Driving back to Yorkshire last night i had the misfortune to have to
listen to the CFM match reporter describe Utd's match against Grimsby. I
had left BP in fairly high spirits having witnessed, what i thought, was
another fairly accomplished performance. The CFM bloke, whoever he was,
proceeded to put me in an a bad mood. Those not at the match, and listening
to this plonker, are probably now under the impression that this was a
disjointed and disappointing performance reminiscent of last season. On the
contrary, everyone worked hard and for each other (this didn't happen much
last season) against a Grimsby team with some excellent players on show -
Kingsley Black, Jack Lester, Kevin Donovan, Bradley Allen etc,etc.....
Although this was not the most exciting game i have witnessed, surely
the positive aspects far outweigh the fact that there were no goals!!!!!!
The defence stood solid against some often imaginative attacking moves
and the midfield ran themselves into the deck closing down and pressing.
Yes, we rode our luck (they hit the bar twice) and Luke Weaver pulled off
some top drawer saves - he is looking really good at the moment - but we had
a really good penalty appeal turned down for a fairly blatant handball and
we created 2 or 3 half decent chances, and one really good chance from which
Hopper was unlucky not to score.
Overall, we look much more capable than last season. The only worry is
the lack of striker cover at the moment. We are not able to bring on a
different kind of forward, to the two who are on from the start, as we do
not have any available. Hopefully this will be resolved when Dobie and
Harries return to the fold.
Anyway, the point of this ramble was to set the record straight for
anyone who listened to the CFM match report - they were talking bollocks.
We didn't set BP alight but it was a more than pleasing performance. Some
people never seem to learn that just because you didn't score it doesn't
mean you were crap.
A.H.Hall
Pity there were no goals though. Grimsby hit the bar twice and Skelton (MoM) cleared off the line. He probably deserved his award - it will console him as he limped off five minutes later having twisted his knee. My choice would have been Brightwell who was dominant at the back. Again, nice to see two teams playing neat passing football. On the downside, I thought Tracey was rather profligate and also very tired towards the end - shows the lack of forward cover. Announcement at half time - Soley has signed three year contract. Hopefully he is fit for Saturday although Anthony showed some good touches during his five minute spell at the end. Thorpe came on for Searle (strange as Searle was dangerous) and was enthusiastic but too easily disposessed. I've a feeling that he will retire at the end of the season, if not before. All in all, entertaining stuff - which is what we want to see. Rob Scott-Buccleuch
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