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What a long night, i don't really know where to start.

We started the game poorly, and Eastwood somehow failed to scored after about 8 minutes when Joe Day scrambled the ball away, from then on it was moreorless all diamonds for the majority of the first half. Farrell scored a simple (but long overdue) goal, and could have done so 5 minutes after but he rattled the bar.

Next thing, out of nowhere their player (Miller?) was inexplicably free in absolute acres on the left side to thread a ball to Stevenson, who had the simple task of rolling the ball in. That was just before the half time whistle.

Second half we came out absolutely pathetic. Jamie Day was getting totally rinsed time and time again by their right sided players, and after once such rinsing a cross was totally flapped at by Joe Day allowing Stevenson to head into an empty net. Almost immediately after that, they scored again, a similar goal to the first. Jamie Day played a major role in us conceeding the first 3 goals and was appalling throughout IMO.

We then decided to wake up, and a strange overhead kick by Farrell ended up at Charles' feet, and he lashed it in first time on the volley. Farrell was then taken off with Sam Smith being brought on.

Now i'm not usually Sam Smith's biggest fan, but he changed the game. They couldn't cope with his pace at all. A free kick which was taken by Smith 30 yards from goal (Farrell style) was palmed out by the keeper, and was expertly converted by Charles. I know a rebound from a free kick doesnt sound like a great goal but it was a fantastic finish.

From then on it was all Diamonds. O'Connor was brilliant throughout and could have scored on numerous occasions. He smashed the ball just wide of the post in injury time.

Then we went into extra time, and moreorless conceeded straight away, Rhead (and no i haven't spelt his name wrong) tucking away a simple pass across the 6 yard box. Rhead was the propper fat bloke who plays up front for them who looked like he'd enjoyed his christmas. In fairness, he's bloody good at holding the ball up, especially compared to Farrell who couldn't hold a pint. We then had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside in my opinion. O'Connor was adjudged to have been offside but it looked ok to me.

The end to the game was comical and summed up the past 10 games. O'Connor was rugby tackled by Stevenson in literally the last second of injury time in extra time. He got a straight red, and Power proceeded to smash the pen out of the ground. The final whislte was blown straight away.

A bizarre way to go out but a hell of a game.

To sum it up, Jamie Day was awful all game, we looked dodgy at the back all game, but looked like we would score everytime we went forward, O'Connor, Charles and Smith were the stand out players. I also thought King did extremely well when he came on.

Stevenson though, a bloody good player. It's been a long time since i have seen a central midfielder get into the box as regularly as that. Reminded me of McElhatton. He's extremely lightweight but bags for fun. The programme which was a month out of date showed that he had scored 13 goals by Dec 14th - Well he's scored at least 15 now, from central midfield. Have a word Justin!

2/10 for the result, but 10/10 for entertainment. Haven't enjoyed a game like that for a while.

I've just looked on the Eastwood website, and apparently Stevenson scored 29 in his first season, and 32 in his second at Eastwood. From midfield that is unreal.

My match report will come tomorrow when Im had time to reflect on tonights events

Agree with 95% of this, particularly the Jamie Day stuff. When this was raised on another thread I thought it was very harsh, but I perhaps think I've been generous towards him - he was awful tonight.

The defence is the bit that gets to me the most atm. I'm sure that on paper Osano, Day, Miller and Corcoran is one of the better defensively lines in the conference, yet during this 10 game run we look vulnerable at every attack. And all 4 of the goals tonight were so easy for Eastwood.

I would have to say Charles for MOM, two goals - the second really was a cracking volley - and he seemed more productive than usual to me.

One last thing - the penalty. I know people might disagree, but I felt sorry for Power. For me he has been our best player of 2011 by a MILE, and the penalty wasn't that bad. He tried to sidefoot it hard, staright down the middle and it's gone over, but there was a lot of pressure on that pen, and I wouldn't fancy any of the others to score it.

After getting back i would have to agree, you cannot 'defend' like that in professional football it was criminal. Smith changed the game when he came on and really impressed tonight.

Jamie Day was absolutly awful tonight and he was at fault for a large no. of their goals, the Eastwood RM had him in his pocket, seeing as Day has dropped down form Po$h that is not good enough, also he created nothing going forward and lost the ball a few times when attempting to beat his man.

I also thought our midfield was seriously poor tonight when porter was moved to RB. King, Johnson struggled to get the ball and when they did provided very little, Jhonson is simply too slow on the ball he needs to up the tempo of his play, i just don't think he has a footballing brain.

Farrell got a goal but should of had more, he had a 1 on 1 with the keeper after a great through ball but wasn't quick enough and was caught by the defender, blazing his shot over. (im not counting the one that hit the bar as i think he would have done very well to get it in from that angle)

O'connor had a goal wrongly not given but would not stop moaning throughout!!
i know things aren't going well for him and the team at the moment but he is the captain now and he has to lead by example.

MOM has to go to Charles, best game i have seen him play, gutted he couldnt get the hat-trick.

As for the penalty, Az would never have got to the ball but he was clearly hacked down. the pressure on Power as he took that penalty was to much for him, he looked devastated when he missed. i would have preferred Az to step up and take it, buts its a lot easier to say that in hindsight.

Did anyone find out who the official was from Weymouth?

I think thats a pretty fair assessment. I agree with you about Jamie Day, defensively he was woeful although as were all the back four. I think he would be much more effective playing on the left hand side of midfield especially with his crossing ability. Fairplay to Eastwood they were physical and played to their strengths but conceding 4 goals to an average Conf North side is worrying. We need a couple of experienced heads and fast!!

Jamie Day was dire, he worst game for the club by an absolute mile, but Osano was even worse IMO. He didn't win a header all game, he committed so many stupid fouls (one of which led to the second goal) and was completely outplayed and outmuscled by their number 9.

I'm struggling to think of a worse individual performance in 15 years as an R&D fan.

Charles, O'Connor and Smith were excellent though.

davealbon wrote:but Osano was even worse IMO.

Although I didn't witness last night's performance Osano, despite being a fan's favourite, needs dropping from the team. At present he is an absolute liability in the team and his place should be given to Justin Miller who offers us far more in all aspects.

Perhaps Kurt Robinson should also be asked to return from Chelmsford.