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Blue Square South Guide

Bin Man 87

28-03-2009

Sink, a state

Illness prevented my attendance at Hampton & Richmond today but my London Branch colleague at the game suggested to me that he would happilly swap his position, at the Beveree, for mine, chundering into a sink. Perhaps that tells you all you need to know. Whether that be about the game or m'esteemed chum from south of the river is up to you.

Still, after being distinctly and, I'd like to think, uncharacteristically grumpy and downcast since early December, I am now trying to approach the run-in with some positivity, particularly as you never know what you're going to get with them Hawks. After a disappointing two-all draw (we've been making that scoreline a speciality since Christmas) at home to Thurrock who currenly occupy the last relegation zone placing we are scrabbling to avoid, we went and won at Weston-super-Mare on the Monday night.

Losing away at Hampton who, given AFC Wimbledon dip in form, might well be champions come April 25th was no big surprise and, frankly, it was good to get it out of the way. Four games in nine days (three at home) in a week from next Saturday will I hope generate enough points to allow a relaxed final fortnight.

I certainly don't need Eastleigh dick-swinging it around West Leigh Park on the final day of the season with us still needing something for survival rather than just pride.

Still, we have five games prior to that, all of which are winnable but, unfortunately, are just the types of games we have been known to throw away.

Fingers crossed!

Posted by skif at 19:00:18 4 comments Leave a comment

10-03-2009

Black holes to loadsa goals

"We’re used to taking the rough with the smooth. We are football supporters, it’s how we roll. However, just like all the food in the future (I say speaking in 1972 about the year 2000) will be in compacted tablet form, we have combined all the elements this week into a short elixir that, when necked, starts with a bitter taste that’ll make you wince a bit, then follows that sharp hit with a wave of unexpected pleasure. This is the story of our last 72 hours. Less than, actually."

After a poor showing at Welling, some form is show at home. Hazzah! More about that at the dubSteps site.

Posted by skif at 00:14:29 0 comments Leave a comment

03-03-2009

Winning! Hopefully now becoming a habit.

Havant & Waterlooville 2 Team Bath 1

Well, after an uncharacteristically curmudgeonly response to what was a hard-earned point against a good side, how might I react to a win; a precious, beautiful, shiny win? At half time I would have assumed, much as I did after Saturday’s performance, that goals are going to be really hard to come by as we once again looked pretty poor going forward. This is a bit of a worry when we are at the stage of needing wins now, and not relying on the scraping of draws amidst the odd defeat.

However, when you’re in a hole you need plenty of strength in your arms and the adrenaline pumping to clamber out, and despite not looking in particularly good form on Saturday or last night, we’re getting amongst it, not giving up the ghost. Our side don’t appear to be playing to their strengths but are at least playing with a collective strength of will, and it is that which has earned us four points in three days.

Mind you we’ve benefited from a lot of penalties this season, as was the case with the winner last night, and I’d certainly like to see more goals coming from open play. On the bright side though, Craig Watkins seems to have been whittling away at his finishing with a bowie knife appearing, as it does, sharper as each week passes. As against Crawley in the Trophy, his shot for the opener tonight was pinpoint and immaculate.

An equaliser was conceded six minutes later (to the eerie sound of silence, Team Bath’s support not being known for their vocal support or, indeed, existing) but we can take heart in the fact we didn’t wilt nor settle for another point. The penalty may have come amidst no appeals from the terraces but eagle-eyed types were suggesting the ref had warned Sami El-Abd to keep his hands off Ian Simpemba at a free-kick and when he failed to heed the head’s up, he suffered the whistle and point.

Another calm finish from Luke Nightingale from the spot followed. He now has six goals for the season and five of them have come in this manner. Jamie Collins, substituted earlier, has scored eight this season, and six of them have been penalties, so like I say we’ve had plenty of clumsy defenders and eagle-eyed refs (and maybe the odd bat-eyed ref) helping us along.

If any defenders playing for Welling United, Bishop’s Stortford, Dorchester Town, Bath City, Hampton & Richmond Borough, Thurrock, Fisher Athletic, Maidenhead United, Basingstoke Town or Eastleigh are reading this, or indeed any genial refs already dreaming of their summer holidays, then please be assured that any contribution you can make will be welcome. Cheers.

Posted by skif at 10:26:03 3 comments Leave a comment

01-03-2009

Keep the ball on the floor! And that bandage on your head!

"this was a result if not beyond my wildest dreams, then certainly contained somewhere within the one where I am chased repeatedly around Swindon’s magic roundabout by Raymond Burr riding a mauve gazelle."

Never satisfied am I? Take a point off the hitherto nine-points-clear leaders, and I really am not sure how to feel about it. More talk of poor passing but lion-hearted effort in the dubSteps report.

Posted by skif at 15:24:31 0 comments Leave a comment

Archive
Sink, a state
Black holes to loadsa goals
Winning! Hopefully now becoming a habit.
Keep the ball on the floor! And that bandage on your head!