Swifty Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 That was a night to forget. Missing two cuptied players and one probably through yet another injury, we still put out a strong team yet seemed to approach the match with no small amount of trepidation and paid the price against a Camberley side who were much more up for it and played to their usual ‘strengths’. Niggly fouls including an unseen elbow to one of our players very early on, yet the ref didn’t give the obvious fouls let alone the 50-50’s and failed to book any of the away players despite a couple of obvious bookable fouls (yet found his pen for two of our lads), loads of moaning and trying to influence decisions and, in the case of one player, foul after foul which should have amounted to at least a yellow. This was the same ref who blew for half time after 39-and-a-half minutes in our match against Camberley last season. This time, he played 52 minutes for the second half which contained one goal, three subs and not much else to stop the clock. No doubt the chap in the jacket with ‘referee assessor’ on the back in big letters will pat him on the back. I felt he had a wretched game. The daft thing is, when they put their minds to it, Camberley played some lovely fast flowing football and embarrassed us at times. Why they have to resort to so much of the intimidatory stuff beats me when they obviously have skill. Their finishing was exemplary. A low far post shot from a tight angle by Doug Ford in the 4th minute, then a poacher’s finish by Matt Bunyan in the 28th which he followed up with a 45 yard lob into an empty net in the 73rd and they could have had more. In comparison, I counted six shots for us in the 99 minutes played, though Dan was incredibly unlucky to see a shot bounce off both posts and to safety at 0-1. That might have changed the course of the game. I say might. Apart from the ‘fear factor’, there were three other problems. Firstly, the first and third goals could and should have been avoided. We failed to mark the back post properly from a corner for the early goal, and Tyler was way out of his box with no-one backing him up for the last one. Secondly, maybe due to Camberley’s in-your-face attitude, we made a huge number of wayward and aimless passes. Thirdly, we had a rather thin subs’ bench (probably due to said injuries and ineligibilities) and, when Dan went off injured, we only had Bradley as a sub striker and, for all his obvious running and determination, he was never going to get any change out of the monoliths marking him. He tries hard, but I wonder if Bradley would be better suited being converted to a marauding winger / midfielder. Terrier tackling, low centre of gravity and all that. I wonder if maybe we should have two up front (which terrorised Enfield Town’s under 21’s when we tried it) or go for an Owen / Shearer 4-4-1-1 with either Bitz or Sammy in the Owen role. I think we also need another Matt Baxter style player in the squad, or a nod to put Bitz or Sammy up front, to boost the attacking options. I know, I’m not the manager, but I thought it was worth mentioning. I’d also be interested in the team for the next semi at Hanworth Villa. Is it worth giving fringe players like Ilia, Greeny and Harry a starting place to test their mettle / show their worth and keep other legs and minds fresh, gambling on a third agonising semi-final defeat this season in a bid to boost the promotion push? No doubts, if we play like tonight just once in our run-up, we can more or less forget promotion. You may seem this is criticism but I’d rather it was seen as a gee-up, a wake-up call. I care, and I want the lads and club to progress, nurture, do the best they can and achieve the best they can. Shame it was such a damp squib for my last home game this season as I’ll be down the coast on the 23rd (Dan’s working that day so it’s any takers for the tannoy). Rest assured I’ll be there encouraging / disparaging the lads for a couple of the away games! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashford follower Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 wow what a poor night to concede 3 very poor goals and to create very little, we were overrun in midfield and our wingers couldn't pick a decent pass often holding on to the ball and when they did pass always the wrong one ignoring the player 5 yards in front of them , really can not see us get promotion , and as for fringe players they will have their chance next season 2 or 3 players last night looked like they would rather be somewhere else we will see how they react sat Windsor not easy away ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tel Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 Whoever gets promoted will have to get used to the big forewords and big defenders, seen a couple of games in the league above and in the games I saw the Camberley way seems to be the norm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty Posted April 13, 2016 Author Share Posted April 13, 2016 From memory, there were quite a few big and beefy sides when we last played in the Southern League, not forgetting the seasoned old lags at Molesey who bulldozed their way through us last season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tel Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 It wouldn't bother me atall if we stay in the C / C league. No long trips, H W, HORLEY & REDHILL seem to be the longest. All teams seem to be very welcoming and not many hit it high and long and see what comes of it teams. I know if you're good at it, it works. Boring to watch week in week out though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty Posted April 13, 2016 Author Share Posted April 13, 2016 Just remembered we've already lost three semi-finals this season! I'd forgotten that re-arranged Charity Cup semi against Cockfosters back in July. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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