Andrew Bennett continues his comprehensive review of last season, moving into the month of October 2007.

In more cheering news, the month began with a total sellout for the Salisbury SSI initiative, all 1,700 tickets subscribed. There were yet more fixture shenanigans when it was announced that the game at Burton on Saturday 24th November was having to be switched to the preceding Friday night because Derby County were due to play Chelsea on the same day and the poor overstretched Staffordshire Police were 'against having two reasonably high profile games being played in close proximity on the same afternoon.' An earlier Saturday kickoff was refused. Someone should have told them that Derby isn't even in Staffordshire...

United's early season success was not going unnoticed, and Lee Power advised that he had been approached by Gillingham asking about Jimmy Quinn's availability. They were told 'no go' and JQ confirmed he was happy to stay and 'finish the job.' Gillingham eventually plumped for Stevenage's Mark Stimson, who went on to take them out of League One at the first attempt, into, er, League Two.

Saturday 6th October: U's 2-2 Halifax Town [att: 3,027, away 120]

With Albrighton suspended for five bookings, Danny Potter demanded and got the stand-in skipper's job; Danny Brown was now back in training, leaving Chilli the only long-term injury. Robinson returned from suspension for his first start in place of the rested LFW, and United huffed and puffed against the Yorkshiremen's stout opposition. Morrison conceded a harsh penalty on 18 for a challenge on Jon Shaw, who put it away to put his side one up. The U's began to stir themselves and equalised within six minutes, Pitt's dipping cross lashed home from close range at the far post by a gleeful Robinson. Fusspot ref Halliday booked Shaw on 43 then showed him a straight red two minutes later for elbowing Morrison; Jon, Marvin feels your pain. Unfortunately, Michael just feels your elbow.

United were clearly missing the experienced influence of Albrighton and Leo, but all that was forgotten on 55 when they took the lead with a classic thirty-yard thunderbolt special from Wolleaston. Halifax, however, weathered the storm, rallied and with United dozing off, levelled the scores again seven minutes from time, Cortez Belle bundling home from a long throw. Robinson was booked for diving, LFW surprisingly remained bench-bound, and the U's paid the price for switching off with two dropped points. At least Josh Coulson got his debut, coming on as sub for Hoyte. Man of the Match: Danny Potter

Both managers thought they should have won, JQ stating memorably, "I hate to see players looking nervous - there's no reason for that at all. It's not as if they're in Iraq with people firing bullets at them, it's a game of football and we should have controlled that game." Now that's perspective.

Tuesday 9th October: U's 1-0 Rushden & Diamonds [att: 3,005, away 263]

At least United's next live TV assignment did not entail a major change of date or kickoff time. Diamonds were unbeaten in nine but had only actually won three, and kickoff was in fact slightly delayed while Setanta finished showing a trailer for pro-celebrity conkers or something. Albrighton was back for Hoyte, Convery for Reed and LFW replaced Rendell to partner Robinson up front. United made all the running in the early stages, but as the rain grew the U's seemed to shrink and Rushden got more into it. It was all pretty uninspiring stuff and Lord only knows how Parker and co found any highlights to show at half-time

The rain only got heavier in part two and so did the going as United plodded like they were all wearing heavy wellies, the two target men starved of any service. First moment of excitement came on 54, Simon Rusk's shot deflected the opposite way by Jon Challinor and forcing Potter into a quite stunning, twisting fingertip save. Rendell and Boylan were introduced up top to bring an element of subtlety and variety, and ten minutes from time, Rendell delivered, his looping header from Gleeson's cross sailing gloriously over keeper Paul Nicholls' grasping fingers.

The U's held on to win a dour encounter without ever playing especially well, the proverbial mark of a good side. JQ was appropriately circumspect: "We mustn't be talking about promotion... let's get to that 50 point mark first." Man of the Match: Mark Albrighton

On the Thursday, Norman Gautrey was appointed as the club's Chief Executive after a month spent assessing it and putting together a long-term business plan. Norman described it as a "labour of love," having been a supporter since childhood, and did not intend to even take a salary.

Saturday 13th October: Stafford Rangers 1-1 U's [att: 741, away 225]

Stafford's ramshackle ground was made, if anything, even worse by two huge television gantries along the side allocated to the U's followers, and a small attendance was blamed by the hosts on United's refusal to switch the kickoff to avoid a clash with England's match against some Baltic pub team. A couple celebrating their wedding anniversary released some balloons into the leaden grey sky before kickoff to cries of "More balloons than you've got fans!" United sported the dreaded lemon-and-blue strip again and Rendell and Boylan started up front; Stafford were 'enjoying' a dreadful season with no home wins and only one away, but they did have Psycho Fred Murray at left-back and Tiny Tom Youngs on the bench.

On a difficult pitch resembling a scale model of the Scottish Highlands the U's went 1-0 up on 14 minutes, Pitt cutting inside past two men, stumbling then trundling an almost apologetic right-footed shot into the bottom corner.

Rendell had a second disallowed for a marginal offside on 25, and three minutes later Stafford were level, Gleeson's hideous header back across his own goal setting up the ageless Neil 'Nosferatu' Grayson for a gift of a tap-in. Smith should have restored the lead on the half hour but was foiled by keeper Loach in a one-on-one, Wolleaston had a long-shot blaster tipped over on 39, and United's best chance to win it, a penalty on the hour was placed too close to the keeper by Boylan, of all people.

Chris Flynn hit the post for the hosts late on, but United's obvious superiority had not been reflected in their lack of a cutting edge in front of their lowest attendance for a league match since Rochdale's Spotland in 1974. United were still hard to beat, but one win in five was not promotion form. Man of the Match: Stephen Smith

Next day came the sickening news that Marvin Robinson had broken a leg and bruised his lungs in a car crash on the M6 near Rugby. Oxford generously and sportingly agreed to terminate his loan after only one month of the agreed three. It never rained but it poured: Monday's FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round draw saw United awarded a trip to... Stafford.

Later in the week, the Happy New Year Promotion Fund was launched, the Board undertaking to match any sum raised by the supporters and to ring-fence it to be spent on strengthening the squad, a need apparent from recent results. It was hoped to raise £50,000 + £50,000 from the Board, the 'cost of three quality players.

The squad was strengthened before the week was out, Darryl Knights joining on loan for a month from Yeovil Town, described as a "quality player," although soberingly, it transpired that one reason for the move was to enable him to be close to his family in Ipswich and particularly his little brother Kyle, who had been in a coma since his moped collided with a car in August.

Chilli was described as 'some weeks away from a comeback' after an ankle operation, while Boylan was laid up with the dreaded man-flu and Convery had a pulled hamstring.

Saturday 20th October: U's 1-1 Salisbury City [att: 3,868, away 67]

Thanks to another successful SSI, the largest crowd of the season gathered for the first-ever visit of Conference South promotees, Salisbury. Knights replaced Convery 'in the hole' behind Rendell and LFW, and United were one up inside eleven minutes, Rendell touching home Quinton's undefendable cross. Salisbury were decidedly Histonesque, playing a direct, physical pressing game, while in charge was the worst ref of the season, one Simon Beck, about as much use as a catatonic haddock, as he proved when he allowed play to continue after Knights was fouled right up the split second before Rendell curled the ball into the net for what would have been his second. With Beck's intolerance of physical contact and the likes of the visitors' Matt Tubbs' theatrical overacting, a blizzard of yellow cards soon ensued.

Knights looked very impressive indeed, skilful and intelligent, but the ref dragged the contest down and United ran out of ideas once the young loanee was substituted. Even worse, Quinton had been stretchered off with a serious knee injury which effectively ended what had been easily his best season in the black and amber. Dogged City equalised four minutes from time with a breakaway goal by Marvin Brown, just about deserved on the balance of play, while afterwards JQ concentrated in Mr Beck, describing his as the "worst performance by a referee I've ever seen... disgraceful." Man of the Match: Darryl Knights

It was back to barracks for another week of team-building for the U's, but it backfired somewhat when Danny Potter dislocated the little finger on his right hand on an indoor assault course, and could be out for six weeks. Greg Reid dazzled us with science, saying he has in fact "dislocated the proximal interphalangeal joint and completely ruptured the radial collateral ligament." 'He's hurt his finger' would have done, Greg, honest...

Meanwhile in the FA Youth Cup, United's exciting youngsters demolished Bury Town 11-1 in the Third Qualifying Round, giving them a goal aggregate of 41 to 5 in their four games in the competition so far. Willmott and Wixon both bagged hat-tricks at the Abbey.

Chilli stepped up his rehabilitation programme, while Setanta were at it again, picking the New Year's Day game at Histon for live coverage, meaning a move from 1pm to either 3 or 5.15. A longer lie-in, excellent. Michael Morrison was called up by the newly renamed England 'C' team (they still haven't clarified what the C stands for) for an International Challenge Trophy game in Finland next month, with Gleeson and Rendell in the standby squad.

JQ was still in demand. Port Vale chairman Bill Bratt was quoted as saying that Jimmy had applied for the job at Vale Park, which JQ denied, stating that someone had spoken to Bratt on his behalf but he wanted to stay at the Abbey. The post was eventually filled by another BSP boss, Farsley's Lee Sinnott, who went on match Mark Stimson's achievement at Gillingham by taking them down to League Two. Good move, Quinny.

Saturday 27th October: Stafford Rangers 1-1 U's (FA Cup) [att: 1,030, away 288]

So it was back to the unlovely confines of Marston Road for the second time in two weeks, and the dreaded lemon shirts again. Those nice Stafford people had obviously taken on board some of the criticism of their compact and bijou venue and removed the view-ruining TV gantries and also affixed a roof to the squalid gents' toilet, giving it a lick of black and white paint inside for good measure. The weather was as dull, grey and windy as John Major's underpants and the 'Magic of the Cup' © seemed a million miles away; we'd never get to Wembley. Luke McShane debuted in goal and Danny Brown returned from injury after bravely calling LFW an 'emu' in his hilarious CEN column.

In a remarkable start, United were awarded a penalty for bird cruelty, sorry a foul on LFW inside the first minute. No Boylan to miss it this time, Rendell stepped up and scored confidently. "We're going to Wembley!" rang the chants.

A sense of déjà vu began to settle over the amber hordes, however, as the U's dominated but could not find that second goal to put their opponents away. Down came the rain at half-time and the United subs wisely remained indoors. Stafford emerged fired up for part two and equalised on 57, their best player Marco Adaggio brought down by Morrison, and Grayson calmly despatching the penalty. The unfortunate Adaggio was badly injured in the pen incident and was eventually stretchered off. United tried to respond, home keeper Alcock producing a world-class save to tip over a Wolleaston humdinger on 71, but even with eight added minutes, the U's could not finish it, Boylan denied a legitimate-looking goal by the ref calling back play for an injury to home skipper Wayne Daniel when he had initially waved play on. We'll see you at the Abbey. Man of the Match: Rob Wolleaston

Adam Davies, tragically forced to retire in August after his second serious knee injury, was appointed coach of United's Under-10s. Darren Quinton was diagnosed as having ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and was to have an operation at the end of the month. Danny Brown would be out for at least a month after damaging ankle ligaments in his comeback at Stafford. And United's game at Kidderminster on Saturday 8th November was to be moved to the preceding Thursday for Setanta TV cover. Hey, it's good news week!

Tuesday 30th October: U's 5-1 Stafford Rangers (FA Cup) [att: 1,965, away 39]

Now United finally had Rangers back at the Abbey, it was time to stop messing about. Knights replaced Brown, Boylan came in for LFW. The portents were not good for the visitors when their team coach pranged its rear end on United's Portakabin stairs, and the club could not raise a supporters' coach, but a few loyal souls made it anyway, bless 'em. Well it was their Cup Final.

JQ went for a positive 4-3-3 against Stafford's 4-5-1, but it took just over half an hour to make a breakthrough, Knights threading a through ball for Boylan to slot home. The visitors went to 4-4-2, but were undone on 41 when Rendell had a shot half-saved by Alcock, and followed up to nod home for 2-0. It was three just before half-time, Boylan laying off for Wolleaston to smash home from twenty yards. No cock-ups this time.

After the break it was more of the same, Knights hitting the foot of the post, but United gifted Stafford a goal on 63 when Kevin Street took advantage of a Morrison stumble to fire home from ten yards out. After a good save by McShane from Flynn ninety seconds later, the U's took the hint and moved back up the gears, making it 4-1 on 70 with a cool close-range finish from Knights, and eight minutes from time it was five, Smith's run and cross setting up Knights for his second, smashed home from near the penalty spot. The First Round Proper awaited for the first time since relegation from the League, and a home tie with Aldershot. Man of the Match: Rob Wolleaston

End of month position: 5th

Andrew Bennett

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