FC Village

Report: 2007/2008 Season Review

Who would have thought that when it all kicked off back in August 07 that by the end of the season the F.C Village would be celebrating promotion to the top flight. The end may have been clouded in controversy (not our fault) but after six seasons of trying the club had achieved what they set out to do all those years ago.
So back to August and even though the first game ended in defeat against one of their rivals for promotion there were already signs that the team were going to do better than in previous years. Of the three new players, Kevin Machin would play a key role throughout the campaign; Timmy Boden would be there for the start and finish and Victor Thurgill started off well but called it a day to concentrate on his Sunday team just past the half way mark. Old boys returning saw Crozzer start well, and return for the finale; Fowler just get in to his stride when he had to retire when he badly injured his knee in training and Harper making the left back spot his own. With the exception of young Mike who would soon leave along with brother John and Keith the rest would all play their part during the year. The actual game against Claughton Hotel saw the side all at sea in the first half and then play much better in the second but just fail to nick a point.
On to September and their busiest month as they would play five league games, winning 3, drawing 1 and losing at the end of the month to the eventual champions. 4 of the 5 games would be played down at Levers and the side started with a comfortable win over Wellington which saw the debut of Kenny Murphy who looked as though he would be with club for a while but unfortunately he fell by the wayside midway through the season. The team then recorded their biggest win of the season with a 6-1 thrashing over one of their bogey sides in Bronze Social and saw in the process Fowler scoring his one and only goal. Next up came one of two games that could have proved so costly at the end as the side could only draw with Wirral Wanderers as the referee disallowed a perfectly good goal when the score stood at 2-2. The ref would also play a big part in the second game that could have ruined things for them. Fourth game in September saw the side gain their first away win as they beat the bottom side Bebington Rovers as Maggot scored the first of his two hat-tricks in what would prove to be a record breaking season for him. Final game saw them lose what would turn out to be their only defeat at home as they were well beaten by Future.
October was nearly as busy as they played 4 matches but this was to be their poorest month as they would only record 1 win. The first game of the month saw the side gain a hard earned draw at their other bogey side in Trafalgar Rangers but it was a game they felt they should have won. Next up were Tower and the Village got another home win with Ritchie playing his first game of the season and scoring in the process. The third was the match that the ref had a big say in as he abandoned it with the Village trailing 3-5 after awarding Wellington a most bizarre goal. It was felt at the time that had he not given that goal and played on to the end the team were quite capable of getting something out of it. As it was it went down as a third league defeat of the season but that would be their last one. The final match of the month saw the return with Claughton Hotel where the side introduced new signing Pete Byrne. When the Village were 3-0 up they must have thought they were back to their winning ways but a great comeback by the visitors saw them lead 4-3 with 90 minutes on the clock when Victor scored his most important goal for the side to gain a point.
It was Cup matches that dominated November as 2 of the 3 games saw the side go out of their own division cup but beat a top flight side to reach the quarter finals of the league cup. The first match was a quick return to Trafalgar in the divisional Trueman Cup and it was back to their old ways as the team turned in their worst display of the season and were trounced by the home team despite the scores being level at half time. Two weeks later they faced Div 1 side FC Borough and this was another game that was abandoned. However it wasn’t down to the Village this time as the ref called it a day when the scores the level at 3-3, having just sent off a Borough player and extra time looming. The Village were the better side on the day and should have been well ahead before the game ended and they then had to wait a couple of weeks before the League awarded the tie to them and so meet the League’s top side in the next round. The final game of the month was back to the League as they enjoyed a comfortable home win over Central Park by 3-0.
December started with the loss of Maggot when he went in for an operation on his knee but the bad weather and Xmas break would mean he’d miss only 2 games. The first of the games saw a ten goal thriller on a bog of a pitch that saw the debut of the influential Ashley Oldam and what a way to kick off your Village career with a cracking 30 yard goal. This however was eclipsed by Pete’s 35 yard free kick which would go on to win the Goal of the Season and Machin rounded things off with a twice taken penalty at the death so snatch a point. That second game was against old foes Wirral Wanderers and the Village had a score to a settle as they had taken a point off them earlier in the season. With several players missing the side introduced Mike Jones for the first of his handful of games and Dave Sadler made his debut as the only sub. Despite being a goal down the Village were well worth the win with the major talking point was did Pete get 2 goals or was it Ashley. In the end it went to Pete as the team won 3-1.
January saw the bad weather take its toll and the side only played 1 game which yet again produced another superb fight back by the side to snatch another draw with a last minute equaliser. Maggot was back after his knee op and the game also saw Mike Gormley play his one and only match and John (JJ) Harrison return to the fold. This also turned out to be Victor’s last match as he left soon afterwards to concentrate on his Sunday side. Three goals down, dead and buried and with only 20 minutes left the side brought their 2 subs (Maggot and JJ), changed formations and duly changed the game. Machin looked to have netted just a consolation but when Maggot scored with only 5 minutes left the team threw everything at the Tower defence and were rewarded with Machin netting the equaliser in injury time.
On to a relatively normal February and 3 matches, one of which was the big cup game against Bird in Hand. Up first was the return game with Central Park and the side eventually completed the double after they stormed in to a three goal lead, let the home team back in it and then killed them off. Highlight was JJ’s full debut and a first goal for the side. Then came the quarter final tie against the Leagues top side and the Village had to wear their old maroon tops and only had the bare 11 eleven due to several players being missing. However they put in one of their best first half displays of the season and were well worth being on levels terms at the interval. In fact they should probably been ahead but the second half belonged to the Bird who used their subs wisely as the Village ran out of steam and so move on to the semi final. Final game of the month was a return to Levers and the first home game for over 2 months as the side played Avenue. Highlights were Maggot’s excellent hat-trick and some good cameo performances from bit players Martin and Jason.
With only a few matches left March saw the team display their skills just the once as they completed the double over Bronze Social and so keep them well placed in the table for the runners up spot. This game saw the return of Timmy, Maggot become the first Village player to score 20 goals in a season and Jason come off the bench to notch his first goal for the club.
So on to the final month of April as the side completed their league programme with their last three games as they tried to consolidate that second place. Future had virtually claimed the title but the Village knew that it was now between themselves and Claughton Hotel so every game was vital. First up were bottom side Bebington Rovers and despite having many things go against them they ran out easy winners by 4-0 with Captain Booey back in a goal scoring mood. Final home game of the campaign saw the side beat Trafalgar for the first time and even though there was only goal one between them at the end the Village were easily the better side on the day and could even afford the luxury of a missed penalty by Machin. So to the final match and it was against the newly crowned Champions of Division 2, Future. The Village boys were well up for this from the time they got in to the dressing room and all 11 players put in a superb display as they ran out 3-1 winners with Maggot scoring the final goal and his 20th of the season and so inflict the one and only defeat during the season on the new champs. From Jay in goal, through the back four and midfield five to Maggot as the lone striker, every player played out of his skin for this game as they really and truly wanted it. They were rewarded with a notable victory which was more important than they thought as it turned out Claughton Hotel would have pipped them for second place on goal difference had the Village only drawn the game. The team really celebrated their end of season do that same evening in style. However the following week the side was deflated a bit as they learnt that one of Claughton’s results wasn’t going to be confirmed until a month later. A month goes by and a day before the League Presentation night the side finally get the nod that they have got the runners up spot so they attend the do only to find they have to wait for their trophies because of appeals etc. Ce la vie!
To sum up, it turned out to be an excellent season. Despite not winning the league they had achieved what they set out to six long years ago and that was win promotion to the top flight. In doing so they beat the top team in the division and gave the top side in the league a run for their money in a cup game. Having a settled side to choose from helped and when they injected some new blood midway through the year it was with quality players who made the difference between losing and winning a game. So to next year and the club know all the hard work starts now, they have to replace some of the lads who have moved on with equally talented ones, organise the club better financially and improve things on the social side, after all they are a football club not just a team.



	Report: 2007/2008 Season Review Who would have thought that when it all kicked off back in August 07 that by the end of the season the F.C Village would be celebrating promotion to the top flight. The end may have been clouded in controversy (not our fault) but after six seasons of trying the club had achieved what they set out to do all those years ago. So back to August and even though the first game ended in defeat against one of their rivals for promotion there were already signs that the team were going to do better than in previous years. Of the three new players, Kevin Machin would play a key role throughout the campaign; Timmy Boden would be there for the start and finish and Victor Thurgill started off well but called it a day to concentrate on his Sunday team just past the half way mark. Old boys returning saw Crozzer start well, and return for the finale; Fowler just get in to his stride when he had to retire when he badly injured his knee in training and Harper making the left back spot his own. With the exception of young Mike who would soon leave along with brother John and Keith the rest would all play their part during the year. The actual game against Claughton Hotel saw the side all at sea in the first half and then play much better in the second but just fail to nick a point. On to September and their busiest month as they would play five league games, winning 3, drawing 1 and losing at the end of the month to the eventual champions. 4 of the 5 games would be played down at Levers and the side started with a comfortable win over Wellington which saw the debut of Kenny Murphy who looked as though he would be with club for a while but unfortunately he fell by the wayside midway through the season. The team then recorded their biggest win of the season with a 6-1 thrashing over one of their bogey sides in Bronze Social and saw in the process Fowler scoring his one and only goal. Next up came one of two games that could have proved so costly at the end as the side could only draw with Wirral Wanderers as the referee disallowed a perfectly good goal when the score stood at 2-2. The ref would also play a big part in the second game that could have ruined things for them. Fourth game in September saw the side gain their first away win as they beat the bottom side Bebington Rovers as Maggot scored the first of his two hat-tricks in what would prove to be a record breaking season for him. Final game saw them lose what would turn out to be their only defeat at home as they were well beaten by Future. October was nearly as busy as they played 4 matches but this was to be their poorest month as they would only record 1 win. The first game of the month saw the side gain a hard earned draw at their other bogey side in Trafalgar Rangers but it was a game they felt they should have won. Next up were Tower and the Village got another home win with Ritchie playing his first game of the season and scoring in the process. The third was the match that the ref had a big say in as he abandoned it with the Village trailing 3-5 after awarding Wellington a most bizarre goal. It was felt at the time that had he not given that goal and played on to the end the team were quite capable of getting something out of it. As it was it went down as a third league defeat of the season but that would be their last one. The final match of the month saw the return with Claughton Hotel where the side introduced new signing Pete Byrne. When the Village were 3-0 up they must have thought they were back to their winning ways but a great comeback by the visitors saw them lead 4-3 with 90 minutes on the clock when Victor scored his most important goal for the side to gain a point. It was Cup matches that dominated November as 2 of the 3 games saw the side go out of their own division cup but beat a top flight side to reach the quarter finals of the league cup. The first match was a quick return to Trafalgar in the divisional Trueman Cup and it was back to their old ways as the team turned in their worst display of the season and were trounced by the home team despite the scores being level at half time. Two weeks later they faced Div 1 side FC Borough and this was another game that was abandoned. However it wasn’t down to the Village this time as the ref called it a day when the scores the level at 3-3, having just sent off a Borough player and extra time looming. The Village were the better side on the day and should have been well ahead before the game ended and they then had to wait a couple of weeks before the League awarded the tie to them and so meet the League’s top side in the next round. The final game of the month was back to the League as they enjoyed a comfortable home win over Central Park by 3-0. December started with the loss of Maggot when he went in for an operation on his knee but the bad weather and Xmas break would mean he’d miss only 2 games. The first of the games saw a ten goal thriller on a bog of a pitch that saw the debut of the influential Ashley Oldam and what a way to kick off your Village career with a cracking 30 yard goal. This however was eclipsed by Pete’s 35 yard free kick which would go on to win the Goal of the Season and Machin rounded things off with a twice taken penalty at the death so snatch a point. That second game was against old foes Wirral Wanderers and the Village had a score to a settle as they had taken a point off them earlier in the season. With several players missing the side introduced Mike Jones for the first of his handful of games and Dave Sadler made his debut as the only sub. Despite being a goal down the Village were well worth the win with the major talking point was did Pete get 2 goals or was it Ashley. In the end it went to Pete as the team won 3-1. January saw the bad weather take its toll and the side only played 1 game which yet again produced another superb fight back by the side to snatch another draw with a last minute equaliser. Maggot was back after his knee op and the game also saw Mike Gormley play his one and only match and John (JJ) Harrison return to the fold. This also turned out to be Victor’s last match as he left soon afterwards to concentrate on his Sunday side. Three goals down, dead and buried and with only 20 minutes left the side brought their 2 subs (Maggot and JJ), changed formations and duly changed the game. Machin looked to have netted just a consolation but when Maggot scored with only 5 minutes left the team threw everything at the Tower defence and were rewarded with Machin netting the equaliser in injury time. On to a relatively normal February and 3 matches, one of which was the big cup game against Bird in Hand. Up first was the return game with Central Park and the side eventually completed the double after they stormed in to a three goal lead, let the home team back in it and then killed them off. Highlight was JJ’s full debut and a first goal for the side. Then came the quarter final tie against the Leagues top side and the Village had to wear their old maroon tops and only had the bare 11 eleven due to several players being missing. However they put in one of their best first half displays of the season and were well worth being on levels terms at the interval. In fact they should probably been ahead but the second half belonged to the Bird who used their subs wisely as the Village ran out of steam and so move on to the semi final. Final game of the month was a return to Levers and the first home game for over 2 months as the side played Avenue. Highlights were Maggot’s excellent hat-trick and some good cameo performances from bit players Martin and Jason. With only a few matches left March saw the team display their skills just the once as they completed the double over Bronze Social and so keep them well placed in the table for the runners up spot. This game saw the return of Timmy, Maggot become the first Village player to score 20 goals in a season and Jason come off the bench to notch his first goal for the club. So on to the final month of April as the side completed their league programme with their last three games as they tried to consolidate that second place. Future had virtually claimed the title but the Village knew that it was now between themselves and Claughton Hotel so every game was vital. First up were bottom side Bebington Rovers and despite having many things go against them they ran out easy winners by 4-0 with Captain Booey back in a goal scoring mood. Final home game of the campaign saw the side beat Trafalgar for the first time and even though there was only goal one between them at the end the Village were easily the better side on the day and could even afford the luxury of a missed penalty by Machin. So to the final match and it was against the newly crowned Champions of Division 2, Future. The Village boys were well up for this from the time they got in to the dressing room and all 11 players put in a superb display as they ran out 3-1 winners with Maggot scoring the final goal and his 20th of the season and so inflict the one and only defeat during the season on the new champs. From Jay in goal, through the back four and midfield five to Maggot as the lone striker, every player played out of his skin for this game as they really and truly wanted it. They were rewarded with a notable victory which was more important than they thought as it turned out Claughton Hotel would have pipped them for second place on goal difference had the Village only drawn the game. The team really celebrated their end of season do that same evening in style. However the following week the side was deflated a bit as they learnt that one of Claughton’s results wasn’t going to be confirmed until a month later. A month goes by and a day before the League Presentation night the side finally get the nod that they have got the runners up spot so they attend the do only to find they have to wait for their trophies because of appeals etc. Ce la vie! To sum up, it turned out to be an excellent season. Despite not winning the league they had achieved what they set out to six long years ago and that was win promotion to the top flight. In doing so they beat the top team in the division and gave the top side in the league a run for their money in a cup game. Having a settled side to choose from helped and when they injected some new blood midway through the year it was with quality players who made the difference between losing and winning a game. So to next year and the club know all the hard work starts now, they have to replace some of the lads who have moved on with equally talented ones, organise the club better financially and improve things on the social side, after all they are a football club not just a team. Season Review 2007/2008