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To be fair to our lads, these are the kind of games that champions come through and somehow get the points. I don't think we ever looked at our fluent best but it's hard to play football against sides like Halifax. They have no intention of getting involved in a football match, they sling the ball in from almost any angle and put you under pressure. I thought we stood up to their aerial onslaught magnificently. Dizza won more than his fair share of headers against lads twice his size. John Lewis worked hard, it was tough for him playing with his back to goal, he didn't get a lot of help and looked isolated, we really do need to get the wide players closer to him and the midfield needs to break beyond the defence as we are often 2 against 5 or 1 against 4. Special mention to Shaun Pearson who grabbed his second goal in as many games with a powerful header from our only decent corner of the half. Not a classic game but a vital three points.

UTM!

Quoted from ginnywings

Better team in the first half and deserved our lead. Second half was a struggle and we just can't seem to get a comfortable lead in a game.

Why was Neilson subbed again?

3 points but not convincing.

Not sure why Ginny but it was the 85th min he was subbed, maybe to give them something to think about with Mackreth's pace.

"Bit quite."

And long may it remain so.

Quite an interesting game to watch. Not really the sort of game you are going to see silky smooth skilful football. Agree we were definitely the best team first half. Their keepers save from I think Neilson was world class. He followed it up with tipping Arnold's dipping effort over in the second half.
Second half you'd have expected them to come at us but we dealt well with everything they could throw at us-even if some of the blocks smacked of desperate defending. Plenty of effort and application and you can't really ask for much more.
No-one stood out for me really. Neilson very good in parts but faded second half. Toto and Pearson bossed our penalty area.

On to Alty now-we owe them one.

Quoted from Meza

Not sure why Ginny but it was the 85th min he was subbed, maybe to give them something to think about with Mackreth's pace.

Ah the mythical pace , perhaps he left it in the dressing room :)

Quoted from barralad

Quite an interesting game to watch. Not really the sort of game you are going to see silky smooth skilful football. Agree we were definitely the best team first half. Their keepers save from I think Neilson was world class. He followed it up with tipping Arnold's dipping effort over in the second half.
Second half you'd have expected them to come at us but we dealt well with everything they could throw at us-even if some of the blocks smacked of desperate defending. Plenty of effort and application and you can't really ask for much more.
No-one stood out for me really. Neilson very good in parts but faded second half. Toto and Pearson bossed our penalty area.

On to Alty now-we owe them one.

Another bogey team for us.lets hope they go the same way as halifax and braintree

We now officially have the best defensive record in the league. Conceded only 14 goals in 20 matches. Barnet have conceded 17 in the same number of games.

I do have one thing to say about Halifax

You have been WEIGHED.......you have been MEASURED.....and you have been found WANTING

We are Town...we are town..we are town...we are town..we are town we are townnnnn...we are town (100)

Quoted from WappingMariner

We now officially have the best defensive record in the league. Conceded only 14 goals in 20 matches. Barnet have conceded 17 in the same number of games.

Bristol Rovers have conceded 16 in 19 games.

Quoted from ginnywings

Better team in the first half and deserved our lead. Second half was a struggle and we just can't seem to get a comfortable lead in a game.

Why was Neilson subbed again?

3 points but not convincing.

Thats the way I saw it . 3 points gained , forgettable game .

Deservedly in front at half time. Halifax put us under pressure during the second half, not by playing good football just by launching the ball forward, hitting free kicks and corners into our box and launching long throws. Not pretty but could have led to them nicking something, but our defence stood firm and we had chances and near misses at the other end. Arnold had an excellent 90 mins, worked hard and showed great skill at times. Pearson was immense and scored with an excellent header. How Neilson got man of the match ?I just don't know. He had a good first half but disappeared after the break. hurst was right to bring him off. A great 3 points from a good team effort.

Loved it.
The sort of game that asks questions of attitude and application and all the players stood up to be counted. Silky smooth tippy tappy football? Certainly not, but a full blooded game which I thoroughly enjoyed. Even more so with the other results.

Toto & Shaun were solid, and needed to be, and Arnold pinned them back with excellent running off the ball.

As above McKeown hardly had a save to make.

UTM

Just beginning to wonder if Arnold is going to be a very significant addition.seen him 2 or 3 times and he's made a difference every time

Quoted from forza ivano

Just beginning to wonder if Arnold is going to be a very significant addition.seen him 2 or 3 times and he's made a difference every time

Nah he's shite, ask Tagg.

I always think that the strength of a club is summed up by who is on the bench. The 5 sat in the dug out PLUS Paddy and Biggie couldn't even get in the squad. that says a lot as I would expect them to get in virtually every other team in the league.

Not getting carried away but 5 consecutive wins in the league is a huge positive.

When, and I am sure it will happen, we lose we need to bounce back straight away and start another run.

I wasn't at the game but frankly I don't care if it wasn't a great performance. We have won four league games in a row, haven't conceded in three, haven't lost in the league since October and 2nd in the table, now only 6 points behind Barnet. It may all go pear shaped from here, but what's not to like about the current state of affairs. Oh and did I mention that we have a near fully fit squad, a couple of promising loan signings and we have been able to send a couple of promising youngsters out on loan to gain experience. I was calling for PH to go after the Southport game but really can't argue with the results since.

Quoted from mariner91

Nah he's shite, ask Tagg.

I am told he's homesick ;)

Quoted from LondonMariner43

I wasn't at the game but frankly I don't care if it wasn't a great performance. We have won four league games in a row, haven't conceded in three, haven't lost in the league since October and 2nd in the table, now only 6 points behind Barnet. It may all go pear shaped from here, but what's not to like about the current state of affairs. Oh and did I mention that we have a near fully fit squad, a couple of promising loan signings and we have been able to send a couple of promising youngsters out on loan to gain experience. I was calling for PH to go after the Southport game but really can't argue with the results since.

Five league wins on the bounce but agree, cannot be anything other than positive

Quoted from LondonMariner43

I wasn't at the game but frankly I don't care if it wasn't a great performance. We have won four league games in a row, haven't conceded in three, haven't lost in the league since October and 2nd in the table, now only 6 points behind Barnet. It may all go pear shaped from here, but what's not to like about the current state of affairs. Oh and did I mention that we have a near fully fit squad, a couple of promising loan signings and we have been able to send a couple of promising youngsters out on loan to gain experience. I was calling for PH to go after the Southport game but really can't argue with the results since.

That's 5 league wins in a row mate not 4 :-)

Fantastic win against an agriculture outfit, our keeper could have got his pipe and slippers out for most of the game. whereas their keeper performed heroics to keep the score to one.

Poor following from them showing just how tin pot they are

Quoted from BIGChris

Loved it.
The sort of game that asks questions of attitude and application and all the players stood up to be counted. Silky smooth tippy tappy football? Certainly not, but a full blooded game which I thoroughly enjoyed. Even more so with the other results.

Toto & Shaun were solid, and needed to be, and Arnold pinned them back with excellent running off the ball.

As above McKeown hardly had a save to make.

UTM

That's how I saw it, really good game. We were the better team first half and could have been 2 or 3 up at the break. They came out a bit more second half but we defended well, Pearson in particular was outstanding and my motm.

Disagree with you though Chris about Toto, he worries me. He gets sucked out of position far too often challenging for balls he shouldn't be, leaving big gaps in behind him. Pearson is constantly shouting and pointing to him. Makes me wonder if this is why Hurst is so keen to have a holding midfielder in front of them, to try stop Toto coming out of position. He just looks like an accident waiting to happen to me.

Totally dominant 44 mins first half, midfield shape and workrate forced Halifax into a very low standard of hoofball, some neat interplay but LJL wasting 2/3 opportunities. Thank god for a decent corner.......at last!!!!
Once we scored Halifax stepped up and looked more threatening up until the break. Fantastic defensive block at the death by Disley to preserve our deserved lead at H.T. I did feel at half time we may rue the missed opportunities come full time.
After the break Halifax continued where they left off, much brighter although very rigid route one approach, they looked to have countered and got to grips with our shape with their half time shuffle. We on the other hand didnt react at all and as narrow as we were gave up plenty of space for them to exploit and bomb balls in. Some very determined blocks and tackles....nervy times.
To me i thought it was their second substitution that actually gave us a bit of momentum back and we settled, playing some tidy triangle football but without creating too much of note. The midfield noticeably not getting up and around LJL as much as the first half.
While at 1-0 with such a big and direct side and a gradually retreating back line i think most of us were nervy and sweating.....ultimately.held on without too many real scares, a couple of excellent of free kicks which flew past the post and a couple of aeriel scrambles.
Would have liked to have seen us make a tactical switch when the momentum was turning against us but another clean sheet from a very physical test, how LJL got booked for that perfect tackle i dont know and how they finished with 11 men i dont know as some very cynical and physical fouls for them.
UTM

Quoted from BIGChris

Five league wins on the bounce but agree, cannot be anything other than positive

I can't count! Five is even better.

I thought Toto did well but for the two free-kicks he sloppily gave away at the start of the second half. Pearson a definite Man of the Match both for his goal and the number of times he got his head on the ball in both boxes. Neilson did some good stuff in the first half but was generally not involved in the second half so I was amazed that he was given the MotM award and people are wondering why he was eventually subbed!

Great defensive work against a gigantic team who chucked the kitchen sink at us throughout the second half but I'm pleased that they got nothing out of the game as being big, aggressive and direct shouldn't be enough to win points, however well you do it. I thought Parslow did well in the defensive midfield role and covered adequately at full-back after Magnay's departure. Hopefully Magnay's injury isn't bad as he was excellent again tonight until he had to go off and we look much better with him in the team.

I'd also say that tonight did show why we need to strengthen our forward options to some degree. LJL did well pretty much on his own up front for most of the game but was so knackered for the last 20 or so minutes that he barely won a header. Pittman is no weakling but I think we could do with another 'big' striker to give us another option in games. Hopefully we will be near the top of the table when the transfer window re-opens to help Hurst to sign another decent striker (or two). :)

A deserved 3 points in a key game against promotion rivals. A very good performance and result that was similar to wins over Wrexham and Forest Green a couple of seasons ago.

Onwards and upwards.

Just Back from a local CAMRA Meeting: chuffed to bits with the result. Onwards and hopefully upwards.

5 league wins in a row and 4 clean sheets in those games, roll on Alty where I will be in attendance

I think I must have been watching another game to everyone else. We stopped a team in fourth place from pretty much creating anything all night. Arnold and Thomas worked so hard and our centres halves completely bossed halifax's frontline.

It was never going to be pretty it's Halifax we were playing.o be honest 3-0 wouldn't have flattered us.

Just back. Quick beer and bed. Agree with lots of points made by BC, Moosey, Barra, Maringer, BP Vicar etc. I enjoyed the game and thought we were comfortably the better side. We totally controlled the first 45, and were much better than them tactically and technically. I thought it was imperative that we scored in the first half so we had something to show for the pressure and chances we created. Thankfully we did get a goal from a rare good corner.

Overall an excellent, hardworking display if a bit lacking in finesse at times, especially in the later stages. We didn't manage to put them under too much pressure second half, but they changed their system to nullify us at least twice, without ever looking like scoring themselves I didn't think. In fact, I was very unimpressed with them and thought they looked short on skill and lacking much of a method. Their team is essentially built around their centre-midfield, and we totally dominated that area for most of the game, making them look very much second best.

Everybody turned in a decent performance - Neilson was superb in the first half, picking the ball up in all sorts of places, pulling their shape apart and making things happen. His effort from outside the box was brilliant and brought an equally magnificent save. Pell did really well first half and Disley and Nathan Arnold were superb throughout I thought, hardly putting a foot wrong. They were involved in all of our best bits of play. Pearson impressive as everyone has said.

We did more than enough to win, and even though we weren't able to score the second goal I never really worried about the outcome - which is rare at BP. A very good night's work, and a great Barnet result to cap it off. :)

UTM

Pearson and Arnold superb, Nsiala good apart from those 2 daft fouls at the start of the 2nd half, everyone else decent. Halifax put us under pressure without creating anything - if they're one of the best sides in the league it says a lot about the quality (but if they'd had that extra day they'd have been ace, obviously).

Quoted from ginnywings

Better team in the first half and deserved our lead. Second half was a struggle and we just can't seem to get a comfortable lead in a game.

Why was Neilson subbed again?

3 points but not convincing.

He was subbed with 5 minutes to go FFS. It was clearly a move to waste time and bring on somebody who was going to chase the ball into corners. Neilson did very well first 45 but faded second half. Didn't deserve man of the match over Pearson, Disley or Arnold.

Deserved hard fought win, and a mention must go to Ross Joyce as this was an excellent display from the man in the middle. 8)
UTMM

Quoted from gobby

Deserved hard fought win, and a mention must go to Ross Joyce as this was an excellent display from the man in the middle. 8)
UTMM

Apart from his stupid booking of LJL early on.

Quoted from Les Brechin

Apart from his stupid booking of LJL early on.

Did not see what happened there Les, just see the Findus up in arms. 8)
UTMM

LJL went in for a tackle, challenging two players, but won the tackle even though it appear he was getting shoved by one of the two. Because of the shove there was a collision between the three and one of their players rolled around on the floor holding his shin until the yellow card was brandished, at which point he made a miraculous recovery and jogged off without a hint of a limp.

With out doubt the sort of performance that gets you out of this league ! Totally dictated the first half , i assume Halifax had come for a Tuesday night point ?? Could have been 2/3 in the end ! Thought Arnold and Nielson were superb , Pell looked very good and Magnay as always was Fantastic .......................This is it people we have the players , attitude and Tactics now we just need a little bit of luck and we will win this League !!!!

Quoted from fleabag1970

With out doubt the sort of performance that gets you out of this league ! Totally dictated the first half , i assume Halifax had come for a Tuesday night point ?? Could have been 2/3 in the end ! Thought Arnold and Nielson were superb , Pell looked very good and Magnay as always was Fantastic .......................This is it people we have the players , attitude and Tactics now we just need a little bit of luck and we will win this League !!!!

Well, their keeper was definitely playing for the draw from minute one.

"Watched" the game on here and the BBC Football section, and some interesting statistics cropped up. We now seem to be bossing teams in terms of percentage possession - 58% to 42% last night, and this is starting to become the norm in the last few games with some possession as high as 67% - against Dartford. So much different to when teams like Southport dominated at BP.

Also, and I don't think I've ever come across this at any football match, ever, there were no corners for either team last night according to the BBC? Have certainly been to games where one team haven't won a corner, but both teams?

Quoted from Les Brechin

Well, their keeper was definitely playing for the draw from minute one.

Sure was some fantastic saves, and he was great at finding touch from goal kicks ;D

If you believe the BBC stats there are no corners in any match

There were lots of corners. If you want more reliable stats you're better following it on a bookies website in play section. Bet365 is good.

Quoted from The_Laughing_Mariner

If you believe the BBC stats there are no corners in any match

BBC don't give corner stats for any Conference game for some reason.

Quoted from jock dock tower

"Watched" the game on here and the BBC Football section, and some interesting statistics cropped up. We now seem to be bossing teams in terms of percentage possession - 58% to 42% last night, and this is starting to become the norm in the last few games with some possession as high as 67% - against Dartford. So much different to when teams like Southport dominated at BP.

Also, and I don't think I've ever come across this at any football match, ever, there were no corners for either team last night according to the BBC? Have certainly been to games where one team haven't won a corner, but both teams?

BBC's stats man must've fallen asleep. We scored from a corner.

Really happy with the performance last night, i thought Arnold or Pearson where man of the match, we could have won a lot easier John-Lewis had a good chance with a free header, the best i have seen Pearson play in a few games won everything with Disley in the box, PH has done really good so far this season with Loan players Nathan Arnold, Harry Pell, Andrew Boyce did a good job when he was here and Danny Parslow who i always forget he's on the pitch because he's so solid and good player to have in different positions i hope we can sign him in January, I would like us to keep Harry Pell for the season aswell.

Nathan Arnold's direct running and ability to play on both sides is a great asset to us, i wish Mackreth would do what Arnold does but he seems to lack the pace he's meant to have.

Halifax where nothing great we played them at the right time, all they had where throw in and Corners, you can see why there up there because they came close to scoring the corners and throw ins can go anywhere, we have done great against teams around us just gonna have to put Altincham away on Saturday and keep the run going.

I just think where we would be if we had a full squad start of the season.

I have just remembered the great block on the line by Diz from a corner. He was covering the near post and took a powerful effort in his midrif or privates which doubled him up for a while. Well done that man.

I thought it had hit him in the face but didn't have the best view from the main stand and the ball was travelling!

Quoted from chaos33

I thought it had hit him in the face but didn't have the best view from the main stand and the ball was travelling!

Deserved MOM IMO for putting his family jewels on the line for the team, great block

Did anyone get a programme last night?

Quoted from Tommy

Did anyone get a programme last night?

Yes, why?

Quoted from 75

I thought we stood up to their aerial onslaught magnificently.

You can imagine what it looked like in the Pontoon ! ;D

The only impression I can really offer is we looked a bit paniccy and nervy at 1-0.
Completely understandable to a certain degree.

Quoted from fiveallive

Really happy with the performance last night, i thought Arnold or Pearson where man of the match, we could have won a lot easier John-Lewis had a good chance with a free header, the best i have seen Pearson play in a few games won everything with Disley in the box, PH has done really good so far this season with Loan players Nathan Arnold, Harry Pell, Andrew Boyce did a good job when he was here and Danny Parslow who i always forget he's on the pitch because he's so solid and good player to have in different positions i hope we can sign him in January, I would like us to keep Harry Pell for the season aswell.

Nathan Arnold's direct running and ability to play on both sides is a great asset to us, i wish Mackreth would do what Arnold does but he seems to lack the pace he's meant to have.

Halifax where nothing great we played them at the right time, all they had where throw in and Corners, you can see why there up there because they came close to scoring the corners and throw ins can go anywhere, we have done great against teams around us just gonna have to put Altincham away on Saturday and keep the run going.

I just think where we would be if we had a full squad start of the season.

agree apart from Arnolds pace.

when he gets going he is bloody fast !

Quoted from BIGChris

Yes, why?

I've sent you a PM Chris.

Quoted from Tommy

Did anyone get a programme last night?

Do you want to know what stickers were in there? ;)

If you could Les ?
I didn't get one myself last night ;)
Seriously though, what were they ?

Quoted from Les Brechin

Do you want to know what stickers were in there? ;)

Haha. No, although I am collecting them :)

Quoted from 120797

If you could Les ?
I didn't get one myself last night ;)
Seriously though, what were they ?

I assume it's the same 4 in every programme.

09 - Matt Tees
40 - Nathan Arnold
47 - Jackie Bestall
51 - Caine Winfarrah

09 - Matt Tees
40 - Nathan Arnold
47 - Jackie Bestall
51 - Caine Winfarrah

That goes from the sublime to the ridiculous!!

Got, got, got, got.
Thanks guys.

Quoted from moosey_club

Totally dominant 44 mins first half

Well not sure I'd go that far after seeing a near sitter flash past the post.
From watching and reading everyone's comments still think we deserved to win though and agree with Chris about the bench and those players in the stand.

Quoted from moosey_club

nervy times.

Along with dropping deep we've seen it before.
Not that you can ever blame them too much for having one eye on the lead.

But said myself at H/T:
"Hope we don't drop too deep at half time. If we get the 2nd the floodgates could open."

Not saying we sat back or didn't try to increase the lead.
But have seen a lack of "composure" in previous games too and think it needs working on IMO.

Quoted from moosey_club

playing some tidy triangle football but without creating too much of note.

That's the impression I got at times in the Ponny 2nd half too.

Looked to me like we passed quite well round the box at certain times.
But did we overdo the "pass pass pass" ?
If we could throw in the odd bit of skill or creativity (you don't always need to run) it helps make you less predictable.

From the little I saw I'd say with Halfax's packed defence, we weren't always exactly sure what to do.
Now not knocking the tactics or team selection here at all...
But maybe the truth is it's easier to "link up" with 2 up front (course it leaves you more exposed in other areas !...)
Most have said Neilson faded 2nd half so can only guess this maybe didn't help either.

Quoted from jock dock tower

So much different to when teams like Southport dominated at BP.

True though Southport were a very good side on the night (very good results since !)
Still, my slight concern about "unlocking" teams who come to defend in numbers in open play remains.

Like all these things, not saying it's easy to improve and get even better...