Missed most of the first half but from what I saw fairly even. Enjoyed second half feisty at times but thought we shaded it. Could probably have added to our score.
congratulations to our supporter Jack, who won the 50/50 with ticket 36173.....£114.00.
Certainly feisty, Phil. With Gary Elphick having to go off very early with what looked like a pulled thigh muscle and Ollie Black out through suspension we looked more vulnerable in defence than we have for a while against a very lively quick to the tackle Whitehawk.
An opportunist goal from Kenny and a great strike from Ben Pope looked to have secured the game but a late strike from Whitehawk via a corner gave some anxious minutes before the relief of the final whistle. A very tough hard fought game against a Whitehawk side who performed much more strongly than their league position suggested.
Another even game where we just about managed to come out on top against a very decent side. I guess we were a bit fortunate not to already be trailing when Kenny made his one significant contribution to the game...then again we could easily have added two more in the last five minutes.
I feel we were a bit unbalanced by the early substitution which denied us the genuine goal threat of Jake raiding down the right. I also felt the three youngsters performed admirably against some quick and experienced players.
Another good night under the Pilot Field lights !
Probably the only midweek game I'll get to see all season, but what a good game against another strong opponent who made it very difficult for us for certain periods throughout. I was certainly worried when Gary went off early on and was honestly not sure if we would cope especially with his commanding voice and aerial presence he brings but despite that, I thought we held our ground well and did a very job job on Rodrigues and Sobowale.
Good to see us control the opening of the game but one thing from last night I did not see enough off is urgency. Just felt at times we held onto the ball for too long and could have utilised Sam and Tom more. With Rodrigues making that blistering run and firing narrowly wide I think those around me in the main stand must have felt relieved. Didn't think Kenny was that lively in the first half, but what dedication he showed to win the ball in that situation before remaining composed. Ben I thought worked so hard throughout and deserved to score and boy was he unlucky not to score with that lob. Aaron and Davide contributed extremely well after coming on and were so unfortunate not to have put a bit more on the final pass.
I'm not sure if there was any real need to set off a smoke bomb. I get there might be some people who decide why they think there's a need to do it, but I just hope for the safety of those who were near to where it got thrown, there was no one who suffers from asthma. I just wonder whether this is something the club will be looking into as I did see a while ago there were ground regulations on the club website, but from what I can see, they have been removed.
Certainly once they scored I did not think we would hold out, especially with the fouls we did commit but on the positive side - another big result against probably the best opponent I've seen us play at the TGS Pilot Field this season.
First half was very even and then when Whitehawk started the second half so well thought we might be in trouble. Didn't think we did enough in the first half to worry Whitehawk but the mistake in their defence opened up the game. There were a couple of occasions in the second half when the Whitehawk pressing forced us to play the ball out of defence and we were good enough to set up goal scoring opportunities with great football-a bit like our goal at Sevenoaks. Tom Chalmers showed some brilliant touches and I thought Benn Ward did a good job up against the pacey Rodriguez. All our midfield players worked hard, as did Ben and Kenny up front. Jake did well switching to centre half and brings the ball out of defence skillfully. Could say the same about Craig. Marcus Goldsmith did really well and is very effective going forward. Louis, as ever, made some good saves but is any goalkeeper happy when the opposition score so easily from a corner?
On the down side, a little bit of good fortune went our way last night- Ryan losing the ball deep in our half, Louis passing the ball to one of their players- on another night that could be 2 goals conceded. Also, never like to hear managers berating their own players. Happened quite a lot at Sevenoaks and loudly and repeatedly telling a player it was their fault for a Whitehawk attack is not, in my opinion, helpful.
