20th - 21st March Match thread

[BeesKnees]

Ok, I don't really want to do these it's just that I get impatient waiting for someone else.

Friday
Bristol Rovers V Aldershot
Bristol will be desperate to regain top spot and recover from a couple of not so great results against decent teams. The fans will expect a comfortable win and it's difficult to argue against it. The Aldershot forum is a depressing place to be at the moment with some suggesting the season is over and they are safe for another year. Most would feel they need a few more points on the board and recent draws against Halifax and Macc suggesting they will be difficult to break down.

Saturday
Alfreton V Chester
Alfreton decent run continues and they will feel Chester having a disappointing result midweek will have left their players thinking there is nothing left to play for. This game will show whether Alfretons run has been due to playing some out of form sides recently or they are genuinely about to leave the bottom 4 behind.

Altrincham V Halifax
Halifax must be favourites against a team seemingly no longer interested. They have played well in their mudpit and if they want to keep play off hopes alive will need to show they can repeat it on grass.

Barnet V Welling
Barnet haven't lost in two whole games and will feel the toughest fixtures are behind them. Welling got their first win in ten attempts last time out so will hope they can upset the odds, gain ground on the teams ahead of them in the league and prevent the gap becoming insurmountable.

Dover V Gateshead
Have Dover's two wins against teams half asleep woken them up again? This could be a difficult game for Gateshead who are making a late claim for a play off spot

Grimsby V Eastleigh
Game of the weekend, Grimsby were going great until slipping up late on at Chester, Eastleigh have had some tough games with mixed results. If both teams play their best it could be a cracker. A Grimsby defeat will make a title challenge extremely difficult, while an Eastleigh win could make them favourites for the final play off spot.

Macclesfield V Nuneaton
Macc appear to be slipping away from the title challenge, but this is the kind of game that could get their hopes up again. Nuneaton have turned things around, unbeaten in five thanks in large part to their New Zealand international keeper who unfortunately for them will be on international duty after this game.

Southport V Dartford
Relegation 6 pointer, Dartfords win against Chester will have given them hope, but Southport have put together some impressive results recently and will see it as a chance to put a big step in towards safety.

Torquay V Kidderminster
I suspect Torquay's Essex kiss in midweek will make them a bit keener to get a result and move away from the bottom four for good. Kiddy seem the ideal opponents as they currently offer little resistance

Woking V Forest Green
Big game for both and a must win for both. Forest greens form is mighty impressive and Woking will do well to stop their unbeaten run.

Wrexham V Lincoln City
Lincoln have definitely stopped for the season and Wrexham should feel they can pick up three points.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Great effort again mate. Although I would disagree and say Woking/FGR is the game of the weekend at the top while of course at the bottom its Southport v Dartford

 

[DarkSithLord]

Regarding our game will need to keep the momentum going and take advantage of our kind fixtures. Judging by Tuesdays result Chester seemed to have given up on the season and with todays huge boost with the coup of signing Jake Speight for a second spell I feel we may just have enough. Think it will be another low scoring scrappy game with 1 goal deciding it. Especially with Chester missing McBurnie

 

[Jemfy]

Yet again a failure to identify the game of the weekend... It's clear AFC Rushden & Diamonds vs Wisbech Town is the fixture to be at!

It's 1st vs 2nd in the UCL, and it takes place at the Dog & Duck.

1 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 32 25 4 3 73 79
2 Wisbech Town 32 24 3 5 59 75

The visitors come in to this match having just failed to make it 14 league wins in a row, with a loss to PNS on Tuesday night. This has naturally catapulted them up the table from their previous middling position, albeit that they always had games in hand, while the loss on Tuesday has provided a small cushion to AFCR&D.

There is a further 4 point gap down to 3rd placed Thurnby who would be an outside shot for the crown, and are also in fine form, matching the 14 out of 15 league match winning run of Wisbech.

Title implications are clear. 24 hours and it will be time for the football to do the talking.

 

[Shotsfan1993]

Think we need another win to be absolutely sure of safety but I would be stunned if we couldnt win one of our last 7 (famous last words and all that) - our 4 away games are tough but I would fancy us to get something out of our remaining home games against Torquay, Chester and Wrexham.

As for tonight, how we will do depends on which Aldershot turns up. If the one that turned up against Dover, Macclesfield and Halifax goes to Bristol we might scrape something. If the one that turned up for the first half last Saturday goes to Bristol we will get thrashed!

 

[BeesKnees]

I going to stick with my choice of Grimsby v Eastleigh. but with these games on it makes BTs choice of Telford v Braintree look very bizarre.

 

[The_Boss]

Would take a 1-0er!

 

[springerbfc]

If Aldershot can nick a goal, there's half a chance they can avoid defeat.

That said, you've got to fancy Bristol Rovers ending their mini-slump with a reasonably comfortable win and a return to top spot.

Boo

 

[springerbfc]

Must win game for us and a bit of nostalgia given we faced Welling in a crucial home game back in 1991, coming through 3-2 thanks to a last minute penalty. That win meant we needed only to draw our final game at Fisher to clinch promotion and the rest, as they say, is history :giphy:

I would take the same outcome but preferably, without the stress this time around!

 

[Luke Imp]

Ffs, we've got another game? Are we not at the season end yet?

 

[GTFC1979]

Having to miss my first home league game since New Years Day as i have to work some extra hours tomorrow. Pretty gutted as i think there will be plenty of goals with us (hopefully) just nicking it.

 

[Greenacres]

Looking forward to my second visit to Kingfield tomorrow, although the first time was to see a game against Hayes and Yeading. It is an important game and one of the most difficult for ages, expect our unbeaten run to come under some pretty severe pressure. I know they don't really like us anymore, at least since one of their fans was put in a headlock by an overzealous steward, but most Rovers fans will be hoping for a Grimsby win tomorrow to keep Eastleigh below us even if we slip up...c'mon the Mariners!

 

[Chris FGR]

Big game for us, Woking will be very tough and need to beat us to stand a realistic chance, so they'll be well up for it.

Rob Sinclair being out for a while is a big blow, although we do at least have Sam Wedgbury back. Scott Rendell has never done that well against us given how ex-players usually do, but I wouldn't be surprised if he did tomorrow as we're still a bit suspect on crosses/set-pieces which he thrives on. Steve Arnold will probably start in goal ahead of Sam Russell, which remains a contentious issue with a number of our fans, hopefully he'll avoid any more blunders this week.

Would take a draw right now if offered.

 

[pontoonlew]

Average home side versus good away side, add into the fact I'm actually going. This could be a bad day all round!

 

[Bluandwite]

Burr was scathing after the Dartford game on Tuesday, after going ahead and conceding such cheap goals. To be fair Dartford came and sat back and it was difficult to play through them, we're not really good enough to do that well. An away game at someone who'll hopefully come at us more will suit hopefully.

No McBurnie who's been called up to Scotland U19's, so Peers has been recalled from his loan at Marine, scored eight goals in nine games whilst there.

 

[Gassy]

Huge game tonight. Taking 3 work mates tonight for their first Rovers game and a Polish's first English game. A good atmosphere and nice win would go down lovely.

I've told the Polish one thay it's tradition in England to streak at your first game if your team wins. I was so convincing and informed everyone else at work that he actually has gone home to Google it before the night

 

[GTFC1979]

Ffs, we've got another game? Are we not at the season end yet?

Yeah, your season ended 2 months ago......

 

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

Heading to Woking v Forest Green tomorrow.

 

[GTFC1979]

Huge game tonight. Taking 3 work mates tonight for their first Rovers game and a Polish's first English game. A good atmosphere and nice win would go down lovely.

I've told the Polish one thay it's tradition in England to streak at your first game if your team wins. I was so convincing and informed everyone else at work that he actually has gone home to Google it before the night

Should be a great sound when your Polish workmates start picking up the Bristol accent....

Maybe on the same comedic level as Jan Molbys Danish/Scouse effort!!!
​

 

[Sparrow]

Last chance saloon for our play-off hopes tomorrow. A win would put us four points behind FGR ahead of our game in hand on Tuesday night at home to Torquay. If there was ever a time to win against a top five side and end FGR's unbeaten streak...

 

[Sparrow]

Must win game for us and a bit of nostalgia given we faced Welling in a crucial home game back in 1991, coming through 3-2 thanks to a last minute penalty.

Did Akinde take it?

 

[Clarkey_GTFC]

We need to win to stay in the title race, but Hurst will take a loss as it means we'll still be in with a chance of securing a play-off spot.

John-Lewis will probably be recalled back to the starting XI despite Palmer and Pittman both scoring 2 in 2.

 

[GTFC1979]

Did Akinde take it?

No, he won it......

 

[DarkSithLord]

Heading to Woking v Forest Green tomorrow.

Good choice. Should be a good game

 

[GTFC1979]

We need to win to stay in the title race, but Hurst will take a loss as it means we'll still be in with a chance of securing a play-off spot.

John-Lewis will probably be recalled back to the starting XI despite Palmer and Pittman both scoring 2 in 2.

This is whars starting to piss me off about him now, always talks about the pkay-offs first then after that its the title.
His 100% priority is getting in the play-offs and I honestly think he couldn't give a shit about trying to win the league, which is why I think tomorrow he will be setting up just to try and not lose, which means we probably will.
He seems to forget that for the past 2 seasons we have choked bigtime in 3 of the 4 play off games.
I understand that IF we don't win the league then it is important to get in the play-offs, but at this stage of the season he surely must go all out for the title?
Fingers crossed he proves me wrong tomorrow.....

 

[Master D]

Us against Lincoln is it. What an underachieving, meaningless, mid-table shit-fest that'll be.

 

[Greenacres]

Last chance saloon for our play-off hopes tomorrow. A win would put us four points behind FGR ahead of our game in hand on Tuesday night at home to Torquay. If there was ever a time to win against a top five side and end FGR's unbeaten streak...

A lot of our fans reckon this is a really difficult game tomorrow, possibly the hardest away game remaining. Out of interest, is there segregation in the ground and, if so, where do you put the away fans.

 

[Clarkey_GTFC]

This is whars starting to piss me off about him now, always talks about the pkay-offs first then after that its the title.
His 100% priority is getting in the play-offs and I honestly think he couldn't give a shit about trying to win the league, which is why I think tomorrow he will be setting up just to try and not lose, which means we probably will.
He seems to forget that for the past 2 seasons we have choked bigtime in 3 of the 4 play off games.
I understand that IF we don't win the league then it is important to get in the play-offs, but at this stage of the season he surely must go all out for the title?
Fingers crossed he proves me wrong tomorrow.....

His reasoning is that as soon as we have the play-offs secured, we can concentrate on finishing higher. So basically as long as we're mathematically confirmed in the play-offs on the last day of the season, we can try and catch up the 10-15 points that we'll be behind. Of course if we forget about the play-offs and try to win every game in order to win the league, there is no chance in hell we'll make the play-offs.

 

[TheGas]

Come on you blue boys

 

[Chris FGR]

A lot of our fans reckon this is a really difficult game tomorrow, possibly the hardest away game remaining. Out of interest, is there segregation in the ground and, if so, where do you put the away fans.

If they do segregate, which they haven't often done on any of our numerous visits, we'll probably get the open terrace down the side of the pitch.