in, and he will be a threat from set plays, which we’ve not taken advantage of too much this season, with 11 heading. He’s also got 12 marking, which will be more than enough at this level. 

Saturday 12th October 2024: Scunthorpe United 3-1 Boston United (The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round) We have booked our place in the First Round of the FA Cup, beating National League North outfit, Boston United, 3-1. Boston scared us early on, and won a penalty at the start of the game. Jimmy Knowles stepped up, but Adam Smith got down to it to keep it out with a superb save. They also thought they took the lead but they had a goal ruled out for offside. Michael Kelly got injured before half time, but then we got ourselves into the match. After 53 minutes, we finally took the lead. Joey Phuthi received the ball from Lewis Gard, ran into the box on the right, and his ball across the box found Callum McManaman running onto it and he tapped it home to break the Boston rearguard. Tom Pugh scored the second by starting and finishing the move, essentially playing a one-two with Joey Phuthi, his return pass finding Pugh, who took a touch and his deflected effort found the top corner to make it 2-0. We got a penalty of our own 4 minutes later, which Harrison Burrows dispatched to make it 3-0, and take the game away from the Pilgrims. Boston got one back in added time, as Ethan Sephton’s corner was cleared away, Josh Smile played it to Jimmy Knowles, whose shot went through a mixture of bodies to find the corner. He got his goal in the end, but we were comfortable again. 

Michael Kelly did suffer pulled ankle ligaments during this game, and will miss the next 2-3 weeks. He definitely tried to play his part in the game, but never really got the time to get going, and he’s now injured so will be out for a little while more. Hopefully he’s back for the First Round tie. Lewis Gard also pulled his groin, and will be missing for a week.

The Emirates FA Cup First Round Draw: Our second foray into the FA Cup properly will see us play Gillingham in the First Round away from home. We’ll be looking to secure our first win against EFL opposition, and Gillingham is definitely somewhere I think we could get something. They’re a mid table League Two team, and we’re fighting at the top of the National League currently, two very similar leagues, so I think we stand a good chance, especially with our main man up top. 

Michael Clunan is almost back as he is back in training after his thigh injury, and he will probably play a part against Boreham Wood in our next game, as I think that should be a nice and easy run out against the division’s bottom team. 

Saturday 19th October 2024: Boreham Wood 1-3 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League) Not only was this our fourth win this month, it was our fourth 3-1 win this month as we stayed consistent in this game. We got off to a lightning fast start, as we were 2-0 up in 11 minutes. Callum McManaman sent a corner fizzing into the box, which was not really cleared away. Finley Shrimpton headed down for Zak Bradshaw, on his league debut, attempting a volley which got deflected in for his first goal for the club. Another McManaman corner got cleared, this time to Cal Roberts, who brought it down and fired home, to leave the keeper no chance as we blew away the home side. Boreham Wood got one back after 31 minutes, as Cameron Coxe’s cross was cleared by Phuthi, only to the feet of Charles Clayden, and he smashed home to give Boreham Wood a chance of getting back into it. We remained dominant during the second half however, and we secured the win with three minutes to go. Cal Roberts was put into a corner but he managed to loft the ball to the edge of the box, to find a completely unmarked Luke Daley, who took a touch into the box, and fizzed it into the corner to give us a 3-1 lead, something we’re becoming familiar with. We moved up to third place.

Maxim Kouogun has been a solid part of our defence this season, barely moving out of the back four, but we’re going to have to make do without him in our next match, as he’s picked up five yellow cards in the league, and will miss the top of the table clash against Barnet, which hurts us a little bit. 

We’ve signed another strong free agent, with Val Adedokun arriving to the club, his last club being Brentford, but he was a regular in the reserves of the Premier League side. He’s brilliant down the left wing, with his passing, dribbling and first touch looking brilliant for this level. His work rate looks good as well, alongside his off the ball stats, which will be important, especially when we play teams like Barnet.

Saturday 26th October 2024: Scunthorpe United 1-0 Barnet (Vanarama National League) A huge top of the table clash at Glanford Park went our way, and we’re now level with Barnet, who remain in 1st, but only by a single goal. To be honest, we played much better than Barnet in this game, who were struggling to create a decent opening in the first half. We both hit the post early on, but we landed the first punch in this match, after 48 minutes. Joey Phuthi ran the ball down the right, but instead of producing a cross, he turned inside, on the edge of the box, kept running, where he took a shot, which was blocked but fell to Val Adedokun on his debut, and he bulleted a header into the bottom corner to become an instant hero for the Iron faithful. Barnet nearly equalised at the death, but a tame header went narrowly wide with Adam Smith nowhere to be seen. But we kept a clean sheet, and we now go level on points with Barnet at the top of the table. What an effort. 

Jack Hinchy twisted his knee in this game unfortunately, so he will miss the Dagenham & Redbridge game, which is the final one of this update, but should be back in time for the Gillingham game. He has had a good start in the team, and hopefully this is just a blip.

Ross Fitzsimons is back in training after his broken arm, and he’s available to start back in goal straight away. I’ve been impressed with Adam Smith, including the clean sheet he kept against Barnet, which has taken us to within a goal of being top of the league, the season after being promoted up to this league. It’s good to know we can rely on Smith when we need him.

Michael Kelly has also quickly recovered from his recent pulled ankle ligaments. That’s also a weight off our shoulders, but we’ve been brilliant without them. The squad has definitely been strong. 

Tuesday 29th October 2024: Dagenham & Redbridge 1-2 Scunthorpe United (Vanarama National League) We’ve completed October with a 100% record, after beating Dagenham 2-1, a result that keeps us challenging Barnet at the top of the table. We changed our formation ahead of this game, starting with a 4-2-3-1 which I think may suit us even better. I was worried the change may affect morale, but we took the lead after 37 minutes. Joey Phuthi’s throw-in was played back to him by Finley Shrimpton. In turn, his cross found Danny Whitehall in the middle of the box, and he rose above the keeper, who was in no man’s land, and he found the top corner to pick up his 13th of the season. Despite our many chances, we couldn’t find a second until the 89th minute, but thankfully we did. Luke Daley made a run down the left flank, and found Alfie Beestin darting into the area, the through ball was perfect, and Beestin took it all in his stride, beating the keeper with sheer perfect finishing into the corner to double our lead. The only blot on our record was an own goal by Maxim Kouogun in added time, as he diverted Ryan Hill’s effort past his own keeper. As I said, it was merely a little blot, as we looked comfortable all game long. 

October Results: Look at this set of results, we’ve never seen a defensive record like this. We started the month with four 3-1 wins in a row, picking up wins in the National League against FC Halifax Town, Altrincham and Boreham Wood, and progressing to the First Round of the FA Cup, beating Boston United by the same scoreline. We then won a top of the table clash against Barnet 1-0, before picking up a decent away result against Dagenham & Redbridge 2-1. 

League Table Update: We’re right in this race to win the National League title, as we’re only behind Barnet on goal difference, with both teams having 34 points after 16 matches each, with them having a goal difference that is better by two goals. Gateshead and Southend United aren’t far behind with 31 points, with Yeovil Town and Bromley both on 30 points apiece. Accrington Stanley are holding on to a playoff place via goal difference, with them and Solihull Moors on 27 points. MK Dons, Altrincham and FC Halifax Town are only a further point back in a tight race at the moment. At the bottom, Boreham Wood are still winless after 16 games, picking up a woeful 4 points out of a possible 48. Aldershot Town are second bottom on 6 points, with Hartlepool United only picking up 11 points. Buxton are on 16 points, but they’re only a point adrift of Woking on 17 points. 

 

That brings us to the end of our most successful month since being promoted to the National League, as we look to make it back to back promotions. I would say we’re one of the strongest teams in the division, despite possibly not having the strongest players. But they’re all working hard together, all fighting for each other, and all wanting to upset the apple cart at the top of the fifth tier. Would promotion at the end of the year be a step too far right now, or are we a league team in disguise? Find out how we do when we take on a League Two team in Gillingham in the FA Cup First Round next time out. I hope you’re enjoying the journey, and I’ll see you next time.