Today's Game

[Martin]

Very proud of the Slough performance today but one or two of your boys did look different class. Not used to this squad numbers malarky but I thought 22 had a good game. Whilst your boys dominated possession at times I did not really think they did an awful lot with it. There were not really that many chances or sustained spells of attacking play for a game that gave us five goals.

 

All the best for the next round and the rest of the season.

[Matt]

Quote:

Alan W (GNFC) said:
I doubt their manager will have been very pleased though, with the ease with which Manny shrugged off the defender for the winner - Drury's ball didnt have quite enough weight on it, and the defender should have had the ball (to use a well worn phrase) in row Z.Despite being twice Manny's size, though, he somehow allowed Manny to outmuscle him.

True. We're stretched at the moment though, and the 'defender' in question is actually our main striker (you might have wondered why he was wearing the 9). He's a bloody good centre-half though, he proved that with the clearance that led to Essandoh's injury. Hodgey didn't do much wrong all game, but that mistake cost us.

Overall you're also right about us not creating much. One of our key players left the other week and we've not been able to properly replace him yet, hence the re-shuffle which has disrupted things. I also thought both our goals were preventable. The second in particular seemed to slip past Wilkerson too easily.

I don't want to make excuses though, on the day I believe Gravesend deserved it, they looked much more threatening when on the attack. We've had two brilliant cup runs this season so now we can knuckle down and concentrate on our 6 (SIX!) games in hand on some teams. Good luck in the quarters.

[Alan W (GNFC)]

6, of course, includes todays games which I hadnt taken into account (silly me !!)

[chilled out entertainer]

Quite simply that strike to equalise from slough was on eof the best goals i have seen at stonebridge road. Was glad everyone applauded what was a tremendous strike. well done that man. Lioving this quarter finals business. Have to get out of the inlaws dinner thing on the 12th, any ideas on how not to alienate the bird?

[Stu M]

Quote:

chilled out entertainer said:
any ideas on how not to alienate the bird?

Leave her out some nuts and bread on a plate when you go to the game...? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[chilled out entertainer]

soak the bread first yeah so as not to bloat her little stomach when she visits the bird bath?

[jc]

Quote:

Alan W (GNFC) said:Lovell does look much improved now, albeit that he needs to sharpen up on his distribution. One tackle he made in the second half on the edge of our area epitomised his improved play.

Indeed, Alan - it seems to me that Lovell is more effective defensively when he isn't actually playing in defence, if you see what I mean - when covering back from midfield, he makes a more meaningful defensive contribution than when he is actually situated at left-back. Again, as Slarti notes, some rather ambitious and wasteful shots from distance as usual from him, but he certainly looks a better player now.

Generally in agreement with most people above - we just about did enough to deserve it, since Slough didn't really create enough scoring opportunities. A well-taken goal from Manny to win it, as well, which was pleasing.

As Harry says, the semi-finals will be two-legged - to be played on the 2nd and 9th of April, meaning the York away game and Morecambe home game would have to be rearranged. But we're not there yet, of course - given our past Trophy record, I'm certainly not counting my chickens. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

[Jimmy]

Slough created little from open play and the 2 goals they did score were down to our goalkeeper being less than impressive.

On another day it would have been 5 or 6 - 2.

[Jimmy]

Thing is Gary, mikefleet was at the forefront slagging off the managerial appointment and the board and now appears to think it's OK to pick on players - I thought McCarthy had a good game today, more to come from him I think.

[mikefleet]

when did i pick on McCarthy i havent been on the forum today what is going on.

[Richard C]

You're one of the only ones that hasnt yet then. Think Macca2 is getting better and better with every game and eventually will shake off the idiots that see fit to slate him because he is slow. Macca2 keep up the good work.

[jc]

Quote:

Slartibartfast said:The kick Porter took on the ankle looked fairly innocuous

I actually thought there wasn't any contact. It looked to me as if his studs caught in the turf and his leg just gave way.

Either way, let's hope neither Graham's nor Roy's injury are too serious.

[Jimmy]

Looked that way to me jc, earlier on he did kick the bottom of the number 10s boot as he cleared it but the one that made him leave the field looked as if the ankle gave way.

[Wobbly Wayne rides again]

Quote:

the 2 goals they did score were down to our goalkeeper being less than impressive.

 

I have seen a few comments blaming Wilko for the 1st goal, which appears a tad harsh to me.

From where I was standing he had no chance. A good clean strike flying in off the underside of the bar.

[Hempstead Gaz]

As a member of the keeper's union, I thought Wilco got a hand to the ball for the first, would have been the save of the season if he had kept it out.

[Bernard]

Yes, Mr Wobbly, but it has to be said the goal would never have been scored had Wilko not been 12 yards out of his goal.

[Wobbly Wayne rides again]

I will agree to disagree.

[Jimmy]

He would have got both hands to it if he was on his line.

[Wobbly Wayne rides again]

from the side you don't get a good view of the angles , but if Mr Daish has a keeeper that could get 2 hands to that , ( which to be honest looked a goal as soon as he struck it) as well as covering for any potential defence splitting passes , then we would be very lucky indeed.

 

But its all about opinions. I will still agree to disgree.

[FleetFanatic]

The point is - would the Slough player have contemplated such a strike if Wilko hadn't been off his line?

 

I think not.

 

Wilko on the way out at the end of the season?