A Look Back At 1997/98    

After a first season in the N.W.W.R.F.L which saw the Gunner’s record 4 victories
and the honour of the fair play award.  The Gunner’s needed to continue in a similar
manor for this season and show an improvement where possible.  At time of writing
the Gunner’s have certainly shown a considerable improvement in form, registering
double the victories recorded in their first season whilst still maintaining their
discipline, having received no yellow or red cards all season.  It is important to realise
that only a short while ago certain Gunner’s players had never kicked a football
before never mind played for a team.
The season started off quite poorly, with no recognised goalkeeper.  The
Gunner’s losing heavily to Stockport Celtic in their first game.  This could quite
easily have led to a massive drop in confidence.  However the Gunner’s led by a new
optimism within the ranks, put on a very competitive display against Liverpool
Federation, losing a thrilling encounter eventually by the odd goal in nine.
With the real belief that their first victory was just around the corner the Gunner’s
took on Curzon Ashton at home.  The Gunner’s produced a battling display, which
was to be their trademark for the rest of the season.  A 3-2 victory over Curzon
Ashton was shortly followed by a crushing 6-3 victory over Dean’s away from home,
the Gunner’s now showing true belief in their own abilities.
The Gunner’s were some what brought back down to earth in the two early season
cup competitions, losing on both occasions to Monde, a promotion chasing 3rd
Division outfit.  Although the divisional cup game showed a sign of things to come,
running out unfortunate 3-1 losers.  Sandwiched between the cup games was an
excellent 7-3 victory at Manor and a true lesson in football by the new league
champions Everton.
Considering the magnitude of the defeat by Everton it would have been easy for the
Gunner’s to become down hearted, however the defeat seemed to do just the
opposite.  With a new recognised goalkeeper the Gunner’s turned in a brilliant
performance in the latter stages against a formidable Manchester United Reserve
side, which saw the Gunner’s claw back a two-goal deficit in the last couple of
minutes to secure a 4-4 draw.  The Gunner’s now showing a true fighting spirit and
an ‘all for one, one for all’ attitude.
Three stunning displays on the bounce followed.  Victories home & away to Blacon
Youth and a 5-2 away win at Winsford, a team who had heavily beaten the Gunner’s
last season, continued an excellent run of form.    

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The Gunner’s then cemented home the point that they now had not just improved
since last season, but had shown a significant improvement this season too.  They
held a very similar Stockport Celtic team to the one that had almost embarrassed
them on the opening day, to a very respectable 3-3 draw, a game they were unlucky
not to win.  Manor Athletics’ visit to Chew Moor Brook was the Gunner’s biggest
victory of the season so far, an 8-2 win which saw no less than six players on the score
sheet.  Thus creating records for the biggest victory, most goalscorers in a match and
longest unbeaten run stretching back over three months and 6 games.
Unlike the first game against Everton, the 9-1 defeat at the hands of the champions
seemed to knock the Gunner’s confidence.  After such a long unbeaten run the heavy
defeat just knocked the players for six.  With the next two games against the teams in
second and third place in the league the Gunner’s failed to register a victory,
although they did show what they were made of in a convincing 7-1 away win at
Curzon Ashton.
The final few weeks of the season, have seen various things going on, not least the
postponement of games and the Gunner’s have failed to win in five of their last six
games.  Their last game however created one of their best results and performance of
the season.  The 8-1 victory over close rivals Winsford was an apt way to end a very
hard and often strenuous season.
I think it is important to realise that the achievements the Gunner’s have made this
season, far outweigh the disappointments and although the season has not finished
on a very high note the Gunner’s have not only improved on last seasons results, but
they have matured immensely as players.
I am sure back in September had most of you been told you would have: -
Recorded nine victories, drawn against one of the best teams in the league when you
were two down with a couple of minutes to go and missed out on promotion as seems
likely by only a couple of points you would have taken it.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Gunner’s on an overall successful season and hope that next season can see a continuing improvement.
   

 

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