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Post by Amber Aleman on Apr 6, 2024 20:52:39 GMT
With both Jackson and Goodliffe missing from today's squad, we were somewhat weakened in defence. Louis John, starting his first game since 27 January, conceded what looked to me a needless corner in the third minute. We failed to clear the ball, and Madden put Stockport ahead. Harry B then committed a needless foul near the halfway line, and, from the resulting free kick, a cross was converted by Madden, arriving late in the box. We just weren’t getting the basics right.
The penalty, superbly put away by Charlie Lakin, was a lifeline for us. Going in at half-time only one down would have given us real hope. Instead, disaster struck. Madden completed his hat-trick with a 'worldie', then Lakin didn't appear for the second half, having seemingly suffered a knee injury.
At least we didn't concede again, but we scarcely looked like getting back into the game. As Andy has noted, we didn't deal well with the gusty wind, blowing towards the flag in the Collingwood Road corner. Too many of our balls forward early in the second half were simply carried straight into touch.
This was the first time under Steve Morison that we've lost a match by more than one goal. In mitigation, it was against the divisional leaders. Stockport become the fourth club to complete a double over us this season. If either Harrogate or Crawley add to that total, our goose is surely cooked. We probably now need to win against both of those, and hope that Colchester continue to struggle - starting on Tuesday against Stockport.
For the record, seven of today's starting XI, plus two of our subs, played in the 8-0 defeat at Edgeley Park.
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Post by strandedhatter on Apr 6, 2024 22:18:32 GMT
If it's any consolation we want the title, and a win on Tuesday night puts us up barring a 26 goal difference swing. I can assure you we'll be going to Colchester to win on Tuesday night.
I'm backing you to manage that great escape.
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Post by paz on Apr 7, 2024 17:52:26 GMT
You can see why they are top, great side in all areas, I fancy them to do well in league one as well. Giving away a goal in the first 2m set us up for a long afternoon. Wind did not help. They were simply too good for us. At least it was not 8..
What a refreshing change to have a decent ref! It shows how different things would be if we had a good ref every week in terms of not having to keep pulling your hair out!
It was always going to be a tough weekend. Us and Colchester lost our hard games, Grimsby nicked the three points they where expected to... We need a good day results wise on Tuesday and see where we are at.
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Post by sufc18 on Apr 7, 2024 19:40:06 GMT
Yes, they had the wind and the pitch slant advantage first half and made the most of it so then could just concentrate on stopping us making use of the same in the second half. Perfect tactics carried out well.
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markf
Top Performer
Posts: 3,195
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Post by markf on Apr 7, 2024 19:51:30 GMT
Funny, Stockport fans on forum reckoned he was worse ref they have had all season.
They must have been bloody lucky if that's the case.
Only seen the penalty decision briefly but having given it, it's a red as their fella made no attempt to play the ball. He also booked the wrong player.
Losing the toss was big yesterday as we probably wouldn't have conceded so early and have to chase the game had we been kicking towards Collingwood. Also the wind dropped a bit after ht.
That said, they are the best side we have played this season and over the two matches we failed to cope with Madden's movement let alone his goal scoring ability.
Losing that third goal right on ht and then Charlie not appearing in the second half seemed to sap some belief out of U's.
We certainly didn't take advantage of the wind that was still there in the second half and those short corner routines were puzzling and didn't work. I assume we were trying to change angle of delivery.
Was always going to be a tough ask. What surprises me is the County fans apparent surprise that they are on the cusp of the title. Christ, they have chucked money Sutton and most other L2 clubs can only dream about at the last few seasons.
The real surprise is/was that we beat them to L2 in the first place.
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Post by os on Apr 7, 2024 20:58:25 GMT
No doubt Stockport are the best side we have faced this season, they controlled the match pretty much throughout. You had a feeling they shifted down a gear in the 2nd half. Not much you can do when you meet a team inform top of the league.
3 matches to go all cup finals, all eyes on Colchester as well Tue / Sat, they could lose both and we could win at Harrogate so you never know?
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