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Post by Amber Aleman on Aug 6, 2019 22:24:25 GMT
As last season this fixture finished all square - but there were goals this time.
We started with almost the same XI as Saturday, the one change being David Ajiboye in for Tom Bolarinwa. I don't know the thinking behind that but, as noted above, we were much more of an attacking threat once Tom had come on in the wide right position early in the second half.
A rather turgid first half saw Barnet edge ahead from the penalty spot. Referee Mr Durkin had already turned down one penalty appeal from the visitors, and when Dale Bennett brought down David Tutonda in the box he had little hesitation in pointing to the spot. Simeon Akinola duly converted his second penalty in two matches.
Barnet might have been out of sight within ten minutes of the re-start, spurning three presentable opportunities to go further ahead. So it certainly was against the run of play when Harry hooked in a deft equaliser, his third goal in two games. That ushered in a spell of Sutton dominance, but we couldn't beat Loach a second time. The Bees had their own spell of intense pressure in the closing stages, but some resolute defending kept them at bay.
That point leaves us fourth in the table. Next up it's newly-promoted Chorley, who have yet to score or concede this season.
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tonyd
1st team Player
Posts: 1,493
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Post by tonyd on Aug 6, 2019 22:35:40 GMT
That was a shocking first half performance. Thankfully a much better second half. I will be surprised if Tom does not start on Saturday.... Shocking is a joke of a comment. Barnet were outstanding in the first half. They sat back and had a good look at us first 15-20, figured us out and then got right on top of us with some high quality fast tempo football. They are a very, very good side and to come out of that game with a deserved point is testament to what is clearly a huge amount of work that's gone into Pre season. Anyone who thought we were poor first half doesn't understand the level of sides we are competing with now, sorry. If you expect us to turn up and batter sides like Barnet, with a league quality set up and squad then you need to temper expectations as there are plenty more equally good sides in this league. Great energy to us second half, super goal out of nothing, although it was always going to need something special to get us back into the game. Milsoms excellent corners nearly provided a shock lead but no-one could be disappointed with a point tonight as we were well outplayed first 45. I don’t think anyone expects us to “turn up and batter sides like Barnet”, but we do expect the same level of energy and work rate, which we didn’t have first half, which I imagine led to the “shocking”. In the second we upped our game and deserved the point. Best news so far, Harry Beautyman is returning to the form that took him into the EFL. Another goal and a fantastic block just as a Barnet forward was about to pull the trigger.
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Post by baboonfish on Aug 6, 2019 23:10:30 GMT
Shocking is a joke of a comment. Barnet were outstanding in the first half. They sat back and had a good look at us first 15-20, figured us out and then got right on top of us with some high quality fast tempo football. They are a very, very good side and to come out of that game with a deserved point is testament to what is clearly a huge amount of work that's gone into Pre season. Anyone who thought we were poor first half doesn't understand the level of sides we are competing with now, sorry. If you expect us to turn up and batter sides like Barnet, with a league quality set up and squad then you need to temper expectations as there are plenty more equally good sides in this league. Great energy to us second half, super goal out of nothing, although it was always going to need something special to get us back into the game. Milsoms excellent corners nearly provided a shock lead but no-one could be disappointed with a point tonight as we were well outplayed first 45. I don’t think anyone expects us to “turn up and batter sides like Barnet”, but we do expect the same level of energy and work rate, which we didn’t have first half, which I imagine led to the “shocking”. In the second we upped our game and deserved the point. Best news so far, Harry Beautyman is returning to the form that took him into the EFL. Another goal and a fantastic block just as a Barnet forward was about to pull the trigger. it's just very disingenuous to be throwing around words like shocking. Not sure why you're defending such a comment Tony, you know your football and I'm sure you saw the same thing I did in the first half, I.e a new look side being outplayed by a very good opposition rather than some lack of effort or particularly poor performances.
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Post by pinewalker on Aug 6, 2019 23:44:06 GMT
Early days remember, and a disappointment only compared with Saturday's result. MG has options now in attack, and will need to try the permutations to see what works best against a particular opponent. In his interview Matt stresses that he and his coaches study the opponent's videos and advise our players - but they only had the one game in the locker. It is like a game of chess because our opponents will be doing the same homework about U's.
Barnet had no problem passing the ball around and collecting it on the 'nightmare' surface, in fact they were better than the hosts. They also had the outstanding player (IMO)in Ephron Mason-Clark. Two of his moves, spinning away from two markers owed more to break-dancing than Cruyff. And it is true - with better finishing from players with a clear sight of goal Barnet could have been two up before Sutton scored.
An inspired substitution from MG turned the game our way. With his very first touch Bolly played the ball into the path of Harry who deftly lobbed the keeper. Cue Sutton's best spell, several corners were earned and all of them produced a Sutton goal-attempt.
Overall, the shooting was poor from both teams, two GGL residents living beyond the corner flags will find balls in their gardens tomorrow. That and Dylan Kearney sitting next to me in the stand, unconsidered for tonight, makes me wonder if some players find it harder to shoot accurately on 3G. Dylan has mastered the art, as spectators at the Dulwich game will know. Nevertheless it was a tense and entertaining contest, well refereed by Mr Dawkin who had to step in twice to calm things but kept his cards in his pocket. I think there wasn't one offside decision in the match.
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kpinwp
1st team Player
Posts: 1,154
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Post by kpinwp on Aug 6, 2019 23:48:06 GMT
I don’t think anyone expects us to “turn up and batter sides like Barnet”, but we do expect the same level of energy and work rate, which we didn’t have first half, which I imagine led to the “shocking”. In the second we upped our game and deserved the point. Best news so far, Harry Beautyman is returning to the form that took him into the EFL. Another goal and a fantastic block just as a Barnet forward was about to pull the trigger. it's just very disingenuous to be throwing around words like shocking. Not sure why you're defending such a comment Tony, you know your football and I'm sure you saw the same thing I did in the first half, I.e a new look side being outplayed by a very good opposition rather than some lack of effort or particularly poor performances. I think Baboonfish has a point. Certainly when I described the first half as 'dull' I meant in terms of enjoyment and the last 10 or 15 mins were 'perilous' as Barnet got us under the cosh. We were second best in that half but that was, I think, more due to Barnet's cannyness than any specific screw ups on our part. Second half we were right in it and full credit to the lads for raising their game quickly and effectively.
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Post by garethl on Aug 7, 2019 7:07:06 GMT
Thought overall we were outplayed and were lucky to escape with a draw. The game should have been put to bed early in the 2nd half. Nice that we did steal a point and we were certainly far better after our goal.
Was disappointed with how we set up at home. Not necessarily a problem playing 1 up front but poor we didn’t press higher up and gave them a lot of freedom to dictate play. Think mainly caused by our left back being pinned back marking their 27 who was decent. Could have pushed him on 1 I felt and forced them to go longer. Anything aerial we were always going to be quite comfortable with.
Positives - we fought back after scoring our goal, we look a threat from set pieces and Harry scoring again.
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Post by Andy K on Aug 7, 2019 8:35:01 GMT
Few takeaways from last night:
A side with a better strike force would have taken all 3 points with the chances Barnet had at the start of the 2nd half
We've scored 4 goals from open play, Barnet have scored 2 so far this season, both penalties
First half felt like last season, second half we played more football
We've still got a bit of a hangover from last season and gave the ball away too cheaply at times
In the 2nd half in particular, we looked more dangerous on the break than possibly the whole of last season
Harry is currently the top scorer in the league
Our corners and delivery of crosses was quite impressive at times
We're still undefeated
We sit 4th, with only one side with more points than us (and a 100% record)
Mixed bag, but early days. Now to a side who have yet to score this season. Or concede.
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kpinwp
1st team Player
Posts: 1,154
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Post by kpinwp on Aug 7, 2019 11:02:45 GMT
And our match commentary wasn't up to scratch, either.
Best I stop reading the Barnet Fans' Forum...
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Post by Andy K on Aug 7, 2019 11:08:55 GMT
And our match commentary wasn't up to scratch, either. Best I stop reading the Barnet Fans' Forum... But not one gripe about our support or our players. Look at the positives!
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jr
1st team skipper
Posts: 2,159
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Post by jr on Aug 7, 2019 11:19:52 GMT
And our match commentary wasn't up to scratch, either. Best I stop reading the Barnet Fans' Forum... But not one gripe about our support or our players. Look at the positives! And I’m not sure that after the game the pitch was mentioned either. Probably because of the good football that was played on it
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Post by garethl on Aug 7, 2019 11:48:44 GMT
Agreed, you’d think their own team has pretty much debunked the rubbish written pre game.
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Post by Andy K on Aug 7, 2019 12:08:08 GMT
I always think latching onto other clubs forums, especially for negatives, is the road to madness. Of course you're going to get a partisan view, in the same way we give on here. Makes jot all difference to the result!
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markf
Top Performer
Posts: 3,182
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Post by markf on Aug 7, 2019 12:08:56 GMT
God knows what the chump on the B's forum had been smoking before the game if he thought they should have been 4 up at ht? Yeah, they had loads of possession moved it around well but for all that they had one pen shout, largely from their fans, the player involved didn't complain and the penalty that was.
That may have come as a result of Kenny D's injury as Sparkes was allowed to turn and put through a low pass that Jamie B did well to get to before dale B caught their guy as he came in from the blind side. Thus Akinola dispatched his second spot-kick of the season. U's best oportunity fell to David A but his effort was high, wide and probaly in a back garden.
U's struggled to get any ball in that first half as they were well-pressed when on it. Maybe the long journey up north was still in their legs? It wouldn't be the first time.
Second half B's could, probably should, have extended their lead but three acceptable chances ended up failing to hit the target. On came Tom B and with his first touch headed on skip's accurate pass from the halfway line and Harry B latched on to it to produce a fine finish. Skip probably should have scored with his header from another fine Rob M delivery but after good spell, B's started to get on the ball again but except for a fine block failed to back up their football with quality in the final third.
A tough match for U's but the team still has players on a learning curve at this level. The defence remained solid though while the midfield worked tirlessly and their was the wonderful sight of Dundo robbing a player with a well-timed challenge midway through the second half. He maybe 38 (?) but he's still gonna get ya. Save a thought for Kenny D who for the second season in a row had to leave the match before h-t against the B's.
Barnet looked a much better side than the one we played last season but their failings up front may cost them. I think we deserved a point for showing dogged resistance and working hard especially off the ball. Aaron J run his heart out without ever getting much opportunity to threaten the goal.
Another decent refereeing performance too this time from the son of former top-flight ref, Paul Durkin. It can't last, can it?
Four points from two matches is a decent return and Matt and Jason should be pleased with that at the very least.
A couple of other observations. A decent crowd helped by a superb Barnet following. Well done to them for that. Programme improved with more current player interaction and a better production. One question though. Is it the law that an interview with Taz appears in every prog this season or just an early season blip ?!!!
Chorley next to see who will break their goal less record at either end first; them or us?
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kpinwp
1st team Player
Posts: 1,154
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Post by kpinwp on Aug 7, 2019 12:38:21 GMT
I always think latching onto other clubs forums, especially for negatives, is the road to madness. Of course you're going to get a partisan view, in the same way we give on here. Makes jot all difference to the result! It'll wear off of me in a few weeks. Just new season stuff.
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Post by dontpanic on Aug 7, 2019 13:23:06 GMT
A bit rich criticising our pitch. Kicking uphill on their old pitch was like climbing the north face of the Eiger.
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