Dan: my inner nerd would like to know what the actual problem is with the lights which failed on Tuesday and whether some lucky chap is going to have to shin up the pole on Monday to fix them! (I appreciate that this might be utterly outside your expertise or interest; but, as they say, if you don't ask you never get to know.)
If you know anyone who is not on the internet please ring them and let them know.
Let's hope the lights are fixed soon, I'm sure Tony will be up there putting things right.
Dreadful first half but much better second. Solid at the back again and we keep scoring goals. I believe that Sam Crutwell must start to give us the fluid football that we have come to expect. Good to see Kiernan and Franny get goals and Crutts one was the icing on the cake.
Goodness knows what Steve Watt said to the team at half-time; but whatever it was it had a remarkable effect. We went from a team under considerable pressure, playing a pretty inept long ball game (yes John, I did write that!), leading by a very fortuitous goal (an own goal in all but name); to one which thoroughly deserved a 4-0 win. Our second goal was a goal of the season contender and underlines the enigma which is Kiernan. It was superb; but then with a hat-trick just begging he missed two clear one on ones. Oh dear! But it was good to hear him get positive support from the supporters. He can do it and if we can get the best from him he could yet make this season for us. As Chico says, Jerome Sobers was excellent. He has made us look so much more secure at the back. Ollie Rowe must be delighted and relieved to be playing alongside such a player. So, very well done all
The first half was absolutely dreadful and the long ball rubbish on show reminded me of some very dark days of the past at the Pilot Field. Really no idea why we have changed from a fantastic and exciting passing team that destroyed teams like Greenwich, Tooting and Lewis to this rubbish but what do I know? We won again and another clean shheet. Second half was much better and we deserved to win fairly comfortably against a very average Whytleafe side So credit must go to Steve and Darren if he was involved. Can imagine some paint peeling of those changing room walls at half time.
Outstanding performances from the back 5 with Ollie Rowe looking right back to his best and Johnno deservedly picking up MOM for a typical high energy performance but what do you make of Kiernon? Anyone not there would think MOM! Two goals, the second being an absolute blinder, and an assist, his third in two games but in between, laughable madness. Tripping over balls, bottleing challenges, mis controls and some quite dreadful passing and finishing. Just don't know what to make of it and some of the positive support you talk of Geoff I think was sarcasm where I was. Let's just hope he kicks on now as it looks like he's here for the season and I guess if he keeps popping up with goals and assists we can put up with rubbish in between as long as we are winning.
Very winnable games now against Three Bridges, which was off again today, and Guernsey, who were smashed by Godalming before we go into a crunch game with form team Carshalton.
Have to assume Sam is not fully fit not to be in our starting line up. If nothing else, it gives us at least one Hastings local in the side. (Not sure where John Akoto is based). 7-0 in the last 2 home games and 6 points. Horsham and Whyteleafe must be a bit puzzled but hope the little bits of luck going our way continue to the end of the season. As Geoff says a much improved second half performance.
Certainly some similarities with Tuesday's win in that our opponents had plenty of the ball but, in my opinion, a far better performance and a thoroughly ruthless second half in which we picked them off in a very professional manner. Remembering our 4-0 win at their place, clearly Whyteleafe had a game plan to thwart our passing game by pressing us as high up the pitch as possible....and in the first half it worked beautifully as we were reduced to hurried punts forward that their big centre backs simply gobbled up before the ball came back at us. Fortunately we were handed a gift goal just before half time and the second half seemed to take a rather different course of events in what I thought turned out to be a tactical triumph for Darren. Whyteleafe pushed more men forward and suddenly there were big gaps behind their full backs that we made good use of. Let's be honest, we scored four and could have had at least three more with the chances we squandered. Meanwhile, for all their possession in our half, they really only made two or three clear cut chances. I agree with Geoff about Kieran....scored two, made one and completely messed up three or four other great positions. (Have to say I still wouldn't pick him but it's hard to be too critical !) I thought all the back four, five in fact if you include both right backs, were REALLY good today and Pidge is looking difficult to beat again. Jono was rightly MOTM and weren't we treated to two cracking break away goals in the second half as well as a possible goal of the season ? A few results went our way as well today and the fat lady certainly hasn't sung yet !
Thought we were very lucky to get away with our third goal-looked like a clear foul by Frannie in the build up.
Strange then that Sam isn't in the side-or am I just biased because he is from Hastings? Think I may be influenced by the fact that our last promotion team was made up almost entirely of local players.
Or maybe Tim it's because Jack Evans has been so disappointing so far. Hard to believe he was a regular for Maidstone this season. There again I see the scoring machine Alex Akrofi scored another two today so maybe we are just not very good at bringing players on. Nearly 50 this season so far, they can't all be rubbish. I would have Crutts ahead of Evans and Kiernon all day long.
John, I would certainly agree with you and others as far as Crutts is concerned. I would have him start in midfield every game. My inclination is also to agree with you about Jack Evans; but I consciously watched him today and I could see more merit in his performance than I expected. Much of that is 'negative' in the sense that much of his play breaks up the opposition and is defensive; but I can at least accept that it is not crazy for the management to see a role for him. As for Kiernan, well I'm sure we and others will agree that his performances for us thus far have been deeply frustrating. His CV of many clubs at a young age speaks of a player of unfulfilled talent. Can Steve and Darren get him on track? Goodness knows. I really would say that his future and the club's for the next three months are closely bound. If he can realise some part of his considerable potential, score a dozen more goals, become a real team player, etc, then we will likely be in the play-offs and his career will be at a different level. A dream? We'll have to see ...
I find it hard to believe that Crutts isn't in the team for any reason other than he isn't fully fit yet. If I was picking, his name would always be one of the first names on the team sheet along with Jono and Ollie.
Tim , I think John Akoto is based in Eastbourne . I'm surprised that considering we have in my opinion been really struggling at left back for a few years, we seem to have found a decent prospect in John , yet there are not many comments on here about him . Obviously time will tell especially if he gets the chance to play v Carshalton and he will inevitably make mistakes whilst he developes, but his performance again yesterday for me was as good as any we've seen for a while in that position .His second half performance was like the rest of the team better than the first but he's two footed , fast ,a great header of the ball ,though not as tall as some . Plus he puts in a lot of work . Yes well done John !! So far so good , With Crutts coming back into the fold surely that would allow him to slot into a midfield role where he is much more effective . Fingers crossed !
I find it hard to believe that Crutts isn't in the team for any reason other than he isn't fully fit yet. If I was picking, his name would always be one of the first names on the team sheet along with Jono and Ollie.
I did hear a rumour that Sam had started smoking heavily and Darren said to him if you don't cut down or give up you won't be starting games and playing for the full 90 minutes, does anyone know if this is true or not?
Agree with Windy that John Akoto has played very well and looks a great prospect. But if Sam isn't selected in midfield I would play him at left back ahead of John.
Sorry Stephen got injured again but Calum Emptage played really well in his place.
Having just read the match report of our away game against Whyteleafe the two games seem to have quite a few similarities in them.
With the players not injured or suspended I would go for this side against Three Bridges :- Lenny in goal, Calum and John as full backs, Oliver and Jerome at centre half, Harry, Jack,Simon and Sam in midfield with Jack Harris and Frannie up front.
