Enfield Town 3 Concord 3

[Gonzo]

Should've won it. Town went behind after 10 mins as they failed to clear a cross and it was side-footed in with ease (0-1). A well worked move down the right saw Brad Brotherton neatly nod the cross into the left corner (1-1). Not long after Riley netted after Brotherton caused havoc on the edge of the Concord box (2-1). Just before half-time the Town defence failed to deal with a corner and an unmarked man was able to steal in at the near post for a free header. 2-2 at half-time. Smith was replaced by Ulatowski at the break. Mid-way through the half a masterful substitution saw John Hyatt come off the bench to arrive at the far post, take about 4 touches while everyone else on the pitch stood and watched, and then gently knock the ball into the unguarded goal (3-2). 10 mins later the ref somehow adjudges that a shot has deflected off an arm in the Town area - penalty. Chopper dives to his left neatly collecting the kick. Despite Chopper urging the team forwards they dropped back and allowed Concord to come at them. Sure enough the Town defence was undone with 5 mins remaining as a through ball caught the defence flat-footed and the striker pokes it under Chopper (3-3). The last 5 mins saw Town finally do what they should have done before and push up but to no avail.

 

Once again the ref was awful. The only thing consistent about him was his inconsistency! Having said that, Town didn't do themselves any favours as they continually gave away free-kicks in their own half and we're now left hoping others cando us a favour in the league. We've conceded far too many goals this season. Kev Riley had a good game but started to flag towards the end. Quin and Brotherton certainly worked hard and remarkably both stayed on the pitch. Great penalty save by Chopper. Negus had a very good game coming forward.

[Southport - TOWNER]

what about the assault on Brotherton?

 

In any other game would have seen the player get red.

 

Please explain how you get thumped on the back of the head, and the player gets a yellow; but that is ok, cos you get a yellow as well??

 

[Robson]

I simply cannot understand why the referee chose only to book the Concord player who landed a clenched fist onto the back of Brotherton's head. It was an assault.

 

Some of the challenges today were absolutely dreadful, and we were lucky to have 9 men on the pitch at the end of the game, let alone all 11. The same can also be said for Concord.

 

Barring that, a very good game which we really should've won. Their equalising goal in the first half (also in the last couple of mins) came after Town had piled on the pressure for 20 mins or so, so to concede from a corner was quite annoying.

 

At least we didn't lose.

 

Chopper, man of the match.

[lovely stuff]

WARNING to all ETFC supporters.

 

The situation regarding partisan ESL refereeing has now ceased being amusing and is becoming a serious threat to the future progress of the club.

 

I always thought Ryman refs were poor,and it was often easy to accuse them of cheating,but in reflection they gave poor decisions against both sides....I would say in my 20 years of watching EFC,it was only on a few occasions each season that i felt the ref had cheated us or been cheating.

 

Well i can honestly say that since we have joined the ESL,i feel that the refs have(in general) always been biased against the Town....Yes, a lot of them are incompetent but to consistently feel you're being cheated,game after game. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

 

I have my theories on this:

 

1.In the ESL,the refs are from Essex and so are most of the Teams....ETFC are outsides,maybe in the same way it would be, if we played in a French league with French refs.

 

2.A ref at ESL level isn't used to being shouted at and questioned by supporters in the way a Ryman premier ref is....Thus they take offence and (maybe subconsciously) favor the other team.

 

3.As Town are favorites for most games,they naturally favor the underdog.

 

4. A slight bias combined with incompetency can manifest itself into looking like cheating.

 

5.Maybe it is just a coincidence that 'Town' feel as though they are playing against the opposition AND the officials in every game. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

 

 

Take the ref today at the Town/concord game.

 

In the first half Concords Danny Heale punches Brotherton in the back of the head....The linesman spots this and flags furiously....without consulting his lino the ref reaches for his pocket..'a definate sending-off' i here you cry.....Not in the ESL...Its a booking for both players. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

 

If Mr Conner had applied the law of the game..Heale would have walked,he wouldn't have scored his second goal,concord would undoubtably have lost the game, and Heale himself would have been banned for 5-6 games during the most crucial part of the season.

 

There was a feeling around the ground in the second half,that Town wouldn't be allowed to come away with a win by the ref today,even when we took the lead twice.

 

At 3-2 to Town,he awarded Concord a penalty for handball,even though he turned down 2 equally valid handball claims aginst Concord.... luckily Chopper saved it.

 

When that didn't go according to plan,and with time running out Mr Conner played his joker....A Town player was sythed down near the halfway line,and every player on the pitch stopped, expecting a free kick to be awarded,Conner unfathomably waved play on and a concord's forward ran on unchallenged towards goal, beat Chopper to the ball and slotted it into the net.

 

With the ref finally satisfied with his days work,and not wanting to push his luck and further,he blew for time.

 

Mr Conner also missed at least 7 or 8 bookable offences in the second half(including a Concord player kicking-out at a Town player on the ground) ....one also involved Heale clattering through the back of a Town player....in another incident Town's Bradd Quinn should have recieved a second yellow for a late challenge.

 

Nice to see the Ref waiting by the Concord dressing room after the game to shake all their hands individualy. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

 

 

I'll comment on the rest of the game and individual performances when i'm less angry.

 

 

 

 

 

[SOS]

Quote:

lovely stuff said:
WARNING to all ETFC supporters.

The situation regarding partisan ESL refereeing has now ceased being amusing and is becoming a serious threat to the future progress of the club.

I always thought Ryman refs were poor,and it was often easy to accuse them of cheating,but in reflection they gave poor decisions against both sides....I would say in my 20 years of watching EFC,it was only on a few occasions each season that i felt the ref had cheated us or been cheating.

Well i can honestly say that since we have joined the ESL,i feel that the refs have(in general) always been biased against the Town....Yes, a lot of them are incompetent but to consistently feel you're being cheated,game after game. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I agree. It is beyond a joke. The standard of refereeing in the ESL is awful. However, I believe it was more than incompetence today, the ref was definately biased against Enfield Town - LgeChairman take note. The league championship should be won on merit and not decided by referees.

[Smiler]

Quote:

lovely stuff said:
WARNING to all ETFC supporters.

The situation regarding partisan ESL refereeing has now ceased being amusing and is becoming a serious threat to the future progress of the club.

I have been having the same thoughts for some time LS; however until another supporter mentioned it at the Stanstead game last week I was telling myself that I was imagining it. Also, unfortunatly, there seems very little we can do about it; but there is some underliying reason for this method of refereeing.

I spoke to a Concord supporter after the game. His opinion of the referee could not be printed here! His advice was to get out of this league as this is the way things are!

Mr Conner, I beleive, was the same last time; cannot remmember the game. Perhaps someone can advise.

[SOS]

Quote:

Smiler said:
Mr Conner, I believe, was the same last time; cannot remember the game. Perhaps someone can advise.

Mr Conner was the referee at the Ilford game at Goldsdown Road this season. The game where Wanye Grant got sent off. What for? You guessed it...raising his hands (and the Ilford player acted like he had been shot). Yet what did Danny Heale (I believe he was in the No10 shirt) get for doing the same today...a yellow card. The only consistency about Mr Conner is his performances...very poor.

[Smiler]

Thank you SOS; It all comes back vividly now! Yes that was an awful game for him then; so as you say his actions are consistant.

[Gonzo]

Until now I have been inclined to give the officials the benefit of the doubt. However, over the last 3yrs they seem to have gradually sided more and more against Town. EFC in the ryman prem had their fair share of 'off' days when decisions didn't go their way but over a season these tended to even themselves out. ETFC on the other hand seem to get far more than their fair share of poor decisions. I play in a mid-week league which has Surrey Senior League officials and officials from various other senior leagues officiating. I would be disgusted with the quality of some of the officiating which ETFC are subjected to if I were to be on the receiving end. This does make me wonder whether there is some sort of bias against ETFC. (I remember in particular a game Vs Barkingside last season when it seemed the ref wouldn't finish the game until Town were denied all 3 points). Obviously it does the credibility of the league little good when there is even the slightest suggestion of bias. But enough is enough.

[andyetfc]

As an ex referee having officiated on the Southern League, I will leave any comments about the recent officials to others. However, what I will say is that referees do not cheat. They make mistakes, like the players, but they do not cheat, irrespective of what others may think.

 

Let's look at the game itself.

 

Concord arrive with the same shirts as us and we have to try and sort out their problem. A set is found. Some shirts have numbers on them, others have nothing. I certainly have never seen a team with two number 9's playing for them at the same time! What will be the punishment?

 

The referee needs assistance. What do ETFC do about it? Have a qualified replacement ready within five minutes! How many other teams would be able to do the same?

 

The referee misses an infringement. Our players stand around moaning and arguing whilst Concord score the final goal. I would like to think we will do something to deal with this type of reaction because it does not work. It did not work against Basildon at home last year and it didn't work against Torrington.

 

Good points and bad and they are only my opinions, just like the ones everyone else has.

 

What else happened that caught my eye?

 

The brilliant penalty save. I was standing behind Andy when he made the tremendous save. The noise that came up from the Town End was tremendous and made me feel that all the work we have done over the last few years has been worth it.

 

Just one question, which is great in hindsight. Why was Billy taken off with just a few minutes to go and we were winning? He gave us an outlet, could hold the ball up and waste time and be a handful. We lost that initiative when he came off.

 

Just my ramblings. I certainly wouldn't want to manage a team with people like me making comments. Would you? Credit where credit is due though. What an inspirational substitution by the management to go 3-2 up!

 

Here's looking forward to Ilford and Danny giving them the run around.

[lovely stuff]

Right i've calmed down (slightly)...My opinion on the game yesterday.

 

 

I thought Town deserved to win....the game should have been put to bed in the first half...we missed a couple of golden chances to go 4-1 ahead by half-time.

 

Concord look a mid-table side apart from their two forwards,Heale especially....If Town get promoted i think an approach for Mr Heale might be in order.

 

With Brotherton in midfield and Hall out(again),we looked shaky at the back.....Snowden is having a poor season and dosn't look the player he was last year.....we need a domonant leader at the back.

 

Example: At every Concord set piece,Heale(Concords main threat in the air),was marked by various Town midfielders, instead of the centre-backs taking charge of the situation and marking him.

 

Brotherton,Negus,Riley,..etc..performed well in midfield.

 

Final question: Why can we never field a full strenth side....For various reasons we were missing: Clarke,Cooper,Geraghty,Ridout,G.Hall,Allen(has he gone).

 

 

 

[Jim Cunneen]

What is worrying is that of the 39 goals we have conced this season (at 1.32 a game) we have conceded 9 of those in the last 5 minutes. A lack of concentration perhps

[Gonzo]

Agree with you about Snowden. We have looked shakey at the back all season. What Graeme Hall lacks in pace he usually makes up for with his positioning and marshalling of the rest of the defence.

 

I think there is little doubt that the league is stronger this year. Although we've strengthened our squad, the players who have come in aren't of the same calibre as Saint (retired) and Rids (injured). We've missed Clarke's goals (though normal service should soon be resumed!?). We need someone on the park who will keep the team united and stop the bickering and moaning which occasionally creeps in. The one thing we can't alter are the actions of the men in black. Sure, they may not be helping our cause but we have to rise above this if we want to win the title again!

[Southport - TOWNER]

I must agree with Andy, I don't think the refs "cheat" but there is a definte biased here.

The reason, well dunno. But I do think the ESL officals need to look into this. No I don't think we want special treatment; One thought is that is we are use to better refs.

 

As for a team playing in front of over 300 people with no numbers, wrong names on shirts, and casuing the game to be delayed - well if that was ETFC we would expect to be fined - what will happen is err nothing.

 

p.s. where was Cooper and Clarke? Yes believe DJ Dave has "moved on"

 

p.p.s. maybe some of these so called refs need to go back to skool! from Essex FA website

 

LATEST COURSES 2004

With over 60 candidates passing their referee exams at the recent November weekend course, ECFA Referee Development Officer, Terry Thacker , is busy organising dates for 2004.

 

The new year starts with a 10 week course in Harlow on January 6 while Terry has pencilled in a weekend course for Chelmsford over March 20/21.

 

For more details on both courses contact Terry Thacker on 01245 458625 or via e-mail at terry.thacker@essexfa.com

 

 

 

 

[lovely stuff]

How funny was it seeing Concord running about in a Watford strip,with the likes of 'Bart-williams' on the back of the shirts....The left back just had the letter 'N' above his number,for some reason.

 

Why did Concord bring a white kit...surely they knew that was ETFC's home colour.

 

[lanceyboyuk]

with respect we are biased we really need a concord fan to speak but im sure they could say they were hard done aswell in some instances

[billy]

dear enfield town

re your under 18s

have any of you watched these play?

enfield town good club nice people please watch your youth team play.??????????????????

[lovely stuff]

Quote:

lanceyboyuk said:
with respect we are biased we really need a concord fan to speak but im sure they could say they were hard done aswell in some instances

Yeah Concord were gutted with a yellow card for violent conduct,i hear they wern't to pleased to be awarded a penalty,and as for the ref allowing them to run through and equalise in the last minute,they were LIVID. <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

[andyetfc]

Joking apart Jim, the last 5 minutes tend to be the time allowed for injuries, bookings, sending offs, etc. In fact, if there were none of the above, then we would not have conceded them as the games would have finished!

 

I know you will have a laugh over this Mr Stato man! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Pavagrotti]

I was in a nice restaurant in Brussells enjoying a nice meal and dreaming of being at Goldsdown Road. My daughter rings and tells me we are 3 - 2 up with 15 minutes to play and she is depressed. Why aren't you more excited we're winning? Because the ref has already given them a penalty for nothing which Chopper saved and he's desperately trying to give Concord a goal. She said the final score would be 3 -3 (15 minutes from time) and she was right!

 

Well done Bradley Brotherton for not rising to the thump from Danny Heale. If Concord win the league in this way, the ESL will be the poorer not the town Bradley proved we can rise above it and we will overcome.