I didn't plan to take a break, but my IRL work schedule always gets a little stressful and time consuming this time of year, and it's hard to sit down and write some more when I do so much of that at work. So, this kind of just worked out and I worked it into the story.

I can't promise frequent updates from now on, but I do still enjoy making process on this story and I want to see how Diamond's career unfolds just as much as you do. The possibilities are endless, which makes this fun for me. There are just some weeks I can't convince myself to sit in front of computer for another hour or two to write up a report.

Summary: Another six-goal affair. This one split down the middle, 3-3. Witham saves a draw with two goals from Ryan Charles in the final minutes. A critical through ball by Marcus Diamond set up the tying goal five minutes into stoppage time.


Rating: 7.0 - Looking back at the replay, I can't take too much credit for my assist. Charles did most of the work and just bailed us out. I do remember buying him a couple drinks after the game.

Player of Game: Gregg Smith, Harrow (8.8)

- Each member gets 5.0 points to spread however they like over the 36 attributes listed above. One post per member.
- Stats work on a decimal system starting at 1.0.
- Stats are bumped up in FM when they hit that number, ex. 2.9 = 2 in-game, and 13.4 = 13 stat in-game.
- The decimal numbers will remain hidden.
- There is a threshold for each stat when more points are needed to increase that stat. It's start off on a 1-to-1 scale where 1 point equals 1 stat upgrade. However, the scales get exponentially further and further apart the closer that stat gets to the maximum of 20. The increasing scale will also remain a mystery and is different from the cycling progression scale.
-Comment below to provide stat upgrades.

Summary: Boring race, as expected. Everyone bunches up for the sprint to take all the glory after hours of friendly chit chat.


There were a few sprinters who were clearly better than everyone else. But, they launched too early and allowed everyone a crack at the victory.


Result: 10th. I held my own, although it's clear I'm still not on par with the pure sprinters. I need more chaos to be able to steal a sprint victory. I did beat my JLT Condor teammates Robbie Hucker (11th) and August Jensen (12th) to the line, so I'll gladly take those bragging rights for the next couple of days.

Summary: Multiple breakaway attempts are shut down immediately. A fast pace all afternoon leads to the peloton imploding in the final climbs. Carnage of fatigued bodies everywhere.


Many decided to quit. Only the strongest pushed on.


Result: 15th. I finished nearly five minutes behind the winner, but I was proud I survived and getting 15th was a nice bonus. I'm not a climber, but maybe I could be. This was a promising result.

- Each member gets 3.0 points to spread however they like over the 13 attributes listed above. One post per member.
- Stats work on a decimal system starting at 55.0.
- Stats are bumped up in PCM when they hit that number, ex. 55.9 = 55 in-game, and 61.4 = 61 stat in-game.
- The decimal numbers will remain hidden.
- There is a threshold for each stat when more points are needed to increase that stat. It's start off on a 1-to-1 scale where 1 point equals 1 stat upgrade. However, the scales get exponentially further and further apart the closer that stat gets to the maximum of 85. The increasing scale will also remain a mystery.
- Comment below to provide stat upgrades

Summary: Goals No. 7 and No. 8 on the season for Aussie Elliot Ronto carry us to a 3-0 win. Irish attacker Chinedu Osadebe also popped up with a goal, his second of the season. Goalkeeper Morgan Bacon doesn't even have to make a save to pick up his ninth shutout of the season.

Rating: 7.6 - Still getting back to full fitness after my concussion, this was a solid outing. I did my job controlling the midfield.

Player of Game: Elliot Ronto, Witham (8.8)

Summary: Ryan Charles and Luke Mallett put Witham up 2-0. Max Fletcher makes things interesting with a 83rd minute goal to pull Potters Bar within a goal, but an own goal off a Marcus Diamond free kick seals a 3-1 Witham win. The win came at a cost, however, as defensive midfielder Jack Cresswell twisted his ankle and will miss 2-3 weeks.

Rating: 7.0 - Just a face on the pitch.

Player of Game: Chinedu Osadebe, Witham (8.3)

Summary: Ryan Charles did everything in his power, but he didn't get any help. Cheshunt took 5 shots, put 5 shots on target and scored 3 goals. This could go down as the game that prevented Witham from promoting.

Rating: 7.3 - Seven key passes doesn't matter in a defeat.

Player of Game: Ryan Charles, Witham (8.8)

Summary: What a surprise! Before the match, striker Daniel Akindayini was cleared medically to play. He had been out for four months with a fractured skull and even contemplated retirement. He didn't look like himself on the field (6.3), but we were just happy to see him playing with us again.

As for the match, Chinedu Osadebe kept his strong month going with another goal and 17-year-old striker Liam Bowman scored his first career league goal for the club.

However, another injury spoiled the 2-0 win. This time Luke Mallett went to the dressing room early with a strained groin. The league leader in assists with 20 is expected to miss 2-4 weeks. A terrible time for him to get injured.

Rating: 7.3 - Another average performance. With Mallett injured, I'll have to step up my game like Osadebe next month.

Player of Game: Chinedu Osadebe, Witham (8.6)

- Each member gets 5.0 points to spread however they like over the 36 attributes listed above. One post per member.
- Stats work on a decimal system starting at 1.0.
- Stats are bumped up in FM when they hit that number, ex. 2.9 = 2 in-game, and 13.4 = 13 stat in-game.
- The decimal numbers will remain hidden.
- There is a threshold for each stat when more points are needed to increase that stat. It's start off on a 1-to-1 scale where 1 point equals 1 stat upgrade. However, the scales get exponentially further and further apart the closer that stat gets to the maximum of 20. The increasing scale will also remain a mystery and is different from the cycling progression scale.
-Comment below to provide stat upgrades.

Summary: A fast paced race gets blown to bits in the final 15kms. A lead group of five gets a gap but everyone is still pushing behind to catch up.


Now, with 5kms to go, attacks off the front.


What looked to be the decisive moves are not. The attackers on the final climb are all brought back into a group of about 15 cyclists to start the descent to the finish line.


The attacks aren't done! Marcus Diamond catches everyone off guard putting in one final dig to create a small gap. Is this the winning move?


The remaining cyclists work together to get back on Diamond's wheel.


Under the 1km to go banner, Diamond still holds the lead with two Czech cyclists behind him trying to win on home soil in Frantisek Sisr and Jan Barta. The Brit is trying to play the spoiler.


One of these three is going to win. 350 meters to go!


Result: 2nd. Frantisek Sisr delights the home crowd...

Agonizing heartbreak for Diamond, who was looking to win his first professional race.

"I heard him coming," Diamond said after the race. "I didn't want to look over my shoulder and just kept pedaling. I saw the line, I thought I had it. Then, I looked up and saw the crowd cheering for Frantisek. That hurts. But, I know that first win will come in time. Wasn't meant to be."

Summary: A perfect sunny day to ride through the heart of England.


This quickly becomes the Marcus Diamond vs. Everyone else show. JLT Condor is forced to chase the 12-man breakaway with no help and once Diamond runs out of teammates, he is left to attack for himself with 35kms to go.

The remaining peloton chases down every attack, but doesn't put forth the effort to reel in the breakaway. This creates a frustrating cycle of Diamond trying to get away, getting caught and going again. It didn't matter how many times he attack, he wasn't going to get away.


Exhausted and frustrated, Diamond had nothing left in the tank with 10kms to go.


Result: 36th. A win for the breakaway, 3'20" in front of the peloton because nobody carried to bring them back since they were too worried about Diamond escaping.

"Cowards. Every single one of them," Diamond said after the race. "They wanted me to carry them to the win. All of them should be ashamed with how this race played out. I don't know what else to say. I tried and raced to win. They raced not to lose."

- Each member gets 3.0 points to spread however they like over the 13 attributes listed above. One post per member.
- Stats work on a decimal system starting at 55.0.
- Stats are bumped up in PCM when they hit that number, ex. 55.9 = 55 in-game, and 61.4 = 61 stat in-game.
- The decimal numbers will remain hidden.
- There is a threshold for each stat when more points are needed to increase that stat. It's start off on a 1-to-1 scale where 1 point equals 1 stat upgrade. However, the scales get exponentially further and further apart the closer that stat gets to the maximum of 85. The increasing scale will also remain a mystery.
- Comment below to provide stat upgrades