Season Review · April 24, 2026
Struggling season - Battling against the odds
Season 17 proved to be a challenging campaign for Mortley, as the team grappled with defensive frailties and inconsistent form. Finishing 6th in their division with a total of 25 points, they managed just 7 wins, 4 draws, and 11 losses. The club’s goal difference of -30 highlights their defensive struggles throughout the season, with the team conceding 65 goals while netting only 35. Despite these setbacks, Mortley displayed resilience and a fighting spirit, often battling hard but falling short in crucial moments.
Finished
6th
Points
25
Record
7-4-11
GD
-30
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
6th
Points
25
Win Rate
32%
Games
22
Season Shape
Most used XI
Best-fit starting eleven for the campaign's most common formation.
Primary shape
4-2-3-1
Formation usage
Standouts
Season honours
MVP by goal contributions, plus the leading scorer and creator.
Season MVP
Ian Nelson
RCB
1 contributions
Top scorer
Ian Nelson
RCB
1 goals
Top assists
Darko Krznarić
LCM
1 assists
Season profile
League-relative strengths
Percentile rank against clubs in the same league. Further out is stronger.
- Results
- 25
- P54
- Scoring
- 35
- P46
- Defence
- 65
- P21
- Goal difference
- -30
- P46
Campaign Record
7-4-11
Wins
7
32%
Draws
4
18%
Losses
11
50%
Attack · Defence
-30 GD
Goal Contributions
Ian Nelson
CB · 1G
1
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
Season 17 proved to be a challenging campaign for Mortley, as the team grappled with defensive frailties and inconsistent form. Finishing 6th in their division with a total of 25 points, they managed just 7 wins, 4 draws, and 11 losses. The club’s goal difference of -30 highlights their defensive struggles throughout the season, with the team conceding 65 goals while netting only 35. Despite these setbacks, Mortley displayed resilience and a fighting spirit, often battling hard but falling short in crucial moments.
An interesting fun fact from this season is their goal difference of -30, which underscores the defensive issues that plagued the team. This season was a testament to their perseverance, even as they faced setbacks on the pitch. The squad showed flashes of potential, but consistency remains a key area for growth moving forward.
Campaign Highlights
Key Achievements and Highlights:
Filed by
Gary Nano
- Resilient team spirit despite defensive struggles
- Goalkeeper John Pearce and Leonardo Blanco maintained solid performances between the sticks
- Ian Nelson contributed defensively and offensively in limited appearances
- Showed fighting spirit in several close matches, despite overall results
Pressure Points
Areas for Improvement:
Desk lens
Touchline
Mortley’s primary focus should be on strengthening their defensive organization to reduce the number of goals conceded. Improving consistency in both attack and defense will be essential to climb higher in the division. Additionally, developing more goal-scoring options and creating a more balanced team approach could help turn narrow losses into valuable points.
The Long View
Final Assessment:
Desk lens
The Ledger
Mortley's Season 17 was marked by resilience amid adversity. Their defensive struggles were evident, but the team showed determination in battling through tough fixtures. Strengthening defensive cohesion and increasing offensive potency will be key to future success. With some strategic improvements, Mortley can aim for a more competitive campaign next season.