“Before I
make a mistake, I don’t make that mistake.” (Johan Cruyff, R.I.P.)
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| Grove Street, home of the Super Reds |
The writing was on the wall before this match, as international call ups for our loan crew, as well as injuries, meant 4 forced changes. No Winnall and Watkins, or Fletcher and Isgrove…or even that bloke from Everton we’re teaching to be a fullback. Does that mean 5 changes then? So, the excuses can start there. In came Scowen, Aidey White (welcome back!), Chapman and Toney (welcome back!) One of these had a half decent game.
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| Anyone would think we're at Wembley next week |
Scunny ripped us to pieces that 1st half. Or did we rip ourselves to pieces? Defenders tried (and failed) to pass the ball around the back 4 and Scunny were gifted balls in promising positions in our own third. The suicide missions appeared every 10 mins, but Davies saved an early one-on-one and 2 great chances were put wide, one by ex-Red Jim O’Brien, no less. (Big Jim was later given a round of applause having been subbed, injured.) Other half chances were equally spurned.
Talking of ex-Reds, they had Stephen Dawson bossing midfield. I say bossing – he certainly had more possession than any of ours, despite his girth. Sadly, there was no sign of Scott Wiseman, a player who I’m sure would’ve had a warm welcome. Tw*t.
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| This week's minute's silence...for the Brussels bombings |
Where was I? Oh yes, Scunny really ought to have been out of sight by half time and we crawled in relieved, nil-nil. The improvement in the second half could not have been avoided, we’d been that bad. We finally had an effort on target, a superb save from a header (Roberts?) Then Hourihane hit a screamer on the volley which nearly decapitated a defender, while another volley was blocked. Finally, a free kick was tipped over, but it was easy for the keeper. The half was another ‘huff and puff’ effort, without the incisive play of earlier form. And when Hammill spent 5 minutes playing in one boot cos he didn’t know how to (un)tie a shoelace, that was it.
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| The Scunny midfield...on a wall in the East Stand. |
*** Williams. Another sound defensive performance, this time at his rightful place of right back. Twitter MOTM.
** Roberts. Looked solid next to his comedy partner, Alfie. Still tried to give them a goal tho with a poor pass.* Hourihane. Seemingly the only player interested in scoring for us. 2 super volleys, both blocked, and a free kick tipped over.
Londontykes' Top 3:
1. Roberts / Williams
3. Hourihane
Despatches:Hammill threatened to deceive wide left, but really, him and White didn’t gel as previous. Maybe once Aidey is match fit? Chapman was bloody awful. If we had any subs, he’d have been off at half time. Ditto Mawson, who was determined to let them score, with some crazy passing. Someone tell him he’s not Beckenbauer (yet). Brownhill was anonymous while Scowen ran around all keen but lost it every time he had it. Think Brendan O’Connell without the ability. The tactical plan to play one up top and spend the match hoofing it to him plainly didn’t work. I really felt sorry for Toney (the loanee) who battled well but was often left isolated. Overall, I’m hoping this was a hard earned point, rather than 2 lost, cos we didn’t deserve owt. As my dad said ‘if they don’t score we might have a chance of a draw’.
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| Oakwell in the sun |
Drink du jour: Leffe, Erdinger, Birra Moretti and Asahi. With plenty of vodka inbetween. Yes, I fell asleep on the bus and had to walk back from the last stop…past the place I got knocked over t’other week. Cheers.
Away: 813. Superb turnout from one of the league’s littler teams.
The Damage:
27 train
5 mug
3 prog
2 fanzine
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| The Ponty v Scunny |
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| 'Irons, irons' |
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| Looking toward the away end |
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| Match action |
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| Dawson and O'Brien in better days |
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