A fairly civilised start to the day leaving home shortly before 7:30 and heading to Flitwick for the ride down to Nailsworth the nearest settlement to the “out in the wilds” Forest Green football club. In truth, it's in a lovely part of the country. Pre-match, well what a disappointment as the new policy at FGR does not permit away fans into the Green Man pub. I did actually manage to drift inside the Green Man and there was bags of room in the place but a transvestite bouncer on steroids requested that I leave. So, it was the austere, freezing beer tent for me with its hideous plastic portaloos. Hardly a place that would rate a favourable mention from away fans. Anyway, steroidal transvestite aside, it was nice to catch up pre-match with fellow travelling Hatters over a few beers. The beer? Well, not the fabled real ales afforded to the home supporters in the Green Man but instead bottles of ales from the local Stroud brewery.
The thinking behind the away supporters standing area was indeed a mystery. There we were on an open terrace running the length of the pitch yet in one of the terraces behind the goal and undercover there were about 50 home supporters. Forest Green Directors may I ask what happened to that welcoming charm we used to experience in those long ago Conference days? Yet as a gesture of festive cheer, the standing was unallocated; you could stand wherever you wanted on the exposed concrete steps. Nathan decided to keep with the line up that started against Notts County with a bench including such valuable talent as Justin, Cornick, Collins and Pelly. I felt that was the right decision by Nathan as why tinker with an inform side even though we had not really fired on all cylinders in the previous game against Notts County. The game started with both sides trying to play football on a fairly decent pitch and with the referee determined to get himself noticed. Forest Green were really trying to match us with the passing game and trying to play decent looking football which is a credit to them given their precarious league position. The first real chance of the game came FGR’s way when an uncharacteristically sleepy Berry allowed young Stevens in for a run on goal but his shot was blocked by the legs of Stech. Doidge then had a chance for FGR as he anticipated a high ball better than Mullins who was having a shaky first 25 minutes which also saw him collect a yellow in his struggles. We had our moments and really came well into the game with shots from Hylton and Elliot Lee going narrowly wide and Potts being a continual threat in the air at corners. Overall, I thought we shaded the first half with some decent approach work however, FGR had done their homework on the threat of Dan Potts and really covered well in that far post area. On the downside, all too frequently when we went forward the moves seemed to fizzle out often due simply to poor lay-off's from Danny Hylton; sadly just not at the top of his game. As the first half progressed, we were having lots of good approach play but seldom getting really close to threatening the Forest Green goal. Just as it looked as if we would enter the break on level terms, Sheehan took yet another corner.This time it went short to Hylton who backheeled the ball to Sheehan who then running in from a narrow-angle shot the ball low across the goal smacking it onto the far post for it to ricochet into the back of the net. Joy, a reason to jump, clap hands and get warm. Great stuff; not an impressive first 45 minutes from the Hatters but of course one has to be grateful for the lead. In the second half, Stech made a great save from a header from the FGR striker Doidge although how the cross came in and the quality of the Luton marking for that one is a question for the coaches to ponder next week: where was our centre back? Incidentally, striker Doidge scored his first ever football league goal against us when playing for JS’s D&R (sorry, a useless fact). Then poor Stacey was shown a straight red by the referee for going in fairly high to a loose ball: should it have been a red? Well although I was viewing from the other side of the pitch, maybe a red was a little harsh and a yellow would have sufficed or as Archbishop Ainsworth once said, maybe an orange card but not a red. So I guess that’s a case of Christmas a week early for young star JJ as I assume Stacey will be banned for three games. Our second goal was a complete and utter mess up by the FGR goalkeeper receiving a back pass/throw-in with Hylton bearing down on him; the keeper stupidly taking a swing at the ball totally missing it as he simply kicked the cold air leaving Danny with an easy tap-in goal. With the substitutions, I reckon that NJ made a good decision in putting Cornick on simply to seriously give FGR something to think about by stretching their defence with his pace when we were reduced to 10 men. In fact, our Harry almost added a third late in the game; maybe he should have scored, maybe it was just good goalkeeping? After we had taken that two-goal lead, FGR never really looked likely to come back into the game and offer anything of a threat to Stech’s goal. Yet there is just that something about being a Hatter that despite being a couple of goals ahead sees you glance at your watch when deep into added time and wishing for the final whistle. Yet, well-done hatters in seeing the game out after being reduced to 10 men. Unspectacular maybe but three very very welcome points that keep the promotion roll going. Overall Impression A very decent away performance with lots of good approach work without the carving out of the number of chances we have become accustomed to this season. We were to my mind some way from being at our best but nevertheless, all credit to our players who really dug in when we were reduced to 10 men and I thought kept FGR well under control to see the game out. Overall, everyone put in a good shift as they say in football terminology with really outstanding performances from Shinnie and Sheehan. I could understand Nathan's use of his substitutes probably more in this game than in some others as he used his bench well to react to the changing circumstances in the match. What will I remember from this game? Well, really only one thing in a hard-working if unspectacular performance by a group of very good players at this level and that howler from the FGR goalkeeper that gifted Danny his goal. A Message For Dale Vince Owner Of FGR Mr Vince thank you for the total lack of civilised thought your once respected little club bestowed upon us travelling Hatters who probably added something like £20,000 to the FGR bank balance on the day. You really do need to think how you cater for supporters who survive it up that bloody hill to the summit where the ground is based. In previous visits, I have been welcomed into the Green Man Pub, enjoyed good friendly conversation with home supporters over an ale or two within a great welcoming and friendly atmosphere. Where had that welcome gone Mr Vince. Don’t hide behind “the demands of safety in the league” as places such as Plymouth, Doncaster and Exeter welcome supporters into their unsegregated supporters bars. Then we have the allocation of an uncovered terrace for the away fans whilst behind one of the goals undercover, we see about 50 home supporters within acres of covered terrace. Not good, not considerate and not the way to treat travelling supporters: maybe next season on your return to the National League you will rediscover your true friendly selves as a welcoming football club. A few thoughts on individual performances Stech: he had a very decent game with his safe handling coupled with at least two fine saves that preserved our lead including one great save In the second half. I doubt if Walton from last season could have bettered that performance. Stacey: bags of energy as he sprinted up and down that right-hand side. Sadly the afternoon culminated in an early bath for that high foot that was adjudged a straight red by the referee. Mullins: rather uncertain early on in the game but he certainly put that behind himself and stepped up a gear although he did struggle to keep tabs on Doidge. Sheehan: a real class game being brave and powerful in defence and using that cultured left clog at every opportunity to try and get a move started. Potts: tough and solid plus got everything in the air that came his way. Rea: played in front of the back four as “destroyer Rea” and won most battles that came his way: would I rather have McCormack or Rea? Honestly, not a lot in it as Rea improves all the time: if only he could improve his distribution! Berry: a tremendous work rate and willing to do his side of the ugly stuff whilst at the same time looking for every opportunity to create something. It's difficult to fault the guy. Olly Lee: although Olly got in the game enough he just could not find a way of imposing his undoubted creative talent to our advantage. Not a bad game but not at the recent heights we have seen so far this season. Shinnie: in earlier games, this season our Shinnie looked very much a "home only" player but wow, just stand back and watch him now. He has learnt to battle L2 style and graft that onto the superbly skilful side of his game. For me, our outstanding player on the afternoon and it was simply circumstances of seeing the game out that resulted in his replacement by Collins late in the game. Elliot Lee: displayed all of his tricky close self-control and to my mind was a touch unfortunate to be hooked off with brother Olly following Stacey's red card. Hylton: not at the top of his form for the second game running but his "in your face" persistence got him our second goal when the keeper made an absolute mess of things. The Subs: Cornick: a decent move by Nathan to bring on Harry when we went down to 10 men. His extra pace helped push Forest Green back as they strived to get back into the game. Justin: looked strong and fast when he took over that right back role. Collins: only on for about 10 minutes in total and looked to be having a touch of a sulk as he rapidly trudged off the pitch at the end of the game.
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Hi there, welcome to my site where I chronicle various things about the Hatters, a team I have followed since the mid 60’sArchives
December 2017
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