just got back from Northampton. We looked good for the point, and it could easily have gone our way. The addition of a hefty centre forward makes a big difference, and he is nowhere near as slow as the Northampton no 9, who looks like he needs to be carried to the touchline before the match. We defended well, and could easily have sneaked a win. The match was much more exciting than the clubcall website would suggest, and for 0-0 it was pretty good. Weaver looked dodgy in the air, but made some good stops. Clark was fairly sound, but didn't seem to figure out whether he, or Jeff Thorpe was playing at left back. Whitehead was good in the middle of defence, and mopped up what didn't come at us in the air. Brightwell was on form against his old club, and on one occasion got well forward with the ball at his feet, nearly setting up a goal. Barr at right back was okay, back at the form of the season before last Hopper worked hard in the centre of midfield, getting some good tackles in a la Prokas Thorpe on the left of midfield did okay, but was in a bit of a muddle with Clarke on occasions Soley did well, covering much of the pitch, but should have done better from set pieces Up front, Baker laid the ball off well for both Black and Tracey, but looked pretty immobile. Tracey could have converted on a couple of occasions, but none of them were sitters Black was man of the match for me, with a fantastic touch out on the right wing. None of the Northampton players could touch him without giving a free kick away. The full back for Northampton would have been off if the ref hadn't been soft on him when he should have given a 2nd bookable offence. I thought at the beginning of the season that we would be lucky to avoid a relegation battle, but the team played with a good shape, and with some good skills. Nick. Staines, Middx.
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