City 1 Dartford 3

Lively game and we gave it a good crack but missed a hat full of chances and gifted them a couple.
I thought a back three gave us more options in midfield but neither Batten nor Gerring looked comfortable and Freer was horribly exposed.
Clarkey saved us a couple of times from a score line that would have looked harsh but we are not solid defensively

Dissapointing today.
Only comments are:-
a) Thought Francois showed his potential as he had the Dartford left back  really struggling to match his pace.
b)  Why does it always need two players to take a free kick around the opposition penalty area
and
(c) Was Ryan Clarke really man of the match

Peter Newman wrote:Dissapointing today.
(c) Was Ryan Clarke really man of the match

I have to agree. Ryan did well, but there were two or three other who had a claim.

I don’t like to be overly critical but I was close to not announcing that MOTM. They were an Oxfordshire based company and maybe friends of Ryan so it was probably decided before the game had even started. Lot of time for Ryan and he’s deserved MOTM on numerous occasions but I felt like an idiot reading that out. I’m not saying I always agree with the choices but there is some substance behind them and he didn’t do much wrong today, but to say he was our best player was way off the mark.

If I receive anything like that again I’m muttering it when the players walk off after. For what it’s worth I gave our best player in the NLP to Francois.

I never understand why people get so worked up about MOTM. It’s a perk for those who sponsor the game - part of the package they receive includes a photo with the player they have nominated. If they pay their money to help the Club they can choose who they want. I remember the time a few of us sponsored a game and chose Partridge. He was one of the subs, came off the bench and scored, changing the result.

I believe there’s going to be a new Player of the Month award organised via the newsletter which will give fans their opportunity to vote.

They could have asked for a pic of Ryan regardless, he's more than accommodating. Plus I forgot to stick to my rule of if a GK is MOTM it shouldn't be announced until after, think it was Glyn Garner who said he felt like could curse them if they suddenly spill something last minute. But same goes for any player, we could have one balloon a penalty or whatever.

Hopefully Wood will be back next game

I didn't think picking Ryan was unreasonable. I thought he had no chance with the first and third goals. He commanded his area well and pulled off a couple of tremendous saves.
There would have been worse picks.