Gainsborough Home

[thesecondjack]

Well, I feel Gainsborough were probably the better team, their passing was good, but really needed a player to finish off the move every time, and that was why they didn't score, and we came out victors.

City did well, Nti had a great run in the first half down the right flank, before getting in a cross which Lee Hughes received well to put us in the lead - worth noting that Shaun Harrad had also made a good run from our half to make himself also available for the cross - I think he did just enough to disrupt the defenders away from Hughes.

Second half we looked the much worse team, as they kept on attacking, we struggled to mark players and stop them from playing the way they wanted. This was spotted by the management who reacted by putting Gater on who certainly had an impact in playing passing football - not the high balls and attempted clearances we had been doing for 20+ minutes before then. Waldron also came on for Dunkley (I think Dunkley had a knock) - did okay but must have had his boots on the wrong feet as he struggled to stay on his feet from the moment he got on the pitch. Finally Deon Burton came on for Hughes, and really did improve or passing game in my opinion. Shortly after, Nelson-Addy made a good run down the right, crossed the ball, and after a couple of fluffed passes and attempts to make contact from both teams, Ebby moved in and scored the second.

Enjoyable game, I thought Jackman at left back was impressive, and so was Ethan Ross in goal, who had to come off his line a fair few times when our defenders were beaten. Very good performance for a rather heavily rotated side. Well done to the managers for making what I felt were some very good substitutions.

Also, thanks to Jane in the PA box, last home game I told her that I didn't hear her do the half-time draw (I think I was just talking away), so she got me to read out the numbers this week! That'll teach me.

[zeke]

Dunkley went off with cramp. I think it was big gamble keeping Hughes on the pitch after his booking. He was a timebomb waiting to get sent off!

I really enjoyed the new system. Don't think it would work every week, but a nice change.

[dcx]

I don't think Gainsborough were the better team, we dominated the first half in terms of possession and attacking threat, thankfully made that count with the goal. Came out second half looking like a bunch of strangers, absolutely all over the place, I know we were against the wind but we couldn't string 2 passes together. Found a bit more fluency when Gater came on and started knocking it around better, which ultimately led to the second goal, Ebby with a good finish.

Thought a fair few of our players had good games, Jackman, Deeney, Ross (didn't have a lot to do but claimed crosses well, tough in the wind). Thought Dunkley and Morris also did well given their lack of game time, don't think Morris has played a minute since October?!

Not usually one to single out referees, but the guy today (D'Aguilar) is shockingly poor. Seen him time and again, no control over the game, no consistency, no awareness. I appreciate refereeing is a thankless task but he shouldn't be refereeing at this level.

[thesecondjack]

He is always a terrible ref, almost everyone agrees. The only consistency he has is that he's consistently terrible.

[auldreekie]

Well that will teach me but it was a nice lesson. I was out at a game and did not know the result and so went to "recent posts" and read the posts on today's game in reverse order. Talk of poor referees, "ticking timebombs" and "playing like strangers" did not bode well! As I read them I was fearing the worse until I got to the fourth post that confirms a win! A great result.

[alwaysnextyear]

A well deserved win for me and not second best at all. The wind made it a game of 2 halves, but I felt that we always had the cutting edge. We played the elements far better today, in particular not over elaborating in our own half. Our no nonsense defending was the key. Ross was commanding in goal, Minihan and Jackman very steady, and Sharpe and Morris ( all credit to him in particular ) were very good positionally, and were rarely caught out. Deeney and Nelson-Addy were both very industrious and ran the midfield, with our pace on the break always a threat. Good substitutions were made bringing on the control of Gater, the energy of Waldron, and the nous of Burton. A good 3 points which to me, demonstrated the depth of the squad. As for the ref, whilst he normally is useless, in fairness today was one of his better days ( perhaps we've finally learnt how to manage the game with him reffing ? ). Encouragement for the Xmas fixtures.

[Dodger]

Another good performance from the lads in tricky, windy conditions. The result, in our favour, definitely mattered and should hopefully give confidence to both players and supporters over the festive period.......especially against our 'bogey' side GCFC.

In my opinion, any that thought Gainsborough were a better side were probably mesmerised by their all yellow kit (was it fluorescent?) which seemed like they had players everywhere. Maybe a couple of the stewards joined in and no-one noticed? 

Another big game Tuesday night against Southport and, whilst neither side will probably relish a trip to Dover, a win will put £5,000 prize money into the coffers. Hopefully our coffers.

Dodger.  

[Woodenose]

Only 5 points cover the bottom 9 clubs, so the Christmas games are a must win for City and could see a nice little gap opening for us.Let's hope we can get passed Gloucester this time?

[Mark]

Even though the wind seemed to make it difficult for us to get the ball out of our half in the second 45 minute spell, I don't think Gainsborough actually managed to create a single serious effort. Certainly not a serious effort that was on target.

At least, that's the way it appeared to me.

[simples]

Echoing most of what has been said above. Very important win, as the league table shows very tight at the bottom. If we have a good 10 days we could give ourselves a bit of breathing space.

As for the game it showed that it can be difficult to play with the wind, meteorologically speaking. The goal in the first half was absolutely brilliant - the sort that lifts your team and deflates opponents. It came as the ball was played across our area during a Gainsborough attack, the ball was cleared forward where Nti on the right wing galloped towards the by-line outpacing the defenders and put over a wonderful cross from the corner flag which Hughes dispatched confidently from six yards, 1-0.

The second half saw the City penned back and come under increasing pressure, being 1 up City did not have to force the issue. Gainsborough did not create much and were guilty of over hitting their passes to the relief of City. When the ball was knocked forward Hughes was often fighting a lone battle and his frustration showed when he was booked for kicking the ball away having been adjudged to have fouled.

The substitutions coincided with City getting hold of the ball and knocking it about and Gainsborough getting more desperate. The 2nd goal came minutes from the end but City had a glorious opportunity earlier when they surged forward down the left but Dunkley failed to control the ball on the edge of the area with the goaly to beat and the chance was gone. Ebby Nelson-Addy showed great energy with a couple of surging runs and deserved his goal.

I think the ref was fair to both teams - his booking of their captain in the first half for hand ball when jumping up to block a cross was particularly harsh.

A good battling performance all round with potentially 4 of the first choice back 5 not playing.

[Tim Munslow]

I thought it was a hard-earned, efficient victory: three points certainly shot us up the table. More like this please.

Must admit when I discovered neither Gudger or Thomas were playing, and remembering that Jarman and Newsham play up front for Trinity and can both score goals, I thought it was going to be a tough afternoon, and although it was tough I thought we coped defensively very well. After all their pressure in the 2nd half Ebi Nelson-Addy's goal came at exactly the right time and you could see them lose their momentum from then on.

For me Mr D'Aguilar was OK; I know he's not some people's favourite but I have seen much worse.

[thesecondjack]

This game was certainly the best game I've seen the ref have. That's for certain. Still made daft decisions imo, but that's expected at this level.