Mid-season Review
By Gary Broughton
Updated Tuesday, 11th January 2005
A look back on Nelson's matches through the first half of the 2004/5 season.
Following the poor finish to last season, Nelson were buoyed at the start of the 2004/5 campaign by the re-appointment of former manager David Hall. And things kicked off well with a pleasing display in a goalless draw at fellow promotion hopefuls Winsford United.
Three days later saw the first home game, at home to derby rivals Padiham, and the first defeat. The Storks scored three times without reply in the second half, but the manager blamed his own team tactics for the scoreline.
Blues bounced back to form the following weekend. After conceding a first minute opener, they played some sublime football to thrash Cheadle Town 6-2. But just three days later, in their third consecutive home game, they let a 3-1 lead slip - having been two up inside two minutes - to let Holker Old Boys escape with a draw.
Nelson hosted Chester-le-Street Town in the F.A. Cup Extra Preliminary Round on 28th August, but a goal 20 minutes from time was enough to end their involvement in that competition.
On the last day of the month Blues visited lowly
Blackpool Mechanics, and felt it was a case of two points dropped in a 1-1 draw, though the pitch did nothing to help the Blues' passing game. Nelson's indifferent start to their North West Counties campaign saw them lying in ninth place.
There was a further setback at New Mills at the start of September, where, despite totally dominating proceedings, Nelson managed to muster a 4-3 defeat! One week later and it was all change, as a solid team effort enabled them to see off Leek CSOB 5-1.
Ashton Town then visited Victoria Park and stubbornly ground out a goalless draw before Nelson found themselves on the wrong end of a 5-1 scoreline - succumbing to Jarrow Roofing of the Northern League in the F.A. Vase.
The early part of October proved rewarding in the league for Nelson. Following a mystifying 1-0 loss at Eccleshall in the first round of the League Cup in a game that even the home manager couldn't believe the Blues hadn't won, they ground out two 1-0 home victories over tough opposition in Winsford United and Darwen, before travelling to Castleton Gabriels and playing some neat passing stuff in a 4-0 romp.
The end of October was rather less fruitful. Injuries meant a below strength side turned out at Flixton, and despite a brave performance, two late goals meant a 3-1 defeat. Poor defending at Daisy Hill then resulted in what should have been a comfortable victory ending up as an incredible 5-5 draw. A disappointing end to a month which had seen them move up to the fringe of the promotion race in fifth position.
A tough game at Norton United saw the Blues lose out to a late goal at the start of November, but five consecutive victories followed. The stirring performance which saw them destroy First Division Great Harwood Town 4-1 in the Lancashire Trophy to setup tonight's second round clash with the Shrimps was without doubt their best of the season so far.
Chadderton were thumped 5-0, and this was followed by a 2-0 Division Two Trophy win at Cheadle Town. Back in the league, revenge was gained over both Norton United and Flixton 4-3 and 2-0 respectively, though without playing very well in either game. The results earned manager Dave Hall his first "Manager of the Month" award.
In mid-December Nelson visited table-topping Padiham in a game they could not afford to lose. Blues took the lead, but were pegged back from the spot in the second and had to bravely hang on to claim a point after the harsh sending off of Kevin Richardson - in doing so maintaining sixth spot in the league.
It was certainly a mixed bag for Nelson in the first half of the season, with some games won while not performing at their best, and others drawn or lost which really should have been won. Hopefully a confidence-boosting performance at
Morecambe tonight can trigger the boys in blue to mount a serious promotion challenge during the second half of the campaign, which they are more than capable of.
