Before anon (who can't even be bothered to register) says get Neil out - first half today we were rubbish but second half we matched Eastborne and should have had the most blatent pen but the ref and lino bottled it and gave a free kick outside the area - then a defensive error cost us to make it 2-1
criticism from someone who wasn't at the game is annoying me today - we were robbed
I thought we were unlucky. There was nothing between the two teams and a replay would have been fair. For those who weren't there you would have thought we'd won from the ovation (fully deserved) that the team received at the end of the match. To say Smith should go on the basis of what I say today is just laughable.
I don't normally say it - but were cheated and robbed. Definite penalty and should have been a red card. The referee and linesman gave us nothing all game. I haven't been Smith's greatest fan this season but to sack him after the 2nd half performance today would be ridiculous.
Can't agree that you were robbed, but you were unlucky. Boro should have had the game put to bed by half-time, but the second half could have gone either way, especially after the Montague goal. Yes, it probably was a penalty (I was down at the other end so couldn't see all that clearly), but even if given, a penalty is not a certain goal, and one goal was far from being enough to ensure a win (or even a draw). But a very good second half performance, against a Boro side at very nearly the top of their form. Play like that week in, week out, and you'll win a lot more than you lose, and would be possible play-off contenders. Anyway, thought you might like to read the Boro version of the game, the following is the official EBFC website game review:
Boro entertained Welling United for the 2nd time this season, The Sports 1-0 winners in the league. Boro named new signing Darren Budd amongst the substitutes, the starting 11 the same as at Bromley the previous Saturday.
As in the league fixture the home started brightly and Scott Ramsay flicked an early right-wing cross on for Matt Crabb who saw his shot blocked for a corner. A superb move from left-back to right-wing provided Ramsay with an opportunity on 10 minutes but his header was across the face of Jamie Turners goal. Atkin was already proving to be a handful for The Wings defence and on 13 minutes a right-wing freekick was met bravely by the Boro No.10 for a headed opener, 1-0 The Sports.
Welling nearly capitalised on Boro indecision immediately from the restart, Hook clawing over a shot from Ross Montague. After the scare Boro began to regain dominance and Atkin could have scored again on 26 and 29 minutes when his shots were inches wide. Mat Smart broke through the Welling defence and shot from 10 yards, Turner equal to the effort. Welling saw a goal bound effort, again from Montague, blocked and gathered by Hook on 37 minutes and Boro could have extended their lead when Ramsay rounded the keeper but was forced wide. The half ended with Boro pondering their superiority in the game with only a single goal lead.
Welling brought on Marlon Patterson at half-time and his presence had an immediate impact for Welling. Omari Coleman shot wide on 52 minutes but Patterson provided an excellent run and cross 2 minutes later for Montague to shoot past Hook for the equaliser.
The match was now even in score and more even in play but Boro had chances to get the lead back when a Ramsay cross just eluded Atkin and Turner saved brilliantly from the No. 9, wasted effort as the Boro striker was fractionally offside.
Boro substitutions changed the game in their favour. Nathan Crabb, Jamie Day and Darren Budd added fresh impetus in midfield and up front, and on 86 minutes Nathan flicked home from 8 yards after Welling defenders hesitated to clear and his brother Matts effort was blocked. Turner went up for a late corner but his header was wide of the mark and the home side moved into the next round, Welling reflecting on great effort in an entertaining game where the difference between the sides was far less than in the previous league encounter.
Thought we played really well today. Second half was the best i've seen us all season and deserved a replay but a silly defensive error cost us near the end. Should have had a clear penalty in the second hald but the offcials bottled it. Although considering they gave us nothing all game it didn't really surprise me they didn't give it. Hopefully we can keep this level of performance up and push on up the league!
Was also at the game today and thought we were excellent in the second half. Two wingers flying at their defence and with Omari and Ross looking good we played really well. However, Neil must look to manage only. The game really passed him by and if we replace him with either Boycie or Sam this would be a huge improvement. Plus why did he bring Blackman on for Ellis ? Blackman was at fault for their goal by not clearing the ball into row Z and also, what does he bring to the side ? Keep a settled side and will push on up the league but Neil, manage only please !! Harry Monk
Thought you played well today. Penalty shout was on the line but the ball was going out so wouldnt have been a sending off as it wasnt a goalscoring opportunity. Thought it a bit harsh you blaming on person in your defence for the winner, it was 2 players that left it to each other . thought the body language of your no 9 and 7 in the 1st half showed they were lacking confidence and your no 7 didnt want to get stuck in. But after seeing you twice this year you should definately finish in the top half and maybe you need abnother
"Time to go mate. Do the decent thing and walk NOW. You aint up to it."
I have to say in the five years I've been supporting Welling, I don't think I've seen a better reception for the team, after a win OR lose.
Good effort Welling, unfortunately your own poor clearing caused the defeat.
Graham
It was a great reception for the team - the only other time I can remember something like that was the Woking FA Trophy game a couple of years ago and we were again robbed by a bad ref
I'm still gutted and will be all week - it's annoying that that ref and lino will carry on like nothing has happened when we deserved something
oh well still the FA Trophy and Setanta Shield -I love the cups and would be nice to get a good run in one of them going
1) The keeper's flattening of Montague was only marginally less impressive than Schumacher flattening Battiston in 1982. Unfortunately the keeper was as lucky as Schumacher, fortunately Montague was luckier than Battiston. What card do you think Montague would have got if it had happened the other way around?
2) We played very well for a considerable part of the game.
3) We still did not get a positive result.
4) I observed about 2 months ago that we had what looked liked a good side but one that could find ways to beat itself. I was changing my opinion but now I think I was probably right the first time.
5) No one became a good manager instantly and I think Smith is learning reasonably fast. However he needs to get the team to stop beating themselves, which we palpably did yesterday. Laying the blame at anyone else's door is to be blind to the obvious. Correcting that would certainly buy him more time to get the rest right.
P.S. Didn't think Smith had a bad game yesterday and the tactics were right to stop us falling further behind once we went a goal down and set up for a later push. However, you cannot legislate if we are prone to big errors in big games which is a problem that precedes his tenure but seems to persist.
The Ross Montague - Lee Hook incident was unfortunate, but not quite as grim as some of your (understandably partisan) portrayals. I don't think anyone was filming yesterday, but if there had been a video it would have shown this: - three players, not two, converged at high speed on the through ball: some sort of collision was almost inevitable - as Hook and Montague approached each other, Darren Baker (Eastbourne 2) came across diagonally between them, headed the ball away towards the corner flag, and followed it - Hook and Montague then collided, a split second later, in the space Baker had left. Ross Montague had no chance of playing the ball but neither he nor Hook could stop in time. There was no way Hook could have avoided the contact - a red card for either player was out of the question: neither was violent, and because of Baker's (perfectly legal and skilful) interception, there was no goalscoring opportunity. A yellow card for Montague would not have been surprising; but truthfully both he and Hook were simply doing their job.
Thankfully neither player was seriously hurt. But Lee Hook really doesn't deserve this character assassination !
Worth adding, perhaps, that Welling's count of 21 fouls committed (plus two or possibly three not given because advantage was played) said something about Wings' tactics in stopping Eastbourne, especially in the first half. But this isn't intended to be a points-scoring post, so best just to say very well played to Welling, very narrow losers for the second time this season at Priory Lane. Don't write your team off, they could still be strong enough for the play-offs.
Anonymous wrote: Bruno i am sorry but he is a w**ker and deserves any abuse he gets.
Without getting into debate on the Neil situation about which I have already posted, my take on the matter is that an opinion was being expressed which is everyone's right. Many others have responded exercising their right and in doing so have expressed a different opinions.
Whilst many obviously do not agree with what was posted it was said in a matter of fact and non abusive manner. What I personally find a little sad is the perceived need to reply to a non abusive post, which was bound to be controversial but sparked off debate, with "**** off mate," and "he is a w**ker and deserves any abuse he gets."
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YOUTH are the future
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"The worst thing you can do is make a committment and not meet it and I understand that." Barrie Hobbins 14 August 2010
Anonymous wrote: Bruno i am sorry but he is a w**ker and deserves any abuse he gets.
Without getting into debate on the Neil situation about which I have already posted, my take on the matter is that an opinion was being expressed which is everyone's right. Many others have responded exercising their right and in doing so have expressed a different opinions.
Whilst many obviously do not agree with what was posted it was said in a matter of fact and non abusive manner. What I personally find a little sad is the perceived need to reply to a non abusive post, which was bound to be controversial but sparked off debate, with "**** off mate," and "he is a w**ker and deserves any abuse he gets."
simple fact if he was there he would be proud of smith and the boys like i am.
simple fact is fans get angry when people that no nothing say he has to walk.
I don't have a problem with industrial language per se and indeed use it, though not on this or any other forum to the best of my knowledge irrespective of what has been posted. Equally I don't have a problem with posters having differences with each other. However, I and I would suggest the majority of those who use the forum, would prefer to see postings without abusive attacks on other posters and that applies no matter who the poster is.
In this instance there were many others in the thread who expressed similar sentiments to yourself but did so without expressing their differences abusively which for me personally, and for many others in all probability, made a refreshing change and one which I would want to promote. The wording of your post gave me an opportunity to make that point.
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YOUTH are the future
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"The worst thing you can do is make a committment and not meet it and I understand that." Barrie Hobbins 14 August 2010
The Ross Montague - Lee Hook incident was unfortunate, but not quite as grim as some of your (understandably partisan) portrayals. I don't think anyone was filming yesterday, but if there had been a video it would have shown this: - three players, not two, converged at high speed on the through ball: some sort of collision was almost inevitable - as Hook and Montague approached each other, Darren Baker (Eastbourne 2) came across diagonally between them, headed the ball away towards the corner flag, and followed it - Hook and Montague then collided, a split second later, in the space Baker had left. Ross Montague had no chance of playing the ball but neither he nor Hook could stop in time. There was no way Hook could have avoided the contact
The only point I'd make on that is if it was as close as you suggest and Hook was going for the ball, how did Baker avoid getting cleared out as well. After all he was closest to the ball.
I must admit on a first consideration it looked like you said, however when you consider Hook made contact with neither Baker or ball, you have to say that his challenge was late and, combined with the fact that he was at speed and off the ground, in my another people's opinion, that constitutes dangerous play.
The fact the ref booked him and gave us a free kick showed that the ref thought he was in the wrong, not just some unfortunate accident as seems to be suggested by our friend from the South Coast.
I was thinking along the same lines because the defender cleared the ball well before the keeper clattered into Montague! It was a late and reckless challenge and deserved more than a yellow considering the nonsensical bookings that the 'ref' gave out earlier!
