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Post by FAV Army on Aug 7, 2015 16:41:38 GMT
A tough one to start off the season with.
But, we have looked good all pre-season and I see no reason why we can't beat anyone in this league.
Actually, somewhat surprisingly, Leafe have brought in quite a few players to their squad over the summer.
Anyway, looking forward to it.
See you there.
FAV Army!
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Post by dave on Aug 7, 2015 19:23:47 GMT
Agree Fav, indeed a tough one. Maybe one of the tougher ones, but there are no easy points in this league.
However, based on the pre-season, culminating in that fantastic performance on Tuesday, we have to be optimistic. We were superb against the Gills. The result didn't flatter us at all. Dare I say, we deserved a wider margin of victory.
Anyway, to tomorrow and the job in hand, the halfway line awaits. For the first time this season.
COYW.
Boy, that felt good.
See you all tomorrow. Can't wait.
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Post by dave on Aug 8, 2015 20:40:52 GMT
Faversham Town 1-0 Whyteleafe
Starting line up:
Rob French, Ryan Cooper, Jamie Maxted, Matt Bourne, John Scarborough, Charley Robertson, George Monger, Wayne Wilson, Renford Tenyue, Stuart King, Dean Grant.
I think most I spoke with before the game said: a) great to get going again. Hear, hear to that I say. b) this match was going to be tough/tight/difficult or similar.
Well, how right they all were, on both counts.
Fairly even stevens first half. Whytleafe had the majority of the possession, but we had the better chances. That said, a not insignifcant chunk of Whytleafe's possession was in their own half-so no threat.
A little detail to those first-half chances:
On 13, Stuart King is clambered all over by their number 6. Ref duly awards the free-kick. Swung in from the left by Wayne Wilson, John Scarborough climbs highest at the back stick. In she goes. Dream start, except the linos flag is up on the far side. I couldn't say yea or nay from where I was stood, but the linos flag went up quickly. Matt Bourne finds Dean Grant in space on the left, an inviting cross/centre just crying out for a touch, but the chance goes begging. On 25, a Whytleafe attack down their right, a deep cross into the box, Rob French comes to collect, slightly misjudges the flight, is it going in? our keeper adjusts and palms it away for a corner. But hearts in the mouth stuff. The Whyteleafe defence make a hash of a clearance, Renford Tenyue collects down the left, a miscued shot, Stuart King is in, but the keeper does well to smother. On 35 our final chance of the half. A long Ryan Cooper throw from the right, comes through to Renford Tenyue at the back stick, awkward bounce, but the header is over.
Second half. Well it's our half. Possession is more evenly distributed, but again we win on chances. In fact you could sense us getting stronger as the half developed. That's not to say it didn't feel tense, because it did, but we were looking the most likely to break that deadlock. Whyteleafe start to concede set pieces in dangerous areas. Stuart King is again manhandled to the ground. A yellow for the Whyteleafe man. Wayne Wilson's free-kick cannons off the wall. Jamie Maxted is the next to be brought down. This time Wayne's free-kick is over. Undeterred, Jamie Maxted again surges down the left, brougt down again. The free-kick takes a while to be taken, a bit of a melee in the area. Keeper punches the free-kick away. Whytleafe then fashion their best chance of the day, the refeee misses the hand ball down their left which is used to control/pass the ball before releasing their stiker, but significantly he's through in on goal, the shot is aimed for the top corner, but is high and wide. And then a fine move, Charley Robertson and Wayne Wilson combine, Wayne plays in Dean Grant down the right, played into Charley Robertson, now in the area. Brought down. Penalty. Wayne Wilson's penalty is well struck to the keepers' left, but is well saved. Whyteleafe respond with an attack down their right, resulting in a cracking Rob French save at his near post. Dave Botterill and Mobolaji Dawodu are late substitutes for Charley Robertson and Renford Tenyue-about 5 still to go. A raking Jamie Maxted cross field ball finds Stuart King, great touch and our forward gets two shots away, both blocked.
So, in the stands. 0-0 with minutes to go. We've had the better of it. But maybe it's one of those days when you don't get the win you deserve. Whyteleafe are a good side, so still a decent result. But still you're desperate for that goal. Come on Town!
We win a corner down our left. Wayne Wilson delivers a deep corner, beyond the back stick, Dave Botterill heads back across goal, into the path of Matt Bourne, who heads home. Glorious, glorious. On 89 minutes officially, but boy, it felt later than that.
Finally, reasons to be cheerful:
a) of course (and obviously), footy back on a Saturday. b) a really good win against a good Whytleafe side. c) the team. A really strong team performance. But more more than that-we showed real desire right until the end. And we got out just rewards. Top drawer stuff.
Sponsors' MOM: Well I didn't hear it announced. So that of course means I get carte blanche to select. My selection, George Monger. Worked tirelessly for the team. But, every man jack put a shift in today. Top team performance.
Onwards to Ramsgate on Tuesday. See you there.
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Post by FAV Army on Aug 8, 2015 22:07:33 GMT
A great win.
Sponsors' MOM was officially announced as John Scarborough but I can't disagree with anything that you have said about George's performance, Dave.
I wonder how important that winner will be come the end of the season - as far as I'm concerned, Whyteleafe looked like they will be in the Play-off race again, based on today's performance.
I just loved the celebrations after the goal.
Every single player (apart from Rob French who probably wouldn't have been allowed off his line) in one big huddle together!
On to Tuesday we go.
Hopefully, we don't leave it quite as late as we did today!
P.S. It's great to be back.
FAV Army!
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Post by 4500x on Aug 8, 2015 23:02:19 GMT
Great report Dave - really enjoy the way you bring out the flavour of each game from a fan's point of view. No doubt, exciting season ahead and a lot to write about.
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Post by CJK on Aug 9, 2015 10:39:38 GMT
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