National League South 2015/16

[Aberstone]

Driving back so haven't been able to check.

Wealdstone 1-2 Ebbsfleet United (Att: 764)

1st half - great, played some lovely flowing football, Bradley Hudson-Odoi was giving the Ebbsfleet #2 a torrid time. Josh Hutchinson had a goal disallowed as he was offside but we deservedly took the lead 5 minutes before HT with Hudson-Odoi dinking the ball over the on rushing keeper.

2nd half was diabolical. Granted Ebbsfleet did step it up a gear and looked a class side but we were creators of our own downfall. Jordan Parkes equalised for 'Fleet after we failed to clear the ball despite having numerous attempts and then Danny Kedwell (N.B. how fucking big is he!?) won it with a header which wrong footed Jonathan North.

1 point from 5 league games. Heads should roll for the lack of fitness, it's beyond a joke.

Edit: Couple of other mentions, excellent Ebbsfleet following, numbered around 200 or so and sang for their own team. I thought the referee had a good game as well.

 

[Joe.]

Good to see we had about 200 there. Not too bad really. Expecting our crowds to improve nicely should we continue to push on. Over a thousand there on Tuesday night before it was abandoned.

Yeah, was reading through tweets from both our club and yours. Sounded pretty much as you described.

No idea who we have next (at home I think) without checking, but Dartford away on bank holiday Monday. Can't wait.

 

[Raymondo316]

It seems we could be signing Adam Birchall from Bromley

Really 50/50 on the idea to be honest....Last time i saw him play was when he was at Dover & was banging them in for fun. But looking at his stats since getting injured at Gillingham dont feel me witth confidence

 

[publeaguelegend]

Comfortable 3-1 victory over HandY. Started strongly with Jay May heading the Stones into an early lead and Joe Healy rattling the crossbar soon after. HandY were offered a lifeline back into the game via a soft looking penalty (that saw no cards dished out) that was saved by Worgan. Stones immediately broke following the save and Alex Akrofi, who had an excellent game, was clumsily bundled over in the box which saw HandY down to 10 men and a penalty smartly converted by Akrofi.

Plenty of excitement in the second half that saw the Stones slot a third and a late consolation for the HandY boys. There is some footage floating around so will post in the highlights thread. Well worth a watch.

 

[publeaguelegend]

There is some footage floating around so will post in the highlights thread. Well worth a watch.

Raymondo beat me to it.

 

[JaredSUFC]

3rd draw in a row, 1-1 at Maidenhead, Craig Dundas scoring for Sutton. Wealdstone next week, and a game I'll be at

 

[Aberstone]

3rd draw in a row, 1-1 at Maidenhead, Craig Dundas scoring for Sutton. Wealdstone next week, and a game I'll be at

I'll be at GGL next Saturday too, babysitting my younger brother who wants to go just for the train ride and to get some more food from 'Jenny's Bar'.

The first half performance from Saturday gives me optimism that we'll turn this around and will pick up a result on Saturday. The 2nd half tells me we're still incredibly unfit and will run out of puff on the 3G surface after an hour or so.

 

[JaredSUFC]

I'll be at GGL next Saturday too, babysitting my younger brother who wants to go just for the train ride and to get some more food from 'Jenny's Bar'.

The first half performance from Saturday gives me optimism that we'll turn this around and will pick up a result on Saturday. The 2nd half tells me we're still incredibly unfit and will run out of puff on the 3G surface after an hour or so.

It's got a draw written all over it.

 

[Logan]

Came from behind to beat Weston 2-1 and give us a third consecutive victory. Tough bank holiday fixtures with Maidstone and Havant coming up next.

 

[Joe.]

Whitehawk at home and Dartford away for us. Hopefully 6 from 6 which will equal our best start to a season. 6 wins in, I believe, 1988.

 

[Kim Mitten]

I attended Ebbsfleet 2-2 Whitehawk today. Cracking game, Ebbsfleet came from 2 down and will probably feel they should have won the game, but a draw was a fair result as it was a true game of two halves.
First half Ebbsfleet just didn't seem to turn up, they were pretty on the ball but just seemed to be trying a little too hard, trying little flicks round the corner, little tricks, but some of the play and build up was just too slow and Whitehawk took full advantage.
1st goal started with a penalty for Whitehawk, which wasn't, I was in the stand behind the goal and it looked a blatant dive, I think the ref was going to give a dive but he was ushered over by the lino and gave a penalty. Justice done the fleet keeper made a great save, pushed it out for a corner, but from the corner Whitehawk scored. Ebbsfleet defended it dreadfully, had plenty of chances to clear it, never did and it was bundled in.
The 2nd was quality. Ebbsfleet were far too easy to beat down the middle in the first half, Whitehawk were passing it about nicely and shredded them open after a few too many players pushed forward for 'fleet. Lovely final ball into the striker and about 15 yards out he put it in the top corner.
2nd half was all Ebbsfleet, they made two subs, who both scored, changed the game, the intensity and pressure they put on Whitehawk was superb, Whitehawk were visibly shaken couldn't string a pass together and just ended up hanging on and wasting time, couldn't blame them really they had no foothold in the game and could see the goals coming. Ebbsfleet were very good down the flanks 2nd half, I would say though the 11 of Ebbsfleet has no left foot and wasn't particularly good at crossing with his right which he continually cut in on. Fully deserved comeback though and had the game even been 5 minutes longer I would have taken Ebbsfleet to win it, they looked a very very competent side 2nd half and if they play like that for the majority of the season they'll be top 5 no problem.

Nice to see collection buckets out for the 2 Worthing players families who died at Shoreham, don't know if it was just because Whitehawk are a local side or it was happening at most games but I put a bit of money in, nice touch whoever's idea it was.

 

[publeaguelegend]

1-0 defeat for the Stones in a tightly fought contest. Eastbourne fashioned the two best chances over the 90 and stuck one of them away. No complaints.

Roll on Chelmsford Monday where we welcome back Bricknell and hope he continues his fine tradition of not scoring at the Gallagher.

 

[JaredSUFC]

5-2 win for Sutton yesterday. 3 goals in the 1st 30 minutes, and all 5 Sutton goals were well worked. Some of our play in the 1st half was so sexy I acted awkwardly around it.
2nd half we took our foot off the petrol a little, but very happy with our performance. First win on the 3G

 

[Joe.]

I attended Ebbsfleet 2-2 Whitehawk today. Cracking game, Ebbsfleet came from 2 down and will probably feel they should have won the game, but a draw was a fair result as it was a true game of two halves.
First half Ebbsfleet just didn't seem to turn up, they were pretty on the ball but just seemed to be trying a little too hard, trying little flicks round the corner, little tricks, but some of the play and build up was just too slow and Whitehawk took full advantage.
1st goal started with a penalty for Whitehawk, which wasn't, I was in the stand behind the goal and it looked a blatant dive, I think the ref was going to give a dive but he was ushered over by the lino and gave a penalty. Justice done the fleet keeper made a great save, pushed it out for a corner, but from the corner Whitehawk scored. Ebbsfleet defended it dreadfully, had plenty of chances to clear it, never did and it was bundled in.
The 2nd was quality. Ebbsfleet were far too easy to beat down the middle in the first half, Whitehawk were passing it about nicely and shredded them open after a few too many players pushed forward for 'fleet. Lovely final ball into the striker and about 15 yards out he put it in the top corner.
2nd half was all Ebbsfleet, they made two subs, who both scored, changed the game, the intensity and pressure they put on Whitehawk was superb, Whitehawk were visibly shaken couldn't string a pass together and just ended up hanging on and wasting time, couldn't blame them really they had no foothold in the game and could see the goals coming. Ebbsfleet were very good down the flanks 2nd half, I would say though the 11 of Ebbsfleet has no left foot and wasn't particularly good at crossing with his right which he continually cut in on. Fully deserved comeback though and had the game even been 5 minutes longer I would have taken Ebbsfleet to win it, they looked a very very competent side 2nd half and if they play like that for the majority of the season they'll be top 5 no problem.

Nice to see collection buckets out for the 2 Worthing players families who died at Shoreham, don't know if it was just because Whitehawk are a local side or it was happening at most games but I put a bit of money in, nice touch whoever's idea it was.

Couldn't have put it better myself. Their second goal was probably the best counter attacking goal I've seen live. Very, very quick. We were poor first half. Whitehawk clearly know Kissock inside out from his time there last season and they did their homework on Jordan Parkes. Both were played out of the game. Surprised both were taken off though. Absolutely massive call from Macca there, but it paid off. Best second half performance I've seen from us in years. Real quality. Danny Haynes tore Chris Sessegnon a new one and will rip Dartford to shreds tomorrow if given 90 minutes.

Atmosphere second half was good too.

We won the 50/50 as a group of 12 so worked out just under £30 each. 8 of us just chucked ours in a glass behind the bar up at rhe pub and got pissed. A good night.

Absolutely buzzing for Dartford tomorrow. 10 o clock start in Spoons, atmosphere will be immense.

 

[Aberstone]

Sutton United 5-2 Wealdstone (Att: 803)

Well I figured I'd give it some time and calming down before giving a report on yesterday's match. First thing's first, Sutton played the ball around well, their 2nd goal was a thing of absolute beauty and were cleverly tugging on Jefferson Louis all match. Absolutely no complaints that the best team won, but my word did we hand it on a plate to them.

Sutton took the lead early on, free kick that totally fucking inept keeper Shane Gore fails to claim, their centre half heads the ball down and Gore manages to dive over the ball. Their 2nd comes from equally inept Michael Corcoran (I wish Staines had signed him) once again passing the ball to the wrong team, Sutton go on the counter, pass it through our defence like a knife through butter (not saying much) which led to Dan Flitchett curling in a sublime goal from 25 yards out. 3rd goal was a well taken FK, I'd like to see the highlights though because if there was any contact it was minimal (a theme that continued throughout the match). We pulled a goal back through one of the best OG's you'll ever see, Jefferson Louis had inexplicably let the ball roll across him but Sutton's #2 like a bull in a china shop comes racing in and plants a lovely shot from the 18 yard box into the top corner. Sutton's 4th was the biggest insult though imo...

We've let in so many cheap set pieces this season I am questioning what on earth we do in training (even odds on some 5 a side and light running). Corner comes in, ball falls to Craig Dundas at the back post with only lightweight Ryan Watts marking him, no 2nd man came out to stop Dundas cutting inside and shooting. Criminal Sunday League standard defending, an insult to the decent following that were there yesterday.

4-1 down at HT, the whistle met with 'What a load of rubbish' and even a couple of dissenting voices chanted 'Bartlett out'. 2nd half we came out all guns blazing for the first 5 minutes and scored a well worked goal with Hudson-Odoi finishing at the back post... however the lack of fitness (fucking shambles!) meant the last 5 minutes Sutton could step it up a gear, scored a simple 5th and probably should have bagged a couple more before the FT whistle went.

1 point from 6 games but hey, let's 'keep the faith'.

 

[Joe.]

We all hate Dartford!

Gutsy performance in a game of very few chances. Either side could have won it. Those last ten minutes when Rancey got sent off were nerve wracking!

Bring on Maidenhead!

 

[Silver Stone]

Well these past two games have well illustrated the difference between Isthmian Premier and Conference South. We'll be alright, standing by my mid table prediction.

 

[Aberstone]

Wealdstone 3-1 Bishop's Stortford (Att: 663)

At last, a win.

Still a lot to be concerned about, but thanks to a Tom Hamblin header, a first goal in Stones colours for Josh Hutchinson (really happy for him) and a penalty that never was, we move out of the relegation zone.

 

[Joe.]

McMahon is unbeaten in his ten (competitive) matches as manager so far. 8 wins and 2 draws I believe.

September is a big month for us with Margate and Havant away along with Maidenhead and Sutton at home. If we up top two by the end of the month I believe that is where we will stay.

 

[publeaguelegend]

The game Monday was almost as frustrating as being called into work on the way to the pub post-game. Seriously unlucky not to take a point from that.

Still, we need goals. Can't shy away from the fact that we have only scored in three of our seven outings. Fingers crossed that Birchall has the kind of impact we need up top.

 

[Joe.]

3-1.

Next.

 

[Raymondo316]

WOW Margate are struggling a lot more than i thought they would

 

[Joe.]

WOW Margate are struggling a lot more than i thought they would

We have them away next week. What a time to get their first win eh...

Missing that unfortunately as I'll be in Serbia.

Some of the stuff we played yesterday was phenomenal.

 

[Aberstone]

Hayes & Yeading United 0-0 Wealdstone (Att: 359)

Scott Davies aside, a match devoid of any quality between 2 relegation certs. Next.

 

[Raymondo316]

Our lack of goals is starting to get abit worrying

Only 6 goals in 8 games & havent scored in the last 3. Not panic mode yet......but we really need to start putting away the chances we get

 

[JaredSUFC]

Sutton 2 Concord 2. Sixth draw in seven meetings between the two clubs. According to reports from fans of both clubs we were the better side but our defence has issues.

Oh, and Glen Southam has left due to work commitments

 

[Raymondo316]

So Maidstone have been given 800 tickets for the Ebbsfleet away game

With over a 1000 season tickets holders & 500+ fan club members.....it looks like quite a few people are gonna miss out or be going as Ebbsfleet ''fans''

If Maidstone fans dont come in colours i cant see how they can stop them coming in

 

[Raymondo316]

Christ just saw this on the Ebbsfleet website

''We will be employing an additional number of stewards, including a dedicated snatch team, and any Maidstone supporter found in a home area will be ejected from the stadium. These are the same conditions that applied to Ebbsfleet United supporters for our match at the Gallagher Stadium earlier this season.''

Talk about going over the top

 

[Sparrow]

Christ just saw this on the Ebbsfleet website

''We will be employing an additional number of stewards, including a dedicated snatch team, and any Maidstone supporter found in a home area will be ejected from the stadium. These are the same conditions that applied to Ebbsfleet United supporters for our match at the Gallagher Stadium earlier this season.''

Talk about going over the top

Never heard of 'snatch team' before let alone a dedicated one. Maidstone fans could easily go in the home end and cause no trouble providing they have their wits about them. Didn't Bristol Rovers have a lot of fans in the FGR home end last season and no trouble occurred? Hopefully common sense prevails.

 

[Raymondo316]

Never heard of 'snatch team' before let alone a dedicated one.

Its a team who specialize in riot control
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snatch_squad