| Charton 4-0 U's. Noah's View 08:47 - Aug 13 with 1219 views | noah4x4 |
On the principle that “we have all seen them given” it is perhaps a tad harsh to criticise the referee for awarding a penalty for (deliberate) handball, but we vociferously did so throughout the remainder of the game; albeit the referee might have been flattered by comparisons with ‘Howard Webb on an off day’ (note; here, I have deleted the expletives and otherwise cleaned up this endearment!).
Magnus did throw himself in front of a shot; but in a crowded goalmouth more congested than any of the home stands one must question if it was actually destined for the net. Admittedly, his hands were in front of his body; presumably for balance (?); and some debate rages whether the ball hit his ribs or his arm (?); whilst there didn’t seem to be any appeals from the home forwards. But in my opinion, the referee must honestly whistle and then award what he initially (thinks he) sees. Penalty!
What frustrated me was that there was no flag from the linesman; also no apparent consultation between referee and the linesman; and yet Magnus, the team and fans then endured the additional harsh punishment of a ‘Red Card’ for “denying a goal scoring opportunity”. It was flashed a little belated after the Beast and other U’s defenders had protested; and my lip-reading skills are not sufficient to see if there was any additional verbal misdemeanour, but it did ruin what was a potentially competitive fixture. It was Magnus seeing red that made us see red; the penalty (itself) is just one of those things and who am I to judge from twenty feet away?
The incident took at least two minutes to calm down and Magnus a full minute to saunter the entire pitch length to the tunnel. After considering other delays (like a single ball boy to cover an empty 6,000 seat stand), it begs the question how the officials could find only a minute of ‘time allowed’ at the end of the half, but maybe that sums up their level of competence.
Up until that fateful moment (23rd minute) it was the U’s that had dominated with slick passing and incisive moves that unfortunately too often broke down at the crucial moment. The normally exciting Dominic Vose had a nightmare; too easily losing possession as a well drilled Charlton defence repelled the visitors and suggested danger to the U’s goalmouth via the flanks.
But twice Sears hinted that it might be the U’s that would progress to the next round; not that the home fans seemed to care. They had arrived at the Valley in such low numbers (5,280 home fans) that typify the general contempt and apathy for this competition. Charlton's normal league average is over 16,000. Even after the fourth goal we didn’t hear them singing, and with the Robin’s silent; the 432 bored U’s fans instead adopted a more receptive pigeon with whom they exchanged banter; whilst it enjoyed the remnants of the most stale hot-dog rolls ever served in a football ground (a £3.60 disgrace Charlton!)
Bean on for Vose (28’) helped shore up the shaken U’s defence whilst midfielder Alex Gilbey competently took responsibility in the back four and assumed the leadership role. That seemed a bit odd when we had Kent and Thompson on the bench, but I guess Joe Dunne still had aspirations of a win despite our numerical disadvantage. More evidence of that positive attitude coming when Holman was thrown up front (replacing Massey) and Jabo dropped into the midfield. I wonder if Joe Dunne had read my suggestion in Durham's pre-match thread? I thought it an interesting experiment with distinct possibilities even though there was no addition to the U's shot count. But by then the game was long over for U's fans, and pigeon baiting seemed to be the far more interesting pursuit.
After 45 minutes and still at 1-0 there remained hope, but those amongst the faithful of a more pessimist persuasion feared a brutal drubbing and that is what transpired in the second half as the 18 weary legs of the U’s remaining outfield were progressively sapped of all strength by a decent quality Championship side that had spent heavily over the Summer. Frankly, I suspect that we would have suffered a 2-0 or even 3-0 defeat had we not been down to ten men. Charlton proved to be a compitent and incisive side; but after the dismissal we can at least claim injustice and attribute the 4-0 defeat entirely to the referee.
The positives were another encouraging display from Moncur and a respectable U’s team performance up until the 23rd minute. But thereafter the wheels fell off and the match and result is best forgotten. At least we can “concentrate on the league”; but we have been saying that ever since we sunk Swindon Supermarine…….how many cup defeats in a row did you say….?
[Post edited 13 Aug 2014 9:01]
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| Charton 4-0 U's. Noah's View on 18:14 - Aug 13 with 1151 views | durham_exile |
Noah thanks for the report.
What is Holman like as a striker, is he going to deliver some league one goals, I certainly hope so.
JD has indeed appealed the red card. Video evidence supports the U's claim.
Thompson pulled a hamstring in the warm up.
At least Ashton Gate will provide a pasty or two on Saturday! but more importantly three points for the U's
Let us hope that the Beast is able to play.
On the subject of attendances - Leeds managed 13,407, MK Dons 7,174, Pompey 7,726 & Sheff Wed 12,851
Nice to see Scot Vernon on the scoresheet for the Shrews.
Up the U's
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| Charton 4-0 U's. Noah's View on 12:11 - Aug 15 with 1078 views | noah4x4 |
Durham, you asked about Holman...
We had only one shot in the entire second half and that was off target!
He didn't get a single sight of goal. But he looked strong on the ball and I would like to see him pair up with Sears (who can't head a ball in anger) ; and then we see Jabo perhaps drop back into midfield/wide (where IMHO he seems to spend too much of his time). This game was the perfect opportunity to try this, but by the time Holman got on the pitch the game was lost; most of U's other 18 outfield legs were too weary from repelling an 11 man attacking team with real pace (Callum Harrison is class); whilst Sears had been withdrawn and we looked an all round spent force; albeit that Holman and Szmodics tried to inject some individual impetus. But neither got into the box except for a corner.
Sadly, we just don't threaten Division One (or Championship) defences enough - albeit that we ran rampant pre-season against minor league clubs. Holman has been a top Conference striker. Maybe he has yet to get to Division One 90 minute fitness? But (IMHO) he does have to have a start soon. | | | |
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