petef
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Post by petef on Dec 2, 2014 22:02:25 GMT
Shit happens no point getting your knickers in a twist it wont change a bloody thing.
Without knowing the facts of the match I would have been very pleased with this result against the form team in the division.
We had all our central defenders on the pitch at the death and still struggled with there corners and they obviously laid siege to our goal at the death as they had everything to gain and nothing to lose - just as we would all expect if we were just one goal down with minutes left on the clock.
Sure we're not winning enough games to be true contenders but its only one defeat in six with plenty to play for and each game seems to be tough and physical for a small squad like ours.
Barnet and Halifax next up.
Looking forward to both matches.
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Dec 2, 2014 22:32:53 GMT
Indeed Pete, the flip side is we were minutes awsy from being the first team to win there for a couple of months.
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Post by stewart on Dec 2, 2014 23:25:34 GMT
It would appear that the main problem with this team is a lack of defensive organisation, particularly at set pieces, as all of the defenders are certainly strong enough as individuals. The forward players, who have scored the second highest number of goals in the division, must be really fed up with being let down by this frailty at the back.
You would have thought that Lee Hodges, a former experienced defender, would be able to sort out these errors, but clearly that is not the case. It makes you wonder what his role actually is, and in recent weeks my mind has wandered back to the era of Craig Taylor, who was a real expert at marshalling defences. The club could do a lot worse than seeking his services now.
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Rob
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Post by Rob on Dec 3, 2014 2:33:37 GMT
All those behind the goal we were attacking in the first half switched ends at half time as did the Dover fans, so I can't offer too much insight into fault for either of their goals. Their first looked like a good headed finish from their skipper who out jumped his man, and didn't look like something to blame Rice for. The second, I really couldn't see, but there was no thumping header this time, more of a scramble.
The delivery of their corner taker was very good every time in a second half that Dover dominated after Bowman, earlier in the half did all the hard work rounding the keeper and having his shot blocked on (ish) the line. A chance resulting from decent build up play that was missed and later rued. There was one other potential breakaway in that half where Ives sent Ajala clear from half way, but he ended up falling over his own feet, unfortunately. He didn't back himself, as they say.
They seemed to have a lot of corners in that second half. They were a team of giants and we only looked any good when we got the ball on the floor. They won aerial battles all over the park. To say Yeoman's goal to put us 2-1 up was unexpected and against the run of play would be an understatement. But no sooner had we scored it was straight back to inviting pressure and conceding corners, with an almost inevitable conclusion. That it happened after 90+3 when it looked like we had nicked 3 points made the journey home a bit longer.
First half and in patches going forward we looked very slick, but with no trigger pulled by either Briscoe or Bowman when they should. Our goal was rank bad defending by Dover from a corner and the keeper was static as Pearce nodded home. Our second, Yeoman was put through one on one with the keeper from a decent ball, should have done better with the shot but we got the luck of the rebound off the keeper that fell with the keeper stranded and Yeoman between the ball and goal. He got back to it before either keeper or non existent cover could and stuck it into the empty net.
A very friendly clubhouse and set of fans. Miserable weather on the drive there and back and for the first half. I enjoyed the evening and would say a draw was the fairest result, albeit we had more clear cut chances not seized upon.
My attempt at player ratings need to be considered in view of being very cold at the match, now being knackered and not being at my most observant tonight:-
Rice 5 (one very good save following an error. Query re fault for second goal. Looked like feck all he could do about the first goal)
Berry 6 (he remains better than Tonge by some distance)
Pearce 5 (defending from corners not his strong point)
Downes 6 (using his head is his strong point)
Ives 6.5 (little fella, but lively and inspires more confidence than Cruise on this showing)
Ajala 6.5 (flashes of brilliance. Flashes of cringe. Worked hard)
Richards 6 (worked hard)
Young 6.5 (did I hear Buckle was there to buy him and not to watch Cup opponents ;-))
Chapell 4.5 (not sure he did anything)
Briscoe 6.5 (prefer him behind Bowman, as clever passer and needs space to run into. Fine figure of a man. My neutral mate said he was the best player on the park)
Bowman 7 (shot shy yet worked incredibly hard throughout)
I won't score the subs as I seem to be giving everyone 6, but McQuilkin as per Chapell, Angus done good and Yeoman scored. I can see what people mean by entertainment levels. We seem capable of scoring every time we click, but for the killer finish, and we look suspect at set pieces and when teams break against us. All provides for a bit of excitement, I guess.
Verdict: Should've closed it out when we got the extreme good fortune of Yeoman's goal. Didnt.
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Post by dazgull on Dec 3, 2014 13:50:03 GMT
They had a couple of defenders out and some of their players turned up late due to traffic problems. One turned up TEN minutes before kick off so had no warm up.....he went on to score !!
There sub James Poole came on for his debut and his crossing was excellent all causing problems, oddly enough Luke Youngs crossing was not up to his standard despite Pearce getting one.
The final annoyance for me was our final sub, we brought McQuilkin on...why?? He is not much bigger than Danny Stevens and we didn't need lightweights on a wet pitch, he then needlessly gave away the final corner from which they scored. Surely Duane O'Achie should have come on ? He would have given their defence more to think about and could have marked one of their many big players at corners too.
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petef
Match Room Manager
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Post by petef on Dec 4, 2014 23:09:43 GMT
They had a couple of defenders out and some of their players turned up late due to traffic problems. One turned up TEN minutes before kick off so had no warm up.....he went on to score !! There sub James Poole came on for his debut and his crossing was excellent all causing problems, oddly enough Luke Youngs crossing was not up to his standard despite Pearce getting one. The final annoyance for me was our final sub, we brought McQuilkin on...why?? He is not much bigger than Danny Stevens and we didn't need lightweights on a wet pitch, he then needlessly gave away the final corner from which they scored. Surely Duane O'Achie should have come on ? He would have given their defence more to think about and could have marked one of their many big players at corners too. Ah the Danny Stevens comparison . He just as well piss off now! |
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chelstongull
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Post by chelstongull on Dec 5, 2014 16:31:16 GMT
They had a couple of defenders out and some of their players turned up late due to traffic problems. One turned up TEN minutes before kick off so had no warm up.....he went on to score !! There sub James Poole came on for his debut and his crossing was excellent all causing problems, oddly enough Luke Youngs crossing was not up to his standard despite Pearce getting one. The final annoyance for me was our final sub, we brought McQuilkin on...why?? He is not much bigger than Danny Stevens and we didn't need lightweights on a wet pitch, he then needlessly gave away the final corner from which they scored. Surely Duane O'Achie should have come on ? He would have given their defence more to think about and could have marked one of their many big players at corners too. Ah the Danny Stevens comparison . He just as well piss off now! My view would be when your playing against folk from The Land of the Giants, you don't want Tom Thumb marking them! |
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Post by loyalgull on Dec 5, 2014 16:31:44 GMT
They had a couple of defenders out and some of their players turned up late due to traffic problems. One turned up TEN minutes before kick off so had no warm up.....he went on to score !! There sub James Poole came on for his debut and his crossing was excellent all causing problems, oddly enough Luke Youngs crossing was not up to his standard despite Pearce getting one. The final annoyance for me was our final sub, we brought McQuilkin on...why?? He is not much bigger than Danny Stevens and we didn't need lightweights on a wet pitch, he then needlessly gave away the final corner from which they scored. Surely Duane O'Achie should have come on ? He would have given their defence more to think about and could have marked one of their many big players at corners too. and they are part time as well,fair dues to them,despite all the pre match problems they got on with it and fought for the cause |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2014 19:09:11 GMT
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2014 23:43:18 GMT
Pictures that convey a real 'feel' for the evening and the weather conditions, which I admit I didn't give a second thought to while sat at home in a warm living room listening to the radio commentary. Even a shot of Paul Bastard sizing up what space there is for an anticipated goal celebration sprint I see.
Allowing us to see this interesting place in daylight is also a bonus we appreciate. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2014 9:00:52 GMT
Thanks for this, AJ (and Mr_W last week). It doesn't seem long since I saw Dover at Corby in the FA Cup last season. Then they were around 8th or 9th in Conference South. I thought about paying a visit to the Crabble in the future but imagined it would require a special effort. The possibility now exists, of course, that we may have a series of visits to the Crabble ahead. But, if I don't make it again, I'm glad I took a look in daylight.
There was certainly plenty of space for Paul Bastard. He was making "surging runs" - carrier bag in hand - even before kick-off. Non-league grounds, without segregation, are perfect for him.
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