Post by Dave on Nov 28, 2008 20:59:09 GMT
Really pleased and happy for the member you have voted for this week, he has been on the forum since the 12th August and has been a very valuable contributor to the forum.
He has always given his own honest views and I can ask no one.
A big well done to this weeks winner
David Graham's Eighth Pint
One of his recent posts
Short trip for me today, only 20 minutes up the road.
How Woking took a point from this I will never know. Nicholson was at fault for the first goal. It almost seemed as if he stepped aside to allow the Woking player in. His shot was fumbled by Bevan and Marum couldn't miss. Moments later, a speculative shot from the edge of the area took a huge deflection and suddenly we were 2-0 down.
We were unlucky to go in two-down at the break. Carayol was superb all day and some blistering crosses into the box really should have been tucked away.
The Gulls came out for the second half and they were fired up. Three or four good chances passed us by and it really looked like it was going to be one of those days.
Then the turning point of the game; Woking broke and Marum was through on goal. Mansell pulled off an unbelievable saving tackle but the ball dropped to Williams who blazed over from 10 yards. 3-0 and it was game over.
Minutes later, a quality free kick into the box was tucked home by Benyon. Players like Sills - who had been largely unproductive and, frankly, lazy - suddenly looked up for it and we didn't have to wait long for the equaliser. A fantastic move ended with a ball into Stevens feet. Great touch to control, fantastic touch to finish and no one would have bet against us going on to win from there.
However, we pushed and pushed but just couldn't find that killer finish. Carayol was put through on goal and drew a great save from an otherwise dodgy looking goalkeeper.
I normally defend referees to the hilt, but our official was very poor today. We probably should have had two penalties today. The first one, their defender was all over Sills. It would have been soft, but when he committed the same offence outside the area, it was given! The second appeal was a stonewall spot-kick. Benyon controlled it well, and just as he looked like he was going to turn the defender inside-out, he was wiped out from behind.
I'm happy with a point but on reflection we really should have taken all three. I've said it time and time again, but three months ago we would have rolled over and been slaughtered.
There was a nice moment before kick-off when Toddy came over to give us a round of applause. I was slightly miffed that there was no chanting of his name, but it was a lovely moment.
Player ratings (out of 10):
Bevan: 5 - Fumbled for the first goal then didn't have anything to do for the rest of the game.
Mansell: 8 - Solid game and put some decent crosses in. It's great to see he's found his form at right-back. Unbelievable tackle to deny Marum.
Woods and Hodges: 6.5 - Still not closing the ball down when they should but that's the only complaint I can have. Ellis must be wondering why he didn't play after a MOTM performance last week.
Nicholson: 7 - It's very frustrating when he lumps the ball upfield to Sills every other minute. But when he's in an attacking position, he's our secret weapon.
Stevens: 6 - He didn't really do anything wrong, but he was never going to get into the game against their oafish right-back. He took his goal very well which has earned him an extra point here.
Wroe: 4 - Worst I've seen him play this year, which was a shame. Couldn't get into the game and gave the ball away far too often. Not sure if he was injured when he came off at half-time of it was a tactical master class from Buckle.
Hargreaves: 7 - Usual solid display from our Captain Marvel.
Carayol: 9 - Made their left back look like a complete muppet for the whole of the first half; then switched sides and did the same to their right back! Some excellent crosses which, on another day, would have been tucked away.
Thompson: 5.5 - Wasn't really in the game first half; marginally better in the second.
Sills: 5 - I'm not sure if it's just when I see him play, but he frustrates me because he is so, SO lazy. I constantly see praise on here for his hard work and battling and I always wonder why he doesn't play like that when I'm there. Don't get me wrong, the boy can finish and he's great to have in the side but I just wish he'd get more up for it sometimes.
Benyon: 8.5 - Typical energetic display from the lad. He really should be starting because he looks like a good partner for Sills.
Quick edit to say well done to all the fans who made the long trip. Like I said, it was only 20 minutes for me but that certainly wasn't the case for most of the 500-odd. It must really encourage the players to see that kind of turn out.
He has always given his own honest views and I can ask no one.
A big well done to this weeks winner
David Graham's Eighth Pint
One of his recent posts
Short trip for me today, only 20 minutes up the road.
How Woking took a point from this I will never know. Nicholson was at fault for the first goal. It almost seemed as if he stepped aside to allow the Woking player in. His shot was fumbled by Bevan and Marum couldn't miss. Moments later, a speculative shot from the edge of the area took a huge deflection and suddenly we were 2-0 down.
We were unlucky to go in two-down at the break. Carayol was superb all day and some blistering crosses into the box really should have been tucked away.
The Gulls came out for the second half and they were fired up. Three or four good chances passed us by and it really looked like it was going to be one of those days.
Then the turning point of the game; Woking broke and Marum was through on goal. Mansell pulled off an unbelievable saving tackle but the ball dropped to Williams who blazed over from 10 yards. 3-0 and it was game over.
Minutes later, a quality free kick into the box was tucked home by Benyon. Players like Sills - who had been largely unproductive and, frankly, lazy - suddenly looked up for it and we didn't have to wait long for the equaliser. A fantastic move ended with a ball into Stevens feet. Great touch to control, fantastic touch to finish and no one would have bet against us going on to win from there.
However, we pushed and pushed but just couldn't find that killer finish. Carayol was put through on goal and drew a great save from an otherwise dodgy looking goalkeeper.
I normally defend referees to the hilt, but our official was very poor today. We probably should have had two penalties today. The first one, their defender was all over Sills. It would have been soft, but when he committed the same offence outside the area, it was given! The second appeal was a stonewall spot-kick. Benyon controlled it well, and just as he looked like he was going to turn the defender inside-out, he was wiped out from behind.
I'm happy with a point but on reflection we really should have taken all three. I've said it time and time again, but three months ago we would have rolled over and been slaughtered.
There was a nice moment before kick-off when Toddy came over to give us a round of applause. I was slightly miffed that there was no chanting of his name, but it was a lovely moment.
Player ratings (out of 10):
Bevan: 5 - Fumbled for the first goal then didn't have anything to do for the rest of the game.
Mansell: 8 - Solid game and put some decent crosses in. It's great to see he's found his form at right-back. Unbelievable tackle to deny Marum.
Woods and Hodges: 6.5 - Still not closing the ball down when they should but that's the only complaint I can have. Ellis must be wondering why he didn't play after a MOTM performance last week.
Nicholson: 7 - It's very frustrating when he lumps the ball upfield to Sills every other minute. But when he's in an attacking position, he's our secret weapon.
Stevens: 6 - He didn't really do anything wrong, but he was never going to get into the game against their oafish right-back. He took his goal very well which has earned him an extra point here.
Wroe: 4 - Worst I've seen him play this year, which was a shame. Couldn't get into the game and gave the ball away far too often. Not sure if he was injured when he came off at half-time of it was a tactical master class from Buckle.
Hargreaves: 7 - Usual solid display from our Captain Marvel.
Carayol: 9 - Made their left back look like a complete muppet for the whole of the first half; then switched sides and did the same to their right back! Some excellent crosses which, on another day, would have been tucked away.
Thompson: 5.5 - Wasn't really in the game first half; marginally better in the second.
Sills: 5 - I'm not sure if it's just when I see him play, but he frustrates me because he is so, SO lazy. I constantly see praise on here for his hard work and battling and I always wonder why he doesn't play like that when I'm there. Don't get me wrong, the boy can finish and he's great to have in the side but I just wish he'd get more up for it sometimes.
Benyon: 8.5 - Typical energetic display from the lad. He really should be starting because he looks like a good partner for Sills.
Quick edit to say well done to all the fans who made the long trip. Like I said, it was only 20 minutes for me but that certainly wasn't the case for most of the 500-odd. It must really encourage the players to see that kind of turn out.
I'd like to echo that quote.................a well constructed post, a good read; AND on a subject that appertains to the ethos of the site - well done.
