Tonights Matches

[Amber Aleman]

Two away wins on the bounce, and suddenly those points dropped at home last month don't look so costly.

As predicted, this was a tougher game than last Saturday's - but we were helped by Boreham Wood having goal-shy strikers and an error-prone keeper. As Andy said, we struggled to impose ourselves in the first half, giving away an early penalty and only getting back into the game because of a blooper by their keeper.

We looked stronger in the second half with Chukki on and forming the focal point of our attack. Another howler by the keeper, who dropped a corner ball at Chukki's feet, allowed us to take the lead. The difference that goalkeepers can make to matches was underlined a few minutes later when Nicholls had to be alert and make a sprawling save to prevent a home equaliser. After that, despite the occasional scare, we looked the more likely to score again and Gav duly wrapped things up with a neat finish on the break.

With Bobbins drawing at home and neither Dartford nor Tonbridge playing tonight we've strengthened our grip on fourth place. If things go our way on Saturday we could even move up to third - but perhaps we shouldn't hope for too much too soon.

[frakey]

Echo the above really. We were looking second best for much of the first half until the gift, although Hami's finish was excellent. The introduction of Chukki for Steve M and the resultant swithces in the midfield appeared to give U's more of a grip on the game. Both sides missed good chances before the 'keeper's second calamity of the night. But Gav's third was just brilliant.

Poor old Wood. Lovely ground, good surface & no bugger bothering to watch them. Still, time wasting after 8 mins hardly encourages the crowds does it? Shame the ref was too thick to realise it as well.

As for the ref, well. Eight bookings - all in the second half - is ridiculous. Perhaps in isolation each booking, it could be argued, was merited but as a collective return for an incident-free match thos facts are an alarming statistic. Still, it made one home fan laugh - seeing Oscar & Hami getting booked, I wonder if he's laughing now, though!!

In recent home matches we have perhaps bemoaned our luck. Last night their wretched 'keeper redressed that balance somewhat.

Beware though, Wood's away record is far better than their home record. Last night was their 10th home defeat of the season. Hardly surprising when playing in front of what can at best be described as a gathering. I'm not sure 119 is a rue reflection of the gate. Makes you wonder why Danny Hunter bothers? Fair play to him for continuing to do so.

[Kebab Belly Bob]

Just had a look at the Ashford Town site and took this from their report with Boreham Wood

"As the game progressed Wood, somewhat understandably, subjected their hosts to blatant time-wasting, especially keeper Anstead, but weak refereeing from Mr Martin allowed them to get away with it".


Could this be a pattern....

KBB

[taz]

Thing is, whilst time wasting is frustrating for those of us paying to watch a game of football, I can completely understand why sides do it in certain cicumstances.

But to start wasting time after 8 minutes is taking the piss a bit!

[filbert]

If anyone is interested there is a long interview with Ashford Town's manager on their site. He is less than pleased about their defeat last night to AFC Hayes. Probably be a backlash on Saturday that we need to be up for.

www.ashfordtownmiddlesexfc.com/audio/mark_butler_100309.mp3