Ash Trees 0 Moles 1

[Swifty]

A shocking game in more ways than one.

 

Maybe Molesey were expected to give us a different game to Chertsey, but some fans were surprised that we didn't keep Tuesday's winning team, and some were concerned about the absence of Big Phil. I think we were all puzzled at the performance which was, for the most part, aimless and out of character. We just didn't get properly started, and we seemed somehow scared of Molesey and didn't really get at them. Even making our three subs before the hour couldn't turn things round. The annoying thing is that Molesey were the most unattractive side I've seen visit us for a league game this season. We've beaten excellent footballing sides like Badshot Lea and Farnham, and we lost to that.

 

Dan gave us some good hold-up play, but he's the front man and he had next to no support, while Molesey put as many as five up in attack on occasions. In truth, on chances they deserved to win. Most of their efforts were wide or weak, but they had a fair number whereas we carved out very little. Twice in the game, the smallest man on the pitch, Pietro Palladino, either won an aerial battle or had a free header.He was unlucky with the shot which hit the post but punished us in the 44th with something of a soft goal.

 

Mind you, the goal came after what should have been an Ashford free kick. We should have had at least 20 other free kicks for pushes in the back and other foul play, yet the ref was the weakest I've seen this season - he was absolutely abysmal. He let Molesey get away with fouls time and time again and seemed influenced by their moaning for free kicks. Near to full time Molesey's Moses Spencer got involved after a foul, barged into Dan, caused a mass melee and did enough for a red card, but he only got a yellow. In fact, we got two bookings while the only other card they got was a red for one of their dugout staff late on. As soon as I saw the young ref come out I thought he would be the wrong choice of official for the game and we might have problems, and i wasn't wrong.

 

Talking of problems, we've now lost at home to three of the other four teams near the top. Is it too much of a mountain to climb? Even if we don't think it is, we need to keep an eye on the Middlesex Charity Cup, where we'd have home draws all the way to the final - that's our best shot at a cup this season.

 

[Smudge]

Why is it that the Ref is poor when teams lose,yet never mentioned when they don't

[ExCalibur]

You are at home, you are one nil down, you are playing with a lone front man and you have four outfield players on the bench.

Do you make like for like substitutions? or do you change the formation and put another guy up front?

The upshot of today's game is that the manager nor the majority of the players were interested today and Ashford lost the game.

If I was manager and my team had just won four nil away from home I'd keep the same line-up, but what do I know I'm just a paying supporter!

And yes the referee was inconsistent but we get that week in week out. Molesey were pushing us around but we didn't push back

[kevchenko]

We were poor no doubt and agree with the lads above why did we change a team that had comprehensively won away midweek?

Sorry but the digging out of the referee is justified he was weak and we not happy with his performance at 0-0 so it has nothing to do with losing... He allowed himself to be intimidated by our opponents players and coaching staff and although the red card that should have been given to the Molesey 6 late on may not have altered the result it would have been fully justified...

That said Molesey were the better side today and fully deserved the win....

 

On the bright side Cove were held to a draw if we can get a positive result and win our game in hand the gap comes back to 2 points.....

[Swifty]

Why is it that the Ref is poor when teams lose,yet never mentioned when they don't

 

Actually, good refs do get mentioned when they have a good game and we lose. You just haven't looked hard enough. The ref for the Windsor game got praised, for example.  

[smoking-gun]

Hello everybody, I cannot express my disappointment at Ashford`s performance against Molesey yesterday, having read the reports about the Chertsey game (well done to the lads)

I was expecting Ashford to relish this game and show that the lose in form was now behind them and beat Molesey,instead I saw a pitiful display by Ashford, some backsides need kicking and a few home truths told after this.

Playing Dan Fleming  as the lone front man doe`s not work unless he has support which was very much lacking or arrived to late to do any good. I was puzzled as to why Max Webb was subbed for Conor Moody,Max was one of the few players that had a decent game, even the introduction of Mark Bitmead just back from injury made very little difference was it too much to ask of him to try and pull the game around? as he clearly was not match fit.

Do not blame and hide behind the ref`s poor game he was not the cause of such a  poor showing by Ashford.

 Ashford have problems that need addressing and addressing quickly if we are to stand any chance of getting out of this league. 

[smoking-gun]

Oh forgot to say what was Ben Murray doing walking away from Ashford`s dug out just before the end of the game? it looked bad to home and away supporters alike.

[fatboyatmfc]

I wasn't there but I think if the manager wants to walk away from the dug out that's up to him!

 

It's interesting how people like to jump on the negative bandwagon as soon as things go wrong. When we were beating teams and scoring for fun there was hardly an in depth discussion on how well the lads were playing!

 

We haven't got a Devine right to go up !

What we have is a young manager learning with every game and A young team playing for the badge.

[beckster59]

I totally agree with all the above posts well nearly all of them , dan fleming up front on his own does not work !! the midfield was poor we didn't use the flanks at all , you cant blame the defence the ball just kept coming back at them my only criticism was our full backs didn't get forward but not sure if they were told to stay or felt they couldn't ,pumping the ball forward has to be plan b or even c not plan a especially with one of the biggest cb s in the league we have to run at defences, play football, play to strengths there is a lack of leaders in the team very sombre on the pitch also there is a section of home supporters who are very negative and shouting abuse at the ref is not the way to go I also agree with the ben murray walk it looks like he s going to a funeral as he leaves the pitch , come on ashford come on ben sort it out onto the next game !!!!!

[Swifty]

This was always going to be a difficult league to bounce back out of, and I've said that from the beginning. There are a lot of very good sides battling for the one promotion place.

 

I try and say it as I see it, praising the lads when deserved and being honest when we don't play well and, for some reason yesterday, it just didn't happen yesterday. Not saying the lads didn't look interested, the lads were obviously dejected at the final whistle. Kev's right, beat Cove and win the games in hand and we'll be on Cove's coat tails again.

 

It's probably easier to dissect matches when we've lost and / or not played well. If we win and give a good account of ourselves, maybe people think along the lines of "it ain't broke don't fix it" and feel there's little need to remark on the outcome and how we got it.

 

As for the ref, I'm sorry but he looked out of his depth and easily influenced by Molesey's old hands. Maybe this game will be the sort he'll learn from as he progresses,

[Big J R]

I wasn't there but I think if the manager wants to walk away from the dug out that's up to him!

 

It's interesting how people like to jump on the negative bandwagon as soon as things go wrong. When we were beating teams and scoring for fun there was hardly an in depth discussion on how well the lads were playing!

 

We haven't got a Devine right to go up !

What we have is a young manager learning with every game and A young team playing for the badge.

 

 

Maybe it is up to him, but in my book it shows a complete lack of confidence and control.

 

He has his subs and management team with him in the dug-out and eleven players on the pitch that will immediately become aware of his departure.  This will cause (1) confusion, and (2) discontent all round.

 

I could go further, but modesty prevents...... !

[fatboyatmfc]

Were you there JR?

 

Does anyone know the reason why he wanted to do that?

 

He will have his reasons and I think that what he does to motivate his players is entirely up to him.

 

People that don't even support Ashford and try and creat friction on here are wasting their time.

 

We have an excellent young manager who is doing brilliantly!

[Big J R]

No, Obviously I wasn't there.

 

I wasn't going to expand on the subjest  -  However, I did witness a similar occurence a few seasons ago, and NO, I'm not going to mention teams, names or venues.   DFC were away from home and playing badly.  Our manager walked from the dug-out in some distress.  I joined him and persuaded him to return and motivate his side, which he did.

 

ANALOGY  -  If a senior NCO walks away from a fire-fight which isn't going well. then how does this look to his junior troops ?  In WW 1 this would probably constitute cowardice and could result in being shot at dawn.

 

I appreciate this is a silly comparison.  It's just showing the need for bold leadership.

 

I am in NO WAY having a go at any upcoming young manager.  I think what I have written above explains my original post.

[Swifty]

JR, it's possible we may have done the same as you yesterday, but the dugouts are on the opposite side of the pitch to the majority of fans watching from the standing terrace. I didn't actually see what happened - not pretending to be Arsene Wenger, by the way! 

 

At least Ben wasn't sent off from the dugout and he didn't appear to refuse to move away as required at first, unlike someone in the opposite dugout.

[BAD GUY]

Why is it that the Ref is poor when teams lose,yet never mentioned when they don't

 

Very true Smudge, I recall saying on a few occasions on other threads, its called being biased.....simples ! 

[BenMurray]

Blimey! Lack of control? Lack of confidence? Getting the gun out at dawn?   By the way JR, it was great to see Glynn Stephens last Tuesday, top bloke, lot of respect for him.

 

There was nothing in it at all, especially not as serious as you guys mention above! I can assure you I was not walking away or 'giving up' from the game! Smoking-gun, beckster, come and introduce yourself after our next game and ill talk to you about it if you like! I might even buy a beer!

 

Smudge your right, it's too easy to blame the officials when you lose a game, we did not perform like we know we can and the great thing about this time of season is games come thick and fast, so a quick chance to bounce back!

 

Swifty with regards to squad selection, Phil was unavailable due to work commitments and Kieran had a slight knock.

 

Anyway, we are 8 points adrift with a game in hand and 22 games to play, all to play for in my opinion!

[BAD GUY]

I must be a bad omen for Ashford as the last 2 games Ive watched, yesterday against Molesey and recently against Windsor they have lost !  Sorry guys....

 

Reading the above posts of which most are made by stringent Ashford supporters, of course they look for excuses for the loss (ie) poor ref. yes maybe so, but he was poor for BOTH teams, so subsequently the above comments will be biased but that's natural as they have their club at heart.

 

From a neutral point of view, it wasn't the best of games, but Molesey deserved the win FACT.

 

Whilst you comment on how poor the referee was, and as you say Ashford were poor, but sometimes think, maybe their opponents made Ashford ''poor'' sometimes one has to be truthful and humble enough in defeat.  

 

From my memory, lets get things into perspective. Molesey were far superior and bossed the game in my opinion, they were much stronger, sharper, more threatening, and if you would all be honest with yourselves, it could have been a hiding...what 4-5 !  

 

Lets not forget, which none of the above posts mentioned by chance   Molesey had 2 one-on-ones which they should have scored, one just missed the far post and other excellently saved by the Ashford keeper.  They also hit the post, had other good chances that went begging, had a goal disallowed for a foul on your keeper which I found difficult to see how... but I was in the stand.  I thought your keeper went to punch and completely missed the ball, and notwithstanding the other good saves he made to keep the score down..

 

To my recollection, I think the Molesey keeper had one save to make on target which went straight to him, thats for the whole game, that was how much Molesey defence were so dominant, infact I would go to say that on yesterdays performance, thats was one of the best solid defensive display Ive seen in the CCL games so far this season, against what can be free scoring team at times.  Molesey players, especially in midfield didn't let any Ashford player time on the ball thats why they were so dominant and looked dangerous offensively.

 

Ashford supporters may question their teams tactics..... the long ball Camberleyesque, which played in Moleseys hands.  In the 2nd half especially, Ashford kept such a high line without shutting the ball down, that is suicide !  Infact if Moleseys little striker, who was a nuisance all game, could keep himself onside, Ashford would have been in more trouble

Also, ! couldn't understand why your manager took off your wide left winger, he may have been the one to cause Molesey any trouble...strange decision, but maybe he was injured ??.

 

I did see from the stand the Ashford manager walk towards the dressing room before the game had finished... perhaps he thought he was Mourinho... ha ha  !  Seriously, that was strange and do not agree with his actions, but before commenting, you are Ashford supporters so ask him why he did that ?

 

Anyway a feisty game ended with the usual lovely Ashford hospitality, nice people and met by chance an old colleague who I played with all those years ago...good memories...cheers Paul !!!  

 

You have a young side and a young manager ALL of which are learning. Swifty, Ashford are currently 2nd so its not all doom and gloom, stand by your manager and team...remember Rome wasn't build in a day !

 

Oh yeah, just to let you know, I'll be making the trip to Cove next Saturday to watch the game ....  

[Smudge]

Bad Guy you are on a bock,you are banned from any future Ashford games.BY ORDER OF THE BOARD 

[Swifty]

Thanks for clearing up the situations with Phil and Kieran, Ben. Much appreciated.

 

To those who seem to have just joined our forum, I do stand by our manager and team. At the same time, I'm entitled to my opinion.

 

I pointed out Molesey deserved the win (see my first post), and I agree the disallowed goal was puzzling.

 

Let me point out, it was a very pleasant surprise at the start of the season to see so many of the lads who ended the last campaign staying with us to try and put right a situation which the majority of them hadn't got us into in the first place. That shows a lot of character and no shortage of team spirit. It's just that, as with the Molesey game, you have to take the rough with the smooth - that's how it goes. 

[BAD GUY]

Thanks for clearing up the situations with Phil and Kieran, Ben. Much appreciated.

 

To those who seem to have just joined our forum, I do stand by our manager and team. At the same time, I'm entitled to my opinion.

 

I pointed out Molesey deserved the win (see my first post), and I agree the disallowed goal was puzzling.

 

Let me point out, it was a very pleasant surprise at the start of the season to see so many of the lads who ended the last campaign staying with us to try and put right a situation which the majority of them hadn't got us into in the first place. That shows a lot of character and no shortage of team spirit. It's just that, as with the Molesey game, you have to take the rough with the smooth - that's how it goes. 

 

WOW  your tones changed Swifty from your original posting...that's more like it !  The lads and management need your support and yes, I appreciate you are entitled to your opinion, but remember these players are young, they lay 2nd in the league, a lot of teams are worse off !  Young players need encouragement as does the management, especially a young management.

 

On a bad note, I maybe going to Camberley tonight and Cove on Saturday....#Jonah