
Season Review · July 28, 2025
Difficult campaign - A season to learn from and improve
Sward's 11th season in the sixth division proved to be a challenging journey, marked by defensive struggles and inconsistent results. Finishing in 10th place out of the league's 13 teams, the club managed to secure 6 wins, 3 draws, and 13 losses, accumulating a total of 21 points. The season's fun fact highlights the team’s defensive frailty: a goal difference of -24, reflecting ongoing issues at the back that hampered their overall performance. Despite these setbacks, the team showed resilience and individual brilliance, with players stepping up in various roles.
Gary's mark
5/5
Poor
Finished
10th
Points
21
Record
6-3-13
GD
-24

Gary "Nano" Pettit-Thompson IV
Lead Football Journalist
The Match & Season Desk
Data-first, narrative-second. If it happened on the pitch, Gary filed it.
A Columns Desk filing — visual season centre first, then the full notebook.
Season Centre
The campaign in pictures — before the filing.
Position
10th
Points
21
Win Rate
27%
Games
22
Season Shape
Most used XI
Best-fit starting eleven for the campaign's most common formation.
Primary shape
4-3-3-D
Formation usage
Standouts
Season honours
MVP by goal contributions, plus the leading scorer and creator.
Season MVP
Yaya Kouakou
CF
9 contributions
Top scorer
Yaya Kouakou
CF
6 goals
Top assists
Mario Pejić
LW
7 assists
Season profile
League-relative strengths
Percentile rank against clubs in the same league. Further out is stronger.
- Results
- 21
- P21
- Scoring
- 36
- P33
- Defence
- 60
- P21
- Goal difference
- -24
- P29
5/5
Season mark
Poor
Campaign Record
6-3-13
Wins
6
27%
Draws
3
14%
Losses
13
59%
Attack · Defence
-24 GD
Goal Contributions
Yaya Kouakou
Player · 6G · 3A
9
Kone Amani
Player · 5G
5
Howard Richardson
Player · 3G · 2A
5
Andrew Jones
Player · 2G · 2A
4
Mario Pejić
Player · 2G · 7A
9
The Filing
Gary's notebook, desk by desk — with the forthcoming newsroom voices framed around the edges.
From Gary's Notebook
Season Overview
Filed by
Gary Nano
Sward's 11th season in the sixth division proved to be a challenging journey, marked by defensive struggles and inconsistent results. Finishing in 10th place out of the league's 13 teams, the club managed to secure 6 wins, 3 draws, and 13 losses, accumulating a total of 21 points. The season's fun fact highlights the team’s defensive frailty: a goal difference of -24, reflecting ongoing issues at the back that hampered their overall performance. Despite these setbacks, the team showed resilience and individual brilliance, with players stepping up in various roles.
This campaign served as a valuable learning experience for Sward, emphasizing the need for defensive solidity and consistency. The squad demonstrated attacking intent and contributed offensively, but the defensive lapses ultimately cost them crucial points. With a focus on strengthening the backline and maintaining the positive contributions from their key players, Sward can aim for a more competitive season ahead.
Campaign Highlights
Key Achievements and Highlights
Filed by
Gary Nano
- Yaya Kouakou scored 6 goals and provided 3 assists, showcasing his versatility
- Kone Amani contributed with 5 goals, often being a reliable offensive outlet
- Howard Richardson added 3 goals and 2 assists, demonstrating commitment across the pitch
- Multiple players contributed offensively, indicating team effort despite defensive issues
- Gained valuable experience and insights to improve in future campaigns
Pressure Points
Areas for Improvement
Desk lens
Touchline
Defensive organization remains the primary concern for Sward. The significant goal difference indicates a need to tighten defensive lines, improve positioning, and reduce conceding opportunities. Additionally, consistency across matches and squad depth could be addressed to avoid fluctuating performances throughout the season.
The Long View
Final Assessment
Desk lens
The Ledger
Sward's season was marked by defensive vulnerabilities and a challenging league position, but the team showcased resilience and individual talent. Strengths included offensive contributions from multiple players and a willingness to compete. However, to climb higher in the standings, the club must focus on defensive organization and consistency. With targeted improvements, Sward can aim for a more balanced and successful campaign in the seasons to come.
