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Post by adambrid on Nov 17, 2023 22:27:06 GMT 1
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Post by leftwinger on Nov 18, 2023 18:16:23 GMT 1
LGE: FC United of Manchester 3 v GUISELEY 2 Sat. 18 Nov. 2023
Games between these two sides are usually feisty and well-contested (reds v whites-battle of the ‘roses’!) and so it proved today. Unfortunately, Guiseley conceded three goals for the second successive week, but this time were not able to secure even a draw, (never mind a win!) In truth, though, the ending was cruel with a second half added-time contentious penalty, allowing FCUM to secure the win. This sees the Lions move down to eighth in the League table, but still only one point behind fifth placed Macclesfield.
It looked so much more positive after Joe Stacey put the away side ahead in the first half, as both sides attacked vigorously, but the lead wasn’t held for long before FCUM equalised. In the second half, the Lancashire side took the lead, but thankfully later Prince Ekpolo netted what would turn out to be the best goal of the match to make it 2-2. The game seemed to be moving towards a draw and a share of the points for each side, which would have been fair. But, in stoppage time, when the ball was charged down by Gabriel Johnson, he was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area. The resultant penalty was put away, to secure victory for the red team to the noisy acclamation of the home fans. At the final whistle, there was a bit of ‘something going on’ (handbags amongst certain players?) in the middle of the pitch, but of course nothing would change the result. Guiseley’s two new loan signings both made their debuts in this game-Moore and Forshaw. Perhaps the defence is where the manager now needs to be looking to make further positional or/and tactical change.
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Post by leftwinger on Nov 18, 2023 18:31:16 GMT 1
Looking forward to the Matlock game on Tuesday night, and hopefully a home win but our defence will need to tighten up. Also, hoping to see John Johnston in action for the away side, a winger I liked when he played for the Lions. We haven’t replaced him, IMO, especially with Lewis Whittam out of action. Matlock are one point better off than Guiseley and are currently placed above them in the table. Thus, the scene is set perfectly for Tuesday night’s showdown. It should be a good one! |
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Post by netherfieldlion on Nov 18, 2023 18:35:23 GMT 1
Not sure how we lost that one. Not at our best but have beaten far better teams in recent weeks.
Lacked height at the back and going forward today but did more than enough for a point at least.
No need for despair. The overall trajectory is still upwards.
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Post by netherfieldlion on Nov 18, 2023 18:35:28 GMT 1
Not sure how we lost that one. Not at our best but have beaten far better teams in recent weeks.
Lacked height at the back and going forward today but did more than enough for a point at least.
No need for despair. The overall trajectory is still upwards.
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Post by adambrid on Nov 18, 2023 18:43:15 GMT 1
Another defeat at Broadhurst Park, is there a curse on the place?!
We just cannot win there despite, in parts, another good performance.
The first half actually took a bit of time to get going even though Pratt netted early but I was ruled out for offside.
Boyes parried two low crosses but we couldn't take advantage of the error and the danger was cleared.
Murphy had a good chance at the end of an excellent move from the Lions but he volleyed just over the bar.
Battersby had to make the first save of the afternoon though when Munro's effort looked to be sneaking in but the keeper made the stop at full stretch.
Three minutes later we had the breakthrough, Stacey's initial volley was blocked but he took full advantage of the rebound and smacked the ball past Boyes into the bottom corner.
Ennis then fired over but made no mistake a few minutes later when out of nowhere he levelled the scores.
I'm what seems to have become a recurring pattern lately we started the second 45 slowly and FCUM took full advantage through Munro's scrappy finish on the rebound from Battersby's initial save.
Kendall and Boyes then fired over but with a third of the game left we were back level.
Ekpolo did it in style, he looked up picked his spot and fired right into the bottom corner leaving Boyes with no chance.
A cracking finish and first Lions league goal for the midfielder!
It was FCUM who had the next chance but Whelan calmly cleared the ball from underneath his own bar.
With eight minutes left Johnson went close to putting the Lions in front for a second time but his header was blocked and the chance was gone.
Then came the match winner, a shot hit was pace struck Johnson and the ref pointed to spot.
The sub McLaughlin went straight down the middle and the points were gone.
We move on to Tuesday nights clash with Matlock at Nethermoor.
Come on Guiseley!
AB
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Post by tugger18 on Nov 18, 2023 19:08:01 GMT 1
Not sure how we lost that game. We were the far better side until we made a mistake playing out from the back. They scored and give them the ascendency to get back into the game. Then it was pretty even until the ref stepped in and gave the penalty.
Onwards and upwards.
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Post by plasticman on Nov 18, 2023 19:57:51 GMT 1
"...made a mistake playing out from the back." It strikes me that unless you are currently the manager of a top-flight Premier League team, then it would be wise to avoid including "playing out from the back" in your team's repertoire of tactics.
Unless you enjoy hearing variations of the phrase, "made a mistake". |
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Post by tugger18 on Nov 18, 2023 20:32:02 GMT 1
"...made a mistake playing out from the back." It strikes me that unless you are currently the manager of a top-flight Premier League team, then it would be wise to avoid including "playing out from the back" in your team's repertoire of tactics.
Unless you enjoy hearing variations of the phrase, "made a mistake". Some time premier league players make a mistake playing out from the back. |
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Post by plasticman on Nov 18, 2023 20:40:52 GMT 1
That was exactly the point I was trying to make. If even some Premier League players make mistakes trying to play out from the back, what are the chances of Level 7 players getting it right consistently?
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Post by deejayrobertson on Nov 18, 2023 20:54:48 GMT 1
Prince Ekpolo scored a goal, and so morally we won the game.
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Post by tugger18 on Nov 18, 2023 21:03:39 GMT 1
That was exactly the point I was trying to make. If even some Premier League players make mistakes trying to play out from the back, what are the chances of Level 7 players getting it right consistently? We did get it right four times out of five. Unfortunately the time we got it wrong resulted in a goal. Apart from that I thought we were still the better team. |
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Post by plasticman on Nov 18, 2023 22:19:28 GMT 1
Let me clarify. As you point out, even Premier League players get it wrong. I'm not sure what the perceived advantage is, but teams at this level (and several levels above) trying to play out of defence, based on a back-of-a fag-packet risk-benefit assessment, is too risky a tactic. Getting things right four times out of five are not good odds in my book. I hope you're not a surgeon or work in the nuclear industry.
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Post by colin19 on Nov 18, 2023 23:13:14 GMT 1
I’m afraid today we were undone by what seemed to me to be a young inexperienced referee. I don’t like to criticise because I think FC Utd create an intimidating atmosphere - which is also perfectly acceptable, but I think the FA need to give refs more time develop.
However I felt the balance of marginal decisions became relentlessly in favour of the home side in the last quarter. Their third goal epitomised this. The free kick that led to the corner was not a free kick. The corner should have been a goal kick. The penalty dubious but then the shout moments later at the other end was equal to it. I do think we should not have lost, but a draw would have been a fair result.
A poor FC United team raised their game today. For some reason they seem to think we are Leeds Utd - this is tiresome and disrespectful. I enjoyed it today when they started chanting ‘we all hate Leeds’ and then so did our fans. Not that I have anything against Leeds, just that we are not them and they are not Manchester Utd.
I’m positive about the team and performance in general. Matlock need to feel the consequences on Tuesday.
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Post by Nik on Nov 18, 2023 23:36:05 GMT 1
It’s alright, you can say it Colin - the referees have been awful in this division. We understand we’re not going to get the best, we’re going to get tier 7 standard, but it still hurts.
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