Annan's final push for play-offs
Well it has just about come to the stage of win or bust for our little club at Annan.
Five points dropped in our last two fixtures have seen us slip out of the final play-off place as we approach our most vital game since our entry into the SFL. Although a draw would still leave us in with a chance going into the final game, we would prefer to have our destiny in our own hands.
It's for this reason we head to Stenhousemuir looking for three points and nothing less.
Our three previous matches have ended all square and we know it will be difficult on Saturday but I suppose it's a good thing knowing what we have to do.
Stenny seem to have picked up again, just at the right time to sneak by us and I'm sure they will be determined to all but clinch their place in the top four this weekend.
have a couple of players familiar to me in Iain Thomson and Kevin Motion. Both players spent a few seasons at our old rivals, Spartans, before making the step up to senior football.
We had a good few battles through the years and hopefully we are all involved in this important match at the weekend.
Kevin has recently been nominated for the Third Division player of the year award and congratulations to him for that. However, we are quite disappointed that our own, Mike Jack has somehow missed out.
I found it difficult choosing my nominations as, to be honest, when you're out there playing you don't tend to take much notice of how good the opposition are.
Without giving my nomination away I looked at the teams towards the top of the division and goal scoring charts. Jacko has been the top goal scorer for the majority of the season and is still currently leading the way so we all thought it was almost a given that he would be up for the award.
Jacko is an extremely modest man and has been playing it down as always. Secretly, I hope he is disappointed and goes out to prove a point in these two big games coming up.
Before we think about Saturday's match, the club is involved in the Challenge Cup Final at Galabank on Wednesday night. We are up against our local rivals from Dalbeattie Star and it is a game I am sure I will be involved in after once again warming the bench against Berwick.
Dalbeattie have been having a good season and are still in with a shout of winning the . This has the potential to be a really good game and fingers crossed I'm the one that gets my hands on the trophy at the end of the match.
After the match on Saturday I'll be heading on up to Aberdeen for a few days to stay with my partner. I hope Laura isn't reading this but I'm glad she has to work on Sunday as it's looking like a total football bonanza on the TV.
It's the final day in the and it's sure to be filled with all kinds of drama. Three teams fighting it out for automatic promotion and another three for the final play-off spot. Maybe there is a league that's more exciting than SFL3 after all!
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everything goes the way of Preston North End. My good friend, Barry Nicholson is down there, and it would be fantastic to see him get his chance in the Premiership.
Barry is out with broken ribs just now but is confident he will be fit to help Preston, should they nick that sixth place.
I've got the coach hire on speed dial, I just hope he has plenty tickets!
Hi there, I'm Chris Jardine, midfielder with Scottish Third Division side Annan Athletic. I hope, throughout the season, I can give you a good insight into life at the newest Scottish League club and maybe even a few laughs along the way.
Comment number 1.
At 30th Apr 2009, G_warrior wrote:Stenny will demolish Annan 1-0. C'mon the warriors!!!
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Comment number 2.
At 30th Apr 2009, RFC_1989 wrote:Re comment above.
sounds like some demolishing! 1-0!
C'mon the Annan!!
Jacko Hat-Trick
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Comment number 3.
At 30th Apr 2009, Doonhamerinexile wrote:I wish Annan the best of luck in their hunt for promotion. You guys have done incredibly well to be even be talking about getting a play-off place in your first season as a senior team. What's more, you've done it the old fashioned way through graft and determination. Unlike another late local team who bought their way to the top. Not naming any names. ahem.... Gretna.
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Comment number 4.
At 1st May 2009, HoopLars wrote:I am enquiring as to whether you are intending to give any coverage of the Highland League match (or possibily make you aware of it) between Fort William and Rothes on Saturday 9th May.
Is it possibly the worst game in the UK?
Fort William have won only one game in the last two seasons and have just one point this season. Rothes have only one win to their name this season...a 1-0 home win over Fort William.
They have a combined goal difference of minus 147 and Fort William have lost their last eight games: 0-8, 1-3, 1-6, 0-5, 0-4, 0-5, 1-2 and 0-5.
Fort William is also arguably the most picturesque football ground in Britain at the foot of Ben Nevis.
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Due to Shinty being the main interest in the town of Fort William, and the location a real outpost in Highland League terms, crowds of about 40 are the norm.
But Fort William are currently the subject of controversial investment from the United States that could transform the team as we know it today, from next season...a deal that will see them become a reality TV show in the U.S.
I am a non-league enthusiast / groundhopper and although I live in Brighton I am traveling to Scotland especially for this game. If Fort William are going to win a game this season I intend to be there to see it and this is probably their best chance.
I recall a media circus descending on Poole Town when they equalled the British record for most consecutive losses in the then Dr Martens League in the late 1990's and avoided a new record in their own right with a 0-0 draw. I saw them lose 8-0 to Havant Town that season (pre merger with W'ville).
I can't imagine Fort William vs Rothes will attract the same interest but it would be a shame for the game to go completely unnoticed by the outside world.
Fort William might also be a more interesting story further down the line if the whole U.S. investment / reality T.V. show goes ahead. The following link will give you an idea of how high feelings run on both sides of the coin if you have the time to read the comments at the bottom of the blog / match report.
Hope the link makes interesting reading.
All the best.
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Comment number 5.
At 1st May 2009, reebokglory2005 wrote:Re Doonhamerinexile comment, and basically all the anti-Gretna mob. Yes players were purchased as Gretna moved through the divisions, but in the early days their squad was that of youngsters, journeymen, and players passed on by other clubs (as continued to happen for a few years). Gretna's achievemnts in the third division, and particularly their attacking exploits shouldn't be forgotten.
As a Forfar Fan I'm looking for a bit of a miracle this weekend, a drubbing of Stenny to even up the goal difference, and sorry Chris, but the hope that Annan don't get three points. If the Loons can't oblige, then best of luck to Annan have a very good first season in the SFL.
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Comment number 6.
At 1st May 2009, Doonhamerinexile wrote:Re reebokglory. Fair play to you there. I'll concede that was a bit of a cynical comment to make. I think as a queen of the south fan I might still be a bit bitter about those drubbings they doled out to us a few years back.
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Comment number 7.
At 1st May 2009, Chris Jardine wrote:G_Warrior - I assume you will be at the game tomorrow? Have you travelled down to galabank this season - thoughts?? It goes without saying that I hope your prediction is wrong but that is a result that would guarantee your side that final play-off position - barring post 5's miracle, which I don't see happening.
Sorry reebokglory2005. All the best tomorrow at Cowdenbeath, I'm really not sure what result we are hoping for in that game!
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Comment number 8.
At 1st May 2009, Chris Jardine wrote:HoopLars - that certainly was an interesting read and good luck to Fort William at the weekend and enjoy your trip. I'm glad Paul and the blogger seem to have sorted out their differences - I thought they were going to come to blows!
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Comment number 9.
At 1st May 2009, Chris Jardine wrote:Doonhamerinexile - thanks for the good luck message. And I'm also glad to see that QOS can relax and enjoy the final 2 games of the season after a bit of a worrying spell in recent weeks.
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Comment number 10.
At 1st May 2009, KingArthuronice wrote:HoopLars that was an interesting link. I hope you enjoy your trip to Fort William and I trust you will be treated well.
Chris, I wish Annan well also, but I fear you may have missed out this time around. I certainly will not mind if you prove me wrong.
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