We were not offered the Oxford job, didn’t want it anyway.
The Co. Antrim Shield came around and it was a chance to get revenge on Glentoran. Pelling got the lead in 5 minutes, to only want to go home early as he earned a straight red card 20 minutes later. Not to be set back the team had a 4 – 0 lead with the only response coming in the 86th until extra time where we grab another. Was a great game to watch.
Also, Henry showing his worth in the air with two headed goals.
We bring in another player, after we had some players leave due to not being good enough anymore the players felt like there was a lack of depth at centre-back. With almost everyone in the club saying this I acted before it came an issue. In comes Larkin an older head who might not play much but still a good player to have to fall back on if needed.
We have been offered a new contract by the board, an extension of a year. I’m sticking to the plan of leaving at the end of the year, but I could be tempted if we have a great year and could do the same again. Would be great for overall progress in the save.
For the time I rejected the talks
An absolute kick in the teeth, 3 games, 3 losses. Worst of all we fall to a late defeat in the semi-final of the Bet McLean Cup. All have been narrow, but the goal haven’t been going in, all from the 5 – 1 victory over Glentoran, who we face next in the league. Currently second with 6 points between us.
Just before the start of the game, we get the news of an unsuccessful interview at Rotherham. My previous points still stand. Moving onto the game it was filled with little chances for both teams. Trialling a new 4-2-2-2 formation at the start of the game the first half went quickly. Until the start of the second when we were gifted a penalty that was comfortably put in by Willis, taking him to 17 total goals in the season so far.
Following a 1 – 0 revenge win over Ballymena we travelled to Glenavon just 3 days after. The month of December is packed with fixture, with 8 league games total. So, a more rotated side was sent out, we were to be 2 – 0 down at the end of the first half. An amazing comeback ensued making it so that we were level, almost taking the lead in the last minute with a shot that went slightly wide so it wasn’t to be.
We finish December with 22 points out of the possible 24. Highlights include a 4-goal masterclass from Willis against Larne, and some great goal keeping from Callum Taylor, keeping the opposition from scoring at times when it was most needed. We face Glentoran again next, who are forming to be the only opposition for the title, although 10 points is the gap going into the game.
Another game against Glentoran, another 1 – 0 win for us, could have been 2 – 0 or 1 – 2. We missed a penalty and they had some great chances late in the game but Taylor carried on with his form and stopped them when he was needed.
The Northern Irish Cup game against Strabane, A team in a non-playable league turned out to be a stressful one. 2 – 0 up at half time, they get one back. I make 3 changes to keep fresh legs going. Adam Carroll is then injured, taking us down to 10 men, we grab another to ease the nerves. The Steele goes and get a red card leaving it with 10 minutes left to last 2 men down. In these ten minutes they come close twice and score once. We win but what should have been an easy result was far from it.
The Co. Antrim Shield came around and it was a chance to get revenge on Glentoran. Pelling got the lead in 5 minutes, to only want to go home early as he earned a straight red card 20 minutes later. Not to be set back the team had a 4 – 0 lead with the only response coming in the 86th until extra time where we grab another. Was a great game to watch.
Also, Henry showing his worth in the air with two headed goals.
We bring in another player, after we had some players leave due to not being good enough anymore the players felt like there was a lack of depth at centre-back. With almost everyone in the club saying this I acted before it came an issue. In comes Larkin an older head who might not play much but still a good player to have to fall back on if needed.
We have been offered a new contract by the board, an extension of a year. I’m sticking to the plan of leaving at the end of the year, but I could be tempted if we have a great year and could do the same again. Would be great for overall progress in the save.
For the time I rejected the talks
An absolute kick in the teeth, 3 games, 3 losses. Worst of all we fall to a late defeat in the semi-final of the Bet McLean Cup. All have been narrow, but the goal haven’t been going in, all from the 5 – 1 victory over Glentoran, who we face next in the league. Currently second with 6 points between us.
Just before the start of the game, we get the news of an unsuccessful interview at Rotherham. My previous points still stand. Moving onto the game it was filled with little chances for both teams. Trialling a new 4-2-2-2 formation at the start of the game the first half went quickly. Until the start of the second when we were gifted a penalty that was comfortably put in by Willis, taking him to 17 total goals in the season so far.
Following a 1 – 0 revenge win over Ballymena we travelled to Glenavon just 3 days after. The month of December is packed with fixture, with 8 league games total. So, a more rotated side was sent out, we were to be 2 – 0 down at the end of the first half. An amazing comeback ensued making it so that we were level, almost taking the lead in the last minute with a shot that went slightly wide so it wasn’t to be.
We finish December with 22 points out of the possible 24. Highlights include a 4-goal masterclass from Willis against Larne, and some great goal keeping from Callum Taylor, keeping the opposition from scoring at times when it was most needed. We face Glentoran again next, who are forming to be the only opposition for the title, although 10 points is the gap going into the game.
Another game against Glentoran, another 1 – 0 win for us, could have been 2 – 0 or 1 – 2. We missed a penalty and they had some great chances late in the game but Taylor carried on with his form and stopped them when he was needed.
The Northern Irish Cup game against Strabane, A team in a non-playable league turned out to be a stressful one. 2 – 0 up at half time, they get one back. I make 3 changes to keep fresh legs going. Adam Carroll is then injured, taking us down to 10 men, we grab another to ease the nerves. The Steele goes and get a red card leaving it with 10 minutes left to last 2 men down. In these ten minutes they come close twice and score once. We win but what should have been an easy result was far from it.