Alright we're here. It's April. 4 games left in the season. My plan is very simple. Deliver a promotion to the Dergview faithful in exchange for my second coaching badge. Here we go. If we fail, then this is the last month of our season. But we know we can't fail. No surely not. We did NOT get this far only to stumble at the final hurdle. It's time for the first of four games at home to Ballyclare who are 2 points behind us let's go out there and DO this.
DERGVIEW VS BALLYCLARE
We kick off and look the more threatening team creating 4 chances in the opening 5 minutes. The boys are really taking the game to them. But with 19 minutes on the clock a ball is whipped in from a corner and the ball is headed down and smashed past McFrederick. 1-0 to Ballyclare. We are getting ripped apart at the moment. But now the ball has been played over the top for Henderson to chase. It's headed into his path by their centre back. Hendo one on one, he drags it wide. You just feel it's one of those games. No matter what we did, we just couldn't break them down. And it wasn't long before they added a second due to our sloppy defending. Then it would be another set-piece to give them a 3rd. Why even try at this point?
That result sees us drop out of the top 3 meaning we have 3 games to get back into the playoffs. We are currently 2 points away from Ballyclare who just overtook us. This match shows that there is a lot of work to be done but only a little time to do it. But I have faith in the lads so onwards and upwards!
KNOCKBREDA VS DERGVIEW
Right this is it. Our chance to bounce back from a disappointing run of results. Knockbreda have nothing left to play for in the final 3 games of the season and I hope we can come
away with a win to mark out our promotion credentials.
.
At this point I'm all out of faith. The only positive is that Ballyclare lost to Larne meaning the situation remains the same. But I will not feel safe without six points out of six next up are Loughall and Portadown. If we beat Portadown it might be the game that sees them win or lose the title. But it might be the game where we secure playoffs. Here are the games.....
PLAYOFFS!!!!!
We caused Portadown to lose the title on the final day and they will now meet us in the playoffs to decide who will go on to face 2nd bottom from the premiership.
LEG 1
We are playing at home in the first leg and we need a great result to put us into pole position coming into the second leg. I've stuck with my tried and tested formula and hopefully it will be enough. I had a meeting with the team about our promotion chances and a majority of the squad think we're not ready for promotion, and they don't want me "pressuring" them. Ugh I just hope they don't embarrass me in case a bigger club is watching. Now it's time UP THE DERG!
CRACKING first leg result! We can't take anything for granted though as we have lost by 3 goals in the past. Fitting how it was my first ever signing James Georgaklis to open the scoring in one of the most important games of our season. But now we must switch our focus to the next leg.
LEG 2
WE ARE THROUGH TO THE FINALS!!!!!
We are going to play Institute in the Final over 2 legs but we are heavy underdogs and no one fancies us to win. Well no one except me of course. I fully expect us to finish what we've
started. Now we just need to go out there and DO IT.
PLAYOFF FINAL LEG 1
Not ideal as they already have two away goals going into the second leg we are going to need a HUGE performance if we are going to see this through.
PLAYOFF FINAL LEG 2
Woo. This game is huge. I've never been in such a huge match in my short managerial career. I want the boys to know that whatever happens I am proud of them. No one expected
us to get this far. We were the favourites to get relegated and now look where we are. 90 minutes away from the top flight. I believe in these boys. COME ON!
Kick off and we are threatening them. The lads are starting to believe in what I've been saying all year. They WANT to win this match as much as I do. And 27 minutes in Adam Dougherty cuts in from the left, he breaks into the box, shoots and SCORES! 1-0 to the Derg! It's still a very tense affair and both teams are creating chances. Then, in the 70th minute, a horror tackle from the Institute right back sees him get sent off! We now need to hold onto this result against 10 men. Come on boys. Okay it looks like we'll see this through, it's the 91st minute of 91. Uh-oh. A free kick from the halfway line. They whip it into the box and... they've scored. My ecstasy is dissolved into tears. I'm on my knees then suddenly I feel a hand on my shoulder. I look up and see Gary Mortland pointing to the linesman. His flag,... is UP! WE HAVE BEEN PROMOTED!