Sutton v Merstham (SSC)

[Andy K]

Well if we were to lose only one game from yesterday until the end of the season, then job done. Never nice to lose but I certainly didn't lose any sleep over it.

Well done to the ground safety officer, who had genuine concerns about the safety of spectators last night and made the right decision. We were asked to move to the main stand which we did, in a polite manner. No fuss, no hassle. And as we passed the turnstile again we heard others being asked too, who did the same. The fact that the game went ahead last night with minimal risk to supporters should be totally commended and another example of why 3G is so important at this level.

As for the match. I can't disagree with tonyd at all. One of those 2 looked to me that they couldn't be arsed with it all. But at the end of the day Merstham appeared to be more up for it, which is fine. No disrespect to the opponents at all but we've got 11 bigger fish to fry before the end of April.

Now to weatherwatch for Halifax.

[SG]

Thought Merstham looked a very good side on that showing, albeit against a pretty disjointed U's display. Their number 7, Alex Addai, was very impressive, tore us to bits down our left flank all night.

[billy]

Is entry for this competition compulsory for Sutton United ? It seems to me they should either opt out or make a much better effort to win it.

I feel  they are not only showing contempt for the SSC but also taking advantage of their loyal band of  supporters who they know are so gullible that they will stand for anything and be pleased to do so.

[Andy K]

Feb 28, 2018 12:27:46 GMT billy said:

Is entry for this competition compulsory for Sutton United ? It seems to me they should either opt out or make a much better effort to win it.

I feel  they are not only showing contempt for the SSC but also taking advantage of their loyal band of  supporters who they know are so gullible that they will stand for anything and be pleased to do so.

Here we go....

Expand on the "stand for anything and be pleased to do so" comment. What do you actually mean?

[mca]

Feb 28, 2018 12:27:46 GMT billy said:

Is entry for this competition compulsory for Sutton United ? It seems to me they should either opt out or make a much better effort to win it.

I feel  they are not only showing contempt for the SSC but also taking advantage of their loyal band of  supporters who they know are so gullible that they will stand for anything and be pleased to do so.

Let me get this right, either they opt out or win it, anything else is the club taking a crap on the SSC?

[Jared]

Feb 28, 2018 12:31:53 GMT mca said:

Feb 28, 2018 12:27:46 GMT billy said:

Is entry for this competition compulsory for Sutton United ? It seems to me they should either opt out or make a much better effort to win it.

I feel  they are not only showing contempt for the SSC but also taking advantage of their loyal band of  supporters who they know are so gullible that they will stand for anything and be pleased to do so.

Let me get this right, either they opt out or win it, anything else is the club taking a crap on the SSC?

Best to ignore. It's just Billy trying to be controversial again. Probably bored.

[fox]

On the off chance you actually want an answer and are not just fishing.

It is compulsory to enter a team. At National League level the games are not counted as 1st team matches for appearance / goal scoring / suspension purposes.

Therefore most clubs decide to not put much of a 1st team out for it. I would suggest that all of those in attendance last night would know they were going to watch a mixture of 1st team / academy players therefore wouldn't being feeling fleeced.

[sallycat]

Are we still gullible if we don't actually expect to win?

[Andy K]

Anyone sit there and count the crowd last night? Was it the same as announced? Oh come on everyone, we're letting the side down. We're just too blind and loyal and being taken advantage by the club. IT'S A DISGRACE!!!!!

[trev]

Andy's account has been hacked by Billy by the looks of it.

[markf]

A disappointing exit from the SSC as it looked as if the U's would add to their one goal lead and probably end Merstham's hopes.

The first half was pretty even with Tarell Annakie making one fine save early on and U's going close too. Josh T set up TW for a simple finish and (having seen Paul's photos of the incident) my original thought that Coombsey should have had a pen shortly before h-t were confirmed.

Second half TW uncharacteristically, headed a fine opportunity wide while Chad Morris, after a fine surging run, should have taken the shot rather than the pass.

Merstham made changes and pretty quickly one of them had levelled. Addai who was a massive threat down the right fought of David Omperon and while his cross was cleared it fell to Tommy Kav who hit a trademark shot against the post and sub, Hayden-Smith was in the right place. The second came from an unfortunate slip from SD and the sub fired past the advancing Annakie. That really was it. Merstham had turned the game around and U's were out.

Last night's ref was bussed in at the last moment and as this was probably above his usual level he did ok in all consideration, although SD's caution wouldn't have happened had he given an obvious free-kick seconds before. The penalty incident mentioned above was probably not so clear but his assistant who couldn't spot a handball by the 'keeper even if a red light came on and told him so, possibly should have had.

With regards to the SSC, the NL don't identify it as a senior comp but the club does with regards to stats etc. Woking sometimes put out strong sides, sometimes they don't. Dos has quite rightly used to give academy players and those senior squad players needing game time since we got in the NL. It should be noted that while the NL doesn't recognise it as senior and it can't be used as a game towards clearing a suspension, the FA does and any red/yellows go towards a players card count. When I was working at the Surrey FA I thought that it was ridiculous for this to be the case and still do.

To not compete in it would require the club to pay SCFA a nominal fee (Palace did/do for many years).

As for the issue with the ground, shame that one guy felt the need to leave and surely he could have got his £8 back if he explained. The decision may be considered by some as over-protective and I can't say I enjoyed watching from the stand even if standing rather than sitting at the back. However, the club has to ensure it does everything to safeguard not just the paying public but itself too. What if someone had slipped and broken a limb say? In this era of compensation claims for anything from perceived corporate negligence to the more bizarre, what else does the club do?

Don't blame the "officious oaf" blame the pathetic culture we live in where adults can't handle the consequences of their actions be it through just bad luck or downright stupidity.

[skillspaybills]

Any lads from Academy we think have a realistic chance of playing for us in years to come?.

[timall]

So heading off from home (not far from Merstham oddly) with a reading of -6 degrees, it was interesting to see the temperature had risen to just -1 as I parked near the ground. Funnily enough it felt warmer than the earlier round against Redhill, although I suspect the extra layers this time round were as much to do with that.

In line with markf's observation about the modern world of health and safety I wasn't impressed with having to vacate my usual viewing spot and head to the cold concrete of the stands. Ironically this meant doing more walking than I would have done had I stayed put, and having to risk climbing up steps etc. Weird that increasing the risk of slipping is considered preferable as a solution, but I don't begrudge the club doing what it felt was necessary. It can't win either way in such circumstances.

Like practising left handed onanism it was strange to watch the game from the grandstand. Pleasurable enough but slightly odd and feeling somehow wrong. Being enclosed, with the game partially obscured occasionally, and having to endure the back of your seat being occasionally kicked etc. just isn't the same so it won't be repeated through choice.

Yesterday's game proved to be a real disappointment, and whilst others will see the blessing in being knocked out (and not losing any sleep or feeling any pain), I felt close to anger as I left, though by the time I had slept on it I realised it was mere frustration than true anger.

With 6 of the 10 outfield players from the first team squad, and plenty of league appearances between them this season, the task in hand was simple enough. Even with 3 of the back 4 (and keeper) not from those ranks, given the opposition, even relative weakness at the back should have more than been made up for with the creativity and potential finishing power at the other end.

The team seemed to take their time to get going in the first half, with lots of possession kept neatly, but little penetration or probing in the passing to create many chances initially. Things gradually improved and just as we groaned as Josh Taylor created space then almost instantly lost possession with an awful touch, we cheered as he was gifted it back again and a run on goal alongside Tommy Wright with just the goalie to beat. A neat sideways pass took him out of the game, and Tommy hasn't had many easier goals to tap in in the amber shirt.

With the lead established it should have been an easy passage to the semi-finals. The team though lacked the hunger and thought the job was done. There was a 3 on 1 overlap chance that was squandered in a way that never would have happened in a "real" league game. Had the penalty been correctly awarded no doubt the second goal would have sealed it with the opposition in the tough spot of risking to now score at least twice and creating openings at the back for us to exploit.

We often hear of the proverbial half time team talk to turn things around, but I have no idea what was said yesterday but the second period was a parody of a performance from a club that currently sits at the top of the county in terms of league position. As others have said already, if potential first teamers given the opportunity to demonstrate their worth to be regulars, and possibly football league players next season, show such low commitment and fight for the cause the reality will be less, not more game time. Bizarre.

One team came out fighting after the break and it wasn't us. We assumed we would win, and even when we were pegged back the urgency wasn't there at all. Simon Downer, who ironically had a decent enough game, and marshalled the youngsters well, had a mare of a slip in the build up to their second, and winning goal. However even before that we were far too sloppy in possession, giving it away too often, and lethargic up front to deserve even to have the lottery of penalties and a chance to progress. We got what we deserved and fair play to Merstham, and their dozen or so supporters. Their number 7, on the right wing, was the liveliest player on the pitch, and a mismatch for our unfortunate left back. Hopefully the experience will be good for him, and not knock his progress.

Supporters were short changed last night, and enough of us really do care about the SSC despite it's "Mickey Mouse Cup" labelling by other fans. Some of the best memories are from this competition and it hurts to see it not taken seriously. It is still a trophy and this season we had a very good chance to not just progress, but to win some silverware, and become the "winningmost" holder too. Sadly no more. Going out fighting in the FA cup against better opposition is fair enough, but retiring tamely against inferior teams in the Trophy and now the SSC will taint what will still be seen as a fantastic and successful season. Let's hope come May there is still silverware in the trophy cabinet to celebrate.

[billy]

Feb 28, 2018 12:33:35 GMT Jared said:

Feb 28, 2018 12:31:53 GMT mca said:

Let me get this right, either they opt out or win it, anything else is the club taking a crap on the SSC?

Best to ignore. It's just Billy trying to be controversial again. Probably bored.

I've never been bored in my life mate,not a word i've ever used.So little time and so much to do,see and listen to.In the extremely unlikely event that i ever do get bored perhaps i will buy a mobile phone and gaze adoringly at it morning,noon and night like most of you lot do.

[trev]

It was only a matter of time before our old friends buffoonery, tomfoolery and lampoonery resurfaced.