Swifty Posted January 2, 2016 Share Posted January 2, 2016 We are top of the league! Firstly, very well done to the groundstaff for not only getting the game on but for providing an immaculate pitch. Secondly, very well done to both teams who did ever so well in appalling conditions. If I can get my gripes out of the way first, this was a carbon copy of the Windsor game – take a very early lead, impose ourselves after the opposition go down to ten men, then lose our way after some substitutions and concede late thus making the score much closer than it should have been. If there’s one thing missing from our game, it’s the ability to kill teams off and win by more than a goal or two when it should be four or more. My only gripe about Knaphill is they tried to boss the ref with their constant moaning, but they really made a game of it late on. A mistake between the right back and keeper let Beads in for a poacher’s finish in the 2nd minute, but we failed to make the most of our early pressure and Knaphill were soon ahead, equalising through Charlie Postance in the 11th after what looked like an obvious foul on one of our defenders earlier in the move and scoring again in the 17th through Rob Kersley after a well worked move in our box. Russ “Gas and Air” Canderton got us level with a lovely volley (yes, a volley!) from a corner in the 34th, and Bayley regained his confidence by following up his own parried one-on-one in the 43rd. Bitz made it 4-2 from the spot in the 50th after being upended in the box, for which Knaphill keeper Richard Shelley got a red card. After that, a goal for the dual-registered “Hatchet” Harris in the 74th and Bitz’s second in the 78th were the least our domination deserved and, at that stage, the terrace folk were hoping for a Len Goodman “seven”, but we took our foot off the pedal and a cavalier attitude resulted in two fine finishes by subs Danny Taylor in the 83rd and Jamie Hills in the 88th making the scoreline a touch flattering for The Knappers. Apart from the very disappointing finish, another excellent all-round team effort from our lads. Our next home game will have a guest appearance on the mic from Beano, prior to his permanent move to the Liverpool area (all the best, mate). As for my player sponsorship, because his dad Jamie comes up and has a regular natter with me, I’d like to transfer my sponsorship to Tommy Brunton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smoking-gun Posted January 3, 2016 Share Posted January 3, 2016 Well done to Ashford for dominating this game in very difficult conditions,and I can only echo Swifty's praise for the ground staff,the pitch looked fantastic. Oh why do Ashford make things difficult, 6-2 up and well on top,instead of keeping the team together and perhaps going on to score more goals,Ben Murray makes 3 subs and once again just like the subs against Windsor it throws the whole team off balance,Ashford conceded 2 late goals and Knaphill are pushing to get something from the game. Just leave it well alone and let the team see the game out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pitbull Posted January 3, 2016 Share Posted January 3, 2016 Lets think before being too critical. Three points equals top of the league and two 16 year olds get game time. That to me is thinking of the future and is to be applauded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty Posted January 3, 2016 Author Share Posted January 3, 2016 In fairness, the two young lads slotted in really well - by the way, apologies to Isaac for mispronouncing his surname when he came on. I hadn't read the programme and couldn't quite read his surname properly on the teamsheet! It's just unfortunate that something's tailed off at the end of the last two games. Something to bear in mind for when we play the sides near the top again? I'm trying to remember if I've ever seen Russ wallop a ball home like that before! Plenty of perseverance shown by the side, probably best displayed by Bayley's determination to get his goal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin1960 Posted January 3, 2016 Share Posted January 3, 2016 I don't think we should be to critical, it was a good moment to bring in such fresh and young players, Also I felt Knaphill played good football. I didn't have a good view of the major incident that really turned the game, It was the linesman who flagged for the foul hence I think the ref should have taken a few moment before blowing his whistle but he reacted instantly to linesman flag. I felt it was harsh on keeper to be sent off, yes he was last man etc, but the position of the foul was near 6 yard box and if mark got past keeper the angle to goal was very tight, but the ref followed the rules. The Ref had a strange game he allowed many small fouls to go in first half,but second half he blew up for them and at end started to show yellow cards, specially showing yellow, two Knaphill players and I didn't see why ? Shame the sending off turned the game, as Knaphill were playing well and the game was fairly equal. Well played Ashford top of league, lets see what happens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty Posted January 3, 2016 Author Share Posted January 3, 2016 Just noted a report on the game on the Kempster forum which includes the following... if that bird who runs Ann Summers can get a CBE .. then your Groundsman needs a knighthood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimBoyFat Posted January 3, 2016 Share Posted January 3, 2016 Swifty,sponsorship change noted and will be in the next home programme and on the notice board on Tuesday, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty Posted January 3, 2016 Author Share Posted January 3, 2016 Thanks. Poor Tommy must be wondering what he's done to deserve this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big J R Posted January 3, 2016 Share Posted January 3, 2016 Lets think before being too critical. Three points equals top of the league and two 16 year olds get game time. That to me is thinking of the future and is to be applauded. A great post, Pitbull. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manurgrate Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 What was especially strange about the sending off was that the ball was in the net when the ref blew his whistle. A goal and a yellow card would have been the correct decision surely? It was an amazing game, Knaphill could easily have scored 6 themselves and we had enough chances for double- figures. It was all very entertaining but there was some very poor defending from both sides. Stlll our team are finding all sorts of ways of acquiring 3 points and long may it last. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty Posted January 4, 2016 Author Share Posted January 4, 2016 That's the thing that confuses me. The keeper was the last man (so a red card) but the attacker was moving away from goal in order to round him (so would that be a yellow?). What were the chances the ball would end up in the net after the foul? Maybe the ref could have played advantage and brought play back if needs be, but it's a split second decision (a case of damned if you do, damned if you don't) and, in any case, it was nice to see a ref trust a lino's decision - so many refs these days appear to only allow linos to flag for offsides, corners and throw-ins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manurgrate Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 My understanding of the Law is that even though the keeper was the last man, it is only a red card offence if it prevents a goal scoring opportunity. As the ball was already in the net, his foul didn't prevent a goal. ( I think!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazarus Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 I wouldn't get involved with goal scoring (or the laws) Manu, never your strong points! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty Posted January 6, 2016 Author Share Posted January 6, 2016 Ah, but wasn't Manu the first player to score in a competitive match at Short Lane? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big J R Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 I wouldn't get involved with goal scoring (or the laws) Manu, never your strong points! Sorry, but I tend to agree with Manu's comment above yours, Alan. Still, it's nothing to do with me, and anyway, a referee has to make a 'snap-decision' !! "Que Sera, Sera" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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