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Post by Hannibal on Jan 25, 2020 22:49:58 GMT
20 points from the last 10 games. If we can maintain that level we should make 2nd or 3rd.
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Post by Rio Doherty on Jan 25, 2020 22:56:57 GMT
Loads better by us today as an assured defence and a clinical frontline put our recent disappointing results behind us to well and truly get us back on track. Darlington were a decent side to be honest, as they moved the ball around well and were one of the better teams to come to the 1885 Arena this season. However, we put them to the sword without playing outstandingly well, which puts out another statement and continues our healthy record against the top sides. Our backline continued their formidable start to the new year by carrying on their run of no goals conceded in the decade, but what I am most pleased about today is how our attackers clicked together. The goals have dried up for us lately, but we played in a system that worked for everybody today, with them all reaping their rewards to put our recent blip behind. We simply had to win this one today, so we can breathe a little bit more lightly now as we are back in the top three, and have stopped fellow play-off rivals from taking valuable points.
The first period was very open, which was a lot more bearable to watch than Leamington as that was really cagey. In general it was an enjoyable encounter to endure, because on the whole both sides used the width of our pitch to play some fast, expansive football. John Johnston’s first piece of action in a blue shirt came a few minutes in as he slotted wide from a long Joel Taylor throw. Our early signs of promise came to fruition on the 12th minute mark, as Brad Jackson scored a pearler of a solo goal to make it 1-0 to us. He won the ball back from Darlington on the halfway line, dribbled with it for 30 yards, then near the edge of the area he unleashed a rocket into the far left corner. Our opponents started to liven things up in their search for an equaliser, as they were a quick side on the break and used both flanks to get some balls in. Justin Donawa, who scored in the reverse fixture, missed a golden chance for Darlo as he lobbed the ball over from a few yards out. At the other end Anthony Dudley had the ball in the net for us, but the flag was already up for offside. Gary Roberts had a dominant display in the middle, and he carved a fine ball over the top to find Brad Jackson, whose looping header resulted in Chris Elliott tipping over. Simon Grand was the next to try and double our lead, but he lashed over when he should have taken his time. Overall it was quite an even first half, but we delivered when it really mattered which was the difference.
Meanwhile, our second half performance was even better as a couple of well-worked set-pieces saw us get the job done, and we used the possession to more effect. We were dominant on the wings to rip Darlington apart, as once our second goal in they lost their belief. Just under 10 minutes into the half Gary Stopforth was unlucky to not have doubled our lead as a strong volley whistled wide. Three minutes later we effectively sealed the game as Akwasi Asante poked home from a Joel Taylor corner to make it 2-0 to us. All of a sudden the floodgates opened, because to cap-off a perfect start to the half, Danny Livesey made it 3-0 to us. Joel Taylor bagged his second assist in as many minutes, as he whipped a free kick in towards Livesey, who nodded in before a rather painful landing. Darlington were dead and buried, but they still searched for a consolation as Stephen Thompson lashed past the target. John Johnston came on leaps and bounds in the second 45, and he did superbly to pick out Gary Roberts who forced Chris Elliott to tip around the post from range. Livesey was an absolute warrior today, and despite going down numerous times he carried on with a standout moment being the block he made to deny Thompson, with Russ Griffiths saving the follow up from Adam Campbell. Taylor’s set pieces were brilliant today, and he went inches close to being involved in a third goal, as a curling free kick was parried out by Elliott. In the final few moments we made a few clever moves with multiple crosses going just inches away from finding connections to further our advantage, but there was to be no more with us deservedly winning.
Every single player in blue played their part in today’s big win, with multiple names being discussed for our man of the match. I am going to go for Brad Jackson who was back to his very best after an inconsistent past couple of games. He harried Darlington throughout the game to cause them a plethora of issues, and his strike to make it 1-0 was immense. It was Jacko at his best because he ran with the ball for almost half of the pitch before unleashing an unstoppable hit. Danny Livesey comes at a close second as he battled on despite playing through the pain barrier. He went down three times due to a head injury, but with Danny being Danny he brushed that aside and carried on like a true committed blue. For our third goal he put his head in when it really mattered to bag a deserved goal, and he played a big role in securing a FIFTH clean sheet of 2020 alongside Simon Grand. Grandy put his body on the line by making a number of blocks and headers. Also, a particular standout moment was when he fooled Justin Donawa in the first half by dummying him with the drop of the shoulder, which certainly was a humorous one. John Johnston performed well on his debut and shown flashes of what we hope is to come. He gave the ball away a couple of times in the first half, but he was much improved in the second as he worked really hard and put some good balls in. Gary Roberts was consistent in midfield because he knocked the ball around well and was involved a lot. It was probably a sensible move to take him off as things began to get a little bit heated, but once again he performed well today. The likes of Joel Taylor and Anthony Dudley were excellent too, as were our whole team.
We have two really tricky away matches coming up which is why it is crucial we won today, as it will give us renewed confidence. Our next match is on Tuesday night as we play Gateshead away in what will certainly be a testing game. The Heed have performed solidly this season and are somewhat of a bogey team to us, but with the squad we have I believe we can record our first ever win up there. There is no reason why we can’t because they haven’t exactly set the world alight, and at this stage I would settle for at least a draw. If so, then that (alongside today’s success of course) will definitely add a few extra numbers to our following at York City on Saturday. Can’t wait for both of these games now, especially after today.
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Post by catfordbags on Jan 25, 2020 23:59:03 GMT
Thought the ref helped today ... got the balance right and let the game flow ... best for a while at El Deva.
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Post by bing on Jan 26, 2020 0:04:19 GMT
Can anyone in the Harry Mac tell me if that second half rasper which wiped out Livesey was heading in? Looked goalbound from where I was sat!
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Post by Imperial on Jan 26, 2020 0:52:55 GMT
Not much to add that hasn’t already been said but we were class today. I felt the first half was quite close with both sides having chances, though ours were more clear cut. Second half we absolutely bossed it & the result never looked in doubt.
Livesey my MOTM. Not sure how you don’t give it to a CB who’s scored, injured himself scoring & than put his Crown Jewels on the line to block a shot. Doesn’t get the praise he deserves IMO.
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Post by Anders on Jan 26, 2020 1:02:30 GMT
Not been a bad start to the year at all, Royston aside. No league goals conceded yet in 2020. Was looking at our goals conceded stats earlier (geek that I am). We've only actually conceded two league goals since today's opposition back at Blackwell Meadows in early December. Both ex Chester players in Halls and Astles, other than that nothing.
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Post by Moltisanti on Jan 26, 2020 5:21:35 GMT
Great performance. Massive win. What a strike by Jackson.
bILl aNd bEn oUt
Up the fucking seals.
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Post by RonD on Jan 26, 2020 6:55:56 GMT
Can anyone in the Harry Mac tell me if that second half rasper which wiped out Livesey was heading in? Looked goalbound from where I was sat! Looked to be! It was Grand laid out by it.
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Post by billyw on Jan 26, 2020 7:41:38 GMT
Can anyone in the Harry Mac tell me if that second half rasper which wiped out Livesey was heading in? Looked goalbound from where I was sat! Looked to be! It was Grand laid out by it. That shot by Dudley had ‘goal’ written all over it until Grand blocked it.
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Post by geoff on Jan 26, 2020 8:13:01 GMT
Yes it would have gone in and the goalie would not have saved it.
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Post by oldboneze on Jan 26, 2020 8:25:40 GMT
Looked to be! It was Grand laid out by it. That shot by Dudley had ‘goal’ written all over it until Grand blocked it. That's what we pay him to do. Oops, wrong end .
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Post by Hannibal on Jan 26, 2020 8:26:03 GMT
Not much to add that hasn’t already been said but we were class today. I felt the first half was quite close with both sides having chances, though ours were more clear cut. Second half we absolutely bossed it & the result never looked in doubt. Livesey my MOTM. Not sure how you don’t give it to a CB who’s scored, injured himself scoring & than put his Crown Jewels on the line to block a shot. Doesn’t get the praise he deserves IMO. Livesey had a great game and was m-o-m for me closely followed by Grand. Everyone played well and I guess there's a lot more to come from new signing JJ. Btw way who was m-o-m as I had to leave before the end.
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Post by Si on Jan 26, 2020 8:54:39 GMT
Not much to add that hasn’t already been said but we were class today. I felt the first half was quite close with both sides having chances, though ours were more clear cut. Second half we absolutely bossed it & the result never looked in doubt. Livesey my MOTM. Not sure how you don’t give it to a CB who’s scored, injured himself scoring & than put his Crown Jewels on the line to block a shot. Doesn’t get the praise he deserves IMO. Livesey had a great game and was m-o-m for me closely followed by Grand. Everyone played well and I guess there's a lot more to come from new signing JJ. Btw way who was m-o-m as I had to leave before the end. It was awarded to Jacko. I'd personally have given it to Grand.
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Post by RonD on Jan 26, 2020 9:51:45 GMT
20 points from the last 10 games. If we can maintain that level we should make 2nd or 3rd. 66% then . . . seems quite consistent!
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Post by bonecrusher on Jan 26, 2020 9:59:22 GMT
Yes a good performance against a solid if unspectacular side in Darlington. Great goal by Jackson and professional performance 2nd half. Asante did absolutely nothing before scoring but that's why he's on the pitch. Always a goal threat no matter what he is playing like Defence looked solid and confidence looks good. Need to continue to build on that.
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Post by g1 on Jan 26, 2020 10:05:10 GMT
Good performance that enjoyed that I think this is the start now of a good run hopefully motm well Jackson deserved it but livesay an honorable mention that header so brave
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Post by dmcnally on Jan 26, 2020 11:14:08 GMT
John Johnston goes straight in the non league paper’s team of the week. Bern and Jonno given top boss(es)
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Post by sealandender1 on Jan 26, 2020 11:21:29 GMT
John Johnston goes straight in the non league paper’s team of the week. Bern and Jonno given top boss(es) Centre back pairing of Astor’s and McNulty . . . now that is like Northgate roundabout!!
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Post by sealandender1 on Jan 26, 2020 11:21:57 GMT
John Johnston goes straight in the non league paper’s team of the week. Bern and Jonno given top boss(es) Centre back pairing of Astor’s and McNulty . . . now that is like Northgate roundabout!!
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Post by eltonblues on Jan 26, 2020 12:03:11 GMT
Can anyone in the Harry Mac tell me if that second half rasper which wiped out Livesey was heading in? Looked goalbound from where I was sat! It was flying in
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Post by bing on Jan 26, 2020 13:15:27 GMT
Nice to hear Jonno speak so glowingy about Mahon in the LL before the game yesterday. Also said the JJ fee was no where near as much as is being rumoured.
Had the pleasure of sitting next to John Kelly, one of my favourites around the time we moved ground. Lovely bloke too.
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Post by Imperial on Jan 26, 2020 14:06:37 GMT
Nice to hear Jonno speak so glowingy about Mahon in the LL before the game yesterday. Also said the JJ fee was no where near as much as is being rumoured. Had the pleasure of sitting next to John Kelly, one of my favourites around the time we moved ground. Lovely bloke too. I am very curious about the figures, Alty & Parky have said that we activated a release clause & that JJ has moved for daft money but Bern & Jonno seem to be repeatedly playing that down. Considering our financial situation it does seem unlikely that we’re suddenly throwing big money around.
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Post by Rio Doherty on Jan 26, 2020 15:41:12 GMT
My match vlog:
Really hope you enjoy!
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Post by Hannibal on Jan 26, 2020 18:11:52 GMT
20 points from the last 10 games. If we can maintain that level we should make 2nd or 3rd. 66% then . . . seems quite consistent! King's Lynn's is 93.33%
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Post by Matt on Jan 26, 2020 18:36:30 GMT
Nice to hear Jonno speak so glowingy about Mahon in the LL before the game yesterday. Also said the JJ fee was no where near as much as is being rumoured. Had the pleasure of sitting next to John Kelly, one of my favourites around the time we moved ground. Lovely bloke too. I am very curious about the figures, Alty & Parky have said that we activated a release clause & that JJ has moved for daft money but Bern & Jonno seem to be repeatedly playing that down. Considering our financial situation it does seem unlikely that we’re suddenly throwing big money around. A few bitter Alty fans think we’re throwing him 1k a week but that’s Absolutely ridiculous.
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Post by whopper1 on Jan 26, 2020 18:39:25 GMT
Nice to hear Jonno speak so glowingy about Mahon in the LL before the game yesterday. Also said the JJ fee was no where near as much as is being rumoured. Had the pleasure of sitting next to John Kelly, one of my favourites around the time we moved ground. Lovely bloke too. I am very curious about the figures, Alty & Parky have said that we activated a release clause & that JJ has moved for daft money but Bern & Jonno seem to be repeatedly playing that down. Considering our financial situation it does seem unlikely that we’re suddenly throwing big money around. 20k I heard
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Post by bluejay on Jan 26, 2020 19:18:59 GMT
I am very curious about the figures, Alty & Parky have said that we activated a release clause & that JJ has moved for daft money but Bern & Jonno seem to be repeatedly playing that down. Considering our financial situation it does seem unlikely that we’re suddenly throwing big money around. 20k I heard I heard £25k minus £5k for Mahon going the other way.
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Post by dmcnally on Jan 26, 2020 19:24:09 GMT
I heard £25k minus £5k for Mahon going the other way. It wasn't even five figures. Alty have clearly played this 'substantial fee' rhetoric well.
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Post by Imperial on Jan 26, 2020 19:39:53 GMT
I heard £25k minus £5k for Mahon going the other way. It wasn't even five figures. Alty have clearly played this 'substantial fee' rhetoric well. Really? Two people have said 20k above, what makes you so sure it was so much less?
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Post by eddieshead on Jan 26, 2020 22:18:53 GMT
Nobody has mentioned Kevin Roberts who imo should off got the man of match award best game he's had in a Chester shirt
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