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Greyfriars Bobby · 12-17-2018, 10:05 AM

1 January 2019

Bad weather kept us from playing very often in December, but when we were able to get onto the pitch, things went very well for us.

The league table is a little bit deceptive, as we have three games in hand on Forest Green Rovers. I'm delighted with the way we're playing, especially with our defensive performance.

We knew we would have a full week to recover from our FA Trophy tie against Romsey Town, so I fielded nearly a full-strength side. They are a County Leagues club; I remember what it was like to face Conference teams when we were at that level, so part of me felt a bit guilty for running out so many first teamers.

I was especially eager to get Mick Hart into the eleven. I noticed three of Romsey's four defenders have less pace than our goalkeepers, while Mick has often been dubbed "the fastest man in non-League football." I told the lads to pass the ball more directly, hoping to release Mick (along with fellow speedsters Tom Wilkinson and John Bailey) behind the Romsey back line. I hoped Mick would bag a goal or two, because he hasn't been scoring at his usual rate this season.

The strategy worked perfectly. Hart ran onto a pass from Bailey and fired home. On another occasion, a Romsey defender hacked him down from behind, and Aiden Harris converted the penalty. Fifteen minutes from time, Mick slipped his marker, took a pass from just-introduced Paul Douglas, let the ball run onto his favored left foot, and lashed it in. The 4-0 victory was a very nice 38th birthday present from the team.

Reunited in the first eleven against Aldershot Town, Mick and Paul both contributed a goal to our tidy victory. A crowd of 1,275 came out to Alfredian Park on a chilly, drizzly day, the largest ever to watch us play a league match. The same day, Forest Green lost a shocker at home to bottom-of-the table Canvey Island.

I decided to see how far we might go in the FA Trophy this season. Our Third Round opponent was Forest Green, so I might have had several reasons to play the first eleven in this tie even if I hadn’t decided to go all in for the Trophy. I wasn’t about to roll over for a league opponent. Rovers manager James Radcliffe picked a strong side, so I’m glad I did the same.

I did need to make one change, because Wilkinson's ribs were still sore from a knock he’d taken in the Aldershot match. His replacement, Sam Wash, made me look really smart by rifling in a goal. Forest Green responded, keeping us on the back foot for the remainder of the first half, so I wasn’t shocked when they got their equalizer. I was almost resigned to a draw and a replay, but Aiden Harris had other ideas. He capped a very nice team move by taking a perfect pass from Hart in stride and firing home.

I wasn't sure if the lads would be ready to play again three days later at Eastleigh, but Old Man Winter saved us. The pitch at Silverlake Stadium was waterlogged, so the match was postponed until the 28th. The weather was no better that day, so it was delayed until 7 January.

January is going to be a very, very busy month now.

12-17-2018, 10:05 AM	#55
Greyfriars Bobby College Prospect Join Date: Sep 2013	1 January 2019 Bad weather kept us from playing very often in December, but when we were able to get onto the pitch, things went very well for us. The league table is a little bit deceptive, as we have three games in hand on Forest Green Rovers. I'm delighted with the way we're playing, especially with our defensive performance. We knew we would have a full week to recover from our FA Trophy tie against Romsey Town, so I fielded nearly a full-strength side. They are a County Leagues club; I remember what it was like to face Conference teams when we were at that level, so part of me felt a bit guilty for running out so many first teamers. I was especially eager to get Mick Hart into the eleven. I noticed three of Romsey's four defenders have less pace than our goalkeepers, while Mick has often been dubbed "the fastest man in non-League football." I told the lads to pass the ball more directly, hoping to release Mick (along with fellow speedsters Tom Wilkinson and John Bailey) behind the Romsey back line. I hoped Mick would bag a goal or two, because he hasn't been scoring at his usual rate this season. The strategy worked perfectly. Hart ran onto a pass from Bailey and fired home. On another occasion, a Romsey defender hacked him down from behind, and Aiden Harris converted the penalty. Fifteen minutes from time, Mick slipped his marker, took a pass from just-introduced Paul Douglas, let the ball run onto his favored left foot, and lashed it in. The 4-0 victory was a very nice 38th birthday present from the team. Reunited in the first eleven against Aldershot Town, Mick and Paul both contributed a goal to our tidy victory. A crowd of 1,275 came out to Alfredian Park on a chilly, drizzly day, the largest ever to watch us play a league match. The same day, Forest Green lost a shocker at home to bottom-of-the table Canvey Island. I decided to see how far we might go in the FA Trophy this season. Our Third Round opponent was Forest Green, so I might have had several reasons to play the first eleven in this tie even if I hadn’t decided to go all in for the Trophy. I wasn’t about to roll over for a league opponent. Rovers manager James Radcliffe picked a strong side, so I’m glad I did the same. I did need to make one change, because Wilkinson's ribs were still sore from a knock he’d taken in the Aldershot match. His replacement, Sam Wash, made me look really smart by rifling in a goal. Forest Green responded, keeping us on the back foot for the remainder of the first half, so I wasn’t shocked when they got their equalizer. I was almost resigned to a draw and a replay, but Aiden Harris had other ideas. He capped a very nice team move by taking a perfect pass from Hart in stride and firing home. I wasn't sure if the lads would be ready to play again three days later at Eastleigh, but Old Man Winter saved us. The pitch at Silverlake Stadium was waterlogged, so the match was postponed until the 28th. The weather was no better that day, so it was delayed until 7 January. January is going to be a very, very busy month now.