Back on their home paddock for the first time in over a month wasn’t enough for Coastal Hogs to maintain their unbeaten run, going down to a committed Fernhill side 1-0.
With Arsene Wenger unavailable to run the team on the day, a little guy with a moustache was placed in charge of the squad for what was expected to be another win for the team, however the ball just did not bounce Hogs' way all day. After the first 5 minutes of constant barrage of Fernhills’ goals by Sean and the like, Fernhill came up with the first goal of the match with a scrappy effort that saw 3 of their men in the 6 yard box deciding who was to kick it in the back of the net. From there Fernhill got a sniff and then promptly changed their formation to what seemed like a 2-2-6 which threw Hogs off balance. Matt put his hand up to the bench in the first half and was never to be seen again; in fact he was seen still clutching his hamstring when he arrived at the Sutherland Shire border and is in doubt for the weeks ahead. Half time came at a good time so the Hogs could regroup and listen to some words of wisdom from the ‘mild mannered moustached maestro’ and a chance to reflect on another poor start to a game. The 2nd half went by with Coastal Hogs playing the far better football. You could’ve counted the ball going into the Fernhill attacking half on 1 hand. One long through ball saw Fernhill have a chance to seal the win if it were not for the sprinting efforts of Hitman Hardie to clear the ball. Unfortunately this left Hitman feeling his ankle and saw him retire to the bench for the remainder of the game. Still Hogs had their chances to draw the game and indeed win it. With both Graeme’s running through the middle and down the right Hogs were still a chance right up until the final whistle but just couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net. Ant missed a golden opportunity with 5 minutes minute on the clock diving full stretch to head the ball just over the cross bar, then Fergus had a chance with a matter of seconds left from an Ant corner but just couldn’t get the power into the header. Disappointment was evident after the match with everyone having a story about why it all went so wrong – was it Ant losing the toss for the first time in the last 4 weeks; was it Graeme P struggling to run because a camera was inside his never never region; or was it because we just lacked a little intensity – for the record after 15 beers each and 4 bottles on wine over dinner on Saturday night, Fergus and Ant came to the conclusion what had happened . . . they scored 1 goal and we didn’t. Heads up Hogsters there is always next week. See you all at training.
17 comments:
Seems our depth is an issue as injuries bite. I am officially out for the season now after a follow up with the doctor. I'm not sure of my coaching future with no hope of returning to action this season. Will have a think and keep you posted.
I am out for this weekend. Performance is too hampered by the foot (ie. playing shit), and it's not worth the grief for the rest of the week.
S
Hope Fergus' groin and Gary H's ankle ok - if they're out we'll have no subs
My ankle was pretty sore and swolen Saturday night but has improved a bit after ice and strapping. I won't make it to training - I'll be OS in Tassie - but I hope to play strapped up on Saturday if needed.
Time to think about a recruit or two?
Ive pulled up pretty bad this week. Wont be at training but hopefully will be there saturday.
Since numbers are so low, maybe I can go against the bosses orders and play another game - given the following week is the bye, and then I'm away. Play me out of the midfield though.
S
Hopefully someone will know how to put the ball between the posts and under the bar!!
Defence should have stopped the weak goal but the fact that CHOGS didn't score is a big worry.
Social Dave
Looks like we we're done some favours over the weekend at other grounds. Jamberoo and Pumas losing on Sat.
S
We have the best defensive record in the league but we're third worst when it come's to goals scored, might be worth setting aside some shotting & heading practise at training.
Social Dave
Walk away (again) #7.
I wasn't going to comment, but since you've raised it twice.
"we're third worst when it come's to goals scored"
Fine example of "lies, damned lies and statistics".
Aside of one side that has scored heaps more than the others, 5 other sides have scored either the same as us or the whopping amount of TWO more than us. We're 4 goals off being second highest scorers [albeit with absolutely no help from me! :( ]
Perhaps if we didn't play so deep the ball would spend more time in the oppositions half. Every time we pressure the oppositions defence and make them give the ball up, they simply get it back again because the gap between defence, midfield and attack is so huge you could drive a fleet of articulated lorries through it.
As a consequence of playing so deep our midfield are simply being run off their feet.
There is NO reason why when the ball is in the oppositions half our defence couldn't be camped on the half way line instead of on the edge of our 18 yard box.
Better to let an opponet break through on our half way line than on the edge of our box n'est pas?
It's not rocket science.
K
I think we need to discuss this K, the defence has kept this team at the top so far this season, we have learn't during the opening games and have started to defend at the half way line but WE DO NOT defend our 18 yard box when attacking, our back line has moved up and started to help the mid-field, I can take the blame for when we screw-up i.e. the weak goal on Saturday but don't tell me that the defecne is to blame for our lack of goals against our opponents on Saturday. Our passing, tackling, heading & shotting on Saturday was terrible...if you feel it's our defence who has caused this problem Saturday was my last game!!
Social Dave
Hey the transfer window is open... I believe Harry is available, although he might find some you take yourselves a bit too seriously...
Yes it is just a game & damm , sometimes the other team wins. If we get just a little more enthusiastic to have the ball at our discretion and play some of the pretty soccer that we're all capable of, we may win more than we lose. But let's enjoy it. It is, despite the hospital queues, just a reason to stay fitter & live longer than we would if we just played blogs. JB
Dave
You hit the nail on the head when you wrote "Our passing, tackling, heading & shotting (sic) on Saturday was terrible.."
Not so sure the shooting was terrible - we barely had a shot!
We were awful right across the pitch in the first half, losing 50-50 bills, let alone the 40-60's that we often win.
I think a beer is in order.
People are reading waaaaaaaay too much into it all. I didn't see any personal comments.
Nice on-line poll Tony....
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