‘It were not sensical'
 |
| The teams about to enter the Theatre of Screams (cheers, Andy) |
The dream is over, if not mathematically. Needing 5 wins from the last 5 games (and more) we fail at the first hurdle, only drawing to the side holding 6th, Chesterfield. And fair play to them - I thought they outclassed us 1st half and took a deserved lead. Furthermore, whilst the only difference between the teams at the New Saltergate (whatever it's called) was the class of star centre forward Eoin Doyle (now sold) they looked very much like a team on the up without him. Note, a TEAM.
 |
| Don't be fooled by the sun. It was cold (see hat). |
After nearly scoring twice in the opening 2 minutes (the first from Waring losing it cheaply) the match settled down and was predominantly played in our half. Then a player got a head injury and I nipped off for pie and pee...and whilst zipping myself heard a small cheer. Those toilets are well soundproofed, but the PA confirmed it. 'And the first goal for Chesterfield...' Christ. I was probably pleased not to have seen it, when it was later described to me: Hourihane slipping over in possession and one pass later they're clean through to bury it to Davies' far corner. Bl**dy Hourihane. I'd have probably exploded. At least he's finally made a difference!
 |
| 'Condiments station'. WTF? |
Yet before the half was over, we somehow nearly scored twice without ever creating owt. Crainie hit the bar with a looping header. Everyone stood and stared...until it hit the bar. Anticipation? That's for other teams. Then as the half closed, the keeper pulled off a save from Waring, who was given a free shot on the backpost. Was he 3 yards out or 4? Should the keeper have even had a chance? No, it was poor. Waring had the whole goal to aim at, 3 yards out, and he's hit the spot just above the keeper's header, giving him the chance of making the save.
Second half and not much changes, so Johnson asks me who he should take off. 'Well...Hourihane and Waring for a start'. He does. Hourihane being dragged off is the 2nd biggest cheer of the day after our goal. Ibehre comes on, and finally we have a forward who can move, hold a ball up and win headers...or if not, win throw ins. It takes us 4 minutes to equalise. Their guy goes straight through Ibehre, the free kick is lumped up and the Spireites fail to clear. And from the 2nd phase (I hate that phrase) the ball is crossed in from the right, there's a little flick on and the header is latched onto by Winnall, sliding in on the backpost. Offside? I would say so, but I don't think the officials spotted the flick-on.
 |
| Tremendous turnout from the Spireites. |
Sadly, the charge of the red brigade doesn't come. The ball is mostly in their half, but the only chance comes Winnall's way. If he sees it again he'll kick himself, as he's on his own and he takes the ball back on himself before meekly shooting with his left. If he'd controlled it the other way, he'd have been clean through 10 yards out. Oh well.
One more (small) highlight for me, the manager finally takes Declan John off, so the 3 changes I'd have made before KO finally come to fruition.
*** Scowen. 1st half, he was everywhere. Tackles, makes passes, drives at people, covers.
** Nyatanga. Twitter MOTM. Marshalled the defence very well, always looked cool under pressure.
* Crainie. Competant display at right back, as well as playing a part in the goal...and hitting the bar.
Londontykes top 3:
1. Nyatanga
2. Scowen
3. Crainie
 |
| The new right winger - an improvement on that Stewart bloke from Ipswich. |
Despatches:
6 matches without a win and counting. Not Berry's fault, as he came on, looked enterprising (ie, better than Hourihane) and drilled a 25 yarder the keeper was pleased to hold. Pearson always chose the sideways or backwards option. I could understand that against the Blunts, we couldn't keep possession, but not this week. Ramage made a welcome return. He's one loanee I'd keep (wages permitting). Declan John is one I wouldn't (so we will). Constantly threatened to deceive, but usually lost it. Smith recovered after a shaky start (note to John again: it's YOUR job to ensure the opposition don't double up on the left back; you should KNOW THIS cos it's where you've been playing the last few matches. Indeed, John DID chase back once...when I f***ing screamed at him to do so. He ended up winning us a goalkick.) Smith delivered some good crosses and played some good one-twos with John 2nd half. Waring couldn't hold a ball, and when he did, promptly misplaced the pass. There was one in the 2nd half, we were breaking in numbers, he held it up superbly...before playing the ball behind our onrushing player for a throw-in. He's crap. His mate Winnall ran around enthusiastically in midfield 1st half. Would he have been standing where he was when he scored if Waring was still on the pitch? We'll never know. Was he given licence to get into their box once the subs were made? Otherwise, he fell over alot and moaned about it. As usual. Ibehre looked the pick of the strikers. Lalkovic was poor. What's happened to him? As for Davies, 2 early saves and then not much to do.
Drink du jour: Vodka and orange
Crowd: 11,268 (away 2,459)
6 matches without a win and counting. Not Berry's fault, as he came on, looked enterprising (ie, better than Hourihane) and drilled a 25 yarder the keeper was pleased to hold. Pearson always chose the sideways or backwards option. I could understand that against the Blunts, we couldn't keep possession, but not this week. Ramage made a welcome return. He's one loanee I'd keep (wages permitting). Declan John is one I wouldn't (so we will). Constantly threatened to deceive, but usually lost it. Smith recovered after a shaky start (note to John again: it's YOUR job to ensure the opposition don't double up on the left back; you should KNOW THIS cos it's where you've been playing the last few matches. Indeed, John DID chase back once...when I f***ing screamed at him to do so. He ended up winning us a goalkick.) Smith delivered some good crosses and played some good one-twos with John 2nd half. Waring couldn't hold a ball, and when he did, promptly misplaced the pass. There was one in the 2nd half, we were breaking in numbers, he held it up superbly...before playing the ball behind our onrushing player for a throw-in. He's crap. His mate Winnall ran around enthusiastically in midfield 1st half. Would he have been standing where he was when he scored if Waring was still on the pitch? We'll never know. Was he given licence to get into their box once the subs were made? Otherwise, he fell over alot and moaned about it. As usual. Ibehre looked the pick of the strikers. Lalkovic was poor. What's happened to him? As for Davies, 2 early saves and then not much to do.
Drink du jour: Vodka and orange
Crowd: 11,268 (away 2,459)
 |
| Less than 9,000 home fans. And it showed. |
No comments:
Post a Comment