Well it had to happen....

By PF1/1/2018 18:03Mon Jan 1 18:03:36 2018

Views: 2738

We got a big fat nil next to our name. I should have seen it coming really. As we all know WIngate are one of those sides you don't really wanna meet when the goals are flying in. They come with a plan to defend and defend and then defend again and then hit you on the break. Both their centre backs are real hardmen of non-league football. It's not that we didn't have chances as we had a fair few it miust be said. The first half was fairly even but I thought we shaded it to be honest.

We just strangely lacked composure or cutting edge in the box. But as I said you know this kind of turnaround is coming sooner. We can't keep scoring 3 and 4 every game and blow everyone away. A bit of a reality check. I'm sure the gaffer knew that W&F was gonna be a tough fixture for the lads after recent goal fests. I must admit I thought their goal was class and a very slick breakaway down the left. Typical Wingate really. We found their midfield quite sharp and difficult to handle. Sorry for Tom to let that one and it seems he got a nasty cut leg as the striker slid the ball underneath him and into the gaping net. A real smash and grab. Niko was our only hope first and had moments. Shane Gore is their goal proved to be the hero for them pulling off 2 great saves.

The one on the second half at the death was a great flying save but one I expected him to make. Right at the death Niko has a great chance but sadly he snatched at it and pulled it wide. I was thing he was gonna curl it to the other side but he went for the tighter angle and it proved to be our final gilt edged chance.

Not a great start to the new year but thankfully the last we'll see of this combative Wingate team. They are proving very pesky and noisy neighbours indeed! Onwards and upwards....

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Re: Well it had to happen....

By Mike Cox1/1/2018 19:38Mon Jan 1 19:38:45 2018In response to Well it had to happen....Top of thread

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Good to get this one out of the way - not really surprised at the result as Wingate are one of our "bogey" teams.
Hope Lovelock's injury won't keep him out for too long - we will need an experienced keeper next week against Sutton.
What must be a worry to everyone connected with the Club is the continued poor attendances at SJP although we have come "home" and are playing great football.

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Re: Well it had to happen....

By embee1/1/2018 19:45Mon Jan 1 19:45:15 2018In response to Re: Well it had to happen....Top of thread

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I'm not sure the attendances are THAT bad.

Wingate brought very few, look how many we took to Harrow on boxing day, at least our attendances are moving in the right direction.

Best wishes to Tom for a speedy recovery.

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Re: Well it had to happen....

By SteveHFC1/1/2018 20:18Mon Jan 1 20:18:58 2018In response to Re: Well it had to happen....Top of thread

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Our average attendance for this season as at the end of 2017 was 233. This is the highest it has been at this stage of the season for 14 years.

There'll be more on this - and other "end of 2017" stats in future programmes.

Edited by SteveHFC at 20:19:41 on 1st January 2018

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Re: Well it had to happen....

By Mike Cox2/1/2018 11:47Tue Jan 2 11:47:07 2018In response to Re: Well it had to happen....Top of thread

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Any increase is very welcome - the point I was trying (badly) to make is that the effort put in by management and players and the great entertainment being provided is deserving of much higher attendances particularly for weekend games. Let's all hope that this can become a reality.

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Re: Well it had to happen....

By rwakeley1/1/2018 22:44Mon Jan 1 22:44:19 2018In response to Re: Well it had to happen....Top of thread

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Mentally already moved on. Half-expected, a re-run of the home FA Cup tie. Credit to Wingate, they do a job on us and work very hard. Slightly off the pace from the start, given what we've done to date I think the lads deserve some slippage. We've shown throughout blips are short-lived.
I thought Cronin and Casey were both outstanding. Cronin and Arthur were like pieces on a chess board. Should be an interesting game later on in the season. Only disappointment, the goal, on the back of a poorly executed corner. Versus Wingate, Big Dave has a proven track record at corners and Casey's cross movement in the box wasn't utilised from corners which can be the difference. Several over-hit diagonal cross-field passes. Matt showed glimses of decent link-up play but overall not quite at it - that's perfectly fine in the grand scheme of things. Merstham, (if we can get there), is I believe a good match-up next week with regards to preparation for Sutton - both teams like to knock it around. Best wishes to Tom. A time to reflect, - and acknowledge, what has been done in the first half of the season.
Top marks for Gary and the lads. Truly Excellent.

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