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Pitmen 2 - 4 Corby Town

Official Attendance: 602

Absolutely gutted. rush of blood by Dunkley's hand ball got them back in it. Stupid petulance from Osborne reduced us to 9 men,Crane gifted them a goal with a dropped ball coupled with a cheating ref who was grinning ear to ear as he came off.
Corby had a very lucky let off and I feel so sorry for the lads .

I'm gutted for the lads too - those red cards wouldn't have been given by the ref's we have week in week out.

This referee falls in to the "Gary Sutton" category of not having a clue. The amount of drop balls we had to contest for their players going down was unbelievable.

Anyway, nothing we can do about it now. The lads gave it a real go, and with 11 men, would have stormed through to the next round.

Its a shame that we have to talk about the ref, when we should be more concerned about our own performance.

The defence stood up pretty well and is improving with every game. Shaw and Pedro were great today and while Dunks had a game to forget, it should be said that I don't remember him making any serious errors of judgement before. He is only a kid and will learn from any mistakes. Camps ran around, but was seriously anonymous at times and I am hoping just had an off day.

As much as I think Dan is a good shot stopper, he made a number of errors today that contributed to us losing. The penalty he could do nothing about, but should have been more alert and expected the free-kick. It was superbly hit, but into a massive empty space not covered by either wall or keeper. It appeared that he dropped the third, and panicked and unnecessarily rushed a kick for the 4th. Perhaps the threat of some competition might perk him up a bit?

Clemmo was our star man today in my opinion and up until Ozzie had his brain transplant they were working well together. We had them linking up with the front line and were deservedly 2 up at the break.

We never came out for the second half, they might as well have gone and sat in the bar (if it had have been open!) and nobody really came out with much credit from the second 45 minutes. 3 goals and a red card in such a short space of time would kill any team off, and we were quite lucky it wasn't more. Jamie's second yellow was inexcusable and I am sure he already knows that.

I am concerned about the discipline and attitude of some of our players on the pitch, but that can be changed and R & L are definitely strong enough to do that. The money and exposure would have been nice, but we are going to have to wait a little longer before we see ourselves on Match Of The Day.

We have lost to a team (albeit at home) towards the top of a higher league and can concentrate on getting ourselves out of this division. Cup games to come on Tuesday and Saturday will not be straight forward, but give everyone at the Club some more hope.

Think positive Guys, keep the faith, but more importantly keep supporting the Pitmen.

The ultimate game of two halves.

I don’t want to talk about the second – just a nightmare – except to say that we have to work on our discipline, especially arguing with refs – sure, they get plenty of decisions wrong, and the fans let them know – but all the players are doing by arguing is getting on the wrong side of the officials and picking up yellow cards

… and to say that, even at 2-3 and two men down, we could have still nicked a draw – but we didn’t.

First half, however, we played some super football, and deserved our half-time lead. Another coolly-taken penalty by Clemmo, who yet again oozed class; an excellent goal by Wellers, who yet again worked his socks off for the duration; almost got a third; and honourable mentions to Pele, Cheyenne and Shaw for imperious defending, Denny Ronseal, and Hay who continues to show his experience up front

Enough said. We now know what we would be up against in the BSN, we are at least back in league action now on Saturday 29th (further FA Cup progress would have left us with quite a fixture backlog), so let’s move on

Oh, and BTW, I'm blaming Scott Smith....

http://evostikleague.pitchero.com/rally ... tmen-6449/

After plenty of techie problems I've managed to log in at last!!!

Thought today we showed our best and worst sides. We have some extremely gifted young lads in the team and this showed through in the first half when we made Corby look worse than Burscough. Clem was superb as usual and Wellers and Ozzy supported him brilliantly.

Second half we showed our inexperience and got frustrated by Corby's tactics of basically diving to win free kicks and get field position. The ref fell for it and rather than resorting to the same tactics we lost our composure completely. I have no complaints about their penalty (I would be interested to see if Chey got a shove in the back though) and the same goes for the other goals. It wouldn't be so bad, but Corby didn't have to earn their win - we handed it to them. THought Ozzy was a silly boy (although the first booking was harsh as he kicked the ball away all of 2 feet (refs aren't consistent as I'm sure we'll see the same next week with no action taken). THe one thing I will say for Corby is that they are experienced and this cuteness, cleverness (call it what you will) won them the day. Craney had a poor day (it was a great free kick that beat him though), but personally I think we should forgive him as he has done so much over the last season and a bit for the team

As far as the crowd trouble is concerned I am really peeved about the whole thing - Corby have a bit of a reputation (they saw fit to bring their own stewards) and sadly we have our own head cases who seem to come out for the bigger games. We are trying to be a family club, but I fear we are fast swimming against the tide (witness the events at Rushall) and something needs to be done quickly otherwise we will all be tarnished with the same brush. A very sad day when the game was largely entertaining if spolit by an overly strict ref.

There is an unwritten rule in non-league that you stand behind the goal you are attacking. When the Corby fans stayed put I feared the worst, but it was as bad as I have seen at a home game. No place at all for it at all.

Roll on the next game so that we can rectify the wrongs of today both on and off the pitch

Corby have replied to your post on their forum:

Firstly I would like to know where we have got this "bit of a reputation" from. Corby as a town may have a shit reputation, but there has never been any trouble from our supporters (other than being jumped at halifax).

As far as I could see we had two stewards there today, which I assume was only because Hednesford had asked us to do so (maybe because they expected home trouble makers?). I cant see it being because the club expected anything from the Corby fans, as we took more than 150 to Histon in the last round and had no trouble at all.

Secondly, I thought the rule was that you could stand anywhere you wanted to within the stadium if it was unsegregated. I understand what the guy is saying, but there wasn't a standing section behind the other goal, plus we went to the stand we expected to be shooting towards before the teams swapped around just prior to kick-off.

Totally agree with the poster that there is no place for it within football and especially with the amount of families standing with us, including women and children it was out of order.

If the club felt it necessary to request corby town stewards, then surely the fixture should have just been segregated.


Segregating the game comes at a cost, which probably wasn't deemed necessary for a team who brought 60 or so fans. Obviously the trouble can't be condomed, but the Corby fans went straight in to the home end, drunk, and it was inevitable that something would happen.

The police were called at the earliest sign of trouble and the trouble was dealt with. One of our "fans" was ejected, and the Corby fan who assaulted a Hednesford fan was arrested I believe.

Net result is Corby get a "golden handshake" for winning the game, and we get landed with a fine from the police.

It's easy to critisise the club, but with the resources they had at their disposal for the game, I would say they acted in the most appropriate manner. It has been raised that we need more trained stewards, so if you are interested please put your name forward.

On the whole I wasn't at all impressed with Corby - 11 v 11 and we were the clear winners. We got stung by a card happy referee, and after that point there was only going to be one winner.

EDIT: Just remembered - Jon was asked to film the altercation for the police. I would hope this also goes to Corby's management, so they take the appropriate action with these so called "fans".

Segregating the game comes at a cost, which probably wasn't deemed necessary for a team who brought 60 or so fans. Obviously the trouble can't be condomed, but the Corby fans went straight in to the home end, drunk, and it was inevitable that something would happen.

The police were called at the earliest sign of trouble and the trouble was dealt with. One of our "fans" was ejected, and the Corby fan who assaulted a Hednesford fan was arrested I believe.

Net result is Corby get a "golden handshake" for winning the game, and we get landed with a fine from the police.

It's easy to critisise the club, but with the resources they had at their disposal for the game, I would say they acted in the most appropriate manner. It has been raised that we need more trained stewards, so if you are interested please put your name forward.

On the whole I wasn't at all impressed with Corby - 11 v 11 and we were the clear winners. We got stung by a card happy referee, and after that point there was only going to be one winner.

EDIT: Just remembered - Jon was asked to film the altercation for the police. I would hope this also goes to Corby's management, so they take the appropriate action with these so called "fans".

well i am a corby fan who travelled up from brum, was chatting to 1 of your fans right where it went off and he was telling me you have had this trouble at home a few times, he even told the police we had nothing to do with it also he asked your female steward and i quote "WHY DONT YOU BAN THEM," YOU KNOW WHO THEY ARE"
as for segregation she also said she had asked for it
as for assault what about our lad who was attacked on way to toilet
rant over, apart from few met a good bunch of lads from your side and do hope you do well, your set up deserves it, good luck for rest of season

The unwritten rule is just that! Yes, people can stand where they like, but some supporters from both clubs had evidently had a shandy or two too many (one guy was staggering up and down the terrace in the first half) and I'm sad to say the whole thing was entirely predicatable.

I heard (this is total heresay I admit), but Corby had supporters in the ground who were banned from attending games. THis apparently came from a Corby steward - may be garbage.

I saw enough yesterday to be able to put the blame at the feet of both sets of fans - our lot do no longer surprise me - what a shame eh?

Perton Pitman wrote:The unwritten rule is just that! Yes, people can stand where they like, but some supporters from both clubs had evidently had a shandy or two too many (one guy was staggering up and down the terrace in the first half) and I'm sad to say the whole thing was entirely predicatable.

I heard (this is total heresay I admit), but Corby had supporters in the ground who were banned from attending games. THis apparently came from a Corby steward - may be garbage.

I saw enough yesterday to be able to put the blame at the feet of both sets of fans - our lot do no longer surprise me - what a shame eh?

i know who you are on about, he never came on coach, apparently drove and 99% of our fans dont want him there, but like i said was right next to everything talking to 1 of your fans and he told me you have a great support away from hom but at home you have a few who look for it,

As has, unfortunately, been the case a few times in the last 12 months or so, our match reviews thread has unfortunately got diverted to a discussion about off-field matters (and as is all too often the case, also about officials!)....

Can I suggest we hold that aspect there? If there are those among you who are able to IDENTIFY trouble-makers, please email the club on admin@hednesfordfc.co.uk with details... otherwise we're just washing dirty linen in public

Thanks

Would love to know where this so called reputation has come from?!? If I heard correctly one of your supporters in the disabled section had a good 5 minute rant at the 2 coppers in front of the stand about how they ignored them when they told the police about 2 known football hooligans today. suppose that explains why Hednesford asked us to provide our own stewards.

It's a shame that this seems to have taken the shine off of a memorable match. Something your gaffer asked for in his programme notes.

Fair play to you, you played well in the first half but when we finally decided to play football the better team won! Whether 11 v 11/10/9 we dominated th 2nd half and you seem to forget you got a penalty aswell yesterday but you got yours for **** all.

Not really sure where to start with yesterdays game, we went from brilliant to awful in the space of about 20 minutes (including half-time), proving we game play with style and then self destruct in the same manner. Then there are the crowd disturbances which despite the result was clearly the most disappointing aspect of the afternoon.

Starting with the crowd disturbances, it is a possibility after the Leamington game last season that this could be seen as becoming an "issue". From what I could see and from what I heard from a Corby fan who came to stand by us this was an unrelated incident to previous problems, largely attributable to some very drunk Corby followers intentionally standing right next to some of our fans and reacting confrontationally to the inevitable wind-up. However, it can't be glossed over that it was a nasty incident which could have developed into something worse, and there were one or two regular faces I could see who on previous evidence are only too keen to get involved in any trouble. Somehow we need to stamp down on this, but without the numbers of stewards/ police and technology available at higher levels of the game this will be very difficult to do. As someone who helps out on the turnstiles from time to time, I can envisage that even banning trouble makers from the ground would be difficult, in terms of identification and I would assume more stewards or police (which shouldn't be necessary) would just prove a drain on finances.

As for the game itself, at half-time I thought it was our best performance of the season by far. Against a team from a higher league we were in total control, 2 to the good, they'd had no chances to speak of, it was almost impossible to see how we could let it slip. Clemmo was at his imperious best, pulling the strings and I thought Nick Wellecome was superb all afternoon (even the second half) giving absolutely everything. Credit also to the whole defence and Jamie Osbourbe in the first half.

Second half - self destruct button well and truly slammed. Yes the ref wasn't great and they took advantage, but for the goals and sendings off we only had ourselves to blame, losing control and making immature decisions. Why Che handled the ball to start it all off I cant fathom (maybe he did get a push) and the subsequent penalty was a correct decision - and having been given a yellow a moment before, why pull someone back in the middle of the park. Again the ref was right with the 2nd yellow, it was deserved. As for Jamie Osbournes 2nd yellow, I think we had lost it by then and it was a reaction to Corby continually "taking advantage" of a weak official. It cant be excused though and we will have to learn that no matter how good we are, ill-discipline can always lose you a game and at that level you cant afford to lose your head and get stupid needless cards. The league is our priority and I assume that 2 of out first 11 will now have a couple of games to reflect on their actions. Hopefully, we will learn from the experience - I cant imagine Rob and Larry will stand for a repeat.

As for the other goals, as a rule I don't like to pick out individuals, but on this occasion it is clear that Dan needs to take stock. Technically he is a good keeper and an excellent shot stopper, but often I feel that his decision making is poor and this indecisiveness leads to doubt around the 6-yard box. A comparison to Ryan Young is possibly unfair, but taking the spilled catch that led to their third goal as an example, Youngy would have come for that decisively, taking the whole defence and attack out on the way if he had to. Also, dallying on the ball around the box is unforgivable, particularly as its not the first time - be decisive get a boot though it, clear the danger and re-group. I think that a good 'keeper has an authoritative presence in the box directing the defence and the centre-halves know if he's the type to come for crosses or stay at home. Currently this area needs some work with Dan often appearing in two-minds particularly in one-on-ones. I'm not saying we need to change the personnel, just the mind-set. Also, from where we were stood, the wall for the free-kick was not well aligned, and as good a kick as it was, you could see from our angle that you could drive a coach and horses into that side of the net. Again this is not the first time!

Anyway onwards and upwards, the fact that the trophy starts next week indicates that we have progressed to the "expected" level for a club of our stature and if it wasn't for the manner of the defeat we would probably view it very differently.

One bad second half does not a season make!!

Classic game of two halves yesterday. First half thought we were outstanding, the less said about the second the better.

With regard to the trouble, totally unacceptable and out of order. As I see it, if you can't behave yourself then your not welcome. Deciding whether or not to segregate is clearly a difficult decision but following the trouble against Leamington in last seasons play-off semi, we need to become more prepared. I don't want HTFC gaining a reputation of being a no go for families because crowd trouble is inevitable. I would suggest that both the Chasetown and FC United games are segregated, as no doubt the trouble makers will return for these games.

I think that yesterday shows that despite the progress which has been made, there is still a lot to do both on and off the pitch, particularly if we were to be promoted. The Discipline has to be the biggest issue at the moment on the pitch and needs sorting out quickly. We all know that on the whole, the match officials are useless, but that doesn't mean that it is acceptable for players to show dissent. Not only yesterday, but all season so far, there have been occasions where players just can't keep their mouths shut.

Anyway, hugely disappointing in more ways than one, but its time to move on and see how the season unfolds from now on.

maccactfc wrote:Would love to know where this so called reputation has come from?!? If I heard correctly one of your supporters in the disabled section had a good 5 minute rant at the 2 coppers in front of the stand about how they ignored them when they told the police about 2 known football hooligans today. suppose that explains why Hednesford asked us to provide our own stewards.

It's a shame that this seems to have taken the shine off of a memorable match. Something your gaffer asked for in his programme notes.

Fair play to you, you played well in the first half but when we finally decided to play football the better team won! Whether 11 v 11/10/9 we dominated th 2nd half and you seem to forget you got a penalty aswell yesterday but you got yours for **** all.

well said macca

Glyn wrote:As has, unfortunately, been the case a few times in the last 12 months or so, our match reviews thread has unfortunately got diverted to a discussion about off-field matters (and as is all too often the case, also about officials!)....

Can I suggest we hold that aspect there? If there are those among you who are able to IDENTIFY trouble-makers, please email the club on admin@hednesfordfc.co.uk with details... otherwise we're just washing dirty linen in public

Thanks

Just repeating that request since it seems to have fallen on deaf ears!



I think that all that needs to be said on that aspect has now been said

I think had the game been 2-2 Dan would not have been caught in possession and would instead have put his foot through it. Clearly he was trying to make something out of nothing and given we were a goal down in injury time I'm not going to criticise him - yes it was a poor decision, but 2 or 3 others were guilty of the same and at least Dan was on the pitch at the end.

Comparisons with Ryan YOung are unfair - he's a tier 1 keeper. We are a step 3 club so let's not forget that

...perhaps Corby get their reputation from having the odd unwelcome idiot associating themselves with their club from time to time(as do we). As with all sides the vast majority are well behaved and a credit to their clubs


Whilst I understand the motives of the moderators seeking to bring to end the discussion re: crowd behaviour, I believe that it is a topic which should be debated openly so that good ideas (I don't have any!) can come to the fore. We do suffer from having a few prats following us around from time to time.

Probably not much else to add to the comments here really except that lessons have to be learned from this game if we wish this to be a promotion winning season.Jamey in particular will soon have time to reflect that having had a great pre-season and having played well to earn his starting place may now miss more than the games that cover his suspension if Elliot and Mark return and stake a claim.Likewise Ben and Decio will be more than ready.As mentioned before Stafford have installed CCTV in their ground and they are not flush with cash.This, coupled with segregation where there is any doubt is an essential step to show the authorities the club are serious about resolving these issues and re-inforcing the family club credentials.

Perton Pitman wrote:...perhaps Corby get their reputation from having the odd unwelcome idiot associating themselves with their club from time to time(as do we). As with all sides the vast majority are well behaved and a credit to their clubs


Whilst I understand the motives of the moderators seeking to bring to end the discussion re: crowd behaviour, I believe that it is a topic which should be debated openly so that good ideas (I don't have any!) can come to the fore. We do suffer from having a few prats following us around from time to time.

agreed

Perton Pitman wrote:I think had the game been 2-2 Dan would not have been caught in possession and would instead have put his foot through it. Clearly he was trying to make something out of nothing and given we were a goal down in injury time I'm not going to criticise him - yes it was a poor decision, but 2 or 3 others were guilty of the same and at least Dan was on the pitch at the end.

Comparisons with Ryan YOung are unfair - he's a tier 1 keeper. We are a step 3 club so let's not forget that

For the sake of clarity, it is not my intention to compare Craney directly with Ryan Young, I could have used any example of a dominant keeper to make the point. He certainly wasn't the only guilty party yesterday and purely with regard to yesterdays game there are others far more culpable. The fact remains however, that in his case the issues we saw yesterday are a repeat of things we have seen in other games e.g. against Stafford, and I would say relate to poor decision making or indecision rather than technical issues. As a shot stopper I rate Dan highly, certainly better than most of our recent keepers, but the fact remains these issues have cropped up several times and need ironing out. I would rather this be solved than either the crowd go against him (as we know can happen at Keys Park) or the management see fit to disrupt what is basically a sound defence in the longer term.

HTFC Official Site report here

http://www.hednesfordfc.co.uk/component ... own-4.html

CTFC Official Report here (with a few more links including to the Cup Draw)

http://www.corbytownfc.co.uk/news/2011/ ... corby-town

One or two spolling errers, but I'd love to know what he means by "showing no remorse...."

No compassion maybe, but he implies that their left-back's injury had anything to do with us - the poor lad went down in a heap completely on his own