Around the M25 and over that bridge into Kent to Stonebridge Road, home of Gravesend & Northfleet. They finished strongly last season, in 4th or 5th place, I recall, and have started very well this term. They are 1 point clear of Canvey Island and 2 in front of Aldershot at the top of the League with 23, 6 points ahead of City, with an impressive 100% away record, but a little vulnerable at home, hopefully. Nice people here and I like this ground. I recall that they have a huge grant approved by The Football Foundation for a new stand which, I hope, will include a new clubhouse. One of the best tea-bars in the League.
Saints have injury problems and the busiest man at the club, after Webbo of course, is the Physio. We were denied 3 points by a last minute equaliser at Purfleet having played super football on Monday and will need to play as well today.
For today, The Dynamic Duo selected Wilmot in goal, 3 at the back: Evans, Brown and Moran; 6 in the middle (this will be clearer in a minute): Wraight, Fenton, Metcalf, Hyatt, Rattle and Smith; with Martin up front. To me, They played a 3-5-1-1 formation, with either Smith or Fenton playing in front of the midfield, behind Martin. On the bench were Steve Blaney, signed on a
month's trial from Aveley, Honeyball and Cook. In the stand were Campbell, Nabil, Bignal, Ansell and Ferguson.
Save for one goal, neither side established superiority in the first half. A lot of good football was played in the midfield but 'Fleet's impressive two centre-backs were comfortably in command and City struggled to threaten the home keeper. Midway through the half, Gravesend scored what will probably be their Goal of the Season. With his back to the goal, the striker trapped the ball 30 yards out, flicked the ball up, spun and volleyed past Wilmot. 1-0. H.T.
10 minutes into the second half, Saints were level when Smith powerfully headed home a Hyatt cross. A few minutes later, the Fleet right-back was shown the red-card after a bad tackle on Smith. From where I stood, it was a bad tackle which merited a yellow. Fleet raised the tempo and their game and scored a 'free-header' from a corner. 2-1. Fenton escaped with a yellow card after handling the ball on the edge of the box to stop a Fleet break-away (from where I stood, it merited a red). Saints attacks were less frequent although a Brown header from a corner hit the cross-bar. Blaney came on for the subdued Metcalf and looked aggressive. Too aggressive with 10 minutes to go when he fouled the Fleet striker on the edge of the box and the penalty was despatched. 3-1. With a couple of minutes left, Cook and Honeyball came on for Wraight and Fenton. Brown scored with a header from a corner at the
beginning of a couple of minutes of injury time. 3-2. F.T.
For the locals and the neutrals, this was a good game of football. Gravesend are a good side with a very impressive work-rate. They close down the opposition very quickly, and the centre-backs, strikers and right-wing impressed me. City played some good football in the midfield and spread the ball well but looked vulnerable on the flanks in defence and Martin seemed very lonely up front today. The crowd was 604 with a disappointing 100 or so Travelling City Faithful.
Entertainment 7/10. Atmosphere 5/10. Technical Merit 6/10. Referee 5/10.
Next up. Back to Clarence Park on Tuesday for the visit of Enfield F.C. Former club of City Chairman Lee Harding. There have been many well-documented changes at Enfield since he left 4 years ago and I wonder how many faces he will remember compared to those at the newly formed Enfield Town F.C. of The Essex Senior League. Kick-off on Tuesday is 7.30. Then, next Saturday, September 29th, Cup Fever! We entertain Billericay Town at home in the second qualifying round of the F.A.Cup. The Road To Cardiff.
Report by Awayday |
