Balham
S24SU Seer
After the two bellies' bike ride with Ollessendro down from London to Crawley and a few pints in the Brewery Shades we made our way to the latest in a string of tiny stadiums which have defined our stay in the third tier of English football.
Crawley started brightly with United unable to keep possession for more than a few passes, much to the annoyance of Clough on the sidelines. The first chance came after Freeman gave away a soft freekick on the left; a decent delivery was floated in and boyhood Blade Kyle McFadzean forced a decent diving stop out of Howard.
United grew in confidence but required some luck in taking the lead as good work from Murphy ended in a poor cross. However, McFadzean could only help the ball into the middle of the area where Coady was on hand to fire home despite the home keeper getting a hand to the ball.
As the half wore on the chances were still few and far between - one snap shot from Crawley was well over the bar before a well worked freekick hit the side netting of Howard's goal and another shot from distance was dragged well wide.
The half time whistle came after a series of soft freekicks with United looking solid at the back but lacking much in the way of attacking threat.
The second half was slow to start with the only incident of note being a booking for Freeman after he slightly overran the ball driving forward from left back. There was general bewilderment amongst the United fans behind the Crawley goal as it seemed that Freeman had been fouled himself but the work experience referee thought otherwise. That was followed by a ludicrous advantage given to United as the ball broke to Coady who was surrounded by Crawley players after a bad foul on Murphy. After winning the ball back, Crawley countered in numbers and following a decent stop from Howard, Tubbs could only turn the rebound over the bar in what was a real let off for United.
Nature was calling so I made my way towards the facilities only to stop as Jamie Murphy decided to take on three Crawley players along the touchline. A quick turn sold them all before a cross that looked too deep was met by Coady on the volley for his, and United's, second goal of the night.
United then created a couple of half chances but needed someone to pull the trigger, the only shot of note being a daisy cutter from McGinn although we were denied a stonewall penalty when Freeman was brought down by Connolly. Deep into injury time the final chance saw another good diving stop from Howard after a Crawley player had found space in the middle of the area.
The final point of interest for United was the introduction of Connor Dimaio and Otis Khan for their debuts as Maguire picked up a booking which will rule him out of the next two games. Several long balls from Crawley were headed out by United defenders before the referee realised that he was in danger of missing his bedtime and blew the final whistle to end a very professional away performance.
Ratings:
Howard 8: solid under the high ball, some excellent stops with the only black mark being the occasional slice into touch.
Brayford 6: didn't get forward as much as usual but was up against a tricky customer in Clarke. Didn't look 100% fit.
Collins 7: one rick aside when he gave away a needless corner he was solid against an in-form Tubbs.
Maguire 7: the best defender on the pitch. Solid and unflustered, he seems to be enjoying the freedom to motor forwards with the ball.
Freeman 8: despite playing on the 'wrong' side, he defended well and got forward to good effect too. Should have had a penalty.
Davies 7: despite his natural position apparently being right midfield he looks better at full back.
Doyle 7: broke up play and move the ball well
McGinn 6.5: see Doyle but didn't contribute as much to the attack as perhaps he could have, given that he was playing further forwards
Coady 8.5: two goals were a just reward for a good all round performance
Murphy 8: worried the Crawley right back every time he got the ball. What a difference to the player I saw shin the ball out against Oldham on Boxing Day.
Porter 7: held the ball up well and linked up with the midfield but had absolutely zero attacking threat.
Subs:
Paynter 6: ran about, gave away a free kick, had as much attacking threat as Porter. Filling a shirt at the moment.
Dimaio n/a: brought on for the last minute to make his debut. Not sure he touched the ball but that doesn't matter.
Khan n/a: see Dimaio.
Referee 5: needs to study the rulebook as part of his homework.
Non-footballing highlight: meeting moDtheGod 's uncle in the Brewery Shades and falling off my bike down a Sheffield Wednesday sized hole in the road on my way to the station (had to get that in before the other boys do!).
UTB
Crawley started brightly with United unable to keep possession for more than a few passes, much to the annoyance of Clough on the sidelines. The first chance came after Freeman gave away a soft freekick on the left; a decent delivery was floated in and boyhood Blade Kyle McFadzean forced a decent diving stop out of Howard.
United grew in confidence but required some luck in taking the lead as good work from Murphy ended in a poor cross. However, McFadzean could only help the ball into the middle of the area where Coady was on hand to fire home despite the home keeper getting a hand to the ball.
As the half wore on the chances were still few and far between - one snap shot from Crawley was well over the bar before a well worked freekick hit the side netting of Howard's goal and another shot from distance was dragged well wide.
The half time whistle came after a series of soft freekicks with United looking solid at the back but lacking much in the way of attacking threat.
The second half was slow to start with the only incident of note being a booking for Freeman after he slightly overran the ball driving forward from left back. There was general bewilderment amongst the United fans behind the Crawley goal as it seemed that Freeman had been fouled himself but the work experience referee thought otherwise. That was followed by a ludicrous advantage given to United as the ball broke to Coady who was surrounded by Crawley players after a bad foul on Murphy. After winning the ball back, Crawley countered in numbers and following a decent stop from Howard, Tubbs could only turn the rebound over the bar in what was a real let off for United.
Nature was calling so I made my way towards the facilities only to stop as Jamie Murphy decided to take on three Crawley players along the touchline. A quick turn sold them all before a cross that looked too deep was met by Coady on the volley for his, and United's, second goal of the night.
United then created a couple of half chances but needed someone to pull the trigger, the only shot of note being a daisy cutter from McGinn although we were denied a stonewall penalty when Freeman was brought down by Connolly. Deep into injury time the final chance saw another good diving stop from Howard after a Crawley player had found space in the middle of the area.
The final point of interest for United was the introduction of Connor Dimaio and Otis Khan for their debuts as Maguire picked up a booking which will rule him out of the next two games. Several long balls from Crawley were headed out by United defenders before the referee realised that he was in danger of missing his bedtime and blew the final whistle to end a very professional away performance.
Ratings:
Howard 8: solid under the high ball, some excellent stops with the only black mark being the occasional slice into touch.
Brayford 6: didn't get forward as much as usual but was up against a tricky customer in Clarke. Didn't look 100% fit.
Collins 7: one rick aside when he gave away a needless corner he was solid against an in-form Tubbs.
Maguire 7: the best defender on the pitch. Solid and unflustered, he seems to be enjoying the freedom to motor forwards with the ball.
Freeman 8: despite playing on the 'wrong' side, he defended well and got forward to good effect too. Should have had a penalty.
Davies 7: despite his natural position apparently being right midfield he looks better at full back.
Doyle 7: broke up play and move the ball well
McGinn 6.5: see Doyle but didn't contribute as much to the attack as perhaps he could have, given that he was playing further forwards
Coady 8.5: two goals were a just reward for a good all round performance
Murphy 8: worried the Crawley right back every time he got the ball. What a difference to the player I saw shin the ball out against Oldham on Boxing Day.
Porter 7: held the ball up well and linked up with the midfield but had absolutely zero attacking threat.
Subs:
Paynter 6: ran about, gave away a free kick, had as much attacking threat as Porter. Filling a shirt at the moment.
Dimaio n/a: brought on for the last minute to make his debut. Not sure he touched the ball but that doesn't matter.
Khan n/a: see Dimaio.
Referee 5: needs to study the rulebook as part of his homework.
Non-footballing highlight: meeting moDtheGod 's uncle in the Brewery Shades and falling off my bike down a Sheffield Wednesday sized hole in the road on my way to the station (had to get that in before the other boys do!).
UTB
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