Chapter 17: Rising to the Top
As the media and fans worldwide focused on the draw for the 2003/04 UEFA Champions League group stage, Yang Cheng remained in Bayswater, immersed in preparing his team for their upcoming challenges.
Three matches in a week had exposed multiple issues within the squad, many of which remained unresolved.
Following the game against Brighton, Yang Cheng decided to make further tactical adjustments, particularly in midfield. However, as a League Two side hovering near the relegation zone, Bayswater Chinese's internal changes went largely unnoticed.
A week later, on September 6, Bayswater Chinese traveled to face Brentford in the sixth round of League Two.
Deploying their strongest lineup, they launched an aggressive attack right from kickoff.
After weeks of rigorous training and match experience, Yang Cheng's preferred starting eleven had developed strong chemistry and tactical cohesion.
In the 9th minute, Ribery broke through on the left and delivered a precise cross. Martin Roland controlled it brilliantly before threading a pass into the box. Jonathan Steed muscled past his marker and tapped the ball into the net.
1-0!
Brentford, however, refused to back down.
In the 27th minute, a defensive lapse allowed their center-forward, Ben Mee, to pounce on an opportunity and level the score.
The deadlock persisted into the second half.
At the 60-minute mark, Yang Cheng made a crucial substitution, bringing on the energetic Kevin Fury for veteran Steve Jenkins.
The impact was immediate.
Just two minutes later, Ribery capitalized on a brilliant assist from Roland, slotting the ball past the Brentford keeper.
As the match neared its conclusion, Fury set up Martin Devaney for a goal in the 84th minute, sealing a 3-1 victory for Bayswater Chinese.
It marked their second win of the season and propelled them to 11th place in the standings.
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On September 13, in the seventh round of League Two, Bayswater Chinese hosted Luton Town.
From the outset, Yang Cheng's side dictated the tempo, asserting dominance on both flanks.
Luton manager Mike Neville had failed to devise an effective defensive plan, and it showed early on.
Just six minutes into the game, Steve Jenkins delivered a pinpoint cross from the right, allowing Steed to rise above the defenders and nod the ball home.
1-0!
Luton responded in the 25th minute through Paul Hughes, a Chelsea youth product, who equalized with a well-placed shot.
But that would be their only moment of respite.
From then on, Bayswater Chinese took complete control.
In the 34th minute, a lightning-fast counterattack saw Devaney finish clinically, restoring the lead. 2-1!
Eight minutes later, Martin Roland unleashed a powerful long-range shot to extend the advantage. 3-1!
As first-half stoppage time approached, Tony Capaldi sent in a curling cross from the left, and Steed met it once again with a thumping header. 4-1!
The halftime whistle blew with Bayswater Chinese heading off to the roaring cheers of over 2,000 fans.
The onslaught continued after the break. Roland bagged another goal, and substitute Lambert added one of his own.
6-1!
It was an emphatic statement of intent.
Beyond the scoreline, the team's fluid passing and swift interchanges left the opposition bewildered. Fans in attendance were treated to a brand of football rarely seen in the lower leagues.
With this triumph, Bayswater Chinese surged to 8th place in the table.
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Three days later, on September 16, they faced Peterborough United away in the eighth round of League Two.
In the 10th minute, Ribery was fouled inside the box, earning a penalty.
Roland stepped up and calmly converted. 1-0!
It was his fifth goal of the season, marking a remarkable turnaround in his form after struggling with injuries in the past two years.
Though Andy Clarke later equalized for Peterborough, Bayswater Chinese refused to settle for a draw.
In the 84th minute, Capaldi struck the winner, securing a 2-1 victory and extending their winning streak to three matches.
Their momentum propelled them to 5th place in the standings.
Four days later, they traveled to Wrexham for their ninth league fixture.
Despite the fatigue of back-to-back away games, Bayswater Chinese struck early.
Steed, growing increasingly confident, rifled a shot from the edge of the box into the net in the 7th minute.
For the remainder of the match, they maintained control—until the 72nd minute when Koscielny, already on a yellow card, committed a tactical foul and was sent off.
With a numerical advantage, Wrexham pressed forward relentlessly.
However, in the dying moments, Bayswater Chinese launched a swift counterattack, and Roland secured the victory with a composed finish. 2-0!
With four consecutive wins and 18 points, Bayswater Chinese climbed to 2nd place, trailing league leaders Port Vale by just one point.
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Returning to London after a hectic schedule, Yang Cheng gave the team a well-earned week off.
At the training ground, he addressed his players.
"Confidence is high, and our chemistry is improving. But remember—this is only nine rounds into a 46-game season. We must remain focused."
A week later, in the 10th round, they faced Barnsley at home.
Goals from Roger Johnson and Steed secured a 2-0 victory.
With Port Vale held to a draw by Wycombe, Bayswater Chinese moved to the top of the table for the first time in their history!
It was a monumental moment, even if temporary.
Off the pitch, attendance figures were climbing. The match against Barnsley drew 3,000 spectators—the highest in three seasons.
Lin Zhongqiu, the club's owner, was thrilled.
"As long as we keep playing exciting football, fans will come," he told Yang Cheng. "And once we have the financial backing, we can build something even bigger."
But success comes with challenges.
In the 11th round, Bayswater Chinese were held to a 1-1 draw by Bristol, with Steve Jenkins sustaining an injury.
Port Vale reclaimed the top spot, dropping Bayswater Chinese to third.
Yang Cheng, however, remained unfazed.
"Ups and downs are part of football. The key is how we respond."
His words proved prophetic.
After another goalless draw against Wycombe in Round 12, the team rebounded with a 6-0 demolition of Tranmere Rovers at home.
Six different players found the net, an indicator of the team's growing strength.
Three days later, they crushed Bristol 4-0 in the British Championship's first knockout round, advancing comfortably.
Their league form continued to surge.
In Round 14, they faced Port Vale away in a top-of-the-table clash.
The result? 5-1!
Roland bagged a brace, while Steed, Devaney, and Modric all chipped in with goals.
With 29 points, Bayswater Chinese reclaimed the top spot in League Two, overtaking Queens Park Rangers and Brighton.
The next day, Lin Zhongqiu received a phone call.
It was from Chris Hunter.
Something significant was about to unfold.