Here we go again for another chapter in my Football Manager 2017 project. We’re into the final quarter of the Counties Championship league campaign, after which we’ll be left with 16 teams battling it out for the national title.
In case you missed the last update, February saw three teams confirm their presence in those end-of-season play-offs. Who else will book their tickets in March, and who will still be under pressure going into April’s finale?
Every team will play four league matches in March before the final international break of the season gives them some respite as they head into the run-in. So, let’s see how it all unfolds…
NORTH DIVISION
ROUND 38 (4 March)
West Yorkshire needed to beat Greater Manchester to have any semi-realistic chance of pipping them to the North title. 81 minutes into a nervy match in Leeds, midfielder Lewis Cook broke away to put the hosts ahead. WY would be cruelly denied victory, though, by an injury-time piledriver from Ben Pearson that went in off the post.
The other teams in the top four took huge strides towards play-off qualification. Merseyside left-back Leighton Baines’ penalty decided a bitter contest against Tyne & Wear. South Yorkshire were far too strong for a County Durham side who were reeling from Marcus Maddison’s season-ending leg break in training two days prior.
Lancashire’s hopes suffered a potentially terminal setback after Jordan Hugill scored twice for North Yorkshire, who moved into the top half. Cumbria were also beaten 3-1 at home by Cheshire, and East Yorkshire’s 2-0 win over Northumberland all but ensured the Cumbrians would finish last.
ROUND 39 (11 March)
If Cumbria’s campaign was to end in glorious failure, they at least wanted to leave their fans with great memories. One of those came at Greater Manchester, where Grant Holt’s quick riposte to Marcus Rashford’s strike levelled the scores at half-time. A brilliant rearguard display in the second period helped Paul Simpson’s side secure an unlikely draw.
There was more late disappointment for West Yorkshire, as an 81st-minute Sammy Ameobi half-volley denied them victory in Tyne & Wear. Merseyside also crumbled at the worst possible moments against North Yorkshire, conceding crucial goals to Charlie Wyke and Stewart Downing late on.
Jordan Rhodes gave Lancashire a fighting chance of beating South Yorkshire to the 4th play-off place with a hat-trick in Sheffield. Luke James also took away a match ball when Northumberland battled past County Durham, while Devante Cole made dad Andy proud by scoring twice for Cheshire against East Yorkshire.
ROUND 40 (14 March)
Greater Manchester were confirmed as North champions after putting five past County Durham. Danny Welbeck set the ball rolling in the 12th minute, shortly before Durham skipper Lee Cattermole was sent off for a reckless lunge on the striker. Ravel Morrison then got a brace in between goals from Craig Dawson and Rashford to seal the spoils.
West Yorkshire could now only hope for 2nd at best – and even that position was now in Merseyside’s possession after the Scousers made light work of Stuart McCall’s men. Both those sides were now on the brink of qualification, as were South Yorkshire after frontmen Jamie Vardy and Lee Gregory overcame Cheshire.
Marc Pugh set up two of Lancashire’s three goals in Northumberland as they kept themselves in with a mathematical chance. North Yorkshire’s hopes had already gone, but Steve McClaren continued his team’s winning run by outsmarting Cumbria. Tyne & Wear’s shaky March form carried on with defeat to an East Yorkshire side inspired by Jack Marriott’s hat-trick.
ROUND 41 (18 March)
For Lancashire, only a victory over Merseyside in Blackburn would have been enough to extend their play-off challenge into April. They fought with all their might against the Liverpudlians, but Scott Dann and the rest of the visiting defence proved too strong. A goalless draw sent Phil Parkinson’s side out and put Karl Robinson’s into the play-offs.
That result also meant West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire cemented their places in the top four. The lads from the West had drawn 1-1 with North Yorkshire, though goalscoring left-back James Husband was set to miss their final three league matches with a knee injury. Vardy, Gregory and the rest of the SY crew were shut out by Northumberland.
Welbeck was in lethal form for Greater Manchester as the champions prevailed 4-1 in East Yorkshire. Wooden spoon ‘winners’ Cumbria lost by a single goal at home to Tyne & Wear, as did County Durham against Cheshire.
The top four has now been set in stone (not John Stones). Greater Manchester have already won the division, but with Merseyside only one point ahead of West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire, 2nd is up for grabs. Who will get a favourable seeding in the play-offs? We’ll find out over the final three rounds.
MANAGER OF THE MONTH: Steve McClaren (North Yorkshire).
PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Jordan Hugill (North Yorkshire).
EAST DIVISION
ROUND 38 (4 March)
One point would’ve been enough for Essex to secure the East championship. In typical style, they picked up three against Derbyshire. A couple of goals in the second half – from Dwight Gayle early on, and then Alex Pritchard much later – meant that the Essex boys could take it easy for the final six games before the play-offs.
Derbyshire’s defeat offered fresh play-off hope to Nottinghamshire, especially after David McGoldrick’s hat-trick overwhelmed Norfolk. Notts moved into 4th place at the expense of Hertfordshire, whose 3-0 collapse in Leicestershire saw them fall out of the top four for the first time since August. JACKETT OUT!!
Bedfordshire moved a step closer to finishing 2nd as Ali Coote overcame a brave challenge from Cambridgeshire. Rutland offered little resistance against Northamptonshire, conceding six goals (including three from Callum Robinson). Lincolnshire began the month by winning 2-1 against Norfolk.
ROUND 39 (11 March)
Bedfordshire couldn’t leapfrog Essex now, but Lewis Baker’s 3rd-minute free-kick made it clear to the championships that they would still be in for a fight. Chris Hughton’s charges rose to this challenge, as Gayle equalised in the 33rd minute before a trademark long-ranger from Andros Townsend late on completed their comeback.
Rutland goalkeeper Von Gonzalvus saved an early penalty from Hertfordshire’s Cauley Woodrow, but Keinan Davis later ensured that the minnows would finish last. A 1-0 win lifted Herts back into the play-off places, with Derbyshire dropping out after falling 3-1 to Nottinghamshire.
A second goal in as many games from 17-year-old Andre Dozzell secured Suffolk the derby spoils against Norfolk. Northamptonshire made it back-to-back wins as they beat Lincolnshire, and Cambridgeshire became the latest team to capitalise on Leicestershire’s wild inconsistency.
ROUND 40 (14 March)
19-year-old Hertfordshire forward Sheyi Ojo put in a performance beyond his years, netting a hat-trick against Lincolnshire. Former Tottenham midfielders Harry Winks and Tom Carroll also scored, but colleague Dominic Ball was sent off, in a 5-2 away win. Lincolnshire boss John Ward might as well have put Mrs Slocombe in goal rather than Sam Slocombe.
Doubles from Stephy Mavididi and Ashley Hunter contributed to a 5-1 bashing of Suffolk that got Derbyshire heading back in the right direction. Nottinghamshire now had to give up their play-off place after failing to beat Bedfordshire. Lionel Ainsworth converted his response to Baker’s Beds penalty at the second attempt after initially hitting the bar.
Essex continued to pick up the wins, with Dwight Gayle and Gary Hooper seeing off Cambridgeshire. The smile on Sean Dyche’s ginger face grew wider still after Northamptonshire bossed Norfolk. Leicester supremo Ian Burchnall was simply relieved when a 91st-minute winner from Lee Tomlin averted a home draw with Rutland.
ROUND 41 (18 March)
Bedfordshire manager Garry Monk must have given one of his best ever team talks at half-time against Suffolk. Jamie Eaton-Collins had put the East Anglian side a goal up after 15 minutes, but their lead would be ripped apart in the second period. Calvin Andrew’s double and a complementary strike from Jernade Meade secured Beds a vital 3-1 win.
The Monk men would head into April with their play-off place now sealed, thanks to Nottinghamshire’s surprise 1-0 home loss against Cambridgeshire. Notts midfielder Tom Naylor was sent off after handling the ball while already booked, and he would now be suspended fom their next two games.
Derbyshire stretched their advantage over Notts with a 4-1 win in Northamptonshire. Hertfordshire were also looking good after beating Norfolk 3-0, while Essex were similarly lethal against Leicestershire. Rutland got their first score draw at home to Lincolnshire, thanks to winger Karl Storer.
Essex have, as expected, coasted to victory in the East title race. One more victory will be enough to see Bedfordshire home in 2nd, while the other two play-off places will be contested by three teams. Nottinghamshire cannot afford any more mistakes if they are to pip either Hertfordshire or Derbyshire at the post.
MANAGER OF THE MONTH: Chris Hughton (Essex).
PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Ivan Toney (Northamptonshire).
SOUTH DIVISION
ROUND 38 (4 March)
South London secured their play-off place by hitting Wiltshire for six in Swindon. The division leaders led 2-0 at half-time through Jack Cork and Harry Arter, and Michail Antonio’s hat-trick after the break sealed the deal. Unfortunately, winger Jason Puncheon’s season was over after he suffered an Achilles injury.
North London were also safely through to the play-offs after a 3-0 win over 5th-placed Berkshire. That result meant Kent – who were in 3rd – would seal their top-four finish as well if they won on the Isle of Wight. There was never any doubt about that, as the islanders had Shaun Cooper sent off before going down 3-0.
Buckinghamshire led the race for the 4th and final play-off berth, going seven points clear of Berkshire after Rob Hall’s goal defeated Oxfordshire. A 1-1 draw between Hampshire and West Sussex did neither team’s hopes any good, while Surrey were all but eliminated by a 3-0 loss in East Sussex.
ROUND 39 (11 March)
South London battled to a draw in Charlton to stop North London from leapfrogging them to 1st place. Harry Redknapp’s lads from the north had led after six minutes through the rarest of goals – a Jermain Defoe header. Mind you, Lewis Grabban also used his head to devastating effect to get the southerners level on 76 minutes.
The Isle of Wight lost their heads during a 1-0 defeat to Wiltshire. Ed Sanders was sent off at the start of the second half for a rash tackle on Moonrakers midfielder Yan Klukowski, and Alek Przespolewski’s protests earned him a second yellow. Kent didn’t lose discipline but did lose ground on the league leaders after falling 1-0 against West Sussex.
Ben Gladwin saved Berkshire’s play-off dream in the 88th minute to snatch a 1-1 draw against Buckinghamshire. However, Surrey were officially out after losing 2-0 to Hampshire. A peculiar match in Oxfordshire saw the hosts beat East Sussex 2-1, with all three goals coming from penalties.
ROUND 40 (14 March)
West Sussex’s excellent form in the first five games of the season counted for nothing when North London effectively killed off Gareth Southgate’s unlikely play-off dream. Defoe led the way for the visitors with a brace after captain Mark Noble opened the scoring.
Having welcomed back their captain Sam Baldock from injury in the previous game, Buckinghamshire received another boost after defeating the Isle of Wight 3-0. They stayed seven points ahead of Berkshire, though the gap would’ve been nine had Charlie Austin not scored an 89th-minute winner against Surrey.
South London also put in a good night’s work to beat East Sussex 2-0, while another own goal from error-prone Wiltshire captain Matt Mills gave Kent a 3-1 win. There was plenty of drama in Oxfordshire, as Lukas Jutkiewicz pulled Hampshire back from 3-2 down to win 4-3.
ROUND 41 (18 March)
South London stayed top – and blew the play-off race open again – after triumphing 3-1 in Buckinghamshire. With the scores level at 1-1 at the half-hour mark, Tammy Abraham turned the tie firmly in the Londoners’ favour with the first of two goals. Despite having Jack Cork dismissed early in the second period, Alan Pardew’s side remained on course for the title.
Berkshire pounced on their rivals’ slip, though they had to survive a late deluge of East Sussex attacks to win 2-1. In North London, a hat-trick from Defoe wreaked havoc on an Isle of Wight defence that never recovered after captain Lewis Buxton was concussed.
Kent had probably screwed up their title challenge now after Hampshire – now virtually out of the play-off picture – beat them 2-1 in Southampton. Matt Tubbs’ double gave Wiltshire a win over West Sussex, while Surrey slogged out a bore draw with Oxfordshire.
Having scored well over 200 goals between them, South London and North London are set to fight until the finish for the divisional crown. Two defeats in March mean that Kent will likely have to settle for 3rd, with Buckinghamshire in pole position to take 4th ahead of Berkshire. Hampshire could still mathematically qualify, but surely won’t.
MANAGER OF THE MONTH: Alan Pardew (South London).
PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Jermain Defoe (North London).
WEST DIVISION
ROUND 38 (1 March)
Staffordshire moved to the cusp of the West title, winning a feisty encounter with Devon through Ryan Woods’ 17th-minute goal. Devon defender Dan Seaborne was dismissed two minutes later for a shocking challenge from James Wilson, basically jeopardising his team’s hopes of a comeback. David Davis also saw red for the Staffies but they held on.
The West Midlands kept their slim mathematical hopes of being crowned champions alive after Troy Deeney’s double saw Shropshire off. Salop’s defeat cost them more ground in the play-off hunt, as Bristol produced a 4-1 comeback win over Worcestershire, and Somerset drew in Gloucestershire.
Warwickshire striker Will Grigg teamed up with Take That and Lulu to relight his fire, bagging a brace against Cornwall. Thankfully for the Cornishmen, Herefordshire stayed bottom on goal difference after their sorry defence shipped four against Dorset.
ROUND 39 (4 March)
It was only a 1-1 draw with Dorset, but it was enough to secure the West championship for Staffordshire. Dorset had thrown away a big opportunity to beat them 2-0, with Sam Hoskins having a 60th-minute penalty saved after Jayden Stockley had put the visitors ahead. Ryan Colclough’s equaliser seven minutes later ensured title glory for Dean Smith’s side.
Sam Allardyce’s West Midlands would have to make do with 2nd place at best, but with captain Deeney in such fine scoring form, that probably wouldn’t be an issue. Deeney was at the double again as WM beat 10-man Worcestershire 3-1. Reuben Reid’s double against Cornwall kept Bristol in 3rd place.
Shropshire and Somerset fought out a six-goal thriller, which ended with James Keene grabbing a late draw for the visitors. That result allowed Warwickshire to claw back a couple of points on them by thumping Herefordshire 3-1. Elsewhere, Gloucestershire striker Courtney Duffus hit a late winner against Devon. British tennis star Heather Watson thought it was ace.
ROUND 40 (11 March)
Devon were whitewashed six-love by the West Midlands, who booked a play-off place with four matches to spare. Nathan Redmond and Romaine Sawyers each scored doubles for Allardyce’s side. It was a faulty performance in particular for Devon skipper Sean Morrison, who scored an own goal and got a rating of 4.7.
Somerset were twice on the back foot in Herefordshire, but that didn’t deter them from battling back to win 4-2. They were now looking pretty healthy in the top four, but Shropshire were feeling peaky in 5th after Joe Lolley’s penalty for Worcestershire condemned them to another loss.
Tyler Roberts bagged an impressive hat-trick in Cornwall for Gloucestershire, whose late-season upturn in form had come a little too late. Champions Staffordshire were held to a draw after Warwickshire goalkeeper Ben Foster saved an 89th-minute Andre Gray penalty. Also drawing 0-0 in Dorset were Bristol, whose Welsh international midfielder Louis Thompson was sent off.
ROUND 41 (18 March)
Staffordshire returned to form against Herefordshire to record a 21st consecutive match without defeat. Marc Albrighton scored twice against the hopeless whipping boys, with Gray powering in a goal in between.
Jamaican-born winger Rolando Aarons moved Bristol within one point of the play-offs with a brace against Warwickshire. The Bears’ hopes of breaching the top four were killed off for good when 4th-placed Somerset’s 2-0 win over Worcestershire. There was still some hope for Shropshire, though, after Welsh Premier League veteran Chris Venables gave them victory against Devon.
A 4-0 beating of Cornwall meant the West Midlands now looked almost certain to finish 2nd. Gloucestershire and Dorset drew 1-1 in a mid-table contest where nothing meaningful was at stake.
Staffordshire are champions, and the West Midlands will likely be runners-up, but what of the last two play-off places? Bristol need two more points from their final three games to go through, while five will be enough for Somerset to hold off Shropshire. However, don’t discount a last-minute collapse from Jason Dodd’s side or a late surge from Salop.
MANAGER OF THE MONTH: Sam Allardyce (West Midlands).
PLAYER OF THE MONTH: Troy Deeney (West Midlands).
The play-off race is all over in the North, but there are still five places up for grabs in the other three divisions. Please don’t miss next week’s post, where the league season reaches its climax – and our 16-team line-up for the play-offs is confirmed!
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