Home to Hornchurch - FA Trophy 2nd Round (Won on Penalties)

[ETFC2001]

 

13 minutes ago, No bull Towner said:

Was great that fans boosted players and they responded. Great boost for Rhys to save a pen to get us back level when Hornchurch keeper had made a save and then finally they missed at the end to hand us the win. Much needed boost all round 👏👏

Rhys deserves it. Lovely lad and always does his best and I’m glad he saved a penalty today. Hope Smudger is alright aswell as taking penalties isn’t easy. Definitely can build on this for Dorking!

Was it the prettiest performance? No, but we got it done and that’s what we need to do to stay up. I 100% believe there’s 4 teams worse then us in the NLS. COYT!

Edited Saturday at 19:21 by ETFC2001

[symptomless]

Only 500? Is that because it wasn't on the session book? They get included for regular games if you turn up or not. 

Anyway, excellent, and much needed, boost for those that were there. Got to take those moments when they come. Few and far between so far this season. Here's to many more.

[ETFC2001]

9 minutes ago, symptomless said:

Only 500? Is that because it wasn't on the session book? They get included for regular games if you turn up or not. 

Anyway, excellent, and much needed, boost for those that were there. Got to take those moments when they come. Few and far between so far this season. Here's to many more.

Felt like there was 500 behind the goal at some parts. Really proud of the boys today cos us fans were great. A cup run could give some very needed momentum and more budget for Gavin to work with!

Edited Saturday at 19:36 by ETFC2001

[WHY DO I BOTHER]

Read a few times that this cup isn’t important… tell that to the players and fans after that reaction…how big could that be ?

[The Crowing Cockerel]

In no particular order...

Positives:

£3,750 in the bank (and at least another £1,500 even if we lose in the next round).

The new striker worked pretty hard, showed some nice touches and a willingness to take on players when possible - promising.

That's two weeks in a row we've not lost in 90 minutes!

Adam Thompson is a goal machine!

An unusual spell towards the end of the first half where we strung some passes together. It felt like we were starting to believe a little.

We're quite good at penalties!

Christian Scott again offered some ball-winning quality in the centre of the park and worked his socks off - felt he took a lot of the load off Sam Youngs.

If any kind of win is going to galvanise us then it has to be that kind of win.

Negatives:

Crowd seemed pretty quiet today - felt like some of our louder members might've been away?

Billy Leonard had some moments, but was a little lightweight up front against a very large back three.

Can't remember the Hornchurch keeper being tested (barring the scrambled goal and the penalties). Whereas we - and Rhys - had a fair few crosses/corners to deal with.

[AANP]

Full audio recording of the match commentary is at https://mjl99.mixlr.com/recordings/2614306, if that's your thing. 

Their goal: 21: 38

Our equaliser: 1:27:06

Penalties begin at 2:13:10

Enjoy (again)!

[ETFC2001]

12 hours ago, The Crowing Cockerel said:

Crowd seemed pretty quiet today - felt like some of our louder members might've been away?

Agree with everything else except this. Thought the place was very loud in the second half after we scored an equaliser. Not the first half so much because there wasn’t much to sing about but for the last 40 minutes and penalties, I thought it was one of the better atmospheres since Weymouth, and it always normally is against Hornchurch.

Nonetheless, big win and I really hope this can be a stepping stone for staying up this season. Like I said previously, I 100% believe there is 4 worse teams then us in this league, and I think we’ve been dealt the unluckiest hand out of all. COYT!

Edited Sunday at 11:04 by ETFC2001

[ETFC2001]

Also, really liked Gavin’s post match interview. This is probably the roughest spell he’s been under in his managerial career but I believe he and these players can get us out of this rut. Every performance looks positive and more positive and I believe we are going in the right direction. Now slot in Cox and Tuck at Dorking and I don’t think we have a bad side at all!

 

[4wembleyfinals]

 

It was interesting to see that Ollie Knight opened the scoring for Chertsey in their win away to Bath. He seems to have fitted in well. I wonder why???

 

[Benjrider10]

I thought our shape looked good all match. Admittedly, we didn't create many clear cut chances up front but Shakpoke's debut was very promising. Excellent first touch, good in the air, put himself about and made his presence felt. He will definitely be an asset once he has settled in.

There were spells where we played some very nice football, passing it around looking for an opening. Not many long balls, which was also good to see. The back 4 and the midfield all looked solid. Let's not forget also that Hornchurch were by a distance the best team in last year's league, so to hold them to a deserved draw at 90 minutes is not to be sniffed at.

The squad is definitely stronger than last year's. Now we need a settled team, work out what is our strongest starting 11, and to start scoring more than just the odd goal. It's a strong league and the only way is up, but I am confident that we can now string a run of decent results together.

Edited Monday at 12:32 by Benjrider10

[The Crowing Cockerel]

3 minutes ago, Benjrider10 said:

I thought our shape looked good all match. Admittedly, we didn't create many clear cut chances up front but Shakpoke's debut was very promising. Excellent first touch, good in the air, put himself about and made his presence felt. He will definitely be an asset once has has settled in.

There were spells where we plaved some very nice football, passing it around looking for an opening. Not many long balls, which was also good to see. The back 4 and the midfield all looked solid. Let's not forget also that Hornchurch were by a distance the best team in last year's league, so to hold them to a deserved draw at 90 minutes is not to be sniffed at.

The squad is definitely stronger than last year's. Now we need a settled team, work out what is our strongest starting 11, and to start scoring more than just the odd goal. It's a strong league and the only way is up, but I am confident that we can now string a run of decent results together.

We are finally looking stronger. Adam Thompson and Christian Scott have been massive additions. The only problem now is the run of very tricky fixtures:

Dorking (away)

Hornchurch (home)

Torquay (home)

Tonbridge (away)

Weston-super-Mare (away)

Worthing (away)

I don't think we'd be fancied to get any points out of the 18 available. We need to battle our way to a couple of unexpected wins there, otherwise I fear we'll be toast by Christmas. Its time we had some good fortune.

[cup of tea]

Congratulations on the win, will be seeing you again shortly for round 2. All the best for the FA Trophy.

 

[ETFC2001]

55 minutes ago, The Crowing Cockerel said:

We are finally looking stronger. Adam Thompson and Christian Scott have been massive additions. The only problem now is the run of very tricky fixtures:

Dorking (away)

Hornchurch (home)

Torquay (home)

Tonbridge (away)

Weston-super-Mare (away)

Worthing (away)

I don't think we'd be fancied to get any points out of the 18 available. We need to battle our way to a couple of unexpected wins there, otherwise I fear we'll be toast by Christmas. Its time we had some good fortune.

Keeping optimism with recent performances, I reckon there is points to be had here. Hopefully some teams start treating us like we’re an easy team to run through and we can surprise a few teams. Hornchurch and Torquay at home can definitely be points had. Dorking are on a bit of questionable form with losing their last two. Weston-super-Mare and Worthing away are going to be difficult games but I’ll keep optimistic.

[The Crowing Cockerel]

5 minutes ago, ETFC2001 said:

Keeping optimism with recent performances, I reckon there is points to be had here. Hopefully some teams start treating us like we’re an easy team to run through and we can surprise a few teams. Hornchurch and Torquay at home can definitely be points had. Dorking are on a bit of questionable form with losing their last two. Weston-super-Mare and Worthing away are going to be difficult games but I’ll keep optimistic.

Its unfortunate for us that Dorking are likely to have their talisman captain, Charlie Carter, back (4 goals in the last 2 games from midfield). Its no coincidence that their league form has improved massively since he's been back in the side. Hornchurch will be eager for revenge and Torquay are going to be very strong. Still, its a funny old game...!

[ETFC2001]

Guessing no highlights then🤣😢