rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Jun 15, 2021 20:28:37 GMT
10 years ago we travelled to Old Trafford for our last play off final although that was in the league above so quite nice that we have a straightforward trip to Ashton Gate. Whether finishing second and being the top ranked play off team had any influence on this I do not know. Now we are going, it almost seems like it was destiny with the links that our manager has had there along with Andrews and CLE coming through their youth system with the latter still a Bristol City player as late as last August.
Much talk about testing to get into the stadium, seems to be a recommendation only and not actually a bad one, my father in law asked whether I had to do it for the Nott County match as thought that would be a requirement. However, some clarity from the club about this would be useful.
I thought Stockport for all their favourites tag were very disappointing against Hartlepool and while the play offs have mainly been open games as the teams have tried to go out and win, this was less so with minimal chances created with our opponents just doing enough to win after a good long range strike from Oates adding to his two against Bromley and very much their danger man.
Luckily we have our own danger man in the form of Wright who no doubt remembers fondly his hat trick against Hartlepool back in October and was sorely missed in the return fixture when we were very much out of form, compounded by only having three fit defenders and the likes of Wynter and Little still feeling their way back into form themselves after long layoffs.
I am not too sure where Cameron will play as Johnson seems loath to break up the Lewis and Sherring partnership which has performed so well and contributed to that long and ongoing unbeaten run. At the other end Waters and Kimpioka showed what can be achieved against tiring defenders and would be a great option to either maintain a lead by defending from the front
or trying to get that last gasp goal.
A high stakes game that our exceptional manager and players will give their all to and with the support of fans on the crowd, hopefully obtain the result we all want. COYY!
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Post by stefano on Jun 15, 2021 20:52:15 GMT
FORECAST: Torquay 0 Hartlepool 5 ⚽️
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Jun 16, 2021 5:18:10 GMT
link - match day programme can be ordered for a fiver and due for dispatch tomorrow so tight window to order if you want to get your hands on this…
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Post by stefano on Jun 16, 2021 8:17:56 GMT
link - match day programme can be ordered for a fiver and due for dispatch tomorrow so tight window to order if you want to get your hands on this… Last season I ordered through the same company programmes for the finals of the Rugby Union Premiership and the Rugby Union European Champions Cup. Both dispatched on the Thursday and arrived on time before the game. Things always come in threes so the good omen is my team won both of those games!  |
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Post by register on Jun 16, 2021 8:24:58 GMT
I think that when it comes to banana skins…this is a biggie. Hartlepool scraped through a totally uninspiring game with Stockport by all accounts, and we were…well inspiring.
I have a feeling there will also be six goals in this game (mmmm Mark Ellis scoring) but in which direction I have no idea.
This will of course be the greatest use of the ‘get out of jail free card’ since Monopoly was invented. 🦦
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Jun 19, 2021 5:41:41 GMT
link - TUFC match preview
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Post by stefano on Jun 19, 2021 11:15:45 GMT
Well off to pub pre-booked table for the game at Ashton Gate.
1.30 kick off Bristol Bears v Harlequins in the Rugby Union Prem Play Off semi final. Should be a cracking game and probably high scoring with both teams playing open running rugby.
That is followed at 4.30 by Exeter v Sale, a repeat of last weeks final game of the league programme which Exeter edged 20-19.
The Ashton Gate pitch will be fine I just hope they remember to change the posts for tomorrow. My Notts County supporting licensee mate seems to have recovered his composure quite well and has promised to allow me in for the final 😉⚽️🏉
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Jun 20, 2021 6:56:01 GMT
Slept surprisingly well.
Our day of destiny.
Come on you Yellows!
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chelstongull
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Post by chelstongull on Jun 20, 2021 9:08:23 GMT
Slept surprisingly well. Our day of destiny. Come on you Yellows! I might pass you on the way back home - let’s hope for a win and a league return ⚽️ |
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Post by stefano on Jun 20, 2021 9:09:46 GMT
Well after the incredible excitement of yesterday's game at Ashton Gate can the stadium produce anything like it today?
Bristol Bears eased into a 28-0 lead within 30 minutes, and although Harlequins reduced it to 28-5 with an unconverted try before half-time, there was no indication of what was to come! Full time 31-31 so into extra time. A dramatic and unbelievable game saw Quins win it 43-36.
Anything like that excitement today could be too much for me!
So today is the big one and Torquay United deserve promotion so let us hope any luck going runs with the good guys!
I have seen comment on some outlets that we blew promotion having been well ahead at the top of the table. It is just not true and is memory playing tricks! When we were top of the table we had played considerably more games than the other teams. Taking games in hand into account we were in reality never more than 1 or 2 points ahead, and even when we had a misleading 11 points lead Sutton United had a better points per game ratio. Perhaps it was not surprising then that Sutton deservedly grabbed the top spot as they came out with the most points at the end.
Any slip we had was not of our own making and in the circumstances it was an incredible achievement to finish second. No team would have coped easily losing the likes of Wright, Whitfield, and Nemane to long term injury in quick succession. The mid season slump that followed does therefore have a credible explanation.
To pull it around with the injury crisis still ongoing was an incredible achievement, and 14 games undefeated including wins away at Sutton and Chesterfield and a draw away to Stockport, is testament to the spirit, fight, and skill in the side.
Only one more hurdle to achieve what the club deserve from a remarkable season. 😉
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Post by plainmoorpete on Jun 20, 2021 10:04:11 GMT
Well after the incredible excitement of yesterday's game at Ashton Gate can the stadium produce anything like it today? Bristol Bears eased into a 28-0 lead within 30 minutes, and although Harlequins reduced it to 28-5 with an unconverted try before half-time, there was no indication of what was to come! Full time 31-31 so into extra time. A dramatic and unbelievable game saw Quins win it 43-36. I hope I'm not being ominous when I notice that both Exeter and Bristol did the double over Harlequins in the league this season. |
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petef
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Post by petef on Jun 20, 2021 10:05:03 GMT
From a supporters stance I suppose once you get to this final stage there's very little left to say.
It's all now down to the players on the pitch and and the managers nous and tactics. For certain Garry, Arron, his backroom and the players will have prepared as well as they can and you can be sure the opposition will have done equally as well. Its all in the lap of the gods as to who will ascend to the dizzy heights of league two and the winners are sure to need a certain amount of good fortune on their side as this will be a fiercely contested final.
This is the big one, the crunch game and I wouldn't want any one else other than Garry Johnson in charge of a things and trust him more than any manager in recent times to make the right calls, so we have given ourselves the best chance. Need our big players to inspire and find their best game today, when were "on it" few teams can live with us. Hope its one of those days but for certain Hartlepool will be doing everything they can and have plenty of ability to get a result and have a canny manager who will also prepare very well. His players are sure to be well up for the challenge.
I predict a very close game as we all do no doubt and wouldn't be surprised if it goes to extra time and a dreaded penalty shoot out. That would be so sad to see it end like that and I would much sooner see the game won and lost in normal time and without controversy.
Both clubs and their supporters are deserving after a tough and unique season and its sad that only one will have a euphoric day while the other will have an utterly miserable one and journey home - so many of us know how that feels from previous experience the last for me being at Colchester when we were relegated in the last minutes by other results and our own failure to gain a point.
It going to be a nerve wracking afternoon, not a game to enjoy unless you're as masochist, I'll onl relax at 3-0 with a minute left on the clock! - Hoping and praying for the right result..
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Post by register on Jun 20, 2021 10:31:34 GMT
So the big day has arrived, will the sun shine upon us or not? 🌝
As previously expressed, if we win this game, it will be the greatest ever use of a get out of prison free card!
If we lose on the other hand, this season will have been the biggest Cock-Up since Fay Wray was secretly sha&&ed by the Gorilla at the top of the Empire State Building! 🦍
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Post by stefano on Jun 20, 2021 11:04:52 GMT
I hope I'm not being ominous when I notice that both Exeter and Bristol did the double over Harlequins in the league this season. When it comes to a semi-final or final it is of course all on the day and the results during the season count for nothing. Quins v Chiefs at Twickenham Stoop was the last sporting event I witnessed live before the plague descended upon us. Chiefs winning 30-27 but with the clock already in the red Quins were awarded a penalty try following a scrum collapse 5 metres out so Quins won 34-30. I am expecting a keenly fought game next week as Quins play some lovely flowing running rugby. I hope it is not a close game today. I feel the need to be relaxed watching it! |
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Jun 20, 2021 11:56:24 GMT
All seated in the upper section of the Landowner stand and taking in the atmosphere. Good to see Jon as we were going into the ground. COYY!
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