A bitterly cold day at Clarence Park for the visit of Hendon who are 5th in the table with 33 points from 20 games. Among their ranks are former Saints Martin Randall and Steve Butler, the latter out injured today.
Steve Castle has to find a winning formula soon and today he selected Jackman in goal; 4 at the back: Gledhill, Brown (C), Pat Baldwin on loan from Colchester Utd, and Jones; 4 in the middle: Deacon, Murray, Richard Thomas, a new signing from Billericay, and Oakes; and up front: Richards and De Souza. On the bench: Oxby, Tomlinson, Martin, Cross and Seeby.
This was woeful. Neither side managed a shot on target in the first half until the final few seconds when, after a few minutes of City pressure, the Dons broke and a fierce shot from Ofori was well saved at full stretch by Jackman only for Hunt to be first to the rebound and hit home from 10 yards. H.T. 0-1.
Hendon brought Dale Binns, a player of real quality, on from the bench on the hour. Minutes later the giant Andy Cook beat the offside trap to challenge Jackman and head home after the City keeper fumbled. 0-2. Hendon put the result beyond any doubt 10 minutes later when a cross from the right was hit long only to be trapped by Danny Cross beyond the far post and the loose ball was seized upon by Binns to score from close range. 0-3.
Hendon were now in control and City heads dropped. The best goal of the game came late when an inch perfect cross from Delisser was met by a powerful header from Cook which gave Jackman no chance. 0-4. F.T.
This was a very poor performance by The Saints against a very ordinary looking Hendon side. Very little creative football, no bite up front and the back four, so solid over the past 12 months, looked fragile as a unit today. And I'm sick of not winning. MotM? I don't think so. The crowd was a disappointing and disappointed 295.
Entertainment 1/10. Technical Merit 3/10. Referee 6/10. Atmosphere 4/10.
Next up. At Clarence Park on Tuesday evening for a Herts Senior Cup tie against Hoddesdon and then back at the Park next Saturday for the visit of high-flying Carshalton Athletic, the first of the 'return' games. Half-way through the season and it needs to get better, soon.
Report by Homer |
