And a second installment of the Histon game yesterday, this time courtesy of Ewell Don…
Who had money on a fifth successive draw? A few of you I suspect and to be fair, Asylum 4 Institute 0 was perhaps a little flattering for the Dons. It could have been oh so different had it not been for a solid first half defensive performance, in particular Brett Johnson whose phenomenal tackle on the Histon striker clean through on goal could have seen a completely different outcome. It was even more pivotal as from that tackle; we swiftly broke up field where Moore slotted in to score our opener.
You would have suspected the flood gates to open but it didn’t happen and during a nervy first half we looked out of sorts and short of ideas. Histon continued to dominate midfield and look dangerous going forward. The back four of Hussey, Johnson, Lorraine and Hatton (yeah I know, even with Conroy and Garrard available, TB couldn’t bear to drop his prodigal son after shuffling his midfield but more on that later) were solid and where the only reason we went in ahead at the break.
As with all the games at KM this season, the 2nd half saw us move up a gear but only after the 2nd goal went in. TB has been bemoaning the fact that the midfield has not made a contribution to our goal tally and asked for more commitment. Well he got his wish today. It was with some inevitability that it should be Lewis Taylor, who’d had a pretty poor game up to that point, who lashed the ball in to the roof of the net from 10 yards.
From that moment on, we relaxed and played the type of football we love to see. The ball started moving round freely when we were in possession and we closed them down quickly when we didn’t have the ball. A great afternoon was rounded off with further goals from Gregory and a dubiously awarded penalty smashed home by the ever improving Kedwell. In the end it could have been more but for some good saves from former Dons keeper Danny Naisbitt.
Plus points: 2 goals from midfield, Hussey, outstanding again and deprived of a deserved MOM award, Hattons best performance of the season. It’s a mystery at times how Hatton has pretty much been ever present in the team this season. He has had a tendency to go missing at times yet when switched to right back he’s a different player? Still needs to work on those free kicks though
Minus points: I’ve got to say I was really disappointed by the verbal abuse some of our players got in the first half. There are some real fucking morons in the Tempest End. I know everyone is entitled to their opinion but for Christ’s sake, screaming; Taylor, you’re a useless cunt is not what I want to hear. Save that for the oppo keeper if you must
Them: They brought about 60-70 with them and to be fair, probably out sung us in the first half. Seemed a pleasant enough bunch and stayed till the end to clap their team off (not sure we would do that having been trumped 4 nil). The team were well organised and on another day they would have beaten us. No surprise that they have made steady progress over the last few seasons. Nice to see Danny Naisbitt get a warm welcome and good support. Bet he wished he’d got as much support from his defence.
The referee’s a: I have to say, as refs go he was probably the best one we’ve see this season. Knowing that I was going to do a write up, I tried to take an unbiased view of his performance as the game went on. To be fair, he got most things right with the exception of an advantage he didn’t play when one of our players got fouled and the penalty award. Hatton was brought down right on the edge of the box and he decided not to consult his better placed assistant. Had it been at the other end I would have been a tad miffed.
Any thing else? Has anyone else noticed the look a like supporters we have? Spotted at KM yesterday; the fella next to me who was a ringer for John Hartson, another who the image of Coldplays Chris Martin and often seen the shorter version of Andy Little
So was it worth it? It was in the end. At least we’ve lost the ‘bore draw’ tag, at least till Tuesday anyway