Kettering Town were formed in 1872 and as you would expect of a team called "Kettering Town" they were based in the Northamptonshire town of Kettering. From 1897 to 2011 they played at Rockingham Road, Kettering (see a theme here) but as seems to be the way with modern football tradition was ditched and in the summer following the death of Rushden & Diamonds, Kettering Town were moved from the town which gave rise to the club to the small, village of Irthlingborough 8 miles away...rather predicitably the gates have fallen and the cost of Nene Park (memorably decsribed to me today as the non league Wembley!) at allegedly £1,000 per day have brought Kettering Town to the brink of destruction.
So once again an away day was being embarked on with the good people of First Pink Bus (which is neither pink or run by First, but it was many moons ago, so is still called FPB by some) I woke with a cracking hangover and headed to the Uni to collect Palmer before catching the coach at Odd Down. The coach journey was uneventful (aren't they always, while a cracking little resource the FPB does lack the romance and adventure of catching the train to games) and we disembarked in Irthlingborough. I forgot my camera (again!) but this is not such an issue as it is a nowhere place, with a crap ground and litterally nothing of note to take photos of.
The team at Kettering defied belief so I will type it out here in full:
Matthews
Simpson Jones Burnell Stonehouse
Murray Canham Hogg Connolly Watkins
Cook
So against a team that are so brassic they couldn't name a full subs bench and who lost 7-0 recently, we started with 5 in midfield and the permanently shit and lazy Jamie Cook upfront on his own. A role he is quite clearly not suited for, not that I've seen anything to suggest he's suited to being a footballer at all.
Nene Park is a classic new build, unnecessary numbers of seats, souless, and due to the overuse of plastic style pannels looks instantly dirty and grubby, give me Twerton Park and its knocked about glory any day.
The game was painfully predictable, City had a lot of play and the keeper saved a few, but mainly it was lots of football with sod all end product, and playing the lone striker meant the ball went into the box and....no one was near it as there were 5 men in midfield. The game was 0-0 at half time, and this was partly due to the worst surface I've seen at a game in a fair while, Palmer remarked that perhaps they were growing potatoes as a way of solving their cash issues!
Around 50 minutes Scott Murray picked up the ball wide on the right, ran inside and from 25-35 yards (we were on the side at the other end I have no idea how far it was!) unleashed an absolute screamer! The ball rocketed over the keeper and into the back of the net, probably the best goal I've seen this season, and probably the best goal since either Mackies against Darlo or Connolly at Tamworth from last season!
At which point City fell apart again, useless punts up field, no attacking threat, no chances Kettering grew into the game Gethin tried his hardest to keep giving them chances. Cook was replaced by Amadi-Holloway on 75 minutes, and A A-H proceeded to do the square root of fuck all. I fear my early optimism might have been misplaced, he clearly has skill but hasn't contributed anything so far.
Kettering finally got the expected equaliser of 84 minutes and probably could have gone on to win the game. So it finished 1-1 and I'm losing my rag with Adie Britton now. We're shit, we're definitely going down, so at least play entertaining football.
Saturday 17 December 2011
Wednesday 7 December 2011
Football's rollercoaster
Christ, when I come to do my season review I'm sure I'll have to comment on how my moods have been more fluctuating that of a teenage girls! After the floating high of City's win against Telford United on Saturday, game the devastating low of the loss to Kidderminster Harriers on the Tuesday (last night)
City were to play at the Aggborough ground on the Tuesday night, so an early release from Foxhill purgatory was negotiated, and at 3:15 I escaped work, picked up Hilly and went to Odd Down to catch the supporters coach (now what did I say at D&R about how its shit but useful?!) The coach was full for the first Tuesday night away game in four years, meaning at least 49 stripes would be making the journey (in the end it was 87!) a surprisingly quick journey meant we were soon in Kidderminster. However, I had forgotten my camera so we'll have to make do with last years photo (hence daylight pics) we piled out of the coach and headed straight to the King & Castle pub. This is a superb ale pub crammed with 6 handpumbs and set in an old Great Western Railway waiting room. A few great ales were supped by the optimistic stripes and we set off for the ground via a "shortcut" and ended up stuck in a sidings, an inauspicious start to what was to be a crap night.
Eventually, we found ourselves at the ground and filed into the away end. For those of you who have never (or will never) get to Aggborough, the food there is amazing! Shockingly good, all football grounds in England should aim for this level of food! I grabbed a home made Cottage Pie (home made!!!!) and went to the terrace.
City started with the same team which beat Telford and via a massive deflected Scott Murray freekick were ahead within 6 minutes! The Legion were in full voice and for 30 minutes were all over Kidderminster and could have scored at least twice more with Murray and Phillips having chances...at which point the wheels fell off and City suddenly collapsed.
Kiddy in their first proper attack of the night, broke down the right, City's defence was at sixes and sevens and in the words of Paul Hill "a delicious cross" was floated over and Steve Guinan headed home. At this point all attacking intent drained away, and the insane decision to start Joe Burnell at centre back was exposed. This choice was made all the more baffeling when you considered the Kiddy striker Jamille Matt the towering centre forward, who Burnell would never beat in the air but who Charlie Clough could have dominated.
Then right on half time when a flick on from a goal kick dropped to Matt who hit the ball towards goal, Jason Matthews got a good hand to it, but the ball agonisingly dribbled over the line in front of the despairing Joe Burnell. At this point you sensed that City were fucked.
At half time I once again sampled the wonderful Kiddy food, this time opting for the curry, superb once again, and I will point out at this point that I don't normally eat twice in a game, but when the food is this good!!!
I really can't be bothered to describe the second half, but can sum it up with the words "City were shite" it was as bad a performance as the Forest Green game, which I didn't even write a post for as we were that clueless. Two more goals were scored and City lost 4-1. A disconsolate coach journey followed, and from the hope and optimism of Saturday came the despair of the late drive home from Odd Down, however, given how fluctuating my emotions have been, I wouldn't be surprised if City hit a 4 game winning streak! Although it is painfully unlikely.
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| The King & Castle |
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| Great Western carpet |
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| Part of the old Great Western Line |
Eventually, we found ourselves at the ground and filed into the away end. For those of you who have never (or will never) get to Aggborough, the food there is amazing! Shockingly good, all football grounds in England should aim for this level of food! I grabbed a home made Cottage Pie (home made!!!!) and went to the terrace.
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| Last years proof of cottage pie, and fancy dress |
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| Imagine this stand, but at night.... |
At half time I once again sampled the wonderful Kiddy food, this time opting for the curry, superb once again, and I will point out at this point that I don't normally eat twice in a game, but when the food is this good!!!
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| Imagine darker still, and you're almost there! |
Sunday 4 December 2011
Its such a perfect day....
I'm glad I spent it with you (and all that) so it finally came to pass on 3rd December City finally played like they have threatened to at stages in the season for a whole game and absolutely battered AFC Telford United. The final score was a respectable 3-1 but if Telford keeper Ryan Young hadn't played like a young Peter Schmeichel City could have been 7 or 8 ahead by the end. Oh and to make the day even better Bath rugby lost.
City started with an adventurous line up (for once I hear you cry!) with Scott Murray finally getting the start everyone was screaming for, with Lee Phillips partnering Aaran [His official spelling not mine I hasen to point out!] Amadi-Holloway up front, as Sean Canham has returned to Hereford after his productive loan spell.
The change of emphasis showed, and City carried on from the last 20 of the Mansfield game and the form showed away at Cambridge in the 1-1 draw in midweek. They attacked with verve and vigour and while Scottys decision making was sometimes a bit wayward he was at least offering proper width and was causing the defence lots of problems.
City had three good chances through Amadi-Holloway and Phillips which the keeper did well to keep out, until on 26 minutes Murray was lying prone on the floor, but play continued the Scotch wonderman dragged himself to his feet, the ball dropped to him he ran at a few defenders fired in a shot, which appeared to be going wide) before it took a huge deflection wrong footed Young and nestled into the net. 1-0....but wait for the third game in a row we appear to have a lino who wants to shaft us as the flag went up. Offside appeared to be the decision but thankfully for once the officials didn't appear to hold a grudge against all things stripey and the referee overruled his assistant.
City continued to have the best of the half and Andy Gallingah continued to do a very excellent job of filling the Sido Jomabati sized hole on our left flank.
However, typically City went in at half time 1-1. A freekick was given around the halfway line, and while City were arguing with the officials Telford took it quickly bypassed the defence and Stephen Jones waltzed around Jason Matthews to score. Matthews exploded and screamed at his defence, and while Glyn Garner is the more adept shotstopper, Matthews is definitely more vocal and this maybe the reason for his selection.
How City weren't running away with this game was solely down to Ryan Young and the Twerton Park faithful were worried, but not overly as for once we seemed to have confidence and looked good all over the pitch.
City began attacking again, and then on 55 minutes the luck that had been going against City completely changed. A corner led to Gethin Jones being pulled down, it was a clear penalty which was awarded, happy days, everyone called for a red (as lets be honest football fans do whenever a decision is given!) but no-one expected it to be a red, but there it was a little piece of red card was flashed and we were jubilant! Marc Canham scored his 4th penalty of the year (am definitely annoyed he was in China when we had the two we missed) City 2-1 up and dominant against 10 men.
City controlled the game from then on, and while Telford started to try and excert a bit of extra pressure, very few chances fell for Telford and Ryan Young continued to deny City. However, he finally made a mistake when Joe Bryan fired a long distance shot which appeared to go under the keeper. 3-1 only the second win of the season, but incredibly City are only 7 points from safety, we have a chance, and if we play like we did against Telford we should easily begin the climb to safety, beginning with Kidderminster away on Tuesday night.
What a perfect, perfect day, oh and did I mention Bath Rugby lost? Perfect...
City started with an adventurous line up (for once I hear you cry!) with Scott Murray finally getting the start everyone was screaming for, with Lee Phillips partnering Aaran [His official spelling not mine I hasen to point out!] Amadi-Holloway up front, as Sean Canham has returned to Hereford after his productive loan spell.
The change of emphasis showed, and City carried on from the last 20 of the Mansfield game and the form showed away at Cambridge in the 1-1 draw in midweek. They attacked with verve and vigour and while Scottys decision making was sometimes a bit wayward he was at least offering proper width and was causing the defence lots of problems.
City had three good chances through Amadi-Holloway and Phillips which the keeper did well to keep out, until on 26 minutes Murray was lying prone on the floor, but play continued the Scotch wonderman dragged himself to his feet, the ball dropped to him he ran at a few defenders fired in a shot, which appeared to be going wide) before it took a huge deflection wrong footed Young and nestled into the net. 1-0....but wait for the third game in a row we appear to have a lino who wants to shaft us as the flag went up. Offside appeared to be the decision but thankfully for once the officials didn't appear to hold a grudge against all things stripey and the referee overruled his assistant.
City continued to have the best of the half and Andy Gallingah continued to do a very excellent job of filling the Sido Jomabati sized hole on our left flank.
However, typically City went in at half time 1-1. A freekick was given around the halfway line, and while City were arguing with the officials Telford took it quickly bypassed the defence and Stephen Jones waltzed around Jason Matthews to score. Matthews exploded and screamed at his defence, and while Glyn Garner is the more adept shotstopper, Matthews is definitely more vocal and this maybe the reason for his selection.
How City weren't running away with this game was solely down to Ryan Young and the Twerton Park faithful were worried, but not overly as for once we seemed to have confidence and looked good all over the pitch.
City began attacking again, and then on 55 minutes the luck that had been going against City completely changed. A corner led to Gethin Jones being pulled down, it was a clear penalty which was awarded, happy days, everyone called for a red (as lets be honest football fans do whenever a decision is given!) but no-one expected it to be a red, but there it was a little piece of red card was flashed and we were jubilant! Marc Canham scored his 4th penalty of the year (am definitely annoyed he was in China when we had the two we missed) City 2-1 up and dominant against 10 men.
City controlled the game from then on, and while Telford started to try and excert a bit of extra pressure, very few chances fell for Telford and Ryan Young continued to deny City. However, he finally made a mistake when Joe Bryan fired a long distance shot which appeared to go under the keeper. 3-1 only the second win of the season, but incredibly City are only 7 points from safety, we have a chance, and if we play like we did against Telford we should easily begin the climb to safety, beginning with Kidderminster away on Tuesday night.
What a perfect, perfect day, oh and did I mention Bath Rugby lost? Perfect...
Saturday 26 November 2011
Mansfield Town
Sometimes as a football fan you feel you know what is going to happen before it does, other times you talk it up and the complete opposite happens and sometimes football just surprises you completely!
Since the heartbreaking FA Cup exit (still fuming about the second goal, and getting more angry each time I see it!) City have signed two new lads from Bristol City (everyones least favourite Bristol team!) Joe Bryan and Aaron Amadi-Holloway, who were apparently both "defenders" however on arriving at Twerton Park, I was told that Amadi-Holloway was a forward, who changed to a centre back and then back to a forward, so basically we didn't have a clue!
The team had a few changes from Wednesday, with Jason Matthews replacing Glynn Garner, Marc Canham coming back from suspension and Joe Bryan starting on the left wing (this is one of the alleged defenders!) Lee Phillips was once again on the bench again.
The game started very slowly with neither side really threatening much, and a much sparser (and quieter crowd) than Wednesday were all sort of stuck in a maliase. Bryan was causing some issues with his running and pace, and on 19 a threaded through ball found Sean Canham, who turned the fullback and snapped in a shot at goal, the keeper parried it but for once this season a parry found a stripey shirt, and Marley Watkins very cooly slotted the ball home with the keeper still struggling to get himself back up and set from the Canham shot.
Then a goal I don't think I can accurately describe (partly I'll admit as I was chatting to Notters and had took my attention away from the pitch...) but Meikle seemed to cross from just in front of the burger van and his looping cross caught in the wind, and a cross which was clearly heading wide took a blast of hurricane strength wind and dropped over Matthews into the net. Unbelievable, unfuckingbelievable! City are officially cursed, that goal was so undeserved it was ridiculous but here it was 1-1 and half time.
For this game I'd gone to Twerton with my Dad and another Twerton virgin, and it is always bizzare to hear people who are unaffected by your allegiance and prior prejudices discuss a team you hold so dear! Both were in agreement that Marc Canham was having a superb game and is clearly a talented midfielder.
A note at this point which will come to point in a second is that the game was refereed by Amy Fearn, and she had a pretty poor game. This isn't a criticism of her as she's a woman, as I have been critical of referees in other games see Luton, Dagenham & Redbridge x2! But Fearn has form having had a shocker in the Stockport game a few weeks back.
In the 2nd half City started the brighter, but it wasn't until Scott Murray came on for Bryan on 64 that City truly turned on the style, and from that moment on City were dominant and should, should have got win number two. Murray again added a pep, thrust and inventiveness that is missing from our play, and as much as I love Adie Britton if he doesn't start playing more attacking and utilising the likes of Murray more I am going to start getting pissed off.
To another moment with Fearn, M Canham had a freekick which he took well, before suddenly the play was stopped and he was booked for not waiting for the whistle. Ridiculous really, but the 5 minutes later she doesn't blow the whistle, so Canham is standing their arms outstretched screaming for her to be consistent, as I said, she's awful and this continues!
Lee Phillips and Amadi-Holloway came on for both Canhams and A A-H (as I might refer to him from now on!) went up front. A A-H looks a unit, big strong and quick, and bloody hellfire has he got a good touch and generally he looked a threat. So City keep banging on the door, Murray has chances, Lee has chances A A-H has chances, even Simmo almost scored in one of the best short passing moves I've ever seen! Then Murray breaks down the crosses in, and Phillips taps it home from a yard out 2-1! We're going to win!!!! Then no, whats this? It's been disallowed, for offside (football you bastard, after Wednesday as well) Not convinced is all I will say, I thought the ball was played sideways, and it flicked off a defender, which as we now all know is apparently not offside....
Then right at the last Amadi-Holloway blasts a volley towards the Bath End and it agonisingly sails just wide. 1-1 it finishes, but God we were good in the last 30.
Britton has to go for it, when we attack we seem unstoppable, while as we all know defensively we are terrible. And on an even brighter note, it might have only been 30 minutes, but Aaron Amadi-Holloway reminded me so much of Kaid Mohamed it is untrue, if he can be only half as important as Kaid was, we might, might have a chance of staying up. While we are still odds on to go down, we are raging at the dying of the light and we have to keep believing.
Since the heartbreaking FA Cup exit (still fuming about the second goal, and getting more angry each time I see it!) City have signed two new lads from Bristol City (everyones least favourite Bristol team!) Joe Bryan and Aaron Amadi-Holloway, who were apparently both "defenders" however on arriving at Twerton Park, I was told that Amadi-Holloway was a forward, who changed to a centre back and then back to a forward, so basically we didn't have a clue!
The team had a few changes from Wednesday, with Jason Matthews replacing Glynn Garner, Marc Canham coming back from suspension and Joe Bryan starting on the left wing (this is one of the alleged defenders!) Lee Phillips was once again on the bench again.
The game started very slowly with neither side really threatening much, and a much sparser (and quieter crowd) than Wednesday were all sort of stuck in a maliase. Bryan was causing some issues with his running and pace, and on 19 a threaded through ball found Sean Canham, who turned the fullback and snapped in a shot at goal, the keeper parried it but for once this season a parry found a stripey shirt, and Marley Watkins very cooly slotted the ball home with the keeper still struggling to get himself back up and set from the Canham shot.
Then a goal I don't think I can accurately describe (partly I'll admit as I was chatting to Notters and had took my attention away from the pitch...) but Meikle seemed to cross from just in front of the burger van and his looping cross caught in the wind, and a cross which was clearly heading wide took a blast of hurricane strength wind and dropped over Matthews into the net. Unbelievable, unfuckingbelievable! City are officially cursed, that goal was so undeserved it was ridiculous but here it was 1-1 and half time.
For this game I'd gone to Twerton with my Dad and another Twerton virgin, and it is always bizzare to hear people who are unaffected by your allegiance and prior prejudices discuss a team you hold so dear! Both were in agreement that Marc Canham was having a superb game and is clearly a talented midfielder.
A note at this point which will come to point in a second is that the game was refereed by Amy Fearn, and she had a pretty poor game. This isn't a criticism of her as she's a woman, as I have been critical of referees in other games see Luton, Dagenham & Redbridge x2! But Fearn has form having had a shocker in the Stockport game a few weeks back.
In the 2nd half City started the brighter, but it wasn't until Scott Murray came on for Bryan on 64 that City truly turned on the style, and from that moment on City were dominant and should, should have got win number two. Murray again added a pep, thrust and inventiveness that is missing from our play, and as much as I love Adie Britton if he doesn't start playing more attacking and utilising the likes of Murray more I am going to start getting pissed off.
To another moment with Fearn, M Canham had a freekick which he took well, before suddenly the play was stopped and he was booked for not waiting for the whistle. Ridiculous really, but the 5 minutes later she doesn't blow the whistle, so Canham is standing their arms outstretched screaming for her to be consistent, as I said, she's awful and this continues!
Lee Phillips and Amadi-Holloway came on for both Canhams and A A-H (as I might refer to him from now on!) went up front. A A-H looks a unit, big strong and quick, and bloody hellfire has he got a good touch and generally he looked a threat. So City keep banging on the door, Murray has chances, Lee has chances A A-H has chances, even Simmo almost scored in one of the best short passing moves I've ever seen! Then Murray breaks down the crosses in, and Phillips taps it home from a yard out 2-1! We're going to win!!!! Then no, whats this? It's been disallowed, for offside (football you bastard, after Wednesday as well) Not convinced is all I will say, I thought the ball was played sideways, and it flicked off a defender, which as we now all know is apparently not offside....
Then right at the last Amadi-Holloway blasts a volley towards the Bath End and it agonisingly sails just wide. 1-1 it finishes, but God we were good in the last 30.
Britton has to go for it, when we attack we seem unstoppable, while as we all know defensively we are terrible. And on an even brighter note, it might have only been 30 minutes, but Aaron Amadi-Holloway reminded me so much of Kaid Mohamed it is untrue, if he can be only half as important as Kaid was, we might, might have a chance of staying up. While we are still odds on to go down, we are raging at the dying of the light and we have to keep believing.
Wednesday 23 November 2011
Anger, disappointment, pride and questions
This is being written the day of the game having only just got back from Twerton Park. As mentioned in the last post, ESPN were to televise the replay between City and Dagenham & Redbridge.
First thing, for every football fan who raves about TV coverage, try standing in your usual spot with a newly build temporary TV gantry in the way!! Not happy! But will take the £33,500 as said before (although they didn't take me up on the offer of a Tribute at the Crown!) the first half for City was dire.
We barely created a thing, lacked penetration, and somehow were looking toothless against what must be one of the worst Football League teams of all time (apart from the current Plymouth team obviously...) we resorted to long punts downfield and very little happened for the first 19 minutes, and I was thinking to myself "I bet they wish they'd chosen a different game for TV" then on 20 minutes a cross was swung over and Woodall headed it home. Can't say more as despite hoping around like a loon the Bath End temporary gantry got in the way.
This did seem to spur City into life. I got completely confused by the 7:15 kick off, and out of instinct at seeing my clock point to quarter to I headed to the tea bar thinking the half was coming to a close. Bought a drink, said hello to Shane and the ever helpful and enternally loved volunteers and wondered why I hadn't seen a queue or the added time board! Realised my mistake and chuckled, but decided to stay on the tea bar steps for the much superior view, at which point Alex Russell sent over a freekick which hit the post. According to sources the Waddler couldn't understand how it hadn't gone in and neither could we.
So the first half ended, and so came the anger, at the insipid, listless awfullness being played out by the men in black and white. We wandered to the Bath End, and this time thankfully the gantry wasn't in the way. We chatted and arguements were made for and against Scotty Murray.
Adie once again opted for the cautious approach and made no half time changes, leaving some understandably frustrated fans. City started to get more of a grip on the game, and Lee Phillips came on for Russell, and the stripes pressed more. Then out of nowhere the ball dropped to Adam Connolly 25 yards out and he smashed a thunderbolt home, I haven't celebrated much this season, but the surge was one of superb proportions. Super Scotty Murray then did come on for Sean Canham, and instantly was creating chances, and one jinking run will long live in the memory.
City had chances to snatch it at the end with a Murray cross barely evading a diving Lee Phillips, while Lewis Hogg hammered a shot that Lewington did well to parry. Normal time finished 1-1, and we were all over them in the last 15.
The extra time kicked off and after a while Jimmer came on for Burnell, and was involved in a hell of a controversy. The ball was kicked forward by a D&R player, and Jim tried to flick the ball towards Garner, and it broke to Nurse, who rounded Garner and slotted the ball home....now the controversy, Nurse was clearly offside, by a mile now Jim might have flicked the ball as it passed him, but surely he was offside when the ball was originally played forward? But this might be the classic example of the ridiculous stages of the offside rule now.
With City chasing the game Dagenham broke and scored another, City lost 3-1 in a scoreline which so flatters the away team its ridiculous.
The disappointment is that City could've and maybe should have won this game easily, especially if they didn't start so poorly and so defensively.
Pride, that a team so devoid of confidence this season managed to take it so close, you cannot criticise the team if they play with that much committment.
Questions, depend on the offside rule and generally whether the goal was deserved, however, as stated, this was written without seeing tv replays so I reserve the right to retract this. Another savagely disappointing game in this season of neverending misery was the unjust reward of a night City shone on the national stage.
First thing, for every football fan who raves about TV coverage, try standing in your usual spot with a newly build temporary TV gantry in the way!! Not happy! But will take the £33,500 as said before (although they didn't take me up on the offer of a Tribute at the Crown!) the first half for City was dire.
We barely created a thing, lacked penetration, and somehow were looking toothless against what must be one of the worst Football League teams of all time (apart from the current Plymouth team obviously...) we resorted to long punts downfield and very little happened for the first 19 minutes, and I was thinking to myself "I bet they wish they'd chosen a different game for TV" then on 20 minutes a cross was swung over and Woodall headed it home. Can't say more as despite hoping around like a loon the Bath End temporary gantry got in the way.
This did seem to spur City into life. I got completely confused by the 7:15 kick off, and out of instinct at seeing my clock point to quarter to I headed to the tea bar thinking the half was coming to a close. Bought a drink, said hello to Shane and the ever helpful and enternally loved volunteers and wondered why I hadn't seen a queue or the added time board! Realised my mistake and chuckled, but decided to stay on the tea bar steps for the much superior view, at which point Alex Russell sent over a freekick which hit the post. According to sources the Waddler couldn't understand how it hadn't gone in and neither could we.
So the first half ended, and so came the anger, at the insipid, listless awfullness being played out by the men in black and white. We wandered to the Bath End, and this time thankfully the gantry wasn't in the way. We chatted and arguements were made for and against Scotty Murray.
Adie once again opted for the cautious approach and made no half time changes, leaving some understandably frustrated fans. City started to get more of a grip on the game, and Lee Phillips came on for Russell, and the stripes pressed more. Then out of nowhere the ball dropped to Adam Connolly 25 yards out and he smashed a thunderbolt home, I haven't celebrated much this season, but the surge was one of superb proportions. Super Scotty Murray then did come on for Sean Canham, and instantly was creating chances, and one jinking run will long live in the memory.
City had chances to snatch it at the end with a Murray cross barely evading a diving Lee Phillips, while Lewis Hogg hammered a shot that Lewington did well to parry. Normal time finished 1-1, and we were all over them in the last 15.
The extra time kicked off and after a while Jimmer came on for Burnell, and was involved in a hell of a controversy. The ball was kicked forward by a D&R player, and Jim tried to flick the ball towards Garner, and it broke to Nurse, who rounded Garner and slotted the ball home....now the controversy, Nurse was clearly offside, by a mile now Jim might have flicked the ball as it passed him, but surely he was offside when the ball was originally played forward? But this might be the classic example of the ridiculous stages of the offside rule now.
With City chasing the game Dagenham broke and scored another, City lost 3-1 in a scoreline which so flatters the away team its ridiculous.
The disappointment is that City could've and maybe should have won this game easily, especially if they didn't start so poorly and so defensively.
Pride, that a team so devoid of confidence this season managed to take it so close, you cannot criticise the team if they play with that much committment.
Questions, depend on the offside rule and generally whether the goal was deserved, however, as stated, this was written without seeing tv replays so I reserve the right to retract this. Another savagely disappointing game in this season of neverending misery was the unjust reward of a night City shone on the national stage.
Friday 18 November 2011
Extreme excitement from unexpected sources
As mentioned a few times within this blog many non-league teams are suffering from financial difficulties, with many of our opponents at differing times almost being on the verge of extinction (see Wrexham this season, and Kidderminister last) and while Bath City, are thankfully not in immediate danger of going out of existence, all stripes are accutely aware of the financial tightrope City walk.
The difference between City and the others is that we're run by a sensible board, and that the supporters (via the Supporters Society) own a large portion of the club, and therefore have a say in its running. However, even taking this into account, City made a loss of around £70k last year, and have some long standing debts. But an unlikely cash and morale boost arrived this week when ESPN announced that City v.s Dagenham and Redbridge would be one of the televised replays! Bloody hell!
Now I like most non-league fans have a deep seated loathing of all things televised, as the advent of Sky and Rupert effing Murdoch (how good is it to see the Aussie twat getting grilled for NOTW stuff!?) has played a huge part in ruining English football, allowing the rich to get richer and screwing over the rest. However, as the fine American gents at ESPN will be paying City £33,500 for bringing their cameras to Twerton Park I will gratefully receive them and will even buy them a pint of Tribute in The Old Crown if they so desire!
For all followers of top teams, I'm sure the visit of the cameras means nothing, but for all the stripes I know the excitement is massive. The thoughts of beautiful, wonderful if slightly knocked about Twerton being on the telly is amazing, and all the singers are relishing the moment to shine on national tv. Plans are afoot as to where to place the flags for maximum exposure and we look forward (we don't actually look forward to it!) welcoming Steve McManananananaman and the Waddler to Twerton.
City are away at Southport this weekend, and hopefully will get a win to ensure that we go into the replay full of confidence and on a decent run, if we manage to win the game as well we would receive £18,000 win bonus, which to go with our £33,500 telly money, would go a long way to helping fund this season, and possibly provide Adie funds to get us out of the relegation zone, from small acorns do mighty oaks grow.
The difference between City and the others is that we're run by a sensible board, and that the supporters (via the Supporters Society) own a large portion of the club, and therefore have a say in its running. However, even taking this into account, City made a loss of around £70k last year, and have some long standing debts. But an unlikely cash and morale boost arrived this week when ESPN announced that City v.s Dagenham and Redbridge would be one of the televised replays! Bloody hell!
Now I like most non-league fans have a deep seated loathing of all things televised, as the advent of Sky and Rupert effing Murdoch (how good is it to see the Aussie twat getting grilled for NOTW stuff!?) has played a huge part in ruining English football, allowing the rich to get richer and screwing over the rest. However, as the fine American gents at ESPN will be paying City £33,500 for bringing their cameras to Twerton Park I will gratefully receive them and will even buy them a pint of Tribute in The Old Crown if they so desire!
For all followers of top teams, I'm sure the visit of the cameras means nothing, but for all the stripes I know the excitement is massive. The thoughts of beautiful, wonderful if slightly knocked about Twerton being on the telly is amazing, and all the singers are relishing the moment to shine on national tv. Plans are afoot as to where to place the flags for maximum exposure and we look forward (we don't actually look forward to it!) welcoming Steve McManananananaman and the Waddler to Twerton.
City are away at Southport this weekend, and hopefully will get a win to ensure that we go into the replay full of confidence and on a decent run, if we manage to win the game as well we would receive £18,000 win bonus, which to go with our £33,500 telly money, would go a long way to helping fund this season, and possibly provide Adie funds to get us out of the relegation zone, from small acorns do mighty oaks grow.
Sunday 13 November 2011
Dagenham & Redbridge First Round F.A. Cup
City travelled to Dagenham and Redbridge for the first round proper of the F.A. Cup this year, meaning a early start was required, getting up on a Saturday at the same time as you do all week isn't my idea of a good time, but needs must and for the first time ever I was getting the supporters coach to the game.
An enjoyment of a fine ale and the coaches anti-alcohol rules (and generally the coach means you are told where to be and when) has meant I have shunned the "Berkleys special" for as long as possible! But all in all the journey was ok, and will be used when the need arises again!
We arrived at Victoria Road in time to collect the prepaid tickets and have a few in the clubhouse, it was in the clubhouse that we heard the stunning news that Jamie Cook was to start with Lee Phillips on the bench, naturally everyone disregarded this as Jamie Cook has been shite all year, but no looking at the official teamsheet and there he was, very interesting.
The ties were played on the Remembrance Weekend and the occasion was marked by a bugler playing the Last Post and an impeccably observed minutes silence.
The small Barking & Dagenham College Stand that had been allocated to City had filled up with an impressive black and white army, and a good atmosphere was soon created under the low roof. The opening few minutes were scrappy but D&R definitely were having the better of it, with Citys only chance falling to Sean Canham who drove straight at the keeper.
However, against the run of play and urged on by their vocal backing the stripes drew first blood. On 11 minutes Marley Watkins collected the ball and attempted a through ball, the D&R defender slipped and the ball flicked off of him into the path of Sean Canham who slotted the ball cooly past Chris Lewington in the Dagenham goal.
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| The City hordes in full voice |
The away end errupted and for the next 15 minutes City had the better of the chances, however, the league opposition soon started to excert more pressure and Jim Rollo was struggling to deal with the pace of Jon Nurse and definitely had his poorest game for a while. City dropped further and further back. Damien Scannell was causing problems for Sekani Simpson, but was also a diving bastard and received a deserved stream of abuse after going down expecting a free kick for the cleanest of tackles.
Glyn Garner almost pushed the ball into his own net having gone wide to close a forward down and getting a dangerous hand onto the ball, luckily for City the ball dribbled harmlessly across goal. However, with half time approaching Nurse beat Jimmer for pace again, floated in a cross and Woodall leapt to head the cross in. City clung on until half time and went in at 1-1.
At half time Jim was replaced by Charlie Clough, and for once the removal of Rollo was agreed with. After the break though, City rallied and started to look the more likely to get a goal. Then came the main controversy of the game, Watkins was set through on goal by Canham and Lewington raced from his goal, Watkins rounded the keeper and went down with the keeper appearing to by last man. The referee blew his whistle, called the keeper over and flourished...a yellow! Screams of derision went up for the away fans, City players surrounded the referee querying the decision and apparently shouts of "cheat" came from the directors box! However, there is more than a few of us who believed Marley took a rubbish touch, realised he wouldn't get there and went down too easily.
Jamie Cook was actually looking like a footballer and tried an audacious lob that almost came off, if that had dropped in God only knows what would have happened in the away end. The game then almost tailed off, until the dying moments when City applied the pressure and could have almost won the tie but for some good saves by Lewington.
The game finished as a draw and we await the replay on the 22nd. The long coach journey home started, and finally 13 hours after setting off I arrived home. The romance of the cup is still alive for some! And a potential home tie to Exeter City has been pulled from the draw so a potentially money raising tie is in sight.
Sunday 6 November 2011
Undeserved rewards
Football is a weird old game. Grimsby Town once again left Twerton Park without beating the mighty stripes, making it four games without tasting victory against City. How though is anyones guess!
City were appalling in the first half, devoid of creativity, flair, imagination, guile or any such adjective I can think of to describe skill. Grimsby went 1-0 up with their first attack of the game, and City struggled to string a couple of passes together. The team was lacking width and pace, and were sluggish and trooped off at half time to barely a mumour from the crowd.
Scott Murray came on at half time for Lee Phillips, and as of yet no one seems to know if that was a tactical decision, injury or what, but given Lee is one of the bright points in this City side it seemed an odd decision. On 51 minutes City conceeded again, with Makofo getting his second of the game with a headed goal. 2-0 and City still looking like strangers.
However, City won a corner in the 57th minute, the ball was crossed in looped up and with Gethin Jones underneath it he flopped to the ground, the referee who was appallingly shite (see the Luton game for more examples!) all day gave a penalty. Possibly the softest penalty I have ever seen given. Marc Canham stepped up and hammered home his third penalty of the season, meaning City finally have scored more penalties than they have missed this season!
Scott Murray who had been a threat since he came on kept seeing more of the ball and was causing problems to the Grimsby defence. Then Marley Watkins picked up the ball and ran at the defence, he slid a good through ball along the ground towards Sean Canham, the Grimsby keeper charged off of his line and Canham brilliantly finished with a little chip over the keeper, so unexpectedly after offering very little all game City were back in the game. 2-2 with over a quarter of an hour remaining.
However, soon after the referee once again came to the fore and sent of Marc Canham. Canham's tackle was a little late and high, but a booking seemed adequate, but the ref brandished a straight red, which means Canham will miss the FA Cup game at Dagenham, seriously weakening our already weak chances in that game. The referee then proceeded to give fairly awful decisions, and the whining and cheating from Grimsby was unbelievable. At one point the referees poor decisions got to me and I ran down 6 steps of the Popular Side unleashing a stream of invective that would have made a sailor blush.
The game finished 2-2 and City have managed to go two games unbeaten! If we can continue with this and get a result at Dagenham who knows what may happen...
City were appalling in the first half, devoid of creativity, flair, imagination, guile or any such adjective I can think of to describe skill. Grimsby went 1-0 up with their first attack of the game, and City struggled to string a couple of passes together. The team was lacking width and pace, and were sluggish and trooped off at half time to barely a mumour from the crowd.
Scott Murray came on at half time for Lee Phillips, and as of yet no one seems to know if that was a tactical decision, injury or what, but given Lee is one of the bright points in this City side it seemed an odd decision. On 51 minutes City conceeded again, with Makofo getting his second of the game with a headed goal. 2-0 and City still looking like strangers.
However, City won a corner in the 57th minute, the ball was crossed in looped up and with Gethin Jones underneath it he flopped to the ground, the referee who was appallingly shite (see the Luton game for more examples!) all day gave a penalty. Possibly the softest penalty I have ever seen given. Marc Canham stepped up and hammered home his third penalty of the season, meaning City finally have scored more penalties than they have missed this season!
Scott Murray who had been a threat since he came on kept seeing more of the ball and was causing problems to the Grimsby defence. Then Marley Watkins picked up the ball and ran at the defence, he slid a good through ball along the ground towards Sean Canham, the Grimsby keeper charged off of his line and Canham brilliantly finished with a little chip over the keeper, so unexpectedly after offering very little all game City were back in the game. 2-2 with over a quarter of an hour remaining.
However, soon after the referee once again came to the fore and sent of Marc Canham. Canham's tackle was a little late and high, but a booking seemed adequate, but the ref brandished a straight red, which means Canham will miss the FA Cup game at Dagenham, seriously weakening our already weak chances in that game. The referee then proceeded to give fairly awful decisions, and the whining and cheating from Grimsby was unbelievable. At one point the referees poor decisions got to me and I ran down 6 steps of the Popular Side unleashing a stream of invective that would have made a sailor blush.
The game finished 2-2 and City have managed to go two games unbeaten! If we can continue with this and get a result at Dagenham who knows what may happen...
Monday 31 October 2011
The romance of the FA Cup (or not)
On Saturday City travelled to Dover to play Dover Athletic in the last qualifying round of the FA Cup before the first round proper started. Having travelled all over this year, I decided that Dover was too much of a pain to get to and instead listened on the radio...having seen one win all season, typically City picked up their second win without me, with Andy Gallingah scoring from a header.
For a full match report I suggest visiting ilovebathcity.com going to the forum and reading the report written by Kelston Koppite.
However, the brilliant news from the win is City pocked £12.5k in win bonus, and were entered into the pot for the First round proper (given our almost certain relegation, from next season it will require two qualifying rounds to reach the heady heights of the first round) and texts were exchanged, bets were placed all hoping for a Sheffield Wednesday at home, or Plymouth Argyle, basically any big club too boost the gates and hopefully get the tv people down Twerton to share the gantry with Palmer.
So to the draw live on ITV, where they proceeded to show Sutton United scoring against Coventry City about a thousand times (Helpfully youtube has the game above for everyone to see the goal again!) and every stripe waited with anticipation for ball number 65 to come out of the hat, and it appears...right after Dagenham and Redbridge's ball. Crap. Dreams of a big money spinner instantly die and it appears we are going to Victoria Road (or as it is now ridiculously known London Borough of Barking & Dagenham Stadium) a team with an average attendance hovering around the 2000 mark, a bit of a slag to get to and a league above us.
However, that is only the first thought, the more optimistic (basically Hilly and Notters) point to Grimsby and suddenly thoughts are filled with cup runs and Blyth Spartans only two games from Wembley...well after the season we're having we can dream can't we?
For a full match report I suggest visiting ilovebathcity.com going to the forum and reading the report written by Kelston Koppite.
However, the brilliant news from the win is City pocked £12.5k in win bonus, and were entered into the pot for the First round proper (given our almost certain relegation, from next season it will require two qualifying rounds to reach the heady heights of the first round) and texts were exchanged, bets were placed all hoping for a Sheffield Wednesday at home, or Plymouth Argyle, basically any big club too boost the gates and hopefully get the tv people down Twerton to share the gantry with Palmer.
So to the draw live on ITV, where they proceeded to show Sutton United scoring against Coventry City about a thousand times (Helpfully youtube has the game above for everyone to see the goal again!) and every stripe waited with anticipation for ball number 65 to come out of the hat, and it appears...right after Dagenham and Redbridge's ball. Crap. Dreams of a big money spinner instantly die and it appears we are going to Victoria Road (or as it is now ridiculously known London Borough of Barking & Dagenham Stadium) a team with an average attendance hovering around the 2000 mark, a bit of a slag to get to and a league above us.
However, that is only the first thought, the more optimistic (basically Hilly and Notters) point to Grimsby and suddenly thoughts are filled with cup runs and Blyth Spartans only two games from Wembley...well after the season we're having we can dream can't we?
Sunday 23 October 2011
Diversionary tactics
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| Sam Smith's Park |
Having decided to visit an friend in Newcastle it came to Saturday, with him working and City playing too far away in Fleetwood I was at a loss of what to do, however, a quick google search for "non league fixtures north east" gave me the option of watching Newcastle Benfield FC in the FA Vase (for info see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FA_Vase or http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/FACompetitions/TheFAVase.aspx ) It then turned out that Newcastle Benfields Sam Smith's Park was at the end of my friends road! Result, so I retired to bed save in the knowledge that I now had plans for my Saturday.
Newcastle Benfield play in the second oldest football league in the world (after the Football League) the Northern League, they play in blue and white hoops and were formed relatively recently in 1988 (never before did I expect to see a team younger than me! AFC Wimbledon don't count as I consider them a continuation of the original, ditto Newport County etc) and are nicknamed the Lions.
Newcastle Benfield were at home to Hebburn Town FC who play a league below them in the Northern League Second Division. I left my mates house, strolled down to the end of his road, turned right, took the first left and arrived, definitely the easiest journey to a game I've ever done. The Sam Smith's ground is a classic very low non league ground, sod all in the way of stands etc., and a clubhouse tagged on the side, I entered for a very reasonable £6 (including programme) and strolled around the ground before getting a brew, settling into a seat and watched the teams warm up.
First impressions were that the players looked like the traditional non league player, lots of big strapping lads, but all carrying that extra weight that marks a man who knows his way around a pub or two! Given this was the North East they all had fantastic Geordie accents, and I soon found myself surrounded by old lads with their flat caps and pipes chatting away while occasionally shouting a hello to a player they knew.
An excited crowd of 55 or so arrived anticipating the exciting first round proper of the Vase, both teams lined up in orthodox 4-4-2's which was not surprising given the level of play. Hebburn had an absolute beast at centre back, standing easily 6'4" with thighs like tree trunks, my knee twinged, but for once I praised the injury and was glad I wasn't going to have to come up against him!
The game was one of long balls to forwards desperately trying to win flick ons to their wide players or onrushing midfielders. Very little football was played and it was the ultimate example of "What we cannot do by sleight we eke out by strength" (with thanks to Richard the Lionheart for the quote) with lots of muscular play but very little passing. On 38 minutes a corner was awarded to the Lions the ball was crossed over, the shockingly short Hebburn keeper couldn't reach the cross and the ball was headed in.
Half time came with the score 1-0. I went for refreshments and had the brilliant bargin meal of a brew and a chip butty for 80 pence! Eighty, 8 0, unbelievable! A gorgeous butty it was to, lovely firm bap and crisp chips, couldn't believe my luck and definitely an unexpected bonus, the food only being surpassed by the fine food on offer at Kidderminster.
Hebburn managed to work themselves back into the game after the kick off to the second half, and within 15 mniutes had drawn themselves level with another headed goal.
It looked like the game was destined for a draw and a replay, however, with minutes remaining, Benfield broke down the right, managed to win a free kick, from the resulting freekick the ball was headed in. 2-1 to Newcastle Benfield and that was the way the game ended.
As I walked away I once again considered how wonderful the non league is in this country, and how more people should try to catch a game as often as they can.
P.s. City lost 4-1 away at Fleetwood, I wasn't there, know no-one who was, and am trying to ignore it.
Wednesday 19 October 2011
Stockport
Its definitely getting harder to make this blog positive and generally to watch City! So the 18th October brought the visit of Stockport County to Twerton Park. As I overheard someone say as little as 5 years ago there were 8 leagues between us, how the mighty have fallen!
The 18th also happens to be my birthday, so I met a few City fans who for one reason or another don't work on Tuesdays and began a pub crawl from the centre of town to Twerton. To be honest it was a lovely day of ales and laughs up until 7:45.
To paraphrase a well known saying I can handle the despair, it's the hope which is killing me. Having accepted a few weeks back that City were destined for relegation they finally started playing like a team and started getting results against Darlington, Braintree and while losing against Cambridge at least looked like we'd pick some points up. So the hope starts to build that the great escape maybe on, but no definitely not! Stockport were terrible, but unfortunately so are we.
I can't really remember the goals as my brain is trying to wipe the disappointment from my memory (I imagine it'll surface like some hidden nightmare in future years!) I don't even know where to start with how bad City were, and am not even sure anymore what the problems are as they seem to be everywhere. That said Paul Stonehouse is looking about as useful as a trapdoor in a canoe.
Nevertheless, I will be returning to Twerton for the next game (although not going to Fleetwood) as, well it's what you do isn't it!? UTC!
The 18th also happens to be my birthday, so I met a few City fans who for one reason or another don't work on Tuesdays and began a pub crawl from the centre of town to Twerton. To be honest it was a lovely day of ales and laughs up until 7:45.
To paraphrase a well known saying I can handle the despair, it's the hope which is killing me. Having accepted a few weeks back that City were destined for relegation they finally started playing like a team and started getting results against Darlington, Braintree and while losing against Cambridge at least looked like we'd pick some points up. So the hope starts to build that the great escape maybe on, but no definitely not! Stockport were terrible, but unfortunately so are we.
I can't really remember the goals as my brain is trying to wipe the disappointment from my memory (I imagine it'll surface like some hidden nightmare in future years!) I don't even know where to start with how bad City were, and am not even sure anymore what the problems are as they seem to be everywhere. That said Paul Stonehouse is looking about as useful as a trapdoor in a canoe.
Nevertheless, I will be returning to Twerton for the next game (although not going to Fleetwood) as, well it's what you do isn't it!? UTC!
Monday 17 October 2011
It's a long way to fucking Braintree, its a long way to go....
You maybe wondering on the reason of the title, well for City's visit to Braintree Town in Essex, I decided to stay with a friend in Putney, London on the assumption that it shouldn't take long to get to Essex from London. Normally this would be correct, but cometh the weekend cometh rail engineering works...ahhh fuck this might take some time!
So having changed at Newbury Park tube, it was rail replacement bus to Ingatestone (see above!) then train to Braintree and we arrive at 12:15 a whole four hours after leaving London! At which point we see a bagpipe band playing " It's a Long Way to Tipperary" which was quickly adapted to the blogs title!
Braintree was actually a tad nicer than expected, and landlady of The Boars Head was very friendly and some very well kept Adnams Southwold Bitter were sunk before we noticed there was a Braintree Ale, so we obviously stayed for another to sample that in the unseasonably strong and lovely October sunshine.
Feeling refreshed after the beer we set off in search of the Cressing Road (although it sadly seems to have been sponsored to Amlin Stadium) and search is defintiely the right word, now allthrough the non-league there are occasions where a small, out of the way, unsupported clubs ground is hard to find, but nothing compares to Braintree via asked for directions, some maps and a smart phone we found ourselves walking down a residential street with no sign of life or football, however, continue and turn into a cul-de-sac and at the bottom is the ground, very odd!
Cressing Road is a proper non league ground, small terraces, very small bit of seating and where you are inches away from the pitch when standing at the front. There was a very small contingent of City fans for two main reasons, one as it may have been pointed out elsewhere it's a long way to Braintree, and two City have played there previously so most couldn't be bothered making the trip. However, we chatted to a few and made our way around to the Clubhouse End and ascended the small terrace to watch the end the stripes were attacking.
And unbelieveably for the third game in a row City took the lead! Two minutes in a freekick was awarded and the trademarked Gethin Jones ghosting to the back post routine was used, and again no one picked him up and his header looped over the keeper and into the back of the net. City pressed forward again searching for another goal, when on 19 Braintree struck back through Ben Wright with a curling effort...at which point the wheels fell off. City suddenly couldn't pass to another stripe, had no width, penetration or imagination, and it got worse...
Charlie Clough went up to win a defensive header and I can only assumed landed akwardly as suddenly the big man was hobbling, stupidly/sportingly (delete as you see fit) the man mountain hobbled to the sidelines before throwing himself to the floor off the pitch. While City were down to 10 Braintree won a corner, which was of course not cleared meaning 2-1 Braintree. Jimmer came on for the injured Clough and Lee Phillips was once again this season bleeding from a head wound and he looked furious when leaving the pitch at half time.
We wandered to the far side and hung the Bradford on Avon City Loyal flag and chatted to Chairwoman Manda while waiting the teams return. Lee came back on with his head wrapped in what looked like a turban, the man is a trooper I've never seen so many injuries to one head! Marley Watkins had come on to replace Sekani Simpson and we reverted to a more orthodox 442. However, before Marley had a chance to make an impact Braintree increased their lead with a crossed freekick and headed finish. 3-1 game over, it seems.
However, with Marley on the pitch City had pace and trickery and a bit of width that had been sorely missing, and were creating chances. Chances and corners were clocking up and Andy Gallinagh almost scored twice, one which seemed destined for the net on 70 mins but a brilliant save by McDonald who somehow managed to push it around the post.
But from the resulting corner Watkins leapt highest in the middle of the goal, and his powerful downwards header went through the keepers legs, we have a bit of hope! City kept at it, and had a shot brilliantly blocked from Watkins as Braintree started throwing their bodies on the line. With 4 minutes of injury time there was one last throaty urge from the City fans who were again thinking it will not be our day.
However, with literally seconds of the added time remaining the ball broke halfway in their half to Gethin Jones who pinged a ball over to the left, Paul Stonehouse leapt high in the air and somehow pulled the ball out of the air with his left foot before driving towards the goalline, he was held up by Peters who was trying to sheppard out of play a ball that was never going out, out of nowhere Marc Canham appeared on the scene and after a scramble he crossed the ball in from just inside the pitch to an unmarked Lee Phillips who headed home! The City fans errupted, Shane ran the width of the pitch, I jumped for joy Sean Canham highfived every away fans as a delirious pile on of Lee continued! How City snatched a draw from defeat God only knows, but if the fighting spirit of last year has returned then we might have a chance!
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| Ingatestone, lovely in the autumn! |
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| Bagpipes! |
Braintree was actually a tad nicer than expected, and landlady of The Boars Head was very friendly and some very well kept Adnams Southwold Bitter were sunk before we noticed there was a Braintree Ale, so we obviously stayed for another to sample that in the unseasonably strong and lovely October sunshine.
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| Hardest ground to find in England, fact! |
However, with Marley on the pitch City had pace and trickery and a bit of width that had been sorely missing, and were creating chances. Chances and corners were clocking up and Andy Gallinagh almost scored twice, one which seemed destined for the net on 70 mins but a brilliant save by McDonald who somehow managed to push it around the post.
But from the resulting corner Watkins leapt highest in the middle of the goal, and his powerful downwards header went through the keepers legs, we have a bit of hope! City kept at it, and had a shot brilliantly blocked from Watkins as Braintree started throwing their bodies on the line. With 4 minutes of injury time there was one last throaty urge from the City fans who were again thinking it will not be our day.
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However, with literally seconds of the added time remaining the ball broke halfway in their half to Gethin Jones who pinged a ball over to the left, Paul Stonehouse leapt high in the air and somehow pulled the ball out of the air with his left foot before driving towards the goalline, he was held up by Peters who was trying to sheppard out of play a ball that was never going out, out of nowhere Marc Canham appeared on the scene and after a scramble he crossed the ball in from just inside the pitch to an unmarked Lee Phillips who headed home! The City fans errupted, Shane ran the width of the pitch, I jumped for joy Sean Canham highfived every away fans as a delirious pile on of Lee continued! How City snatched a draw from defeat God only knows, but if the fighting spirit of last year has returned then we might have a chance!
Wednesday 12 October 2011
Goals are clearly like buses this season....
Having seen City score 5 goals in 13 games, the stripes faithful have seen City bang in 5 goals in four days!
So it came to pass that four days after vanquishing Darlington, that Cambridge United came to Twerton Park. Cambridge were one of the teams City did the double over last season, with Kaid Mohammed scoring a dramatic and superb last minute winning, before turning them over 4-0 at Twerton and earning their manager the sack in the process.
City lined up with the same 442 which started the game against Darlington, and City definitely seemed full of confidence after the Darlington game and swarmed all over the Cambridge players from the start, however, Cambridge looked the team with more technique and always looked dangerous on the break.
The crowd was poor with few if any of the students that came to the Darlington game in attendance. However, the City masses were bouyed when in the 12th minute a expertly flighted free kick from Marc Canham found Charlie Clough at the back post who neatly turned the ball home.
Twerton erupted again and suddenly this season of overwhelming doom seemed lightened. But true to form Gethin Jones dropped a bollock, completely misjudging a through ball which he jumped under before the advancing Cambridge forward Michael Gash collected the ball well before slotting a cool finish past Glyn Garner.
However, this is not the poor, confidence free City team of recent weeks and the stripes resumed attacking Cambridge with the Sean Canham and Lee Phillips partnership showing continuing signs of flourishing. On 25 minutes Marc Canham (who was having a superb game) crossed from the right and the Cambridge full back inexplicably leapt with his hands above his head, penalty City.
Cue scenes of jubliation on the terraces....apart from those amongst us who have memories....City had up to that moment two penalties this season, both of which were missed by separate takers. So the third time this season City had a different penalty taker...Marc Canham, who against all expectations hammered the ball home. 2-1 City.
Unfortunately we couldn't hold onto the lead until half time and Cambridge equalised after a brilliant turn by their forward. 2-2 and a bit of optimism for once.
The atmosphere in Twerton in the second half was much better as is usually the case when attacking the Bristol End (for anyone not familiar with Twerton Park the Popular Side banks steeply at the Bristol End making the gap from terrace to roof much less and increasing the decibels a hell of a lot) and the roof would have come off if Clough had scored from a pinpoint cross from Canham, Clough should have scored as it was a much better chance than the one he did!
Not long after though Cambridge scored from a corner, as Citys lack of set piece defending cost them dear yet again. However, unbelieveably Citys scoring was not done as minutes later the mighty stripes were awarded another penalty for handball which Canham converted again.
Unfortunately, and as is often the case in football a player who has been superb makes one mistake and it ruins their previous good work and Marc Canham was that man, with a scuffed clearance in the 84th minute that fell to Tom Shaw who executed the most exquiste finish.
So the game finished 3-4 to Cambridge, but given the dross of the Barrow, Kettering, Southport games this was the first time this season I left Twerton after a loss feeling reasonably satisfied, if the stripes can take this attacking verve into the away game at Braintree then we have hope! UTC!
So it came to pass that four days after vanquishing Darlington, that Cambridge United came to Twerton Park. Cambridge were one of the teams City did the double over last season, with Kaid Mohammed scoring a dramatic and superb last minute winning, before turning them over 4-0 at Twerton and earning their manager the sack in the process.
City lined up with the same 442 which started the game against Darlington, and City definitely seemed full of confidence after the Darlington game and swarmed all over the Cambridge players from the start, however, Cambridge looked the team with more technique and always looked dangerous on the break.
The crowd was poor with few if any of the students that came to the Darlington game in attendance. However, the City masses were bouyed when in the 12th minute a expertly flighted free kick from Marc Canham found Charlie Clough at the back post who neatly turned the ball home.
Twerton erupted again and suddenly this season of overwhelming doom seemed lightened. But true to form Gethin Jones dropped a bollock, completely misjudging a through ball which he jumped under before the advancing Cambridge forward Michael Gash collected the ball well before slotting a cool finish past Glyn Garner.
However, this is not the poor, confidence free City team of recent weeks and the stripes resumed attacking Cambridge with the Sean Canham and Lee Phillips partnership showing continuing signs of flourishing. On 25 minutes Marc Canham (who was having a superb game) crossed from the right and the Cambridge full back inexplicably leapt with his hands above his head, penalty City.
Cue scenes of jubliation on the terraces....apart from those amongst us who have memories....City had up to that moment two penalties this season, both of which were missed by separate takers. So the third time this season City had a different penalty taker...Marc Canham, who against all expectations hammered the ball home. 2-1 City.
Unfortunately we couldn't hold onto the lead until half time and Cambridge equalised after a brilliant turn by their forward. 2-2 and a bit of optimism for once.
The atmosphere in Twerton in the second half was much better as is usually the case when attacking the Bristol End (for anyone not familiar with Twerton Park the Popular Side banks steeply at the Bristol End making the gap from terrace to roof much less and increasing the decibels a hell of a lot) and the roof would have come off if Clough had scored from a pinpoint cross from Canham, Clough should have scored as it was a much better chance than the one he did!
Not long after though Cambridge scored from a corner, as Citys lack of set piece defending cost them dear yet again. However, unbelieveably Citys scoring was not done as minutes later the mighty stripes were awarded another penalty for handball which Canham converted again.
Unfortunately, and as is often the case in football a player who has been superb makes one mistake and it ruins their previous good work and Marc Canham was that man, with a scuffed clearance in the 84th minute that fell to Tom Shaw who executed the most exquiste finish.
So the game finished 3-4 to Cambridge, but given the dross of the Barrow, Kettering, Southport games this was the first time this season I left Twerton after a loss feeling reasonably satisfied, if the stripes can take this attacking verve into the away game at Braintree then we have hope! UTC!
Saturday 8 October 2011
Happy days are here again!!!
Hallelujah! After 13 games, and a pitiful amount of goals scored, City finally got their first win of the season! Darlington at Twerton Park on 08/10/2011 led to a superb stunning (completely unexpected) 2-0 victory for the mighty stripes!
City lined up in a 442 formation with Sean Canham, on loan from Hereford playing his first game at Twerton for the proper owners, rather than the tennants Team Bath who he played for in the conference south days.
City were utterly dominant over a very very poor Darlington side, we created chances, and much more importantly denied them any chance of getting into the game. Darlo were terrible, but the stripes were superb.
At half time we went in 0-0, which is a blessing given we normally conceed after a couple of minutes, however, after the half time break however Citys renewed vigour and attacking prowess was rewarded after a corner was defended and broke back to Marc Canham, who crossed the ball into the box the ball broke around the box and after a Gethin Jones air kick the ball dropped to Sean Canham who slammed the ball home.
Not since Kaid's goal in thge play off final has a goal been celebrated with such passion as this goal! Then unbelieveably 3 minutes later Lee Phillips was chasing the ball down as he had all day, and managed to muscle a Darlo player off the ball and cut inside the defender and slammed the ball home 2-0!
City played well till the end and the legion was in good voice, and happily let known their continued love for Adie Britton. 2-0 City and everyone has gone home happy!
City lined up in a 442 formation with Sean Canham, on loan from Hereford playing his first game at Twerton for the proper owners, rather than the tennants Team Bath who he played for in the conference south days.
City were utterly dominant over a very very poor Darlington side, we created chances, and much more importantly denied them any chance of getting into the game. Darlo were terrible, but the stripes were superb.
At half time we went in 0-0, which is a blessing given we normally conceed after a couple of minutes, however, after the half time break however Citys renewed vigour and attacking prowess was rewarded after a corner was defended and broke back to Marc Canham, who crossed the ball into the box the ball broke around the box and after a Gethin Jones air kick the ball dropped to Sean Canham who slammed the ball home.
Not since Kaid's goal in thge play off final has a goal been celebrated with such passion as this goal! Then unbelieveably 3 minutes later Lee Phillips was chasing the ball down as he had all day, and managed to muscle a Darlo player off the ball and cut inside the defender and slammed the ball home 2-0!
City played well till the end and the legion was in good voice, and happily let known their continued love for Adie Britton. 2-0 City and everyone has gone home happy!
Friday 7 October 2011
A quick update.....
Nothing more I can say than just have a look at the table below....
No more needs to be said....
| 1 |  | Wrexham | 14 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 26 | 14 | 12 | 29 |
| 2 |  | Fleetwood Town | 13 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 25 | 17 | 8 | 27 |
| 3 | | Gateshead | 14 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 25 | 19 | 6 | 27 |
| 4 | | Braintree Town | 13 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 24 | 12 | 12 | 25 |
| 5 | | Kidderminster Harriers | 13 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 23 | 17 | 6 | 24 |
| 6 | | Luton Town | 13 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 24 | 13 | 11 | 23 |
| 7 | | York City | 13 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 24 | 13 | 11 | 23 |
| 8 | | Mansfield Town | 13 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 22 | 14 | 8 | 23 |
| 9 | | Cambridge United | 14 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 23 |
| 10 | | Southport | 13 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 18 | 22 | -4 | 21 |
| 11 | | Tamworth | 13 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 19 |
| 12 | | Barrow | 13 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 21 | 22 | -1 | 17 |
| 13 | | AFC Telford United | 13 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 16 | 17 | -1 | 17 |
| 14 | | Grimsby Town | 13 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 16 | 20 | -4 | 17 |
| 15 | | Forest Green Rovers | 13 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 19 | 14 | 5 | 16 |
| 16 | | Darlington | 13 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 12 | 16 | -4 | 16 |
| 17 | | Stockport County | 14 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 16 | 17 | -1 | 15 |
| 18 | | Hayes & Yeading | 13 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 18 | 24 | -6 | 13 |
| 19 | | Lincoln City | 13 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 11 | 16 | -5 | 12 |
| 20 | | Ebbsfleet United | 13 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 16 | 20 | -4 | 11 |
| 21 | | Kettering Town | 13 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 14 | 25 | -11 | 11 |
| 22 | | Alfreton Town | 13 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 12 | 29 | -17 | 9 |
| 23 | | Newport County | 13 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 13 | 22 | -9 | 8 |
| 24 | | Bath City | 13 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 5 | 22 | -17 | 3 |
No more needs to be said....
Tuesday 27 September 2011
Football what an absolute bastard
God football has a way of kicking you in the bollocks when you finally start to feel good. After the euphoria of the brilliant point against Luton come two massive kicks to the balls which make you wonder why you ever get excited in the first place.
Kick in the balls number one: Kettering at home, Kettering, not Wrexham, not Luton, not even bloody Grimsby [who we do at least beat!] but Kettering. 2 minutes in, I'm still making my way around the Bath End heading to the Popular Side (am still on crutches so is taking me longer to get everywhere!) and a ball drops in our box and is hammered home. One nil down after 2 mins...de ja vu much? City has a few chances, including a header from Lee Phillips most people thought was in for a split second.
The only plus point (and it is a massive plus) is the godlike human being that is James Stuart Rollo came on after three minutes and City did not conceed when he was on the pitch. Jimmer also attacked like I have never seen before and seemed to single handidly be trying to retrieve the situation, however, despite his best efforts City lost one nil.
Second even bigger kick in the nuts, we are currently 3-0 down at Ebbsfleet United, Ebbsfleet isn't even a proper place, and we are 3-0 down to a team who were a couple of places above us. So after 12 games the [not so] mighty stripes have zero wins, nil, none, nowt, nada...never has a team been more destined to relegation.
Kick in the balls number one: Kettering at home, Kettering, not Wrexham, not Luton, not even bloody Grimsby [who we do at least beat!] but Kettering. 2 minutes in, I'm still making my way around the Bath End heading to the Popular Side (am still on crutches so is taking me longer to get everywhere!) and a ball drops in our box and is hammered home. One nil down after 2 mins...de ja vu much? City has a few chances, including a header from Lee Phillips most people thought was in for a split second.
The only plus point (and it is a massive plus) is the godlike human being that is James Stuart Rollo came on after three minutes and City did not conceed when he was on the pitch. Jimmer also attacked like I have never seen before and seemed to single handidly be trying to retrieve the situation, however, despite his best efforts City lost one nil.
Second even bigger kick in the nuts, we are currently 3-0 down at Ebbsfleet United, Ebbsfleet isn't even a proper place, and we are 3-0 down to a team who were a couple of places above us. So after 12 games the [not so] mighty stripes have zero wins, nil, none, nowt, nada...never has a team been more destined to relegation.
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