Osborne goes

Sam Osborne has joined ambitious AFC Fylde for an undisclosed fee.  He has been a great player for us and I wish him well for the future.   Holleran knows how to spot talent that has been neglected and can be developed.

Some fans have expressed disappointment.   They knew he was going, but hoped it wouldn't be to another club in our own division.  AFC Fylde, of course, think they are entitled to play in the EFL.

I would describe their ambition as 'vaulting ambition over reaching itself' to misquote Shakespeare, but then I am not one of their supporters.  They did get relegated from the National League.

Another great product was Colby Bishop who scored two goals against my league club Charlton to win the game for Accrington Stanley last night.  The defence handed him the opportunities on a plate, but he took them with great composure and was a threat throughout the game.

My match preview pointed out that he would be a threat: https://addicksdiary3.blogspot.com/2021/01/bishops-move-for-accrington.html

They were full of praise for Colby on The Football League Show on Sunday, not just for his goals on Friday.

Viva Holleran!

Leamington manager Paul Holleran is featured in an interview in The Non-League Paper this morning.  He says that the FA Trophy win over Wrexham had all the hallmarks of what Leamington's season had been about.  It was one of the finest days in the club's history since it had been re-formed. 

He said, 'We've had to be resilient and robust, we've been very good in periods and scored good goals, we've been backs to the walls and hung in there.'

He singled out Jake Weaver and Sam Osborne for praise.  Osborne is already in the shop window and could potentially be joined by Weaver.

Scouts target Osborne

Sam Osborne scored another great goal at the Community Stadium last night and it is no surprise that he is attracting the attention of scouts.  Accrington Stanley (for whom we are almost a nursery club) and Derby County are among those said to be interested.

Although the late equaliser last night by Brackley Town was frustrating, I will take the point.  They are a well-organised side as we saw against Tranmere Rovers last Friday and pose a considerable attacking threat.   Their keeper also made some great saves.