Just back

And in need of a shower!!

A lovely scorching evening at BP culminating in a 9-8 penalty win with some outstanding spot kicks not least from Eastwood and his back 4.

Played some good stuff 1st half, second half tired which i get, we havent the squad depth to replace like for like and i think a draw was fair but absolutely delighted to get the win on pens.

Khouri was excellent at LB and i thought young Barrington was bright and lively.

Special mention to a bizarre premier league official who made some extremely odd calls as though determined to be centere of attention.

Quoted from Hagrid

And in need of a shower!!

A lovely scorching evening at BP culminating in a 9-8 penalty win with some outstanding spot kicks not least from Eastwood and his back 4.

Played some good stuff 1st half, second half tired which i get, we havent the squad depth to replace like for like and i think a draw was fair but absolutely delighted to get the win on pens.

Khouri was excellent at LB and i thought young Barrington was bright and lively.

Special mention to a bizarre premier league official who made some extremely odd calls as though determined to be centere of attention.

When prem refs do lower league games they always make it about themselves it’s almost written rule , big time Charlie’s

Top result!

Khouri really looking like the player we thought we had at our disposal, thought Warren had a very good game aswell. Mcjannet is excellent and looks like another we'll be selling on for a premium.. Rodgers and him absolutely dominated Andy Cook and Oliver in the air. Mceachran and Davies both ooze class when on the ball and Barrington looked bright in spells.

We might have been a bit lucky to get the draw in the end, but fantastic work by Eastwood in the shoot-out.

I thought we looked good in the first half, moved the ball well at times, got a deserved goal, and defended well.

Second half it was clear who had the bigger squad as we looked a little leggy in the second half.

I thought our younger players again looked lively and more confident, Barrington is looking like he's probably (hopefully) just a few more games away from really getting used to this level and really kicking on.

MOM Eastwood obviously, how can you not give it to the man who saved two pens and scored one.

Much better and improved from Saturday. Moved the ball quicker with more conviction. Still an issue with that final ball or picking the right pass because I thought we deserved more than one and to win that in normal time. One in particular, in the first half, when we’re 3v2 on the counter and the balls straight at Vernam instead of infront, slowing it down.

Terrible decision just before the equaliser, not sure why the ref thought a player goal side of the last man, who he’s quicker than, would want to start a pulling match with the defender - do have to question their common sense sometimes… still should have defended it better.

Still work to do, however it’s much better than Saturday and hopefully will continue to improve with more time in training and key players returning to the team. On to Saturday!

Don’t think anyone had a poor game. Khouri did well in an unfamiliar position and I’m already a fully paid up member of the George McEachran fan club.

(Special mention to the Sky Commentator, hello?)

One or two hairy moments which weren't helped by an inconsistent ref but I enjoyed the game never the less. First time I have seen town since we came back after the close season and I was pleasantly surprised. I certainly can see what DA is trying to do and it would appear that the players are starting to grasp that. Some nice moves and link up play but also some of the bad ways of last season. One swallow doesn't make a summer but I am quite hopeful for this season.

First time I've ever seen us beat Bradford.
Every one to a man played there part.
Who knew Khouri was an accomplished left back  
Think Eastwood should start, not just on tonight's performance but the last few games of last season.
Onwards and upwards UTM

Gardner was getting the shirt pulled off his back from the halfway line and looked to be getting past the defender when he was hauled down, so I was absolutely gobsmacked when the referee pulled back play to the centre circle for a free-kick to them!

There were some other weird ones as well, such as when McEachran nipped in and took the ball off the toes of their player in midfield and we were about to break, but the referee bizarrely awarded them a free-kick! What about the drop ball outside our box which basically gave them a free set piece because we couldnt contest it? Surely, that can't be in the laws of the game.

Otherwise, we played some excellent stuff at times, but should have created a lot more chances than we did. The final pass or cross wasn't good enough nearly enough after such good approach play, but it is encouraging that we're now actually able to control the ball and pass it more often than not.

The second half showed the weakness in the squad - not enough options on the bench and not much height or physicality. We competed in the air very well, but I think I'm correct that the starting team had 2 outfield players over 6 feet - Rodgers and Green? They had 4 or 5 and it was a struggle at set pieces.

I thought Warren did very well most of the game, but the slight concern in the second half was that their No. 3 went past him too easily a few times. Perhaps down to tiredness?

I'd be surprised if Bratfud aren't contenders for promotion this season as they've got a lot of get up and go as well as a few skilful players.

Overall, a very enjoyable game between two good teams. I even enjoyed the shoot out!

Not posted on here for quite some time, mainly just because work and family life take over.
But I took my youngest today for his first match.... How can I explain to a 5 year old not to expect a game like that every week  

Tharme was good last season, but good luck getting back in with Rodgers and McJannet. Not been Rodgers biggest fan, but today he was excellent.

Khouri is very calm and controlled for a young lad, very impressive.

Not convinced by the right back in the first half, although 2nd have he did improve.

McEachran is what I always thought Alex Hunt would become, could be a big player.
He linked very well with Davies, who will thrive off Artell ball IMO.

I know Green has had stick recently, but credit where it's due, he was good today, and showed he can be more than just a tough tackler.

Good game, 1st time in ages I've thought it was value for money.

People need to be patient with the passing round the back. It won't always work, but when Bradford pressed, we moved it very quickly and exploited the gaps on numerous occasions. Would rather watch that every day of the week over any type of hoof ball.