tufc01
TFF member
Posts: 1,179
|
Post by tufc01 on Nov 23, 2008 0:25:46 GMT
Short trip for me today, only 20 minutes up the road. How Woking took a point from this I will never know. [glow=yellow,2,300]Nicholson was at fault for the first goal[/glow]. It almost seemed as if he stepped aside to allow the Woking player in. His shot was fumbled by Bevan and Marum couldn't miss. Moments later, a speculative shot from the edge of the area took a huge deflection and suddenly we were 2-0 down. We were unlucky to go in two-down at the break. Carayol [glow=Yellow,2,300]was superb all day and some blistering crosses [/glow]into the box really should have been tucked away. The Gulls came out for the second half and they were fired up. Three or four good chances passed us by and it really looked like it was going to be one of those days. Then the turning point of the game; Woking broke and Marum was through on goal. [glow=yellow,2,300]Mansell pulled off an unbelievable saving tackle[/glow] but the ball dropped to Williams who blazed over from 10 yards. 3-0 and it was game over. Minutes later, a quality free kick into the box was tucked home by Benyon. Players like Sills - who had been largely unproductive and, frankly, lazy - suddenly looked up for it and we didn't have to wait long for the equaliser. A fantastic move ended with a ball into Stevens feet. Great touch to control, fantastic touch to finish and no one would have bet against us going on to win from there. However, we pushed and pushed but just couldn't find that killer finish. Carayol was put through on goal and drew a great save from an otherwise dodgy looking goalkeeper. I normally defend referees to the hilt, but [glow=yellow,2,300]our official was very poor today. We probably should have had two penalties today[/glow]. The first one, their defender was all over Sills. It would have been soft, but when he committed the same offence outside the area, it was given! The second appeal was a stonewall spot-kick. Benyon controlled it well, and just as he looked like he was going to turn the defender inside-out, he was wiped out from behind. I'm happy with a point but on reflection we really should have taken all three. I've said it time and time again, but three months ago we would have rolled over and been slaughtered. There was a nice moment before kick-off when Toddy came over to give us a round of applause. [glow=yellow,2,300]I was slightly miffed that there was no chanting of his name[/glow], but it was a lovely moment. 1. Whilst Nicholson was partly to blame for the first goal, it was a dreadful pass back/across the box that let Woking in. 2. Agree Carayol was outstanding, probably Man of the Match. He has come on leaps and bounds as the season has progressed. He looks destined for bigger things at some stage in his career, hopefully starting in League 2 with us next year. 3. That tackle saved us from going 3 nil down, it was awesome. I didnt realise Mansell was that quick, he showed a blistering turn of pace. 4. I agree the ref was appalling today, one of the worst i have seen, mainly for the decisions he DIDN'T make, rather than the ones he did. 5. I was also slightly miffed that we didn't get a Todd chant going. I thought that might have been a nice touch. The card doing the rounds was made/brought by Paul Bastard i believe, again a nice touch. |
|
Dave
TFF member
Posts: 13,081
|
Post by Dave on Nov 23, 2008 8:39:41 GMT
I just slapped a tenner down daring the operator to ask for more and she said nothing so I got in for the said tenner Merse £10 is the O.A.P price, all she did was look up at you, saw your face and could find no reason to question your age  |
|
merse
TFF member
Posts: 2,684
|
Post by merse on Nov 23, 2008 10:55:12 GMT
Matching hat and coat of the day-Alan Merson Oh christ. Is it sale time at TK MaXX again? ;D  Hmmph...............a peak inside the lining reveals the legend "John Collier" that coat has been part of my life for some thirty years pal. That's why the matching hat (a mere 10 years old) is somewhat brighter in hue. At one moment in front of the full length mirror in Merse Towers  I did consider the black fedora (known as a trilby in W13) for the full "Donny Brasco"  look, but on consideration I thought that would be a little too much of a "Bronx Tale" for gentrified leafy suburban Woking to witness such a "Good Fella"  in their midst. Still, we could always find Muzzy a role in "The Gang Who Couldn't Shoot Straight"  couldn't we!  Oh and herring bone is "this year's black" as Ealinggull observed yesterday. |
|
merse
TFF member
Posts: 2,684
|
Post by merse on Nov 23, 2008 11:06:45 GMT
The issue of the BSP lacking the allure of the Football League has been raised before (which is a completely different matter to doubting, and dismissing, the quality of the football). There's a tremendous amount I like about non-league football - right down the pyramid - but often it strikes me that for many spectators it's an interest. The knowledge is frequently there but not quite the passion. I can understand that when the crowd is 100-200 but it seems larger crowds can be equally flat. I was at Dagenham & Redbridge earlier this season, now FL but recently ex-Conference, and expected a raucous East London atmosphere but it was actually quite gentle. There must be exceptions to what I'm saying and I'm trying to think of a few. I think you're quite right about the somewhat "laid back" atmosphere at many suburban non league grounds, particularly in the South East. Exceptions that spring to mind are the exceptional atmospheres at Aldershot and AFC Wimbledon last season and the small bunch of loonies who loyally follow fallen non league giants Romford FC - around a dozen in number, all of a"certain age"and STILL willing to don scarves, change ends at halftime and nick the odd piece of silverwear from various boardrooms.................Romford must have a secret trophy room somewhere that rivals Real Madrid! |
|
merse
TFF member
Posts: 2,684
|
Post by merse on Nov 23, 2008 11:11:11 GMT
I felt very unfashionable in my flat cap today until I saw how similar headwear can be worn with such panache. I thank you...................wait until spring and I'll treat you to the "brogues and plus fours" for the full Country Gent effect! |
|
merse
TFF member
Posts: 2,684
|
Post by merse on Nov 23, 2008 11:18:24 GMT
Prat of the day award is a toss up between the spineless referee, Wing Commander Gormless on the tannoy, and that daft cow in the Nissan Micra in the leisure centre car park who seemed to justify her lack of courtesy by telling me "well, I live here". I shook my head in disbelief, she told me to "f**k off" and then her foot must've have slipped off the clutch as she lurched towards the back of the next car. Mild whiplash was the least she deserved. You should have been in the Barnet1's car with myself and Fully egging him on to pinch a prime parking space in that Leisure Centre that had been earmarked by a local "Reginald Molehusband ".................."Go on Pikey, go on go on" we roared at the big fella and then "sorry sir, he's from London you know" by way of apology for our appalling behaviour! |
|
merse
TFF member
Posts: 2,684
|
Post by merse on Nov 23, 2008 11:21:16 GMT
I just slapped a tenner down daring the operator to ask for more and she said nothing so I got in for the said tenner Merse £10 is the O.A.P price, all she did was look up at you, saw your face and could find no reason to question your age I know mate, I know |
|
|
|
Post by chesneygull on Nov 23, 2008 12:17:04 GMT
Dave
Your quote about Merse's age has to be a contender for "Post of the week"! I've never met Merse but it had me in stitches!
|
|
Dave
TFF member
Posts: 13,081
|
Post by Dave on Nov 23, 2008 12:22:19 GMT
Dave Your quote about Merse's age has to be a contender for "Post of the week"! I've never met Merse but it had me in stitches! The dear man is only 56 years old mate, but he has had a hard life and it shows Mind you he is still making babies, well he tells us he was the man , I think some test tube may be closer to the truth;) |
|
|
|
Post by chrish on Nov 23, 2008 12:34:39 GMT
Oh christ. Is it sale time at TK MaXX again? ;D Hmmph...............a peak inside the lining reveals the legend "John Collier" that coat has been part of my life for some thirty years pal. That's why the matching hat (a mere 10 years old) is somewhat brighter in hue. At one moment in front of the full length mirror in Merse Towers I did consider the black fedora (known as a trilby in W13) for the full "Donny Brasco" look, but on consideration I thought that would be a little too much of a "Bronx Tale" for gentrified leafy suburban Woking to witness such a "Good Fella" in their midst. Still, we could always find Muzzy a role in "The Gang Who Couldn't Shoot Straight" couldn't we! Oh and herring bone is "this year's black" as Ealinggull observed yesterday. Is that the same black Fedora you had on at Rushden? For a few seconds I thought that Fleetwood Mac had descended upon us. I'll wear the alpaca poncho and the buffalo hat to the next away game. I ain't gonna be beaten in a style contest! I don't need to consult some bloke in West London who drives a Volvo Estate for colour co-ordination tips!! ;D |
|
|
|
Post by chrish on Nov 23, 2008 12:47:36 GMT
Prat of the day award is a toss up between the spineless referee, Wing Commander Gormless on the tannoy, and that daft cow in the Nissan Micra in the leisure centre car park who seemed to justify her lack of courtesy by telling me "well, I live here". I shook my head in disbelief, she told me to "f**k off" and then her foot must've have slipped off the clutch as she lurched towards the back of the next car. Mild whiplash was the least she deserved. You should have been in the Barnet1's car with myself and Fully egging him on to pinch a prime parking space in that Leisure Centre that had been earmarked by a local "Reginald Molehusband ".................."Go on Pikey, go on go on" we roared at the big fella and then "sorry sir, he's from London you know" by way of apology for our appalling behaviour! Excellent. I wouldn't have even got out if it wasn't for the two Andys of Stephens and Charles giving me enough room to reverse. This miserable old cow tried to block me in. Reginald Molehusband? I wonder if that was the bloke on the PA? I say old bean. Must I play "The Jam" everytime we succeed in scoring? It'll be one's Funeral Pyre. |
|
|
|
Post by chrish on Nov 23, 2008 12:48:58 GMT
I just slapped a tenner down daring the operator to ask for more and she said nothing so I got in for the said tenner Merse £10 is the O.A.P price, all she did was look up at you, saw your face and could find no reason to question your age He was asking for that wasn't he Dave? ;D |
|
merse
TFF member
Posts: 2,684
|
Post by merse on Nov 23, 2008 13:05:04 GMT
I ain't gonna be beaten in a style contest! I don't need to consult some bloke in West London who drives a Volvo Estate for colour co-ordination tips!! ;D I don't think driving a volvo estate and style guru quite go hand in hand do they! One would have thought that "Vladimir Ilych"  would have preferred a modest little Trabant! |
|
merse
TFF member
Posts: 2,684
|
Post by merse on Nov 23, 2008 13:28:47 GMT
Merse £10 is the O.A.P price, all she did was look up at you, saw your face and could find no reason to question your age He was asking for that wasn't he Dave? ;D The two quid I saved had to be added to the couple of pounds I was prevented from putting on the Tote Scoop 6 yesterday 'cos the system crashed due to so many chasing the £5million Decarollover....................mind you, I would only have been adding to the pot as I only managed three out of the six required! A free day's racing at lovely Towcester followed by a nice roastie by the fire at nearby Stoke Breurne on the Grand Union Canal would have gone down a treat today but one look at my kids(still traumatised from another Arctic experience at the same venue two years ago) told me not to labour the point. Even my missus who loves a day's racing curls her lip and mouth's silent obscenities any time the "T" word slips out (more a Goodwood sunshine or view behind the plate glass at Sandown girl she) but I won't be telling her that the "little sheckel" I re-invested in Laddies on the way back from the paper shop has just realised £125 from the 1.20 at same venue!  Good old Plum Pudding (25/1)...................I knew you were good for me! |
|
Enzo
TFF member
Posts: 283 
|
Post by Enzo on Nov 23, 2008 14:48:41 GMT
With many of our rivals playing each other yesterday, I feel we missed a massive chance to build on our breathing space at the top of the league. Records mean little, but I doubt we will ever have a better opportunity to extend our record number of consecutive victories than yesterday. However, rather like the turnstile arrangements, we started off complacently and lethargic, giving the impression that our players felt all we needed to do was turn up and collect the three points. A very frustrating first half hour during which we were second to every ball and presented a clueless, but fired up Woking side with two goals. I like Bevan, but one has to be consistent - had Rice made failed to hold the shot that led to their first goal in a similar manner he would have murdered by us fans. Bevan was among 3 or four players who could have put a stop to that move.
Buckle got the tinkering right at half time and it was pretty much one way traffic once Woking had missed their golden opportunity to go three up. Muzzy was a constant threat - not everything came off, but he earned free kick after free kick in dangerous positions. In general however, Sills, Muzzy and Benyon were given little protection by the referee. In general Sills led the line well, but should have scored twice from fantastic crosses from Muzzy. One was a particularly bad header. The champagne moment was our second goal - great interplay between Beynon and Sills who then put Danny in - who took it in his stride and finished perfectly. We really should have gone on to win from this point - Muzzy missed a one on one with about ten to go. His finishing is poor.
I agree with other comments regarding the atmosphere - there was none. Woking may well be a fairly weird place to watch football, and the fact that the 560 odd Gulls were spread along the side of the pitch in a roofless terrace did not help, however, us fans had a part to play in the rather dull atmosphere. We were top of the league on a record breaking run and there were enough of us to make our own noise. We shouldn't need interaction with home fans to make noise - and normally the away support is great. I thought in everything others than numbers us Gulls fans were pretty poor yesterday. Reminded me of those 11am kick offs at Exeter - Silent.
Overall, we were far from our best, but still had more than enough and should have won against a very poor Woking side. Even when two up you got the impression that the Woking players and fans never really thought they would hold on. The team spirit shone through once again.........which was good to see, however our last two games (this one and Lewes) have demonstrated how poor the bottom half of this league is. In both matches we were far from our best and only have ourselves to blame for not taking maximum points. That said, the unbeaten run goes on and the team should not be slated too much for one dodgy half.
|
|
would have preferred a modest little Trabant! 