Response

Two consecutive wins over Essex opposition has lifted the relegation fear for now and shown a real spirit in the squad again. The 3-2 win at Billericay came via an injury time penalty from Danny Waldren, but we’d played well against a very strong direct team for the whole game against a side that had beaten us well at our place not so long ago. Then came a very satisfying 2-0 home victory over perennial chokers Chelmsford who were surprisingly poor at the back given the budget and league position.

Since MG criticised the fans in the paper after the draw with Boreham Wood we’ve gone another three games unbeaten, Mike Jones inclusion has really helped as has having a stable line up, formation and tactics for the first time this season. If we can keep this squad together and stay injury free hopefully we can aim for that highest ever league finish and possibly have a shot at the London Senior Cup. First things first though we have in-form Dorchester at HL on Saturday and then a local derby at Sutton on Tuesday if we can come out of those unbeaten then we’ll be doing ok.

MG has said in an interview that there was lots more to come from this team he’d built from scratch and that fans expectations were high because they could see the quality he’d brought in. Let’s hope he is right…           

Shouldering The Blame

So here we are again, two points picked up from the last two games and three points off the drop, but once again the manager has scored a PR own goal by criticising the fans in the News Shopper. Apparently we have had a good season given the two cup runs and we all think we can do better, but he failed to mention the league position or the fact we have only won four home games all season in the league and eight in the last calendar year. A few grumbles from the stand as the players walked off on Saturday and MG has seen fit to go to the press to voice his frustration at some understandable discontent from a section of supporters, just as he did last January when there was some anger voiced after 15 game of a 17 game winless streak.

The fall out from his comments has seen a number of fans refusing to attend games, including one who has been going since 1978 and many others refusing to back the manager, but still support the team.  

Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Boreham Wood saw us play ten men for 30minutes, but still go behind and only grab a point thanks to a late Mike Jones strike. Then on Tuesday we played much better at Hayes & Yeading’s rented ground, but failed to take our chances drawing 1-1 again, with the ‘home’ side scoring from one of only two efforts on target all game. Sadly the improvement in play failed to paper over obvious discontent in the camp with one dropped player refusing to take his place on the bench and sulking in the bar all game. Mike Jones’ performance was a real bright point, his commitment and effort in an unfamiliar position lifted the side and he linked up well with PJD & Louie.

Saturday sees up travel to third bottom Billericay before we then host perennial under achievers Chelmsford on Tuesday, a couple more points from these two games should keep the wolf from the door, but it won’t heal the rift between the manager and the fans.                     

Back in The Mud

Another poor home performance losing 2-1 to Basingstoke saw us slip further down the table and then with the game at Staines postponed results elsewhere went against with us now only one point off the relegation zone in sixteenth.

Mark Goldberg has brought in another midfielder in Ishmael Welsh from Chelmsford obviously hoping that he can rediscover his form that saw him once play in the football league and help give us more attacking edge down the left with Max Noble now suspended and Albert Jarrett still injured long term if returning at all.

Next up is Boreham Wood at Hayes Lane on Saturday before a trip to Hayes & Yeading’s temporary home in Woking on Tuesday, three or four points from these games would be a much needed tonic, but most importantly a decent home display to keep the increasingly restless fans onside.

For all but the last 20minutes on Saturday Bromley were very poor, the squad appears to be very strong on paper and should be capable of reaching the play offs, but something is obviously not right and needs to be sorted quick.            

Looking Over Our Shoulder Again

After two league defeats and a Kent Cup exit we now find ourselves reassessing the season once again. A disappointing home defeat to Weston followed by a courageous, but fruitless performance at Salisbury sees us ten points off the play offs and only three off relegation. With third bottom Basingstoke visiting on Saturday it’s important that MG can get his side motivated for a home league match, something which often seems to be lacking given we have only won four Conference South games at home this season so far. Surely a key factor in the crowds at Hayes Lane dropping to under 350, which is the real hardcore support, in January.     

The Kent Cup exit, 5-1 after extra time at Tonbridge, is probably best forgotten about, but new signing Max Noble will now face a ban after a straight red just before the end of normal time. Hopefully MG will see fit to put a full strength team out for the London Senior Cup Quarter Final game at home to Tooting in March as this looks to be the only chance we have of finishing the season on a high note.

Before that we must try and get some league points on the board, especially at home if we want to bring the fans back in numbers.