[ Tue 23rd Apr ] v Eynesbury Rovers, KO 7:45pm UCL1 HOME

[Formic]

I'd certainly have taken a draw at half-time, let alone after 80 minutes. Its amazing how quickly the Dog & Duck pitch has turned from a bog to concrete, so our central midfielders couldn't do the sort of challenges they'd got used to, and the ball didn't stop quickly enough for the strikers to catch - and anything a bit lower was cut out by Reynolds. I admit I was surprised Jake Newman was taken off when he was, but clearly Taylor and Allen did the business for the first goal.

The penalty award was very harsh, and inconsistent with many earlier decisions where challenges went unpunished. I did wonder if he'd have given it if we hadn't had our spotkick earlier.

I agree with the earlier comment about the number of UCL officials there last night - it's a shame they lacked the respect to let us support our team without feeling we needed the benefit of their opinions.

[corby diamond]

Emotions were running too high last night so i decided to wait until this morning to post, plus i am only just getting out voice back

Anyways I keep running it through in my mind, 2 points lost or a point gained...which one?? Then i came to the conclusion that before the game i wanted a draw, and seen as at 75 minutes we looked to be well and out, then a draw was the best result, regardless of the penalty whether it was or wasn't WE ARE STILL IN IT PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!

I have never seen a more frustrating 75 minutes than that, Oadby and Sileby were a piece of p*ss compared to them last night, they passed well, defended excellent and for 75 minutes we never looked like scoring if im being honest. Seemed to be no fluency with passing on the ground, instead hoofing over the top seemed the best option...Except when Alfie was around so was 3 or 4 defenders, so every time it came to nothing.

Then the penalty which Alfie took The goalkeeper didnt even go the right way, i said straight away thats what pressure does to you, and i couldn't believe when starms brought lance on Alfie didnt go off... From my point of view he looked tired, never looked like scoring,,,But then again Jake just wasnt in the second half either...
On the subject of Jake did anyone see when the penalty was given him arguing with that little lad, im sure i saw jake slap him round the head, if that was the case and anyone saw that it surely would of been a red card...Thats the last thing we need going into the last 3 games with a key player out...

Alfie definately made amends with that pass to lance, im suprised he didnt shoot he usually does :lol: But fair play to him and Sams goal was immense, Cant wait to see that again.
Celebrations were wild and loved the whole bench running up the touchline passed us, brilliant scenes.

We need to play at potton like at raunds last week, fluent passing, passing and moving and not over the top... On for 3 points lads...

Now for the not so good, Anyone who has read my previous posts knows that i disagree with throwing things, Bottles and the loo roll, i didnt see. But if any steward or management saw the person who threw a cup of whatever when they celebrated then please take action. At the end of the day if the league was to fine the club then its THESE PEOPLE who caused it...Why spoil the moment when an opponent scores.

Full credit to starms and good sportsmanship shaking their hands at the end, especially as one of their management team stuck his fingers up to the fans after their pen...

As for the referee I was right next to the barrier when the ref walked off, Where i can understand peoples frustration I couldnt give a hoot about the him, Nothing will change, I clapped every player shouting you can still do this...The players need our support, lets get right behind them!!!

[Trek]

.... for the first 3/4 of the match we resorted too readily to hitting long, hopeful balls forward, which were meat and drink to their no. 4 Reynolds. Once we started to get the ball down we looked the far better side. We need to play to our strengths and not get dragged into playing how the opposition want us to.

Exactly the point I have made in the Potton preview thread, Martin. The early goal Eynesbury scored probably dictated their tactics so it was us to us to break them down by playing the ball wide. Once we did this we scored two fine goals.

[Formic]

.... for the first 3/4 of the match we resorted too readily to hitting long, hopeful balls forward, which were meat and drink to their no. 4 Reynolds. Once we started to get the ball down we looked the far better side. We need to play to our strengths and not get dragged into playing how the opposition want us to.

Exactly the point I have made in the Potton preview thread, Martin. The early goal Eynesbury scored probably dictated their tactics so it was us to us to break them down by playing the ball wide. Once we did this we scored two fine goals.

I don't know whether we planned it, but Gearing and Wizz seemed to play far deeper than usual last night, almost in wing back roles at times, with the two full backs getting more central to support Hope and Deakin.

[UttoDiamond]

Still coming to terms with what last night means in the bigger picture. On the one hand, we were about 10 mins from another season in UCL1 but now we need 'just' 7 points to get the job done.

On the other hand, again we've been cheated at the end by a ref who was thrilled to have his moment in the spotlight.

I still feel pleased all in all, but the nerves are still there that were so nearly eliminated. Potton and Spencer will be tough games, last night will look a lot better if we can finish the season on a high.

A very sensible point, while I felt we were robbed by the penalty decision at the end, three points would have been undeserved due to our first 70 min performance. A point is still a great result as it was a must not lose game. "Only" 7 points needed now, which I'm convinced we will get.

WE ARE GOING UP

[Chas]

I don't think it would be appropriate to comment on any actions against any individuals involved in the incidents of last night, but suffice to say of course everything will be looked at discussed and approriate action within the bounds of any regulations we have to adhere to.

Personally I thought under the circumstances we dealt with everything fairly swiftly but we have limited resources and can't be everywherte at once and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, if you're unhappy with the way anything was dealt with at the time, then you need to think about stepping up to the plate and helping out, we can't do it all on our own. Yes I know some of you can't because of this that or the other, but there were 759 people there last night, can we really only muster 6 volunteers (half of them board members) out of all those people. We're all in this together.

[Formic]

I don't think it would be appropriate to comment on any actions against any individuals involved in the incidents of last night, but suffice to say of course everything will be looked at discussed and approriate action within the bounds of any regulations we have to adhere to.

Personally I thought under the circumstances we dealt with everything fairly swiftly but we have limited resources and can't be everywherte at once and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, if you're unhappy with the way anything was dealt with at the time, then you need to think about stepping up to the plate and helping out, we can't do it all on our own. Yes I know some of you can't because of this that or the other, but there were 759 people there last night, can we really only muster 6 volunteers (half of them board members) out of all those people. We're all in this together.

Thanks for the update. I assume you are referring to stewarding volunteers rather than volunteers in general - we are going to need our fundraising volunteers to work even harder if we have to raise funds to pay UCL fines for the inappropriate behaviour of a few people - unless of course those concerned are prepared to put their hands in their pockets....

In the Griggs or Cousins' days it was perhaps forgotten that the funds for these fines have to come from somewhere, but now the fans own the club, every person who pays their entrance fee or spends money once inside the ground will end up paying for the few who can't behave in the same way as the other 750 are able to do.

[Bob's Bitch]

Still coming to terms with what last night means in the bigger picture. On the one hand, we were about 10 mins from another season in UCL1 but now we need 'just' 7 points to get the job done.

On the other hand, again we've been cheated at the end by a ref who was thrilled to have his moment in the spotlight.

I still feel pleased all in all, but the nerves are still there that were so nearly eliminated. Potton and Spencer will be tough games, last night will look a lot better if we can finish the season on a high.

A very sensible point, while I felt we were robbed by the penalty decision at the end, three points would have been undeserved due to our first 70 min performance. A point is still a great result as it was a must not lose game. "Only" 7 points needed now, which I'm convinced we will get.

WE ARE GOING UP

Yeah when it's put like that it's ok. At 85 minutes I would have been happy to draw, but to score on 90+2 and then get cheated out of a win is really bloody annoying. It'll seem weird once it's over but it feels like bloody Christmas, it feels ages away! After Sam's goal I was all ready for celebrating at Potton but to now have to wait a whole week for it (I think Eynesbury will draw at Harrowby) is just.... ARGH!

[sussexdiamond]

Like most of us I have now had time to calm down (perhaps it was just as well my computer was "down" last night when I got home).

What a roller coaster! I could not believe how badly we played for the first 75 mins and was not at all surprised when we missed the penalty, in fact I expected it. Did Eynesbury manage to get a pre match viewing of Oadby's free kick the only difference last night was that Tom was no where near it.

That last 15 mins, including the seemingly never ending additional time was unbelievable. probably the most dramatic period I have ever seen in a Diamonds match (Well maybe the Cheltenham fiasco comes close). The celebrations after Sams goal will be hard to ever beat.

I came home not knowing whether to be happy or sad, and I was also under the mistaken belief we had to win all 3 games.

Well the wheels on the train continue to speed/stutter towards the end of the line. Roll on Spencer and we can all then rest in the sidings, and maybe have a permissible pitch celebration after the game has ended.

[SouthRushdenJFC]

I was also under the mistaken belief we had to win all 3 games.

Before the start we had four games left.