FA Trophy 2nd Round v Hendon (match-thread)
Jan 14, 2018 11:42:47 GMT
Stewart and brisfitboy like this
Post by timall on Jan 14, 2018 11:42:47 GMT
The only disappointing thing about yesterday's game was once more the low crowd that missed an excellent advert for cup football. Approximately 5 times as many home supporters were at the ground for this one compared to Monday. With an aggregate cup score of 10 - 1 on the week to me it's the "stay-aways" that are very much the losers.
Before yesterday's proceedings kicked off we had the presentation for the latest round of the player of the month competition. It's fair to say that yesterday's recipient has already had a pretty decent January, despite not yet being half way through it, and may well have his eye on becoming the permanent holder of the trophy in turn.
Yesterday's affair was a closer one than Monday's, where even from the off there were only really 2 considerations (when would we score the first goal and how many would we get?). The Sutton starting line up was certainly on paper an attacking one, with the counter argument being it lacked solidity to the midfield. Unlike much of the season where the middle of the park has had bite from seasoned players, and a strength through the spine, the boss was happy to play with players that can run and cause havoc from wider play. It will be interesting to see now that we have welcomed back both Tom and Harry, and with Kieron playing wide too, how the boss can accommodate everyone in the tougher league games between here and the end of the season. With Tommy partnering Adam Coombes up front, and the above mentioned three in midfield, it left only Craig Eastmond in a deeper midfield role.
Hendon came to play football, which helped our formation I felt, so all credit to them, but they were second best in all the player on player comparisons sadly for them, reflecting the gap in divisions between the clubs. The only argument you could make for this not to be the case was their on-loan goalie who despite leaking 3 had a decent enough game. Our loanee between the sticks, in turn, had very little to be tested with so the contest between them wasn't a fair one to judge to be honest.
Our back 4 were very solid. Aswad played well in both defence, and on the break as an attacking option, although Spence perhaps showed his lack of game time with a performance below his usual standards. The pairing of Thomas and Downer in the centre were solid and rarely under trouble, anticipating danger before it appeared to make the defending job all the easier. Regardless of the quality of the opposition attack, Simon has had (nearly) two 90 minute outings in less than a week and showed the hallmarks of a top centre-back at this level, or indeed higher, and whilst it was odd to see a defender given MOTM in a 3-0 victory, it was deserved none the less in my opinion. With Beckwith given a few minutes to add to the game time on Monday, in my view our best two central defenders are ready for league action once more. It's only age that sadly means these two can't be considered part of the long-term future of our team at this level (or higher).
Having created a number of chances, playing passing attacking football, as opposed to some of the more direct play we have used early in the more tight games associated with our league competition, it was somewhat fortunate that a defending lapse saw a Sutton attack break down only for the ball to be gifted to Kieron just inside the box. Inside a couple of seconds he had advanced on the goal, and slotted the ball past the advancing keeper into the back of the net.
At 1 - 0 at half time Hendon had to score to even force the replay, and they came out in determined fashion for the second 45. Sutton, whilst creating as many chances as before the break, were happy to soak and play on the counter. With Harry and Tom mixing it with Tommy the speed of such breaks were such as to be a continuous threat, yet it was Adam that scored the goal that took the tie beyond our opponents. It's good to see him, back in the team, and whilst he would be behind Ross for me, there was little wrong with his volleyed finish.
Unfortunately, for him at least, that wasn't the end of it, and he couldn't even claim the best goal of the game. That fell to Tommy, who despite having a good game running at the defence when in the forward position, saved his goal for when he was dropped back into midfield towards the end of the game. Taking receipt when unmarked from a corner he set his sights and curled a marvellous shot in off the post past a stranded keeper from some distance.
So it will be back to the league, and the TV cameras, for our next game where no doubt the crowd will magically be trebled. Good to get a clean sheet ahead of that one. Tranmere winning in the league yesterday reinforces how tough the table looks. Craig looked like he took a knock yesterday, and its unlikely we will play as attacking a formation of individuals as we put out yesterday so it will be interesting to see how the boss selects his side as we go back to the "business as usual" attempt to win promotion.
Hopefully our opposition yesterday can continue their assault on their respective promotion too as they were a decent enough side with a similar described set of travelling supporters too.
Before yesterday's proceedings kicked off we had the presentation for the latest round of the player of the month competition. It's fair to say that yesterday's recipient has already had a pretty decent January, despite not yet being half way through it, and may well have his eye on becoming the permanent holder of the trophy in turn.
Yesterday's affair was a closer one than Monday's, where even from the off there were only really 2 considerations (when would we score the first goal and how many would we get?). The Sutton starting line up was certainly on paper an attacking one, with the counter argument being it lacked solidity to the midfield. Unlike much of the season where the middle of the park has had bite from seasoned players, and a strength through the spine, the boss was happy to play with players that can run and cause havoc from wider play. It will be interesting to see now that we have welcomed back both Tom and Harry, and with Kieron playing wide too, how the boss can accommodate everyone in the tougher league games between here and the end of the season. With Tommy partnering Adam Coombes up front, and the above mentioned three in midfield, it left only Craig Eastmond in a deeper midfield role.
Hendon came to play football, which helped our formation I felt, so all credit to them, but they were second best in all the player on player comparisons sadly for them, reflecting the gap in divisions between the clubs. The only argument you could make for this not to be the case was their on-loan goalie who despite leaking 3 had a decent enough game. Our loanee between the sticks, in turn, had very little to be tested with so the contest between them wasn't a fair one to judge to be honest.
Our back 4 were very solid. Aswad played well in both defence, and on the break as an attacking option, although Spence perhaps showed his lack of game time with a performance below his usual standards. The pairing of Thomas and Downer in the centre were solid and rarely under trouble, anticipating danger before it appeared to make the defending job all the easier. Regardless of the quality of the opposition attack, Simon has had (nearly) two 90 minute outings in less than a week and showed the hallmarks of a top centre-back at this level, or indeed higher, and whilst it was odd to see a defender given MOTM in a 3-0 victory, it was deserved none the less in my opinion. With Beckwith given a few minutes to add to the game time on Monday, in my view our best two central defenders are ready for league action once more. It's only age that sadly means these two can't be considered part of the long-term future of our team at this level (or higher).
Having created a number of chances, playing passing attacking football, as opposed to some of the more direct play we have used early in the more tight games associated with our league competition, it was somewhat fortunate that a defending lapse saw a Sutton attack break down only for the ball to be gifted to Kieron just inside the box. Inside a couple of seconds he had advanced on the goal, and slotted the ball past the advancing keeper into the back of the net.
At 1 - 0 at half time Hendon had to score to even force the replay, and they came out in determined fashion for the second 45. Sutton, whilst creating as many chances as before the break, were happy to soak and play on the counter. With Harry and Tom mixing it with Tommy the speed of such breaks were such as to be a continuous threat, yet it was Adam that scored the goal that took the tie beyond our opponents. It's good to see him, back in the team, and whilst he would be behind Ross for me, there was little wrong with his volleyed finish.
Unfortunately, for him at least, that wasn't the end of it, and he couldn't even claim the best goal of the game. That fell to Tommy, who despite having a good game running at the defence when in the forward position, saved his goal for when he was dropped back into midfield towards the end of the game. Taking receipt when unmarked from a corner he set his sights and curled a marvellous shot in off the post past a stranded keeper from some distance.
So it will be back to the league, and the TV cameras, for our next game where no doubt the crowd will magically be trebled. Good to get a clean sheet ahead of that one. Tranmere winning in the league yesterday reinforces how tough the table looks. Craig looked like he took a knock yesterday, and its unlikely we will play as attacking a formation of individuals as we put out yesterday so it will be interesting to see how the boss selects his side as we go back to the "business as usual" attempt to win promotion.
Hopefully our opposition yesterday can continue their assault on their respective promotion too as they were a decent enough side with a similar described set of travelling supporters too.
