REVIEW OF THE SEASON (NOV - FEB)

Last updated : 03 May 2004 By Chris Laker

NOVEMBER
Another 1,000 plus crowd turned out to see Crawley edge Chippenham 3-2, with sub Fabian Forde grabbing a late winner.
Injury-time defeat in the FA Cup to Telford spilled over into league form as Reds crashed 4-0 at Hinckley and another loss to Dorchester saw a slide down the table.

Dr. Martens (Southern) Premier 2003/2004		Historical league standings at 22nd Nov 2003
		Pld	Home					Away					Overall					Pts	GD
		Pld	W	D	L	F	A	W	D	L	F	A	W	D	L	F	A	Pts	GD
1	Weymouth	18	4	3	2	13	10	6	3	0	18	6	10	6	2	31	16	36	15

2	Hinckley United	18	5	2	2	18	9	4	2	3	10	10	9	4	5	28	19	31	9
3	Nuneaton Borough	18	5	2	2	15	7	3	4	2	14	11	8	6	4	29	18	30	11
4	Stafford Rangers	18	6	0	3	15	10	3	3	3	11	10	9	3	6	26	20	30	6
5	Havant & Waterlooville	19	4	3	3	16	16	4	3	2	13	12	8	6	5	29	28	30	1
6	Hednesford Town	18	5	3	2	16	7	3	2	3	9	13	8	5	5	25	20	29	5
7	Tiverton Town	19	4	4	1	15	11	4	1	5	13	15	8	5	6	28	26	29	2
8	Crawley Town	17	5	2	2	19	10	2	5	1	12	12	7	7	3	31	22	28	9

DECEMBER
Christmas time brought cheer to the Reds faithful with the side comfortably dispatching Ryman League St Albans in the FA Trophy replay. Dr Martens Premier form picked up as well, with three wins from three going into 2004 meaning a leap into second behind an in-form Weymouth team spearheaded by player-boss Steve Claridge.

JANUARY
A busy start saw Town only draw at home to Welling, before some Ian Payne penalty heroics and a Gavin Holligan strike saw off leaders Weymouth in front of 2,016 at the Wessex Stadium.
Joy was short-lived however, as Grantham claimed a 1-0 win in midweek, keeping the gap between the top two to three points.
In the Trophy, Reds held out until extra-time in a replay before Conference side Dagenham & Redbridge ran out 2-1 winners.
Revenge ended the month as Holligan signed off from the Broadfield Stadium with a brace against Grantham.

FEBRUARY
Back-to-back home victories were disrupted with a disappointing defeat at Dorchester's Avenue Stadium.
A 1-0 win over Stafford did much to make amends and maintained a slender advantage at the top of the division.

Dr. Martens
(Southern) Premier
2003/2004 Historical league standings at 28th Feb 2004
Pld Home Away Overall Pts GD
W D L F A W D L F A W D L F A
1 Crawley Town 29 10 4 2 34 16 5 5 3 17 16 15 9 5 51 32 54 19
2 Weymouth 28 7 4 3 26 11 8 4 2 27 14 15 8 5 53 25 53 28
3 Nuneaton Borough 30 8 5 2 25 12 4 7 4 22 19 12 12 6 47 31 48 16

Dr. Martens (Southern) Premier 2003/2004		Historical league standings at 28th Feb 2004
		Pld	Home					Away					Overall					Pts	GD
		Pld	W	D	L	F	A	W	D	L	F	A	W	D	L	F	A	Pts	GD
1	Crawley Town	29	10	4	2	34	16	5	5	3	17	16	15	9	5	51	32	54	19

2	Weymouth	28	7	4	3	26	11	8	4	2	27	14	15	8	5	53	25	53	28
3	Nuneaton Borough	30	8	5	2	25	12	4	7	4	22	19	12	12	6	47	31	48	16