FA Trophy 2018/19

[Lucky Bobble]

We got away with that a bit, we dominated the final 30mins but Brackley were very good value for their lead at half time and were playing a good tactical game. Awful defending from Sam Ling for us, truly awful, he was better second half but probably got the hairdryer at half time.

We badly failed to adapt to the bobbly pitch, too many of our players needed multiple touches of the ball and had stinkers. Eventually we brought on Matt Harrold and went more direct and it paid off.

Jordan Maguire-Drew nearly had the perfect impact as well, how he missed that chance at the end I'll never know, never a penalty though for me though - went down far, far too easily.

Brackley in the end ran out of steam, apart from their late surge at the end in the second half they offered little, but deserved more from their first half performance when on another day they'd have been 2-0 up - replay IMO would've been about right.

Decent little town Brackley as well.

Didn't help that we've played Sat / Tues for the last few weeks and then this week had a game away at Darlington on Wednesday. Not surprising that part time players with a threadbare squad ran out of steam in the 2nd half. Not sure if that was poor planning on the club's behalf to schedule that particular game then, or if we had no choice.

Thought the game summed up our season - looked good at times but took too few of our chances. Orient dominated the second half as we ran out of legs, and didn't have any spare MF to sub on. Disappointed with GK for the second goal - I have felt him a weak link this season. Orient's main tactical switch seemed to be the long ball to the LW who was twice the size of Myles our RB - but it worked.

No complaints overall with the result but a massive complaint with simply the worst refereeing decision I've seen in years - Brackley's CF Ndlovu rolls away from the Orient CB, 20 yards out & is pulled back, but twists past a 2nd CB, regains his balance & is now on the penalty spot effectively 1-on-1 with the GK. And it is at THAT moment the ref blows for a foul for the original pullback a couple of seconds previously. I went ballistic! Could well have cost us the game... although Ndlovu misses more than he scores, so who knows.

Good luck to Orient - but I'm not sure you wanted a 2 legged SF with your promotion push? Think this & last year's Trophy run's shows we've a team good enough for the Conf Nat (beaten Sutton, Barrow, Bromley & Chesterfield over last 12 months) but such a struggle to get out of Conf North - certainly can't see us winning 3 games in a row to win the playoffs should we get in them.

 

[The Terminator]

Didn't help that we've played Sat / Tues for the last few weeks and then this week had a game away at Darlington on Wednesday. Not surprising that part time players with a threadbare squad ran out of steam in the 2nd half. Not sure if that was poor planning on the club's behalf to schedule that particular game then, or if we had no choice.

Thought the game summed up our season - looked good at times but took too few of our chances. Orient dominated the second half as we ran out of legs, and didn't have any spare MF to sub on. Disappointed with GK for the second goal - I have felt him a weak link this season. Orient's main tactical switch seemed to be the long ball to the LW who was twice the size of Myles our RB - but it worked.

No complaints overall with the result but a massive complaint with simply the worst refereeing decision I've seen in years - Brackley's CF Ndlovu rolls away from the Orient CB, 20 yards out & is pulled back, but twists past a 2nd CB, regains his balance & is now on the penalty spot effectively 1-on-1 with the GK. And it is at THAT moment the ref blows for a foul for the original pullback a couple of seconds previously. I went ballistic! Could well have cost us the game... although Ndlovu misses more than he scores, so who knows.

Good luck to Orient - but I'm not sure you wanted a 2 legged SF with your promotion push? Think this & last year's Trophy run's shows we've a team good enough for the Conf Nat (beaten Sutton, Barrow, Bromley & Chesterfield over last 12 months) but such a struggle to get out of Conf North - certainly can't see us winning 3 games in a row to win the playoffs should we get in them.

Good point with regards to that reffing decision, he also gave us a doft penalty which IMO wasn't one. The one thing that refs in Non League I find really struggle with, is the advantage rule.

We had him a month ago and he was crap for us then, he gave a load of soft decisions against us.

Must admit I didn't realise you was part-time, I was aware of all the fixtures you'd had recently though.

 

[rudebwoyben]

Not being bitter but why should a club like Fylde go to Wembley! They’ll take about 900.

AFC Fylde - AFC Telford what a tragic final that would be.

Fylde of course are tinpot but Telford have always been a top-level non-league side with a fine cup and trophy pedigree.

 

[Fyldefan]

Not being bitter but why should a club like Fylde go to Wembley! They’ll take about 900.

AFC Fylde - AFC Telford what a tragic final that would be.

Agreed, it should be Barnet in the final with their massive 1200 fans they've averaged this season.

 

[Fyldefan]

Fylde of course are tinpot but Telford have always been a top-level non-league side with a fine cup and trophy pedigree.

We win the trophy and we're the first side in HISTORY to win the trophy and vase. So we're not bad in the cups ourselves. Tinpot, yes. Good cup side, yes

 

[rudebwoyben]

We win the trophy and we're the first side in HISTORY to win the trophy and vase. So we're not bad in the cups ourselves. Tinpot, yes. Good cup side, yes

I thought FGR had already achieved that but they lost in two Trophy finals..

 

[Fyldefan]

I thought FGR had already achieved that but they lost in two Trophy finals..

I don't think most care about the trophy and many have fielded weakened teams. I looked at salfords side vs maidstone and I didn't recognise any of them. We don't have that luxury as our squad is too small. So its been our first team throughout the competition which has clearly helped us. Just hope it doesnt hinder us in the league. Rowe and croasdale both came off injured yesterday

 

[The Terminator]

I don't think most care about the trophy and many have fielded weakened teams. I looked at salfords side vs maidstone and I didn't recognise any of them. We don't have that luxury as our squad is too small. So its been our first team throughout the competition which has clearly helped us. Just hope it doesnt hinder us in the league. Rowe and croasdale both came off injured yesterday

We're gonna have to play each other 3 times in a week if we get paired together tomorrow.............

I'd prefer Telford a fine new ground to visit. Been to Stockport 3 times and they're a team in form - They may still beat Maidstone - The only team I'd fancy us to beat over two games left............

Not sure how I feel about this now, if we win this it will be our first silverware in 50 years but we won't go up if this is the case, which is more important. oh well.

 

[Fyldefan]

I'm hoping to avoid your lot terminator

 

[rudebwoyben]

I don't think most care about the trophy and many have fielded weakened teams. I looked at salfords side vs maidstone and I didn't recognise any of them. We don't have that luxury as our squad is too small. So its been our first team throughout the competition which has clearly helped us. Just hope it doesnt hinder us in the league. Rowe and croasdale both came off injured yesterday

Darren Currie and John Still picked full-strength sides for our FAT ties this season but Martin Allen deployed very weak teams in the competition the last time we were down here in 14/15. It just seems that the Trophy has degraded in importance ever since the addition of a second promotion place from the National League and exemption of National League sides to the 4th qualifying round of the FA Cup. Before then, getting to the FAT final gave a club a prize of exemption to the 1st round of the FA Cup, which was a big deal if you had to enter the cup at the 1st qualifying round stage!

 

[doveranddover]

FA Trophy semi-final draw:
Leyton Orient v AFC Telford
AFC Fylde v Stockport C/Maidstone

 

[springerbfc]

Fylde of course are tinpot but Telford have always been a top-level non-league side with a fine cup and trophy pedigree.

Don't you mean Telford United?

 

[Tranmerewhite]

Hope Stockport can go all the way, long suffering loyal fans.

 

[Blue Lion]

We win the trophy and we're the first side in HISTORY to win the trophy and vase. So we're not bad in the cups ourselves. Tinpot, yes. Good cup side, yes

Northwich Vics may yet beat you to it if they win this year's Vase final

 

[Fyldefan]

Happy to have avoided orient. Good draw

 

[The Terminator]

Happy to avoid Fylde as well - More than anything to avoid 3 games with them in a week!

Telford will be tougher than Brackley, heard they're a decent side and could well go up this year. Fantastic ground as well for Non League.

At least if we lose the semi final (which is what usually happens to us) I'll get a new ground out of it!

 

[Lucky Bobble]

Happy to avoid Fylde as well - More than anything to avoid 3 games with them in a week!

Telford will be tougher than Brackley, heard they're a decent side and could well go up this year. Fantastic ground as well for Non League.

At least if we lose the semi final (which is what usually happens to us) I'll get a new ground out of it!

Why tougher? We recently beat them 3-1...

 

[chief]

Happy to have avoided orient. Good draw

https://www.skysports.com/football/...emoved-from-blackpool-board-by-court-receiver

Will you still be a Fylde fan by the time the final rolls round?

 

[Fyldefan]

I despise Blackpool. That answer your question

 

[chief]

I despise Blackpool. That answer your question

Can you tell me where you are located on this picture please?

 

[The Terminator]

Why tougher? We recently beat them 3-1...

Friend of mine has seen you both play and just said he thought they were better!

Are Telford full time does anyone know?

 

[E10rifle]

At least if we lose the semi final (which is what usually happens to us) I'll get a new ground out of it!

Nah, we’re all about losing finals. Looking forward to our third and fourth consecutive defeats at Wembley this season.

Why tougher? We recently beat them 3-1...

Because they are less tinpot. Telford is, I believe, the second largest town in England to never have had a league team.

 

[EnglishRed]

Agreed, it should be Barnet in the final with their massive 1200 fans they've averaged this season.

This is a good point. Both Fylde and Telford United have a higher average attendance than Barnet.

Like a completely bald man laughing at someone else's recedeing hairline.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Friend of mine has seen you both play and just said he thought they were better!

Are Telford full time does anyone know?

I believe Telford are full time yes but I could be wrong. They certainly have ambition to go full time whether that is now or the start of next season I am not 100% sure

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Why tougher? We recently beat them 3-1...

If you told me County had to play one of either Brackley or Telford in this year’s NLN Play-off final then i’d Choose Telford.

Telford much improved this season but I’d be very surprised if Brackley didn’t finish above them at the end of the season.

 

[Farleigh]

Reading some forums, it's almost as if nobody want to win the thing.

 

[Master D]

FA Trophy semi-final draw:
Leyton Orient v AFC Telford
AFC Fylde v Stockport C/Maidstone

Classic National League and FA Trophy alliance at semi-final stage. Keep the 2 big, Proper Clubs apart to boost the attendance in their showpiece event to make it not look tinpot. Classic stuff that.

Playoffs are the same, their dream is to produce a final, through reffing, of a Proper Club and a tinpotter. They always want the tinpotter to go up.

 

[The Terminator]

The FA will be desperate for both us and Stockport to make it - because the crowd would be close to 50k.

Not counting my chickens though - I’ve seen us lose the Auto windscreen/JPT regional semi final twice already and wouldn’t be suprised if we lost this as well.

We’re only opening 3 stands for the first leg, £13 a ticket. If we was at home in the second leg we’d get a decent crowd.

 

[Soup Ladle]

They're so desperate you posted it twice.

 

[ForzaCounty]

The FA will be desperate for both us and Stockport to make it - because the crowd would be close to 50k.

We wouldn't take massive numbers down - think we took 20k for our first visit in the early '90s, the first of four (unsuccessful) Wembley trips in the space of two years, the last about 10k. Think we had about 15k for our L2 visit a decade ago. Anyway, point is, I'm sure Maidstone would bring more than us since they're much closer.