Lopo’s View

September 13, 2008 Leave a Comment

With the new season now well under way, a mixture of results and a division where anyone can beat anyone on their day leaves us in 18th place, but only 8 points off the top and 6 points off the play-offs. After two straight defeats against Wrexham and Eastbourne we needed 3 more games to pick up our first win. The away defeat to Ebbsfleet was one of the worst performances I have seen for a very long time. Both going forward and defensively we were poor and never looked comfortable against a well organised Ebbsfleet side. It was one of them games where we couldn’t build up any sort of attack and ended up going long to Thomas and Christie which didn’t work!

Signs of missing Steve Morison (suspended) were showing and he returned against Crawley with no luck in what turned out to be another tricky game. New signing Chris Day found his feet quickly and so far has turned out to be a fantastic signing. Day is a class above Ashley Bayes and brings Football League experience to us too. He showed this in our away trip to Barrow where he made several top draw saves and kept us in the game. Steve Morison gave the Barrow defence a tough time. Barrow for me was the first game that we really looked convincing even though we conceded so early. Morison, McMahon and Vincenti all had good chances and if we had gone in 4 or 5 up by half time that wouldn’t of flattered us at all. It was good to see us really attack and look so comfortable defensively, with Barrow starting the season so well too. With a clanger to beat all clangers from the Barrow keeper, Lawrie Wilson tucked home Boro’s 3rd and a deserved 1st win. It definately made the long trip worth it.

After such a good win at Barrow to then go to Kettering and lose was a real kick in the teeth. We didn’t even play that badly. I don’t think we were the better team and Kettering proved that having an organised team is very useful in this division. It was one of them games where we had chances, but it was never going to be our night and unfortunately Kettering did win and took Iyseden Christie with them. It all became clear why Westley allowed Christie to go at the 20/20 meeting before the Burton game. He told us that Christie was lazy and didn’t want to do anything about his excess weight/fitness unlike Ashley Bayes who has continued to work hard in training despite being dropped. After listening to an interview on the Kettering website, Christie spoke about his move just before the Kettering game. I lost all respect for a player I once rated. He never really wanted to have to work for his place and rightly was told to go. Despite him scoring twice against York for Kettering I still agree with the decision to let him go (just about).

Since the defeat at Rockingham Road we have really upped the tempo and won our next two games very convincingly at home against Burton and Altrincham respectively. Both of these games were so pleasing to watch and we are definately beginning to look more of a threat going forward aswell as playing good football (most of the time). Morison is finally beginning to score goals and John Martin has returned nicely into the midfield alongside Michael Bostwick. We surely have enough to push up the table and into play-off contention. 18th position doesn’t sound good at the moment, but we are only 8 points from the top and hopefully with a bit of luck we can continue to improve and push it all the way.

Lopo

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Boro continue to improve as Alty are brushed aside

September 13, 2008 Leave a Comment

Boro’s recent improvement continued as Altrincham were beaten convincingly at Broadhall Way this afternoon. Boro dominated the game from start to finish and outclassed a team who just shouldn’t be in this division. Altrincham were always going to put 10 men behind the ball as they looked to take a point back to Cheshire. They lined up with a 4-5-1 formation with Chris Lane playing in a holding midfield position. Chris Denham was the lone striker with Lee Elam on the left and Warren Peyton on the right. Chris Senior, who scored the winner in the game between the two teams at BHW a few seasons ago, was on the bench.

Boro’s aim was to attack Altrincham from the off and get a quick start in order to try and replicate the win against Burton last Saturday. They did just that. Boro played some great football in the opening 20 minutes. Quick, short passes to feet and good movement off the ball. The left sided trio of Martin, McMahon and Laird were particularly impressing and it was them that were heavily involved in Steve Morison’s opening goal. Martin played in McMahon who cheekily scooped the ball over the Altrincham backline for Laird to run onto and cross for Steve Morison who finished from close range. A good goal which was reward for a great first 15 minutes.

Altrincham never looked like a threat going forward and even when they did have a chance through Lee Elam he hit it wide when he had only Day to beat. Boro were continuing to knock the ball about well, but were dealt a blow when the impressive McMahon was fouled by Lane and had to go off with a ankle injury. Lane was only booked. Mitchell Cole came on to replace McMahon and within 6 minutes he had doubled Boro’s lead with a good low drive from the left hand side of the area after Michael Bostwick had laid him on. It was a good finish and more or less put the game to bed.

Altrincham improved in the second half, but never looked like threatening to come back into the game. After a first half with good football, the second half was more direct with Luke Oliver in particular hoofing the ball at every opportunity. I still think Oliver is a weak link and is very mistake prone. His distribution is also terrible. Boro continued to make chances and both Morison and Boylan should of added to the scoreline.

Lawrie Wilson had a burst into the box and was fouled but referee Amy Raynor failed to give a penalty. A few minutes later Mitchell Cole ran into the box and seemed to fall over quite easily after losing the ball, but this time Raynor gave the penalty. She didn’t have a great game. Not her worst at BHW, but many poor decisions and seemed to be whistle happy throughout. Steve Morison hammered the penalty in to give Boro a third and a comfortable victory.

Overall, it was another good home win and performance. The current team looks to have gelled and now seems to have a balance. The introduction of John Martin in the midfield has made a big difference. The defence seems to have struck an understanding now and Chris Day is a very good goalkeeper for this level. Lee Boylan has also allowed Steve Morison to flourish. The Morison/Boylan partnership has yielded 6 goals between them in just two games. Next up a tricky game away at Forest Green.

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