Gretna, My Career so Far

[MattGardner15]

August

Name: Matt Gardner
Posistion: Centre Forward
Current Club Appeareances/Goals (end of the month): 2/0
International Apeareances/Goals (England): 0/0
Ratings for Month:4-5
Stats:

Set Pieces: ||| (3)
Shooting: |||(3)
Heading: |||(3)
Dribbling: |||(3)
Passing: |||(3)
Tackling: |(1)
Flair: |||||| (6)
Control: |||||||(7)
Both Feet: |||||||(7)
Pace: |||||||(7)
Strength: ||||||(6)
Stamina: |||||||(7)
Posistioning: ||||||||(8)
Vision|||||||(7)




When Gretna had offered me a trial I never thought that after just two weeks training that I would be making my debut in the Scottish First Division against Airdire United who many were tipping for promotion after coming so close the year before. Gretna, on the other hand had celebrated two successive promotions after running away with the title for the previous two seasons. I had a lot to live up to. As an Englishmen in Scotland I had never been treated with the greatest of respect. But surely that would change if I could become a hero for this club. My first game got off to the worst possible start, I was yellow carded inside five minutes. We started well and my strike partner Kenny Duechar, who had 20+ goals in the previous 2 seasons hit a shot that was blocked on the six-yard line. I had been caught out of posistion and unaware that the ball was dropping towards me 25 yards out from goal. I sprinted towards the ball and hit a pretty sweet volley that whistled just over the bar. So close I really wanted to make up for the card. 38 minutes and a defensive mistake caused a scramble in the box and the Airdrie captain scored. Disaster! We went in at half time a goal down and I knew that they would be relying on me and Kenny to do the business. To be fair in the 15 minutes I was on in the second half I only touched the ball twice, both times I was dispossesed but the second one was a clear foul, studs raised, and yet he went unchallenged I laid on the floor unable to move, oh no, not now I thought to myself as I lay on the grass, the physio treating my shin, said "that's your debut over" and signalled for a sub as I hobbled off I thought I'd had my chance and blown it I thought I would be out for weeks. We could not claw our way back in and Kenny told me that he had been unlucky not to equalise but then again, that's football and it's cruel.

The day after the shin felt better and I was anxious to know how long the Physio thought I'd be out of action for, I was amazed when he told me it was nothing serious and that I'd be fit for next weeks game. The injury had felt bad at the time but now that I'd rested I felt better and I managed to train twice in that week. I started in the second game against Dundee and had 4 clear cut chances all of which were saved by their keeper who played a blinder, he kept them in it and only Kenny's last gasp leveller in the final 5 minutes beat him, giving us a precious point, after they had dominated for 80 minutes, before scoring what appeared to be the winner in the 76th minute, only for our man to spoil the celebrations. I felt some discomfort in my shin but played through the pain and didn't want to end up like last time only managing an hour. I played my first full game and though tired I thouroughly enjoyed it. For our last game in August I sat on the bench and watched as we struggled to make a game of it at home to Ross County, who outclassed in every aspect of the game and the players were booed off the pitch. We ended the month second from bottom in the table with only a point and no victories in out first three games



Coming Soon: September, Are things going my way?

[Fabrizio Gatti]

I hope they do :)
Nice writing mate!

[Paper Luke]

I can see them going that way now!!

Nice report!

[RossF]

Good report. Glad your enjoying yourself

[MattGardner15]

September

Name: Matt Gardner
Posistion: Centre Forward
Current Club Appeareances/Goals: 7/1
International Appeareances/Goals: 0/0
Ratings for Month: 7-3-3-5-7
Stats:

Set Peices: |||| (4)
Shooting: |||||||| (8)
Heading: ||||| (5)
Dribbling: |||| (4)
Passing: |||| (4)
Tackling: | (1)
Flair: |||||||||| (10)
Control: ||||||| (7)
Both Feet: ||||||| (7)
Pace: |||||||||||| (12)
Strength: ||||||| (7)
Stamina: |||||||||| (10)
Posistioning: ||||||||| (9)
Vision: |||||||| (8)


After the struggle that the team and myself had in August I felt that we would gradually be sucked into trouble and that myself and the Captain, Neil Macfarlane, would be sold in January, incase the inevitable happened. But things could not have more different from our rut that was August. The team travelled away to Partick Thistle. After being benched for the Ross County game and not seeing any action, I thought that I may not start this game, but the Gretna manager pulled me aside before he announced the team and told me that I would be starting my third game, and he had a feeling that I would grab my first goal! When a manager says something like that to you it gives you a ton of confidence. Full of Energy I run at Partick right from the whistle Kenny had 3 chances in the first 20 minutes and we could have been home and dry, but no! Just when we started to look as if we were going to dominate the game and become comfartable our defence had a moment of madness. A long was played pver and somehow both Centre-Backs missed the ball and collided but once he was through there was only one outcome. We fell behind and it looked as if we heading for another loss. The Captain rallied his troops and his stinging 25-yard drive was acrobatically tipped over, CORNER! 35 minutes left, apparently my Mum and Dad where sitting near a commentator who was reporting on the game and this is how he described what happened next.

"Macfarlane swings it in towards the near post and in comes Gardner, he leaps higher then his defender, YESSSSSSSSSSS! GOAL GRETNA ARE LEVEL AND IT'S MATT GARDNER WITH HIS FIRST EVER CAREER GOAL!" It was the greatest feeling in the world I ran over and jumped on the manager, he didn't know what had hit him! I was ecstatic I couldn't believe I'd finally scored and what more it looked like I helped Gretna avoid another defeat. I was subbed ten minutes later as a precaution, the shin was giving me grief, and when Kenny raced through in injury time we all thought that we'd won, but unfortunaetly our bad luck continued and the ball was tipped onto the crossbar and cleared and we were still looking for a victory.

We played a game on the Wednesday after that and I felt in red hot form, I felt that the goals would come now, but they did't. We won our first game, but I was hardly involved, I couldn't get going and the at the lowest point in my career I was subbed after 20 minutes and my second Yellow card of the campaign. The game finished 2-0 to us against Hamilton who are bottom of the league, but it was a relief to all involved at the club. We then had a tricky test against Clyde, but a bore draw ensured and I was left frustrated once again as I sat and watched from the bench as we were once again booed off. Unbeaten in 3 and we looked as if we were going to be up there by the end and yet again we continued the unbeaten run with a fine 2-1 over St.Johnstone. They controlled the first half an hour but we got going eventually, I picked up another another yellow in a reckless challenge, I honestly thought I was going to be sent-off but luckily the linesmen stepped in and said from what he could see it didn't warrant a red. We were 2-0 up and cruising before a late consalation goal had us all worried but we hung on. I had now gone 3 games without scoring and I was considering asking the manager for a couple of weeks off. I decided not to and help the team on there unbeaten run. We plaeyd out final game in what had been a tiring month, but we had the international break to look forward to. I have trained hard this month and hoping that it will pay off, we finished the month unbeaten, rounding off with a 0-0 draw against Queen of the South and although there were no goals it was a good game, I think it's time that I learned to tackle as I picked up my 4th yellow and am now only 1 away from a ban. Good Luck to England in their qualifiers as I was not included.

Coming Soon: October, Can we keep going?

[JJU]

Great stuff, keep it coming :)

[Paper Luke]

Wow!! I love it! Keep it going!

[MattGardner15]

Cheers for the comments, October should be done by the end of today but many things to do. :D No more goals though as of yet I am struggling again.

[Paper Luke]

Oh well! It always takes ages for me to score.

[Nando]

Nice career and very well written. Awayting for October.:D

[MattGardner15]

October
Name: Matt Gardner
Posistion: Centre Foward
Current Club Appeareances/Goals: 9/2
International Appeareances/Goals: 0/0
Ratings for Month: 10-7
Stats:

Set Pieces: ||||| (5)
Shooting: |||||||||(9)
Heading: |||||(5)
Dribbling: ||||(4)
Passing: ||||(4)
Tackling:| (1)
Flair: ||||||||||(10)
Control: |||||||(7)
Both Feet: ||||||||(8)
Pace: |||||||||||||(13)
Strength: |||||||(7)
Stamina: ||||||||||||(12)
Posistioning: |||||||||(9)
Vision: ||||||||(8)

The team felt confident that our season was well and truly rolling after we went unbeaten in September and the gaffer was awarded Manager of the Month.We didn't play our first game until two weeks into October and it was a game that we were relishing, myself in particular. Airdrie United at home. Now we had already played them once as you may remember and you may also remember I was forced of injured. So we were after revenge. Before the game the gaffer told me that once again I would start despite my poor form, but I would be aided up front by our veteran striker Andy Smith, who at 38-years of age was 22 years older then me! I felt nervous but confident, I was told to do all the running and cause as much havoc as possible. We started well but another defensive lapse cost us dear and they took the lead after just 7 minutes, uh-oh, it's gunna be one of those days we thought, I had a great chance to level but due to lack of confidence hit the side-netting. We were hopeful that if we could keep them to a one goal lead then we'd have a chance, but things weren't going our way and on the stroke of half time they doubled their advantage, with a beautiful goal in which our Goalie Dave Mathieson was off his line was lobbed spectatulaly from 25 yards. Half time 2-0.

We went at half time expecting a rollicking from the boss, but he didn't he spoke calmly and told us it ain't over till the fat lady sings, but many of us thought, me especially that she had been singing for the whole of the first half. We went out and created chances and should have been back in it when Andy leapt heighist from a corner and crashed a header against the bar, SO CLOSE! Five minutes later and we created another chance, Andy laid the ball to me and seeing that there was one defender between me and goal I ran at him 35 yards out. I twisted him inside out and he backed off, I got the chance I needed and just on the edge of the 18 yard box I curled a brilliant left foot shot in the bottom corner past the diving keeper. I ran and grabbed the ball from the net and plonked it on the centre circle. 20 minutes left, game on. 4 minutes later we were level. I slipped a beautiful ball to Andy who did the rest. We couldn't find a way through after that and I let a defender feel my frustration with a poor tackle. Fifth yellow of the season and a one-match ban. That took some of the shine off my performance but I saved my moment of magic till last. I picked the ball up on the halfway line and ran at the defence, I skipped past two challenges and let rip with a 35 yarder that Steven Gerrard would have been proud of in a cup final. I watched as the ball flew towards goal but somehow the keeper got a touch and summoning up the last of his energy, the old man ran in to bury the rebound, 90th minute winner and I was immediatley piled on by half the team. I had assisted two goals and got the comeback going myself. I ran over to Andy who shouted something like I knew the keeper was going to get that and I replied with "Shut up, you old git" smiling as I said it. The whistle blew as Airdrie kicked off and we had won! I was delighted and after the game we checked the other results. When we looked we were shocked to see that we had moved up to 3rd in the table and being tipped as promotion chasers. Only two points of the top. I was named man-of-the-match for my performance although I Andy deserved it. The only downside was after finding my form I was now banned for the next game against Dundee. We drew 0-0 and struggled to play like we did as Kenny and Andy toiled away up front missing countless chances. I was relishing the midweek game against Ross County. We extended the unbeaten run to eight games and we felt in good form.A 1-0 win was enough for us to take the three points with our skipper wrapping up victory. The celebrations were mared by the argument between myself and the gaffer after he refused to sub me due to a tight hamstring. I played the 90 minutes but I was agony after the game and it had not been a good performance from myself, having three chances flash wide. He told me to go home and calm down and on Monday when we returned to training, he was the one who apologised after realising that he could have made it worse by keeping me on. We shook hands, but newspaper reports were linking me away from the club, possibly in a move to Championship strugglers, Derby County who were in dire trouble. I made a statement to the press saying that I would be at Gretna for the forseeable future. Myself, I was not entirely convinced that I would be at Gretna after January, the manager didn't talk to me for three days after I made that statement and the fans were also getting on my back, becasue I was English. I did not play in the 2-2 draw at Partick as further off the field problems put my future at the club in doubt even though I had done nothing wrong. I decided to stay behind after training along with the skipper to work on some things that we felt we needed to sort out. When we went back to the changing rooms, the skipper found that someone had trashed his belongings I was acussed of being in on the trick even though I was outside with Neil at the time. The gaffer was called, and an even bigger argument ensured between Neil and the gaffer I was sent home and the blame was laid firmly on me.:doh: I left in a fury and told the gaffer that I would unavailable for the weekends game. Poor end to the month for me and I only played two games, felt frustrated that the club were letting me down.

November: Decision Time

[Paper Luke]

Wow! Exciting stuff! Good luck!!

[RossF]

Good Stuff!

[Nando]

Awaiting impaciantle for the next month!

[MattGardner15]

November
Name: Matt Gardner
Posistion:Centre Forward
Current Club Appeareances/Goals: 13/4
International Appeareances/Goals: 0/0
Estimated Value:£240,000
Ratings for Month: 10-7-9-6
Stats:

Set Pieces: |||||(5)
Shooting: |||||||||||(10)
Heading: |||||(5)
Dribbling: |||||(5)
Passing: |||||(5)
Tackling: |(1)
Flair: ||||||||||(10)
Control: ||||||||(8)
Both Feet: ||||||||(8)
Pace: |||||||||||||(13)
Strength: |||||||(7)
Stamina: ||||||||||||(12)
Posistioning: ||||||||||(10)
Vision: |||||||||||(10)

After the team had a great two months, we were looking forward to a cup game as we were hoping for a money boosting run in the cup. We had been drawn against Alloa Athletic, a team who I had been linked with a loan move to at the beggining of the season, as some first team experience. It turned out that it was a good decision for me to stay at Gretna as I am getting the chance to prove myself. Before the cup game however we had some tough games, Hamilton Away. Clyde at Home and St.Johnstone away. For the first time in my short career at Gretna I was considering asking for a move away from the club. I was bored with being booed and jeered by Scottish fans for being English and although I didn't admit it to anyone I wanted out. I was annoyed that the manager and captain had not stuck by me. I forgot about everything and concentrated on my football and decided if anyone wanted to sign me then I wouldn't make myself available. As a way to try and win the fans round, I had the club badge tatooed onto my chest. It had an immediate affect. People recognised me and wanted my autograph. It would make things extremly hard for me to leave the club. Anyway personal issues aside, I was concentrated with my football and to make things better the gaffer and skipper apologised and everything was good. I was happy with the club. We travelled to Hamilton looking to build on the unbeaten run. We went at half time a goal up controlling the play. I hit my third goal, volleying in from 10 yards. My passing had improved and the gaffer said that he felt that I was going to score again. As it turned out it didn't but I did set up Andy who wrapped up the win with two more goals taking him to 6 for the season. I had scored 2 in 3 and I was enjoying myself and felt good. The team were unbeaten in 9 and were now second in the table. I did pick up another yellow though although this time for dissent.

We played at home to Clyde. Another 3-0 victory followed and we had the best unbeaten club record in our sights. Three more games without a loss would break that record. I failed to score in the win, I only managed one oppurtunity, but I played in a deeper role and linked the midfield with attack. The "Wayne Rooney" role the gaffer called it. I laughed off his suggestions that I would be better then Rooney at his current age. But he was serious and he made his feelings on the matter felt to the press who agreed that I was a considerable talent. I flattered but did not want to much attention as I felt it may affect my performances. We travelled to St. Johnstone on great form, but they had been playing well too. One thing was for sure it was going to be tough for us. We started badly, going a goal down but last time we went down, we cameback and that looked like a similar outcome when I levelled with a cool finish my 3rd goal in 5 games, not bad I thought, but on the stroke of half-time, they pulled back ahead, and after some encouraging words I was told to be more greedy in this half. I went out and shot whenever I had the chance but none fell my way. To top it all off they wrapped up the victory with a 3rd goal and our heads dropped we played out the final 15 minutes without creating anything and we ended out unbeaten run at 10. Nice build up to a cup game. I was on good form and I felt pleased with what I was acheiveing. We travlled to Alloa hoping not to be on the end of a shock. We couldn't find a way through the defence and we they nearly nicked it in the 90th minute but the strike hit the post. 7 minutes into extra time Kenny Duechar scored what turned out to be the winner, but we had another scare when their number 9 fired over with the keeper stranded. We hung on for a 1-0 win and progressed all though not convincingly, but nonetheless we wanted to go as far as possible and we needed some luck. I was far from pleased with my performance but the papers paid me mor compliments, a fine talent, showed much potential. I played well throughout November and with my manager touting me as the new "Wayne Rooney" I should fufill that potential.

December: Cup Progress?

[Nando]

December... Can't wait