Match 52/07/669 - Saturday, 9th February 2008 - Ryman Premier
Tonbridge (2) 3 Rook 7, 74 (2 pens) Logan 23
Margate (1) 2 Martin 11 Saunders 90
Att. 565
Entrance: £8
Programme: £2
Mileage: 26/4,252
Match Report
The difference between the teams as far as the result was two penalties from Carl Rook, but truth was that Tonbridge were deserving of this important victory. An early penalty, quite rightfully awarded and blasted home by Rook was quickly levelled as a slick passing movement allowed ex-Angel Ryan Martin to slot home. Margate looked likely to take a stranglehold on the game for a period following but when the ball broke to Fraser Logan on the edge of the box a thunderbolt of a rising shot regained the Angels lead.
Tonbridge had the lion's share of the game in the second half and Margate fans around me were none too pleased with both the inaction on the field and manager Robin Trott's off it. Another penalty 12 minutes from time sealed the game, this one not so clear cut, but from a distance it was impossible to say whether it was handball or otherwise. A late mistake from keeper Matt Reed narrowed the lead, but it was too little, too late for Margate.
The result lifts Tonbridge away from the danger zone, but the Division is very tight and they need a few results on the spin to steer them to safety.
Saturday, 9 February 2008
England 2 Switzerland 1
Match 51/07/668 - Wednesday, 6th February 2008 - International
England (1) 2 Jenas 40 Wright-Phillips 62
Switzerland (0) 1 Derdiyok 58
Att. 86,857
Entrance: £30
Programme: £6
Mileage: 100/4,226
Match Report
It was hardly Fabiolous, but the Capello era got off to a winning starting in a stuttering display against a very average Swiss side.
A poor beginning proved to much for a unforgiving Wembley crowd who, after 25 minutes of misplaced passes and very little forward drive, began to turn on this new look England side. Though it had been thoroughly frustrating it was pretty unfair that they should be getting on the backs of a team showing nine changes from that fateful night against Croatia. Choruses of One David Beckham could be heard and by the end of the match it is a credit to David Bentley that he rose above this to produce one of the better performances on the night.
A goal just before half-time, well-crafted by Joe Cole and touched home by Jermaine Jenas stifled what might have been the loudest derision of the night on the 45 minute whistle. Whether Capello speaks Italian or English during his half time talk he got a positive response in the second half. Despite conceding an equaliser to a very good strike from the Swiss substitute Derdiyok on 58 minutes, England bounced back to win the game with a tap in from Wright-Phillips after good work from Gerrard and Rooney.
Most people would have gone happy with a few reservations. Mr Capello, I’m sure, would have noticed that suddenly we are devoid of full backs. Micah Richards' omission was a surprise and his deputy Wes Brown had an awful first half-hour, did improve, but is really not an international footballer. On the other flank, Ashley Cole looked out of salts and his replacement, Wayne Bridge, did nothing to erase the memory of his dreadful performance against Croatia.
Midfield was satisfactory, though Gareth Barry had probably his least effective game in an England shirt. Gerrard, given man of the match (not by me, I hasten to add), looked better on a TV second viewing, Jenas gave an England performance that I did not think him capable of and Joe Cole was just about everybody’s man of the match. I wish Cole would stay on his feet more, if only to stop Ann moaning about it every match.
Up front, Mr Capello please learn something that we have all known for some while, Wayne Rooney cannot play the lone striker, it just doesn’t work, we have been here before and take our word for it. You have had the experiment, but put that one in the bin never to resurface. Once Crouch was on the field, the real Rooney came alive and as always was worth the entrance money alone.
So it wasn’t a great night but Capello now has a platform from which to develop a side that I fear might not excite, but if they are winners perhaps we might get a atmosphere at Wembley deserving of the structure. For all its grandeur the only fans to have delivered have been the Croatians, who revelled in their victory.
Before the game a "moment" of silence was observed for the victims of the Munich air disaster. The moment lasted all of 27 seconds as a few catcalls was enough for the referee to call a halt, obviously on the instructions of the FA to save any embarrassment.
England (1) 2 Jenas 40 Wright-Phillips 62
Switzerland (0) 1 Derdiyok 58
Att. 86,857
Entrance: £30
Programme: £6
Mileage: 100/4,226
Match Report
It was hardly Fabiolous, but the Capello era got off to a winning starting in a stuttering display against a very average Swiss side.A poor beginning proved to much for a unforgiving Wembley crowd who, after 25 minutes of misplaced passes and very little forward drive, began to turn on this new look England side. Though it had been thoroughly frustrating it was pretty unfair that they should be getting on the backs of a team showing nine changes from that fateful night against Croatia. Choruses of One David Beckham could be heard and by the end of the match it is a credit to David Bentley that he rose above this to produce one of the better performances on the night.
A goal just before half-time, well-crafted by Joe Cole and touched home by Jermaine Jenas stifled what might have been the loudest derision of the night on the 45 minute whistle. Whether Capello speaks Italian or English during his half time talk he got a positive response in the second half. Despite conceding an equaliser to a very good strike from the Swiss substitute Derdiyok on 58 minutes, England bounced back to win the game with a tap in from Wright-Phillips after good work from Gerrard and Rooney.
Most people would have gone happy with a few reservations. Mr Capello, I’m sure, would have noticed that suddenly we are devoid of full backs. Micah Richards' omission was a surprise and his deputy Wes Brown had an awful first half-hour, did improve, but is really not an international footballer. On the other flank, Ashley Cole looked out of salts and his replacement, Wayne Bridge, did nothing to erase the memory of his dreadful performance against Croatia.
Midfield was satisfactory, though Gareth Barry had probably his least effective game in an England shirt. Gerrard, given man of the match (not by me, I hasten to add), looked better on a TV second viewing, Jenas gave an England performance that I did not think him capable of and Joe Cole was just about everybody’s man of the match. I wish Cole would stay on his feet more, if only to stop Ann moaning about it every match.
Up front, Mr Capello please learn something that we have all known for some while, Wayne Rooney cannot play the lone striker, it just doesn’t work, we have been here before and take our word for it. You have had the experiment, but put that one in the bin never to resurface. Once Crouch was on the field, the real Rooney came alive and as always was worth the entrance money alone.
So it wasn’t a great night but Capello now has a platform from which to develop a side that I fear might not excite, but if they are winners perhaps we might get a atmosphere at Wembley deserving of the structure. For all its grandeur the only fans to have delivered have been the Croatians, who revelled in their victory.
Before the game a "moment" of silence was observed for the victims of the Munich air disaster. The moment lasted all of 27 seconds as a few catcalls was enough for the referee to call a halt, obviously on the instructions of the FA to save any embarrassment.
Saturday, 2 February 2008
Gillingham 0 Cheltenham Town 0
Match 50/07/667 - Saturday, 2nd February 2008 - League One
Gillingham (0) 0
Cheltenham Town (0) 0
Att. 4,993
Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 46/4,126
Match Report
I’ve often said that when you buy a ticket to watch a football match, there have been no reviews and nobody has seen the match before to offer a recommendation. So every now and then something splendid might come along and catch the punter by surprise and sometimes you are served up a complete plateful of dross, unfortunately today was the latter.
This was a lousy game, a lousy result and the attendance figure shows that a lot of people did know in advance exactly what was going to be served up.
The end of the transfer window had brought a new, young striker from Rushden and Diamonds, Simeon Jackson. He looked lively, had a couple of decent strikes on goal, but naturally looked to be trying a little to hard on his debut. He also had to live off scraps and he will quickly realise that goals are going to be harder come-by a couple of levels higher and this is going to be made more difficult when the service was as poor as it was today.
Two others, Barry Fuller and Stuart Lewis made their home debuts, which meant that five of the starting eleven were playing non-league football a couple of months ago, two more came off the bench and Adam Bygrave can be added having come from reserve team football. That is an awful amount of inexperience. Too much, too soon? We’ll have to wait and see, the seeds are now sown.
A crossbar hit for either side was the closest we got to seeing a goal and in truth Cheltenham were equally as bad as Gillingham. The end should have been greeted by cheers as it brought to a finish a thoroughly unsatisfying 90 minutes. Of course it was boos that rang round Priestfield as supporters naturally vented their frustration. It can be argued that helps nobody, but the reaction is natural enough when the fare has been as poor as it was today. Let’s face it, if the reviewer said in advance that the film or the opera you were going to watch was a load of rubbish, you wouldn’t turn up at all.
Gillingham (0) 0
Cheltenham Town (0) 0
Att. 4,993
Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 46/4,126
Match Report
I’ve often said that when you buy a ticket to watch a football match, there have been no reviews and nobody has seen the match before to offer a recommendation. So every now and then something splendid might come along and catch the punter by surprise and sometimes you are served up a complete plateful of dross, unfortunately today was the latter.
This was a lousy game, a lousy result and the attendance figure shows that a lot of people did know in advance exactly what was going to be served up.
The end of the transfer window had brought a new, young striker from Rushden and Diamonds, Simeon Jackson. He looked lively, had a couple of decent strikes on goal, but naturally looked to be trying a little to hard on his debut. He also had to live off scraps and he will quickly realise that goals are going to be harder come-by a couple of levels higher and this is going to be made more difficult when the service was as poor as it was today.
Two others, Barry Fuller and Stuart Lewis made their home debuts, which meant that five of the starting eleven were playing non-league football a couple of months ago, two more came off the bench and Adam Bygrave can be added having come from reserve team football. That is an awful amount of inexperience. Too much, too soon? We’ll have to wait and see, the seeds are now sown.
A crossbar hit for either side was the closest we got to seeing a goal and in truth Cheltenham were equally as bad as Gillingham. The end should have been greeted by cheers as it brought to a finish a thoroughly unsatisfying 90 minutes. Of course it was boos that rang round Priestfield as supporters naturally vented their frustration. It can be argued that helps nobody, but the reaction is natural enough when the fare has been as poor as it was today. Let’s face it, if the reviewer said in advance that the film or the opera you were going to watch was a load of rubbish, you wouldn’t turn up at all.
Saturday, 26 January 2008
AFC Wimbledon 2 Tonbridge 2
Match 49/07/666 - Saturday, 26th January 2008 - Ryman Premier
AFC Wimbledon (2) 2 Main 4,39
Tonbridge (0) 2 Rook 47, 63
Att. 2,732
Entrance: £9
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 128/4,080
Match Report
A game of the inevitable, the unforgivable and the unlikely. This is the third AFC Wimbledon v Tonbridge game this season, each time from the start AFC have looked to be superior but on two of these occasions they have failed to convert that superiority into three points. The exception being the Trophy tie when a weakened Tonbridge were simply not competitive on the day.
It was, of course, inevitable that Jon Main would score against his old employers but within four minutes and in front of the fans who had adored him for so long? Credit to the man that there was no celebration to rub salt into the wound, but rubbing salt he was 25 minutes later when he sharply turned in a cross to double the Dons advantage.
At this point another drubbing looked the likely outcome, despite Beales hitting a post, Tonbridge were probably glad to hear the half time whistle with just a two goal deficit. But like the first game in November a different set of Angels emerged for the second half. They quickly got a goal back through a Carl Rook header after good wing play from Kirk Watts. The ability to get the ball to the wingers Watts and Westcott that had been lacking in the first half was now reaping rich dividends as Watts in particular was running his full back ragged. It was probably the frustration of the chasing he was getting that led to an unforgivable tackle from the defender that clattered his tormentor into the advertising hoardings. It was an absolutely disgraceful challenge that has no place on a football pitch. It was equally unforgivable that the referee saw only fit to issue a yellow card.
In fairness Watts recovered to continue his tormenting and it was from his cross in the 63rd minute that Rook converted to draw the Angels level. Tonbridge were now the team calling the tune and going into time added on had an effort cleared off the line to deny them another famous victory at Kingsmeadow.
It was unfortunate that Jon Main needed to be substituted midway through the second half with a suspected broken metatarsal. Good luck to him, his respect for the Tonbridge faithful after his goals is noted and well received.
First time at Kingsmeadow for a AFC Wimbledon game, but have been on a couple of occasions for Kingstonian fixtures. It is a functional rather than attractive stadium that is obviously good quality for Ryman Premier level and plans are in the pipeline for it to be improved in the coming months.
AFC Wimbledon (2) 2 Main 4,39
Tonbridge (0) 2 Rook 47, 63
Att. 2,732
Entrance: £9
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 128/4,080
Match Report
A game of the inevitable, the unforgivable and the unlikely. This is the third AFC Wimbledon v Tonbridge game this season, each time from the start AFC have looked to be superior but on two of these occasions they have failed to convert that superiority into three points. The exception being the Trophy tie when a weakened Tonbridge were simply not competitive on the day.It was, of course, inevitable that Jon Main would score against his old employers but within four minutes and in front of the fans who had adored him for so long? Credit to the man that there was no celebration to rub salt into the wound, but rubbing salt he was 25 minutes later when he sharply turned in a cross to double the Dons advantage.
At this point another drubbing looked the likely outcome, despite Beales hitting a post, Tonbridge were probably glad to hear the half time whistle with just a two goal deficit. But like the first game in November a different set of Angels emerged for the second half. They quickly got a goal back through a Carl Rook header after good wing play from Kirk Watts. The ability to get the ball to the wingers Watts and Westcott that had been lacking in the first half was now reaping rich dividends as Watts in particular was running his full back ragged. It was probably the frustration of the chasing he was getting that led to an unforgivable tackle from the defender that clattered his tormentor into the advertising hoardings. It was an absolutely disgraceful challenge that has no place on a football pitch. It was equally unforgivable that the referee saw only fit to issue a yellow card.
In fairness Watts recovered to continue his tormenting and it was from his cross in the 63rd minute that Rook converted to draw the Angels level. Tonbridge were now the team calling the tune and going into time added on had an effort cleared off the line to deny them another famous victory at Kingsmeadow.
It was unfortunate that Jon Main needed to be substituted midway through the second half with a suspected broken metatarsal. Good luck to him, his respect for the Tonbridge faithful after his goals is noted and well received.
First time at Kingsmeadow for a AFC Wimbledon game, but have been on a couple of occasions for Kingstonian fixtures. It is a functional rather than attractive stadium that is obviously good quality for Ryman Premier level and plans are in the pipeline for it to be improved in the coming months.
Wednesday, 23 January 2008
It was 50 years ago today
The old memory plays tricks and assumes the romantic. Actually there is nothing remotely romantic about one of my first recollections of childhood. I remember waiting on the path leading to my house on the 6th February 1958 for my Dad to return home from work. I had news, that most probably he had heard already, but I wanted to be the one to deliver the devastating lines. Why? I don’t know. “Dad, United are dead.”Just days before, he had been witness to one of the greatest League games ever. He swears to this day that I was also present, but I’m afraid much though I would love it to be true, his memory is playing tricks. Manchester United had won a thriller at Highbury 5-4
The club had been returning from a European Cup match in Belgrade the night before that had ended in a 3-3 draw with United progressing 5-4 on aggregate. Such was air travel 50 years ago that the trip necessitated a fateful stop in snow-bound Munich for refuelling. A third take-off attempt was made after two aborted tries and ultimately slush build-up on the runway was given as the cause for the crash. Eight United players were among the 23 killed in the crash.
In 2008, Manchester United are a much different club to that of 50 years ago. They are the most successful, on and off the pitch, and this has engendered a much different attitude than the sympathy that surrounded them in 1958. These days there are very few grey areas between love and hate for Manchester United. Some of this is self-inflicted, much of the commercialisation of football that is not liked by the every day fan is laid at the door of United, they managed to alienate a section of their own support with the purchase of the club by the Glazers and then there is, of course, sheer jealousy of success.
It is therefore disappointing, but not surprising that leading up to the anniversary decisions had to be made to safeguard the respecting of the occasion. The fixture list managed to schedule a Manchester derby as the first match following February 6th. Manchester City supporters groups have asked that a minutes applause replace the silence for fear that it would be broken by City fans, this has been refused and on this occasion applause does not seem at all appropriate. England also play Switzerland on February 6 and it was deemed that England fans could not be trusted to observe the silence, but the FA about turned and the silence will be observed at Wembley. Whether this proves the correct decision only the passing of the moment will tell, but it would have been regrettable that Roger Byrne, Duncan Edwards, David Pegg and Tommy Taylor the English internationals among the eight had not been remembered by a respectful tribute.
Journalists whose day job it is write the words that may fail the humble blogger will have many different viewpoints on both the disaster, its effects and the way the day was remembered and below are links to some of the articles that have been written about this most solemn of days.
Factual information from Wikipedia.
Paul Hayward, Daily Mail on the issue of the minute silence.
The Times feature
Kenny Morgans story (Independent)
Duncan Edwards' Mum remembers
Victims and Survivors (pictures)
Harry Gregg (Observer)
Gillingham 0 Oldham Athletic 0
Match 48/07/665 - Tuesday, 22nd January 2008 - League One
Gillingham (0) 0
Oldham Athletic (0) 0
Att. 4,402
Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/3,952
Match Report
A referee is the making or breaking of any game and all too often at League One level the man in the middle is found wanting. On Saturday Andy D’Urso showed exactly why he is no longer a Premiership referee, but last night we saw a performance from Ian Williamson that made D’Urso look ready for the Champions League.
Simon Royce was sent off on 42 minutes for deliberate handball. These decisions are always controversial and from a spectator’s viewpoint it is hard to judge whereabouts on the body the ball made contact. I felt at the time that the ball had probably brushed Royce’s arms on the way through to rebounding off his chest, is that handball, was it deliberate? The referee made his decision and once he has decided that it was handball a sending off is the only option left open to him.
Gillingham had already been denied a first minute penalty when even from a distance handball seemed to have been committed and a second half challenge on debutant Luis Cumbers clearly warranted a spot kick. All over the pitch Mr Williamson’s decisions were either petty or blatantly wrong. Stuart Thurgood ended the game with his head bandaged having taken a leading elbow from Craig Davies which went unpunished.
The man advantage meant that Oldham had the best of the chances. They are the best side in the Division away from home and Davies and Lee Hughes are a handful for the best of defences. But on the night chances came and went for the tangerine-clad side. Three times they hit the woodwork and an equal amount of opportunities were blazed over the top by the wasteful Davies.
Given the circumstances, I’m readily in agreement with Mark Stimson’s assertion that this was a point gained rather than two lost. They showed great strength of character to overcome the handicap of the loss of a man and there was sterling performances in defence from young Adam Bygrave and John Nutter. The work ethic that Stimson has installed saw Gillingham to a considered successful conclusion to this encounter.
The Priestfield faithful, that were rather sparse on the night with only 4,402 in attendance, responded to the effort and made a noise that befitted far greater numbers, in adversity everybody pulling together. Just a little more consistency is needed, with this applying to both the men in blue and the men in the black.
Gillingham (0) 0
Oldham Athletic (0) 0
Att. 4,402
Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/3,952
Match Report
A referee is the making or breaking of any game and all too often at League One level the man in the middle is found wanting. On Saturday Andy D’Urso showed exactly why he is no longer a Premiership referee, but last night we saw a performance from Ian Williamson that made D’Urso look ready for the Champions League.
Simon Royce was sent off on 42 minutes for deliberate handball. These decisions are always controversial and from a spectator’s viewpoint it is hard to judge whereabouts on the body the ball made contact. I felt at the time that the ball had probably brushed Royce’s arms on the way through to rebounding off his chest, is that handball, was it deliberate? The referee made his decision and once he has decided that it was handball a sending off is the only option left open to him.
Gillingham had already been denied a first minute penalty when even from a distance handball seemed to have been committed and a second half challenge on debutant Luis Cumbers clearly warranted a spot kick. All over the pitch Mr Williamson’s decisions were either petty or blatantly wrong. Stuart Thurgood ended the game with his head bandaged having taken a leading elbow from Craig Davies which went unpunished.
The man advantage meant that Oldham had the best of the chances. They are the best side in the Division away from home and Davies and Lee Hughes are a handful for the best of defences. But on the night chances came and went for the tangerine-clad side. Three times they hit the woodwork and an equal amount of opportunities were blazed over the top by the wasteful Davies.
Given the circumstances, I’m readily in agreement with Mark Stimson’s assertion that this was a point gained rather than two lost. They showed great strength of character to overcome the handicap of the loss of a man and there was sterling performances in defence from young Adam Bygrave and John Nutter. The work ethic that Stimson has installed saw Gillingham to a considered successful conclusion to this encounter.
The Priestfield faithful, that were rather sparse on the night with only 4,402 in attendance, responded to the effort and made a noise that befitted far greater numbers, in adversity everybody pulling together. Just a little more consistency is needed, with this applying to both the men in blue and the men in the black.
Saturday, 19 January 2008
Gillingham 0 Northampton Town 1
Match 47/07/664 - Saturday, 19th January 2008 - League One
Gillingham (0) 0
Northampton Town (1) 1 Jones 3
Att. 5,570
Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/3,907
Gillingham have created a new jinx. After months of waiting for an away win, two come along in the space of little more than a month and this is followed by a disappointing home defeat to teams from the lower reaches of the Division. The victory at Crewe was undone with a home defeat to then bottom-of-the-table Port Vale and a away defeat at Bournemouth, who had taken over Vale’s place at the foot.
Last Saturday saw an impressive victory at Huddersfield, that by all accounts was thoroughly deserved, but today they failed to overturn a Northampton side in poor form.
It might have been guessed that fate was going to play its part. A Radio Northamptonshire commentator spelt out the Cobblers form and problems on Radio Kent prior to the game. No clean sheet in 17 games, two wins in 14, top scorer Andy Kirk had departed during the week, major injury problems, there can be only one winner of this game and they won’t come from Northants he lamented. The type of game Gillingham conspire to lose I thought.
Three minutes in, a doubtful free kick conceded and Danny Jones curled it beautifully into the top right hand corner, leaving Royce motionless. For the next 87 minutes Gillingham had a lot of pressure, and the ball failed to drop invitingly but Northampton’s keeper was not forced to make a meaningful save during the entire game. Corner after corner, cross after cross fell straight into his hands as the home side struggled to make an impression on the game. What the radio man had got it right was upfront as Northampton spurned four chances to put the game to bed, catching Gillingham on the break and carving them open with disturbing ease.
I guess we are going to have to put up with the inconsistency for the rest of the season as this team evolves. Thurgood, Oli, Giffiths, Nutter and Miller’s loans have all been made permanent. Stone, Bryant and Hamilton have all gone out on loan and there are bids in for three players, Fleetwood from Forest Green, Rushden’s Simeon Jackson and possibly, Jon Ashton from Grays. There was plenty of huff and puff this afternoon but with very little quality and once again raised expectations are dashed.
Gillingham (0) 0
Northampton Town (1) 1 Jones 3
Att. 5,570
Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/3,907
Gillingham have created a new jinx. After months of waiting for an away win, two come along in the space of little more than a month and this is followed by a disappointing home defeat to teams from the lower reaches of the Division. The victory at Crewe was undone with a home defeat to then bottom-of-the-table Port Vale and a away defeat at Bournemouth, who had taken over Vale’s place at the foot.
Last Saturday saw an impressive victory at Huddersfield, that by all accounts was thoroughly deserved, but today they failed to overturn a Northampton side in poor form.
It might have been guessed that fate was going to play its part. A Radio Northamptonshire commentator spelt out the Cobblers form and problems on Radio Kent prior to the game. No clean sheet in 17 games, two wins in 14, top scorer Andy Kirk had departed during the week, major injury problems, there can be only one winner of this game and they won’t come from Northants he lamented. The type of game Gillingham conspire to lose I thought.
Three minutes in, a doubtful free kick conceded and Danny Jones curled it beautifully into the top right hand corner, leaving Royce motionless. For the next 87 minutes Gillingham had a lot of pressure, and the ball failed to drop invitingly but Northampton’s keeper was not forced to make a meaningful save during the entire game. Corner after corner, cross after cross fell straight into his hands as the home side struggled to make an impression on the game. What the radio man had got it right was upfront as Northampton spurned four chances to put the game to bed, catching Gillingham on the break and carving them open with disturbing ease.
I guess we are going to have to put up with the inconsistency for the rest of the season as this team evolves. Thurgood, Oli, Giffiths, Nutter and Miller’s loans have all been made permanent. Stone, Bryant and Hamilton have all gone out on loan and there are bids in for three players, Fleetwood from Forest Green, Rushden’s Simeon Jackson and possibly, Jon Ashton from Grays. There was plenty of huff and puff this afternoon but with very little quality and once again raised expectations are dashed.
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