football rambles

 It's been a poor season for Cambridge and it looks like this time will be the one where they finally drop back into League 2. On New Year's Day, they performed well, but always looked like coming off worse, which has been the story of the season so far. The first 30 minutes of the game saw Cambridge dominate but a lack of clinical finishing and what appeared to be a fear of missing the goal and trying to walk it in meant that Cambridge failed to convert. After this period, Reading grew into the game a bit more, but it was still Cambridge who were dominant and just as people were scratching their heads about how Cambridge wouldn't be going in at halftime with a lead, Reading scored. The defence somehow let an innocuous through ball go through to ex-Cambridge man Harvey Knibbs who slotted home to give the Royals a 1-0 lead at the break. Cambridge weren't done though and came out firing on all cylinders and after just two minutes in the half, Elias Kachunga evened the sco...

 This was a really poor performance from Peterborough yesterday in a period that can best be called one of rebuilding. In the past Posh have sold loads of players, but have always had a conveyor belt that has meant that they can usually compete at the top of League One, even though  their forays in to the Championship it never seems to end too well. League One is probably tougher than ever this season and this time they don't seem to have the talented players coming through to replace those that have been sold. The crowd seemed to be blaming Darren Ferguson, the manager but for me the blame lies at Darragh Mc.Anthony's door and the constant selling of talent. Anyway, the first half proved that it was going to be a struggle for Posh who were up against it and didn't really get into the Barnsley half until the half hour mark. However, there was still hope for them at the break as both sides went in having not been able to score. At this point Posh could be thankful that they ...

 Last Saturday I was down in London so decided to go to Wingate & Finchley v Lewes in the Isthmian Premier. At the start of the day the two teams were placed in 8th and 9th, so it was always likely to be a close game. At the start the poor weather conditions made it hard for either team to dominate, but Lewes at least to me looked the more assured of the two teams. Therefore when Wingate & Finchley took the lead on a counter attack on half after half an hour it did come as a bit of a surprise. However, the Finchley scorer Ogo Obi made it 21 for the season so far, so it definitely doesn't pay to give him a chance. The remaining 15 minutes of the half were played in atrocious conditions which seemed to suit the hosts more as they tried to build on their lead and could have if there hadn't been a foul on the keeper and Obi hadn't missed another good chance ( despite what I just said!). The second half continued to be fairly even, and Lewes looked pretty tight in defenc...

 After missing out on getting to a game the week before due to the storm, I had been looking forward to the King's Lynn game on Saturday. Unfortunately, what was served up was a pretty turgid affair. Sometimes you get a 0-0 that can be entertaining. However, there isn't much to say about this game at all. King's Lynn seem to have come up with a formula that works for them. They have been guilty of not creating chances for most of the season and some forwards have moved on or been unable to pick up any form. Therefore, we got a brand of defence first, that also suited Alfreton. A game that is best forgotten when all said and done.

 Yesterday Downham took on Cornard in a game that ended in a draw, which was probably a fair result. For the first half hour it was all Downham and it looked like they were set for an easy win. Lagshan and Edge cam close before Edge scored on 24 minutes and Reed who set the goal up came close shortly after they took the lead. Cornard got into the game in the last part of the first half and had the ball in the goal in the net, but it was offside. The second half was a much more physical affair that suited Cornard well. Downham were also content to sit back and it felt like they would get back in the game. They did indeed when they scored in stoppage time to get a draw, which in all truth they deserved.

 We finally made it to a Villa game on Saturday and unfortunately the indifferent run of form continued with a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace.  Villa looked a little bereft of fresh ideas and without Konsa in central defence and both Kamara and Onana out in defensive midfield there was little protection when Palace stuck to their plan of hitting Villa on the break. It took Palace only 4 minutes to take the lead when Ismailla Sarr did exactly that and hit Villa on the break. Villa pressed to get the equaliser and after a few decent saves from Henderson, Ollie Watkins managed to go round the keeper in  the 37th minute to get the equaliser. It felt like they weren't done and were going to take the lead in any minute. Bailey was judged to have been fouled at the end of the half and Villa were awarded a penalty. Tielemans stepped up to take it, but it was soft and Henderson made the save. To Villa's dismay they cleared after the ensuing corner and again hit Villa on the break...