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Last night vs. Barnet FC

AFF

By AFF
in St. Albans City Forum

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AFF Newbie

AFF

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A 1st team from Barnet, I believe: Gore, Bailey, King, Hendon, Plummer, Maddix, Hatch, Swannell, Grazioli, Strevens, Graham. Subs: Lincoln, Roach, Millard, Yakubu, Meecham, Clist, Lee and Dean Sinclair, a local lad formerly at Sandringham School.

 

Steve Castle selected what I imagine is his first choice side [other than the keeper and, presumably, De Souza]: Michael Watkins, Thomas, Scott Cousins, Wraight, Seeby, Campbell, Matt 'Matty' Hann, Parker, Clark, Daniel McBreen, Okai. On the bench: Zoricich, Sarll, Davies, Sargant, Fenton, Rydeheard.

 

[The] First half was the best from t'lads I've seen this term against a lacklustre Barnet side. We tried to play football and McBreen in particular caused problems for the visitors defence. He opened the scoring after 29 minutes heading home a fine cross from Thomas. We were prone to giving the ball away needlessly in defence and they equalised a few minutes later.

 

McBreen came off at half-time, Parker moved up front and Fenton came on to play wide right in the midfield.

 

Paul Fairclough kept the Barnet side in the dressing room at the break for an extended chat and, I suspect, stripped the walls of emulsion. A different side emerged and they tore us apart [in the] second half with fierce pace and committment that we couldn't live with. It was terrific football. They scored 4 more goals, one a cracker from Ben Strevens [who honed his skills in a season on loan wearing the yeller&blue 4 long years ago], and only a fine display by the young 'keeper Watkins kept it to single figures. No-one seemed to know where he came from. Perhaps he heard we were short and turned up looking for a game. Fair play to t'lad.

 

All the subs were used [in the] second period. For Barnet Grazioli and Roach in particular did well. We didn't look like scoring but we can take some positives from the first half display. Very entertaining.

 

A disappointing attendance of 250 or so, the majority up from Outer London.

 

Neither Crawshaw nor Kitson was at the ground. Rumours of player movements, outwards, after the match but I never pass on rumours. Rumours of Sky TV connection to the clubhouse tomorrow. That should bring the punters in.

 

 

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Rob_the_Saint Newbie

Rob_the_Saint

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Overrun in midfield, I'm afraid to say. Slightly fortunate to be ahead after 44 minutes but a slip by Campbell let in their no.11 who crossed for the no.15 to score. Goal 2 was a carbon copy (without the slip from Campbell).

 

Three and four were powerful strikes from inside the box and five was a superb dipping long-range shot from Strevens.

 

Michael Watkins is from Basingstoke Town, apparently and George Clark was at the ground, wonder if he wants his old job back?

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Zagreus Newbie

Zagreus

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It's never been truer to say that Football is a game of two halves. I really enjoyed the first half - it's the first time in a long time that I've been able to say that. I thought our number 11 (left winger, it's Okai, isn't it?) was very good. I'm a great fan of the "mazey" run and he made a couple in the first half - brilliant! I also thought our number 10 (McBreen ?) looked promising too, terrific header for the goal. It was a bit disappointing when Barnet scored just before half time, but .. ah well, it was a good first half.

 

The second half - something changed. I know it's only a PSF, but either we stopped playing,they started playing, our subs created a weaker team etc - who knows. I thought our midfield looked especially weak in the second half. One of their goals was a corker (was it the 4th or 5th?). It looked like it was going over the bar, but dipped down at the last second - impressive!

 

Millwall on Friday - looking forward to it.

 

Zag

 

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JKiF Newbie

JKiF

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4th one zag..strevens goal was pure class...up till 44 mins we were more than a match for the secondary bees....castle worked wonders with his half time team talk yet again and we were over run in the 2nd half...still lessons to be learnt hopefully ( if ur reading "gaffer" midfield looks dodgy yet again)

 

bring on the 'wall !

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Zagreus Newbie

Zagreus

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Yes, well with Spurs getting beat in their PSF with Sheff United you must be worried about yer footie teams next season. No seriously, I think if we play our strongest side and play like we did in the first half last night (maybe a big IF), but if we do, then I reckon we'll be OK. The team just needs a bit of time to gel, it's a new team. I'm sure after the first 5-6 games of the "real" season we'll have a better idea.

 

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AFF Newbie

AFF

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Hi Webbo.

 

For very good reasons, no doubt, you are not attending matches at present. Neither is Zealster, as he declares when he contributes to this current debate.

 

I have attended each of the pre-season friendlies, with the exception of the Reserves team visit to Erith & Belvedere, as, that day, guided by the trusty Official web-site fixture list page thingy, I watched the 1st team play at Dunstable.

 

It is a fact that we have conceded 16 goals in the three friendlies at Clarence Park, notching one in reply. It is a fact that we drew 2-2 at Dunstable. It is a fact that we drew 1-1 at Fisher Athletic. Those facts are nothing to do with negativity or even relativity.

 

It is my opinion that half the team are not as fit as they need to be and, also that we will struggle big-time this season, both on and off the pitch. As I have said on another thread, however, I'm not getting cross about those things as, I'm pleased to say, I have simply come to terms with them. I am a long way short of reaching a state of nirvana, but I have recognised that I should be quite happy having a chat in the clubhouse and watching the football on match days.

 

The match against Watford was excellent and both halves last night, for very diffwerent reasons, were very entertaining.

 

If you ask me "Is everything going well at t'Park; are we likely to challenge for honours this season etc. etc.", the answer is "Don't be ridiculous, but I'm having a good time."

 

It's going to be an interesting few weeks.

 

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