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Post by Stewart on Aug 8, 2015 18:40:39 GMT
If only those early chances went in! We're we just unlucky or is ther an underlying problem? One positive is finding our next opponents also had poor results. against teams they may assumed to beat. Maybe Dos will get six points from the opening three games and not the five he wished for
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markf
Top Performer
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Post by markf on Aug 8, 2015 18:49:00 GMT
Bossed the game again for first 25 again, couldn't score hitting the woodwork and forcing some good saves out of the impressive Lee Worgan.
The game appeared to be meandering towards a stalemate with Maidstone hardly causing major problems when we give the ball away and Joe Healey thumps a stunner that flies over Ross Wormer. From then on we struggled and the second came late on.
Five matches and no wins on the 3G yet. We didn't play badly but if we don't score when in the ascendancy we are going to be in trouble in matches. Thought Ross Stearn was lively and the back four did well with Downer my MoM.
Ref watch: missed a bit especially in the first half but actually got better as the match went on. We will see a lot worse this season, if experience is to go by. Thought their 9 should have got booked for two challenges on Downer in the first half but he made no game changing cock ups.
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Post by os on Aug 8, 2015 19:38:19 GMT
If it was not becoming a pattern you forgive us for not scoring today, but it wasn't far off a carbon copy of all PSF's played at GGL. Our general play was fine in the 1st half and you cannot come closer to scoring than the inside of the post. Stones were restricted to just one chance until we made the double change, within a couple of minutes the game had effectively gone.
We are not sharp enough at the business ends of the pitch, Worner needs to work on his game, and the forwards just don't really look as if they are going to trouble a well marshaled defence.
I am not a fan of a ref who books for the first 2 challenges in the match, warnings should be given rather than go straight for the pocket. Agree with Frakey, not the worst but let a lot of very obvious holding go, which may have resulted in Stones opening goal?
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Post by garethl on Aug 8, 2015 20:11:38 GMT
Same issues for us with no signs of resolution (though Fitch was unlucky with the effort off the post). We should have scored the scramble that ended with another struck against the post. Poor mistake for the first from the skip but a fantastic finish and that was that. Brutal heat for football and I think it showed on us. Downer's class endures.
A word for Maidstone. I thought they were very well organised. Have the 2 lumps at the back and the big guy up top which you need, as well as a few that could play. I think they'll do well. Great turnout from them, shame about their extremely classless wrong enders given their general support.
The ref I disagree that he was ok. Failed completely to get to grips with the rugby scrapping in both penalty areas which was outrageous. Should have ended with Beckwith going after he aimed a couple of swipes at their guy after the frustration of it all. Very poor and we could have a million corners and never score if people are just allowed to hold you in a bear hug. Joke. As an aside we should have a big rethink about some of our set pieces!!
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Post by Amber Aleman on Aug 8, 2015 20:17:43 GMT
Everything was set up for us today: first match of the season at home against the Ryman champions, a warm, dry afternoon and a bumper crowd (officially over 1300). And the team then goes and re-enacts one of last season's home defeats (albeit with some changes to the cast). This is not the way to entice new season ticket holders to GGL! Sutton supporters, old and new, are still awaiting our first win on the new pitch. The script was all-too familiar. In the first twenty minutes we pressed, won some corners, and hit the post twice. There's a fine line between bad luck and poor finishing, but I've a suspicion that our forwards are still just the wrong side of it. How good were Maidstone? On this evidence I'd say they're no better than average for this level. They started cautiously but as the first half wore on began to deliver some testing crosses into our box. In the second half they took the lead almost out of the blue with a volley from the ex-Welling midfielder Healy (whose signing looks a smart piece of business). Dos took off Dundo and Stearn, bringing on Wishart and Bolarinwa, and for a while we looked more dangerous down the flanks. But we huffed and puffed without anything blowing down. Fleetwood came on for a defender (Amankwaah) but to little effect. Then one of the Stones' subs Akrofi got in a header that Worner seemed to flap at and it was 0-2 and game over. I for one now expect a serious reaction from the team. There are some players who joined us in the close season with big reputations which they haven't yet lived up to. Early days and all, but these guys really need to step up to the plate. We've got two awkward-looking away fixtures coming up next. Lose those and we could well be bottom of the table next Saturday. And that's certainly not where we should be. PS: Today's ref was at West Sutton station after the game and chatting to some of the Stones fans. They reckon he missed a blatant elbow by Simon Downer on their no.9. It's all a matter of perception! PPS: Has there ever before been a game in which both keepers had surnames beginning 'Wor'?
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markf
Top Performer
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Post by markf on Aug 8, 2015 20:23:08 GMT
You should know by now Gareth that for this level, that ref was bordering on top class. If there was holding for the first goal it was not obvious from my vantage point. As for the holding in the box they don't give it in the PL so not likely to in the NLS. I was a bit concerned about the two early bookings but he did calm down and as I say I thought he improved.
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Post by garethl on Aug 8, 2015 20:24:43 GMT
The amount of times he missed that number 9 backing in, not even concerned with ball was unreal!
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markf
Top Performer
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Post by markf on Aug 8, 2015 20:29:51 GMT
MacAllister does that too. Name of the game these days as the defender is shoving the forward in the back or grabbing him. Since FIFA as good as outlawed good old fashioned tackling upper body fouls (seen or not) have become the norm. Less likely to do long term damage I suppose but not pretty to watch.
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Post by garethl on Aug 8, 2015 20:35:36 GMT
You should know by now Gareth that for this level, that ref was bordering on top class. If there was holding for the first goal it was not obvious from my vantage point. As for the holding in the box they don't give it in the PL so not likely to in the NLS. I was a bit concerned about the two early bookings but he did calm down and as I say I thought he improved. Well I don't think I've ever seen it to the extent that there was today. Didn't see anything re first goal though.
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oohaah
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Post by oohaah on Aug 8, 2015 21:20:24 GMT
Agree with Gareth re the Stones minority who tried their very best to provoke a reaction by not 'changing ends at half time (no chance, we are Sutton United after all!). It will be interesting to see if they try that at Wealdstone or Dartford.
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Post by stonesfan on Aug 8, 2015 21:35:16 GMT
Thanks for the hospitality today, was a great day out, nice ground and set up you have there, all the best for the season ahead, shame it seems a few upset your fans,
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amberchoc
1st team Player
Blessed is the person who having nothing to say abstains from giving us wordy evidence of the fact.
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Post by amberchoc on Aug 9, 2015 7:59:38 GMT
I was directly in line behind Fitch when he pinged in that shot. It curled from outside to inside and I swear it defied the laws of physics by staying out.
I'm determined to try and live long enough to see Sutton win an opening fixture again. Unfortunately, the latest mortality tables suggest that there'll be less than 30 more opportunities, so I'm not too hopeful.
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Post by sallycat on Aug 9, 2015 19:09:47 GMT
Has there ever before been a game in which both keepers had surnames beginning 'Wor'? Only in a Tyneside derby
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