‘Salisbury’s last stand.’
And so it is that we finally say goodbye to Mr Norris, soon to be moving to the
Tuscany of the North, never to be seen again, save for saving us a table in the
Old Number 7 on a fortnightly basis. To
celebrate, Selwood arrived early, The Captain missed the train entirely (delays
at the Hampshire end) and Gerry didn’t feel well enough to travel. A typical start, then.
The Old Number 7 was back to it’s busyish best, since half the crowd have decamped to Redfearns. Thankfully, a set of old folk eventually left, giving us a table and me a chance to show young Aimee how to play shove ha’penny. So much for shelling out all that cash for some computerised games gizmo, eh Paul?
The match? Well, it was a champion game,
especially the 2nd half.
Bristol, 14 games unbeaten and comfortably top of the league were taken
to task by the Reds, who coulda, woulda, shoulda won but for missed chances
(us) and taken chances (them). Harshly
losing at half time (Winnall failing to mark his man, who’d drifted to the back
post) we fought back strongly and could, in all seriousness, have scored 5 or
6.
2nd half, Cole missed a simple header (cleared off the line, but, really, he oughtn’t to have given the player the chance), Williams dragged a great chance wide, Hourihane hit the post and Cole made a hash of a simple opportunity when Williams had the cleverness to spurn his chance of a shot and instead picked out Devante for the tap-in. Even then, Hourihane’s greediness cost us victory, as with him in possession and us 3 on 1 in attack, he delayed and delayed, completely ignored Williams’ run outside him and instead blasted the ball against the defender before unleashing a mouthful at Williams for being offside (caused as this was by him overtaking Hourihane in expecting the pass). Note to Conor: This is not the school team. You might be the best player, but the other members of your team are paid professionals who can be expected to do their job if you give them chance. It’s not all about YOU.
We equalised through Winnall. A smart finish, curled to the far corner, after the ball dropped kindly for him in the box. (When fans bemoaned our ‘bad luck’ yesterday, no-one pointed out how luck played a part in both of our goals.) Then we got a pen, Hourihane going down theatrically under little pressure at all. He’s clever like that. Those of you who think it was a stonewall pen were presumably not the ones who moaned last season when M’Voto gave away a pen when the bloke threw himself on the floor while he just stood there. Hourihane despatched it low to the keeper’s left.
I then made the mistake of imagining we’d win this game. I got to wondering when was the last time we’d played 4 matches in a row where the team who scored 1st lost. Yes, I’m dull like that. Sadly, ‘twas not to be, as our run of ‘bad luck’ included a defender hitting the ball off our own man’s face (Winnall, again) for Wilbraham to lash home from 20 yards. Some call it bad luck, I call it incompetence. And still there was time for Hourihane to hit the post, as well as that 3 on1.
*** I dunno. I thought they were all
much of a muchness, in a goodish way. At
different points, Cole, Hourihane and Williams all looked great going forward,
while the centre halves never looked in trouble. So I’ll go with Hourihane. He seemed to be
behind most of our attacks.
** Dudgeon. Aside from a couple of punts into the stand, he had an excellent game on his return to left back.
* Crainie. Bree is being rested (fear of burnout) and Brown is officially hapless, so Captain Fantastic was given a runout at right full back and did very well.
Despatches:
Great kit Bristol City brought with them, that legendary purple and lime green combo. I can’t think why more teams don’t dress like this. Maybe that’s why less than 500 bothered to come and support a big city team who’re top of the league. Fickle. Possibly the 1st set of fans in a while to be outsung at Oakwell by our support.
Winnall got the sponsors’ MOTM. He ran around a lot, failed to hold the ball up a lot and scored a decent goal – but had a hand (or face) in both of theirs. He’s yet to convince me. Cole again looked like he could do damage, but probably not as a right winger. It seems we want to keep him beyond January, but, Danny, I don’t think Man City have sent him to Oakwell to be a winger. Williams meantime, a natural winger, is played in midfield. Anyway, I’m sure Danny knows best.
Drink du jour: Aside from the wheat beers (‘Miami Weiss’ – see what they did there?) Andy and I shared a bottle of vodka. Now, I ain’t admitting nuffink, but when you’re chucking up on a bus, you’ve officially had enough. Still, it meant I didn’t fall asleep and miss my stop. To anyone who was there, and the bus company, I am very very sorry.
We avoided a 10th defeat in 13 home games (cheers, Chronicle) and have stretched our lead over bottom team Scunthorpe to 4 points. Onwards and upwards!
 |
| Back of the East Stand |
The Old Number 7 was back to it’s busyish best, since half the crowd have decamped to Redfearns. Thankfully, a set of old folk eventually left, giving us a table and me a chance to show young Aimee how to play shove ha’penny. So much for shelling out all that cash for some computerised games gizmo, eh Paul?
 |
| The Ponty |
2nd half, Cole missed a simple header (cleared off the line, but, really, he oughtn’t to have given the player the chance), Williams dragged a great chance wide, Hourihane hit the post and Cole made a hash of a simple opportunity when Williams had the cleverness to spurn his chance of a shot and instead picked out Devante for the tap-in. Even then, Hourihane’s greediness cost us victory, as with him in possession and us 3 on 1 in attack, he delayed and delayed, completely ignored Williams’ run outside him and instead blasted the ball against the defender before unleashing a mouthful at Williams for being offside (caused as this was by him overtaking Hourihane in expecting the pass). Note to Conor: This is not the school team. You might be the best player, but the other members of your team are paid professionals who can be expected to do their job if you give them chance. It’s not all about YOU.
 |
| I can't decide if I like this kit or not. Oh, hang on, yes I can.... |
We equalised through Winnall. A smart finish, curled to the far corner, after the ball dropped kindly for him in the box. (When fans bemoaned our ‘bad luck’ yesterday, no-one pointed out how luck played a part in both of our goals.) Then we got a pen, Hourihane going down theatrically under little pressure at all. He’s clever like that. Those of you who think it was a stonewall pen were presumably not the ones who moaned last season when M’Voto gave away a pen when the bloke threw himself on the floor while he just stood there. Hourihane despatched it low to the keeper’s left.
I then made the mistake of imagining we’d win this game. I got to wondering when was the last time we’d played 4 matches in a row where the team who scored 1st lost. Yes, I’m dull like that. Sadly, ‘twas not to be, as our run of ‘bad luck’ included a defender hitting the ball off our own man’s face (Winnall, again) for Wilbraham to lash home from 20 yards. Some call it bad luck, I call it incompetence. And still there was time for Hourihane to hit the post, as well as that 3 on1.
 |
| It's a beautiful day (cue music from U2) |
** Dudgeon. Aside from a couple of punts into the stand, he had an excellent game on his return to left back.
* Crainie. Bree is being rested (fear of burnout) and Brown is officially hapless, so Captain Fantastic was given a runout at right full back and did very well.
Despatches:
Great kit Bristol City brought with them, that legendary purple and lime green combo. I can’t think why more teams don’t dress like this. Maybe that’s why less than 500 bothered to come and support a big city team who’re top of the league. Fickle. Possibly the 1st set of fans in a while to be outsung at Oakwell by our support.
 |
| Big city, big team, pathetic support. |
Winnall got the sponsors’ MOTM. He ran around a lot, failed to hold the ball up a lot and scored a decent goal – but had a hand (or face) in both of theirs. He’s yet to convince me. Cole again looked like he could do damage, but probably not as a right winger. It seems we want to keep him beyond January, but, Danny, I don’t think Man City have sent him to Oakwell to be a winger. Williams meantime, a natural winger, is played in midfield. Anyway, I’m sure Danny knows best.
Drink du jour: Aside from the wheat beers (‘Miami Weiss’ – see what they did there?) Andy and I shared a bottle of vodka. Now, I ain’t admitting nuffink, but when you’re chucking up on a bus, you’ve officially had enough. Still, it meant I didn’t fall asleep and miss my stop. To anyone who was there, and the bus company, I am very very sorry.
We avoided a 10th defeat in 13 home games (cheers, Chronicle) and have stretched our lead over bottom team Scunthorpe to 4 points. Onwards and upwards!
 |
| Salisbury and friend back in London. (Note: This was my actual view.) |
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