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Post by boromike on Mar 23, 2024 19:45:47 GMT
It wasn’t the best we’ve played recently but a very professional performance and thoroughly deserved the points, the most comfortable match we’ve played all season, in complete control from first to last whistle.
Came out of the traps quickly and we were all over Dover, then out of nowhere the first time they got in to our box we were 1-0 down. No panic buttons were hit though and we got straight back on the offensive and were awarded what I thought was a soft penalty for a coming together between Joe Haigh and a Dover defender. Aaron Kuhl was handed the ball and he duly dispatched with aplomb, smashing the ball in to the top left corner (similar to his penalty at home to Truro but the opposite corner).
Ricky’s goal came from a long ball forward toward Matthews Lewis who was standing in an offside position, his arms came up signalling he had no interest in the ball but the Dover defence failed to detect Ricky coming from an onside position who was able to get to the bouncing ball first and cooly lob over the stranded keeper from just outside the box.
The third was a glancing but powerful header from Aaron that gave the keeper no chance and sealed the points.
The Dover fans were a decent bunch and in good spirits, despite their relegation. Fair play to those that stood at the end Boro were attacking second half and shared some good humoured banter with the travelling Boro support. Apparently they share our dislike for Aldershot and Woking, and we share theirs for Maidstone and Dartford…..they even joined in with the Aaron Kuhl chant a few times!
Overall a fantastic day out with other results going for us too. Suddenly sneaking in to the play offs, although a lot of work still to be done, doesn’t seem impossible!!
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Post by Tom Bowen on Mar 23, 2024 23:15:26 GMT
Thanks Mike.
Sounds positive. Five wins on the bounce is something to be positive about though, and if we do manage to sneak in there (which I was skeptical about six weeks ago), no one would really fancy playing us in red hot form.
I think the playoffs really pivot around Maidstone at home on 6th April. Then we'll see what happens after that.
Five games left.
Friday 29 - Chippenham (H) Monday 1 - Tonbridge Angels (A) Saturday 6 - Maidstone (H) Saturday 13 - Taunton (H) Saturday 20 - Weymouth (A)
3/5 home games with the majority of those decent games but they'll all be tough. If we can get 10 or 11 points from that lot I think we can do it.
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Post by antz27 on Mar 23, 2024 23:25:23 GMT
Hampton still also have to play Worthing, Bath, Maidstone and St Albans all currently in or around the playoffs
Worthing also have Bath, Hampton, Yeovil and St Albans.
So plenty of points to be dropped by the clubs in the play offs
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Post by Tom Bowen on Mar 23, 2024 23:29:49 GMT
Thanks Mike. Sounds positive. Five wins on the bounce is something to be positive about though, and if we do manage to sneak in there (which I was skeptical about six weeks ago), no one would really fancy playing us in red hot form. I think the playoffs really pivot around Maidstone at home on 6th April. Then we'll see what happens after that. Five games left. Friday 29 - Chippenham (H) Monday 1 - Tonbridge Angels (A) Saturday 6 - Maidstone (H) Saturday 13 - Taunton (H) Saturday 20 - Weymouth (A) 3/5 home games with the majority of those decent games but they'll all be tough. If we can get 10 or 11 points from that lot I think we can do it. Forgot to add WSM on Tuesday.
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Admin
Administrator
Posts: 911
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Post by Admin on Mar 24, 2024 0:18:35 GMT
We looked relaxed today. Yep, relaxed can mean good and not so good.
Going forward I saw plenty of good quality football - the timely runs, good angles and accurate passes and flicks mesmerised Dover's defence. But, we were playing the bottom-placed team in the division ...
In midfield, the balance we've been looking for all season is now getting there. We're collectively and individually reading the game far better now, making key interventions to secure possession to switch back to attack in the blink of an eye.
But, there's a reason we have a dismal goals against figure. Even an enfeebled Dover, who let a couple of their more expensive players go this week in preparation for their nailed-on relegation to the Isthmian Premier, caused us a lot of trouble, scoring a goal that cried out our lack of focus that gave their scorer the freedom of the pitch to stick his shot away. And they could easily have scored more. Ok, Hollis was serving his suspension today, but we shouldn't be relying on him alone. There continues to be acres of room for improvement in this area.
That said, we're playing very like the Ted Pearce and Alan Taylor teams of old: not so great at the back, but having a "we'll score more goals than you" attitude. It's certainly fun to watch.
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Post by northlondonboro on Mar 24, 2024 13:10:05 GMT
I think play-off talk (and that midfield balance) is going to go out the window, now that Kuhl has been recalled by Dorking in a desperate attempt from them to fend off what looks like an inevitable relegation (went down 6-0 yesterday to a Barnet side recently beaten by Woeking).
Thanks for all your efforts Aaron! Now, will Spencer recall anyone from their loans as cover? And who on earth takes our penalties now?
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