Ponte Carlo (H)

[Dean]

I think a few of us probably would have taken a point before today’s game, but conceding so late on makes it feel like a disappointing afternoon. Weirdly though, I was actually then quite pleased to hear the final whistle, as they had the momentum and may have actually nicked a winner.
We were definitely the better side though in the first half, and deservedly took the lead through Ryan Seal after good work by Chally. I don’t remember them having a decent chance in the first half, but then again I’m not sure we did either.
The second half was a different story though. We sat back for the last 25mins and it felt a matter of time before they would score. We had chances on the break, but weren’t clinical and I don’t think many of us were surprised when they equalised, albeit in injury time.
Referee was poor, inexplicably not booking 2 of their players for aggressive challenges early on. That meant the game became more tetchy than it needed to be. Certainly on most days, their number 9 would have been sent for an early shampoo of his hair for 2 bookable offences. Still, a decent festive period overall.
COYR

[thechump]

We played well in the first half but then seemed to let them boss us about a bit in the second half. Overall, a good result and the singing in the stand was probably the highlight of the second half!!

[chewy]

Dean has said it all really. Although my overal assessment would have been slightly less generous. They were a fast tackling no nonsense team in some cases prepared to kick anything that moved and getting away with it too often. We scrambled a first half goal but too often took the wrong option when we had half chances. My
Impression that upfront the forwards were not reading each other's play well enough. I think we have a potential match winner in Joe Boachie but only if he is given the right service. Mike Armstrong continues to impress he reads the game so well. The play-offs not impossible but a struggle. Looking at the table Three or four looking at the automatic promotion and a further seven who must think they have a play-off chance. Speculating then Ten or eleven teams vying for the top six including ourselves.
That's how it seems at the moment.

[Dean]

I’ve not seen much of the 2 strikers, but what i saw yesterday didn’t impress me. Not sure they’re the elusive answer.
Good to see Peasgood yesterday by the way. I’d not seen him play before. We all like seeing local lads playing. He did ok I thought.

[anon]

A disappointing result for me yesterday, felt like 2 points lost rather than a point gained.

First half I felt, on the whole, we dominated. We were questioning in the terrace how were Pontefract so high up in the table because we made them look average for large parts of the first half. We scored a scrappy goal but all were in agreement that we needed to push on and get another.

So what do we do in the second half? Yes, sit back and try to defend a 1-0 lead, something that we've learnt time and time again, Stamford cannot do. That showed and having been absolutely battered for the whole of the second half we collapsed yet again to concede in the 90th. The performances in either halves compared were like watching 2 different teams, its frustrating and having looked at the table at half time, when were 1-0 up, it looked very promising but despite gaining a point still, the table at full time and what it currently looks like, was depressing.

Like chewy says, play offs still possible, and I hate to be talking about this so early still but "if results go our way" and we win our games in hand we are in the play off places. But, a lot to do. And if we want to get in the play offs, the games against teams like Pontefract are the ones we need to win and we have another on Saturday against Lincoln.

Mikey Armstrong was quality yet again, and a player I have often criticised when he has made the odd appearance was Harry Peasgood who I thought showed positives throughout, I heard someone say on the terrace that all he needs is some confidence and after a nervy start I thought he grew into the game well. I do think Ryan Seal is a quality signing for us and definitely a goalscorer as we saw today but I can't understand the decision by drury for taking him off, the substitutions did confuse me yesterday in all honesty. And had Brown-Hill (who impressed me when he came on too) and Adams taken their chances in the second half, especially Adams' 1v1 with the keeper after a sublime bit of solo skill we would be talking about 3 points. I think its going to end up coming together eventually but it could possibly be a little too late.

There was also the news last night that Danny Hussey has had to step down as Drurys number 2, being replaced by Cottesmores Alex Cross. Seems like a good appointment, young, hungry and keen to do well, hopefully his coaching and drurys management could turn our season around who knows. But take nothing away from Hussey who I think has been an excellent assistant gaffer, top quality man and will be missed.

Apologies for the essay but felt like it was a key game yesterday with a lot to say. Lincoln on Saturday is now another big one, a win is desperately needed against play off contenders, and to carry on some momentum into 2019. COYR