After a detour to my brother's in Maidstone to watch the ManYoo game, I'm home to reflect on today's match. While cruising down the M23, something hit me. I've got a feeling this is the first time I've EVER been to two Torquay games on the back-to-back. I may be wrong, but I need to work it out.
So, Ebbsfleet United. Tin shed stands, uncovered away terrace, 80s rock music on the tannoy and portacabin toilets.
This. Is. Football. And I love it.
To be honest, it wasn't the best game of football I've ever seen, but we performed and came away with three points.
We started very, VERY well and we could have scored twice inside the opening ten minutes. Firstly, Carlisle received a smart pass from Sills and was free on goal cutting in from the right. His second touch was rather baffling as it took him wide and he had no choice but to cut it back for the return pass. It evaded everyone and the Fleet defence cleared.
Minutes later, a very similar move ended with a better touch from Carlisle and his attempt well saved by the Fleet keeper ("Fleeper"?).
Not a lot happened for the next 20 minutes or so. There was a lot of berating of the linesman who, to be fair, was probably correct on about five out of his six offside decisions. When a free-kick was knocked too long by Nicholson, Hargreaves - who had stretched to keep it in - turned and screamed: "JESUS!" Cue the obvious long hair jokes, but it was a very humorous moment.
The goal came five minutes before half-time. It was quite strange as I was stood at the burger van. I was watching the game as I queued and Fleet had a corner. I ordered my food, turned back and suddenly Wroe was one-on-one with the keeper! He slipped it round him and agonisingly came back off the post. Thompson was on hand though and he calmly slotted it back to Wroe who made no mistake with the second attempt.
The second half, I have to say, was dire. There really wasn't a lot to talk about except one awesome passing move which resulted in a wonderful second goal. Sills showed some skills down the left (yes, you read that right!) before slipping the ball into Thompson. The number 12 looked up and with a deft flick of the right boot, played it into Carlisle. The winger swung a leg at it, dummied the defender, onto his left and calmly passed it into the bottom corner. Cool as you like. It reminded me of
that goal that England scored against Holland at Euro'96. Outstanding.
As for our support, they announced that there was 253 of us there, though it looked a lot more. We struggled to create an atmosphere, but that was due to the open away terrace. I don't really understand the "Where's your 30,000 fans?" chant and the berating of the linesman got a bit tedious but overall it was a good turnout.
One guy made me laugh though. A Fleet player got hit by a tackle that would have knocked over Mike Tyson and he screamed "Get up you pussy, it's a man's game!" Minutes later, Sills takes a stumble after being hit by a feather and the same bloke goes mental at the ref! It made me smile anyway.
Two pleasing things to come out of this game. Firstly - and I cannot stress this enough - we defended
exceptionally well today. [cliche] When Toddy comes back, Buckle is going to have a very welcome decision headache. [/cliche]
Secondly, just like last week at Rushden, when we passed the ball around, we looked like Champions. And if we continue to play the way I've witnessed in the past two weeks, we
will be Champions.
Well that was as comprehensive and easy an away win as one is ever likely to see.....................it could have been double or even treble the goal tally, and the home team never looked like getting even one in reply!
