ETFC v Ilford

[DerekR]

HT: 1-1

 

Brad Brotherton scored for The Town on 27 mins. Ilford (with both Daniel and Danny playing for them) equalised on 42 mins.

 

Attendance reported to be 285

[DerekR]

Final score 2-2

 

John Ridout scored ETFC's second goal after 23 mins in the second half.

We had a player (possibly Wayne Grant) sent off in the 38th minute.

Ilford equalised in the 41st minute.

[Gonzo]

Yep, it was Wayne Grant who was sent off. Points dropped. Very difficult to make out why he was dismissed through the Sahara sandstorm inside the Brimmobeu. Both sides looked dangerous on the attack but we really need to start winning these big games against the top sides if we don't want to be playing them again next year.

Thought Rids had another good game - especially in the first half.

Chopper was dependable as ever and probably saved us a point.

What's the pitch going to be like by February?!

[Pavagrotti]

Ref wasn't doing too bad till the 38th minute of second half then he seemed to lose the plot. A Turkish player (sorry Ilford) went down in his own box and one assumes he claimed a low blow and the ref believed him. Wayne got a straight red. No one seemed to see what had happened including fans and players and officials so it was his word. He seemed fine once Wayne had walked.

 

A few minutes later We saw David Allen do a good tackle only to get a smack in the mouth from another of these turks in front of the ref. We all saw red the ref didn't. Danny Clarke went on to score and celebrated in noisey fashion. FIX! Can't see Jim keen to take Danny Clarke back now and I think that Lee Smith, Billy Cove and Ian Cooper are all better. Enjoy your stay at Ilford Danny!

 

We sat too deep in the first half for me and missed three absolute sitters. Eton Manor said their defence was weak and for me we didn't test it enough. We should have burried it. Ilford weren't as good as Concord Rangers for all their money and if we are serious about going up we need to find a talent as good as Matty Negus, because we miss him. The new boy John Hyatt made the Johnny Ridout goal and looked solid.

 

For me 5 points lost - but our pitch doesn't help.

[Gonzo]

Clarkee showed he can still beat any defence in this league with his pace, but I think we've moved on from the days of thumping everything forward for him to chase. Cooper, Cove & Smith play more intelligent football so I think Clarkee will be staying in Ilford. (Can't see Ulatowski getting many games now too).

[Mr Happy]

2 points dropped. We should have had the game wrapped up by half time. Some really sloppy finishing.

[lovely stuff]

I don't think we produced at all,against Concord or Ilford,our system and team selection looked somewhat of a shambles in the two games(due mainly to non-availability of players).

 

we're missing Negus's creativity,and we badly missed Quinn and Geraghty last night.Miller was the third forward to play wing-back in the last two games.

 

Once Smith went off injured,and Billy was replaced...the side and the way we played,reminded me of the way we performed in pre-season,and at the start of the season...ie..poorly.

 

 

Clarke had a good second half for Ilford last night and i think they deserved the draw....Clarke no dought motivated by playing against his old mates,and trying to exact some revenge,for being released.....only time will tell,if he can remain as motivated whilst playing in front of 20 people on cold december/january nights against the less fashionable teams,only time will tell.

 

the normally reliable Baldwin had a poor second half for the Town,and Cove needs to start being a more positive in his shooting and challenging for the ball....the way we're playing,i think we got out of jail, by avoiding defeat in both games...However if we would have found a semblence of our recent form,we would have comforably won both.

 

Dispite the critisism,i still think there wil be no one to touch us, when we get Smith,Cooper,Cove and Ulatowski fit,and competing for starting places in the forward line.

 

 

[Gonzo]

On reflection, it was very important that we didn't lose. Sure, we could/should've won, but our squad has got some key players to return and is going to get stronger. I'm sure we can take 9 points from the return fixtures against Concord, Ilford & Basildon. Lets just try and keep 11 men on the field next match!

[Steph]

Gant cant complain he smacked the defender though as he had his back to the player at the time the Ilford guy certainly made a meal of it. But he would wouldn't he.

 

I didn't see the Allen affair fully but it seemed to me a similar incident and I dont see how the Ilford guy remained on the pitch.

 

As for number 3 the ref was going to give a second booking but appeared to change his mind.

 

All in all we got what we deserved. We didn't take our chances but neither did Ilford. Open goal in the opening minute. A hard cross from Clarke that the forward should have knocked in. Now come on you all saw them.

[Southport - TOWNER]

we certainly should have taken our chances in the first half; but playing beach football is not fun in October.

 

the ref was ok until he lost the plot mid way thru the second half.

 

But if we consider we have dropped points against Conc and Ilf, well so have they; we are still in there; and with a break from the league it will give Jim chance to refocus the lads.

 

where was Geraghty ?

[Anfield Towner]

I thought it was a poor performance against an average side last night. I agree with most of the comments made - respect to Daniel Clarke, though, he took a bit of stick but did what he's good at and put the ball in the back of the net. Adam Gant had him in his pocket for most of the game but good strikers don't need to get away for long.

 

I assume Lee Smith was injured? What about Billy Cove, or was he just having an off day?

 

Another not to have seen the Wayne Grant incident though Wayne clearly wasn't happy with the decision. I did see the Ilford player fall to the ground - at that stage there wasn't even a Town player next to him and Wayne wasn't the closest one! Did anybody get a good view of it?

 

We need to start looking dangerous up front again if we're to get back to winning ways - though I've every confidence that Lee Smith, Billy Cove and especially Ian Cooper can spark us off again when they're fully fit.