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Post by Amber Aleman on Aug 4, 2018 19:32:50 GMT
Having led at half-time, we were ultimately grateful for the late penalty that gave us a share of the points.
We played most of the game with Ross Lafayette as a lone striker, and, although he battled well (and picked up a yellow card for his efforts), he didn't have much joy in front of goal. As JR observed, our main threat came from Tom Bolarinwa down the right, and after he left Harrogate's young left back for dead then was brought down from behind, he took the free kick himself from which Charlie Clough headed us into the lead.
Harrogate equalised then went ahead with close-range efforts after our defence failed to clear the ball following home corners. By the time of their second, with about 5 minutes left of the 90, we'd switched to 4-4-2, with Tommy Wright and Aaron Drinan replacing Lafayette and Bennett. Then the ref spotted a defensive handball in the home box and JC stepped up to the spot. The keeper got a hand to the ball, but the shot had too much power and we were level.
EDIT: It was Aswad Thomas who took the fk for the first goal. Twitter incorrectly named Tombo as the taker.
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Post by Del on Aug 4, 2018 22:07:46 GMT
Fairly even game at the start but Harrogate did look dangerous kicking down the slope on their right hand side and they hit the post. As we grew more into the game we scored from a well won free kick that was headed home by Clough.A very powerful header giving the keeper no chance.
After that it was one way traffic in our favour up to half time. Second half started the same but unfortunately an error by Butler gifted them an equaliser they didn't deserve. Goals change matches and no more so in this one as we dropped deeper & deeper into defence. They grabbed a second with not long to go and i couldn't see us coming home with anything which was completely the opposite to what had occurred up until their equaliser.
Still a handball in their defence gifted us a 2nd goal and we shared the points.
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Post by johnnie1 on Aug 5, 2018 13:05:04 GMT
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markf
Top Performer
Posts: 3,324
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Post by markf on Aug 5, 2018 16:11:06 GMT
Game one out of the way nd a trip to a newly promoted club was never going to be simple as they looked to impress in their debut at the top flight of nl football.
A new ground for most of us and it was a half decent stadium too, although with a reported gate of near 1400 their apparent capacity of 3000, if filled, the ground would be less than comfortable. A bit surprised to see a slope of that gradient on a 3g surface. Zealous stewards moving the visitng fans at the top end away from the fence only to allow the home support full access to said fence standing area in the second half. Other issues also became apparent; notice to clubs if you're going to ban vapes as well, please display along with no smoking signs so those of us who do, don't have to get into a protracted conversation over the policy; we don't all read the ground regs on arrival. And don't talk to us like kids either. Other than that the locals were generally fine.
On the pitch U's started well testing the home defence with some good crosses but Harrogate, playing down the slope, began to get joy down the right flank and during a good spell played some dangerous balls across the face of the goal, hit the woodwork twice - one by the aid of a deflection - before, against the run of play, U's took the lead. Tom B was hauled down after slaughtering his opponent with strength and pace and from the free-kick, I believe delivered by Aswad T (as my view was obscured a little - hence why standing on the fence gave the vertically challenged a better view) Cloughy rose to head powerfully home. Charlie's third in his last two competitive appearances for Sutton. A few years apart, mind. It reminded me of how John Delaney used to convert from set pieces. Emphatic.
From there Sutton was in control but even so failed to test the home 'keeper. HT arrived and the overworked tea bar staff (only one open) did their stuff with speed. Down to the bottom end and a place on the fence permitted. U's continued to be in control until skip directed a header just wide of his own post and U's never really got the ball away and the mounting pressure told, eventually, with Jamie B's handling error and a simple tap in.
Harrogate was suddenly woken up and the home side was from then on, rather on top. They were quicker to the ball, moved it well and caused problems. That said Jamie B was never tested, while Sutton made some attempts to alleviate the home sides ascendancy down the slope.
The second goal arrived late. A first effort was blocked but their sub was on hand to force home. The home fans celebrated what looked to be a historic win but a cross from the left saw Harry B contest and inexplicably, a home defender threw out an arm and patted the ball down. Penalty, although the ref seemed to dither before giving what was a pretty obvious decision.
Skip stepped up and his effort went through the hands of the 'keeper to secure a point. Would have taken such an outcome before k.o. so will be happy with it.
Not U's best performance but for all both team's endeavour, I am not sure either 'keeper made a save worth mentioning. Josh T showed some nice skill, Tom B was a handful at times while Ross L had a right royal battle with their no 6 who dished a bit out and got a bit back.
Solid if not spectacular. For the third season in a row, U's opening match scorer(s) were centre-backs (Skip 2, Dean Beckwith 2 and Cloughie 1).
As for the ref (no mention of him in the otherwise decent programme) like Harrogate he was making his NL debut. We will probably see a lot worse and hopefully a lot better. A glaring handball by their 'keeper in the first half was missed (no help offered by the assistant) and the lack of appearing not even to acknowledge infringements let alone actually give a free-kick frustrated both sides. He dithered over the penalty decision and probably had to wait for confirmation from his other assistant. Perhaps like many other observers, he couldn't believe what he'd seen either. Thought Tom B had a decent shout for a pen minutes earlier too.
A first long trip negotiated. The East Coast line did its best to mess up my travel arrangements on the way back but fortunately failed, the only issue was when I was partially sat on by a rotund chap wearing a matching jacket/shorts combo of a multi-coloured fleck design. I decided to up sticks and find another seat with what appeared to be protests from one of the fella's friends suggesting I had been rude to do so, following me. Couldn't make it up.
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Post by Stewart on Aug 6, 2018 10:14:56 GMT
I noticed the players were wearing GPS sports-bras on Saturday! I thought Dos was old School!
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Post by Stewart on Aug 6, 2018 18:27:13 GMT
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trev
1st team skipper
In Matt We Trust
Posts: 2,477 
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Post by trev on Aug 7, 2018 12:43:25 GMT
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