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Post by Amber Aleman on Jul 30, 2008 21:56:12 GMT
Craig Davis put us ahead from the penalty spot on 3 minutes after Dundas was bundled over. But AFC were level a minute later thanks to a spectacular effort from Elliott Godfrey. They took the lead after 15 minutes when danger-man Daniel Bocande was allowed to run through our defence. And that was the way it stayed.
Lots of substitutions from both sides in the second half.
Sutton won the corner count, and their keeper had a good claim for man of the match.
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Post by Del on Jul 30, 2008 22:05:03 GMT
We looked good in spells but Steve West is too pedestrian to play up front now.Have we now released our lively attacking forwards? (Craig accepted)
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Post by os on Jul 30, 2008 22:14:54 GMT
We were second best in the first half lost the midfield battle early on and again looked shaky on the left all night. I worry about the Palmer/AJ partnership as we had nothing at all coming down the left until @70mins in. We looked much better second half but there was a lot of changes so difficult to tell how accurate a reflection that was. We still had plenty of chances throughout the game and that shows we will worry any defence in the ryman. We missed Wilde a player that has impressed me a lot and Dundo looked a little isolated without him, but its difficult to assess the game other than to say I think we are ok everywhere except the left.
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Millsy
1st team skipper
Posts: 2,246
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Post by Millsy on Jul 30, 2008 22:28:11 GMT
On the plus side, we needed a tougher test and perhaps the manager and players will have learnt a lot more tonight than from the previous games.
On the negative side, AFC were faster to everything in the first half and played pretty much all of the football, second half was scrappier from both sides, possibly due to the changes?
Was most impressed with Craig Davis tonight, best outing he's had for us so far.
I think we really missed Wilde, and definitely missed Collins. I'm still not taken with Carlton Palmer, especially after he chose to tee up their second goal rather than clear it!
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Post by The Editor on Jul 30, 2008 22:54:41 GMT
Jerson was with Crystal Palace - Started the game, came off at the break and came back on as an 83rd minute sub in the Eagles' XI's 3-2 defeat at Dagenham. Jon Nurse was a late sub for the Daggers while Solomon Taiwo played the full 90 and set up a goal.
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Post by stevemac on Jul 30, 2008 23:07:38 GMT
To be honest I thought tonight was a very decent workout. A very even game in my opinion and if anything we shaded it. I am full of optimism after that for sure as we wont play a better side than them all season ( cup apart of course!!!) In my opinion Hann was poor tonight in comparison to the rave reviews I have heard, Gavin Herroo was competative in the midfield but on the ball leaves a bit to be desired. I agree that we looked a touch pedestrian up front but still caused problems. The goals we conceded were not great, defensively should have got tighter to the first one and for the second one Davis won the ball and was then tackled back in midfield but how slow was Palmer to recover the situation??? I agree that perhaps we lost the midfield battle early on but that was in my opinion because they played 2 in the middle and also a striker dropping off leaving us outnumbered in there at times, that was how I saw it anyway. On the plus side though the team competed against a higher league opposition and it was a highly entertaining game. Jack Smith impressed me as again did Davis, he gets about the pitch very well and his range of passing is sublime at times ( shame we couldnt finish some of them) Also how many throws did he take that were flicked on and not finished it was ridiculous! Thought Kes had a decent game also. All in all really enjoyed it and mainly positives to come from it i guess, although looking back there were a few that could have done better, but it was a good workout none the less. Well done lads, keep it going.
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taz
Top Performer
Posts: 3,760
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Post by taz on Jul 30, 2008 23:13:58 GMT
Thought tonight was very disjointed and can't really think of anything especially positive we can take from the game. Defence was all over the shop, midfield was almost non-existant (1st half especially) and we just booted it most of the time. Ok, we only had one of the wingers out there tonight, but Matty Hann could have set a deckchair out and read a nice book for all the ball he saw first 45. Not convinced about Heero in MF either, dives in far far too much. Had we been playing league games and not friendlies, he'd be looking at a ban already! I also think we still lack just that little something up front as well. The amount of flick-on's etc from corners\throws we won, yet there was always at least 2-3 blue shirts there first before us. We need a tap in merchant. Someone who's just 'there' when required. Perhaps this is Steve Watts? Total opposite of the Bromley performance really though. Disappointing, but I guess that's due to the progress we'd seen previously and the standards set so far. And if that's our bad 'one', best get it out the way now than have it on the 16th! Still, good turn out tonight. Nice to see a bit of a crowd.
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Post by andycapp on Jul 31, 2008 7:43:13 GMT
What was the official attendance last night?
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taz
Top Performer
Posts: 3,760
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Post by taz on Jul 31, 2008 8:27:31 GMT
Think Gareth said it was 708. But I might be wrong!
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Gareth
1st team Player
Goon
Posts: 1,646
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Post by Gareth on Jul 31, 2008 10:29:32 GMT
Bit disappointed with the performance to be honest, but I thought AFCW looked a very good team and should do well next season. There were moments of real promise but we really missed Wilde and Collins. I think we're still missing a goal-poacher who's going to get us 20+ this season, but having said that we've probably got 4 or 5 players that should score 10
Moving on - anyone looking forward to returning to Uxbridge?!!
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Post by limowomble on Jul 31, 2008 11:56:37 GMT
Good game last night and thanks for being great hosts as usual I doubt we can afford our impressive no.9 (ex-Metz Bocande) but it was good to see him turn out for us anyway. Good luck for next season in the wonderful festival of football that the Ryman Premier has become
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taz
Top Performer
Posts: 3,760
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Post by taz on Jul 31, 2008 11:56:43 GMT
Moving on - anyone looking forward to returning to Uxbridge?!! No! Next question........
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Post by manchesteru on Jul 31, 2008 15:53:15 GMT
I think last night was a good reality check for us. Although our pre-season performances before last night have been good, I think we had a few flaws which were exposed last night, fortunatly giving us 3 games to get them right. I thought Davies had a decent game, as did Roberts. I agree with what Taz said about Matt Hann in the 1st half, but with the introduction of Roberts down the other side I think he raised his game, and perhaps we could of got a second goal. Saying that however, the better team on the night won, and good luck to Wimbledon in the BSS.
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medibot
1st team Player
Posts: 1,341
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Post by medibot on Jul 31, 2008 18:27:54 GMT
As usual the footballing brains of Sutton have pretty much nailed on what i thought of last night. We missed Wilde quite a bit, the combined threat of him and Hann on the wings makes us far more dangerous although i suppose it was particularly highlighted by the new lad on the left not looking up to much. I prefer "Taz" Roberts on the left wing or indeed if dodgy footy coach cum teacher mates of Andy K are to be believed, Bentley Graham is worth a shout on the left side too. Maybe something to try in the remaining friendlies? Still lots of little passages of excellent play and touches and balls that showed real talent. Bocande looked a bit good though. Compared to the lad they had partnering Main against Salisbury on Saturday he was on another planet. A lot of talk about the first Wombles goal being unstoppable but it went in quite far from the top corner and i reckon Nicholls will be disappointed he didn't keep it out. Would have been a top save to do so but i'd like to think he'd think he could've have got it with a split second more sight of the shot. Marvellous strike though. Still slightly missing that definite goalscorer up front and since Mark Watson wasn't keen on another comeback when his mate suggested it in the bar afterwards we need somebody to fill the top goalscorer shoes. That could still be somebody we already have adapting their role to supporting Dundas and chasing things up to be in the right place at the right time. A tadge disappointed to lose as i thought the two sides matched each other and 2-2 would've been a fair reflection and i still think somebody should have hammered the ball as hard as they could at the little AFC 'keeper just to see if he was up to keeping it out. 15 year old arms tend not to have the strength to stop a full bore adult shot. Still. Onwards an upwards and the game will have done more to finalise the line up for Harlow than any easy win at Horley or Bromley ( ) could.
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Paul L
1st team Player
www.from-the-lane.co.uk
Posts: 1,533
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Post by Paul L on Jul 31, 2008 19:14:22 GMT
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