Town v Walton & H 14-4-12

[jontee]

It always happens doesn't it ? A few good displays and decent results and then back to square one.

What annoyed me was the self inflicted weakening of the team. I take exception as a paying spectator to find a reserve goalkeeper and other stand ins playing. One of the high points of the season has been the displays of Kieron Thorp, who if there is any justice must be the player of the year. Very disappointed to find him on the bench. An what I cannot get my head round is how, for semi professional players, a marathon takes precedence over an Isthmian League match, especially with one of the players in question lounging around in the stand. Sorry, but at this level you have to be committed, and the management should make this clear, when they are paying the wages. And of course the opposition took full advantage. This showed up the club as looking very amateurish. I know it's the end of the season, but the fact remains it was an Isthmian League game, and it is a pity the club could not show respect for that ,and for the spectators who paid good money at the gate.

It is good to know Mr Bloor has such confidence in his players as per the Eastbourne (Borough) Herald, but on the evidence of this season, I think his projection could be just a little optimistic.

As for the game, yes it was end of season stuff, but any potential entertainment value was ruined by the officials. The referee was a poser from start to finish, wanting to play centre stage with two ridiculous bookings for Town players. Then the lino, having just missed a stonewall hand ball right in front of his face, managed to spot something no-one else in the ground had seen and pushed the incompetent referee into a double sending off. Are we just dead unlucky, or does every other club suffer with these village green standard officials ? It may be very unbecoming for a manager to rant at them, but I honestly can't blame Mr Bloor for doing so. It is so frustrating for everyone.

Well guys, that's it for this season for me. You may or may not hear from me again, depending on whether it appears worthwhile visiting the delightful Saffrons.

[oap]

Although it is not in my nature to disagree with anyone I'm afraid I am on the side of the manager regarding his selection. Thorpy has been the Towns savior on many occasions this season and with a lesser keeper we could well be in relegation trouble. But the reserve keeper might have to come on at any time and he needs to know what first team opposition is like. Summerbell and Hollobone are two of the reserves that look as if they might make the front side one day ,although it was obvious on Saturday that they are not up to it yet. The idea of a reserve side is to produce players for the first team and to have at least a few locals in it so Mr Bloor had to see what the three were like.
It has not been the sort of season where he could take a chance with young inexperienced players.

[jontee]

OAP, I think it was also obvious that Tom Godfrey was not quite there yet. I know promising players have to be introduced some time. Unfortunately it appears to be Mr Bloor's policy of bringing in new players on a regular basis, so the reserves never get their chance naturally.

Imagine you went to the theatre and bought your ticket, only to find that the three main actors had been replaced by understudies, not through any emergency, and 2 of them because they were performing in an amateur theatrical instead. You would not be very pleased, and neither was I on Saturday.