Ilford

[CIFC JACKO]

any news on the result yet anyone?

[Merv]

Two nil to Canvey.

 

Ilford must be the weakest side Canvey have encountered in a long time with a totally inept defence playing in front of a ‘keeper who, in turn, was even worse. Problem was that in the first half Canvey simply weren’t good enough to get past them.

 

In a totally one-sided game it was astonishing; the ease with which Canvey repeatedly got into the Ilford half but had no idea of what to do with the ball once it went into the home 18yd box. Too many Canvey players simply weren’t at the races and the level of commitment from our front runners was often in question.

 

It was a dire first half. Ilford had one attempt on Ricky Wiseman’s goal (a flick-on from a free-kick that went just over the bar) but Canvey weren’t much better. In spite of having a strong wind behind them and in spite of a ‘keeper who couldn’t catch a cold, let alone a swerving ball, Canvey never really found a way of testing him.

 

Lucky was unlucky with a couple of corners. The first had exactly the right amount in curl on it but he hit it just a bit too hard and it sent out for a goal kick. His second one, however, was almost perfect. It beat the keeper but curled in just enough to hit the upright and bounce away to safety.

 

The second half was much better. Jon Stuart was giving it 100% and linking up well with Matt Reade to make an effective left side partnership. Ian Luck was replaced by Leon Gordon and Canvey were beginning to look like an effective unit. The Ilford keeper suddenly came to life and pulled off a couple of terrific saves to deny the visitors. But goals were now bound to come, eventually. The official site gives Canvey’s first goal to OG but I gave it to David Kreyling. There was no doubt about the second – Leon took it sweetly.

 

All in all it was 3 points. Ilford can have few complaints as they really do not have anything to offer, either up front or at the back. The first half wasn’t exciting, mainly due to Canvey’s lack of inventiveness, the second half was better and the goals were deserved.

 

Game? 5 out of 10

Chips? 10 out of 10 (crinkle cut as well)

Nice touch was the old boy on the gate as we walked out. He politely wished us well for the rest of the season and a safe journey home.

 

[thomarocky]

It certainly was poor quality fare on offer today, but we have played better and got nothing in some games, so at least we can gain some comfort in grabbing 3 points today. Batchy and the Committee all seemed as puzzled as the rest of us why we were so poor today. One regular told me on the way out it was the worst Canvey team performance he had witnessed in 15 years of watching them.That gives you an idea of how awful Ilford were. Another club in this league who suffers from a lack of support, I thought Ilford were very accomodating, grub was not bad either ! Up The Gulls !

[pabird]

I thought it was excitng and after the game rushed home where we had some paint drying and carried on knitting socks for our lads in Iraq.

 

What is that song Brighton used to sing about things can only get better?

[ronin]

I think saying it was the worst Canvey performance i`ve seen would be wrong but it certainly wasn`t pretty. Ilford offered no threat going forward and always looked likely to make a mistake at the back but were never able to really take advantage of a our superiority until the 1st goal went in.

 

We will need to play a lot better if we want to get anything at Wivenhoe but i can put up with playing badly every now and again if we still pick up the 3 points.

[yellow angel]

Not the most inspiring of games. BUT, i would rather the team played crap and got 3 points, than play well and lose. However, if we go up we need to improve quite a bit on this kind of performance, or we could find life difficult.

[YELLOW]

Originally Posted By: thomarocky

One regular told me on the way out it was the worst Canvey team performance he had witnessed in 15 years of watching them.

He obviously wasn't at Slough, Burnham or Southport!!!!

[pabird]

There are good reasons to believe a high number of our lads can develop on and with the help of the older lads can make the move at least to conference south level.

Some specific skills need to be added to the team but we will attract one or two better players as we develop.

What is evident is a lack of education in the lads who have come through the game the slow way, reserve team play for example.

The pitch was awful and better players knew that you take the ball before it bounced or if you had the time take an extra touch when receiving as the ball bubbled around on the patchy pitch. It is why our older players in defence cleared the ball so often on the volley.

Educated players would know that the player on the ball would need close order help as even running with the ball is a lottery on that degree of bumpy pitch.

Management understand that the worst situation on that type of pitch against inferior opposition is for the ball to be continually being hammered back at our defence and the first skill need was the ability of forwards to win the ball in the air and once on the ground to defend the ball and bring mid-fielders into the game.

We found that when Leon came on.

Finally of course more experience players know that against lesser opposition you impose your game and do not get dragged into their version of a game plan.

“Altogether” things can only get better.

 

[Merv]

Originally Posted By: YELLOW

He obviously wasn't at Slough, Burnham or Southport!!!!

Or Lowestoft.