Match Day National League September 4th/5th 2018 fixtures

[The Terminator]

A rather bruising but satisfying win 3-0 win over a very physical Solihull. A big contrast in both teams styles of play. Solihull took us by suprise playing two up front and they caused us problems in the first half, especially on the break - We were thankful to Dean Brill for keeping us in the game with two fine saves.

We actually played round them with some nice stuff quite a few times, but our final pass/shot at times wasn't good enough.

I can see Solihull really putting the cat amongst the pigeons this season, they won't have enough to be anywhere near the playoff places, but they will piss alot of sides off with their gamesmenship and rough style. They kept fouling us constantly, leaving elbows in, as well as kicking our players at every chance. They started to gradually collect yellow cards, as the ref slowly saw what they was up to, their number 22 Corey O'Keeffe flat out kicked Jobi McAnuff after he skillfully went round him for one of the cards - never seen anyone do it that before.

The goal we scored right on half time was as sweet as they come, a team of giants allowing one of the shortest men on the pitch Charlie Lee to score a header from a corner.

Solihull bench wasn't happy because we scored in the 5th minute of stoppage time after 3mins was put up by the fourth official. Turns out the communication equipment broke between the officials and he was meant to put 5mins up - You couldn't make it up.

Second half their full back Jamie Reckord cost Solihull the game IMO, he came out too fired and quickly collected two yellow cards for two stupid fouls, then apart from one chance they created which Brill saved, we again saw the game out well i thought and we managed to score two goals on the break.

We're such a resiliant team now, 12 months ago we'd have lost that game after being intimidated by the oppsoition, but last night be managed to keep our composure against nasty opponents as well as coping with a very soft ref who missed at least two blatent fouls against us.

 

[The Jovial Forester]

I can't get my head around how easily one prat on a general forum can completely distort the profile of any club's average supporter base.

I hope you did that on purpose

 

[Master D]

Solihull Motors should be playing in the Aviva Premiership.

 

[B2TF]

I hope you did that on purpose

Did what?

 

[Chief Rocka]

Frustrating game last night. Struggled to create chances and looked laboured.

Bates' game management in the spotlight for me, players looked clearly knackered, lack of subs. What's the point of having the biggest squad in the league if you don't use it? Was crying out for changes and we got the usual McLaughlin for Woods (who shouldn't have played last night). Burton must be on the verge of recalling Dinanga, not getting any game time.

We were still the better side last night but thankful for Barra missing the pen so we'll take a point and hope Bates learns from this.

Decent first half which I still can’t believe we never managed to score in, Barra missed an easy chance in the first few minutes and cracked the bar with what looked to be a very soft penna at the end, Bates is still learning on the job for me but Woods should never of started last night, didn’t look fit after apparently taking a knock on Saturday, Hawkes or Dinanga should be having words with Bates about lack of game time, both could of changed the game last night.

A point at home to Barra who were pretty tough to break down shouldn’t be sniffed at, clean sheet and we moved up a place, tough game at Solihull on Saturday now, see what they’re made of.

 

[Pliny Harris]

I'm guessing the forum went down in anticipation of this hotly contested Brotherhood derby we all attended last night, but it was a point that both sides appear pleased with. Loads of effort but few chances either way. Perhaps there's no team in this league as lethal as Tranmere Rovers last season, but either way we've come out of two tough away fixtures (Sutton and Wrexham) with two points, and despite not getting that win through our goal being allowed or the three or so other decent chances we had, we're developing a praiseworthy list of results so far this season that show consistency without having unleashed a can of whup-ass on the league.

Very happy with our defence as it stands, even though it won't forever read as it currently does: Jacob Hanson (loan expires January), Nathan Clarke, Matty Brown (may break his jaw giving a post-match interview), Joe Skarz.

 

[Fyldefan]

Last night was a reality check. They were better than us in every position and completely dominated all the way though. If it wasn’t for our quality keeper, it would of been 4 or 5. They were excellent. We were terrible. Still, a good start to season and we go again on Saturday

 

[Lew]

Barnet fans finally stopped their whining now?

 

[BeeSting]

We’re gonna p*ss it. Wrapped up by Crimbo

 

[Tin Roofs & Stone Steps]

Saw John Still before the game, he was very upbeat, was expecting a downtrodden man from what I got from on here.
Unfortunately for us his team followed suit. Thoroughly deserved their win, should have been by more and absolutely ran the game.
They pinned us in early, we couldn’t gain any possession for 20 mins or so and just lumped it out of the box over and over. It’s the worst I’ve seen us look for a long long time.
Porter (everybody’s favourite) let an absolutely beautiful shot go that unfortunately hit the post from 30 yards. Keeper was MOTM in a 1-0 home loss. Don’t need to say anymore than that really.

 

[chief]

Will the servers actually hold up long enough for everyone to make it to Saturday.

Well, we drew 0-0. Strange to see a Halifax team play quite a tactical game, they game-managed well and were only moderately rattled for about a 5 minute spell towards the end.

We are still rock solid in defence, 1 goal conceded from open play in 9 games. Just didn't create enough, but Halifax had a very solid defence themselves. Think we were worried about the counter attack in the end so it just sort of fizzled out. The disallowed goal looked like the guy was climbing all over our man on the back post.

The midfield is a tough decision to get the best trio together, Summerfield is the only certain one but then we need Akil Wright for his height and physicality, we need Rutherford's energy and workrate but also Luke Young's creativity and passing in a game like last night. I wonder if we can get all 4 into the side somehow.

We've also got that Burgess on loan who hasn't even been seen yet. And Bradley Walker or something too.

Did you get a better view of what happened at the end? Looked like a blatant foul on Pyke in the penalty area but I was no where near it.

Halifax will be up there at the end of the season. Decent side and their away following made a decent racket.

 

[chief]

I thought we edged it last night but neither side really created enough. 0-0 was a very fair reflection on the match.

Halifax's best chance brought out an excellent save from Lainton, not sure what more Southwell could've done.

 

[Joe.]

First 30 minutes we were well on top, but our final ball let us down a few too many times. As soon as Dave Winfield went off injured, we were all at sea defensively and Dover scored almost straight away. The goal was almost identical to the one we conceded against Aldershot a couple of weeks ago.

Second half was just awful from us, no urgency going forward whatsoever. Only a superb save from Nathan Ashmore at the death stopped Dover from taking all three points.

I'm a big fan of McMahon but he needs to find his best XI and stick with it. We made five changes last night, only one of which was enforced.

Still in a good position though (better than last season definitely) and a win at home to Gateshead on Saturday will set us in good stead for the trip to Wrexham next Saturday. One things for sure and that's that we need Kenny Clark back ASAP and playing alongside Winfield. We look so much more confident at the back with them two playing.

 

[Raymondo316]

Terrible mistake from Cole

 

[E10rifle]

tough game at Solihull on Saturday now, see what they’re made of.

Elbows, steel girders and violence.

 

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

wtf Aldershot.

 

[East Bank Shot]

wtf Aldershot.

We are so poor

 

[rudebwoyben]

Saw John Still before the game, he was very upbeat, was expecting a downtrodden man from what I got from on here.
Unfortunately for us his team followed suit. Thoroughly deserved their win, should have been by more and absolutely ran the game.
They pinned us in early, we couldn’t gain any possession for 20 mins or so and just lumped it out of the box over and over. It’s the worst I’ve seen us look for a long long time.
Porter (everybody’s favourite) let an absolutely beautiful shot go that unfortunately hit the post from 30 yards. Keeper was MOTM in a 1-0 home loss. Don’t need to say anymore than that really.

Thanks for the complimentary words, I enjoyed my visit to Bromley although I was disappointed that the club cat didn’t stay on the away terrace to cheer the Bees on.
We look so much more solid playing 3-5-2 and Jack Barham looks a real prospect. That was as solid a 1-0 win you could have.

 

[BeesKnees]

Their fans all had a meltdown after about 2 games and wanted Still OUT. He was too old, wasted all the money and assembled a terrible squad apparently.

Dagenham doing well without him too..

I'm still concerned about his health. He was feeling to unwell to stand on the touchline for the second half on Saturday and Currie had to do the post match interviews.

Sounds like the new faces have now slotted in and we are playing better, tougher challenges to come. Barham has been a real find.

 

[Redbank]

A quality point from Ebbsfleet, but0 real gutted it was not the full 3 , as in injury time we blasted a shot straight at their keeper but full marks to him he managed to put it our for a throw in, entertaining game at times and a draw was probably the right result, and certainly the best we have played this season,
What often happens when you are in the bottom four, a straight forward shot, takes a wicked deflection, then we are one down.Thought Ebbsfleet would have a been a sterner test than what they proved last night , but I expect they will get stronger as the season goes on, for us , perhaps our season has just got underway, or maybe back to this seasons dross on Saturday at Chesterfield

 

[Tin Roofs & Stone Steps]

Thanks for the complimentary words, I enjoyed my visit to Bromley although I was disappointed that the club cat didn’t stay on the away terrace to cheer the Bees on.
We look so much more solid playing 3-5-2 and Jack Barham looks a real prospect. That was as solid a 1-0 win you could have.

Glad you enjoyed the visit but maybe a little too much enjoyment from the away end for my liking. I can’t fault our lads for effort, rarely have been able to for a good few seasons now. Looked like two teams on different levels.
Is Jack Barham the little lad up top?
If so what a bloody handful he was. He took a ball on the move and hit the underside of the bar in the second half. I was behind that goal and it took me completely by surprise. Looked mighty close to the line tbh.

 

[rudebwoyben]

Glad you enjoyed the visit but maybe a little too much enjoyment from the away end for my liking. I can’t fault our lads for effort, rarely have been able to for a good few seasons now. Looked like two teams on different levels.
Is Jack Barham the little lad up top?
If so what a bloody handful he was. He took a ball on the move and hit the underside of the bar in the second half. I was behind that goal and it took me completely by surprise. Looked mighty close to the line tbh.

Yep, that’s him. He’s pretty fearless, that shot by him was outstanding and deserved to be a goal. He’s was playing at Step 4 for Greenwich Borough last season!

 

[rudebwoyben]

Another goal for HWL.
Aldershot will be howling.

 

[Master D]

Aldershot have never recovered since Waddock was smiling and arrogantly laughing his head off when they were in that virtually unassailable position in the penalty shootout against Ebbsfleet last season.

 

[bigtimecharlie_]

So much wrong with us this season. Recruitment has been terrible and the team has no confidence. One outfield player over 6 foot tall in the squad and Waddock wonders why we concede so many from set pieces? Absolute joke.

The worst part is Havant were really poor. Defended bravely but such a technically limited side. Long, hard season ahead for us.

 

[East Bank Shot]

So much wrong with us this season. Recruitment has been terrible and the team has no confidence. One outfield player over 6 foot tall in the squad and Waddock wonders why we concede so many from set pieces? Absolute joke.

The worst part is Havant were really poor. Defended bravely but such a technically limited side. Long, hard season ahead for us.

Nail on the head.

 

[Soup Ladle]

Elbows, steel girders and violence.

That's exactly why I'm going.

 

[Shotsfan1993]

What's Truro like, feel as though I might be visiting their ground next season....

 

[E10rifle]

What's Truro like, feel as though I might be visiting their ground next season....

It’s a lot like Plainmoor.

 

[springerbfc]

STILL OUT!

Whatever the level and whoever the opposition, four wins on the bounce is a rarity for us so we've got to enjoy this little run.

Still said it would take 6-8 games for us to find our feet and that certainly seems to be the case right now. Hearing great things about Barham and from the highlights, Harrison seems to be creating chances which bodes well.

Maidenhead at home up next and confidence must be sky high right now. It would be good to go into the Orient game off the back of five successive wins. Can't remember the last time we did that...