Thoughts from the Folkestone game

[Chris1]

All the drama was at the end really.

 

There we were, heading for a well-deserved 1-0 victory, when Charlie gets stretchered off in the 87th minute. Big debate about who is going to take over; eventually Kola comes off the bench and puts the jersey on. Looks like a frightened rabbit in the headlights. The ref then proceeds to play 9 minutes of stoppage time, in the 8th of which Folkestone manage a shot on target, 1-1.

 

Folkestone pressed us for long periods in the first half, but we looked the more dangerous on the break. Brayley and Hockton combined well a couple of times, one wide and one straight at the keeper.

 

Straight after the restart Protheroe threaded a lovely ball to Brayley, who controlled it well, and found Hockton who netted with a killer finish.

 

Folkestone pushed hard but apart from a prolonged goalmouth scramble we weren’t in too much trouble until we lost our keeper.

 

Player ratings:

 

Mitten 6. A bit flappy at times, but did what was needed. Got injured clearing outside the area. There was a bit of a challenge, but it looked more like a ligament than a knock. Hope it wasn’t as serious as it looked.

 

Oates 6. Good work at right back.

 

Donovan 5. Some good blocks, and in the right place a couple of crucial times. The miskicks and air shots give you heart attacks.

 

Standen 5. Had to work hard at left back as they looked dangerous on that side. Drifted out of position a bit.

 

Trott 7. As good as ever.

 

Yiga 5. Saw plenty of action, made a couple of good crosses. Dispossessed far too easily, including just prior to the Folkestone goal. The bench wanted him to carry the ball down the wing, but he can’t. We either have to punt the ball for him to race on to, or else find someone else in the summer. He is young and might come good, but we need somebody now.

 

Gradley 5. On for Keister, who was having another masterful game. Lots of running but failed to get the ball to his strikers. Got in Hockton’s way when we might have had a second.

 

Protheroe 8. Real class in the centre of midfield. The opposition must have thought so too, because they spent most of the second half trying to chop him out of the game.

 

Knight 5. Anonymous on the left wing. Some good defending though.

 

Hockton 8. Superbly taken goal and worked hard all match. He is not just a goal hanger; he doesn’t mind getting stuck in.

 

Brayley 8. He played just that little bit deeper and was very creative. Coped well with a bobbly pitch. Lovely control and cross for the goal.

 

Fantastic support from our little band. Does that drum have a volume control?

 

We saw Shearer and Lamb for Folkestone. Lamby and Bill spent half-time gassing.

 

Overall more impressive defending, and Trotty is making a good case for himself if he wants the job permanently.

 

A goalkeeper has to be the NUMBER ONE priority (to borrow Cookie’s pun).

[Margate Martian]

yep pretty much how i saw it chris1.

[Cookie]

I will agree with ALL that Chris. Cannot argue with any of our comments. A very well put together summing up EXCEPT to say that the Folkestone crowd mentioned the time added on was 11 minutes not 9 but whats 2 minutes between friends eh!

Absolutely gutted as three points would have

definately have kept us up.As it is & correct me if I am wrong

but with Hendon thrashing Leyton 4-0 today I do believe we are not safe YET!

A good performance.

The more we played the better we got..until the last 10 minutes that is.

Even then they werent causing us problems. Got to say this but their goal came

from yet again a failed push pass an opposing player by Yiga.

His error led to that goal. He had a nightmare & why he wasnt

subbed is

anyones guess.

He should have been substituted long before that & it proved that keeping

him on was our downfall. In other games,pre-Trotty takeover he has done exceptionally well but since the

formation has changed he has not come up with the goods.

Still a good point today though despite the massive disappointment at conceding so late.They deserved nothing today but they got it nevertheless.

Did anyone else see the disgust that Protheroe showed when they had scored. Dont know who

he was directing his disgust at but he certainly wasnt a happy bunny.

What a crying shame that ending was.

[Dutch_Mike]

As you put it Chris, we were heading for a 'well-deserved victory'. Defence looked solid again, and we kept Folkestone limited to few shots. Midfield looked assured, although I was disappointed to see JK go off. And the strikers worked tirelessly. Hockton took his goal superbly. However, we did not take into account that an abysmal referee would add NINE minutes on! I have no idea where he got that figure from. I guess, all in all, a point is not bad, but having been the better side, and to lose a goal in the 98th minute, I cannot help but feel a little frustrated. I guess we will have to wait another week to mathematically guarantee safety.

[Blues with Soul.]

Great summary again Chris 1 - So disapointing to lose in such a manner especially as we bossed the second half - if only Yiga had kept possession and Charlie hadn't got injured.....Trotty again majestic in defence and my motm.Hockton took his goal superbly and could have had 1 or 2 more.

Overall I feel as though we were mugged at the end......

[Boney Crisp]

I thought today we played well and deserved all 3 points but we did not get them because the referee added on an extra 5 mins then what he should have done. Protheroe was by far the MOTM today with some fantastic passing and some dangerous crosses. One big question what on earth is Egan doing in Dubai? He should be sacked you cannot go on holiday during the season when we have only 1 fit goalkeeper who got injured today. All in all a good performance and there is nothing the players should be ashamed of as they all worked hard and played well.

[Gate Watcher]

Protheroe again absolutely fantastic. Sheer class. Keister good until he came off. Trotty very good as usual. Hockton and Brayley worked very hard and what a goal from Hockton - a scissor kick goal into the top corner. We deserved the points. Somebody with a stop watch stopped the time for Mitten's injury and started it once play resumed and STILL there was 8 minutes over by the time Folkestone managed a shot and equalised. Puzzling where that awful ref got the time from. Yiga poor Im afraid.

 

We need a keeper, left back, centre back, two wingers, centre midfielder, striker. Now we are safe I guess we can relax and enjoy the last two games.

[Chris1]

The second half was 54 minutes, 39 seconds.

[Boney Crisp]

Joke

[P.W.]

[color:"blue"]Yiga seems to be struggling at the moment, I thought he should have been swapped for Sesay at half time. We only had 4 subs on the bench - what has happened to Ziepe / Jalloh - with Bertie & Allman unavailable for the rest of the season shouldn't they at least be on the bench? (Both were at H&R so presume both are still eligible).

[Cookie]

Wasnt arguing with you Chris but just saying was was relayed to me as I walked past their fans. I will take your timing as correct,to the second. No problem with that whatsoever.

Charlie was super again until he went off.I thought he pulled something on kicking the ball out.He didnt have anyone near him at the time. Keister was absolutely brillant until he was forced off.The best half hour or so I have seen from him this season. Shame he had to depart.However Gradley coming on was equally as good.Was very impressed with him today too.No-one gets a bad mark from me today except Yiga.Why is Osman not getting on that pitch.I am astounded he hasnt been used.Sorry but Yiga let the side down today,a lot.

As another post says though all the others cannot feel like they didnt do the business.They did it all.They were really up for it & good on them. No shame for them on todays efforts.

Terrific continued support with sound from the boys and the drum.How a hole hasnt been put in that drum just amazes me.Best vocals and supporting sound I have heard all sesason.

[MFC Forever]

Glad to hear it was a good performance, just a shame we couldn't get a win.

Will we be able to get Behcet back for the final two games or should Charlie be back?

[Coffin Ender]

Thought a draw was about right. Apart from our goal (a cracker by the way) and Hockton's shot that went over early on, I am struggling to think of any clear-cut chances. We looked a bit wobbly early on, but Folkestone were as mediocre as us.

It was rather like the Hampton and Worthing games - dreary end of season fare.

There was a lot of injury time, but there was a long stoppage for Charlie and our physio must have been on four or five times in all in the second half.

[Cookie]

Heard today(not sure of the truth in it though) that Behcet was turned down by Southend and is now with Millwall.He has a problem coming back once getting over injuries.A similar thing to Gradley so I'm told.All hearsay might I add.On the showings that Behcet has given us and after todays form of Gradley I think it would be wise to have both in our squad but somehow I dont think either will be with us next season.

[Cookie]

Goal from Hockton was superb!

[Chris1]

To pick up Cookie's point, Protheroe was having a right go at our third in command in the dugout, whoever that is.

 

The coaches were exhorting Yiga to carry it down the wing all match. He got the ball taken off him every time he tried it. If I had been LP, that would have been my point, since that very thing had just led to conceding a goal.

 

It shows he cares though, and I will just add that he would be my MOM for his tireless work rate, great control and distribution. Hockton and Brayley not far behind.

 

Sesay on the right of midfield next week please!

[Gringo]

Thing is Yiga can be class in that position but not at the races today.

[ScratMFC]

Lets just hope we can get LP for next season? We need his talent on the wing. Is Keister retiring at end of tis season? He seems to be really coming alive recently.

[geoff pay]

we are safe northwood lost. we can only go down if we lose both and concede about 20

[Gate Watcher]

Sad to say but Yiga just aint up to it in this formation. He cant really play anywhere. And the formation is better than any one player. As a midfielder he is not good enough at anything to warrant selection with only 2 in the middle. He can't defend well enough. And as a winger he has no pace and can't beat a player. Looks like he's going to be sitting on that 1 year contract next season.