Concord

By Dave_LW (legacy user)5/1/2015 19:18Mon Jan 5 19:18:34 2015In response to Pitch

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I wasn't there so cannot comment but a couple of independent reports on the match are on the (Tony Kempster) Non league forum. One is repeated in full below. Bit much calling the Staines fans odd :)

Any fears this match would be in doubt after yesterday's deluge were quickly dispersed, after the little hoovering machines cleared excess water from the pitch in the corner nearest the entrance, and other areas first thing in the morning. Pitch was very heavy and a mudbath in places, but played fine. A roll up sleeves job.

As for the game, a pretty comfortable win for Concord against the basement side. Although they should have won this by a country mile, given the many chances they spurned. The Staines keeper was the only one who could say he did a good job today, with a strong of fine saves. The other ten and subs certainly don't look like a team with any belief they can improve their situation, and were pretty hopeless all over the park. They will be back in the Ryman Premier next season, unless there is some kind of miracle.

The game was decided after barely sixty seconds, when Concord broke upfield, Cawley was allowed the freedom of Canvey down the left, and time to square to Taaffe to tap in from close range. Bar the odd slight concern - a good tackle on the edge of the box, and the corner across the home side's six yard box, it was the hosts who continued to pile pressure on the Staines goal. The keeper - in a rare mistake - had a rush of blood to the head in racing out his goal, but Concord couldn't capitalise, then atoned for that with a good tip round the post from a Taaffe free kick, though the corner was almost scrambled home. The thirty-odd Staines fans here were absolutely scathing about the goal conceded.

Cawley then nearly scored a fine solo goal, bursting in to the box, but running straight in to a defender at the vital moment. Some alarm for Concord at the back, with a ball in the box striking a hand (ball to hand IMO), and stand-in keeper Rachoni making a good low save, but really Staines were a little fortunate to be only a goal down at the break.

An electrifying start to the second period, with Concord continuing to do everything but find the back of the net. First the keeper superbly clawed Fry's header round the post. Then from the corner, the ball fell to Taaffe, who crashed a shot just inside the box against the underside of the bar, with the loose ball fired just wide. Ogilvie then found space to the left side of the box but dragged his shot badly wide, with the rebound then well blocked by a defender. The chances continued to stack up, with the Staines keeper making a good stop to push Cawley's drive behind. Then a cross a whisker over the head of Fry at the far post, and a ball slipping Ogilvie through in the box, but the keeper was alert and just got to the ball in time. And again he denied the Beachboys when Taaffe turned in the box, but he beat the shot away, with the corner then missing everyone in the six yard box.

All these spurned opportunities spelt trouble for Concord, with Staines having a few chances late in the game - the keeper making a good low save from a half volley in the box, a ball in to the penalty area that was almost turned in before being hacked clear, A player in down the right should have done better than drag an effort wide of the far post, although they did have a cross go across everyone in the penalty area, when it just needed a touch late on. Overall though, the final ball from Staines was awful, the strikers had no service, and apart from a couple of smart low saves to smother the ball, the Concord keeper had a quiet afternoon. Staines could have played until midnight and not scored. In added time, the home side had another chance to make the game safe, but once again the visiting keeper denied Cawley from point blank range. In the end though, it was a case of job done for Concord, who with games in hand, look like netting another solid mid-table finish, although they might look at aiming a little higher. Staines' Conference time appears to be coming to an end.

Was glad to get back in the car after a freezing misty afternoon on Canvey.