RYMAN PREMIER DIVISION
Att : 536
Gravesend & Northfleet – 2 [Sewell 13], [Callinan 44]
Sutton United – 1 [Laker 72]
We knew thew run would end sooner or later, but to see it go in such crap circumstances was somewhat galling.
Our 8 wins on the trot matched up against our hosts 4 straight defeats, one of which was at Hampton for fucks sake. So it was probably a bit obvious we’d falter if you think about it. A half decent surface looked as though it would give our boys the opportunity to play the ball around.
Unfortunately we could’nt have been more wrong as U’s bloody annoying habit of matching their opponents tactics, in this case kick & run, surfaced. The problem we have with this is we simply don’t have the players capable of this type of game. Why we simply can’t just stick to our own set up and get on with it is beyond me.
The home side took the lead after 13 minutes. A simple ball that should have been cut out, was missed by Laker and Howells who seemed to leave it to the other to deal with. Neither does and the home forward strolls in and pokes the ball into the empty net. U’s toil to get back on terms with little to threaten the home defence, who are lapping up our aimless hoofing of the ball. The best chance falls to Paul Harford, whose rather weak header, allows a wrong footed ‘keeper to recover and palm it away from a corner. Sutton fall further behind right on half time.
A Gravesend corner hangs invitingly for Howells to safely gather. Sadly our normally reliable last line of defence spills the ball for a lurking forward to stab home from close range. News at half time that England are 2-1 up is little consolation. With Aylesbury playing on Sunday, this could put a nice dent in our title hopes.
U’s come straight out in the second half to attack the home side and within a minute or so of the restart Naz sends a shot against the post. The rebound comes out to Mark Watson in ACRES of space. Rather than take a touch and finish into an empty net, he elects to try a stylish overhead kick. Anymore misses like this and Watson will be in the England squad. At Twickenham. If that Wilkinson bloke is ever injured, I know just the man.
Few other chances come our way, although we do pull one back with about 20 to play. A Jimmy Dack centre is fumbled by the ‘keeper and Naz nicks it onto the back post. It bounces across the face of goal and Barry Laker flings himself in to stab home. The following 5 minutes or so produces our best spell of the game. Unfortunately we can’t carve out any openings and it’s left to another Watson special to send us home thoroughly pissed off.
A wonderful little chip over the back four by Naz sends Mark Watson in on goal with only the ‘keeper to beat. The ‘keeper comes out to meet him and rather than show some composure and slip the ball past the onrushing custodian, he again elects for the more flash option and hammers the ball some several feet clear of the bar instead. Bollocks. 23 goals he may have, but when he misses, boy he MISSES.
So the incredibly average ‘Fleet’ gain 3 points off of the back of an extremely crap performance by our ‘Heroes’. Hopefully Dagenham will do us a favour on Sunday and at least restrict the Ducks to a point.
Man Of The Match : No One. Total shite, to a Man.
Entertainment Value : 3. Yawn. A sore neck from watching the bloody ball in the air all day.