Showing posts with label Barnsley v Leyton Orient. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barnsley v Leyton Orient. Show all posts
Wednesday, 17 December 2025
BFC 3-2 Leyton Orient, Saturday 13th December 2025
‘Look at all these people, staying in town to have fun.’
I was confident on Satdy. Confident in our inconsistency. Having been crushed by Lincoln in midweek, I firmly expected us to romp to victory today. After all, we’d lost at Lincoln having won at Posh. Won at Posh after being hammered at Port Vale. Hammered at Port Vale after 2 games in one at Stockport (won the 1st half, lost the 2nd). Etc etc. And...BONUS!...we even found a new way of conceding. THAT was unexpected. I thought we’d found every way possible of letting in a goal this season.Yes, so much for playing well, destroying the opposition, camping in the Ponty End. YOU HAVE TO PUT THE BALL IN THE NET. That we did once was paltry reward for how on top we’d been. Even then, it relied on a deflection from Cleary’s shot, but as Alan Shearer might have said, if you don’t buy a ticket, you don’t win the raffle. Who’d have thunk HAVING A SHOT could bring reward? (It’s noticeable how, since Phillips has been injured, then forced to play the Bland role – standing on the halfway line – we’ve no-one to try a pot shot.) Sterling work in the build up from DKD and Kelly too.
The only other worthwhile effort before we somehow found ourselves a goal down at half-time was Kelly’s cut inside...then cut inside...then cut in a bit more...losing defenders here there and everywhere, before another defender (the left back? They’re ran out of other defenders) threw himself across to block it. ‘Should’ve shot earlier’ said folk who’ve never hit the net in their lives. Listen, idiots, you cut in COS there’s a defender about to block your shot. It just so happened that there was more than one defender to dummy. Cracking effort.
Then our midfield intervene. I have seen some backpasses in my time, but Phillips’ ROCKET at Cooper’s FACE takes the biscuit. In hindsight, Coops should’ve just moved out the way of it (and what? Taken the wrath of the crowd for leaving it?) and letting it go for a throw-in. Instead, he attempts to control it, it pings off his phizog and their centre forward nips in. My only worry with the resultant foul is whether it’s inside or outside the box. (I couldn’t tell. Did I tell you I was in the Corner Stand exec, courtesy of P. Gallagher?) If it’s outside, we’re looking at a red card. Fortunately (!) the ref points to the spot. One-all. Hara kiri.
Then, before the 45 is out, Yoganathan falls over in possession / is muscled out of it and they have a clear run at goal. I guess it’s hard keeping your balance when you’re 8 foot tall and the width of a flagpole. (Come to think, his shirt DOES blow around like a flag.) And guess what? Their player evades our blocking defenders by calmly CUTTING INSIDE to slot into an empty net. Once again, the bet of the day is ‘BTTS’. (Both teams to score.)
Half-time and we’re a goal down in a match we have DOMINATED. How many times have we read this story? Still, it’s not all bad. Gally, Loko, Hicksy and I are very warm and cosy, thank you very much. Too cosy. Hicksy doesn’t bother with the second half.
After a rousing half-time teamtalk from Coach Conor, and an early shot off the post from Cleary (shoulda done better), it’s fairly apparent we’ve ran out of ideas. What minute will he send St. Jalo on? No, Super Jonny Russell gets the curly finger from the bench, on for Yoga, closely followed by Forgotten-Man Vickers, on for Can’t-Forget-Him-Fast-Enough Farrugia. We have half of a half to save this game.
A gentle chipped free kick has Cleary stretching and sending it across goal for Russell to ping in on the volley. Superb technique from a bloke who hit double figures last season but is ignored in favour of everyone else this season. Still, he should be fresh for the World Cup (should Jamaica chivvy New Caledonia out). Why does he never get picked (for the Super Reds)? ‘Because he’s a dogsh*t ba5tard’ retorted a A. Londontyke. (Not me. I’m a fan, though Russell attempts to throw away his good work by giving away cheap possession on the edge of our own box as we hang on.)
It's not over though. We have the bit between our teeth and go hunting. Or b) an aimless ball forward from Watson has their fullback airkicking it and Cleary nipping in. He lays it on a plate for DKD to have an open goal from 7 yards. WE HAVE WON IT!
Hold on tho. Russell gives them an opportunity before, in injury time, Coach Conor goes old skool and chucks on a centre half (Roberts) for a forward (Cleary). Inspired, as Orient put one last ball in the box, and who would have been able to stand and watch it as the Orient player runs in, jumps and powers in a header….were Roberts not on the pitch? Thankfully, it goes over, but Roberts’ studs didn’t even leave the ground.
Actually, as I think about it, he probably sent Roberts on just after Shepherd’s latest episode of ‘falling over cos there’s a forward right on my heels’ and getting a free kick. This is EVERY GAME and it really irks me. Although the resultant Orient equaliser was scrubbed for a free kick to us justifies Shepherd’s dive, is does nothing to placate my mood. It was EXACTLY the same as happened to Yoganathan. Why is Shepherd treated differently by refs?
Onwards and upwards!
*** Cleary. Scored, set 2 up. Can’t argue with the facts.
** Kelly. Or maybe you can. Another awesome game driving forward.
* DKD. Given we can’t defend, and 2 midfielders set up their goals, that leaves the match winner. Johnny-on-the-spot. Official MOTM: Kelly
Londontykes’ MOTM: 1. Cleary 2. Kelly 3. DKD
Despatches:
Well, the excitement over drawing Liverpoo away lasted, didn’t it? It lasted approximately the amount of time it took television to realise Liverpoo were playing the Arse the previous Thursday, so the game HAD to be on Sun or Mon, so why not Monday, ruin many a Londontyke’s hopes of attending? Worse, we lose another Satdy home game (Wimbledon, Feb 14th) when we turn the Scousers over. Chelsea, home? I’m getting 2008 vibes! (Bring back Davey! Tohellwithit, bring back Odejayi!)
Meanwhile, on the exec balcony, I sat next to the Jonathan Bland Fan Club, which made a pleasant change. May I also say, I’ve never heard Ben be so quiet. I think he only piped up 5 times, which was nice. (It’s not that Bland was poor – he only messed up once, over-playing a ball to DKD who was stood too close to him anyway – it’s that he just doesn’t do anything. That’s his job. ‘Stand there. No, not there. There. Perfect.)
Drink du jour: Beartown Inception at Spiral.
Away: 590? 519? Should BFC sort out the PA system, or should I sort out my ear system? (My GCSE French listening result suggests the latter.) Cinque sonne quatre vingt dix au cinque sonne dix-neuf. Is any of that correct?
The Damage:
c.£7 petrol
= c.£7
I did have a snout around the club shop and quite fancy a retro ‘Dire’/Hignett shirt. (The lettering is coming off my original, hence why you never see it. But I like the actual shirt. Do you think the club shop has access to the same lettering/numbering fonts?)
Sunday, 11 February 2024
BFC 2-1 Leyton Orient, Saturday 10th February 2024
‘Curioser and curiouser’ 
In the space of 5 minutes on Satdy we went from not making the play offs to promotion certainties. Surely any side that is down with three minutes to go, equalises, has a player sent off, then goes on to win the game is guaranteed to go up? The crowd seemed to think so...’E-I-E-I-E-I-O up the football league we go’ indeed. This followed one of the most bizarre periods of play I’ve ever seen.
With 87 minutes on the clock we were heading to a(nother) regulatory home defeat. We’d created chance after chance in the first half, only to succumb to what felt like their only shot on target. Jordan is robbed as he waits for the ball and they break down the left. There’s always an overload and as defenders leg it back to the line in panic, the ball is pulled back for an easy finish. Well worked from their perspective. Another reason why Jordan shouldn’t be playing in a back 3 for us.
That opening half though. Their keeper pulls off a great save early on as Cole’s snapshot is saved low to his left. Later, Cole would cut inside and curl one into the far top corner...of the keeper’s left glove. ‘What’s Cole doing THERE?’ said the young bloke behind, before Cadden’s pass set up the chance. Inbetween, Cole messes up the first time finish from a sweet right wing cross. Oh, and early second half, he forced the keeper into another low save. Anyway, in the clamour for Not-Shepherd (Earl) making his home debut, I feel Devante’s performance was overlooked.
Anyway, there we were...losing...minutes running out. By now, I was sat with Slacki and every 5 minutes I’d ask him if it was too early to lose faith. Never, in Slackiworld. The Frenchman lofts a hopeful ball into the box from the halfway line. Their keeper (funnily enough, like,ours, on loan from Boro – how many keepers does a midtable Championship team need?) comes trotting out, ready to take an easy one. But the MOTM has misjudged it and Phillips nips in to loop a header over him into an empty net. You Reds!
The players leg it back for the retake. There’s still time to win this. The ref blows, then blows again. He’s only showing Luca a yellow card...then another….then a red. Whatthef*** is going on? Seems Luca has objected to Orient not taking the kick quick enough following the ref’s whistle. Now, far be it for me to show bias, but if the ref had any common sense (whilst punishing Connell) he could have just called Luca over and explained the rules. ‘Look, mate, while I’ve blown the whistle for the restart, you can’t come into the centre circle till they’ve actually kicked off. It is your own time you’re wasting.’ I suspect he’s been tired of Luca chuntering on throughout and has produced the yellow not realising he’s carded him a few minutes before. Loudest ‘you’re not fit to referee’ of the season, proving Jonesy was there in spirit, if not body (skiing, part-timer).
Mind, it was easy to forget. From nowhere, with 80 mins up, the ref started dishing out cards like there was no tomorrow. Previously, he’d let challenges go (making for a better game). I don’t know what he ended with. 8? 9? From looking to win the game, we’d now struggle to hold on. How wrong we were. Did they get into our half while we had 10 men? Dunno, but O’Keefe (on for the…shall we be generous?....mercurial Cotter)…sends in a free kick from out wide and Phillips nips in to head home. Pandemonium. Grown men hugging each other (Slacki and I). Never in doubt. Must take more notice of Ian in future!
Onwards and upwards!
*** Phillips. Rescued three points from nowhere.
** Cole. Forced the keeper into several stops.
* Earl. Solid and brought the ball out well.
Official MOTM: Earl
Londontykes’ MOTM: 1. Phillips 2. Earl 3. Cadden
Despatches:
My favourite fact from yesterday came from Lucas Waddington. (He is his father’s son.) The last time we beat Leyton Orient, 9 years ago, the scorers were Conor Hourihane and...Devante Cole! No way! He’s rubbish. I don’t remember it, but I do remember sitting next to Gerry at the away game (nil nil). R.I.P.
Pre-match, we had a recruitment fair for the armed forces behind the East Stand. Why? We could do with having MORE supporters, not fewer. Anyway, it beats having one of those fanzones wot every other team has. If it wasn’t so close to kick-off, I’d have signed up myself. (The Navy, obvs, I’ve heard all about their beanos to the Caribbean from Pompey Ian. Trying – and failing – to blow up fibreglass hulled boats is right up my street.) I’m sure I could be a crack combatant. After all, I’ve forty years experience in warzones...Middlesbrough, Birmingham City, Port Vale, etc. And the leader of the Spanish Armada also suffered from sea sickness, and it didn’t do them much harm, did it? Errr...
The players? Roberts had nothing to do in goal. I don’t know where the 5 shots on target came from that the BBC website reported. Cotter was...Cotter. Enjoyed the way he limped off, not that he was being hauled for being completely and utterly s***. The Frenchman looked solid with newboy Earl, while Jordan just looks like a player waiting for his next mistake. Is that American guy fit yet? We are ruining Jordan’s career playing him where he is now, nevermind making him captain. Cadden had mixed fortunes, not every cross hitting the mark. Connell and Kane were as anonymous as they’ve ever been. How did we create all those chances? Phillips had his usual blaze into the crowd before he notched. McAtee had an excellent 1st half, before disappearing, while Cosgrove came on who once again showed his ability to turn a game by not doing anything (but we came back!) O’Keefe didn’t once trip over the ball or let one dribble out of play. And of course, crossed for the winner.
Oh, and without my friend Diane at the game (her 2nd funeral of the season….should I be worried?) I decided to join the hoi polloi downstairs in the 2nd half. I couldn’t take it anymore. The young lad behind just will not SHUT THE F*** UP. I know, rich eh? I was gonna blame him and his mate, but it’s not...his mate just responds occasionally. This other one CANNOT let more than half a second go without passing comment. And I wouldn’t mind, but when you’re criticising the positioning of the players (Cole, Cotter) when they’re blatantly under instruction, or saying thank goodness a long shot doesn’t fall to Cadden ‘as it will end up in the crowd’ (eh? You mean the one player who consistently hits it on target from distance?) Still, if you say enough, some it if will be right. I’m with him there.
Then I sat 4 rows back and could only see players’ legs and had no idea why Phillips (of all people) turned down a shot, 2nd half. He NEVER turns down an opportunity to shoot. You just have NO PERSPECTIVE whatsoever sat here, but at least you can admire your fullback’s thighs, or get in the linesman’s ear. And sit on a wet chair. Who chooses to sit in these areas!? Are you mad!!??
Drink du jour: Floc something-or-other in Spiral City, a cloudy pale ale. Luvvly.
Away: 619. Or 690. My ears, the PA...
The Damage:
c.£8 petrol
= c.£8
With 87 minutes on the clock we were heading to a(nother) regulatory home defeat. We’d created chance after chance in the first half, only to succumb to what felt like their only shot on target. Jordan is robbed as he waits for the ball and they break down the left. There’s always an overload and as defenders leg it back to the line in panic, the ball is pulled back for an easy finish. Well worked from their perspective. Another reason why Jordan shouldn’t be playing in a back 3 for us.
That opening half though. Their keeper pulls off a great save early on as Cole’s snapshot is saved low to his left. Later, Cole would cut inside and curl one into the far top corner...of the keeper’s left glove. ‘What’s Cole doing THERE?’ said the young bloke behind, before Cadden’s pass set up the chance. Inbetween, Cole messes up the first time finish from a sweet right wing cross. Oh, and early second half, he forced the keeper into another low save. Anyway, in the clamour for Not-Shepherd (Earl) making his home debut, I feel Devante’s performance was overlooked.
Anyway, there we were...losing...minutes running out. By now, I was sat with Slacki and every 5 minutes I’d ask him if it was too early to lose faith. Never, in Slackiworld. The Frenchman lofts a hopeful ball into the box from the halfway line. Their keeper (funnily enough, like,ours, on loan from Boro – how many keepers does a midtable Championship team need?) comes trotting out, ready to take an easy one. But the MOTM has misjudged it and Phillips nips in to loop a header over him into an empty net. You Reds!
The players leg it back for the retake. There’s still time to win this. The ref blows, then blows again. He’s only showing Luca a yellow card...then another….then a red. Whatthef*** is going on? Seems Luca has objected to Orient not taking the kick quick enough following the ref’s whistle. Now, far be it for me to show bias, but if the ref had any common sense (whilst punishing Connell) he could have just called Luca over and explained the rules. ‘Look, mate, while I’ve blown the whistle for the restart, you can’t come into the centre circle till they’ve actually kicked off. It is your own time you’re wasting.’ I suspect he’s been tired of Luca chuntering on throughout and has produced the yellow not realising he’s carded him a few minutes before. Loudest ‘you’re not fit to referee’ of the season, proving Jonesy was there in spirit, if not body (skiing, part-timer).
Mind, it was easy to forget. From nowhere, with 80 mins up, the ref started dishing out cards like there was no tomorrow. Previously, he’d let challenges go (making for a better game). I don’t know what he ended with. 8? 9? From looking to win the game, we’d now struggle to hold on. How wrong we were. Did they get into our half while we had 10 men? Dunno, but O’Keefe (on for the…shall we be generous?....mercurial Cotter)…sends in a free kick from out wide and Phillips nips in to head home. Pandemonium. Grown men hugging each other (Slacki and I). Never in doubt. Must take more notice of Ian in future!
Onwards and upwards!
*** Phillips. Rescued three points from nowhere.
** Cole. Forced the keeper into several stops.
* Earl. Solid and brought the ball out well.
Official MOTM: Earl
Londontykes’ MOTM: 1. Phillips 2. Earl 3. Cadden
Despatches:
My favourite fact from yesterday came from Lucas Waddington. (He is his father’s son.) The last time we beat Leyton Orient, 9 years ago, the scorers were Conor Hourihane and...Devante Cole! No way! He’s rubbish. I don’t remember it, but I do remember sitting next to Gerry at the away game (nil nil). R.I.P.
Pre-match, we had a recruitment fair for the armed forces behind the East Stand. Why? We could do with having MORE supporters, not fewer. Anyway, it beats having one of those fanzones wot every other team has. If it wasn’t so close to kick-off, I’d have signed up myself. (The Navy, obvs, I’ve heard all about their beanos to the Caribbean from Pompey Ian. Trying – and failing – to blow up fibreglass hulled boats is right up my street.) I’m sure I could be a crack combatant. After all, I’ve forty years experience in warzones...Middlesbrough, Birmingham City, Port Vale, etc. And the leader of the Spanish Armada also suffered from sea sickness, and it didn’t do them much harm, did it? Errr...
The players? Roberts had nothing to do in goal. I don’t know where the 5 shots on target came from that the BBC website reported. Cotter was...Cotter. Enjoyed the way he limped off, not that he was being hauled for being completely and utterly s***. The Frenchman looked solid with newboy Earl, while Jordan just looks like a player waiting for his next mistake. Is that American guy fit yet? We are ruining Jordan’s career playing him where he is now, nevermind making him captain. Cadden had mixed fortunes, not every cross hitting the mark. Connell and Kane were as anonymous as they’ve ever been. How did we create all those chances? Phillips had his usual blaze into the crowd before he notched. McAtee had an excellent 1st half, before disappearing, while Cosgrove came on who once again showed his ability to turn a game by not doing anything (but we came back!) O’Keefe didn’t once trip over the ball or let one dribble out of play. And of course, crossed for the winner.
Oh, and without my friend Diane at the game (her 2nd funeral of the season….should I be worried?) I decided to join the hoi polloi downstairs in the 2nd half. I couldn’t take it anymore. The young lad behind just will not SHUT THE F*** UP. I know, rich eh? I was gonna blame him and his mate, but it’s not...his mate just responds occasionally. This other one CANNOT let more than half a second go without passing comment. And I wouldn’t mind, but when you’re criticising the positioning of the players (Cole, Cotter) when they’re blatantly under instruction, or saying thank goodness a long shot doesn’t fall to Cadden ‘as it will end up in the crowd’ (eh? You mean the one player who consistently hits it on target from distance?) Still, if you say enough, some it if will be right. I’m with him there.
Then I sat 4 rows back and could only see players’ legs and had no idea why Phillips (of all people) turned down a shot, 2nd half. He NEVER turns down an opportunity to shoot. You just have NO PERSPECTIVE whatsoever sat here, but at least you can admire your fullback’s thighs, or get in the linesman’s ear. And sit on a wet chair. Who chooses to sit in these areas!? Are you mad!!??
Drink du jour: Floc something-or-other in Spiral City, a cloudy pale ale. Luvvly.
Away: 619. Or 690. My ears, the PA...
The Damage:
c.£8 petrol
= c.£8
Sunday, 21 December 2014
Barnsley 2-0 Leyton Orient, Saturday 20th December 2014
'This lot are s***. Thank god.'
 |
| Welcome to the Pleasuredome! |
 |
| Grove Street |
 |
| Easy Easy! |
** Ramage. Dealt with everything at centre half.
* Holgate. Never put a foot wrong at right back. This kid is the find of our season so far.
Londontykes top 3:
1. Jennings
2. Holgate
3. Berry
Despatches:
Nyatanga had a decent game at left back, Berry flicked his hair in midfield (actually, he was pretty good as well) while Bailey made the odd tackle (before giving it away again). The jury on Hemmings appears to be that he really is s*** and shouldn’t be near our team. But I never really noticed him. (Though he did make the the kind of throughball for Hourihane that Hourihane should be making for himself.) The rest either had nowt to do, or didn’t do owt.
 |
| Bit sparse in the Ponty... |
Drink du jour: in amongst the Erdinger, there was a bottle of JD and coke drunk in 1st class, though I can’t say I was in a drinking mood, still recovering from Friday. I spent most of the 1st half falling asleep…
Away: 490. Allegedly. Including Jonesy’s old pupil and dad, who we met on the train.
Damage: train £36, programme £3
 |
| The Os (no apostrophe needed). |
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
