Ebbsfleet United

On Saturday City had the pleasure of welcoming Ebbsfleet United to Twerton Park, now Ebbsfleet are one of those clubs you remember hearing something bizarre about, but then drop out of your consciousness. Ebbsfleet are one of those teams as they are currently owned by Myfootballclub.com, this was an idea I remember hearing where members of a website were all to "invest" £35 each and purchase a football club, with grand ideas of Leeds being bought, but in the end it was Ebbsfleet (Or Gravesend & Northfleet as they were known until 2007) purchased.

Originally there were over 27,000 members, but as I imagine we all could have guessed, membership has plummeted to less than 3,500 meaning that as of December 2011 the club needed in the region of £50,000 in order to survive the season (mental note, with Darlo, Kettering and Ebbsfleet all possibly going we need to finish one off the bottom to survive!!!) So Ebbsfleet while being a bit of a nowhere town, at least have a unique football club.

Due to the return from suspension of both Gethin Jones and Sean Canham, City started with a definite 442 in an attempt to finally revive the ailing season. However, with Murray injured once again a certain creative spark was missing, while Paul Stonehouse currently enjoying his best spell of form in a City shirt was harshly relegated to the bench to be replaced by Hoggy.

However, all tactical analysis was rendered mute very early on, as the bad luck (or shitness depending on your viewpoint) that has blighted the season struck again. A nothing shot was struck towards the City goal, and Garner dived to collect the ball. However, the next second Garners face was aghast as somehow the ball had squirmed under him, rolled to a Ebbsfleet forward to squared to Nathaniel Penney to score. One down after 8 minutes due to a unbelievable goalkeeping error.

The inclement weather around Twerton meant that the pitch wore more in the first half than it had in the whole season so far, with players slipping and the turf cutting up badly. Phillips and Hoggy both fired wide when both should have done better, while once again a goal was disallowed, although whether Canham (S) was offside or not I do not know, so for once no moans at Wayne Barratt (yes that one!)

The halftime whistle sounded with the score still 0-1, and City came out early for the second half and around the hour mark City were back on level terms, a Hogg corner was cleared back to the shaven headed wingman, who whipped in a teasing cross which was emphatically powered home by Gethin Jones who celebrated wildly.

Then came the moment which should mean I am typing about a City win, Sean Canham was felled, however, I didn't see the incident as I was chatting to Notters, however, being able to read Lee Phillips reaction it was for (and I quote) "fucking elbow ref, he used a fucking elbow" for reasons that are beyond me Ebbsfleet keeper Edwards raced out of his box to the half way line to remonstrate, Gethin laughed at him, so the keeper punched him....in the bollocks! Yes you read that right, the keeper punched him in the balls! Unbelievable! Never have I seen anything like that before! While not a full on punch, it was worthy of the instant red shown to the keeper, and City now surely must beat the 10 men.

However, despite City have numerous chances the attacking intent left them open at the back, Sekani Simpson whipped in a delicious cross (TM Paul Hill 2011) which I still cannot fathom how it wasn't tucked away, but Ebbsfleet broke into the space vacated by Simmo, and Shakes ran from inside his own half before flicking a wonderful finish over Garner. Ebbsfleet managed to score another from a poor backpass, 1-3 at which point 7 (seven) minutes injury time was shown! No-one in the ground wanted that! Sean Canham lashed home a brilliant finish after Shepherd played him in on the 97th minute, but that was it and City had slumped to defeat again. The day concluded with a drown your sorrows evening at The Old Crown, The White Horse and The Victoria, which at least removed much of the memory of the game! Ridiculously we are back at Twerton on Tuesday, and then Saturday, never have 2 games of football been less anticipated.

Season ending game

So it has happened, Tuesday 7th February the year of our Lord 2012 was the day Bath City's season died. With relegation all but confirmed, the FA Trophy has been providing some relief to the awfulness of the league campaign, and some tongue in cheek comments about City appearing at Wembley suddenly had started to seemed destined, we were going to be the non-league Middlesbrough, relegated but cup finalists.

However, it was not to be, and it all could have been so different! City's threadbare squad was highlighted by the fact that a full subs bench could not be named, and on that bench was one Josh Egan! Yes, the man we'd all been impressed with at the back end of last season, but who we assumed must have died given his non appearance (since an unused sub at FGR) was in, God we must be low on numbers. The fact Grimsby who'd smashed us 6-0 a few weeks back only heightened the sense of doom around TP.

Within the first 15 seconds City could have been behind, I hadn't even made it to the Popular Side and was part way around the Bath End when the shot went narrowly wide, Jesus this could get bad! It was bitterly cold at Twerton Park, but City began to get into the game, with loanee Chris Shepherd (Exeter winger) was looking lively, although following our usual trend he's 5'5" so no towering headers are expected!

Lee Phillips was battling bravely up front, but was much too isolated for much of the game. The Grimsby keeper James McKeown pulled off some handy saves, showing a prowess that was going to haunt City later.

City had the control of midfield (clearly Adie's main aim...in every game he's ever managed it seems) but were playing some good short passing, crisp, one-two football, with Stonehouse and Shepherd linking up very well. On 34 minutes Alex Russell fed Shepherd who with his incredibly low centre of gravity, pivoted cleverly around his marker and fired a shot towards goal, which took a slight deflection and nestled into the net.

Grimsby hit back almost immediately, but a superb full stretch dive from Glyn Garner tipped the ball around the post. The half time whistle blew and City were 1-0 up. The queue for the tea bar stretched a fair old way as everyone aimed for some sort of hot beverage to fight off the increasing cold, and ward off frostbite, I'm sure at one point a member of Scott of the Antarctic's team walked past muttering it wasn't that cold when Oates went outside for some time....

With my steaming cup of bovril (peppered of course) to keep spirits up the second half commenced. City had a great spell, Watkins was terrorising the fullback, Lee Phillips, described by Tim as the unluckiest man in football, turned brilliantly twice, but both times a despairing tackle robbed him of the ball just as the trigger was being pulled. The interplay between Shepherd and Stonehouse was even better in the second half, and one ein-zwei was top flight quality. However, this being City it couldn't last.

A freekick was awarded 25-30 yards out on the right side of the pitch, the ball was crossed in and Garner went up to punch the ball....and punched Sekani Simpson instead! Elding headed the ball over the line, while Simmo lay prostate on the turf. Garner must have one hell of a punch on him, as Simmo had to be subbed and good old reliable Jim Rollo came on as his replacement. 1-1 but City still playing the better football and creating more chances.

Stonehouse had a shot, which the keeper turned around the post, and from the resulting corner Jimmer connected perfectly, but somehow the ball was hacked off of the line. You started to sense this team in black and white is cursed this year. Especially when McKeown made a save that is beyond belief. The ball was whipped in, McKeown started to move towards the penalty spot to claim the ball, a defender got a head to it and diverted it towards goal, it has to be in, and somehow, somehow McKeown shifted his weight, changed direction and managed to tip it around the post. How he saved it I do not know, if that was City it would have gone in against us.

City were pushing for the win, but left themselves exposed, Grimsby broke down the left wing, crossed it and Robert Duffy was in acres of space, he trapped the ball and fired it home, but with the slack marking he had time to make a brew and have a biscuit if he had so desired. 1-2 and that was how it was to finish. Not before Cook managed to be even more of a dick than before, not only had he moaned on twitter prior to the game that he found it hard to be motivated when he'd be on the bench (try playing like a footballer and you might start you dickhead) he then was due to come on, but had to take off so many layers and took so long that Josh Egan came on instead. Awful man Jamie Cook if he had a soul he'd piss off and leave us be.

City actually played really well, and deserved more, but when your luck is down, it is truly down. Unbelievably we have 8 more home games to suffer through before this nightmare of a season finally finishes, the sooner it does the better.



P.s. since writing this Bath City have announced this http://bathcityfc.com/name-the-stadium-for-50/
unbelievable. Not only are we suffering the most awful season, some clown has come up with this and decided to make us laughing stocks. Christ its almost enough to make you watch rugby...

A wonderful journey to Ruabon and Wrexham (Oh and a game was played as well)

The alarm clock chirped and I struggled out of bed at 6:50am, 6:50 on a Saturday! Awful, I collected Dave and went to the train station for what was to be an epically long day. The first train dropped us off at Newport (so I've finally made it this season given the two postponements!) and we boarded the train which was to take us to Wrexham.

The train line ambles along between the Welsh/English borders, only realising you are back in one or the other by the place names. Having travelled to most away games this year by coach or car, it was a true treat to be on the train again. Travel at your time, stop where you want to stop and drink! Happy glorious ale on the move, so at 10 the first bottles were cracked, and fine beers were supped as we watched the green and pleasant land outside the window slip past.

Not pronounced as you'd expect!

Beery heaven lies within

At 11:53 we disembarked at Ruabon, "Ruabon?!" I hear you cry, "you're meant to be going to Wrexham." And of course we are, but once again the joy of the train is we can stop where we want rather than where you are told with the coach (a point which was rammed home when we arrived at Wrexham and found most of the coach in a Wetherspoons, sod that!) and Ruabon, which is a mere 5 miles from Wrexham has a pub nominated by CAMRA as one of the 4 pubs of the year.

Part one of man incredibly happy with his pint

The Bridge End Inn had been visited by fellow stripe Tim the night before and he had forewarned staff that we would be arriving. So come 12 o'clock we all look like a right bunch of alkies hanging around a pub door waiting for it to open! The church bells tolled and the key in the door turned and we were in!

And part 2!

The pub itself is a treat, and an enjoyable two hours were spent before we got back onto the train. Leading to a conductor who knew we'd got off where we shouldn't have asking questions and a straight-faced reply of "We got off at the wrong stop" was returned. We arrived at Wrexham General and popped into the Wetherspoons mentioned previously, for a quick pint and saw the people off of the coach.

Now I will readily admit to us being a couple of minutes late to the Racecourse ground, but this I have never encountered. The turnstiles were closed, closed! At 5 minutes after kick off, so we paid the fee directly to two stewards who opened the main exit gate and ushered us through...what's the likelihood of that money arriving in the Wrexham coffers!?

Biggest terrace in Europe

The game concluded exactly as expected. Wrexham won at a canter, without really getting out of first gear. City had a few moments, including an unfortunate clearance off the line when Marley Watkins had rounded the keeper and hit the ball towards goal, only for the covering defender to get it off the line. At half time it was 1-0, then minutes after the restart Mark Preece tripped Speight for a clear penalty, Speight picked himself up and hammered the ball home. 2-0 and that is how it would finish. Wrexham allowed the men in stripes to knock the ball around in areas that were not threatening, so the stats will show evenish possession, but in reality City were never in the game.

However, that is not a criticism, the team battled hard and didn't get battered like last week at Grimsby, so I think most people were reasonably contented with the result, although Jamie Cook once again came on and in Palmers words "marked the full back" City were poor but tried their best.

Joules mirrors

After the game, we retired to the Royal Oak pub which sold Joules beer, and learnt that Joules red cross is the 6th oldest beer mark in the world. We then got the train home, that should be the end of the story, but due to the fact that some lads were fighting at Abergavenny we were stuck on our train in danger of missing the last one back home!

Wrexham General with Racecourse in background

 
Oh dear, we managed to get back to Bristol and just about snuck onto a replacement bus, which then again was delayed by lads who couldn't handle their beer. They were chucked off and finally around 11:55 I arrived back home. An enjoyable day, slightly ruined by the football!

It's very hard to understand is Welsh!

Getting fed up of moaning, but being given reason to...

I am not that much of a whiner, I promise, however, recently the state of refereeing at City games has turned me into a whining bitch, and for that I apologise. Apologies over, I am now going to launch into a full scale moan...

City were at home to Alfreton Town, a small town in the East Midlands, who are playing in the conference national for the first time. They are the result of a merger between the fantastically named "Alfreton Miners Welfare" and the not so well named Alfreton United.

A friend from Newcastle is back for a few weeks, so Dave is watching his first game at Twerton since the preseason game against Bristol Rovers, how the outlook has changed in terms of hopes and dreams!

The White Horse refreshed us before the game, and after a quick Twerton Chippy pit stop we were within the confines of the most atmospheric ground in England. The team was much to be expected although Garner came in for Matthews for his first appearance in a few months.

City started poorly, very poorly and conceded to a ridiculous goal. A long throw bounced twice across the area before hitting Adam Connolly and rolling into the goal. I cannot remember seeing a goal as farcical in a long-time.

City rallied a bit after the goal, and Murray had a few jinking runs but with little obvious output. However, the stripes were still attempting to play football, unlike Alfreton who were wasting time from the second the first goal went in. At half-time we dejectedly made our way to the new refurbished Charlie's, which I have to admit looks a lot better with its new black and white facelift...however, I will still be using The Old Crown, White Horse, Victoria, Royal Oak or any pubs in town before I use Charlie's, just a personal preference and cannot be avoided.

However, in the second half came the anger again. We walked around the Popular Side just as an Alfreton player launched into a tackle with Alex Russell, which to be fair I thought was hard but fair, however, moments later Jarman jumped into a tackle double footed which somehow Scott Murray avoided, and yet no freekick, booking or anything was given. Moments later Jarman clattered Murray again, this time to me it appeared Murray did kick back at him, but to be honest I'd have ended up double footing Jarman myself, so Murrays restrain was commendable!

However, on 58 minutes the whole game changed, the ball was loose on the edge of the Alfreton area, when Gethin took a poor touch, however, he then won the ball cleanly with a cracking challenge and Anthony Wilson double footed (again, fucking Alfreton!) Geth...the lino flagged for a City freekick and surely a red for Wilson however, the ref walked to the lino...and red carded Gethin!(See the ridiculous tackle here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl4hNImkdys) Unbelievable! Sean Canham then completely lost his rag and launched the ball at the ref, it struck Russell but was a clear red, so City are 1 down, down to 9 with 30 minutes remaining.

I will admit to a footballing first at this point, I have been infuriated by refereeing decisions before, but have never in my life walked around a ground to vent my anger. I have now. I crossed the Bristol End, and asked what I still believe is a valid question of "Fucking hell lino, how can you give the freekick then send Gethin off?" I stand by, that is a question and not that abusive, however, I was politely asked to leave by a steward, so I did.

City actually played better with 9, perhaps galvanised by a sense of injustice. However, the referee then decided to give a penalty from what I could gather from my angle was by having a player near our keeper, however, I reserve the right to question that if I see a better angle of it. Eventually Alfreton scored another and won 3-0. The referee left the pitch to a chorus of abuse and boos, which I think were deserved.

Unfortunately I think that definitely confirms the relegation, which has been on the cards for a while. However, am I still going to Wrexham away, of course I bloody am! For the love of all things stripey! UTC!

Bradford Town Vs. Roman Glass St. George

With City away in Cleethorpes getting horribly beaten 6-0 by Grimsby choices were made as to whether go to Wrexham away or Grimsby, luckily I'd chosen Wrexham away as my game of choice, so avoided a 6-0 stuffing and instead found myself at the Trowbridge Road ground with 4 other stripes watching promotion chasing Bradford take on Roman Glass St. George of Bristol.

Given some of the ridiculous journeys I have taken (and am planning to take) watching Bradford Town is always a joy, a 15 minute walk via a pub and I am there!

The weather was blowy and very cold, so I was grateful of the gloves I had cleverly remembered to grab on the way out of the house. So bottle of Spitfire in hand (got to love Western League and being able to drink while watching the game!) the game commenced, and within 25 minutes Bradford were 3-0 behind.

Bradford Town were having the better of the game, but Roman Glasses finishing was much superior and their third goal was an absolute beauty of a finish, a stunning volley past the keeper from a well crafted move.

However, the Town began to get a foothold in the game and continuing his tradition of having blinders when I watch Matt Cooper scored twice to have Bradford going into the game 3-2 behind. His first coming from that forgotten footballing transgression...the pass back! Oh yes boys and girls, for the first time in years and years we saw a indirect freekick given for a backpass, which Cooper smashed hard and low after a little roll back and Bradford were back in the game.

At half time we wander out of the ground over the road to the ANP stores purchased a sausge roll and another bottle of ale (Badgers Tanglefoot this time!) and went back into the ground. Again, the love of Western League is overflowing at this point. Bradford attacked relentlessly after the break, with Matt Minnis coming very close on a number of occasions.

Minnis fired home the equaliser and could have scored the winner when latching onto a long ball and nodding narrowly wide. The game finished 3-3 and probably killed Town's hopes of reaching a promotion place. However, once again the Western League provided a cracking game and quite probably the most exciting game I have watched this season.

FA Trophy

After dispatching Chelmsford away in the last round of the FA Trophy (what do you mean you've never heard of the FA Trophy! See here for information http://www.thefa.com/Competitions/FACompetitions/TheFATrophy/History) , the mighty stripes had a home tie at Twerton for the first time in 5 years, however, this is not due to unbelievable bad luck, more unbelievable bad form, as 5 years equals 5 games in a competition City have never warmed to.

City were due to play Basingstoke Town, a side with which we have a lot of previous having existed in the same leagues for a lot of their history. The two sides ran out to a cold Twerton Park, in front of 600 home fans and about 20 away fans, as Basingstoke had surprisingly decided to not run a supporters coach, so a massive DUYC round of applause for the commitment of the 20 odd in getting the train (respect which was diminished somewhat in The Old Crown after the game when hearing a fan order a "Summer Fruits Bulmers")

City played the strongest available team, which I can assume was for the £6,000 win money and the chance to continue building some sort of form. Within 2 minutes Scott Murray had timed his run to perfection and Adam Connolly picked him out with a perfectly weighted through ball, Murray in superb goal scoring form, has to score with just the keeper to beat? Well no, somehow despite some cracking recent goals Murray knocked the ball wide of the post.

Jason Matthews then pulled off two brilliant saves to deny Basingstoke, Hoggy tried a audacious overhead kick which didn't really threaten, that was all in a footballing sense Hoggy contributed as the rest of the match he seemed determined to get himself sent off. However, on 23 minutes in the only pure moment of class in the game City scored. The ball was played forward to Sean Canham, who flicked the ball onto Alex Russell and then span into the box, Russell then crossed the ball in well and Sean Canham met the cross perfectly for a glanced header into the bottom corner. 1-0 to City.

For the second half Hogg was replaced by Cook, but at this point the game really did turn into a bleak reminder of what is to come if we get relegated next year. No football of note was played, and Basingstoke defended resolutely and used the long ball at all opportunities.

City were under pressure but unlike last weekend managed to hold on for the 1-0 win. The only real moment I can remember from the second half relates to Jamie Cook who managed to completely miss the ball from 6 yards...leading to this conversation in the Crown with Rik Mason "I gave Cook some gyp when he missed that chance, and he gave me the wanker sign, as if I'm the wanker"! Hahaha! Best moment of the day for me that! Anyway, City are through to the next round, unbeaten at home in 4 and on the way to Wembley, possibly.

Still raging

I am writing this a full 25 hours after the game finished in a hope that I had calmed down, however, I haven't! My God I'm angry, and the reason for that anger? Take a bow Wayne Barratt of Bromsgrove you cheating, biased rhymes with hunt.

The reason for my anger, a 95th minute penalty (95th minute!!!) for what I will never know. I watched the replay on Palmers camera time and time again, but for the life of me cannot see the reason why it was given, not a single Braintree player appealed, we all thought it had been given for a foul on Jason Matthews, and yet no it's a penalty. Awful, awful decision from a man who had seemed to want to give Braintree everything all day, and City nothing. Continual fouls on Sean Canham went unpunished, while Hoggy was booked for having the temerity to be fouled!

However, while Barrett has a lot to answer for, City were the architects of their own downfall. City started the same team as for the game against Newport with the exception of Scott Murray (who was away on compassionate leave) who was replaced by Alex Russell.

City swarmed over Braintree and on 5 minutes Hoggy lashed a shot in, which took a deflection off of a defender which dropped to Sean Canham who hammered the ball home. City were 1-0 up very early, and continued to press. The first half passed quickly with City attacking, but failing to find the additional goal. Watkins had a few decent chances, and hit the post after one enterprising run, but City were on top and playing well. City went into the break leading for the second time in a week!

The second half descended from the attacking football played in the first, to more long ball hoofs and endeavour taking preference over skill, nevertheless City still attacked well and Marc Canham had 2 identical chances from 25 yards with both of them ending harmlessly in the Bristol End. Canham was also on the end of another of Barratts baffling decisions when he was booked for scoring after being flagged in an offside position (from my angle he didn't look offside but would need to see it again)

 Braintree were having some luck with their high balls into the box and Matthews pulled off a wonderful save from a dangerous freekick. Watkins had a hell of a chance which led to a goalmouth scramble, but Hoggy was penalised for christ knows what.

However, into injury time City appeared to be collecting their 2nd win of the week and 3rd home win on the bounce, before Barratt decided to step in and give Braintree a point. A ball was crossed in, a couple of Braintree players seemed to clatter Matthews, but Barratt pointed to the spot. Matthews managed to save the penalty but unfortunately it rebounded to Sean Marks who had taken the penalty and he tapped it home.

At the full time whistle the abuse towards the referee was fierce (and deserved) and Adie Britton jabbed an accusatory finger at the official, while it appeared Marley Watkins pushed the referee slightly (hopefully that will not have been noticed) and I admit to using language of the lowest denominator and I apolgise for that, and particularly to the father of a small girl who no doubt asked her Dad to explain what it meant!

However, City are now only 4 points off safety, and unbelievably actually have a chance of staying up, its unlikely, but have faith. UTC!