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!
Ingatestone, lovely in the autumn!
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!
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.
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!
Hardest ground to find in England, fact!
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!
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!
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!
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.
Since the last post City have lost two away games at York and Telford United, meaning going into the game at Twerton against easily the largest team in the division Luton Town with a record of 9 games, 0 wins, 2 draws and 7 losses. To say confidence is low is an understatement!
The weather was classic English midweek floodlit game, pouring rain for hours before the game and a healthy, happy moment of bliss knowing that the Popular Side has a roof and that the away end does not!
City lined up with the three loanees starting (Clough, Swallow and Agdestein [from now on Toby, from his first name!]) and Swallow has been lively in all his performances, however, against a unbeaten Luton team hopes were for a small loss at best!
Citys keeper this year has been Glyn Garner who has looked ok in patches, but hasn't been outstanding, however in this game he was superb. Luton had a free kick centre of the pitch about 20 yards from goal after yet more poor play by Gethin Jones, he dwelt on the ball for the umpteenth time this season, was caught and fouled the onrushing forward. However, Garner palmed the ball away and would do so 3 more times from freekicks given away in the same position.
The weather meant the pitch was slick, however, the referee who was not biased, but who was so unbelieveably shite its a wonder he has been hired as a referee kept giving fouls for nothing tackles and booked Charlie Clough, then near half time Clough slid into a challenge on the edge of the area, won the ball, but no the ref gave the free kick and Clough went for a second bookable offence. Typically just before h-t the 10 men fell behind after a shot hit the post and the rebound was tucked away by Amari Morgan-Smith.
Despite playing well, going into the break a man and a goal down suggested the second half would be one of little promise, however, Hoggy came on for Toby and City had a sustained spell of pressure, with a succession of corners. Then on the 72nd minute a tackle from Canham broke to Swallow who ran at pace towards the defence, unleashed a shot which the keeper spilled and for once Citys luck changed and the rebound dropped to Phillips who gleefully tucked the ball home. The scenes on the terraces were of pandemonium as the recently success starved crowds errupted with joy.
City continued to battle valiantly against Luton Town and the referee, however, on the 88th minute Stonehouse caught an attacker and also received his marching orders...so City are down to 9 with 7 minutes remaining, Luton staged many attacks but were repelled by Glyn Garner time and time again....Glyn Garner my Lord, Glyn Garner, Glyn Garner my Lord, Glyn Garner, Glyn Garner my Lord, Glyn Garner, O Lord Glyn Garner!
A season which started with pretty high expectations and continued with what we thought was going to be a good point at Mansfield continues to collapse!
City took on Southport this weekend, having beaten Southport twice last season hopes were high for a City win and a kickstart to the new season.
The stripes unbelieveably kicked off with the same back 5 which had conceeded so many in the opening 6 games of the season, and 3 minutes in and true to form Southport scored first with a well taken goal from 20 yards out. The space and time allowed to Southport and the mistake which led to them gaining the ball was similar to the many troubles which have plagued the stripes this season.
Once again The Sandgrounders had seemed to bring a team of giants to Twerton Park, the smallest player on their team appeared to be over 6'2'' and they would have been less intimidating if they'd fielded Hulk Hogan and Macho Man Randy Savage! City's debutant Ben Swallow (on loan from Brizzol Rovers) was impressive and lively in the opening exchanges, however, on 25 minutes Lewis Hogg went into a crunching tackle and injured his knee (something I'm very similar with having dislocated my knee cap playing at Twerton for the supporters club last Sunday!) and everyone hopes for a speedy recovery for Hoggy as he's been one of the few with credit from his performances this season!
In the second half City pressed and created more chances in a short space of time than they have all season. However, a spell where Marley Watkins danced his way through the Southport defence leading to a goal mouth scramble summed up Citys luck this season, as every ball broke to a defender rather than a man in black and white.
Southport then broke to the other end and scored, leaving City 2-0 down with just over 15minutes remaining. Then a miracle of miracles happened City scored! Allowing me to see the second goal of my season of watching all but one of the stripes games this season! Watkins swept the ball home from close range after after a Swallow effort.
However, City then resorted to pumping balls forward for poor Lee Phillips (who changed shirts from blood twice and once again was vaselined over cuts) but given the aforementioned size of the Southport team this was never an option (http://www.btinternet.com/~portconnection/squad/davise.htm) and once again City didn't manage to get that first win of the season.
The crowd of just over 600 shows how poorly the mighty stripes have been playing, and how a few wins are desperately needed to draw people back into Twerton and hope against hope that a win comes soon.
