Played well against a team from from a higher league. Thought we battled to the end and in Benn Ward certainly have a player for the future. Well done to Alan who won £104.00 on tonight’s 50/50 with ticket 35171
Despite the lack of goals an entertaining game at the Pilot Field. Chesham started strongly but Hastings grew into the game. Once again, our young players were outstanding and the whole team worked hard to gain a measure of control. Thought the ref was excellent as well.
Another very good game, despite the 0-0 score line in normal play. Chesham were a strong very well organised side who for the first 15 minutes or so very much looked a league above ourselves. We were fortunate not to go behind. We steadied ourselves and had a very good chance from (I think) Ryan Worrall running into the box and shooting low which was well saved by the keeper, the rebound going wide. Also, a credible shout for a penalty immediately before half time, followed by a pretty even second half.
Penalty drama ensued (no extra time per current rules). Louis saved their first effort, but unfortunately Jack had one saved to even things up before their final effort hit the bar.
So we progress to the next round.
Well done all!
It was a good performance, but the lack of goals is starting to be a concern, as though we had 2 good chances we didn’t exactly create many as in the 2 previous games, I do wonder what will happen if we go a goal down, have we got the creative abilities to get us back into games, Last year Ben was getting a few chances the last 2 games he hasn’t had any. Last night was interesting as after the 1st 10 minutes which Chesham dominated the game was very even with chances at a premium. I thought we contained a higher league side very well that suggested we could hold our own at that level on the defensive side, however going forward there must be concern that we won’t score enough goals to win the league, I stress it’s not just the lack of goals it’s the lack of chances from open play.
It was a good performance, but the lack of goals is starting to be a concern
I think we've got to give it some time, for a number of reasons. For a start, the three games so far have been pretty atypical: playing against ten men for an hour, playing with ten men for an hour, playing against very high quality opposition last night. In all of them, we have created chances in open play, just not as many as we'd probably hope for; the patterns are there, and we might not find it as difficult to put them into practice in the coming weeks. The front three is a new combination and there are understandings - particularly between Pope and Sterling-Parker - which can and, to my mind, will improve.
And above all, we're not the side that we were two seasons ago, when teams could stop us from scoring in open play by defending their penalty area and essentially not worry about conceding corners, free kicks and throws. We carry a really significant threat from set pieces, and those goals count exactly the same as the ones scored by more elaborate means. Because of that, if you decide to sit deep and make us pass across the face of the penalty area, you stand a much, much smaller chance of success than you once did.
As for last night, I was very impressed by the reaction to the first ten minutes, when Chesham looked a classy, composed, incisive side and we didn't quite know what was hitting us. (As a Watford fan, their kit confused the hell out of me.) We were fortunate not to go behind in that spell, but to get ourselves back into the game from that position was a first class effort and says much about the coaching of this team and the confidence it gives to players in what they're doing. We more than held our own after that point and deserved the chance to win it in the shootout.
-- Edited by mr_ig on Wednesday 23rd of September 2020 08:42:41 AM
Creating goal scoring opportunities is proving difficult at the moment as it was towards the end of last season. Sam Cruttwell played the pass of the match to set up Raheem in the first half so it was disappointing to see him being substituted. Ryan Worrell is playing very well in a deeper role but as Chris says, let's hope we don't go a goal down.
Creating goal scoring opportunities is proving difficult at the moment as it was towards the end of last season.
To be fair, we're discussing a game against a team who not only play at a higher level but were second in their league (and only a point off the top) before last season was halted. We played the previous game with ten men for an hour, against one of our potential promotion rivals. It seems pretty harsh to be drawing many conclusions about our goalscoring prowess from that.
I really think we aren’t creating chances, Herne Bay were down to 10 and we didn’t score more than 1, and look at pre season against the better sides we also struggled to score, you just can’t dismiss it, as there is at the moment evidence to suggest we may have an issue, it might change very soon as we have players out. But currently we have an issue in scoring goals.
-- Edited by ChrisB on Thursday 24th of September 2020 01:10:18 PM
Thought we were creating fewer goal scoring chances at the end of last season as well. Herne Bay was a concern as we dominated possession without causing the goalkeeper any problems. But not complaining as we ended up winning and all 3 matches have been good to watch.
