To 'The Eyrie', home of Bedford Town, 'The Eagles. A strange ground, clearly in the course of a phased development, it will be nicer when it's finished. They have good support, nice people, too. A new Manager, Kevin Wilson, having parted company with long-serving Roger Ashby after 5 consecutive defeats a couple of weeks ago. Bedford are just above the relegation zone in the League. Among their ranks is former Saint, Lee Harvey, for whom City made a 7 day approach earlier in the week. He was not in the ground today.
For today The Dynamic Duo selected Roberts D. in goal; 4 at the back: Moran, Brown, Campbell and Naylor; 4 in the middle: Oakes, Challinor, Smith and Keen; and up front Martin and De Souza. On the bench were Hollenbach, Townley, Sippetts, Gould and Wilmot.
This was a very poor performance and a very poor game. City seemed to start at half pace and didn't accellerate. Of note in the first half were two half chances which fell to Martin, the first a close range effort well blocked by the Eagles new keeper, Tate, and the second a lob which was well-saved. Roberts, on his League debut looked solid, dealt with several crosses comfortably, and was quick with his distribution. Err.. that's it. H.T. 0-0.
The wheels finally fell off after 20 minutes or so of the second half. Apparently in no danger, Moran lost possession wide on the right 25 yards out, the cross eluded the retreating back line and was tapped home by Slinn. 1-0. Moments later, Smith took a knock on a damaged achilles heel and was stretchered off. The Duo brought on Townley to replace Moran, switched to three at the back, replaced Smith with Hollenbach, but to play wide on the right, pushed Naylor forward to play wide on the left of midfield and reversed Keen and Oakes in the middle. (Are you following this?)
A few minutes later, Campbell was dispossessed by Paul, again when in no apparent danger, and The Bedford striker gave Roberts no chance. 2-0. The Saints livened up for the last 10 minutes, but it was too little, too late. A Hollenbach shot from 20 yards was well parried by the keeper, his third contribution of the afternoon, who was awarded the MotM. It was that sort of game. F.T. 2-0.
City were very disappointing today. Sluggish on the ball, limited contribution by the midfield and long balls which didn't reach the target. When a team is of limited ability, expectations are modest and stout effort can be applauded but this Saints team have real talent. That talent was not displayed today, and the work-rate wasn't there either. Top of the League, where we remain as Aldershot lost at Aylesbury, should be motivation enough, surely. The Duo need to sort it out, and soon.
The crowd was 764 with just over 200 or so of the Travelling City Faithful. MotM? You have to be joking.
Entertainment 4/10. Technical Merit 3/10. Atmosphere 5/10. Referee 4/10.
Match report by Awayday |
