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Post by Amber Aleman on Apr 10, 2018 21:47:57 GMT
This result was a poor reward for the Sutton contingent who travelled up to West Yorkshire on a chill, dank evening. The game itself was low on quality, and, frankly, neither side deserved three points. But, having battled back in the second half, the Sutton players will feel hard done by to lose in the way they did.
We did at least start well, forcing two good saves from the home keeper in the opening three minutes. But after that we rather lost our shape, going behind when their forward broke through our high line and, with just Jamie B to beat, made no mistake. A couple of other defensive lapses might well gave gifted Halifax a more emphatic half-time lead, but they couldn't take advantage.
Simon Walton had already limped off, to be replaced by Harry B, and at half-time we saw Tommy and Kieron subbed for Ross L and Byron. This meant we then matched up to them physically but, despite sustained pressure, we still couldn't work the keeper. Eventually though a corner was headed in by Ross to level things up. But in the dying minutes Halifax won their own corner and, although Jamie kept out the initial attempt, he couldn't do likewise with the follow-up.
We slip to third place behind Tranmere, who, with a game in hand, must now be odds-on to finish second. The challenge for us now is to hang on to third and avoid the initial round of play-off matches.
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Post by cheshire on Apr 10, 2018 22:06:40 GMT
Heavy bobbly pitch did not make for a pretty game at times tonight. Few clear cut chances created and apart from the opening few minutes we created little until around 75 minutes in.
I think that coming away with nothing from the efforts of Saturday and tonight is scant reward for the endeavour but in truth the team we seem to be a team that is huffing and puffing and has lost its creative spark. Our lads seem to be (understandably) running on empty as we approach the last few games of the season and the danger is that as other teams find form we are in a rut.
3rd place is still in our hands but need a change in fortune and an injection of energy. Hopefully the 3G and a more spring like temperatures on Sat will feel like something of a relief after the misty murky Shay tonight.
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jr
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Post by jr on Apr 11, 2018 8:59:02 GMT
A really good effort from the lads on a difficult pitch. Could have been 3 up inside 5 minutes but predictably Halifax got into the game and we looked extremely shaky at the back. No surprise when the scored. We had Simon, Kenny and Terrell quite rightly booked for some hefty challenges but only 1 of their players were booked. I haven't seen the stats but I would bet they did 3 times as many fouls as us and yet the ref let them get away with it. I expect Ross and Byron have sore back of the heads this morning as an arm or elbow seemed to be placed there every time they jumped for the ball.
Apart from Halifax hitting the post in the second half when still 1-0 in a very rare foray into our half we mainly camped in their half and fully deserved the equaliser. There seemed to be only one winner until we gifted them the winner at the end.
Very disappointing.
The food at the Shay was awful. Their steak pie had no steak in it but perhaps a couple of bits of mince. The pastry tasted nice though.
The drive home was littered with closures on the M1 despite my passenger checking and seeing that there were no planned closures. The lights to get off the M1 were green for 8 seconds! We then had to detour down the A42 to the M42 and this added an hour to our already long journey. Still, at least I beat Miller home!
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Post by ryooon1999 on Apr 11, 2018 9:44:30 GMT
A really good effort from the lads on a difficult pitch. Could have been 3 up inside 5 minutes but predictably Halifax got into the game and we looked extremely shaky at the back. No surprise when the scored. We had Simon, Kenny and Terrell quite rightly booked for some hefty challenges but only 1 of their players were booked. I haven't seen the stats but I would bet they did 3 times as many fouls as us and yet the ref let them get away with it. I expect Ross and Byron have sore back of the heads this morning as an arm or elbow seemed to be placed there every time they jumped for the ball. Apart from Halifax hitting the post in the second half when still 1-0 in a very rare foray into our half we mainly camped in their half and fully deserved the equaliser. There seemed to be only one winner until we gifted them the winner at the end. Very disappointing. The food at the Shay was awful. Their steak pie had no steak in it but perhaps a couple of bits of mince. The pastry tasted nice though. The drive home was littered with closures on the M1 despite my passenger checking and seeing that there were no planned closures. The lights to get off the M1 were green for 8 seconds! We then had to detour down the A42 to the M42 and this added an hour to our already long journey. Still, at least I beat Miller home! Your food review sounds a lot like my blog haha, you must have been inspired by my writing 😉 |
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Post by Amber Aleman on Apr 11, 2018 9:51:30 GMT
I'm still in Halifax. I'm glad I gave myself some time to look around; it's an attractive town with many fine stone buildings. Worth bearing in mind for next season.
As for the football, it seems that earlier in the season we were edging or drawing tight away games whereas now we're losing them. Fatigue may be a factor. Yet to be third with four games to go must exceed pre-season expectations. Whatever happens in those four matches, there will be plenty of positives to reflect on when the season's over.
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Post by Andy K on Apr 11, 2018 13:19:39 GMT
After last night's defeat, it is now mathematically impossible to win the title. We just need to dust ourselves down and get a couple of wins behind our belt to go into the play offs with some sort of form.
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Post by Del on Apr 11, 2018 13:27:12 GMT
Just arrived back home. We deserved a draw for our battling performance in the second half.Halifax's first goal was poor defending on our part as the ball just went through the middle of our two centre backs.The second a goalkeeper error of judgement but we go again on Saturday & three points is a must.
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Post by localboy86 on Apr 11, 2018 15:08:36 GMT
A disappointing result last night up at Halifax meaning we've lost 3 on the bounce for the first time in age. After grabbing an equaliser (great to see Lafa back on the scoresheet by the way) surely we've got to be seeing the draw out (which we probably would have taken prior to kick-off) - a rare mistake from Jamie Butler for their winner.
Ho hum, onto Saturday.
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Post by steveo77 on Apr 11, 2018 15:25:59 GMT
its all about getting in the top 3 really - I don't see that there is any difference between finishing 2nd or 3rd so either will do.
its looking like Tranmere are on good enough form to finish 2nd.
assuming we win at least 2 then we should finish above Boreham Wood and Wrexham, its in our own hands regarding Aldershot as we play them on last day of season...so its about finishing higher than Fylde.
It is definitely possible, if the match v Maidenhead had not been abandoned then things would be looking a bit clearer and easier though!
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billy
1st team skipper
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Post by billy on Apr 11, 2018 15:50:46 GMT
Never mind,it's not all bad news.The Cricket season starts on Friday.
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Post by baboonfish on Apr 11, 2018 16:01:29 GMT
The only positive spin I can put on losing three on the trot at the business end of the season is that fans' expectations have been brought back down to earth. In all likelihood we'll be plying our trade at the correct level next season and relentless discussion about making the step up to the fl can return to the background. We're facing a real fight to hang on to a play off place now and it would be really sad to miss out. I desperately hope we don't and I'll be seeing any extension of our season as a real bonus now and just enjoy it for what it is.
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markf
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Post by markf on Apr 11, 2018 18:37:03 GMT
Last night was a re-run of our midweek trip to Guiseley last year. A dank Yorkshire evening, a last minute goal conceded and a somewhat adventurous journey home.
The Shay is a pretty imposing venue but sparsely populated by a home crowd that would give Hartelpool fans a run for their money in the moaning stakes. They say it's grim oop north and the two H's certainly subscribe to that testament. The Halifax lot were quiet until they scored except for moaning at their players, any foul given against them, any tackle made by an opponent and by God when the ref had the temerity to book one of their players. That reaction seemed to work though in a second half where collective persistent infringement was deemed acceptable, the use of the arm in aerial challenges totally legal and a late, dangerous challenge on LJ only worthy of a cursory glance over his shoulder by an inept referee.
That should not detract from the fact for the second time in three days U's conceded two goals because of errors. Last night was a sicken-er as the second half response was excellent and the returning Ross L back to his early season form, scoring and proving a huge handful to the home defence with his movement and physicality. A point was deserved and could have been more had that first minute chance been converted. TBH, I couldn't see what happened there or the last minute winner such was the dark and murk up that far end (I am due a bi-annual eye-test, mind) but as is so often said, goals change matches, and an early lead would have certainly given us a decent shot at three points as I think the home side looked fragile at the back in the early stages.
The pitch was sticky but flat and whilst a little slow in the way the ball moved, it held up well considering the rain and usage it had experienced over a four day spell.
The home journey was flying by under the wheels of my chauffeur, cheers Kiddo, until we got to the Nottingham area. Sat Nav advised to leave the M1 and having seen the motionless queue stretching forever into the distance the cross-country alternative to Birmingham and the M40 was indeed the best option. After that it was the wet and misty drive back down to the south coast and home at about 3.15am. A lot of standing water and it was perhaps fortunate there were no insomniac pedestrians around when I hit one unseen lot; it was as if God had tried to relocate a small area of one of the Great Lakes to Tadworth.
That's three losses on the bounce - not sure when or even if that's happened under Dos before (will have to check) that makes Saturday a must win if third place is to be retained. Bromley aside, it would appear that the footballing gods that were with us early in the season have changed sides and they need to do an about turn pronto. Still, it is in our hands and a victory of any sort would surely turn that tide.
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markf
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Post by markf on Apr 11, 2018 18:43:21 GMT
Should add that I think KBB counted 35 travelling fans in the away end. Hats of to all who made it.
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Post by Andy K on Apr 11, 2018 19:12:56 GMT
Frakey, oddly enough happened last season on September. Gateshead, Wrexham and Braintree. Prior to that I can't think of any other in 10 years of Dos
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markf
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Post by markf on Apr 11, 2018 19:29:56 GMT
Aah yes, that run of away games and a last minute belter by the Braintree fella.
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