This week I watched three games which started with a visit to Broadhall Way by the Sky Cameras, as Stevenage playing in their first ever League Cup game, against struggling Championship new boys Portsmouth. Portsmouth took the lead after just 8 minutes through Ciftci, thanks to a header from a corner. Pompey`s lead lasted just 10 minutes thanks to a Darren Murphy shot. Portsmouths winning goal came from the head of the unlikely Michael Brown 9 minutes before half time. This was a good game which was an entertaining cup game in which Stevenage gave a good show of themselves.
Match Rating ( Out of 5 ): 4
The second game was at Chesterfields new B2Net stadium as Championship favourites were the visitors. This was a great game, which was one of those typical game of 2 halves. The first half was all about Middlesborough and they looked good, as they sped into a 2 goal lead. McDonald and Julio Arca both scoring within 33 minutes. The lead could have been extended before half time. After the break the Spirites came out fighting, and really should have scored more than the consolation goal from Dwayne Mattis.
Match Rating ( Out of 5): 5
The final game this week was Englands victory over Hungary. I'm not going to write much, other than Steven Gerrard scored to absolute cracking goals.
Sunday 15 August 2010
Sunday 8 August 2010
This Weekends TV Football
The Championship and League One games this weekend overall were of a pretty good standard.
Friday night saw Watford travel to Carrow Road and leave with all three points thanks mainly to two goals from Danny Graham. Norwich City`s first game back in the Championship was entertaining and maybe they deserved a draw.
Saturday lunchtime saw Plymouth travel the short distance to Southampton, and steal all three points. Due to the pub I was in messing around with the TV channels, I only really saw 50 minutes of the game. This was enough to see the only goal of the game from Luke Summerfield just after the half time break. In the first half Southampton were totally in charge of the game and should have been out of sight. This game was a perfect example of what can happen if you dont take the most of possession and chances.
Elland Road saw Nigel Cloughs Rams visit and go away with all three points, thanks to a 2-1 victory. All three goals came in the first half an hour of the game. Rob Hulse and Kris Commons scored for Derby, with the solitary reply coming from Luciano Breccio.
The only draw of the weekend in the Championship came today as 10 men Sheffield United held on for 60 minutes against Cardiff City. Ched Evans opened the scoring for the visitors before Jay Bothroyd salvaged a point just after the hour mark. Matthew Lowton was given a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Kyle McNaughton.
Every game this weekend was entertaining, and its nice for the Championship to be able to enjoy the limelight for a weekend without the intervention of the Premier League.
Friday night saw Watford travel to Carrow Road and leave with all three points thanks mainly to two goals from Danny Graham. Norwich City`s first game back in the Championship was entertaining and maybe they deserved a draw.
Saturday lunchtime saw Plymouth travel the short distance to Southampton, and steal all three points. Due to the pub I was in messing around with the TV channels, I only really saw 50 minutes of the game. This was enough to see the only goal of the game from Luke Summerfield just after the half time break. In the first half Southampton were totally in charge of the game and should have been out of sight. This game was a perfect example of what can happen if you dont take the most of possession and chances.
Elland Road saw Nigel Cloughs Rams visit and go away with all three points, thanks to a 2-1 victory. All three goals came in the first half an hour of the game. Rob Hulse and Kris Commons scored for Derby, with the solitary reply coming from Luciano Breccio.
The only draw of the weekend in the Championship came today as 10 men Sheffield United held on for 60 minutes against Cardiff City. Ched Evans opened the scoring for the visitors before Jay Bothroyd salvaged a point just after the hour mark. Matthew Lowton was given a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Kyle McNaughton.
Every game this weekend was entertaining, and its nice for the Championship to be able to enjoy the limelight for a weekend without the intervention of the Premier League.
Up and Running
The season is back and what a decent day it was. Three points, almost a thousand Hereford fans in a crowd of 4343 and a good game to watch.Gresty Road is a good stadium, especially with the imposing main stand opposite the away fans home. Having been there last season to witness Hereford lose 1-0, I was hoping for a better game and obviously result.
Hereford started the game better and with a bit more control in the early stages. Having said that Crewe should have taken the lead when Clayton Donaldson had a good one on one chance to put Crewe in the lead, but Bulls keeper Adam Bartlett did enough to deny him his first goal of the season. Just after the quarter of an hour mark Hereford took the lead thanks to a superb header from captain Jonas Kovacs from a James McQuilken corner. Kovacs looks to be an inspired choice as captain as when the teams came out and all there and shaking malarkey, he ran towards the Hereford fans with a madman face and looking totally pumped up. If as a player of fan you cant be inspired by that sort of enthusiasm then you really are in the wrong sport. I have rarely seen a player look so pumped up and as if he cares about the cause, the last time I think I remember was Stuart Pearce penalty in Euro `96.
For the rest of the first half I think Hereford just had the edged it and probably deserved to lead at half time.
Second half was definitely more even and maybe Crewe deserved at least a draw out of the game. Hereford looked dangerous on the counter attack, but Crewe seemed to have the more clear cut chances over the game.
Match Rating ( out of 5) : 3
Referee : Brenden Malone. Had a reasonable game but I did feel he was inconsistent on his decisions at times, and gave away soft free kicks.
Highlight of the game: The away fans and the atmosphere along with Janos Kovacs
Low light of the game: Should have been more goals
Hereford started the game better and with a bit more control in the early stages. Having said that Crewe should have taken the lead when Clayton Donaldson had a good one on one chance to put Crewe in the lead, but Bulls keeper Adam Bartlett did enough to deny him his first goal of the season. Just after the quarter of an hour mark Hereford took the lead thanks to a superb header from captain Jonas Kovacs from a James McQuilken corner. Kovacs looks to be an inspired choice as captain as when the teams came out and all there and shaking malarkey, he ran towards the Hereford fans with a madman face and looking totally pumped up. If as a player of fan you cant be inspired by that sort of enthusiasm then you really are in the wrong sport. I have rarely seen a player look so pumped up and as if he cares about the cause, the last time I think I remember was Stuart Pearce penalty in Euro `96.
For the rest of the first half I think Hereford just had the edged it and probably deserved to lead at half time.
Second half was definitely more even and maybe Crewe deserved at least a draw out of the game. Hereford looked dangerous on the counter attack, but Crewe seemed to have the more clear cut chances over the game.
Match Rating ( out of 5) : 3
Referee : Brenden Malone. Had a reasonable game but I did feel he was inconsistent on his decisions at times, and gave away soft free kicks.
Highlight of the game: The away fans and the atmosphere along with Janos Kovacs
Low light of the game: Should have been more goals
Up and Running
The season is back and what a decent day it was. Three points, almost a thousand Hereford fans in a crowd of 4343 and a good game to watch.Gresty Road is a good stadium, especially with the imposing main stand opposite the away fans home. Having been there last season to witness Hereford lose 1-0, I was hoping for a better game and obviously result.
Hereford started the game better and with a bit more control in the early stages. Having said that Crewe should have taken the lead when Clayton Donaldson had a good one on one chance to put Crewe in the lead, but Bulls keeper Adam Bartlett did enough to deny him his first goal of the season. Just after the quarter of an hour mark Hereford took the lead thanks to a superb header from captain Jonas Kovacs from a James McQuilken corner. Kovacs looks to be an inspired choice as captain as when the teams came out and all there and shaking malarkey, he ran towards the Hereford fans with a madman face and looking totally pumped up. If as a player of fan you cant be inspired by that sort of enthusiasm then you really are in the wrong sport. I have rarely seen a player look so pumped up and as if he cares about the cause, the last time I think I remember was Stuart Pearce penalty in Euro `96.
For the rest of the first half I think Hereford just had the edged it and probably deserved to lead at half time.
Second half was definitely more even and maybe Crewe deserved at least a draw out of the game. Hereford looked dangerous on the counter attack, but Crewe seemed to have the more clear cut chances over the game.
Match Rating ( out of 5) : 3
Referee : Brenden Malone. Had a reasonable game but I did feel he was inconsistent on his decisions at times, and gave away soft free kicks.
Highlight of the game: The away fans and the atmosphere along with Janos Kovacs
Low light of the game: Should have been more goals
Hereford started the game better and with a bit more control in the early stages. Having said that Crewe should have taken the lead when Clayton Donaldson had a good one on one chance to put Crewe in the lead, but Bulls keeper Adam Bartlett did enough to deny him his first goal of the season. Just after the quarter of an hour mark Hereford took the lead thanks to a superb header from captain Jonas Kovacs from a James McQuilken corner. Kovacs looks to be an inspired choice as captain as when the teams came out and all there and shaking malarkey, he ran towards the Hereford fans with a madman face and looking totally pumped up. If as a player of fan you cant be inspired by that sort of enthusiasm then you really are in the wrong sport. I have rarely seen a player look so pumped up and as if he cares about the cause, the last time I think I remember was Stuart Pearce penalty in Euro `96.
For the rest of the first half I think Hereford just had the edged it and probably deserved to lead at half time.
Second half was definitely more even and maybe Crewe deserved at least a draw out of the game. Hereford looked dangerous on the counter attack, but Crewe seemed to have the more clear cut chances over the game.
Match Rating ( out of 5) : 3
Referee : Brenden Malone. Had a reasonable game but I did feel he was inconsistent on his decisions at times, and gave away soft free kicks.
Highlight of the game: The away fans and the atmosphere along with Janos Kovacs
Low light of the game: Should have been more goals
Saturday 7 August 2010
First Saturday of the Season
I will post a bit more in depth about my visit to Gresty Road earlier today ( 7th August), but just a quick note to say what a good couple of days was had, and thank you Somin Davey and the Hereford United team for a cracking display today. Also saw 3 good games on TV.
Thursday 5 August 2010
First competitive game of the season - Anfield
A last minute decision was to visit Anfield to watch Liverpool, in their second leg match of the Europa League 3rd Qualifier against Macedonian side FK Rabotnicki. Working up near Liverpool obviously influenced my decision as did the fact I have never been to Anfield before, and im glad i did, its well worth a visit even if it was not near capacity.
Being 2-0 up from the first leg the game in itself was pretty much over before the game started, but I have to say how impressed I was with Liverpool, especially Joe Cole. If he carries on playing like he did tonight he will prove a shrewd piece of business for Liverpool over the course of the season.
The game was always in control as Rabotnicki started slowely and gave the ball away cheapily, gifting Liverpool the ball and allowing them to create chances. Davis N`gog had plenty of chances to addf to his 2 goals from the first leg, but he could only convert the one. Im undecided about what I have seen from him, sometimes he looks a decent player, other times he looks out of his depth. Listening to the Reds fans around me they majority seem to dislike him, and I feel he will be similar to someone like Emile Heskey who started off with promise at the beginning of his career, but has pretty much become a Premiership journeyman.
Something i cant quite get my head round is Lucas, having only seen him on TV previously, he looked poor. I have to say in person he looks worse, his passing was woeful. Maybe it was just lack of sharpness and match fitness, but i dont think it will be.
Steven Gerrard confirmed the victory by converting a penalty after a foul on N`gog, just a few minutes before half time. Liverpool shouldve won buy 6 or 7, but overall i think it was a good runout for Liverpool, who probably wont have to learnt to much about themselves, but I for one was glad to be their.
Match Rating ( Out of 5 ): 3. Good game even if it was a bit one sided.
Being 2-0 up from the first leg the game in itself was pretty much over before the game started, but I have to say how impressed I was with Liverpool, especially Joe Cole. If he carries on playing like he did tonight he will prove a shrewd piece of business for Liverpool over the course of the season.
The game was always in control as Rabotnicki started slowely and gave the ball away cheapily, gifting Liverpool the ball and allowing them to create chances. Davis N`gog had plenty of chances to addf to his 2 goals from the first leg, but he could only convert the one. Im undecided about what I have seen from him, sometimes he looks a decent player, other times he looks out of his depth. Listening to the Reds fans around me they majority seem to dislike him, and I feel he will be similar to someone like Emile Heskey who started off with promise at the beginning of his career, but has pretty much become a Premiership journeyman.
Something i cant quite get my head round is Lucas, having only seen him on TV previously, he looked poor. I have to say in person he looks worse, his passing was woeful. Maybe it was just lack of sharpness and match fitness, but i dont think it will be.
Steven Gerrard confirmed the victory by converting a penalty after a foul on N`gog, just a few minutes before half time. Liverpool shouldve won buy 6 or 7, but overall i think it was a good runout for Liverpool, who probably wont have to learnt to much about themselves, but I for one was glad to be their.
Match Rating ( Out of 5 ): 3. Good game even if it was a bit one sided.
Sunday 1 August 2010
Hello.
Welcome to this blog, I hope you enjoy reading about my watching of football during the new 2010 - 2011 English season. With 5 days to go before the new season kicks off at Carrow Road as Watford are the visitors. I will be doing my best to watch this game, and hopefully watch an entertaining game football.
Already my schedule of watching live games looks something like this. It is worth noting I am from Hereford and support the mighty Bulls.
My first live game will see me watch Simon Davey's first live game at Gresty road. I was at Gresty Road last season as Crewe beat Hereford 1-0.
Full list of live games planned so far is:
Crewe V Hereford August 7th 2010
Hereford v Gillingham August 14th 2010
Manchester United V Newcastle United August 16th 2010
Chesterfield V Hereford United August 21st 2010
Alfreton Town V Gainsborough Trinity August 24th 2010
I am currently working away from home, in the North West and in the East Midlands, which explains the two random games.
Already my schedule of watching live games looks something like this. It is worth noting I am from Hereford and support the mighty Bulls.
My first live game will see me watch Simon Davey's first live game at Gresty road. I was at Gresty Road last season as Crewe beat Hereford 1-0.
Full list of live games planned so far is:
Crewe V Hereford August 7th 2010
Hereford v Gillingham August 14th 2010
Manchester United V Newcastle United August 16th 2010
Chesterfield V Hereford United August 21st 2010
Alfreton Town V Gainsborough Trinity August 24th 2010
I am currently working away from home, in the North West and in the East Midlands, which explains the two random games.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)