WEFC 3 - Bowers & Pitsea 1

[dansilk]

Chenns got two, & I think it was Butler scrambled that pinball header, but after going 1-0 down and then 50 minutes at 1-1 I was thinking we'd wasted the opportunity. If all the good chances had been converted it would have been about 12-2 to us... I counted two posts, crossbar, at least one line clearance, several excellent point-blank saves, several "how did he manage that" scrambled saves, and that's without all the wasted headers wide & shots blazed over.

 

Decent game, B&P looked up for the match but lacking in skill - I think their challenges were often late because they simply weren't used to playing at this pace and their reflexes were conditioned slower. Only player of theirs who really looked impressive was the #10, he broke through a few times. Still, a lot of holding and straying legs from them, the ref could probably have awarded a few cards if he'd wanted.

 

Overall we looked solid once we woke up. Chennels' second goal was probably the best lob we'll see this season. New guy - Marcus Richardson? - looks useful, could be what we need up front as a holding player able to distribute the ball well to Chenns/Shed or either winger, and I think he may be even bigger than Willo... Not sure if we'd want him and Wallo up front together, though, we might be a bit lacking in pace.

[The Hovis Kid]

Enjoyed the game, we played good football... certainly in the first half! Their number 4 should have been booked and sent off for the shirt pulling, arm dragging and body hugging he did. I think he did more of that than he did kick the ball!

 

The score line did not reflect how good a game their keeper had!

 

Already a better cup run than last year,

[dansilk]

Agreed, despite the scores, their keeper had a cracking game - he saved pretty much everything he could and a few I'd have sworn he couldn't...

[Rother]

Very enjoyable game - impressed with Richardson. He was blowing hard after his half hour so he's probably a way off full fitness but he looks the ideal partner for Chennells to me.

 

If they stay fit we are gonna score hatfuls.

 

I like Scott Thomas a lot - strong and brave, he rarely puts in a bad cross and he really sees a pass.

 

I am really liking the look of the team Scott has assembled for this season.

 

 

 

 

[Woody SUFC]

If it wasnt for their keeper it would of been 6 or 7! Fair play to them but we were a class above.

 

Richardson is a new terrace hero. Him and Chenns will be a deadly partnership!!

 

Bring on next saturday!

[mal316]

Originally Posted By: dansilk

Agreed, despite the scores, their keeper had a cracking game - he saved pretty much everything he could and a few I'd have sworn he couldn't...

He made a good reaction save in the first half everything else was hit straight at him.

If we could've hit any area of the goal other than where the keeper is standing then we would have had double figures.

Yes, he still has to hold on to the ball but it is pretty easy for a keeper when the ball is struck at him rather than past him.

[Rother]

Blimey, that's churlish in the extreme. A good goalkeeper dives less than an average one because he is in the right position.

 

He came out and punched confidently, he rushed out and blocked point blank shots by spreading bravely, had a fantastic kick on him and all-in-all was the best 'keeper I've seen at this level. Plus he was happy to have a bit of banter with the fans, all in good spirit.

 

Top bloke, top 'keeper IMHO.

[dansilk]

Quote:

A good goalkeeper dives less than an average one because he is in the right position.

Exactly. The B&P keeper did well to anticipate, IMO. Definitely one of the better keepers I've watched, and I think he could handle playing a few levels higher. Saw a lot worse in the Ryman If he's in the right place once or twice, maybe it's us shooting poorly, but if he's consistently in the right place it's "struck right at him" because he's found the best angle to block.
Rob does the same, reads the game well and puts himself in the way of the most likely shot if a player does beat the defence - think how often he just seems to fall straight down on a shot; Sam did that most of the time, and Trevor Bunting used to as well.

Now Chuck Martini, for example, quite often did spectacular diving saves, but let more goals in... and thinking about it maybe it's because he *didn't* read the game so well, so wasn't in the right position and it wasn't so simple to stop shots. Sure, it looked great when he did make the saves, and he was fast and pretty agile reaching the ball: but he got caught out more because he hadn't positioned himself where the ball was probably going.

And IMO that's one reason Chenns scores so many at this level, because he doesn't do the expected, doesn't play many straight to the obvious spot. Instead he's very good at putting it past or over the keeper, and he's got the speed and control to force a move rather than letting the keeper stay in position.
Even then, remember his shot from very close range late in the second half which the keeper somehow pushed onto the post and it just went out for a corner: those usually go straight in.

[Woody SUFC]

Someones a negative nancy!

 

Cheer up Malc!

[Geggy]

Malc, I'm sorry being in the right place and reading a game is the hallmark of a very good keeper. The ball being hit straight at him, is great positioning - it's not all about the 'hollywood' save, in my opinion.

[Reading Rebel]

Now now, no in-fighting you bunch of nancies

 

It's a combination of both. Sometimes poor shooting and sometimes good positioning by the goalie.