Stoke Match Reports

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Greenford Bee

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Stoke Match Reports

A 50/50 game decided by defensive mistakes, well taken goals and another dodgy referee.

Both teams were a bit tentative from the off. Eddie H seemed to give the ball away a number of times in the first 30 minutes and all in all there seemed to be some confusion and hesitancy between Dobbo and Eddie. We created more real chances in the first half and deserved to go in level. Doobo should not have let their play cross so easily and clearly their scorer was totally unmarked. Great equaliser from Ben with the last kick of the half.

I guess Darren was due a mistake having had so many faultless games and it came a few minutes into the second half but it shows what this team is all about when Lloydy got our second. Excellent finish.

Martin made another rash challenge (he should have been on ten minutes before when we had them on the rack), I don't think Oli needed to touch over the free kick for a corner and for the second time in the game one of their players had a free header in the box.

It was good to see Evo during the warm up.

Again, we picked up a number of bookings (Steve S, Ijah (suspension pending?)and Martin (may have been one more) mainly because the berk of a ref reacted every time their crowd shouted or seemed to make decisions on a tit/tat basis i.e. one for us and one for them.

I don't think the ball ran for us today but saying all the above you have to give some credit to a strong Stoke side.

I think we really missed Gibbo today. He may get occassional critiscm because of his crossing etc. but he is very solid at the back and we looked disjointed without him. Personally, I felt that Dobbo had one of his weaker games in a Bee's shirt.

The run had to come to an end somethime but this team always bounces back so watch out Morecombe, Huddersfield and the Ooops
 

Stoke Match Reports

OK hands up time, it was all my fault....

I've missed three games home and away in all competitions: Swindon, Wycombe and now Stoke...

Looks like I'm going to have to make sure I get to every game from now on!
 

Stoke Match Reports

I thought the ref was at least consistent in his crap decisions. Him & his linesman really need to go back to ref school to learn the offside rule as one of OUR players has to play the ball forward to be offside. Ranting apart, a great spectacle for Div 2 football a big crowd a decent atmosphere (When Stoke got there Delilah going it really sounds impressive) & a decent turnout from the Bees fans. I reckon 700-800 at a guess. I thought Sidwell played well & Lloyds finish was his best goal for ages it was a shame that O'Connor I think missed a sitter at 2-2 that may have killed the game off when we were really on top. I think Rowlands was just over enthusiastic rather than malicious & he'll come good again. Lets just hope we don't pick up any injuries against Morecombe & can't wait for a huge week, Huddersfield & of course Qpha
 

Stoke Match Reports

Because I'm tired here is my match review in bullet points

* Brentford deserved a point
* Good Game
* Stoke Keeper is sh*t
* Burgess missed a sitter but was man of the match
* Ref was sh*te
* Rowlands cost us game with his agressive attitude towards game
* Both teams looked good on the attack
* Stoke have a very quick side
* Stoke fans complained too much
* The gaps in the stands were an eye sore
* Worst scoreboard i've ever seen spent more time advertising then showing the score
 

Stoke Match Reports

Very succinctly put, Holysmit. I thought the ref did us no favours today, but you can't blame him for awarding the free-kick that led to the corner that led to the goal. I don't want to say anything nasty about Martin Rowlands, so I won't say anything.
 

Stoke Match Reports

I thought Lloyd's goal was incredible- I was convinced it wasn't going in so didn't actually jump up in the customary way until everyone else started going nuts!

Think people are being a bit harsh on Rowlands- he needs to calm himself down a bit, but it must be a frustrating season for him. He also came close to getting a Folan style lobbed goal.

There was also one effort which looked like it could have been carried over the line by the Stoke keeper (his feet were certainly way behind the line when he caught it and it didn't look like he was leaning forward very much).

There was no shame to losing that game 3-2; Stoke are clearly the best team that we've played and looked like a Div 1 outfit. Most of the Stoke comments on the Beesotted and 2view boards say the same of us, so let's not get too down!

I too thought that despite his faults we really missed Gibbo as we were a little lightweight in midfield. It would also have relieved some of the pressure on Mahon on the set pieces. Great experience for Hutch though and he certainly didn't look too out of place.
 

Stoke Match Reports

I think we saw the two automatic promotion sides there yesterday. I was proud as punch with the Bees performance and Stoke were by some distance the best side we've played. We gave them a hell of a run for their money and the Stoke fans next to me in the directors box (I am important, you know) were thoroughly impressed with us.
 

Stoke Match Reports

Well this was my first game since 'toon' away and I was very Impressed.

The one thing that stuck out in mind is that the team (apart from Rowly) just got on with the game. No shouting or running up to the ref they would just say "yeh ok" and carry on.

Excellent day tho. Good to see some old faces.

See you at Northampton home.
 

Stoke Match Reports

I feel even more confident that we can go up after this game. Despite being outplayed for periods the team just would not give up. I really thought we were going to equalise in injury time.

When Rowlands and Evans are fit, and Hunt and Gibbo are back from suspension, we're going to storm this division.
 

Stoke Match Reports

I thought we matched Stoke for 3/4 of the game and outplayed at times - especially after we scored our second. They were a fit strong side and Hoekstra was the best forward I have seen in Div.2 this season.

With Evans nearing fitness and some of the suspension near completion we should be even better able to compete with the top clubs in the division in the coming weeks.

One thing that impressed me was the number of families with young kids - i.e. under 10 who made the trip. Having a baby myself I know that this is a logistical nightmare sometimes and all credit to the parents for their kids into the habit early.
 

Stoke Match Reports

Thought we were well worth a point, dominated much of the 2nd half , a proud performance .

Like to see the stats of shots on target/efforts at goal/corners etc - bet it was a close call.

Stoke manager was very complimetary to the Bees on the local radio station
eek.gif
He more or less said most sides go there for a point but we went and attacked them, showed great character etc.
We need fear nobody in this division...
smile.gif
 

Stoke Match Reports

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by clog bee:
how many away?</font>
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looking from the main stand where I was it looked about 700ish...
 

Stoke Match Reports

We looked very impressive yesterday,showed great spirit and nearly,oh so nearly,got a point.

I was wondering wether anyone saw O'Conner run up to the ref after Mahons free kick and scream that it was handball,i certainly thought it was,but it seemed me and Kev were the only ones!!

A good display by all the lads and lets hope for a better result at the McAlpine.
 

Stoke Match Reports

At the final whistle, a Stoke player turned to the ref and shook his hand. Lloyd was standing nearby and he, too, offered his hand to the ref. But the ref twice refused to shake Lloydy's hand. Anyone think of a reason for this?
 

Stoke Match Reports

Brentford underlined it on Saturday that we are side worthy of the first division.
A point would have been fair although I honstly believe we could have snatched it!
More positive today than I have been all season. The Bees are going up!
 

Stoke Match Reports

What a great game it was to watch. Shame about the result, but that is no criticism on the players at all.
My match ratings for the players:

Oli - 8 - Under alot of pressure at times, and coped very well. A couple of superb saves also.
Dobbo - 7 - As he's not entirely fit, I thought Dobbo played excellently. Looking a little weary towards the end of the game.
Ijah - 7 - Did ok by his standards, but quality opposition really can expose his defensive frailties.
Ivar - 8 - Did excellently with Darren to win many balls in the air. Always seems quiet, but then his reading of the game is second to none.
Powell - 8 - Apart from losing his footing for Stoke's second goal, he played well against a very potent Stoke attack.
Hutch - 7 - Solid game. Not very goog getting forward, but puffed away and harried their midfield all game.
Sidwell - 8 - Impressive performance. Sometimes can overelaborate on the ball, but quality player though.
Mahon - 9 - Sheer class. At times, ran the midfield on his own. I dread to think if Evo was playing alongside him.
O'Connor - 6 - Tried hard all game, but looked so obviously out of position. Don't think I noticed him play at all for the vast majority of the match.
BBB - 8 - Superb goal, and won so much in the air. Him and Lloydie have some really good understanding between each other. If only BBB was as fast as Lloydie!
Lloydie - 8 - Has he really come of age? Brilliant performance, and tried all game to win balls in the air, and get behind the defence. Good to see that kind of form from him.

Subs:
Rowlands - 6 - If only he didn't run around like a headless chicken.
Willo and Marky Mac weren't on for every long.

Basically, if we have a fully fit squad, we can tear anyone apart. Bring on the Rangers!
 

Stoke Match Reports

"There aren’t many horses in front of beaches first time around that you remember"

This must go down as one of the all time most bizarre comments! Allegedly from Coppell reacting to the match. That said it was reported by Trandy so perhaps he has mangled Coppell's spelling and grammar (which are normally very erudite)!

If we can bounce back for the next 3 games (and more!) we WILL be going up.
 

Stoke Match Reports

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by AB:
"There aren’t many horses in front of beaches first time around that you remember"
B]</font>
Click to expand...


Perhaps substituting 'Bechers (brook)' for 'beaches' clarifies this a bit!
 

Stoke Match Reports

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by AB:
"There aren’t many horses in front of beaches first time around that you remember"

This must go down as one of the all time most bizarre comments! Allegedly from Coppell reacting to the match. That said it was reported by Trandy so perhaps he has mangled Coppell's spelling and grammar (which are normally very erudite)!

B]</font>
Click to expand...


The same quote is on the official site
 

Stoke Match Reports

Firstly what a good game of football which was evenly matched. Draw would have been a fair result.
Pleased that we came back twice shows the spirit and two good goals.
The ref was awful he kept playing advantage when there was not any. Powell's booking was a classic. He was being fouled did not get the freekick then he committed a foul and got booked.
I think people are too harsh on Rowlands I agree he needs to calm down but that could just be enthusiasm
After seeing the goals on TV my opinion of them is different. I thought Powell slipped but he in fact was dispossed. And he was also guilty of allowing the header on the third.
When we get all the players back I think we will be hard to beat.

Also saw Evans in a tracksuit was he warming up with the lads, if so does anyone know how fit he is ?
 

Stoke Match Reports

left hounslow on the griffin park grapevine mini bus at 9.20 am and had allready downed 8 cans of strongbow by the time we had reached utoxeter for our pre-match drink.another 4 pints were dispossed of before we left for stoke at around 2.15.after this the game was a blur for the first half an hour.then went down to the bar and had a couple of bottles of carlsberg,missed the next 3 goals by which time i had sobererd up a bit.saw the stoke winner and that was it.then back to hounslow where we all spent the last 3 hours in another pub till closing time.all in all a really good day out,roll on the next grapevine mini bus trip against tranmere away on the 29th december.
 

Stoke Match Reports

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Bermondsey Bee:
left hounslow on the griffin park grapevine mini bus at 9.20 am and had allready downed 8 cans of strongbow by the time we had reached utoxeter for our pre-match drink.another 4 pints were dispossed of before we left for stoke at around 2.15.after this the game was a blur for the first half an hour.then went down to the bar and had a couple of bottles of carlsberg,missed the next 3 goals by which time i had sobererd up a bit.saw the stoke winner and that was it.then back to hounslow where we all spent the last 3 hours in another pub till closing time.all in all a really good day out,roll on the next grapevine mini bus trip against tranmere away on the 29th december. </font>
Click to expand...

Why bother- just get some beers in at home!?
 

Stoke Match Reports

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by AB:
Why bother- just get some beers in at home!?

</font>
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what and miss the game - no way.anyway the beers cheaper up north.
 

Stoke Match Reports

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Edmundo:
At the final whistle, a Stoke player turned to the ref and shook his hand. Lloyd was standing nearby and he, too, offered his hand to the ref. But the ref twice refused to shake Lloydy's hand. Anyone think of a reason for this?</font>
Click to expand...
I think it may have been that Lloydy gave the Ref Grief at full time because he didn't think he played the 4 additional minutes. I had my stopwatch on from the start of the second half and the Ref was spot on. The only time in the match I might add
 

Stoke Match Reports

I listened to the last 20 mins on radio and they announced 4 mins of added on. I watched the clock in the car count down and commentator announced 1.5 mins of injury left when we got the corner. Oli appeared to have run length of the pitch just to hear the whistle go!
 
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