Margate 3 Ashford Town 0

[michael]

Great feedback Cookie and Porka-thanks.

 

Could we envisage a scenario when after 90 minutes, its nil all;we have a throw in opponents half- 6'4-7'' goalkeeper Robinson goes forward and scores a majestic winning headed goal off Laceys powerful throw to send the team and supporters into raptures ?

[Jab_n17]

totally agree with you Cookie about Ben Lewis looks sound at the heart of the defence he does things simple but effective he don't panic, gets 'stuck in' when needed, cool, organized everything a team needs!

[Cookie]

Originally Posted By: Porka

Various reports describe Stuart Robinson as 6 foot 7!

Quite possibly Porka. Won't argue with that. I'm always 200/300 out with my crowd predictions so being 2-3 inches out with a height assesssment is par for my course I suppose. Shows my consistency if nothing else.

[michael]

Does Ben Lewis remind anyone of a quicker version of Eddie Youds ?

[P.W.]

Must be difficult to assess the 'keepers when they were not tested by the opposition - could be the same against Chatham on Saturday. Luckily we have Nev to look over them in training. Of the two - Robinson looked commanding, but he left a loose cross minutes before he was subbed. Agu had less time on the pitch, but looked small - both were quite vocal which could be useful with a young defence.

[BlueGate Alan]

Well I am 6' 4" and believe me he towered over me!

[BlueGate Alan]

Agree with Cookie on Lewis and Healy both were brilliant and Sammy Cliff after doing his trip on the ball first touch just gets better and better. Kenny I believe could become more of an impact player this season maybe coming on for the last 30 minutes with Sammy.

[Cookie]

Originally Posted By: PeterW

Robinson looked commanding, but he left a loose cross minutes before he was subbed.

Agree Peter, there was that one minor flaw as we both noticed at the time. Took 2 steps forward then retreated. Benefit of the doubt for that one maybe.
Alan....6' 7" it is then.

[BlueGate Alan]

Hopefully Terry has found his extra keeper he needs.

[Wellsie]

Not sure about that with regard to Kenny, Alan. His six goals in our final 10 games last season came with him in the starting 11. And hopefully, he'll have one or two better players around him this year too.

[michael]

I read that Cory has signed for Folkestone.

 

Is that a relief then ?

 

[BlueGate Alan]

Yea you could be right Michael, was just my observations when he has come on as sub in last 2 games, looked very lively

[BlueGate Alan]

Interesting that then. If he has signed why play for us last night? Am guessing Terry has said he can't offer him a contract.

[Porka]

Cory hasn't looked anywhere near sharp enough for Ryman Prem. He's had three games and I still don't think he did enough to warrant a contract. Was worth a look because he had a good season last year with Whitstable.

 

I'm happy with Lloyd, Kenny and Joe Taylor. Sammy gives us another dimension too so I think we have far more cutting edge in the final third already than we did last season.

[Coffin Ender]

We still need more goals in the squad. You need 60+ league goals to be sure of mid-table. Even if Blackman and KP get 15 each, that's still asking a great deal of the rest of the team.

[Porka]

I don't know CE. Blackman will surely be looking for 20 as a striker coming off the back of a pretty good season. Joe Taylor I like, he just needs games or we're going to see him flourish elsewhere I think. And Cliffy could bag a few. Wilson should be able to chip in with a few and if Joe could just shoot more often he would do the same. The only way I can see us scoring more is by bringing in a Dryden.

 

Lee Butcher has been on the bench for Grays in pre-season I see.

[Coffin Ender]

Blackman has never scored 20 goals in a season in his career. In reality him and KP will probably get a dozen or so each. Young and Wilson will chip in but we'll be in trouble if we end up relying on youngsters for goals.

[BlueGate Alan]

Thats because he has never played for us

[Dutch_Mike]

Poor first half, I thought. A lot better in the second, once Kenny came on. Got to feel for Kenny: good end to last season, been pretty impressive in pre-season, yet Cory has started ahead of him. Seen enough of Cory now: he's not good enough for this level. Blackman and Pratt, with Healy just behind, will do a good job up top this year.

 

Defence looked shaky first 10 minutes or so, then seemed to settle, and were pretty comfortable after that. Ashford very poor side, think they'll struggle this year. I just hope we - fans, players and management alike - don't get over-confident after this pre-season. Granted, we're unbeaten in four, but all against very modest opposition, and none of which have really given a true indication of the quality of opposition we will face this year. Would have been nice to have a friendly against a team at the same level, but perhaps from another region. Will still be happy with safety, and I think this team has certainly got enough in it to achieve that. Roll on Chatham!

 

As an aside, I see a 'strong' (I use the term loosely) Ramsgate team could only manage a draw with Canterbury last night. Doesn't bode well for them as, let's be honest, Canterbury were woeful!

[BlueGate Alan]

I wasn't going to mention that Mike