Away day woes continue, Egham probably deserved their point in all fairness, some would argue that their keeper was MoM, granted he made 2 decent saves from Stan Flaherty from distance (one of which was a free kick).
Hinds not on the bench due to illness, so would he have started the game if fit?
My opinion is we set up not to lose with McKnight, Roger’s & Nasha in midfield, work rate and tenacity in abundance but no real goal threat from that area of the pitch. Ashton, Flaherty & Onabanjo up top.
A bonus for us that we took the lead with less than 2 minutes on the clock, apologies I was sorting the flag behind the goal and only turned around as Onabanjo was sliding the ball past the Egham keeper. It was a case of defending long balls and set pieces for the rest of the half, long throws in particular caused a few uneasy moments for the United rearguard. Equaliser came with 11 minutes gone, long kick from the keeper, striker flicks his header into United left back area, recent recruit Aziz Sankoh caught on his heels allowing his man to get goal side, a grappling ensued and eventually his man went down inside the box, penalty awarded (looked like a pen, ref probably got it right) dispatched past Upstell replacing Watkins in the United goal. United did not create anything then, until the last moments of the half, 2 long range efforts easily dealt with. Onabanjo the most likely to create anything for the away side. United stood upto the onslaught and only gave up one clear cut chance which was fired wide. HT 1-1
8 minutes to the half a second yellow for Egham player gave us a numerical advantage which we didn’t capitalise on for the rest of the half. Red card on 53 Simon Lane never made a an offensive change till 70th minute, replacing United’s best attacking player of the game (Remi Onabanjo) with Kaunda.
Flaherty free kick from 20yds over the wall looked destined for the top right hand corner, but Egham keeper arrived on cue to tip over the bar and out for a corner, again Flaherty from distance, fierce left footed shot swerving and dipping palmed away. Plenty of possession but very little in the way of goal mouth action, Aziz Sankoh cross from the left, parried away to the penalty spot, I’m sure it was Flaherty again miscued his effort past the keeper but cleared of the line. Egham posed a threat continually despite the man difference, long balls into channels constantly asking questions of the United defence. Several long throws and corners had hearts in mouths in the away end. FT 1-1
Mom Remi Onabanjo only United player that looked like creating something from open play. Unbelievable that he was replaced as the first change.
Ashton fed on scraps the whole first half, just long hopeful balls from defence, same for Flaherty on the right wing rarely into his feet and crowded out. Midfield 3 thankless task watching the ball fly over their heads in both directions for the most part.
Substitutions didn’t have any impact on the game, all options on the bench, just the same that was failing on the pitch during the game.
2 points dropped, only due to the fact they had 10men for considerable amount of time. 11 v 11 who knows what the outcome would have been. More than held their own first half.
Home again Saturday, Littlehampton the visitors let’s hope the home form continues at the SkyEx.