Canvey Island 2-4 Horsham

[Matt H]

Bit of a "Wake up you're in the Premier now" match today, where individual mistakes were punished and the opposition were better than all but one of our Friendlies opponents.

 

Firstly the negatives:

 

Westy playing on the left doesn't look like it's gonna work. If it's something we were intending to do, we should've done it for the pre-season games and not just against Chelmsford where it didn't work either. Halle looked quite comfortable playing left-back during pre-season and we've seen that he can use his left foot too.

 

Jonathan Edwards not even making the bench - Hope there was a good reason for this. I know he's not going to change the game, but like Patten and Jay Curran it would've been a viable option when looking to change formation.

 

Compared to Horsham we looked pedestrian, had no width, were to slow in everything we did and lacking the killer instinct when commiting to tackles, second balls and direct passing. I put this down to nerves and expectation. Ricky, Mustafa and Halle gifted Horsham their goals. It was very, very unfortunate but now the first game is out of their systems and they will have time to reflect, look back at the tape and see where they need to improve and concentrate more.

 

The positives:

 

We scored two goals! Both goals were a peach and both came from good attacking pieces of play.

 

There are signs of the team gelling already. It's not going to happen overnight, but hopefully it'll be relatively quickly and those negatives will come good.

 

Most players have stepped up well from Ryman 1 North football. Thought Leon deserved his MotM award today, and mention to Dobbo for his tough work-rate in Midfield. The players we've brought in are good individual players and as above will gel given matches. I think maybe bar one or two players playing out of position, it was our strongest line-up today and we'll see that settled side playing together for the majority of the season.

 

With the jitters of the first match out of the way now, roll on Maidstone and the Management and players proving that they've learnt from today and know where to put things right next time.

 

PS. Just seen the new team photo, who is the player next to Danny Curran?

[JAY]

oh well better luck next game what was the attendence

[Matt H]

377

[JAY]

not bad lads well done

[YELLOW]

Originally Posted By: Matt CIFC

PS. Just seen the new team photo, who is the player next to Danny Curran?

David Lee is the only player missing but it looks like Mark Nougher.

[Matt H]

Here is the report from Horsham's site

 

 

Evan Archibald netted twice on his debut to help get the Hornets' campaign off to the perfect start with a 4-2 win against Premier Division 'new boys' Canvey Island. At a blustery Park Lane, the former Eastbourne Borough youngster scored the first and last goals of an impressive display by John Maggs' team that also saw last season's Division One top scorer Liam Baitup open his Horsham account with Lee Carney finding the net on his 290th appearance.

 

Horsham had failed to beat the Essex club in any of their previous four meetings and, by Maggs' own admission, his players were expecting a difficult test against the side who had secured their Premier Division place thanks to a penalty shoot-out victory against Redbridge in last season's play-off final. Yet, despite the boost of an equalising goal from Chris Moore, and the threat of the pacy David Lee and Leon Gordon, the Gulls were well beaten by a side who made the most of their hosts' defensive frailties to register four goals on the opening day for the first time since 2000.

 

Horsham, captained by Sam Page, were without the injured Jacob Mingle and the absent Mark Knee but were able to field a number of new signings including the skipper's younger brother Jack, Archibald, Baitup, Russell Eldridge, Alex Haddow and Lee Carey while Shane Graham took his place on the bench at the start of his second spell with the club. The hosts had also strengthened their own squad during the summer as they sought to make a quick return to the top end of the non-league pyramid from where they had proudly stood just two years previously before tendering their resignation following the departure of manager Jeff King. The much travelled Tarkan Mustafa, former Southend player Lee and Ipswich apprentice Ben Patten were among those hoping to make a good impression in front of the Park Lane faithful whose numbers looked to have been reduced for this match with several having made their way to Lords to cheer Essex to victory in the final of the Friends Provident Trophy.

 

Horsham got the proceedings underway on a near perfect looking pitch, and with the advantage of a strong breeze at their backs, but the first moment of danger came from the left boot of Ian Luck who failed to live up to his name as he beat the offside trap only to see his low cross drift narrowly past the far post with Canvey's early play based on an uncompromising defence and the trickery of Gordon and Lee down the flanks, the latter giving teenager Jack Page a tough baptism at right-back.

 

However, it was Horsham who struck first when Carey slipped a low pass through the Gulls' static back line and Archibald ignored the offside pleas to clip the ball past goalkeeper Ricky Wiseman at his near post and in to the back of the net. It was almost 2-0 in the visitors' next attack when a neat build up saw Haddow collect a loose ball inside the Canvey penalty area and set up Gary Charman whose effort hit the side netting from a tight angle. Horsham were enjoying something of a purple patch and a fabulous crossfield pass from Haddow enabled Charman to beat his man and deliver an inviting cross for Baitup to send in an overhead volley that was saved by Wiseman, although the linesman's raised flag rendered the outcome an irrelevance.

 

Canvey weathered the storm and produced an equalising goal that would have left Maggs fuming when Lee swung in a free-kick towards the far post and Moore rose unmarked to head past Paul Seuke. A trademark free-kick almost restored the Hornets' lead when Charman headed Carney's pinpoint delivery back in to the box where the ball was hastily scrambled away from the predatory Baitup and Archibald, and only a timely challenge prevented Charman from getting in a clear shot on goal from a neat touch by Archibald.

 

Richard Halle showed good skill to retrieve an overhit cross and beat Jack Page to get in a low cross but the ball missed everyone as it travelled across the face of Seuke's goal and Fanibuyan was wasteful with a 20 yard drive that flew well wide of the target as Canvey began to enjoy some sustained possession. Haddow became the first Horsham player to be cautioned this season when he ran 20 yards to bring down Lee and there were appeals from Maggs' players when Wiseman went to ground, the goalkeeper catching Carey's inswinging corner and falling on his line with Eddie French attempting to bundle man and ball in to the back of the goal.

 

Baitup had the ball in the net on 37 minutes when Carey sent another measured pass through to his team-mate only for the linesman's flag to rule out the effort but the former Eastbourne Town striker had just a few minutes to wait before claiming his first of the campaign when Horsham chased down their hosts' attempts to play the ball out of defence and Baitup collected a weak back pass to calmly skip round the stranded 'keeper and sidefoot the ball in to the unguarded net. There was still time for Fanibuyan to scuff a shot harmlessly back to Seuke, after determined work by Lee, and for Carney to follow Haddow in to Mr George's notebook for a 'full-blooded' challenge on Kevin Dobinson before Archibald spurned the opportunity to give his new side the comfort of a two goal interval lead when he charged on to Carney's pass only to shoot wildly in to the terrace behind Wiseman's goal.

 

H/T Canvey Island 1 Horsham 2

 

With the wind noticeably stronger after the break, the Hornets were indebted to Seuke for maintaining their lead when he reacted smartly to keep out Moore's back header from Lee's 53rd minute free-kick, the 'keeper diving low at his post to turn the ball behind. Neat footwork from Haddow took him to the edge of the Islanders' penalty area, where Mustafa was cautioned for felling his man, and Carey sent the free-kick comfortably in to the arms of the goalkeeper. Next it was Carey's turn to go to ground, this time it was Dobinson who was booked for his misdemeanour, and Moore soon followed when his off-the-ball trip on Archibald spoiled a promising looking attack for the visitors.

 

More fine work from Gordon, whose contest with Eldridge was becoming one of the highlights of an entertaining game, saw him control a long clearance and get away from his marker before swinging in a great cross where Leon Antoine tried, but failed, with a spectacular effort before Canvey made their first switch when Jay Curran replaced Luck.

 

Carey continued to look for the probing pass and another well executed ball sent the eager Baitup scampering away to bring a save out of Wiseman, the young forward doing well under pressure from Mustafa. Carey was also assuming command of any free-kick within range of goal and, when Moore handled, he sent another effort straight at the home custodian. Carey's confidence was growing throughout the game, alongside the excellent Carney, and the latter might have capped a fine display with a goal when Eldridge's quick thinking found him unmarked inside the penalty area where only the outstretched palms of Wiseman kept out a stinging volley.

 

Carney, though, was to get his reward a minute later when a mistake by Andy West left the midfielder in the clear and he took his time before confidently stroking the ball past Wiseman to make it 3-1 to the visitors with just over ten minutes remaining. With the game now apparently won, Maggs sent on Lee Farrell for the hard working Baitup and the substitute was immediately in the action, blatantly pulled back by West when attempting to put Archibald through on goal. But he was more successful in the Hornets' next attack when French's clearance was somehow missed by the Canvey defence and Farrell had a clear run down the right, cutting it back unselfishly for Archibald to stick out a leg and claim his second, and Horsham's fourth, of the afternoon.

 

A free-kick on the edge of the Horsham penalty area gave the Gulls hope of reducing the deficit in the closing stages but Lee's effort went high over the top of Seuke's goal but they were to make it 4-2, six minutes from the end, when Seuke pulled out a terrific save from Antoine only for Curran to acrobatically convert the rebound. The goalscorer was to blot his copybook, though, when he was yellow carded for a frustrated challenge on Sam Page and Canvey's misery was increased when Fanibuyan lobbed over the bar from ten yards. Farrell almost made it five in the final minute of injury time when he raced on to Haddow's pass but Wiseman stood up well to narrow the angle and make the save. The final whistle went, seconds later, and the Hornets were up and running although they are sure to face a tougher test on Wednesday night when Staines Town, 1-0 winners against Billericay Town, visit Woodside Road.

[canveyspur]

We must cut out the mistakes in defence, we can't afford to give teams a goal let alone three. Defensively we were crap, we have to sort this out quickly, we will not win anything in this league if we defend like that. AND why wasn't Edwards at least on the bench ?

[Matt H]

Originally Posted By: canveyspur

AND why wasn't Edwards at least on the bench ?

Just read his status update on Facebook - He needs International Clearance to play!

[pabird]

Watching Saturday as ever will be an issue of opinion but from my stand point the following seemed apparent:

1. The defence contained at least two solid performers but was prone to panic and one player lost in being out of position, (it is panic when major errors are made in particular half hit back passes and not being aware of opposition players

2. The mid-field contained energetic performers but not to a pattern, who was the coverering MF player to the back 4? Why did we not have a MF player in close support to the forwards?

3.And for me only the right back consistently looked to start passing game moves from the back

If we are a passing side then other than under pressure the back 4 must be part of the passing game

There must be close order support from MF to forwards and the MF must on occasions come in shooting otherwise (as Saturday) the opposition defence smother the forwards out of shooting opportunity,

 

There were several good solid performers at this level on the day and the team worked hard but we need to go forward as a team (not as one/two man raids) and consider playing players out of position is only used in emergency situations.

 

[The Great Eckscape]

That's right about Edwards, it shouldn't be a problem but the club didn't want to suffer an AFC Wimbledon type situation so made the decision to omit him from the squad to stay safe.

 

I thought we played well, though has already been mentioned, individual errors will get punished at this level. I think the first game nerves may have contributed towards this, but now they are out of the way, I saw enough for me to think that we will cope with Ryman Premier football.

[ken]

there is a close line to shouting at players to motivate them and just moaning at them constantly, i think Dobbo crossed that line and was just moaning at everyone. he was having a real go at westy just before he cocked up the back pass and i think that was partly to blame (although Westy didnt have a very good game) i dont think anyone really played well, Leon had an Ok game and Mustafa was good in the first half but seemed to disappear in the 2nd. Ricky i thought had an OK game (if you exclude the first goal) and pulled off some fine saves in the second half. maybe the occasion got to them but i think we showed we can play against good teams, we just need to concentrate

[YELLOW]

Ricky had a decent game to be honest apart from the first goal. Made at least three excellent saves in the second half.

 

Certainly we contributed to our own downfall by making errors on at least three of the goals but we struggled to keep possession at times and on far too many occasions played aimless balls into the box.

 

Thought Antoine played well winning quite a few headers at times. Gab was very quiet as was Lucky. Neither were able to really get into the game.

 

Their captain and their number 11 had outstanding games.

 

[JAY]

never mind lads too be honest horsham for you lot was never going to be an easy game so hopefully you do better against maidstone on tuesday

[leigh on seagull]

Ricky had a decent game to be honest apart from the first goal. Made at least three excellent saves in the second half.

 

Ricky isnt good enough, need a decent positive experienced keeper . . . and quickly

[ken]

Originally Posted By: leigh on seagull

Ricky isnt good enough, need a decent positive experienced keeper . . . and quickly

you have no idea what you are talking about

[leigh on seagull]

Originally Posted By: ken

Originally Posted By: leigh on seagull

Ricky isnt good enough, need a decent positive experienced keeper . . . and quickly

you have no idea what you are talking about

fair enough thats your opinion, my opinion is he has to be replaced, this opinion is shared by many fans i have spoken to over the course of the friendlies.

[yellow angel]

Originally Posted By: ken

Originally Posted By: leigh on seagull

Ricky isn't good enough, need a decent positive experienced keeper . . . and quickly

you have no idea what you are talking about

To be fair, everyone is entitled to an opinion, personally i would like to see a more experienced keeper in goal - although i am aware that what we want and what we can afford are sometimes two different things.

[Guest MOB Snr]

Originally Posted By: leigh on seagull

Ricky had a decent game to be honest apart from the first goal. Made at least three excellent saves in the second half.

Ricky isnt good enough, need a decent positive experienced keeper . . . and quickly

Funny how you have an opinion after 2 posts do you think anyone gives a toss what you think!!

[canveyspur]

Opinions are opinions are opinions, please remember this. Just because somebody has only made two posts doesn't mean he can't have a view. How do you know that L.O.S. isnt a first class goalkeeping coach ?

[leigh on seagull]

Originally Posted By: MOB Snr

Originally Posted By: leigh on seagull

Ricky had a decent game to be honest apart from the first goal. Made at least three excellent saves in the second half.

Ricky isnt good enough, need a decent positive experienced keeper . . . and quickly

Funny how you have an opinion after 2 posts do you think anyone gives a toss what you think!!

its 2 posts under l.o.s. was previously england fan, so that puts you straight on that matter. have you had a bad day or something because you have very quickly got on your high horse. i dont really care if anyone does give a toss, just giving my thoughts on our present goalkeeping position, just as you've given your thoughts and opinions many many times before.