OldBlueLady
Junior Blues Coordinator⭐⭐
That first half we were bullied, simple as that. At half time, Kev had clearly worked out that the ref was an incompetent and advised our players to do to them what we'd had done to us throughout the first half and it worked.
We gave the ball away far too cheaply far too often in the first half - Miley, Morton, Demi, Noor...all players you wouldn't normally expect to but learning that lesson and being much more physical made the second half one we could dominate particularly once they'd gone down to 10.
Although the two "incidents" may have looked very similar on paper, I thought they were very different. I don't think Kensdale was the last man for their one AND that their player made a massive meal of it, whereas Menayese was the last player for them. I'd like to see the Kensdale one again because I didn't think there was a tremendous amount in it.
Always rated Stuart O'Keefe when he was with us as a youngster, but he'd turned into a bit of a thug. Stokes was an annoying little cheat. Thought Tolaj and Glover were very good players on their side.
Delighted for all four who scored - all needed a goal for various reasons. Cardwell to end his drought and Kensdale who has been over shadowed by Crowther. Especially pleased for the two subs, who both showed what they can do given the chance. Been crying out for Wood to be given a chance playing in his natural position and he absolutely showed what he can do - he's such a lovely young lad and that cameo will have given him a great boost of confidence. Dackers has had people on here on his back, and he too, showed a great deal of composure and determination.
Defensively, I thought we were fairly solid. Collin was confident in goal and made some good saves - looked to be a bit bullied in the goalmouth for their corners and will need to bulk up a bit to stop that and to be more imposing (can't remember that happening much with Dan Bentley after he did so, for instance). Ralph coming back gave us some steel and I thought he was terrific, my MOTM. Thought Demi was quite lightweight in the first half but turned it around in the second, which is good as I thought 2 full matches in 4 days might trouble him. He also played some very intelligent through balls for players to run on to. Crowther is clearly a very astute signing!
Midfield, as already mentioned, had mistakes aplenty in the first. Miley very uncharacteristically giving the ball away several times, and Morton doing so led to Aldershot's goal. Noor the best of the three. Bridge had a decent enough game and his delivery was much better.
Waldron and Cardwell were both strong up top and this looks to be a very good partnership building. There was a lot better understanding between the two of them.
Collin - 7
Demi - 7
Crowther - 7.5
Kensdale - 7
Ralph - 8 MOTM
Bridge - 7
Morton - 6.5
Miley - 6.5
Husin - 7
Waldron - 7.5
Cardwell - 7.5
Subs:
Wood - 7.5
Dackers - 7
Fonguck - n/a
Officials - well, the ref just looked as if he didn't want to be there, the game seemed to pass him by much of the first half and he just seemed to let everything go! Pretty inept really.
We gave the ball away far too cheaply far too often in the first half - Miley, Morton, Demi, Noor...all players you wouldn't normally expect to but learning that lesson and being much more physical made the second half one we could dominate particularly once they'd gone down to 10.
Although the two "incidents" may have looked very similar on paper, I thought they were very different. I don't think Kensdale was the last man for their one AND that their player made a massive meal of it, whereas Menayese was the last player for them. I'd like to see the Kensdale one again because I didn't think there was a tremendous amount in it.
Always rated Stuart O'Keefe when he was with us as a youngster, but he'd turned into a bit of a thug. Stokes was an annoying little cheat. Thought Tolaj and Glover were very good players on their side.
Delighted for all four who scored - all needed a goal for various reasons. Cardwell to end his drought and Kensdale who has been over shadowed by Crowther. Especially pleased for the two subs, who both showed what they can do given the chance. Been crying out for Wood to be given a chance playing in his natural position and he absolutely showed what he can do - he's such a lovely young lad and that cameo will have given him a great boost of confidence. Dackers has had people on here on his back, and he too, showed a great deal of composure and determination.
Defensively, I thought we were fairly solid. Collin was confident in goal and made some good saves - looked to be a bit bullied in the goalmouth for their corners and will need to bulk up a bit to stop that and to be more imposing (can't remember that happening much with Dan Bentley after he did so, for instance). Ralph coming back gave us some steel and I thought he was terrific, my MOTM. Thought Demi was quite lightweight in the first half but turned it around in the second, which is good as I thought 2 full matches in 4 days might trouble him. He also played some very intelligent through balls for players to run on to. Crowther is clearly a very astute signing!
Midfield, as already mentioned, had mistakes aplenty in the first. Miley very uncharacteristically giving the ball away several times, and Morton doing so led to Aldershot's goal. Noor the best of the three. Bridge had a decent enough game and his delivery was much better.
Waldron and Cardwell were both strong up top and this looks to be a very good partnership building. There was a lot better understanding between the two of them.
Collin - 7
Demi - 7
Crowther - 7.5
Kensdale - 7
Ralph - 8 MOTM
Bridge - 7
Morton - 6.5
Miley - 6.5
Husin - 7
Waldron - 7.5
Cardwell - 7.5
Subs:
Wood - 7.5
Dackers - 7
Fonguck - n/a
Officials - well, the ref just looked as if he didn't want to be there, the game seemed to pass him by much of the first half and he just seemed to let everything go! Pretty inept really.
