Review of the Season 2003-2004
August
The season started with the short trip to local rivals Knowle & Bentley Heath. Many of the youth team had departed over the summer and last season's top scorer in the promotion campaign Bob was strugging for fitness. The management had also failed to deliver high profile signing such as Frain and Choi that were promised. Despite this, optimism was high and it was a hammer blow to lose by three goals to two especially after Johnny Garratt opened his goalscoring account with a fine header. Last season Maxtel were the clean sheet specialists, would the step up prove too tough...
results this month;
Knowle & Bentley Heath 3-2 Maxtel (Garratt, Gopsill)
September
The first home match of the season resulted in a 2-2 draw with Local Unity, Matt Devolle delivering the first two of the thirty goals he promised us at the start of the season. That was followed by a tremendous cup clash with New Inns Harborne. Maxtel had bravely fought back from 2-0 down to get to 2-2 and force extra-time. However, Andy Brown in his penultimate game for the club decided to clatter their man and concede a penalty 25 seconds into extra time to send Maxtel crashing out. A visit to Bordesley followed, their ground in the middle of a housing estate was as welcoming as a firework in the face and despite some quality defending and outrageous time-wasting the home side finally made the breakthrough scoring twice in the last ten minutes. Maxtel's harsh luck in the cups continued against Yardley. Bob had scored on his first start of the season and the match had been taken to penalties after a bizarre own goal. Maxtel 'keeper Biscuits had come up for a corner and caused confusion, Colin Williams air-shot bamboozled the last man enough for him to head into his own goal. However, this was in vain as Stuart, Matty Beaven and Bob all failed to convert from the spot in the shoot-out. Justin's position as manager was now looking under more pressure as each week passed without a win.
results this month;
Maxtel 2-2 Local Unity (Devolle 2)
New Inns Harborne 3-2 Maxtel (Gopsill, Higgins A)
Bordesley Rovers 2-0 Maxtel
Maxtel 2-2 Yardley (Yardley win 3-0 on penalties) (Higgins A, Own Goal )
October
This month saw Maxtel's winless run extended to seven games. Paul Giles gave Justin a public vote of confidence but was rumoured to be secretly plotting to oust him. On the pitch, Dennis Regan saw red at home to Norton after a petulant kick out probably born of frustration. Maxtel came from behind to grab a point anyway. A relegation battle was looking likely before our first win at Castle Vale Comet. However, Justin's job was really saved by the return to fitness of Bob and the signing of midfield general Mark Fortner. He made a goalscoring debut in the 1-1 draw with Aztec and went on to score at a rate of one goal in two throughout October and November. This was a contrast with Matt Devolle who promised thirty goals at the start of the season but was still stuck on two. His biggest howler came in the 1-0 away defeat to Aztec Oldboys from close range - particularly annoying for the twelve substitutes present in a record turnout. Club officials also issued a statement denying that they were the team responsible for a "roasting" incident in a London hotel.
results this month;
Maxtel 1-1 Aztec Oldboys (Fortner)
Maxtel 2-2 Norton (Fortner, Higgins A)
Castle Vale Comet 2-4 Maxtel (Christie, Billingsley, Whealdon, Whereat(pen))
Aztec Oldboys 1-0 Maxtel
November
A busy month started with back-to back home wins to push Maxtel into the promotion picture. The players had responded to Justin's call to "Give it S***" but by now the top three were pulling clear. An injury, coupled with a referee shortage meant Biscuits volunteered to do the job against Elswick at home. What followed left a stain on the season as the visitor's completely lost their discipline assaulting first Dennis Mulverhill and then the referee amid ugly scenes. Unfortunately, Dennis Regan missed this game much to his dismay but Justin's uncle Gareth was there and became a lifelong Maxtel fan as a result of the "entertainment" on show. Beetison converted a penalty to share the points but a blip in the fixture computer meant the two would meet again seven days later. Everything went wrong for Maxtel in that match except for Lee who managed to get injured just so he could get some sympathy from the St. John's ambulance girls that were passing - the sly old fox!! Pride was restored with a businesslike victory at Norton meaning Maxtel had still taken ten points this month.
results this month;
Maxtel 2-0 Yardley (Whealdon, Fortner)
Maxtel 1-0 Castle Vale Comet (Fortner)
Maxtel 1-1 Elswick Rangers (Beetison)
Elswick Rangers 5-1 Maxtel (Devolle)
Norton 0-2 Maxtel (Higgins, Fortner)
December
Anna was unveiled as the new club physio at which point 20 blokes all cracked the same 'hilarious' joke about having a groin strain. A trip to Guru Ravidass followed as the games came thick and fast, I remember there was a bad smell in the changing rooms and later, this was transferred to the pitch. Craig scored one of the goals of the season after some sparkling interplay with Bob to put us ahead - we would soon be missing him as he took his winter break in Oz. Bottom of the table Guru hit back although Lee had the sun in his eyes for their opener. An error from Justin allowed them to take the lead and a harsh penalty wrapped up the points for the relegation certainties. Again, Dennis came off the bench to "mix it up" and unfortunately more ugly scenes followed as he was spat at. Defeats followed against promotion chasing New Inns Harborne and Bordesley. Justin was down to the bare minimum of players for the game away to VIP two days after Christmas but they showed tremendous spirit, Biscuits saving a penalty before Stuart converted a retaken one at the other end. Johnny Garratt & Scott Christie added late goals to end a run of three straight defeats.
results this month;
Guru Ravidass 3-1 Maxtel (Hevey)
New Inns Harborne 3-1 Maxtel (Christie)
Maxtel 0-2 Bordesley Rovers
VIP International 0-3 Maxtel (Whereat(pen), Garratt, Christie)
January
Local Unity changed their name to Kingfisher but on the pitch Maxtel kept New Inns in touch with a last gasp equalizer from Lee after some positive runs from Biscuits in goal. Then followed the 9-2 complete and utter drubbing of neighbours Knowle. The goals were shared around in this sweet, sweet victory as Knowle were annihilated. Maxtel's only hat-trick of the season was claimed by Matt Devolle, and there were excellent goals from Mark, Bob, Scott & Stuart with a free-kick to savour. Hapless Chris Moore scored a late own-goal to add icing to the Maxtel cake. Mark sent shockwaves through the club by announcing that he would not be making his loan deal permanent and intended to leave Maxtel at the end of the season.
results this month;
Maxtel 1-1 New Inns Harborne (Beetison)
Maxtel 9-2 Knowle & Bentley Heath (Devolle 3, Higgins 2, Whereat, Christie, Fortner, own goal)
February
Only one game this month, and a fine win for Maxtel. Captain Matty Beaven led by example in what must be the best individual performance of the season. A stunning free-kick from Stuart Whereat was ruled out as it should have been indirect robbing him of a certain goal of the season. Justin announced that Mark would renew his contract, thanks partly to Gilo and Lee's save mark campaign.
results this month;
Yardley 0-3 Maxtel (Devolle, Whereat, Christie)
March
A heavy defeat against the champions in rain-lashed conditions kicked off the month, it could have been different as Mark hit the post at 0-0 but in truth the opposition just shaded it. Disappointment followed as a charitable Maxtel defence let two points slip against VIP after leading 2-0 and 3-1. The league campaign finished on a high with a 10-1 drubbing of Guru Ravidass meaning Maxtel had scored more in their last five league games than their first 17 matches put together.
results this month;
Kingfisher Unity 3-0 Maxtel
Maxtel 3-3 VIP International (Higgins 2, Whereat)
Maxtel 10-1 Guru Ravidass (Devolle 4, Beaven 2, Whereat(pen), Fortner, Mulverhill, Higgins)
back to football zone