21st Feb League Match Thread

[BeesKnees]

Sorry folks I couldn't wait any longer

Nuneaton V Kidderminster
Alfreton V Aldershot
Barnet V Grimsby
Bristol Rovers V Altrincham
Chester V Eastleigh
Dartford V Gateshead
Dover V Southport
Halifax V Braintree
Forest Green V Telford

I'd say there are 3 stand out games for different reasons.
Barnet v Grimsby is a must win for both sides, with Barnet knowing they will be overtaken by Brizzle and Grimsby knowing Halifax will be after their play-off spot if they can't get 3 points.
Chester v Eastleigh will see if Chester can keep their outside chance of playoffs on track or can Eastleigh stop the rot that has wasted their games in hand.
Alfreton v Aldershot is massive for both sides, Alfreton win sees Aldershot join the relegation battle, while an Aldershot win will effectively separate the bottom six from the rest of the division.
From the rest it'll be Bristol Rovers keeping the pressure on top spot, Kiddy, Gateshead, Dover, Halifax and Forest Green maintaining their play-off aspirations.

 

[Luke Imp]

We were supposed to be at Torquay but we now have that short trip on Tuesday night instead...

 

[DarkSithLord]

So starts the biggest week since we were promoted to this level and 3 games that will make or break us.
Starting with Aldershot tomorrow.

With a successor to the Andy the football genius Scott still not appointed I think that will work to our advantage. We have had a week to recharge our batteries after looking jaded against Braintree. We are much more competitive at home and do seem to score a few while letting a hatful in ourselves. Aldershot dont score many especially from open play so I fancy us for 3 points tomorrow.
It will be far from an easy ride though and we cant afford to give Aldershot presents like we did against Southport. Because you can bet your bottom dollar Aldershot wont self destruct like Southport did.

Its gonna be one nailbiting and nervy afternoon! Cant wait!

Alfreton 3-1 Aldershot

Shots fans - Is Brett Wiliams fit?

 

[Davidimp]

We were supposed to be at Torquay but we now have that short trip on Tuesday night instead...

Thought it should of been Macclesfield but that got moved forward to when were meant to have Torquay but it got called off due their trophy run?
O well nowt like the short hop to Torquay for a midweek game is there?
Easy 3/4/5-0 win them on Tuesday delete as applicable depending on how Imps players lose their heads and get sent off after we concede early.

 

[Gladders]

No Palmer or Hannah for us, Pittman and Brown have trained but whether they are ready to start is another matter. I would guess at the same side that played Bristol with Pittman replacing Hannah on the bench, and I imagine Brown will be on the bench too probably replacing Bignot

 

[GTFC1979]

Sod the football, the best thing about this weekend is that Ant and Dec are back on on Saturday night!!

 

[DarkSithLord]

Sod the football, the best thing about this weekend is that Ant and Dec are back on on Saturday night!!

 

[les.gtfc]

Looking forward to this one. Heading down after work tonight and staying over Friday and Saturday. After the disappointment of the last 2 games we could really do win a win tomorrow. Akinde is suspended for them and I'd guess we'll line up pretty much the same as last week. Christian Jolley is due a performance after his first 3 games showed very little, hopefully he'll come good tomorrow. Pitman and Brown should be back on the bench but the starting XI will be much the same as last time.

I reckon we should have at least 500 there tomorrow and just about everyone I know is taking some sort of inflatable, so it should be quite a sight and a decent atmosphere.

 

[Luke Imp]

Thought it should of been Macclesfield but that got moved forward to when were meant to have Torquay but it got called off due their trophy run?
O well nowt like the short hop to Torquay for a midweek game is there?
Easy 3/4/5-0 win them on Tuesday delete as applicable depending on how Imps players lose their heads and get sent off after we concede early.

Ah right, for some reason I just assumed we had just put it back 3 days.

 

[TheGas]

Hoping for a standard 2-0 home win from us tomorrow. As long as we win I'm happy but if Barnet don't and we do then I'll be VERY happy

 

[GTFC1979]

Looking forward to this one. Heading down after work tonight and staying over Friday and Saturday. After the disappointment of the last 2 games we could really do win a win tomorrow. Akinde is suspended for them and I'd guess we'll line up pretty much the same as last week. Christian Jolley is due a performance after his first 3 games showed very little, hopefully he'll come good tomorrow. Pitman and Brown should be back on the bench but the starting XI will be much the same as last time.

I reckon we should have at least 500 there tomorrow and just about everyone I know is taking some sort of inflatable, so it should be quite a sight and a decent atmosphere.

My cousin is going and the only inflatable he can get his hands on is a rubber ring, so he is wearing it tomorrow!

 

[BeesKnees]

I maybe unique in this for Barnet fans but I'm glad Akinde isn't playing. Our best performances were at the start of the season when he was seen as one option and not the only option. He's great against weak defences when he can bully them but the stronger sides tend to deal with him better and we end up just conceding the majority of possession.

I also hope Cook is dropped as he has gone off the boil and I would rather see us have some extra pace in the side from Vilhete or Gambin.

So I think we will play better tomorrow, be a bit less direct and hopefully have a bit more control. Gash will replace Akinde and so far he has looked decent when coming on, he has visibly lost weight and got himself in decent shape.

It's going to be a tough battle.

 

[TheGas]

I maybe unique in this for Barnet fans but I'm glad Akinde isn't playing. Our best performances were at the start of the season when he was seen as one option and not the only option. He's great against weak defences when he can bully them but the stronger sides tend to deal with him better and we end up just conceding the majority of possession.

I also hope Cook is dropped as he has gone off the boil and I would rather see us have some extra pace in the side from Vilhete or Gambin.

So I think we will play better tomorrow, be a bit less direct and hopefully have a bit more control. Gash will replace Akinde and so far he has looked decent when coming on, he has visibly lost weight and got himself in decent shape.

It's going to be a tough battle.

Lies

 

[The_Boss]

Whisper it quietly but "Come on Alty", yer bastards yer!

 

[DarkSithLord]

9.30 AM Pitch Inspection for Dartford v Gateshead

 

[BeesKnees]

Lies

Not at all,
When Macdonald got injured we became one dimensional. I am looking forward to us playing a more balanced style than just hoof it to the big man, which is what has happened more and more as the season has progressed.

 

[Gassy]

I can't explain how huge the next 4 days are. This week has gone so slowly because of it

 

[Gashead]

Not at all,
When Macdonald got injured we became one dimensional. I am looking forward to us playing a more balanced style than just hoof it to the big man, which is what has happened more and more as the season has progressed.

Gash not a big man then? Was certainly used as a target man at Nuneaton when we played up there, although I understand Barnet are a much better outfit (no offence to Nuneaton of course).

Tough game for us tomorrow, to be honest I think Alty will get something out of it - good side in good form.

 

[Greenacres]

I can't explain how huge the next 4 days are. This week has gone so slowly because of it

Just looked at your fixtures and reckon the next three, after the games to which you are presumably referring, may define your season. If you could get a decent points haul against Gateshead, Eastleigh and Halifax then you must be odds on to catch Barnet. Your team is unbeaten since October, won't mention who inflicted that defeat, so they must be more than a little confident.

 

[BeesKnees]

Gash not a big man then? Was certainly used as a target man at Nuneaton when we played up there, although I understand Barnet are a much better outfit (no offence to Nuneaton of course).

Tough game for us tomorrow, to be honest I think Alty will get something out of it - good side in good form.

Gash is a big man, but he is not someone who can out power and out pace defenders. He is more capable as a forward who holds onto the ball, brings others into play and gets into the box. To get some joy with Gash playing we will need runners and there is no doubt in my mind that we will be far more likely to attack down the wings tomorrow than the repeated ball over the top for Akinde to run onto that would've been the case otherwise..

 

[Lew]

If we win, we go eight points clear of the drop. But we'll go to Alfreton looking 'not to lose', like we did at Altrincham... only to lose. Despite beating Welling last weekend we were still pretty poor. Can't see it being too different to both those matches. Alfreton really will be up for this and if we aren't then I can only see it going one way.

Hopefully Josh Scott is involved after being rested. Damon Lathrope is nearing a return, a player I think we have missed massively in central midfield. It's no surprise that we have struggled in that position since his injury. Two defenders coming in on loan suggests Oastler is out, it also raises a question as to where Barker will play. I prefer him in the middle but we'll see.

Shots fans - Is Brett Wiliams fit?

He should be. His substitution last weekend was a tactical move (greeted by cheers).

 

[Jemfy]

Diamonds travel to Desborough, hoping to pick up another vital three points in the race for promotion vs Holbeach (having been the only two clubs to apply for promotion). This will obviously have an effect on the title race too, which is now down to 5 realistically:

1 AFC Rushden & Diamonds p28.........67
2 Yaxley p28.........................................60
3 Holbeach United p25.........................59
4 Wisbech Town p25............................57
5. Thurnby Nirvana p25........................53

Strangely you can probably more or less discount Yaxley. While we may well drop 7 or more points in the remaining 12 fixtures, I find it unlikely that we will do so, as will Holbeach (8+), Wisbech (6+), and Thurnby (3+), and Yaxley getting the required points on the board for all of these. So that's 4 horse race, not that it matters too much.

Our requirements for promotion are:
1. Finish above Holbeach
2. Finish in the top 3.
Do so and we are up.

This week is a great chance to stretch our lead on Holbeach back up to 11 points, with them in cup action once more. They will get the chance to issue a response in a game at home to Boston Town.

If we win, worst case is we go in to next weeks games in an equivalent situation.

Edit: I forgot to mention Diamonds could get the 3rd player to hit 100 appearances tomorrow, with Brad Harris currently sitting on 99. Matt Gearing (101) and Sam Brown(112) having already made the mark.

 

[Gashead]

Gash is a big man, but he is not someone who can out power and out pace defenders. He is more capable as a forward who holds onto the ball, brings others into play and gets into the box. To get some joy with Gash playing we will need runners and there is no doubt in my mind that we will be far more likely to attack down the wings tomorrow than the repeated ball over the top for Akinde to run onto that would've been the case otherwise..

That is true, Akinde isn't necessarily your conventional 'hold the ball up' target man judging by a lot of his goals this season. Will be interesting to see whether a tactical change does occur and you prosper from it tomorrow.

 

[DarkSithLord]

The pitch inspection at Princes Park tomorrow is now 8AM

 

[SomeMightShay]

Last three games against Braintree and we have scored a grand total of ZERO. 1-0 will be enough to keep our run going, that'll do.

 

[Shotsfan1993]

The pitch inspection at Princes Park tomorrow is now 8AM

You had me worried for a second. Thought it was our game you were talking about then I mis read it.

As for Williams, he is fit but to say he is out of form is an understatement. That said, he is our scapegoat of the season (we always have one) out of the players.

Win tomorrow and we have some breathing space, draw isnt a disaster but lose and we are in trouble!

 

[Iron_adam]

Last three games against Braintree and we have scored a grand total of ZERO. 1-0 will be enough to keep our run going, that'll do.

We are way off what we have been the last few seasons. Think we may get a pasting this time...

 

[Bluandwite]

Bit of a dilemma for Burr on who to start up front tomorrow as Bradford have recalled McBurnie, he'll probably just go with Hobson although Thomson could finally get his chance I suppose.

Up a minimum of another two places if we win tomorrow, just hate our goal difference, looks so out of place in this position, damn Barnet, it's never recovered from that first game!

 

[Davidimp]

Sod the football, the best thing about this weekend is that Ant and Dec are back on on Saturday night!!

O god no!
The fiancee and daughter can't wait for it to start again.
Great send up of them on the new Keith Lemon show.

 

[Pliny Harris]

Games are feeling huge to me at the moment.

Braintree feels particularly crucial due to our P3 W0 D2 L1 GF0 GA1 record against them. Have a feeling our fans will sit back bored and demand us to paste them à la Dover last week but if we score a few this time it will be a landmark win as far as I'm concerned.

Good luck to AFC Rubbish & Dustbins, as well as Jester and Teflon. The latter have signed on loan our last-choice striker who's never found his feet and it'd be quite an achievement if they did summat at FGR. Looking out for them now Kittrick's the manager.