1-1 A Fair result - But what a shame!

[Cookie]

Two goals in the last 6 miutes. Great through ball from Sesay to Hilaire who toe-poked it pass the keeper.4 minutes later a deserved equaliser by Invicta with our defence not being able to hold on.Loss of concentration and things end up all square. Attendance 902 (how many times has that figure end with a 1 or 2. )Personnally I thought there was definately over 1000 and I am sure I am correct though that wasnt the clubs official fugure given out.

Bad first half. Two teams unable to hold the ball,control the ball and misplacing passes. Not much in the way of goal scoring oppoortunities Second half things slowly improved. Still pretty even, though Invicta began to push forward and use their wings to good effect. Against the run of play a great through ball from Sesay (Easily my man of the match)to Hilaire for our goal.Then that equaliser close to the final whistle.

Taylor very poor and too lightweight,Donovan committed to a through ball but missed the ball completely to allow them to get the cross in to get the goal which gave them the draw.

Great great cheering from the guys behind the goal. Best vocals of the season.

Just on the final whistle a free-kick from 35 yds fron Bertie skimmed the bar.

Two really poor efforts by two evenly matched teams out there today but to be fair a blustery wind didnt help matters.However I have seen worse performances this year so something to take from that I suppose.Things improved a lot second half but all-in-all the result was fair to both teams.Disappointed that we couldnt hang on for 5 minutes but there you go!

I nearly got the Christmas present I wanted.

[TonyM]

Thanks for the report Tone.

[geoff pay]

radio kent said the same fair doos good crowd at least <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[I am Spartacus]

The game today just showed how we are wasting Sessay at right back and he should be playing futher forward. This would also improve our defence as he would have to man mark to stop his excellent penetrating passes. It also showed today that Taylor is just not good enough to lead the line and we need a centre forward who can win the ball in the air and hold it up. The performance was an improvement on the game against Leyton and lets be positive and say we are going to get the next 6 points.

[Chris1]

Yes a very good report Cookie. 100% agree with Sesay as MOM - especially as he was being hacked to death by Lamb all match.

 

The lob Taylor put over the bar in the first few minutes was a carbon copy of last week's. He needs to sharpen up, be more positive, and also practise bringing the ball under control.

 

What happened to Chris Stowe anybody?

[Cookie]

I dont want to say "I told you so" but I will. Sesay coming forward have the defenders sh****** themselves. He goes at the defenders and has pace aplenty. Its about time he was let loose up front out wide,or as others say in that midfield.We cant keep wasting his talents at the back.We need to get someone in to cover him & as Greg was on the bench today that move may be iminent. Just hope CK sees it my way.

 

1) Mitten 8

2) Sesay 9

3) Edwards 6

4) Donovan 6

5) Allman 7

6) Deen 7

7) Keister 6

8) Brayley 8

9) Taylor 4

10) Amaoko 5

11) Standen 5

Subs used : Hilaire 6

McGowan 6

[geoff pay]

thanks tony notice 1700 at dover today. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

[Cookie]

Yes,apparently RAMSGATE took 30.

A good turnout,though it was to be expected.Mind you with the lack of away support I would have thought a couple of hundred less than that but then again Dover always did have a good support.

[Cookie]

Radio Kent gave "live" commentary today with some inputs by our very own Wellsie. That "BOK" of them being there was nearly lifted. At least we put in a slightly better effort today compared to other times in front of them. Mind you not a lot better but better.

[geoff pay]

they must have took mpre than 30 <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

[Cookie]

Sorry I meant to say 30 minutes to get there. Was hoping for a "bite" from a Rams fan Geoff, before I finished off my sentence.

[Chris1]

We seem to have most of the right components, but the team hasn't quite 'clicked' yet.

 

It looked as if Sesay has been moved forward a bit, as he wasn't seen in defence much. He made some great runs from midfield with and without the ball. Defenders just can't keep up with him.

 

Cookie was quite generous to the defence with his marks. They are allowing teams too many chances IMO. I would prefer to see 4 specialist defenders, rather than 3, plus 2 semis.

 

The midfield tends to look a bit crowded, with Standen and Brayley pretty much trying to do the same job. With our opponents also packing the midfield it's no wonder the game was short of chances.

 

We are lacking a tall target man who can score with feet or head. Nobody has answered: what happened to Stowe? Was he another one-match wonder?

[Cookie]

You may be right Chris about my personal players scores.On reflection I have amended some.

[MargateFan]

Very typical Christmas game, but better than the last two years in that we did not lose! Fair result really from a scrappy game, but if Bertie's free kick at the end had gone in rather than kissed the bar it would have been a magical ending.

Sesay's amazing run the length of the pitch was the highlight for me, if he could have gone clean on goal I do not think that there was anything could have stopped him going for it. Great that Ian scored. Hasim put in another towering performance today. Charlie made a couple of astounding saves, considering he is a bit crook, I wish he was completely fit.

The problem with the two up front is that they are very similar, and a little lightweight. If we could find a nice solid centre forward, either Adolph and Charlie would provide a good contrast to them, and play off them, and that would possibly be more effective. I, too, wonder where Chris Stowe was today, as from what we saw at Hendon, he could offer that sort of role.

I thought Allman had a good game today, very sharp and lots of running. Dean Standen also did nothing wrong, and put in some good crosses - he links up well with Bertie. It is quite effective when he goes off and Gavin comes on, as they have a contrasting style of play that confounds the opposition for a while, plus Gavin is well on form at the moment. Bill, Keister, and Donovan all put in their contribution at the back, and I thought for a minute that Bill was going to get one in the second half, because he was up there with intent!

Good to see Greg on the bench at last, and Pat warming up well in training - what an embarassment of midfield riches we will have when they are all available!

Bertie's skills are breathtaking to watch, thank heavens we have him.

Just a shame no footy for another week now, and we have to eat and drink and be merry instead.

[Blues with Soul.]

Todays programme states - 'As well as the arrival of Berti Brayley a few weeks back,we can welcome Chris Stowe, who featured in our win at Hendon.Chris is an old fashioned type forward who puts himself about to good effect.'

Like MF and Chris 1, I'm surprised he didn't make the team or bench today.

Does anyone know the terms of his 'arrival ?'

[jkmaskell]

I know MF has already mentioned Mitten and his problems. I know Mitten's leg was strapped up yesterday and he wasnt taking goal kicks. Perhaps its time to give him a rest and let Egan get some gametime?

[seasidesteve]

very poor attack both forwards hopeless the stones goalie had nothing to stop all afternoon till he picked the ball out of the net.hilaire no better took his goal but nearly bu--ered it up.missed one a 5 year old would have got 2 minuted b4.brayley a class above he must be wondering what hes let himself in for.standen his usual self also in a different class to everyone else .another very poor performance againt another poor team

[Cookie]

I like your honesty and balls to say the truth Steve.A man I admire for being honest & for not brushing over the facts.I was asking after you yesterday to try & put a face to our posts.Maybe next time eh!

I agree entirely about the frustration that must be in BERTIES mind about those around him. Yesterday you could SEE his frustration.However he has made the captains role his own,gives the fans his own ovation and generally seems,on the whole,to be enjoying being out there.Things will only improve for him on the player front I'm sure.

His skills out of the corner against two men was a treat to watch & his screamer at the end was most unfortunuate not to have earned us the 3 points.In a class of his own I agree.

As for another player you mention at least yesterday it seemed the manager noticed it also for once,hence his substitution.I was hoping he would prove me right yesterday with a star performance but yet again he disappoints.

McGowans introduction proved to improve the whole performance from there on except for some defensive cat napping near the end by our defence.

[Dave Dixon]

Taylor reminded me of Remy in his 'not interested' days. Hopeless. At least Ian puts some effort in, as does Adolf, but he needs a big partner for the knockdowns as he is just not strong enough on his own.

We only ever seem to move forward up the middle. We rarely have anyone getting decent crosses in.

Young Sesay is really coming on now and with Greg back he could be the one for the crosses.

Bertie is a class act when he can get in the game.

Between him and Sesay for man of the match.

Dave.

[Boney Crisp]

To be honest i dont think none of them could be bothered, especially in the first half. Also how long is CK gonna take until he realises that Dean Standen is crap.