Ashford Town (H)

[Red army]

Guess there only 3 positives from this game. 3 points with 2 very fortuitous goals. Kaylen Hinds charging down a goal keeper clearance and a very harsh penalty given for handball just inside the area. Jude Mason returning as a substitute hopefully he can get back fit and be the 7/10 player he was untill his injury. Ibrahim Bangura been very good addition to the ranks on his debut Tuesday and again on Saturday.

1st half was largely a forgettable affair. Best chances falling to the away side Juliusz Pazio turning away a long range effort and curling effort from the Ashford no9 drifting wide of the far post. Herson Alves tame effort comfortably dealt with.

2nd half was better but he couldn’t get any worse than the previous one. Ashford came close with deflected shot dribbling wide of the far post. Then kaylen Hinds chasing down a loose back pass, Ashford keeper smashing his attempted clearance into the on rushing Hayes striker, ball falling into his path to walk into an empty net. Adrian Clifton exchanged passes with Kaylen Hinds few jinks later the former dragging a left footed attempt wide of the back stick. A soft penalty awarded for handball by the referee ( who was beyond poor for the whole afternoon) Adrian Clifton calm once again rolls the ball home to the keeper’s left. Jude Mason cross to the back post, Adrian Clifton volley strikes the base of the post and into the path of Hippolyte who shot blocked on the 6yd box. 5 minutes left of normal time and Ashford give themselves a lifelong in the shape of a stunning 25 yd volley dipping over the despairing dive of Juliusz. Then the normal panic stations to see out the game.

Mom Ibrahim Bangura looks a decent on the ball gets forward when ever possible and has some quality in the final third hitting first time crosses. Adrian Clifton again was one of the better players on show.

The atmosphere around the ground his flat at present, the crowds dwindling away with every home game. And they have never been on the high side!!!
Confidence, formation’s , selection, management game plan, squad ability a mixture of these things must be the reason for a team to be so inconsistent. It’s a hard watch especially when you go through the squad individually, there are some talented players in there.
Hard to fathom maybe somebody as some knowledgeable behind the scenes as to why it’s just not clicking so far.

Westfield away Wednesday hopeful of 3 points but that’s all on current performances.

COYH

[Churchroadtilidie]

I may be in a minority but I thought the referee was actually pretty good. Admittedly he should have booked an Ashford player for pulling Kaylen Hinds back in front of the main stand but otherwise I thought he kept on top of the game and got the majority of the decisions correct. I couldn't care less if the penalty was harsh. Maybe the pen for Leatherhead the other week was harsh against us so it is a case of swings and roundabouts.

The performance was largely flat against a side that will most likely get relegated. I thought their no.9 with a name that Martin could never pronounce over the PA was a player worth pursuing. He caused us a few problems and would certainly look better in a better team.

The new left back/wing back continues to impress. I like the look of him and feel confident he will get even better with more games. The other player who continues to do a lot of work for the team is Adrian Clifton. He holds the ball up really well and does so much good stuff off the ball. There is a contrast with Hippolyte who looks so lightweight when he is tussling with defenders and playing with his back to goal. Sippetts does not have to be that great to keep him out of the starting eleven.

We still look in urgent need of reinforcements in midfield. It is a bit early to judge Pap Jawara but he looks neat and tidy based on the limited evidence that we have to judge him so far. I still maintain that we probably need 8-10 points from Westfield, Met Police, Harrow and Sutton Common to ensure we keep in touch with the play offs. As for the attendances and the atmosphere it feels like we are going backwards and do not seem interested as a club in moving forward. I hope that I am wrong.

[Mr Heinstein]

Hmmm yes, I think we’re all pretty much seeing the same thing. Bangura at left back looked like a strong addition to the side and Clifton continues to look a class above most of the rest of the players on the pitch.

I’ve been impressed with Hippolyte out wide, running at defenders with the ball at his feet but as part of a central front two he makes less progress. I don’t think Sippets got much change out of the Ashford (Middx) defence either really, maybe it’s the supply from midfield… Sippets with his back to goal dealing with high balls coming in to him, defenders at his back, I don’t fancy his chances. Put a ball over the top or play a through ball to his feet, then we see a real threat.

Ho hum, it’s nearly Christmas, glass half full time (why’s my glass only half full?) so let’s bring on the festive season matches and push up into the playoff places!

[The idol]

The atmosphere around the ground his flat at present, the crowds dwindling away with every home game. And they have never been on the high side!!!

Have been saying this for a few weeks now, the crowds are getting lower and lower as well as more and more quiet. The fans need the players to get them going but the players need the crowds to do the same. Have never known the ground to be so quiet since we’ve moved in there then the last few home games. Flat atmosphere matches a flat performance I suppose.

[PSG55]

Watching from afar, it's been a bit alarming to see the crowds dropping off. For the first few home games this season we were topping 200. Alright, not massive but still healthy for this level. But we haven't made it to 200 at home for a little while now and our average isn't too impressive in the division either. Hopefully a good run of form over the Christmas and New Year period will see that rise a bit.