BackWed 11 Jan 2017
Bridon Ropes
First Team
A Saunders (24')
1
2
J Barton (89'), R Treleaven (93')
NEVER SAY DIE CROWS KEEP UNBEATEN RUN GOING - JUST.
Malcolm Boyes12 Jan 2017 - 11:51
With seven changes from the team that played in the FA Vase, the Crows had to dig deep to beat a resilient Bridon Ropes side.
Unbeaten run now 30 matches.
There's no doubt every team the Crows face in a fixture now want to be "the team" that ends our outstanding unbeaten run, which is quite right and I would expect the Crows to be wanting to do the same if the boot was on the other foot.
After all, when Sevenoaks Town came to the Community Stadium earlier in this season, it was not just the points I wanted, it was to end their 17 match unbeaten run which had been carried over from the latter part of the 2015/16 season and carried on in this campaign.
Therefore, after beating them the smile on my face was even bigger, the three points had been grabbed and their unbeaten run ended, that was dual satisfaction for me and my Saturday night was even more joyful.
So turning up at Charlton Park Lane to play Bridon Ropes in the SCEFL Cup 3rd Round the Crows knew that they would be in for a tough game and when you also factor in that the home side also play a league lower than us, then the word "giant killing" becomes even more relevant and their desire to "turn us over", even greater.
The Crows made seven changes from the starting eleven in the Vase, Smith replacing Ellis in goal, Barton came in to the side instead of Tear, up front Pearson replaced Attwood and Perry came in for Carrington. In midfield, Ridley replaced Carey, Shea replaced Crabb and Clarke came in for Muggeridge.
Whilst Ellis, Carrington and Attwood were at least on the bench, Tear, Carey and Muggeridge did not figure at all in the squad for this game. Of course, Walder is still not available through suspension and injury victims, Trotter, Appiah and Baitup, cannot be risked at the moment.
Still, it looked a team strong enough to get the Crows through to the quarter-finals, even if it meant they had to battle for the whole of the 90+ minutes, which they eventually had to do as the home side worked their socks off throughout the match.
From the kick off it always looked like it was going to be a good game as both sides wanted to get the ball on the deck and play it around their opposition. Because of this, the first 15 minutes were largely played out in the midfield area and space became very limited.
The main difference between the sides in these early minutes was that the home side played the ball quicker than we did, were a bit quicker around the pitch than us, whilst we seemed quite happy to pass the ball from one side to the other, without really getting behind them and putting over any crosses, therefore, everything was in front of their massed ranks and easier to deal with.
However, the game changed in the 24th minute for both teams, the home side took a 1-0 lead following a throw-in by the half way line which found Saunders and he was allowed too much time and space to surge forward and rifle the ball past Smith's despairing dive, the ball just going inside the post.
What changed for us was that the home side seemed to get a bit more cautious and more defensive, playing four at the back and five in centre-field whenever we had the ball and from here on in, it was largely attack v defence for the rest of the match.
The Crows didn't make the best of the greater possession though as our free kicks, corners and crosses were not as good as they normally are and our final ball lacked the quality needed, therefore, Turner, in the Ropes goal, was not tested enough during the first 45 minute period, so it remained 1-0 to the home side as the team's ventured to the warmth of their respective dressing rooms.
The Crows definitely upped the pace in the second period, passing the ball quicker, looking to pass forward more, rather than side to side but the most important change was that our players tried to get behind their defensive set up and cross from the bye-line rather than from deep or the edge of the area.
Vickers had to go over in the 51st minute after having a couple of hefty challenges against him, Unwin coming on to replace him and he had a superb game, looked very calm and composed when in possession and kept the team moving forward at every opportunity.
Barton then picked up the only yellow card of the game under the "totting up" procedure referees employ these days but it was still the Crows doing the attacking and the Ropes doing the defending and it never changed for the rest of the match.
In the 55th minute Perry really should have made it 1-1 with a free header inside the 6 yard box but his header went wide of the goal. Turner then had an effort from the edge of the area but it went high and wide, much to goalie Turner's relief.
Treleaven then made Turner make a smart save from a direct free kick in the 58th minute and a succession of corner after corner came along for the Crows but they couldn't just get that final touch they needed to make it 1-1.
In the 71st minute the Crows had a great opportunity to make it 1-1 from the penalty spot after Clarke was brought down inside the penalty area by a rash challenge from Chakarto. However, before the kick could be taken, the Ropes decided to make a substitution, thus delaying the taking of the spot kick, whether this affected Treleaven or not, we don't know, however, he blazed the kick over the bar and the score remained 1-0 to the Ropes.
Both clubs made substitutions in the 74th minute, Carrington coming on for the Crows, Pearson being the player leaving the pitch. Shea had a shot in the 78th minute from distance which clipped the top of the net just after going over the bar and then Attwood came on to replace Perry.
The Crows piled forward as time was running out but it looked like it was not going to be our night until the 89th minute when a deep cross by Shea was met by Barton with his head about a yard from the goaline and he despatched the ball into the back of the net, much to everyone's relief.
As the match entered added-on time the Crows hit the same post twice and the crossbar within 15 seconds of each other and extra time seemed to be heading our way. However, Clarke once again managed to get to the goaline and this time his great cross was met by Treleaven inside the 6 yard box and his header found the net much to everyone's relief and it was 2-1 Crows with seconds to play.
In the end, a win is a win and no one will remember the struggle the home side gave us, that we made seven changes and that our two goals were scored in the last 5 minutes, just that we're through in yet another Cup Quarter-final.
There's no doubt every team the Crows face in a fixture now want to be "the team" that ends our outstanding unbeaten run, which is quite right and I would expect the Crows to be wanting to do the same if the boot was on the other foot.
After all, when Sevenoaks Town came to the Community Stadium earlier in this season, it was not just the points I wanted, it was to end their 17 match unbeaten run which had been carried over from the latter part of the 2015/16 season and carried on in this campaign.
Therefore, after beating them the smile on my face was even bigger, the three points had been grabbed and their unbeaten run ended, that was dual satisfaction for me and my Saturday night was even more joyful.
So turning up at Charlton Park Lane to play Bridon Ropes in the SCEFL Cup 3rd Round the Crows knew that they would be in for a tough game and when you also factor in that the home side also play a league lower than us, then the word "giant killing" becomes even more relevant and their desire to "turn us over", even greater.
The Crows made seven changes from the starting eleven in the Vase, Smith replacing Ellis in goal, Barton came in to the side instead of Tear, up front Pearson replaced Attwood and Perry came in for Carrington. In midfield, Ridley replaced Carey, Shea replaced Crabb and Clarke came in for Muggeridge.
Whilst Ellis, Carrington and Attwood were at least on the bench, Tear, Carey and Muggeridge did not figure at all in the squad for this game. Of course, Walder is still not available through suspension and injury victims, Trotter, Appiah and Baitup, cannot be risked at the moment.
Still, it looked a team strong enough to get the Crows through to the quarter-finals, even if it meant they had to battle for the whole of the 90+ minutes, which they eventually had to do as the home side worked their socks off throughout the match.
From the kick off it always looked like it was going to be a good game as both sides wanted to get the ball on the deck and play it around their opposition. Because of this, the first 15 minutes were largely played out in the midfield area and space became very limited.
The main difference between the sides in these early minutes was that the home side played the ball quicker than we did, were a bit quicker around the pitch than us, whilst we seemed quite happy to pass the ball from one side to the other, without really getting behind them and putting over any crosses, therefore, everything was in front of their massed ranks and easier to deal with.
However, the game changed in the 24th minute for both teams, the home side took a 1-0 lead following a throw-in by the half way line which found Saunders and he was allowed too much time and space to surge forward and rifle the ball past Smith's despairing dive, the ball just going inside the post.
What changed for us was that the home side seemed to get a bit more cautious and more defensive, playing four at the back and five in centre-field whenever we had the ball and from here on in, it was largely attack v defence for the rest of the match.
The Crows didn't make the best of the greater possession though as our free kicks, corners and crosses were not as good as they normally are and our final ball lacked the quality needed, therefore, Turner, in the Ropes goal, was not tested enough during the first 45 minute period, so it remained 1-0 to the home side as the team's ventured to the warmth of their respective dressing rooms.
The Crows definitely upped the pace in the second period, passing the ball quicker, looking to pass forward more, rather than side to side but the most important change was that our players tried to get behind their defensive set up and cross from the bye-line rather than from deep or the edge of the area.
Vickers had to go over in the 51st minute after having a couple of hefty challenges against him, Unwin coming on to replace him and he had a superb game, looked very calm and composed when in possession and kept the team moving forward at every opportunity.
Barton then picked up the only yellow card of the game under the "totting up" procedure referees employ these days but it was still the Crows doing the attacking and the Ropes doing the defending and it never changed for the rest of the match.
In the 55th minute Perry really should have made it 1-1 with a free header inside the 6 yard box but his header went wide of the goal. Turner then had an effort from the edge of the area but it went high and wide, much to goalie Turner's relief.
Treleaven then made Turner make a smart save from a direct free kick in the 58th minute and a succession of corner after corner came along for the Crows but they couldn't just get that final touch they needed to make it 1-1.
In the 71st minute the Crows had a great opportunity to make it 1-1 from the penalty spot after Clarke was brought down inside the penalty area by a rash challenge from Chakarto. However, before the kick could be taken, the Ropes decided to make a substitution, thus delaying the taking of the spot kick, whether this affected Treleaven or not, we don't know, however, he blazed the kick over the bar and the score remained 1-0 to the Ropes.
Both clubs made substitutions in the 74th minute, Carrington coming on for the Crows, Pearson being the player leaving the pitch. Shea had a shot in the 78th minute from distance which clipped the top of the net just after going over the bar and then Attwood came on to replace Perry.
The Crows piled forward as time was running out but it looked like it was not going to be our night until the 89th minute when a deep cross by Shea was met by Barton with his head about a yard from the goaline and he despatched the ball into the back of the net, much to everyone's relief.
As the match entered added-on time the Crows hit the same post twice and the crossbar within 15 seconds of each other and extra time seemed to be heading our way. However, Clarke once again managed to get to the goaline and this time his great cross was met by Treleaven inside the 6 yard box and his header found the net much to everyone's relief and it was 2-1 Crows with seconds to play.
In the end, a win is a win and no one will remember the struggle the home side gave us, that we made seven changes and that our two goals were scored in the last 5 minutes, just that we're through in yet another Cup Quarter-final.
Further reading