Bideford (Home)

[marxian]

Christ on a bike. As bad a performance as I've seen this season (though I admit I've missed a fair few).

Bideford were awful - their manager said they have real trouble pulling together a squad for long distance midweek matches - but we conspired to make ourselves second best for the whole match. 90 minutes of panic hoofball with no plan, no inspiration and no desire. From Enol's goal kicks straight into touch to Jake Simpson's "I'm just going to stand here and pout" act up front, a catalogue of opportunity thrown away. Their keeper had nothing to do all match.

Yes, Bideford were bad as well but at least they had a plan even if they weren't very good at it. When they had opportunities, they at least took some of them. Their two goals were well deserved. Their winner, in particular, was a superb opportunistic nod home. Yes, it was from a corner that shouldn't have been but we already knew the ref was having an off night. If Eugene, guarding the near post, had actually done what Brian asked him not three seconds before and 'switched on', instead of going missing, I don't know if we may have saved the draw.

Eugene and Nick, both of which we have relied on as serious playmakers in the past, seem to have been replaced with poor simulations of themselves that are being controlled by someone playing FIFA soccer '96.

But their are always positives to carry away:
- Selim's super-sub equaliser, spectacularly lobbing the keeper, was sublime
- Rogan's performance in mopping up Bideford advances was outstanding. I was surprised that he was chosen to be substituted when Selim came on, and it seems to me that Bideford made much better progress once he was off the pitch.
- Enol's shot stopping was as good as ever. Just as well, we need that as the rest of our defence leave him far too much to do.
- The lads stood up well to keep their cool against Bideford's physical aggression, which the ref was finding hard to keep in check.

'Back to back victories' Brian was looking for just before this match. Dream on. But to be honest, there was no evidence that Brian or Lance had any control or influence on what was happening on the pitch last night. It certainly wasn't what I understood by #teambrianpage and #thehistonway.

So, on Saturday, the return match away. We'll be facing their real first team then. On Facebook, Jamie asks if we can turn it round. In the paper today, Brian is hopeful of a similar result. I know what the chicken bones here in front of me are saying.

[marke]

Instead of moaning about Bideford's approach, perhaps we should try and learn from the experience. Yes, it was a frustrating match to watch. Let's just say Bideford 'took their time' and never allowed us to get up a head of steam. But they managed to do it just about within the rules of the game in my opinion. Why can't we do more of that in away fixtures? We might pick up a few more points. And we need to get behind the team instead of moaning at the officials. Bideford got the maximum out of a very average playing squad

I think Miles could have done better for their opening goal. He had the opportunity to put the ball out for a corner but didn't get enough of a foot on it. Good finish from their player though. Great finish from Salim for our equalizer. It came from a flick on from a long hoof forward. And poor defending from their corner, but another great finish, for the Bideford winner. It looked like the ball flicked of their player in the build up to the corner, so the corner should never have been given in the first place.

Looking forward to Saturday, i'd say we are more than capable of beating what looked like a very ordinary side. So keep the faith. Hopefully we can have Danny Rumens or Evan Key back as I don't think Miles is confortable at centre back. And maybe give Salim a chance up front. He played well when he came on.

[blueman]

Offensively poor, nothing new by saying this,inappropriate and mindless substitution to take Rogan off the pitch,joy for Bideford.
Shame really, because Histon put in a pretty good performance.

[The Captain]

puzzled as to why Curtis Fulcher has been dropped, after his MOM last week

[clive]

Attendance of just 100 last night - really?

[marke]

Mar 11, 2015 20:32:05 GMT clive said:

Attendance of just 100 last night - really?

158 according to the website. Attendance did look poor, I must say.

[berbatov]

The website was saying 100 but 158 is more like it. With Evan Key missing I felt that Rogan was key as a defensive midfielder. Histon threw too many players forward and paid the price as Bideford started to look more dangerous after the hour mark. Biggleswade have got sucked into the battle to stay up but Frome got the points v Weymouth. City have pulled clear with back to back wins so let's hope Histon can do the same. A tense few weeks ahead but I think we have enough talent to stay up. Plenty of energy and effort needs to be allied to a bit of caution. Every point gained is another step and the other night a draw would have been ok but Histon looked hell bent on winning and got the sucker punch late on.

[cliveh]

Very very disappointing result, this. Couldn't make the game but after watching the lads beat Arlesey on Saturday I really was expecting 3 points.
I can understand the tactic of going all out for the win, to an extent. The thought process was that 3 points here would probably have made us safe, and one would have been only marginally better than a defeat. That's precisely why, all those years ago, a win was changed to 3 points, and the reward for an attacking policy.
So on we go to the next match.
Would just like to say how much some of us ex City fans enjoy the football(well, most of it!), and most particularly, the friendliness at the Glassworld Stadium. I know that a few, and one in particular, keeps having a dig at us on their Lilywhites Soapbox. The likes of Warne is a perfect example why we have switched affiliation. I also heard of an incident very recently where, at a Joint Trust Meeting, a City fan stood up and blamed their poor season on the state of the GWS pitch, whereby a Stutes fan took exception and a confrontation occurred. Crass arrogance and lacking in tact or class.
Anyway, glad to be following Histon now.
COYS

[hfc08stutes]

Glad you and a few others have seen the light Cliveh The reason why the pitch has been so badly cut up I imagine is because on top of the double season it has to withstand I'm pretty sure our youth teams play on it as well (if someone can clarify). City fans are in no position to complain because without us they wouldn't be playing this season and I'm afraid I can't see them moving out for another couple seasons at least.

Anyway back on topic. Sounds like we're hitting an iffy patch at the wrong time. To try and retain some comfort, for starters, judging on the form of the bottom 3 we may not even have to win another match this season as in their respective positions 52, 50 and 41 points are the highest total they can reach which of course means they would have to win all their remaining games this season. However obviously we don't really want to rely on other results. Secondly Brian has been in this position before and so I'm sure he knows how to deal with situation we find ourselves in. I'll stick my neck out and say that a couple more wins will see us safe. The only problem is we're not finding the back of the net at the moment which we certainly need to remedy somehow. I do think if Salim gets more game time he'll pop up with a goal or two and hopefully Nick can find his scoring touch again.

Out if interest does anyone know what happened to Matty Waters? I still can't believe (if he is still a HFC player) that he has not featured for us this season. He has proved he can score in the level above and that's with limited game time to say the least. Im stumped on this one as we've been crying out for a natural goalscorer for god knows how long.

[countrybumkin9]

Matty is at mildenhall on duel reg since start of jan and scored goals also spent time at diss before Xmas on loan scoring 3 in 4 !!! U need to ask Mr page why he don't pick him I just take him to games !!

[hfc08stutes]

Well it would certainly be a question Id ask at our next fans forum. Seems utterly bizarre? Would be have been great to have had him starting most of this season. Im sure he would have bagged a fair few goals!

Well I certainly hope hes a stute next season. Like I said, and of course its obvious to most who post on here, we are in desperate need of a natural goalscorer! We haven't had someone who can regularly score for us since Dan Holman !

[andrewdunn]

This will be my first and last posting on this forum but as Press Officer for Cambridge City FC I have been asked by our Supporters Trust to correct some serious allegations made by cliveh in his posting on 13th March 2015.

The comments made relate to an alleged recent joint meeting between CCFC's Trust and the Histon Supporters Trust. I can confirm that NO such meeting has taken place. As no meeting took place the following did NOT happen:

1. There was no comment made from a City Trust member criticising the pitch at Histon FC.

2. There was no reply from a Histon member.

3. There was no resulting confrontation between Trust members from either side.

It would appear that the information provided to Cliveh simply has no substance, and in future it might be a good idea to ensure that details of allegations like this are factually correct before publishing.

Andrew Dunn
Press Officer, Cambridge City FC
15 March 2015

[cliveh]

Well in answer to that, all I can say is that I was told that by a Histon fan last Saturday. He seemed pretty sure of his facts and told me the names of the two involved. I can say no more.
If what I have been told is untrue, I aplologise for being the conveyor of such a story.
But it's hardly a surprise. All we've heard from the whiners this season is how the dreadful pitch at the GWS has been one of the main reasons for their poor performances.
Strange that fans forums and their content are considered nothing to do with the Chairman of Cambridge City FC or the Club, yet now an Official of their Club has decided that it is. Or have they just found out that tittle tattle and conjecture on football fans forums are often inaccurate, and that's what happens when fans get going between them. Pots and kettles spring to mind Andrew Dunn.

[histonfan01]

This is absolutely priceless, our local rivals are worried what us as Histon fans think about them!
We don't care so clear off back to your disappointing season you mugs!!
P.s thanks for your money!!!