City 3 Sutton 1

[Rob_the_Saint]

Hello, anybody here?

 

Not our finest performance by any means but isn't the mark of a good team that it wins when not playing well?

 

Defence seemed sound enough, Lewis had another good game and Bazza kept our 2 goal lead when it was needed.

 

Midfield was not quite on its usual game, wingers both played well but did waste some final balls. We seemed to lose a bit of shape when Simon went off injured.

 

Good sized crowd (639) but oh so quiet, we need a bit of that away game atmosphere.

[AFF]

Hi Rob.

 

A strange game in many ways, but a comfortable win, I thought. A very rare defensive error gave them the equaliser on 18 minutes, and then Paul Bastock was required to make a save two minutes from the end. The Sutton back 4 were at sixes and sevens throughout and only their keeper kept it in single figures. They were kept pretty toothless up front.

 

I thought that Ram and Tom Davis were on fire on Saturday and that was probably the best midfield display that I have seen this season.

Ben Lewis led the back line majestically and just shaded those two for my personal MotM. [Chris Seeby didn't do anything wrong and played his part but I hope that he shared Gibbo's champagne with the rest of the team.]

 

The midfield control allowed the back 4 to defend very close to the half-way line. The single overwhelming element of our play on Saturday was a terrific work-rate.

 

Matt 'Matty' Hann did well enough and Ben hit a super early cross for the goal but if he can't cut out the chips, but he should cut down to four times a week and lose 20 lbs in easy stages.

 

I think that Simon's injury on 16 minutes was very significant. He had been holding the ball up very well indedd, which is the strength of his game and Paul Hakim is a very different type of player. If Colin Lippiatt is reading this, he should give some thought to getting Lee to play a different game when he is partnered by Paul 'Hakkers' Hakim. But then, he's probably thinking about that already as he does know something about football and I, as you know, don't.

 

Noise Rob? I don't think that we do noise at Clarence Park any more.

 

We don't see lap-tops in the press box that often Rob. Very impressive! Did you get several 'pulsatings' in your copy? The Board like 'pulsating'. I believe that it's obligatory for the home side to provide lap-tops in the Conference Nationale. Next season, then.

[Rob_the_Saint]

Hi AFF

 

Yes I probably did them (Tom and Ram) an injustice in my earlier message, you do get a different perspective of the game sitting in the stand at a low level instead of standing behind the goal. Perhaps we're just so used to total dominance anything else is disappointing (lol!).

 

The laptop thing was an experiment, I was using it to do the live updates for the site. I couldn't get a very good connection due to being in the enclosed stand but I managed to get some messages out until half-time when the battery packed up as well. Webbo seemed to appreciate them, anyway.

 

I also had the distinct impression I was sitting in someone's favourite seat the way the bloke behind me kept peering over my shoulder.

 

Might take it to Cambridge, might not, I prefer the atmosphere behind the goal at away matches.

[AFF]

No Rob, you weren't in someone's 'regular' seat.

 

And I'm sure that Webbo appreciated your live stuff. Is he likely to attend any games this season or is he saving the time off to get to the Park for the big match this Sunday when Stevenage Borough School of Excellence u.16s will, indeed, be hosting Mighty East Thurrock United U.16s?

[JKiF]

nothing more to add to those good comments AFF, another win :-) still got a chance of the title with more than a third(!) of the season to go.

 

 

talking of comments particulary enjoyed our chairmans on weymouth in saturdays programme

in light of recent postings on the connie sarf msg board more apt than ever

[AFF]

Gibbo will write whatever he wants in the matchday programme without reference to me, JKiF.

 

For my part, it's one thing to have a view which can be expressed to your chums over the prawn sandwiches in the boardroom or wherever, it's quite another thing to publish those comments in the programme.

 

Still. What do I know about anything, anyway.

[JKiF]

in this instance 'whoevers' bang on the money and fair play to 'em.

[Electric ~soul~]

Didn't see a programme on Saturday, what with being so busy entertaining the half-dozens with some Led Zep and the Doors.

 

What was the gist of said comments?

[Electric ~soul~]

Anyone?

[AFF]

Don't look at me, Zealster!

[Electric ~soul~]

Well, perhaps someone who did get a programme on Saturday can relay Gibbo's comment(s) on here, please?

 

Thanks in advance.

[Hardings Minion]

 

 

The nerves are beginning to jangle a little having entered the final third of the season and seeing ourselves comfortably placed behind Weymouth. Interestingly enough though, everyone is playing down the possibilities of winning the league or reaching a play off place and really concentrating on each game as it comes, which is of course, the old cliché.

 

Many thoughts have gone through my head recently and mostly they are “what ifs” such as, what if Ben Martin and Gary Elphick had been with us from the start of the season. Interestingly though, whilst there is no doubt in my mind that we would now be in a stronger position in the league had we began the season with a settled defence, it is also safe to say that we would not necessarily have Ben Lewis, Patrick Ada and Nick Burton at the Club. All of this bodes well for the future particularly with “big Ben” now well on the road to recovery.

 

Having mentioned Pat and Ben Lewis I could not change the subject without making mention of their performances last week at Lewes when we achieved a tremendous 2-0 victory. Pat had a great game and also got his first goal for the Club which he appeared to enjoy a great deal, judging by the celebrations that followed! I would however single out Ben Lewis, who for me was our “man of the match”, with yet another sterling and dominating performance. Ben has been another “Lord Lippiat” find, who was signed quietly and without any massive public acclaim but has gone from strength to strength in the short time that he has been with us. I would also like to mention Lee Flynn who has had the difficult task of filling Scotty Cousins boots, during two separate loan periods this season, and he also in my opinion had an excellent game last week at Lewes.

 

We recently had the ground inspected by the Conference League and with a few minor modifications, we will reach the standard required. This of course is great news providing we can keep winning. What is also of interest is the talk currently about those Clubs who are in financial difficulty and those who have a ground which is not up to standard. In simple terms, our priority is to reach the play offs and acquire the Conference “thumbs up” if we are successful on the pitch. I do wonder though what will be the situation if, for example, Cambridge City are successful or indeed Weymouth, who declared losses of nearly £1 million last year and recently had their planning application for a new ground turned down. The Conference League must be looking at these Clubs with a degree of interest, bearing in mind the demise of Hornchurch last season. Personally, I would like to see Cambridge City resolve their problems, as they are virtually our neighbours and very nice people to associate with. I must admit that I do not have the same sympathy for Weymouth who believe they have a right to win the league and behaved abominably when we beat them 4-0 at Clarence Park earlier in the season.

 

Having mentioned a score line of 4-0, that will give me the link to mention Sutton United who we welcome today as our visitors. We suffered our heaviest defeat of the season at Sutton in October and we need to avenge that defeat today in order to keep in touch with the leaders. Let’s hope for a great performance and a great game.

 

 

 

Regards to you all – John Gibson

[AFF]

Hmmnnnnn.

 

Gibbo doesn't make it entirely clear whether it is Mr Eastman [?] the Chairman of Cambridge City FC [who, according to reports has recently sold the ground for an undisclosed sum to an undisclosed buyer and wont disclose when the club must vacate the ground - for very good reasons, I have no doubt] or the Chairman of Cambridge City Supporters Club [who, according to reports is leading the efforts to save the club but is struggling to communicate with Mr Eastman] who are "very nice people to associate with".

 

It's all very sad for the true fans of Cambridge City FC. Lessons for everyone in Non League football in there somewhere.

[Electric ~soul~]

Cheers, HM!

[Nos]

 

In today's Telegraph by Ricky George

 

As far as our game was concerned on Saturday, I thought we did pretty well and created a lot of chances but it was a little bit hit and miss at times. Even so, the workrate was first class and a very welcome 3 points. I have to agree about the midfield -Tom and Ram both had great games as well as a solid performance by the defence. A word also for Lee, who worked his socks off all match.

 

Onwards and upwards. Let's keep it going at Milton Road tomorrow night.

[MADEFM]

Yep, good result, onwards and upwards. I must admit also that ram and tom in the middle, were superb. I prefer it when tom sits back a little more and ram push' forward. Ram was unlucky not to score more than one, but those two were outsatnding in midfield. Weymouth here we come!