Tue 29th Dec: Last fixtures in 2020

[The Jovial Forester]

Game was on silly o'clock local time so tried to listen lying in bed which meant I inevitable fell asleep anyhow just before Crawley's goal. Sounded like a good one to duck out of from our point of view.

 

[GTFCfish]

Game was on silly o'clock local time so tried to listen lying in bed which meant I inevitable fell asleep anyhow just before Crawley's goal. Sounded like a good one to duck out of from our point of view.

Local time?

Where do you live?

 

[The Jovial Forester]

Local time?

Where do you live?

Foreign parts, and I don't mean the Forest of Dean. China, it's a hotbed of FGR exile support.

 

[Si Robin]

Yet you scored 5 against us! What happened to the long throw tactic?

It appears to have been worked out. We had about 5 or 6 long throws on Saturday against Stevenage and their keeper got to every one of them. To be honest, whilst it led to a few goals, it appears to be a bit disingenuous to say that it was our main tactic. It was a tool in our locker and we utilised it well early on.

Last night it appears (I didn't watch it) that we did everything brilliantly until we got into the final third. Once there though, we promptly shit ourselves and did nothing. We had a few chances and a goal ruled out for offside which could really have gone either way.

Ultimately, our strikers aren't scoring. Our 4 forwards have 15 goals between them in all competitions. Liam Sercombe is our joint highest scorer with 6. It's simply not good enough. Our best forward (in terms of all round performance) is George Lloyd, but he only has 2 goals this season.

If we can find a goalscorer in January, or if Alfie May et al do find their scoring boots, then we'll be fine for an assault on the top 3. Fail and we'll be lucky to make the playoffs.

 

[Chris FGR]

Just watched the highlights on youtube of the FGR v Crawley game.

Firstly my apologies to the FGR keeper I thought he had given the ball to Hessenthaler to set up Nichols for our first goal. I was wrong it was a defender.

The main point though is watching that last shot from the halfway line. The defender racing to get to it. Would it make it ? Will the defender get there?

Fade out before we find out ! The bloody editor needs shooting for that.

Casey

Full clip of the incident you mention is here -

Not sure why the ref gave a corner, Richardson clearly doesn't touch it.

 

[Casey]

Chris; thank you.

Watching it in real time I was sure the defender had cleared it off the line. So much so Id have put money on it. Just watched it back and now I dont think he did.

Tip for me. Don't gamble.

Casey

 

[dedwardp]

It appears to have been worked out. We had about 5 or 6 long throws on Saturday against Stevenage and their keeper got to every one of them. To be honest, whilst it led to a few goals, it appears to be a bit disingenuous to say that it was our main tactic. It was a tool in our locker and we utilised it well early on.

Last night it appears (I didn't watch it) that we did everything brilliantly until we got into the final third. Once there though, we promptly shit ourselves and did nothing. We had a few chances and a goal ruled out for offside which could really have gone either way.

Ultimately, our strikers aren't scoring. Our 4 forwards have 15 goals between them in all competitions. Liam Sercombe is our joint highest scorer with 6. It's simply not good enough. Our best forward (in terms of all round performance) is George Lloyd, but he only has 2 goals this season.

If we can find a goalscorer in January, or if Alfie May et al do find their scoring boots, then we'll be fine for an assault on the top 3. Fail and we'll be lucky to make the playoffs.

I've only listened on the radio this season, but last night they seemed to think Alfie May was the best player on the pitch by a mile. Maybe it's a case of when one goes in, there will be a glut of goals.

 

[Andy Proctor]

I didn't even bother watching the game or listening to it on the radio so can only go on the YouTube highlights and the BBC stats. Based on them Bradford had more efforts at goal but no real serious attempts and we offered nothing other than a couple of long range strikes. Nil nil will do me as its the first clean sheet in ages and stops the rot of losing a few games and a draw away against what could be a relegation rival is OK with me.

 

[Robshep]

I've got that used to Tranmere over recent seasons that I was expecting Cook and Norwood to run out before kick off. Rovers were definitely one of the better teams I've seen this season both live and on iFollow, and I think it will be ourselves that will be coming away happier with the point. The last twenty minutes after Biggins got sent off didn't seem to drag whatsoever and Tranmere's approach to that left me scratching my head, there was no increase in tempo whatsoever. Both keepers were tested throughout with a couple of point blank saves, had the efforts been either side one of us will have been walking away with all three.

Tranmere had a lot of possession but the final ball was missing, too many wasted positions in wide areas. Vaughan gave the impression that he's your typical shithouse striker but a player like that is one every decent team at this level has.

Pleased with the point, 7 out of 9 from the Christmas period so far, this little run showing that we are more than capable of staying comfortably away from the bottom. Fortunately we've started to pick up points at the right time with Southend, Stevenage, Scunthorpe and Bradford's recent results. I imagine there will be a few teams on the 24/25 point mark that were happy enough a couple of weeks ago that will be having a little look over their shoulders.

A decent game on the whole, but far from the classic of our FA Cup 4th Qualy win a few years ago.

Keith Hill was happy with a point. That has not helped his standing with a lot of our supporters. Hope Barrow do stay up because we need genuine football clubs in the league instead of the likes of Salford City.

 

[shoddycollins]

Harrogate still fuming about the abandonment last night.

I don't really know what the crack was with that; Chris Beech says the referee spoke to both him and Simon Weaver following the pitch inspection, Weaver wanted the match on and Beech said it's up to Weaver. No idea how much weight the referee gave Weaver's opinion but given Harrogate have been used to playing on a 3G pitch I wouldn't be suprised if Weaver didn't really know how well the pitch would hold up.

He seeminly had some inkling though since Harrogate opted to switch ends before kick off and apparently it was the area in front of our goal that was still frozen. Harrogate seem to think they've been stitched up here but we could argue it was partly a lack of leadership from the ref but also partly Harrogate not knowing how to look after a pitch and then trying to turn the situation to their advantage when it didn't thaw properly.

 

[Si Robin]

I've only listened on the radio this season, but last night they seemed to think Alfie May was the best player on the pitch by a mile. Maybe it's a case of when one goes in, there will be a glut of goals.

To be fair to Alfie, he seems to be having a touch of bad luck in the last couple of games.

He had a shot hit the bar and bounce down on Saturday against Stevenage which, in my biased eyes, appeared to cross the line but not given by the ref, and then last night he had one chalked off for offside which apparently was extremely closed (I've still not seen it in fairness).

Fortunately, our overall form hasn't trailed off yet - just the ability to score. You'd like to think that the nut will be cracked sooner rather than later.

 

[denzel ecfc]

Harrogate still fuming about the abandonment last night.

I don't really know what the crack was with that; Chris Beech says the referee spoke to both him and Simon Weaver following the pitch inspection, Weaver wanted the match on and Beech said it's up to Weaver. No idea how much weight the referee gave Weaver's opinion but given Harrogate have been used to playing on a 3G pitch I wouldn't be suprised if Weaver didn't really know how well the pitch would hold up.

He seeminly had some inkling though since Harrogate opted to switch ends before kick off and apparently it was the area in front of our goal that was still frozen. Harrogate seem to think they've been stitched up here but we could argue it was partly a lack of leadership from the ref but also partly Harrogate not knowing how to look after a pitch and then trying to turn the situation to their advantage when it didn't thaw properly.

Probably a deliberate attempt to not look after the pitch so they can try to persuade the league to allow 3G pitches in. It's only been down a couple of months, it's not good enough really.

 

[FGR Stroud]

To be fair to Alfie, he seems to be having a touch of bad luck in the last couple of games.

He had a shot hit the bar and bounce down on Saturday against Stevenage which, in my biased eyes, appeared to cross the line but not given by the ref, and then last night he had one chalked off for offside which apparently was extremely closed (I've still not seen it in fairness).

Fortunately, our overall form hasn't trailed off yet - just the ability to score. You'd like to think that the nut will be cracked sooner rather than later.

I watched the entire FGR game which started 3/4hr earlier than Cheltenham before flicking to the BBC match stats and could not believe that the game was goalless. Cheltenham were overwhelmingly dominating stats and live text.
Poor night for FGR but none of their rivals took advantage with games called off and Cheltenham's draw.

 

[E10rifle]

We didn’t give Sarfend a kick all evening. Looked like a Prem reserve team toying with a plucky Conference South minnow in the FA Cup third round. On that evidence I have no idea where their recent unbeaten run came from.

 

[Vanni]

still waiting for something worthwhile from you
Re visit you again around April

That's harsh masi. I told you George Taft was not a good signing for you lot and surely that counts as 'worthwhile'?

What exactly are you revisiting me in April for? My pre season prediction for the U's was 20th place. Or 21st I'm not sure, so we're doing better than I anticipated.

 

[shoddycollins]

Probably a deliberate attempt to not look after the pitch so they can try to persuade the league to allow 3G pitches in. It's only been down a couple of months, it's not good enough really.

No Harrogate fans on here but on their forum it looks like the dummy has been spat out good and proper

'Why support a cheating team'

'Just one team who thought hey were going to massacre Harrogate tonight going 1 -0 down and then going oh shi** how do we change this - I know we get the ref to abandon for know reason whats so ever'

'Compete disgrace of a team and therefor4 the club - I trust the Board of Directors will take action against the Management and sack them tonight otherwise they should all resign as they do not pass the fit and proper test of being a Director'

'Carlisle to pay compensation to every Harrogate fan for not the cost but taking the name of sport into dispute'

 

[Monkey Tennis]

No Harrogate fans on here but on their forum it looks like the dummy has been spat out good and proper

'Why support a cheating team'

'Just one team who thought hey were going to massacre Harrogate tonight going 1 -0 down and then going oh shi** how do we change this - I know we get the ref to abandon for know reason whats so ever'

'Compete disgrace of a team and therefor4 the club - I trust the Board of Directors will take action against the Management and sack them tonight otherwise they should all resign as they do not pass the fit and proper test of being a Director'

'Carlisle to pay compensation to every Harrogate fan for not the cost but taking the name of sport into dispute'

They are a bunch of Tory Lampards down Harrogate way.

 

[Back in the DHSS]

No Harrogate fans on here but on their forum it looks like the dummy has been spat out good and proper

'Why support a cheating team'

'Just one team who thought hey were going to massacre Harrogate tonight going 1 -0 down and then going oh shi** how do we change this - I know we get the ref to abandon for know reason whats so ever'

'Compete disgrace of a team and therefor4 the club - I trust the Board of Directors will take action against the Management and sack them tonight otherwise they should all resign as they do not pass the fit and proper test of being a Director'

'Carlisle to pay compensation to every Harrogate fan for not the cost but taking the name of sport into dispute'

Looks like you could be in for a frosty welcome for the replay!!!

 

[Chris FGR]

Should have played the game earlier in the day if they were worried about it freezing.

We had staff/coaches sweeping snow off our pitch yesterday, probably wish they hadn't bothered.

 

[Alain]

Should have played the game earlier in the day if they were worried about it freezing.

We had staff/coaches sweeping snow off our pitch yesterday, probably wish they hadn't bothered.

I’m glad they did

 

[Chris FGR]

I’m glad they did

Tbh so am I. Would rather get the games played, if we lose so be it.

 

[BarraMatt]

There is a Harrogate fan on here who genuinely hates his club, or at least the owner and the manager.

His has seemingly disappeared though, probably got sick to death of arguing with B2TF on politics in the non-League section.

 

[masi51]

That's harsh masi. I told you George Taft was not a good signing for you lot and surely that counts as 'worthwhile'?

What exactly are you revisiting me in April for? My pre season prediction for the U's was 20th place. Or 21st I'm not sure, so we're doing better than I anticipated.

George Taft has been unlucky only played in the opening game against FGR. For what its worth i think he is better than Baptiste and as good as delaney.......something not right about him not getting game time

 

[shoddycollins]

There is a Harrogate fan on here who genuinely hates his club, or at least the owner and the manager.

His has seemingly disappeared though, probably got sick to death of arguing with B2TF on politics in the non-League section.

Saw him on the tinpot thread a few weeks back, made reference to 'Weaver FC' and that he hadn't posted anything in the L2 forum... oh well, each to their own. Seems a bit odd to me to pretend your club weren't promoted even if you have issues with how they are run.

There's a Harrogate fan posting on Twitter, calling Chris Beech a liar for saying that he would have been up to keep playing and accusing him of having words with the ref to get it abandoned. Asked him why Harrogate switched ends for kick-off and he says he couldn't possibly speculate on something he doesn't know about.

Decided to check the facts regarding that, we kicked off therefore Harrogate chose which end to shoot towards and they picked the opposite end to every other game I looked at the highlights for.

 

[Luke Imp]

Sounds like the ref should have taken some responsibility and just called it off. If he wasn't happy with the pitch ten minutes into it, then that tells it's own story.

 

[GTFCfish]

Our 4 forwards have 15 goals between them in all competitions.

That’s prolific compared to ours.

 

[Bottega Don]

Would snap Cheltenham's hand off for their strikeforce, our forwards have 8 combined.

To be fair our best one has been injured all season except for a few games in which he scored 2.