Right so despite my current scepticism and dubious thoughts of our current position, against my better judgement I dragged myself and my other half (to her obligatory one game per season) to Priestfield on Saturday.
Decided to visit the Factory before the game and sit in the "newly opened" restaurant section, which for the life of me I can't work it out why it's taken five years to open up considering it's just some extra tables and chairs with little else. The £4 "gourmet burger" they were offering left you more pondering the definition of gourmet than it did be a tasting experience. Had the experience frustrated again in that the bouncers wouldn't let us through the door into the Rainham End so begrudgingly trudged around to the turnstiles. This however bemusingly appeared to be a futile experience as we walked straight through without myself or my partner getting searched, leaving us very much asking what was the point?
Anyways onto the match. The first half, well, that was pretty dire from both sides. Stats may show we had a few opportunities but honestly the football was so incredibly dull I was already questioning why I had wasted my time and money going. Jones' deflected goal on 43 minutes didn't even get the normal celebrations a goal should as I think half of the crowd had fallen asleep not expecting it. Hitting the bar just before half time left us with some hope however that we might have a decent second half. Second half kicked off and we came racing out of the traps and Ndjoli & Hanlan started causing their defence all sorts of problems and we deservedly went 2-0 up with another shot the keeper tipped into his own net. After that however we just seemed to revert back to the football of the first half, shrimpers making two changes and they were all of a sudden on the front foot. Their goal came from a lapse of concentration from a freekick and I think even Bonham was caught half asleep when it went in.
The next part of the game however can only be described as pure anarchy frankly and it started thanks to one of Southend's substitutes. He came on clearly to try and rough up Connor Ogilvie as one of his first attempts at participating was to lamp Ogilvie in the face. Ref only gave a yellow but he continued to be what can only be described as cheating and got his second yellow very soon after for what looked like a horrible challenge on Barry Fuller (having since seen the replay it's not as bad but the speed in which he goes into the challenge was dangerous). Thankfully off he popped to leave Ogilvie alone (who had done a sterling job defending against this lump might I add). This extra man advantage helped create the first penalty from a typical route one long ball with Hanlan flicking it on to Ndjoli who got brought down. The less said about the two penalties the better really.
Last goal came from good work down the side and the hopeful Marshall taking a weak shot at goal with Oxley fumbling yet again and Hanlan was able to put away from about 3 yards.
Good and bad points:
Some good performances out there on Saturday with Ogilvie & Ehmer handling their attack very well. Hanlan & Ndjoli caused problems but missing two penalties isn't great. Olly Lee impressed me with some touches and vision that we haven't seen perhaps dare I even say since Dacky. O'Keefe and Byrne were both industrious but didn't get into the game enough for me at times.
Marshall looked like a wasted sub frankly, I would have rather have seen Pringle over our new Myles Weston.
Still not convinced we will do well this season from that but it's three more points we desperately needed. Still only three wins in thirteen
Decided to visit the Factory before the game and sit in the "newly opened" restaurant section, which for the life of me I can't work it out why it's taken five years to open up considering it's just some extra tables and chairs with little else. The £4 "gourmet burger" they were offering left you more pondering the definition of gourmet than it did be a tasting experience. Had the experience frustrated again in that the bouncers wouldn't let us through the door into the Rainham End so begrudgingly trudged around to the turnstiles. This however bemusingly appeared to be a futile experience as we walked straight through without myself or my partner getting searched, leaving us very much asking what was the point?
Anyways onto the match. The first half, well, that was pretty dire from both sides. Stats may show we had a few opportunities but honestly the football was so incredibly dull I was already questioning why I had wasted my time and money going. Jones' deflected goal on 43 minutes didn't even get the normal celebrations a goal should as I think half of the crowd had fallen asleep not expecting it. Hitting the bar just before half time left us with some hope however that we might have a decent second half. Second half kicked off and we came racing out of the traps and Ndjoli & Hanlan started causing their defence all sorts of problems and we deservedly went 2-0 up with another shot the keeper tipped into his own net. After that however we just seemed to revert back to the football of the first half, shrimpers making two changes and they were all of a sudden on the front foot. Their goal came from a lapse of concentration from a freekick and I think even Bonham was caught half asleep when it went in.
The next part of the game however can only be described as pure anarchy frankly and it started thanks to one of Southend's substitutes. He came on clearly to try and rough up Connor Ogilvie as one of his first attempts at participating was to lamp Ogilvie in the face. Ref only gave a yellow but he continued to be what can only be described as cheating and got his second yellow very soon after for what looked like a horrible challenge on Barry Fuller (having since seen the replay it's not as bad but the speed in which he goes into the challenge was dangerous). Thankfully off he popped to leave Ogilvie alone (who had done a sterling job defending against this lump might I add). This extra man advantage helped create the first penalty from a typical route one long ball with Hanlan flicking it on to Ndjoli who got brought down. The less said about the two penalties the better really.
Last goal came from good work down the side and the hopeful Marshall taking a weak shot at goal with Oxley fumbling yet again and Hanlan was able to put away from about 3 yards.
Good and bad points:
Some good performances out there on Saturday with Ogilvie & Ehmer handling their attack very well. Hanlan & Ndjoli caused problems but missing two penalties isn't great. Olly Lee impressed me with some touches and vision that we haven't seen perhaps dare I even say since Dacky. O'Keefe and Byrne were both industrious but didn't get into the game enough for me at times.
Marshall looked like a wasted sub frankly, I would have rather have seen Pringle over our new Myles Weston.
Still not convinced we will do well this season from that but it's three more points we desperately needed. Still only three wins in thirteen
) who can be bothered to come to Priestfield. We have to accept reality - NOT the propaganda from Messrs Scally & Evans.
