halifax away

[Bubba]

Atmosphere was excellent and both teams put in a good performance. Easy to see why both sides are in the top 5.

I thought we deserved a bit more help from the referee. Your number 3 should have been off and we had a very good shout for a penalty.

We did deserve the win having dominated posession. But we saw a perfect example of where our failings are. When you scored the first you had 6 players in and around the box and outnumbered our defence. We never have numbers like this in attack which is why we usually lack ideas.

Legzins was possibly at fault for the positioning of his wall but he had made at least 2 good saves before that. We also missed a number of good opportunities with Quinn missing twice from close range and both Grant and Killeen having decent chances go wide.

As for Grant, I like to give credit where it is due and I thought he was excellent when he came on.

Good point, good game, bring on the 2nd. All the best.

[zayno14]

I think it is a great statement by the boys to go the the shay and get a draw. Especially scoring late on show the character and desire wanting to get something out of the game. On another day we may have won or lost but we didn't, a point in our promotion push and another tough fixture out of the way and still top of the league...on stanley on..

[Redraine]

Good stuff from both sides going hammer and tongs at each other. Said to my lad at the time that Mully's missed chance to put us 2 up might be a turning point. Bad time to concede the first goal and Halifax came out transformed in the second half. We were lucky to get the draw, but on the other hand their goalie saved them from defeat in the last 5 minutes with two fantastic saves. Perhaps we missed the drum! What possible justification can there be for it being "confiscated"?

[stephen]

shakermaker is right rory is meant to be a proffesional footy player and he shouldnt be affected by fans immitating him and he went way over the line when he slided infront of our fans then mouthin to gary an' craney and in my opinion rory is no way anything compard to gary roberts


ref was crud for both teams they should of had a penny for handball and we gave away free kicks for beathing.

[Bubba]

I thought Mullins for you was a real threat. There arent many players who get the better of Adam Quinn in the air but for the first half our Quinny had a torrid time.

[AccyMad]

Sorry but no way did Rory deserve all the stick he got - some of our lot have very short memories, a bit of banter is one thing but some took it too far and he couldn't be blamed for giving some back (or for trying to wind up Coley after the way he treated him).

[Shay HTFC]

[quote=Henry Morton]

Originally Posted by shakermaker

awful match!! both teams were pants!

Ahem . . .

Having spent the evening with assorted fans of both teams, there was a general consensus that we'd seen a really first-class performance by 22 superb athletes who had sacrificed their Christmas partying and had trained on Christmas Day afternoon so as to be at their best for this Very Important Match.

Both teams were, in fact, excellent.

Neither team let their supporters down.

We discussed the four goals and agreed that Rory Prendergast's left cross to the head of a horizontally diving Killeen would win Goal of the Season if the Beeb ever came to look at us.

We'd seen one of the most exciting football matches in the recent history of our rival clubs, and we'd handled it as mature football enthusiasts who have enormous respect for each other.

Exactly what I thought. I came out of that game having seen a great match. It was gutsy with lots of action at the goalmouths due to numerous breaks I thought.

Stats are here:

<table class="tabborder" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="428"> <tbody><tr><td class="gamstath">Goal Attempts</td> <td class="gamstats" width="40">12</td> <td class="gamstats">: </td> <td class="gamstats" width="40">7</td> <td class="gamstata">Goal Attempts</td></tr> <tr class="mllinespacer"> <td colspan="5"></td></tr> <tr> <td class="gamstath">On Target</td> <td class="gamstats">5</td> <td class="gamstats">: </td> <td class="gamstats">4</td> <td class="gamstata">On Target</td></tr> <tr class="mllinespacer"> <td colspan="5"></td></tr> <tr> <td class="gamstath">Crosses</td> <td class="gamstats">6</td> <td class="gamstats">: </td> <td class="gamstats">3</td> <td class="gamstata">Crosses</td></tr> <tr class="mllinespacer"> <td colspan="5"></td></tr> <tr> <td class="gamstath">Corners</td> <td class="gamstats">9</td> <td class="gamstats">: </td> <td class="gamstats">6</td> <td class="gamstata">Corners</td></tr> <tr class="mllinespacer"> <td colspan="5"></td></tr> <tr> <td class="gamstath">Offside</td> <td class="gamstats">-</td> <td class="gamstats">: </td> <td class="gamstats">6</td> <td class="gamstata">Offside</td></tr> <tr class="mllinespacer"> <td colspan="5"></td></tr> <tr> <td class="gamstath">Fouls</td> <td class="gamstats">14</td> <td class="gamstats">: </td> <td class="gamstats">15</td> <td class="gamstata">Fouls</td></tr> <tr class="mllinespacer"> <td colspan="5"></td></tr> <tr> <td class="gamstath">Free kicks</td> <td class="gamstats">23</td> <td class="gamstats">: </td> <td class="gamstats">15</td> <td class="gamstata">Free kicks</td></tr> <tr class="mllinespacer"> <td colspan="5"></td></tr> <tr> <td class="gamstath"> Yellow cards</td> <td class="gamstats">3</td> <td class="gamstats">: </td> <td class="gamstats">2</td> <td class="gamstata">Yellow cards </td></tr> <tr class="mllinespacer"> <td colspan="5"></td></tr> <tr> <td class="gamstath"> Red cards</td> <td class="gamstats">-</td> <td class="gamstats">: </td> <td class="gamstats">-</td> <td class="gamstata">Red cards </td></tr> <tr class="mllinespacer"> <td colspan="5"></td></tr> <tr> <td class="gamstath">% Possession</td> <td class="gamstats">59</td> <td class="gamstats">: </td> <td class="gamstats">41</td> <td class="gamstata">Possession %</td></tr></tbody> </table>

We mainly controlled play I thought except for periods of time where you were potent in attack. Shame we can't do anything with our possesion though! If we could start getting the midfield working well with attack, creating dangerous situations where they can read each other and deliver top quality through balls it would be great.

Thats what I think is a critical thing. Having the forwards work well with the midfield so that the midfield can pass the ball to an open space ready for the forward to run onto it, rather than straight to the strikers feet.

[Never_Shay_Die]

I am shopcked that no Accrington fans have admitted that, after a fairly even first half, we dominated the second. We piled on wave after wave of pressure and you didn't get back in the game until the last 10 minutes.

We deserved to win it but one last minute free-kick, one goal, and all our possession over the last 45 minutes means nothng. I was proud to be a Town fan today. Great crowd, great atmosphere (although never really heard you guys until your equalizer) and we dominated a game against top of the league opponents. We showed today that we deserve to be a top five team.

In fairness, I would admit that based purely on clear-cut chances then a draw was probably fair.

As for your number 3, he had already been booked when he pulled Grant back and that should have been a second booking. Also, we had a definite penalty appeal with the handball and cannot believe the ref didn't see it.

Sets it up well for next Monday. There will be a huge away following and we will create a good atmosphere. I'm certainly more confident about it after yesterday's game.

Finaly, as for Mr Prendergast, I don't like him. We are blessed with left wingers and I don't think Prendergast is the best we have. Apart from his left foot (his cross for our first goal was spot-on) I don't see what else he has going for him. In contrast, we have young Justin Bowler who is lightning quick, will run at defenders and scare the crap out of them and has a good left foot as well. Prendergast has no pace. Unless he has the ball wide near the left touchline in space he is useless. That's my opinion anyway. I didn't think much of him when he played for you last season and I still don't now.

See you all next Monday.

[maccawozzagod]

First half I think we were the better side. We let you have the ball, closed you down and then broke away. I thought that your huge centre half had Mullin under control the whole game. The way we play is to Mullin for him to hold and distribute to the attacking midfielders. He never really had the play at his feet in order to give it. The attacks we did have were a hell of a lot more potent than yours. The equalising goal was a real sucker punch as we know better than to give a scumbag like Rory as much space as we did, cracking cross and a fine finish.

Second half was a different game, after conceding a goal for the first time in over nine hours of football our defence was all over the place, no cohesion whatsoever and nobody seemed to be organising. Halifax were good value for their second goal and probably deserved more for all the possession they had. The amount of bouncing balls in the six yard box area was especially worrying and I have not seen a Stanley defence have to put as much leather behind clearances as often as yesterday for a long time. The way we managed a late rally to salvage a point was extremely satisfying and will give the boys a big boost knowing now that they can claw their way back into games that look lost. Grays have been scoring in the last minute all season and we are due for it.

The referee was appalling. I did not see the penalty incident but I saw him blow twice for fouls on the goalkeeper when Mullin challenged. On neither occasion was the goalkeeper even made contact with let alone fouled. The linesman on the seated stand stand side in the second half missed at least two out of play balls that contributed to goal attempts (one by either side). The incident where we coulda/shoulda had numer 3 Richardson sent off I personally thought that your guy was holding Richardson as he tried to turn him. I thought it incredulous that the free kick was given and the referee didn't want to send him off for a petty offence that the blind linesman had flagged for.

As for Rory Prendergast, yes when he was here I thought was the mutts nutts. On his day he was the best winger in the league and can cross a ball without even turning his leg in the right direction. Unfortunately for Rory, he is a sulking so and so and only turns it on when he wants to. I thought he was a dressing room boo boy who spoils a good atmosphere and was responsible for the beginning of the end for Lutel James. Having already been booked, I thought he should have been sent off for his goal celebration as that was pure antagonism towards away supporters. A fan doing that would have been arrested. Can you imagine him doing that in front of those dicks from York? Good riddance to him.

I did not think that he could be replaced by quality without spending a shed load of money but I was wrong. Gary Roberts plays well week in and week out. He can run at defenders and has tricks to beat two men at once. He also has an array of free kicks that have served us very well this year. For Gary to be quiet in a game means that the right back has had a good game rather than he has had a bad game.

I thought the Halifax roar was subdued until into the second half. The Halifax fans could make a big difference to their teams performances if they were as noisy from beginning to end of matches. Their was even noise coming from the side stand at one point! That is something you will probably never hear at Accrington.

The Ultra's started well but tailed off and pretty much died a death until the last ten minutes. Maybe we are relying on the drum a little too much boys? Good crowd from Accrington as always, I would be interested to know the official away crowd but I would estimate 600.

Things to take away from this game for Stanley is that we will rarely be challenged like that again this season. Craney and Mullin were largely ineffective and they are both key to our tactics. We had absolutley no luck or run of the ball at all and the referee gave us nothing at the attacking end of the field. All in all we were lucky to come away with something and we would all have been happy with a point at The Shay. We will also never defend as haphazardly and amateurishly again this season.

All in all, the unbeaten run continues two points and a game in hand clear at the top of the league and another top five team that has missed an opportunity to gain on us. Keep beating the crap teams and drawing at the top and we are home and dry.

Good luck to Halifaxm, I always enjoy going there and I would rather you come up with us than that ****e from up the road from Blackpool.

[shakermaker]

Originally Posted by Never_Shay_Die

I am shopcked that no Accrington fans have admitted that, after a fairly even first half, we dominated the second. We piled on wave after wave of pressure and you didn't get back in the game until the last 10 minutes.

We deserved to win it but one last minute free-kick, one goal, and all our possession over the last 45 minutes means nothng. I was proud to be a Town fan today. Great crowd, great atmosphere (although never really heard you guys until your equalizer) and we dominated a game against top of the league opponents. We showed today that we deserve to be a top five team.

In fairness, I would admit that based purely on clear-cut chances then a draw was probably fair.

As for your number 3, he had already been booked when he pulled Grant back and that should have been a second booking. Also, we had a definite penalty appeal with the handball and cannot believe the ref didn't see it.

I am shocked that you refuse to admit that the referee was, apart from the penalty claim; completely on your side. But that's football fans for you

Prendergast should have been sent off for you after about 20 mins; when, falling over after losing the ball to Phil Edwards; kicked Edwards in the ankle - which was obviously deliberate to everyone but the man in charge.

Atmosphere? haha thats funny; we didnt hear you at all even when you scored!! its fair to say that the shay is completely atmosphere-free; so the morecambe fans will always feel at home there.
Heres a tip - get the shay sold, then move to a retirement home - iv seen more life in the place there.

[Never_Shay_Die]

Originally Posted by shakermaker

I am shocked that you refuse to admit that the referee was, apart from the penalty claim; completely on your side. But that's football fans for you

Prendergast should have been sent off for you after about 20 mins; when, falling over after losing the ball to Phil Edwards; kicked Edwards in the ankle - which was obviously deliberate to everyone but the man in charge.

Atmosphere? haha thats funny; we didnt hear you at all even when you scored!! its fair to say that the shay is completely atmosphere-free; so the morecambe fans will always feel at home there.
Heres a tip - get the shay sold, then move to a retirement home - iv seen more life in the place there.

The original foul on Prendergast was deliberate. The ball was about 2 foot in front of Prendergast and Edwards took his legs. That's a deliberate foul. Prendergast reacted. A yellow for both would have sufficed.

But your number 3 committed two yellow card offences but was only shown the card for one of them.

I don't think the ref was 'biased', just poor. That chance you had in the first half, after you had scored, when your player shot wide of the goal one-on-one with the keeper. Our keeper got his legs to it. You probably wouldn't have realised from the away stand as the deflection of the keepers legs was minor, but enough to divert the ball wide. The referee gave us a goal-kick!

There were poor decisions for both teams so don't try saying he was biased; we felt hard done by loads of the ref's decisions, hence the 'You don't know what your doing' chants. He was just a poor referee.

You can say what you want about the atmosphere yesterday but you are of course talking nonesense. The Accy fans disappointed me yesterday because I thought they would have created some noise but it didn't happen, with all the noise coming from us, mainly in the second half. I also know from last season that there is no atmosphere at the IES, possibly due to the structure of the stands and the fact that parts of the stadium aren't roofed, and so I'm expecting that we will be creating all the noise then as well.

[shakermaker]

poor things.....sour grapes and all - i do love last minute match stealers

to summarise the match - awful ref, both teams were definitely not having their best games; and both sets of fans were rather subdued after the first half hour.....awful match!

lets hope for a proper riot at the Crown Ground where we can actually hear each other sing in the brisk Lancashire air!!
good luck for January 2nd (not too much mind ) and hopefully it'l be a great game







for us, we dont like you

[harwood red]

There was certainly plenty of noise coming from us accy fans, so unsure of why you couldn't hear us. We couldn't hear you until well into the second half but I'm sure you will say you were singing your hearts out. So there must have been some heavy wind on the pitch to carry the sound from both ends away in the first half!!!!

The ref was awful and I couldn't believe some of his decisions, same goes for one of the liner's in particular!

Roll on the 2nd

[Willie Miller]

Erm, if you couldn't hear us then why the chant of "you're not singing anymore...." when you made it 2-1.......

Thought we weren't singin?

Was flat from us when you were on top but then we ain't been behind for ages

Halifax fans have said there was a good atmosphere in their end & their was definately colour & noise from our end. Your end looked grey & miserable even if it wasn't!

[maccawozzagod]

Originally Posted by shakermaker

lets hope for a proper riot at the Crown Ground where we can actually hear each other sing in the brisk Lancashire air!!

let it be known that the inference here is for a riot of colour and noise rather than the fisticuffs/bloodletting variety.

I know that I am not on my own in thinking that the 'I predict a riot' is not the wisest choice of song from our hymn book. Someday we may be taken up on our offer......