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Post by garethl on Sept 12, 2015 18:25:40 GMT
Thought we made them look extremely ordinary first half. 2 or 3 lead at ht would have been fair enough. Not sure about the comment re their defence, thought we cut them open easily, missed 2 sitters plus cross bar in 1st half alone (plus he made a couple of good saves 2nd half when we were generally poor). Think we just ran out of legs tbh, not sure how much Gomis and Eastmond have played? Would have freshened up earlier with Dundas and Cooper and tbh we were lucky to hang onto 1-0. Defensive issues exposed again once they had more of the ball 2nd half. We could easily be on the wrong end of something silly at Ebbsfleet unless we do a whole lot better. Well done to the keeps comfortably his best effort I've seen and hope he takes the confidence onwards. Looked to me like mc will struggle to be fit for Tues. I'd be looking at 3 in the middle of the park, 2 wide men and a lone front man. As with Whitehawk anything we get a bonus (recent record there is poor) and the result there will not determine whether we can compete to get in play offs.
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Post by garethl on Sept 12, 2015 18:27:30 GMT
Incidentally Southam came to watch. Fair play.
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Post by os on Sept 12, 2015 18:43:21 GMT
Incidentally Southam came to watch. Fair play. Yes he did and I went up and had a chat to him. I thought our forwards misfired a little today leaving us with just the 1 goal advantage when it should have been 2 or 3 more. Not sure on either of the penalties as a long way away from the action. Great to Betsy back and he adds something to that midfield, Craig Eastmond had a good debut too. TBH we all know how good we are going forward, and we play some fantastic stuff, but today was about that back door being locked. Without Kevin and Simon those out there today worked their socks at the back to give Gosport hardly a sniff at goal. Spense, Wishy etc all brilliant and of course topped off by man of the match Ross.
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markf
Top Performer
Posts: 3,194
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Post by markf on Sept 12, 2015 18:54:09 GMT
That is a very good win today against a side previously unbeaten. As said elsewhere, it was a match for the 'keepers, with Ross's two penalty saves (the follow up to the second was superb too) while Nathan Ashmore was excellent and the save he made from Craig M in the first half was outstanding. Based on the past three seasons, I'd say Ashmore was the best 'keeper in the league. He's not a bad bloke either.
As for the match, well, once again, we had a ref (our old mate Ashvin) who could have influenced the result with a poor piece of officiating with regards to the advantage law, giving it where there was none and leading up to the first pen. Fortunately Ross saved.
After that Craig M diverted Ross Stearn's effort into the net and it proved the only goal but both Ross and Fleets should really have scored in that first half when we played some great stuff but possibly allowed Borough to play a little too much for a spell after we had scored.
Second half, Ashmore again played his part in keeping the goal tally down to one but as the match went on Borough had a lot of possession and with a bit more control may have grabbed an equaliser even before the second penalty. Not quite sure why skip felt the need to challenge like that and it was a clear pen.
Thought Bedsente did very well while Craig Eastmond had a quite but efficient debut and got through a lot of the donkey work in the centre. No idea where Spills was today but good to read that Glen Southam came along suggesting his interview with local about there being no hard feelings was accurate.
So, U's held out to end Boro's unbeaten start and with a very hard match on Tuesday, it was a vital win. Ebbsfleet (Gravesend & N) is not a happy hunting ground, no wins there in peace time (since WWII).
As for the ref today, we had him for both Bromley matches last season and he was one of the better performers. Today, he cost a booking to a U's player because of an awful piece of judgement (not sure who got carded but it takes a defender closer to suspension, if not a suspension) and may have influenced the result too but for Ross's intervention.. Other than that though he did ok
Oh and as to when did a U's 'keeper last save two pens in one match n.i. a shootout, sorry, no idea. Can't recall being there to witness such an event but sure it has happened. Over to Mr Memory Man, press sec. No pressure Scoop.
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Post by sallycat on Sept 12, 2015 18:58:31 GMT
One of the best things about today was the clean sheet. Only our second after Havant.
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Post by steviem on Sept 12, 2015 19:43:17 GMT
Can't remember two penalties being saved but Rick Collier twice saved a retaken penalty at Worthing in 1985.
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Post by presssec on Sept 12, 2015 20:14:52 GMT
Nothing comes to mind - earlier this evening I had John Overton at Southall in mind in the 1975-76 season (my first ever away league game), but the more I think of it I think that may have been one scored and one saved. Maybe Mark can check.
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markf
Top Performer
Posts: 3,194
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Post by markf on Sept 12, 2015 21:11:50 GMT
One scored and one saved, so nothing so far. Would take an age to go through every report I have.
Yes, Rick Collier did save a twice taken pen at Worthing in '85. Top of the table clash that ended 2-2 and Nigel Golley was sent off. God, I was drunk that day.
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Post by davef on Sept 12, 2015 22:00:45 GMT
Mark, did we ever miss two in one game during that run when we missed eleven (?) consecutive penalties ?
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Post by os on Sept 12, 2015 22:10:31 GMT
Not sure about penalties but one stat so far this season is that we are hitting the woodwork nearly once a match. The count now stands at 6 in 9 matches. Our opponents have only hit the woodwork once, that was at Dartford.
Just to add that on none of those 6, has the ball rebounded to a U's player to score.
In fact it might be 7 from 9 games?
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Post by garethl on Sept 12, 2015 22:45:02 GMT
Incidentally Southam came to watch. Fair play. to give Gosport hardly a sniff at goal. Really?
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dof
1st team skipper
Posts: 2,099
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Post by dof on Sept 13, 2015 9:16:36 GMT
....O/S stated that we have hit the post in 6 or 7 times in 9 games.....I just thought that must take a lot of practice!!
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jr
1st team skipper
Posts: 2,166
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Post by jr on Sept 13, 2015 9:28:55 GMT
I thought that in the first half we were excellent and tore a good side apart at times. Ross and Fleetwood missed sitters. Their keeper as has been said had a blinder pushing 3 shots on to the frame of the goal. A very encouraging performance and when everyone is fit I feel we will get consistent and be right up there. Hopefully the guys can get a result on Tuesday although it will be mighty tough.
Nice to talk to Glen and maybe we'll see him again!
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Post by Stewart on Sept 13, 2015 12:32:05 GMT
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Post by localboy86 on Sept 13, 2015 18:51:51 GMT
Enjoyed the game yesterday against Gosport (my first game since the opening day). I thought we played well especially in the first half where we should have gone in more than 1-0 up - the lad Stearn in particular looks a real player for us with his creativity and trickery. Second half their keeper made a string of fantastic saves. We look to have the basis of a good team this season with some good depth too seeing as Spillane, Wright and John weren't even included in the matchday squad!
Onto Tuesday for what will probably be our toughest game of the entire campaign!!
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