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Thread | Bantams to chicken out at the JCS against the Colchester Eagles
at 22:22 15 Nov 2024
Tomorrow is the battle of the goalkeepers Sam Walker who is 6ft 6ins, (but we reckon he’s eight feet tall) and Matt Macey who is a more realistic 6ft 7ins tall.
Graham Alexander brings his Bantams into Town with a string of indifferent recent results and they will be looking to put things right at the JCS. Whilst the Super U’s fresh from their point at Barrow and handsome victory over Arsenal U21’s on Tuesday will be looking to build on that morale boosting victory.
I drove the 80 miles last weekend to Barrow and for 91 minutes thought that it would be a repeat of recent defeats at Holker Street but then brilliance from Thorn, Tovide and Taylor and we were level and taking a deserved point home.
DC lined up
Gordon
Taylor Macey
Hunt Flanagan Donnelly Iandolo
Woodyard McDonnell
Anderson Payne
Subs Egbo (for Hunt 36) Goodliffe Hopper Read Smith Thorn (for Anderson 79) Tovide (for Woodyard 70)
We started brightly and should have been 1-0 up early doors but Gordon couldn’t hit the side of a Renault Espace and the chance went begging. Then Barrow scored a decent volleyed goal and we all thought he we go (again). I am still unsure just how many of the faithful travelled. I reckon about 100 but I have seen differing figures.
But it was the same old fear factor, we played backwards and sideways passes, with Hunt, Flanagan and Gordon the worst offenders.
Hunt was injured and the excellent Egbo came on after 36 minutes. HT and it was still 1-0. The temperature was dropping and the makeshift stand which affords the most unbelievably appalling view with supports, floodlight pylons and advertising hoardings all playing their part in obscuring the view.
I preferred it when we were at the far end of the ground (where the Barrow Ultra racists stand).
Second half proceeded in similar vein until the 70th minute when Samson Tovide came on for Woodyard. At last, some attacking intent and Taylor had some support in the final third. Things improved still more when the pacy Thorn came on after 79 minutes for Anderson. Then we had real pace down the right flank and an equaliser looked possible.
When it came it was sublime a great move involving Thorn, great pace and strength from Tovide and an inviting cross for Lyle Taylor to sweep into the net on 92 minutes.
We deserved it and the timewasting from Barrow had backfired. If only the referee had been more accommodating to Samson but it seems he is not only a marked man by defenders but also the referees union.
Tuesday night I relied on Sky Sport + unlike the 4,265 who gave the JCS great atmosphere.
DC lined up
Smith
Egbo Donnelly Goodliffe Iandolo
Anderson Payne McDonnell Read
Hopper Thorn
Subs Harrison Chamberlain Flanagan (for Iandolo 46) Woodyard (for McDonnell 62) Taylor Sandah (for Anderson 62) Oliver Godziemski (for Payne 82)Rashaad Drysdale for Egbo 82)
Now this was a game that I really enjoyed. From the outset we were at the races. Arsenal youngsters weren’t allowed to dwell on the ball, we adopted a high press and committed bodies forward. This was surely the football that DC and NC were brought in to adopt for our club.
A flowing move with the excellent Thorn and near passes resulted in Hopper sweeping home after 16 minutes. Anderson scored a second just before half time and the imperious Egbo scored a magnificent third on 50 minutes. Egbo is every bit as good as Junior Tchamadeu and when he goes forward things happen. My only fear is that the vultures will be circling come January.
It was a comprehensive victory against a Premier League U21 side but we never let them play at all.
So, what happens tomorrow when the Bantams are in Town. DC will play a team more akin to the Barrow game. He will play Anderson and probably Gordon and start Flanagan. However, let’s be bold and imaginative and go with:
Macey
Egbo Donnelly Goodliffe Iandolo
Read Payne Woodyard
Thorn Tovide Taylor
Subs
Smith Flanagan Anderson Gordon McDonnell Sandah Hopper
I’m going for a 2-1 Colchester win with Taylor and Tovide on the scoresheet.
Weather 11 degrees Celsius light cloud with a gentle breeze.
Decent crowd possibly 5,500 (1000 from Bradford).
Enjoy the game.
Up the U’s
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Reply | BSM vs Arsenal U21
at 21:51 12 Nov 2024
He's excellent but Read takes a better free kick.
Just watched the PV v Wrexham penalties.
Awful from the North Wales side. |
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Reply | BSM vs Arsenal U21
at 21:26 12 Nov 2024
Sensible to bring more youngsters on for their Colchester debuts. |
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Reply | BSM vs Arsenal U21
at 21:23 12 Nov 2024
Certainly on the line then
Hopefully top corner from the resultant kick |
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Reply | BSM vs Arsenal U21
at 21:17 12 Nov 2024
Oh well I stand corrected thanks for the clarification |
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Reply | BSM vs Arsenal U21
at 21:10 12 Nov 2024
Even though DC has given them a chance by bringing Flanagan on we are holding firm at the back.
Good value for the lead. |
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Reply | BSM vs Arsenal U21
at 21:05 12 Nov 2024
I'm more worried about losing him in the January window.
He's good enough to play anywhere on the pitch.
Now this is good the youngster Sandah is on. |
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Reply | BSM vs Arsenal U21
at 20:59 12 Nov 2024
That was surely a back pass
Nothing given. |
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Reply | BSM vs Arsenal U21
at 20:33 12 Nov 2024
That's not an option is it Wessex
Up the U's |
| | durham_exile
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