Chris signalled in comments reported in yesterday's Observer that we would be under strength due to pre season injuries.
It was understandable that players carrying injuries wouldn't be risked for the opening competetive game; particularly as it was cup not league.
But that did make for a pretty lacklustre performance against a Herne Bay side who seemed to want the win more than we did.
Even after HB had their keeper sent off - bizarrely for a challenge after an offside flag had gone up - we couldn't find much sparkle and looked to be lacking the pace and width we had last season from Daniel and Lanre.
Late on a good goal from Jack Dixon from a Sam Adams pass gave us a win we just about deserved. Good to see Sam Cruttwell back and some solid performances elsewhere but we'll need more much more to impress in the league.
-- Edited by GeoffM on Saturday 12th of September 2020 05:41:47 PM
Agree with all that, Geoff.
Not a game that will stay in the memory for long and the result was all that mattered in the end.
Totally agree that our lack of genuine wingers today seemed to greatly restrict our creativity and we really didn't make many clear openings. All rather predictable and narrow.
Thought the biggest positive was the performance of some of our youngsters; Tom Chalmers looked really useful and I felt Marcus Goldsmith also looked a good prospect.
I think we all expected the sending off to be the turning point but it wasn't. We hardly tested their young keeper and if anything Herne Bay had more of the ball in the second half than the first.
For what it's worth, I thought the red card was harsh. Maybe the keeper flicked out a foot but there wasn't much in it and I think a yellow would have been a fairer outcome. At least it gave us something to talk about !
Thought we dominated possession in both halves without really troubling the Herne Bay defence. Craig Stone showed great skill to force their 'keeper into a good save in the first half but Herne Bay probably had the best 2 chances through long balls down the middle. Zak Ansah surprisingly pulled his shot wide of the post on the first occasion. We seemed to find it harder playing against 10 in the second half so it was a relief when a great cross from the left picked out the unmarked Jack Dixon. Marcus Goldsmith, Tom Chalmers and Benn Ward all played well and Sam Cruttwell made a welcome return.
I thought today would be a close game. After 10-15 minutes thought it was going to be one of those boring games until Craig's amazing effort and the header off the line from the resulting corner. Great to see Sam Cruttwell back in the starting 11 along with Kenny Pogue who looked great throughout. Personally from sitting in the main stand I think the red card was very harsh and I certainly didn't expect it! When Jack took his goal superbly I think everyone must have felt relieved. Overall a great performance from everyone - would have also liked to have seen Ben double the lead as he looked very lively once he came on. Great support and atmosphere from both sets of supporters and with the major chances they had it could have been a different game.
Think the red card was harsh too although I think it had an adverse effect on our game anyway. As others said not a great game and I thought both teams were evenly matched and was expecting a stalemate until Jack's goal. Not quite sure it was worthy of a man of the match performance. Personally for me Ryan Worrall deserved that. A good start with the injuries we had and think herne Bay will feel hard done and could have been different if Ansah had taken his first half chance and Louis hadn't made the decent save 2nd half. Excitement in short supply as was social distancing!
I really enjoyed the first twenty minutes or so, and we put together some elegant and progressive football in that spell, with Sam Cruttwell and Tom Chalmers particularly evident. It all got a bit stodgy after that. I never think it does us any favours when games become bad-tempered - we want the ball to be in play as much as possible - and the great big kerfuffle before half-time seemed to knock us out of our rhythm completely at a point where we were starting to gain the upper hand again. We never really regained that rhythm. Still, early days, and plenty of players to come back into the side.
Anyway, I think we're missing the main issue of the day...Chris's new trainers. Do they glow in the dark?
Actually, there was one other thing...I wanted to say how good the Pilot Field is looking. I had a bit of a light-hearted dig at the state of the toilets in an article for When Saturday Comes over the summer, but they and the rest of the ground look very neat and tidy. And the new badge, for all the reservations, really works as a piece of branding when applied all round the place. Well done to all of those responsible and thanks for your hard work.
It wasn't a great game, but good to be back and watch some competitive football. For me Ryan Worrall deserved MoM, he worked really hard in front of the back four.
It was hard to tell from where I was standing on the keepers red card, but he obviously injured Tom Chalmers enough that he couldn't continue long into the 2nd half!
Tom Chalmers and Ben Ward impressed, but we obviously lacked any pace up front, so it'll be good to see the new signings get a run out soon.
Herne Bay are a good side and they'll be in the top 10 come the end of the season.
Looking forward to Cray PM next week.
Disturbing to read that social distancing was in short supply yesterday
See that Northern FootballLeague are quoted in the Non League Paper that such behaviour will lead to season being called off very early
On Roger's point about social distancing, the matter is a serious one not just for our club but for the whole of football at our level. We desperately need the season to continue. We can't anticipate what might or might not happen by way of any upswing of the virus or change of government regulations; but we need individually to do all we can when attending matches to keep ourselves safe and not do anything which will bring criticism to the club, who have an extremely difficult job in arranging games in the current situation. I would suggest particular caution in putting comment and images on social media which might be capable of misinterpretation.
Having attended 3 non league games in different settings with no face covering required, and a professional rugby union game, where face covering was mandatory, I know where I felt more comfortable and it wasn't at soccer. I think the FA needs to seriously think about making face covering a requirement, it can't do any harm and it acts as a reminder to all how serious matter are.
As for the game the lack of width concerned me, and I thought the decision on the keeper was correct as it was violent conduct, ball not in play kicking another player is a red, and if he didn't hear whistle then its a red for denying a goal.
Interesting comments from the Herne Bay manager in his interview on Herne Bay TV.Would have liked him to be more specfic in his complaints. From their point of view they thought the sending off was harsh and that the officials were poor.
Having watched the penalty incident again (about 10 times) I still reckon it was a harsh red card. No way did the keeper kick out at Tom with his right foot, if he did anything he marginally widened his stance and Tom ran into his more than ample frame.
Very curious that we had two local linesmen. Is that correct ? I know these are strange times but I have never heard of this happening before in the FA Cup.
