and the incoming signings of a numerous players with great pedigree, the season finally got underway on 9 August, at home to Malpas. It was a tough start to the season as Malpas just missed out on promotion and it came on the back of a very tough midweek pre-season friendly victory over Greenalls.

The Malpas game had everything you'd want in an opening game of a league campaign, for the neutral anyway. After leading 1-0 at half time, Malpas twice went in front at 2-1 and 3-2 before a brilliant late rally, led by the sensational Jordan Rigby, saw Sports take all 3 points in a 4-3 win. Jordan Rigby scoring a second half hat trick that included a tremendous free kick. What a start to the season. Lots of improvements to be made but signs of an ever growing team spirit that could be vital as the season progresses.

Next up was Daten at home 3 days later. We managed to take the points with a 2-1 win and despite being the better team for the majority we switched off and gave Daten hope late in the 2nd half. It was back to back wins though and a good start.

Next up we made the trip to Maine Road for a Saturday afternoon kick off. A game we started well and looked like we would win comfortably ended up turning in to a very poor result. 1 down at half time and after missing numerous glorious chances to level we finally equalised with 12 to go only to concede within a minute of going 1-1. That led to two more goals and a Ben Howard sending off. A 4-1 defeat and a story of missed chances and a late collapse. This is a lesson we have to learn from.

We them had the same team in the return fixture 3 days later for a midweek game back at the Lane. This time we kept a much better shape and dominated the majority of the game without hitting top gear to win 2-1. It was 9 points from 12 as we headed in to a free weekend.

Next up at the lane were Egerton in another midweek game. Again without getting in to top gear we won the game 3-1 but let the opposition in to the game more than we should have and it was only our added quality that saw us through. The result meant we topped the league and we remain there at the end of the month with 12 points from a possible 15. A target I had set before the opening game.

Last up was West Didsbury and Chorlton from League 2 in the group stages of the cup. Missing 10 players it was a real test of the squad but the boys played some super stuff winning 3-1. Again we missed too many chances and should have won more comfortably but it was a good start to the cup campaign. It also meant we have won all 5 games at home in August.

There has been some great additions during pre-season and this was added to as the month progressed as Marcus, Sean and Mick all came in and we saw the return in one game of Derby.

The only sour note this month is the amount of long term injuries we sustained. Jordan Rigby had been in the form of his life at the start of the season but was injured in the 2nd game. Dave France was playing really well at full back before he picked up a knock that's had him out for weeks. Snaggy was excellent in his two games but picked up a bad injury at home to Maine Road and looks likely to be out for 6 weeks. Joe Sandbach was also injured pre-season and will sadly be missed for a while. Added to the Odi has had muscle injuries and hasn't played the last three games and Adam Green has been unable to play the last two weeks. Denico also came off with a groin injury in the cup game but we are hopeful it won't be long term. We also hope next month will quickly see Odi and Jordan back in action.

Defensively we are yet to keep a clean sheet but we are looking more stable week on week. Gas has been a usual stable presence in goal and his distribution remains the best in the league. Billy Anderson has played well at full back, Josh Dagley has got better week on week and Matt Ball has had a game at right back and looked comfortable. Danny Mac has been very solid as was Greeny before his knock. Snaggy was playing really well and his injury is such a blow to him and the team. Marcus has been fantastic last two weeks and has been such an important signing.

In midfield, bar his sending off for two yellows, Ben Howard has been terrific for us both defensively and going forward. Adam Hunter has brought us some vital experience with his touch and vision and Ryan Crawford has been his usual inspirational self, driving the team on. Adam Rosterne has been a consistent presence in centre midfielder and has looked at home in the defensive midfielder role and as the games have progressed his confidence has grown and he had numerous assists already. Swiz has played in a range of positions already but had a great game in centre mid in the cup tie. We now have Mick Gore added to the central options and that's adds even more depth to that area.

Going forward Swanny has played 5 of the 6 games and his touch and awareness remains so valuable to the team. Matt Ball has done well since coming in after his ban and gives us real pace. Sizo has played wide and up top and put in some top displays scoring goals throughout the month, as he always does. Denico and Odi have been two massive signings for us. Denico has been in the goals already and those goals could be the defining factor in our season this year. He's been a threat in every game but there is even more to come from him. Odi has played a couple and you can see what a vital and quality player he can be with us. Bringing us professional and international experience his touch and football brain is something the rest of the boys can learn from. Jordan was in amazing form. He had a great pre-season and carried that on and he won us the 3 points on the opening day with a stunning hat trick. Sean Preston has also signed and despite only playing half an hour he showed his touch and quality and scored a great goal against Egerton that secured us the points. Aaron Williams has also stepped up from the 2s to come off the bench twice and he did well for us.

It's been a super month to start the season and I'm delighted to be top of the league and get off to a winning start in the cup. However, as I've said in my after match comments, you don't win anything in August and I still think we will need to get better. That said I know we can get better, I really don't believe we have reached top gear yet. I am delighted with the depth in the squad now. We have had so many injuries it's unbelievable but we have still had quality sides out every week. The Maine Road performance is one we need to learn from and I think we already have. We start next month with two massive away games, firstly at 2nd place Congleton and then Tarporley. I hope we can try and take our home form on the road now. We have a 100% home record and the longer that continues the better but we do need to be picking up points away from home if we want to try and reach that next level.

My player of the month has been the hardest I've ever had to choose. I could have chosen from a handful of players, too many to mention.

The award for August though goes to Ben Howard. Ben has been dominating in the middle of the park and set the tone for many of the victories. He was important in the wins over Daten and Maine Road. He even had to step back in to centre half for a tough final 20 minutes and did so brilliantly being strong and physical in ensuring we got the victory. Well done Ben very well deserved.

Played 6
Won 5
Lost 1
Scored 15
Against 11