Having disposed of one Yorkshire club in the last round Arsenal will be favourites to add another to the list when Huddersfield Town visit the Emirates on Sunday lunchtime in the 4th round of the FA Cup.
Lee Clark's League One promotion chasers overcame non-league Dover Athletic in the 3rd round and will travel to London looking for what would be one of the biggest upsets in recent FA Cup history.
This will be the first meeting between the sides in the FA Cup since 1932, where an early goal from Herbie Roberts settled the quarter final tie at Highbury as then League Champions Arsenal went on to the a final meeting with Newcastle United.
The last competitive meeting between the clubs was a two-legged League Cup second round tie back in 1993. Arsenal were the holders of the competition and the first game, at the Terriers old London Road ground, was a stroll in the park as a hat-trick from Ian Wright and further goals from Kevin Campbell and Paul Merson gave them a comfortable 5-0 victory. The second leg at Highbury was a much closer affair though as a weakened Arsenal side were held to a 1-1 draw, but they still progressed to a third round meeting with Norwich City.
Prior to that the clubs had met in the same competition in 1986, again over two legs. This time it was a much closer contest as Arsenal only took a 2-0 first leg lead up to Yorkshire and the Terriers sensed an upset as a goal from Duncan Shearer halved the arrears. But substitute Martin Hayes came off the bench to grab the equaliser on the night and set the Gunners on the road to the final, where they beat Liverpool to lift the trophy for the first time.
So while the clubs paths may not have crossed much in recent years they do have a long history going back over 80 years. Back in the 1920's Huddersfield were the top side in the country and they became the first club to win the league title three seasons in a row in 1924/25/26. The architect of that side was the great Herbert Chapman but he left Yorkshire after the second of those titles to take over at Highbury in 1925. At the time Arsenal were just a run-of-the-mill club who had never won a major trophy but over the next nine years he transformed them into the greatest club in the country.
It was with some irony that the first trophy Chapman won for Arsenal was the 1930 FA Cup where they beat Huddersfield in the final at Wembley, the great Alex James among the scorers in a 2-0 success for the Londoners.
That led to a decade of success not matched by the club until the arrival of Arsene Wenger some 60 years later. Under Chapman the Gunners were league champions for the first time in 1931, the first London club to land the prize, and they went on to equal Huddersfield record of three successive titles in 1933/34/35. Unfortunately Chapman was not around to see it as he sadly passed away in January 1934. The club continued to have success under George Allison and Tom Whittaker until the 1950's but it was off the field that the Chapman legacy lived on.
It was his idea to change the name of the Tube station next to the ground at Highbury from Gillespie Road to Arsenal, it was his idea to introduce white sleeves to the red shirts and it was his idea to have numbers on the players shirts to make them more easily identified. These were just some of the forward thinking ideas of the man that made Arsenal what it is today.
Unfortunately his magic did not have the same lasting effect on Huddersfield. Their title success in 1926 still remains the last major trophy they have won but under Clark the club are looking to finally turn their fortunes around. Victory at the Emirates on Saunday may seem unlikely, and with the club in a strong position for a return to the Championship after a ten year hiatus their focus could be elsewhere, but then in the FA Cup you just never know...
Friday 28 January 2011
Thursday 27 January 2011
Graygate..the final word?
So, what started out as a little bit of banter has ended with two of the best football presenters on TV losing their jobs. The world has, quiet literally, gone mad!
Yes the comments made by Andy Gray and Richard Keys were ill-advised at best but it was a conversation between two colleagues off air and was the same conversation going on in a pubs up and down the country at the time.
I was watching the Wolves v Liverpool match in a pub and the banter about the female assistant was in full flow. Comments like 'It's lunchtime shouldn't she be in the kitchen?' and the inevitable 'What do women know about the offside law?' The very words that led to Gray's dismissal from Sky.
Sexist? Yes, if taken out of context, but it was more mickey-taking of the perceived sexist attitudes in football. It was men taking the mickey out themselves if anything. 'Look how out of date we are!' None of the comments I heard were malicious and I'm fairly certain that Sian Massey would not have been offended had she heard them. Banter in the workplace goes on all the time. I am from Essex but now living and working in the North-East and I am subjected to comments about being a 'cockney' and a 'southern softie' all the time. Do I get offended?? No, I accept it as it is meant, banter among colleagues. And they are all northern monkeys anyway...
But I do not feel that is the real issue. Of course Gray and Keys were stitched up, there is no doubt about that, but the media frenzy surrounding the whole thing is just unbelievable. If you read some of the things being said about them you would think they had committed a murder or raped a minor, and most of the people writing this stuff and commenting on it have said similar things at some point anyway. Hypocites the lot of them...
Gray was a professional footballer in the 1970's and 80's. Does that excuse his comments? No, but maybe it does explain them. The football dressing room is a place for this sort of banter and if you think it does not still go on today you are very much mistaken. Do you not think the millionaire footballers talk about which supermodel they want to 'nail' or indeed which supermodel they have 'nailed'? Of course they do.
But the thing is its not just men who do this. Get a group of women together and they will be talking about men in a derogatory way, making fun of them, calling them a 'nice piece of meat'. For evidence of this just watch Loose Women at lunchtime. In the only episode I actually sat through I heard many comments that could be called sexist but are the presenters vilified in the same way as Gray and Keys? Has the programme been pulled? No is the answer and why? Because apparently only men can be sexist, just like only white people can be racist! What an absolute joke.
So while Muslims burn poppies on the streets of Britain and it gets brushed off as a 'political statement', white people are not allowed to protest outside a mosque as it is considered racist! A black man assaults a white man and it is just an assault, the other way around and it's a racist attack. It is the same with sexism. Woman can say whatever they like about men and get away with it but the odd comment from a man and they get the book thrown at them. Unbelievable.
I was at a supermarket checkout last week and I heard two middle aged women talking about Jamie Oliver's TV show.'What does he know about cooking anyway?' said one. 'Yeah' replied her friend, 'he should be out on his motorbike. I bet his wife is a better cook then him anyway!' I found it quiet funny, as I'm sure Jamie would have done too, but is that not sexism? The fact the women can get away with this merely goes along with the stereotype that women are the weaker sex. Just like the little 5ft guy cannot be a bully because he is too small, even though he goes around terrorising everyone. 'Ah he's ok he's only little...'
Lets get it right, if Gray has been sacked for what he said, or even for the 'mic down the trousers' gag, then the women on Loose Woman must also be fired. If Sky are making a stand against sexism then they should ditch the 'Soccerttes' on Soccer AM and employ older and less attractive woman on Sky Sports News. Either cut out ALL sexism on TV or leave things as they are. You cannot be selective. But none of that will happen.
Gray has been shafted by people who wanted him out and everyone who is jumping on the bandwagon should, quiet honestly, be ashamed of themselves. I have cancelled my Sky subscription and I will not be renewing it again until Gray and Keys are reinstated. I urge you all to do the same...
Yes the comments made by Andy Gray and Richard Keys were ill-advised at best but it was a conversation between two colleagues off air and was the same conversation going on in a pubs up and down the country at the time.
I was watching the Wolves v Liverpool match in a pub and the banter about the female assistant was in full flow. Comments like 'It's lunchtime shouldn't she be in the kitchen?' and the inevitable 'What do women know about the offside law?' The very words that led to Gray's dismissal from Sky.
Sexist? Yes, if taken out of context, but it was more mickey-taking of the perceived sexist attitudes in football. It was men taking the mickey out themselves if anything. 'Look how out of date we are!' None of the comments I heard were malicious and I'm fairly certain that Sian Massey would not have been offended had she heard them. Banter in the workplace goes on all the time. I am from Essex but now living and working in the North-East and I am subjected to comments about being a 'cockney' and a 'southern softie' all the time. Do I get offended?? No, I accept it as it is meant, banter among colleagues. And they are all northern monkeys anyway...
But I do not feel that is the real issue. Of course Gray and Keys were stitched up, there is no doubt about that, but the media frenzy surrounding the whole thing is just unbelievable. If you read some of the things being said about them you would think they had committed a murder or raped a minor, and most of the people writing this stuff and commenting on it have said similar things at some point anyway. Hypocites the lot of them...
Gray was a professional footballer in the 1970's and 80's. Does that excuse his comments? No, but maybe it does explain them. The football dressing room is a place for this sort of banter and if you think it does not still go on today you are very much mistaken. Do you not think the millionaire footballers talk about which supermodel they want to 'nail' or indeed which supermodel they have 'nailed'? Of course they do.
But the thing is its not just men who do this. Get a group of women together and they will be talking about men in a derogatory way, making fun of them, calling them a 'nice piece of meat'. For evidence of this just watch Loose Women at lunchtime. In the only episode I actually sat through I heard many comments that could be called sexist but are the presenters vilified in the same way as Gray and Keys? Has the programme been pulled? No is the answer and why? Because apparently only men can be sexist, just like only white people can be racist! What an absolute joke.
So while Muslims burn poppies on the streets of Britain and it gets brushed off as a 'political statement', white people are not allowed to protest outside a mosque as it is considered racist! A black man assaults a white man and it is just an assault, the other way around and it's a racist attack. It is the same with sexism. Woman can say whatever they like about men and get away with it but the odd comment from a man and they get the book thrown at them. Unbelievable.
I was at a supermarket checkout last week and I heard two middle aged women talking about Jamie Oliver's TV show.'What does he know about cooking anyway?' said one. 'Yeah' replied her friend, 'he should be out on his motorbike. I bet his wife is a better cook then him anyway!' I found it quiet funny, as I'm sure Jamie would have done too, but is that not sexism? The fact the women can get away with this merely goes along with the stereotype that women are the weaker sex. Just like the little 5ft guy cannot be a bully because he is too small, even though he goes around terrorising everyone. 'Ah he's ok he's only little...'
Lets get it right, if Gray has been sacked for what he said, or even for the 'mic down the trousers' gag, then the women on Loose Woman must also be fired. If Sky are making a stand against sexism then they should ditch the 'Soccerttes' on Soccer AM and employ older and less attractive woman on Sky Sports News. Either cut out ALL sexism on TV or leave things as they are. You cannot be selective. But none of that will happen.
Gray has been shafted by people who wanted him out and everyone who is jumping on the bandwagon should, quiet honestly, be ashamed of themselves. I have cancelled my Sky subscription and I will not be renewing it again until Gray and Keys are reinstated. I urge you all to do the same...
Saturday 22 January 2011
Police arrest the Hanson cup run to book semi final place
Hambleton Black Sheep Brewery League Challenge Cup Quarter Final
Hanson Sports 1 Northallerton Police 2
by Ricky Butler at the Colburn Leisure Centre
by Ricky Butler at the Colburn Leisure Centre
Division one leaders Northallerton Police were made to fight all the way for their place in the semi final of the League Challenge Cup by division two promotion chasers Hanson Sports at the Colburn Leisure Centre last Sunday.
The hosts, who had beaten another side from division one, Colburn Town, in the previous round, kicked down the hill and with the wind in the first half and they were close to grabbing an early lead. Wayne Gredziak was brought down 30 yards from goal and his powerful free kick only just cleared Danny Yates' crossbar with the Police keeper at full stretch.
The hosts, who had beaten another side from division one, Colburn Town, in the previous round, kicked down the hill and with the wind in the first half and they were close to grabbing an early lead. Wayne Gredziak was brought down 30 yards from goal and his powerful free kick only just cleared Danny Yates' crossbar with the Police keeper at full stretch.
The visitors were struggling to get into their rhythm in the early stages but they came close to going in front on ten minutes when a cross from the left by Rob Fraser was deflected goalwards by a Hanson defender and goalkeeper Darren Nebbitt had to react smartly to keep it out.
However it was the hosts who should have been in front by the break. Yates did well to deny Mark Forrest midway through the half while a header from Liam Hall was then cleared off the line by Nathan Hemingbrough, who was keeping guard at the near post.
The Police came out at the start of the second period looking to take advantage of the conditions and Chris Walker shot just wide within two minutes of the resumption, while a free kick from Hemingbrough was then tipped over the top by the acrobatic Nesbitt at full stretch.
But the goal they had been threatening finally arrived twenty-three minutes from time, and what a strike it was. Hemingbrough won the ball just inside the Hanson half before setting off on a powerful run past two defenders and firing low past Nesbitt from 25 yards.
The hosts looked down and out but to their credit they regrouped and fashioned an equaliser just five minutes later when Stuart Pigg whipped in a dangerous cross from the right and Mark Finlay arrived unmarked to powerfully head beyond Yates from 10 yards.
It was now very much game on as Hanson sensed another upset but the Police finished the tie strongly and Chris Foster had already been denied by man of the match Nesbitt when Chris Pattison grabbed the winner four minutes from time. Fraser did well down the right and he showed great awareness to pull the back from the bye-line for the on-rushing winger to drill first time beyond Nesbitt and set up a semi final meeting with either holders Richmond Turf or Sportsmans FC next month.
Van is the man for the Gunners as they keep the pressure on at the top
ARSENAL 3 WIGAN ATHLETIC 0
By Ricky Butler at The Emirates
A first Arsenal hat-trick from Robin van Persie was more then enough to seal this comfortable victory at the Emirates for Arseanl on Saturday over a poor Wigan side as the Gunners put their cup distractions to one side to keep their Premier League title push on track.
Arsene Wenger made four changes from the side that had won at Leeds in midweek, with captain Cesc Fabregas back in the starting XI along with Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and van Persie; Denilson, Nicklas Bendtner, Andrey Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh all dropped down to the bench.
As expected the hosts started quickly and chances came and went in the opening 20 minutes as Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Walcott were all denied by a combination goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi and some desperate Wigan defending.
But the goal the Gunners had been threatening duly arrived in the 21st minute. Alex Song split the Latics back line with a slide-rule pass for van Persie in the inside left channel and he beat the offside trap before drilling clinically past Al Habsi from eight yards.
The one sided nature of the contest continued before the break with only the agility of Al Habsi keeping the visitors in it. Twice he was alert to deny Fabregas before tipping a rasping drive from Nasri over the bar. Meanwhile Walcott fired into the side netting as the wave of red and white attacks continued unabated.
But at only 1-0 Wigan always had a chance and Roberto Martinez made two changes at the break - bringing on James McArthur and Franco Di Santos in place of the disappointing Ronnie Stam and Mohamed Diame - and his side responded with a brighter start to the second period.
However it was not long before the Gunners regained their earlier fluency and they doubled their advantage just prior to the hour mark.
Song was fouled by Ben Watson just inside his own half and took a quick free kick to Fabregas. The Spaniard looked up before firing a 40 yard ball over the top of Gary Caldwell for van Persie to crash a powerful left footed shot past Al Habsi from six yards.
Having never previously scored a hat-trick in his professional career, the Dutchman was then presented with a golden opportunity to do just that ten minutes later. Caldwell brought down Fabregas inside the penalty area and, having given the spot kick, referee Kevin Friend had no alternative other then to send the Wigan captain off. But van Persie blasted the kick high over the crossbar.
It looked like that elusive treble was going to elude the Dutchman when he fired a shot against the outside of Al Habsi's right hand post with fifteen minutes remaining, but the sight of Chamakh stripped and waiting to replace him finally saw his luck change.
Again Fabregas was involved with a lovely ball over the top to Walcott and the England winger held off Steven Gohouri just long enough for van Persie to beat the Wigan keeper at the near post - his 6th goal in the last three matches.
Wenger was delighted with the Dutchman. He said: "Robin has been out for a long time but is now coming back to full sharpness and he is a good finisher.
"We had a good game with some outstanding football today but the most pleasing thing was that we were mature, knew when to put the pace up and when to calm the game down."
So while the jury is still out on whether this Arsenal team can actually win the Premier League this season, there is a growing belief within the club that the five year wait for silverware is about to be over.
With a Carling Cup semi final second leg against Ipswich to come on Tuesday night, and the FA Cup 4th round tie at home to Huddersfield Town next weekend, they certainly have a back up plan in place should Manchester United prove a bridge to far in the league.
ARSENAL - Szczhesny 7, Sagna 8, Djourou 7, Koscielny 7, Clichy 7, Song 8, FABREGAS 9 (Denilson 86mins 6), Wilshere 8, Walcott 8, van Persie 9 (Chamakh 86mins 6), Nasri 7 (Arshavin 75mins 6).
WIGAN - Al Habsi 8, Gohouri 7, Caldwell (G) 5, Caldwell (S) 6, Stam 4 (McArthur 46mins 7), Figueroa 4, Thomas 6, Watson 5, N'Zogbia 5 (Boyce 78mins 6), Diame 4 (Di Santos 46mins 6), Rodellega 4.
REFEREE; Kevin Friend 7
ATTENDANCE; 59,552
By Ricky Butler at The Emirates
A first Arsenal hat-trick from Robin van Persie was more then enough to seal this comfortable victory at the Emirates for Arseanl on Saturday over a poor Wigan side as the Gunners put their cup distractions to one side to keep their Premier League title push on track.
Arsene Wenger made four changes from the side that had won at Leeds in midweek, with captain Cesc Fabregas back in the starting XI along with Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and van Persie; Denilson, Nicklas Bendtner, Andrey Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh all dropped down to the bench.
As expected the hosts started quickly and chances came and went in the opening 20 minutes as Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Walcott were all denied by a combination goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi and some desperate Wigan defending.
But the goal the Gunners had been threatening duly arrived in the 21st minute. Alex Song split the Latics back line with a slide-rule pass for van Persie in the inside left channel and he beat the offside trap before drilling clinically past Al Habsi from eight yards.
The one sided nature of the contest continued before the break with only the agility of Al Habsi keeping the visitors in it. Twice he was alert to deny Fabregas before tipping a rasping drive from Nasri over the bar. Meanwhile Walcott fired into the side netting as the wave of red and white attacks continued unabated.
But at only 1-0 Wigan always had a chance and Roberto Martinez made two changes at the break - bringing on James McArthur and Franco Di Santos in place of the disappointing Ronnie Stam and Mohamed Diame - and his side responded with a brighter start to the second period.
However it was not long before the Gunners regained their earlier fluency and they doubled their advantage just prior to the hour mark.
Song was fouled by Ben Watson just inside his own half and took a quick free kick to Fabregas. The Spaniard looked up before firing a 40 yard ball over the top of Gary Caldwell for van Persie to crash a powerful left footed shot past Al Habsi from six yards.
Having never previously scored a hat-trick in his professional career, the Dutchman was then presented with a golden opportunity to do just that ten minutes later. Caldwell brought down Fabregas inside the penalty area and, having given the spot kick, referee Kevin Friend had no alternative other then to send the Wigan captain off. But van Persie blasted the kick high over the crossbar.
It looked like that elusive treble was going to elude the Dutchman when he fired a shot against the outside of Al Habsi's right hand post with fifteen minutes remaining, but the sight of Chamakh stripped and waiting to replace him finally saw his luck change.
Again Fabregas was involved with a lovely ball over the top to Walcott and the England winger held off Steven Gohouri just long enough for van Persie to beat the Wigan keeper at the near post - his 6th goal in the last three matches.
Wenger was delighted with the Dutchman. He said: "Robin has been out for a long time but is now coming back to full sharpness and he is a good finisher.
"We had a good game with some outstanding football today but the most pleasing thing was that we were mature, knew when to put the pace up and when to calm the game down."
So while the jury is still out on whether this Arsenal team can actually win the Premier League this season, there is a growing belief within the club that the five year wait for silverware is about to be over.
With a Carling Cup semi final second leg against Ipswich to come on Tuesday night, and the FA Cup 4th round tie at home to Huddersfield Town next weekend, they certainly have a back up plan in place should Manchester United prove a bridge to far in the league.
ARSENAL - Szczhesny 7, Sagna 8, Djourou 7, Koscielny 7, Clichy 7, Song 8, FABREGAS 9 (Denilson 86mins 6), Wilshere 8, Walcott 8, van Persie 9 (Chamakh 86mins 6), Nasri 7 (Arshavin 75mins 6).
WIGAN - Al Habsi 8, Gohouri 7, Caldwell (G) 5, Caldwell (S) 6, Stam 4 (McArthur 46mins 7), Figueroa 4, Thomas 6, Watson 5, N'Zogbia 5 (Boyce 78mins 6), Diame 4 (Di Santos 46mins 6), Rodellega 4.
REFEREE; Kevin Friend 7
ATTENDANCE; 59,552
Thursday 20 January 2011
Jeff Winter, Leeds, TV appearances and Szczesny's gloves...
Well yesterday was certainly and interesting day for me. Let me explain...
Things started quietly enough. I had booked the day off work as I was travelling to Leeds for the FA Cup game in the afternoon so I spent the morning in the gym. Nothing to unusual about that you might say but it was while there that things began to get a bit weird.
I received a message from a mate of mine (hello Tone!) asking me if I had had a row with former Premier League referee Jeff Winter at Hartlepool on Saturday. I found this rather strange as I could not recall even seeing him at the game but it appeared he had made some derogatory comments on the Internet about the Dagenham press guy who had been at Hartlepool with his son. Well as I was the only press guy from Dagenham at the game, and as I had my son with me, I assumed it must have been me.
Once home I investigated further and suddenly it all became clear. In his report, Winter had made a comment about someone from the visitors press party (me!) 'barging past' him while he was broadcasting. He said something along the lines of how he considered thumping this person but thought better of it as he 'had his son with him.'
Wow! Of course there are two sides to every story and what actually happened was Winter, who I did not recognise at the time and assumed was just another media monkey, was blocking the gangway to my seat. I asked him politely several times to let me and my son past but he just ignored me. As the game was about to start and I needed to set up my laptop etc I had no option other then to try and squeeze past him, which I did. It is possible that my laptop bag may have knocked into him accidentally but I had given him plenty of chance to move and I had no other way of getting past.
Half time brought a repeat of the problem as me and Emerson needed to use the toilet. Again he was reluctant to move so we had to squeeze past as best we could. The press box at Hartlepool is very small but they have a facility to make tea and coffee so after our toilet stop we returned and made ourselves a cup of tea. Again we had to squeeze past Mr. Winter (I still did not know it was him) and there was so little room Emerson actually spilt his tea trying to get past. Once sat down Emerson decided he needed more milk so I got up to get it and Mr. Winter, rather rudely, said 'I'll get it for you,' before basically throwing two small cartons of milk at me! He always was a nice fella...
To be honest I didn't think much about it at the time and after the game he just disappeared and I carried on with my interviews etc. It was only when I read his report that I realised what an impression I had made on him...
So, with my first brush with fame out the way I travelled to Leeds for the FA Cup replay. The trip was hassle-free until we reached the inner-city ring-road where the traffic basically ground to a halt and an estimated arrival time of 18.30 soon became 19.30, and I still had the problem of finding somewhere to park. I eventually found an industrial estate which appeared to be no more then 5 minutes walk from the ground, a good job too as it was now less then twenty minutes to kick off, but the walk turned out to be nearer fifteen and by the time I entered the stadium the teams were out and ready to kick off.
To my surprise I discovered that my seat was in the very front row. This was a surprise as it said Row D on the ticket but they had left the first three rows empty for some reason so I found myself right at the front with a TV camera directly in front of me. This could be fun...
Five minutes in and a flowing Arsenal move saw Samir Nasri glide into the area and coolly finish past Schmichael to put as 1-0 up and the camera in front of me immediately turned to the celebrating Arsenal fans. I did not think too much about it until a few seconds later when the guy standing next to me received a text message from a mate telling him he had just seen him on TV! The next thing I know my phone is going mental with text messages and even screen-shots (thanks Dave and Lloyd!) informing me I too had been on the tele!
The game itself was fast paced an exciting and we went 2-0 up ten minutes before the break with a great strike from Bakary Sagna and again the camera turned to the crowd, again I was on TV and again the text messages came pouring in! Now I understand that TV companies will do anything they can to boost ratings but showing my ugly mug so often is hardly going to help now is it??
Then, from out of nowhere Leeds, who had not been in the game until then, suddenly pulled a goal back with a 35 yard wonder strike from Arsenal fan Bradley Johnson that flew into the top corner right in front of us and we now had a game on our hands.
The second half was as exciting as the first but with the score at only 2-1 we could not relax as Leeds sensed a way back in. However the introduction of substitutes Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas finally turned the game in our favour and it was the Dutchman who completed the scoring with a wonderful header to a superb Nicklas Bendtner cross, again right in front of us and again I was on the tele. So 3-1, game over and Huddersfield at home now awaits in the 4th round.
My weird and wonderful day then came to a close when our goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny, came over the thank the fans for their support and threw his gloves into the crowd right in front of me. They appeared to be out of my reach but at the last moment I was able to reach out and grab them with a catch any of the England Ashes winning fielders would have been proud of. A nice souvenir for Emerson, who unfortunately could not be at the game due to him having school in the morning.
Just a quick word about the Leeds fans. They were magnificent throughout, even though their team were losing for most of the match, and they even displayed some humour with chants of 'Barca, Barca' as Fabregas was warming up in front of them. Then, as I left the ground unsure of where I had parked the car, a local comedian pointed down the road and said 'London is that way pal!' I didn't have the heart to tell him I was actually travelling north...
So, an Internet row with a former Premier League referee, at least two TV appearances and a pair of gloves worn by the Arsenal keeper all in one day. I wonder what today will bring??
Things started quietly enough. I had booked the day off work as I was travelling to Leeds for the FA Cup game in the afternoon so I spent the morning in the gym. Nothing to unusual about that you might say but it was while there that things began to get a bit weird.
I received a message from a mate of mine (hello Tone!) asking me if I had had a row with former Premier League referee Jeff Winter at Hartlepool on Saturday. I found this rather strange as I could not recall even seeing him at the game but it appeared he had made some derogatory comments on the Internet about the Dagenham press guy who had been at Hartlepool with his son. Well as I was the only press guy from Dagenham at the game, and as I had my son with me, I assumed it must have been me.
Once home I investigated further and suddenly it all became clear. In his report, Winter had made a comment about someone from the visitors press party (me!) 'barging past' him while he was broadcasting. He said something along the lines of how he considered thumping this person but thought better of it as he 'had his son with him.'
Wow! Of course there are two sides to every story and what actually happened was Winter, who I did not recognise at the time and assumed was just another media monkey, was blocking the gangway to my seat. I asked him politely several times to let me and my son past but he just ignored me. As the game was about to start and I needed to set up my laptop etc I had no option other then to try and squeeze past him, which I did. It is possible that my laptop bag may have knocked into him accidentally but I had given him plenty of chance to move and I had no other way of getting past.
Half time brought a repeat of the problem as me and Emerson needed to use the toilet. Again he was reluctant to move so we had to squeeze past as best we could. The press box at Hartlepool is very small but they have a facility to make tea and coffee so after our toilet stop we returned and made ourselves a cup of tea. Again we had to squeeze past Mr. Winter (I still did not know it was him) and there was so little room Emerson actually spilt his tea trying to get past. Once sat down Emerson decided he needed more milk so I got up to get it and Mr. Winter, rather rudely, said 'I'll get it for you,' before basically throwing two small cartons of milk at me! He always was a nice fella...
To be honest I didn't think much about it at the time and after the game he just disappeared and I carried on with my interviews etc. It was only when I read his report that I realised what an impression I had made on him...
So, with my first brush with fame out the way I travelled to Leeds for the FA Cup replay. The trip was hassle-free until we reached the inner-city ring-road where the traffic basically ground to a halt and an estimated arrival time of 18.30 soon became 19.30, and I still had the problem of finding somewhere to park. I eventually found an industrial estate which appeared to be no more then 5 minutes walk from the ground, a good job too as it was now less then twenty minutes to kick off, but the walk turned out to be nearer fifteen and by the time I entered the stadium the teams were out and ready to kick off.
To my surprise I discovered that my seat was in the very front row. This was a surprise as it said Row D on the ticket but they had left the first three rows empty for some reason so I found myself right at the front with a TV camera directly in front of me. This could be fun...
Five minutes in and a flowing Arsenal move saw Samir Nasri glide into the area and coolly finish past Schmichael to put as 1-0 up and the camera in front of me immediately turned to the celebrating Arsenal fans. I did not think too much about it until a few seconds later when the guy standing next to me received a text message from a mate telling him he had just seen him on TV! The next thing I know my phone is going mental with text messages and even screen-shots (thanks Dave and Lloyd!) informing me I too had been on the tele!
The game itself was fast paced an exciting and we went 2-0 up ten minutes before the break with a great strike from Bakary Sagna and again the camera turned to the crowd, again I was on TV and again the text messages came pouring in! Now I understand that TV companies will do anything they can to boost ratings but showing my ugly mug so often is hardly going to help now is it??
Then, from out of nowhere Leeds, who had not been in the game until then, suddenly pulled a goal back with a 35 yard wonder strike from Arsenal fan Bradley Johnson that flew into the top corner right in front of us and we now had a game on our hands.
The second half was as exciting as the first but with the score at only 2-1 we could not relax as Leeds sensed a way back in. However the introduction of substitutes Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas finally turned the game in our favour and it was the Dutchman who completed the scoring with a wonderful header to a superb Nicklas Bendtner cross, again right in front of us and again I was on the tele. So 3-1, game over and Huddersfield at home now awaits in the 4th round.
My weird and wonderful day then came to a close when our goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny, came over the thank the fans for their support and threw his gloves into the crowd right in front of me. They appeared to be out of my reach but at the last moment I was able to reach out and grab them with a catch any of the England Ashes winning fielders would have been proud of. A nice souvenir for Emerson, who unfortunately could not be at the game due to him having school in the morning.
Just a quick word about the Leeds fans. They were magnificent throughout, even though their team were losing for most of the match, and they even displayed some humour with chants of 'Barca, Barca' as Fabregas was warming up in front of them. Then, as I left the ground unsure of where I had parked the car, a local comedian pointed down the road and said 'London is that way pal!' I didn't have the heart to tell him I was actually travelling north...
So, an Internet row with a former Premier League referee, at least two TV appearances and a pair of gloves worn by the Arsenal keeper all in one day. I wonder what today will bring??
Tuesday 11 January 2011
FA Cup 3rd round review
The 3rd round of the FA Cup is always a big date in the English football calendar and this year was more exciting then most with shocks galore. Of course the tie of the round was at Old Trafford, where a controversial early penalty from Ryan Giggs gave Manchester United a 1-0 over Liverpool in Kenny Dalglish's first game back in charge of the Anfield club, although most of the drama lie elsewhere.
Championship promotion hopefuls Leeds United were seconds away from a shock win at the Emirates in the Saturday lunchtime game, but a last gasp penalty from Cesc Fabregas kept Arsenal in the competition.
Elsewhere this years' 3rd round certainly brought it's fair share of shocks. The biggest was at little Stevenage from League Two, who beat Premier League Newcastle United 3-1. Second half goals from Stacy Long and Michael Bostwick set the minnows on the way and although Joey Barton gave the Geordies hope in injury time, Peter Winn sealed the shock of the round moments later. It was sweet revenge for Boro after the Magpies had knocked them out at the same stage 14 year ago and will have done nothing to help Alan Pardew win over the doubters at St. James' Park.
It turned out to be a bad day for all the North-East clubs as Sunderland were also beaten, 2-1 at home by Notts. County from League One. Goals from Craig Westlake and Lee Hughes sealed the shock despite a late penalty from Darren Bent, while Championship strugglers Middlesbrough conceded twice in the last ten minutes to go down 2-1 at Burton Albion.
Garry O'Neill put the Teessiders ahead early in the second half and they went on to miss several chances to seal their place in the 4th round before a late Shaun Harrad brace, in what could be his last appearance for the club, sent the League Two side through.
Hartlepool United completed the North-East misery, although there was no disgrace in their 4-1 defeat at Championship side Watford. A goal from Antony Sweeney gave Pools a half time advantage which they held until just past the hour mark when a wonder strike from Piero Mingola, a brace from Marvin Sordell and a late effort from substitute Danny Graham then sent the Hornets through.
Blackpool and West Bromich Albion were also dumped out by lower league opposition as Ian Holloway's Seasiders lost 2-0 at League One promotion chasers Southampton, thanks to goals from Lee Barnard and Guly Do Prado, while Shane Long hit the only goal for Reading as they saw off Roberto Di Matteo's Baggies.
Other Premier League sides did not have it all their own way either as Stoke City were held to a 1-1 draw by Cardiff City from the Championship and Wolves had to come from behind to secure a 2-2 draw at Doncaster Rovers. It was similar story for Manchester City at Leicester, where ex-City manager Sven Goran-Eriksson must have enjoyed seeing his side hold the Premier League side to a 2-2 draw.
Elsewhere Bolton Wanderers were made to work hard for a 2-0 home win over Blue Square Premier League side York City, Blackburn Rovers needed a late Liam Hoilett goal to see off Championship leaders Queens Park Rangers 1-0, while West Ham only secured a 2-0 home win over Barnsley with a goal from Fredrick Piquionne in the final minute.
Wigan Athletic travelled to Hull City at this stage for the second year in a row and won 3-2 thanks to a brace from Mohamed Diame and a strike from Callum McManamen, while Birmingham City eased to a 4-1 win at Championship side Millwall.
Everton won a tricky tie at Scunthorpe United 5-1, while under-fire Aston Villa manager Gerard Houlier avoided a shock with a 3-1 win at championship strugglers Sheffield United, where ex-Blade Kyle Walker was among the goals against his former club. Fulham also made it through after hitting Peterborough for 6.
Meanwhile holders Chelsea and Tottenham both eased past lower league opponents on Sunday. Chelsea put their recent league problems behind them with a 7-0 home win over managerless Ipswich Town, while a brace from Jermaine Defoe helped Spurs beat League One visitors Charlton Athletic 3-0.
Their was another big shock in the Monday night tie as Crawley Town from the Blue Square Premier beat Championship side Derby County 2-1 thanks to a last minute goal from Sergio Torres, and they now the last remaining non league side left in the competition.
Other lower league sides through include Torquay United from League Two, who beat League One Carlisle 1-0, Leyton Orient, surprise 1-0 winners at Championship promotion chasers Norwich, Huddersfield Town who overcame non league Dover Athletic, Sheffield Wednesday, who won 3-0 at Bristol City and League One leaders Brighton who dumped out last seasons beaten finalists Portsmouth.
Elsewhere Championship sides Nottingham Forest and Coventry City both made it through, beating Preston and Crystal Palace respectively, while Swansea City overcame Colchester United from League One 4-0 and Burnley dumped League Two Port Vale out with a 4-2 home victory.
The full draw for the 4th round is as follows;
Arsenal/Leeds United v Huddersfield Town
Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers
Birmingham City v Coventry City
Bolton Wanderers v Wigan Athletic
Burnley v Burton Albion
Doncaster Rovers/Wolves v Stoke City/Cardiff City
Everton v Chelsea
Fulham v Tottenham
Notts. County v Leicester City/Manchester City
Sheffield Wednesday v Wycombe Wanderers/Hereford United
Southampton v Manchester United
Stevenage v Reading
Swansea City v Leyton Orient
Torquay United v Crawley Town
Watford v Brighton
West Ham United v Nottingham Forest
Ties to be played over the weekend of January 29/30
Championship promotion hopefuls Leeds United were seconds away from a shock win at the Emirates in the Saturday lunchtime game, but a last gasp penalty from Cesc Fabregas kept Arsenal in the competition.
Elsewhere this years' 3rd round certainly brought it's fair share of shocks. The biggest was at little Stevenage from League Two, who beat Premier League Newcastle United 3-1. Second half goals from Stacy Long and Michael Bostwick set the minnows on the way and although Joey Barton gave the Geordies hope in injury time, Peter Winn sealed the shock of the round moments later. It was sweet revenge for Boro after the Magpies had knocked them out at the same stage 14 year ago and will have done nothing to help Alan Pardew win over the doubters at St. James' Park.
It turned out to be a bad day for all the North-East clubs as Sunderland were also beaten, 2-1 at home by Notts. County from League One. Goals from Craig Westlake and Lee Hughes sealed the shock despite a late penalty from Darren Bent, while Championship strugglers Middlesbrough conceded twice in the last ten minutes to go down 2-1 at Burton Albion.
Garry O'Neill put the Teessiders ahead early in the second half and they went on to miss several chances to seal their place in the 4th round before a late Shaun Harrad brace, in what could be his last appearance for the club, sent the League Two side through.
Hartlepool United completed the North-East misery, although there was no disgrace in their 4-1 defeat at Championship side Watford. A goal from Antony Sweeney gave Pools a half time advantage which they held until just past the hour mark when a wonder strike from Piero Mingola, a brace from Marvin Sordell and a late effort from substitute Danny Graham then sent the Hornets through.
Blackpool and West Bromich Albion were also dumped out by lower league opposition as Ian Holloway's Seasiders lost 2-0 at League One promotion chasers Southampton, thanks to goals from Lee Barnard and Guly Do Prado, while Shane Long hit the only goal for Reading as they saw off Roberto Di Matteo's Baggies.
Other Premier League sides did not have it all their own way either as Stoke City were held to a 1-1 draw by Cardiff City from the Championship and Wolves had to come from behind to secure a 2-2 draw at Doncaster Rovers. It was similar story for Manchester City at Leicester, where ex-City manager Sven Goran-Eriksson must have enjoyed seeing his side hold the Premier League side to a 2-2 draw.
Elsewhere Bolton Wanderers were made to work hard for a 2-0 home win over Blue Square Premier League side York City, Blackburn Rovers needed a late Liam Hoilett goal to see off Championship leaders Queens Park Rangers 1-0, while West Ham only secured a 2-0 home win over Barnsley with a goal from Fredrick Piquionne in the final minute.
Wigan Athletic travelled to Hull City at this stage for the second year in a row and won 3-2 thanks to a brace from Mohamed Diame and a strike from Callum McManamen, while Birmingham City eased to a 4-1 win at Championship side Millwall.
Everton won a tricky tie at Scunthorpe United 5-1, while under-fire Aston Villa manager Gerard Houlier avoided a shock with a 3-1 win at championship strugglers Sheffield United, where ex-Blade Kyle Walker was among the goals against his former club. Fulham also made it through after hitting Peterborough for 6.
Meanwhile holders Chelsea and Tottenham both eased past lower league opponents on Sunday. Chelsea put their recent league problems behind them with a 7-0 home win over managerless Ipswich Town, while a brace from Jermaine Defoe helped Spurs beat League One visitors Charlton Athletic 3-0.
Their was another big shock in the Monday night tie as Crawley Town from the Blue Square Premier beat Championship side Derby County 2-1 thanks to a last minute goal from Sergio Torres, and they now the last remaining non league side left in the competition.
Other lower league sides through include Torquay United from League Two, who beat League One Carlisle 1-0, Leyton Orient, surprise 1-0 winners at Championship promotion chasers Norwich, Huddersfield Town who overcame non league Dover Athletic, Sheffield Wednesday, who won 3-0 at Bristol City and League One leaders Brighton who dumped out last seasons beaten finalists Portsmouth.
Elsewhere Championship sides Nottingham Forest and Coventry City both made it through, beating Preston and Crystal Palace respectively, while Swansea City overcame Colchester United from League One 4-0 and Burnley dumped League Two Port Vale out with a 4-2 home victory.
The full draw for the 4th round is as follows;
Arsenal/Leeds United v Huddersfield Town
Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers
Birmingham City v Coventry City
Bolton Wanderers v Wigan Athletic
Burnley v Burton Albion
Doncaster Rovers/Wolves v Stoke City/Cardiff City
Everton v Chelsea
Fulham v Tottenham
Notts. County v Leicester City/Manchester City
Sheffield Wednesday v Wycombe Wanderers/Hereford United
Southampton v Manchester United
Stevenage v Reading
Swansea City v Leyton Orient
Torquay United v Crawley Town
Watford v Brighton
West Ham United v Nottingham Forest
Ties to be played over the weekend of January 29/30
Friday 7 January 2011
Arsenal v Leeds in the FA Cup...a potted history
Leeds United make their first ever trip to The Emirates tomorrow for the live-on-TV FA Cup 3rd round tie looking for a repeat of their shock victory at Old Trafford at the same stage last year.
Simon Grayson's men are chasing a second successive promotion, and a return to the Premier League after a 7 year absence, but defeat at Cardiff in midweek means they will travel south on the back of a run of four games without a win.
Under Arsene Wenger the Gunners have never lost an FA Cup tie to a club from a lower division while they have also never been beaten in a domestic cup tie at The Emirates.
This will be Leeds' first visit to Arsenal since a 5-0 Premier League defeat at Highbury in April 2004, where Thierry Henry hit four goals, although the clubs have enjoyed some epic meetings in the FA Cup over the years.
The last time they met in this competition was at Elland Road at the same stage in January 2004. After going ahead early on, when Mark Viduka charged down a clearance from Jens Lehmann, the Gunners ran out comfortable 4-1 winners in the end thanks to goals from Edu, Henry, Robert Pires and Kolo Toure.
However Leeds were the last ever visiting club to win an FA Cup tie at Highbury, a goal from Danny Wallace enough to give them a 1-0 4th round success in February 1997. That remains the last time the Londoners have lost an FA Cup tie on home soil.
Prior to that the clubs' had enjoyed two memorable meetings in the 4th round in 1993. The first match, at Highbury, saw Leeds race into a 2-0 lead with goals from Gary Speed and ex-Gunner Lee Chapman but Ray Parlour halved the deficit before Paul Merson then struck a marvellous late equaliser.
The replay at Elland Road ten days later was even more exciting. It was first blood to George Graham's Arsenal this time, thanks to Alan Smith, but goals from Carl Shutt and Gary McAllister looked to have put Leeds through with just eight minutes remaining. However Ian Wright sent the tie into extra time and it was the former Crystal Palace man who then won it for the Gunners in the first extra period, and they went on to lift the trophy at Wembley that May.
That was the third epic 4th round meeting between the clubs in a ten year period. Just two years earlier they had again met at Highbury but a disappointing tie ended in a goalless draw. The replay was memorable for an astonishing solo goal from Arsenal winger Anders Limpar, just seconds after Leeds had gone in front, but with no further scoring the tie went to a second replay back in London. It proved to be another dull affair but Arsenal, who would go on to lift the league title that season, missed a golden opportunity to progress when Lee Dixon hit a second half penalty over the crossbar, so it was back to Elland Road for a fourth game. This time it was the Gunners who made it through with first half goals from Dixon and Merson, meaning Chapman's late effort was no more then a consolation.
It had taken just the three games to separate the clubs' when they had been drawn together in the 4th round in January 1983. Leeds arrived at Highbury then, as now, a division below the hosts but the tie ended in a 1-1 draw. Three days later in Yorkshire, Leeds looked to have gone through with a goal in extra time but Graham Rix hit a dramatic injury time equaliser to send the clubs' back to London again. Arsenal made no mistake this time as strikes from Rix and Tony Woodcock gave them a 2-1 win and a fifth round meeting with Middlesbrough on their way to the semi finals.
That had been the first meeting between the sides in the FA Cup since the final of 1972. On that occasion a goal from Allan Clarke was just enough to give Leeds the cup, and some sort of revenge after Bertie Mee's Gunners had pipped them to the league title by a single point the previous year.
Prior to that the clubs' had only met once in the FA Cup, Arsenal winning a 6th round tie 1-0 at Highbury on their way to lifting the cup in 1950. Reg Lewis, who would go on to score both goals in the final that year, hit the only goal to send the Gunners into a semi final meeting with Chelsea.
So it seems history is very much against Grayson's men tomorrow but this is the FA Cup and, as they showed at Old Trafford twelve months ago, anything is possible in this, the most glamorous cup competition in the world.
Simon Grayson's men are chasing a second successive promotion, and a return to the Premier League after a 7 year absence, but defeat at Cardiff in midweek means they will travel south on the back of a run of four games without a win.
Under Arsene Wenger the Gunners have never lost an FA Cup tie to a club from a lower division while they have also never been beaten in a domestic cup tie at The Emirates.
This will be Leeds' first visit to Arsenal since a 5-0 Premier League defeat at Highbury in April 2004, where Thierry Henry hit four goals, although the clubs have enjoyed some epic meetings in the FA Cup over the years.
The last time they met in this competition was at Elland Road at the same stage in January 2004. After going ahead early on, when Mark Viduka charged down a clearance from Jens Lehmann, the Gunners ran out comfortable 4-1 winners in the end thanks to goals from Edu, Henry, Robert Pires and Kolo Toure.
However Leeds were the last ever visiting club to win an FA Cup tie at Highbury, a goal from Danny Wallace enough to give them a 1-0 4th round success in February 1997. That remains the last time the Londoners have lost an FA Cup tie on home soil.
Prior to that the clubs' had enjoyed two memorable meetings in the 4th round in 1993. The first match, at Highbury, saw Leeds race into a 2-0 lead with goals from Gary Speed and ex-Gunner Lee Chapman but Ray Parlour halved the deficit before Paul Merson then struck a marvellous late equaliser.
The replay at Elland Road ten days later was even more exciting. It was first blood to George Graham's Arsenal this time, thanks to Alan Smith, but goals from Carl Shutt and Gary McAllister looked to have put Leeds through with just eight minutes remaining. However Ian Wright sent the tie into extra time and it was the former Crystal Palace man who then won it for the Gunners in the first extra period, and they went on to lift the trophy at Wembley that May.
That was the third epic 4th round meeting between the clubs in a ten year period. Just two years earlier they had again met at Highbury but a disappointing tie ended in a goalless draw. The replay was memorable for an astonishing solo goal from Arsenal winger Anders Limpar, just seconds after Leeds had gone in front, but with no further scoring the tie went to a second replay back in London. It proved to be another dull affair but Arsenal, who would go on to lift the league title that season, missed a golden opportunity to progress when Lee Dixon hit a second half penalty over the crossbar, so it was back to Elland Road for a fourth game. This time it was the Gunners who made it through with first half goals from Dixon and Merson, meaning Chapman's late effort was no more then a consolation.
It had taken just the three games to separate the clubs' when they had been drawn together in the 4th round in January 1983. Leeds arrived at Highbury then, as now, a division below the hosts but the tie ended in a 1-1 draw. Three days later in Yorkshire, Leeds looked to have gone through with a goal in extra time but Graham Rix hit a dramatic injury time equaliser to send the clubs' back to London again. Arsenal made no mistake this time as strikes from Rix and Tony Woodcock gave them a 2-1 win and a fifth round meeting with Middlesbrough on their way to the semi finals.
That had been the first meeting between the sides in the FA Cup since the final of 1972. On that occasion a goal from Allan Clarke was just enough to give Leeds the cup, and some sort of revenge after Bertie Mee's Gunners had pipped them to the league title by a single point the previous year.
Prior to that the clubs' had only met once in the FA Cup, Arsenal winning a 6th round tie 1-0 at Highbury on their way to lifting the cup in 1950. Reg Lewis, who would go on to score both goals in the final that year, hit the only goal to send the Gunners into a semi final meeting with Chelsea.
So it seems history is very much against Grayson's men tomorrow but this is the FA Cup and, as they showed at Old Trafford twelve months ago, anything is possible in this, the most glamorous cup competition in the world.
Tuesday 4 January 2011
When a home game is not a home game...
For most Daggers fans a home match involves just a short bus or train ride to the ground but for me it is a mini adventure! So for our Bank Holiday Monday clash with high-flying Southampton me and my seven year old son Emerson set off from our home in County Durham at 10am to begin the long drive down the A1. After a short stop at Newark we arrived in Essex at 1.45pm and, after picking up my older sons Rees and Ryan from Romford, we reached the ground 45 minutes before kick off.
After parking in our usual place behind Golds Gym we made the short walk to the clubhouse, which was full of Saints fans enjoying the local hospitality. This is what football should be all about, both sets of fans drinking together with no sign of any trouble.
I had booked seats in the Family Stand for the first time so after picking them up from the ticket office we made our way to our seats. I have to say the view was better then I was expecting but with only one way in and out it was quiet a mission just to get from the entrance of the stand to our seats in the far corner next to the away stand.
The Saints fans were in good voice and while our lot on the Sieve might well have been singing their hearts out we couldn't hear them through the constant renditions of 'Oh When The Saints Go Marching In' and some nice songs about Pompey!
The match itself was an enjoyable encounter and we defended for our lives in the first half. On the rare occasions that we did get the ball forward, Bas Savage held it up well but he was far too isolated and we did not muster a single shot on goal in the opening 45 minutes.
Meanwhile, at the other end, our goal was living a charmed life. Robbo made two or three good saves and their forwards appeared to miss several decent opportunities, mainly with headers from set pieces. So 0-0 at half time was good for us in the circumstances, but the queue for food most certainly was not! After a ten minute wait we decided not to bother in the end and made the long trek back to our seats ready for the second half.
The Saints fans were busy mocking our club with a chant of 'Your ground's too small for us,' but perhaps if they hadn't been relegated so many times then they would still be visiting the likes of Old Trafford and The Emirates...And don't even get me started on the ten point deduction they suffered last season for going into administration...
The arrival of Gavin Tomlin to partner big, bad Bas was a positive move but after all our good work in the first half we fell behind within two minutes of the restart. Yes it was an acrobatic finish from Adam Lallana but it only came about due to some dithering at the back from Solomon Taiwo. Perhaps namesake Stacey would have done better...
To be fair he may have been carrying a knock as he limped off soon after, to be replaced by Peter Gain, and he immediately added a calmness to the midfield. However we were still not putting them under any real pressure and if anything they always looked the more likely to score a second.
But things began to change when John introduced Josh Scott for the tiring Bas with twenty minutes left. He suddenly gave their back four something to think about and he should have won us a penalty when he was bundled over in the area soon after coming on. But, in keeping with the luck we had all season, the referee decided not to give it and our frustrations increased when they broke out to add a second almost immediately. This time it was Will Antwi who dithered on the edge of the area and Do Prado was able to cut inside Abu Ogogo and stroke the ball calmly past Robbo.
That, it appeared, was that but we are nothing if not resilient and we staged a thrilling late rally that could, and perhaps should, have brought us a share of the points. We suddenly began getting some quality balls into the box and one, delivered from the right by Greeny, was met with a towering header from Josh with six minutes left and it was game on. Having not scored since the four goal demolition job on Morecambe in May it was a relief for him to finally end that drought and more importantly it gave us all hope.
With the ground now coming to life we thought we had snatched an unlikely point in the final minute. A superb free kick from Gav beat the keeper and hit the underside of the crossbar, apparently going over the line off the keepers backside. Several of our players ran off in celebration but from our seat at the opposite end of the ground it was impossible to tell for certain if it had gone over or not. But the only one with the view that mattered, the referee, decided it hadn't and then, just to rub salt into our wounds, they broke away to add a third from Ricky Lambert, who appeared to run through from an offside position.
Okay so overall we could have no complaints about the result but we just did not the rub of the green. I don't blame the referee for our defeat, they were better then us and deserved it, but there is no doubt some key decisions did not go our way. My main concern though is our tactics. Just hitting long balls into the corners will not work against the likes of Southampton.
However we should take alot of credit for our late rally. The Saints are a top, top side in this league but they were hanging on at the end. Yes, a team including the likes of Lambert, Lallana and the much sought after Chamberlain were hanging on for a win at little Dagenham! Happy days...
So, while most of our fans made their short journeys home my sons and I headed off to McDonalds to reflect on an enjoyable afternoon. After that I dropped the two older lads back home in Romford before me and Emerson headed back up the A1, finally arriving home in time to catch the Football League Show a mere 13 hours after we had left.
Who needs away games when you have home games like this?
After parking in our usual place behind Golds Gym we made the short walk to the clubhouse, which was full of Saints fans enjoying the local hospitality. This is what football should be all about, both sets of fans drinking together with no sign of any trouble.
I had booked seats in the Family Stand for the first time so after picking them up from the ticket office we made our way to our seats. I have to say the view was better then I was expecting but with only one way in and out it was quiet a mission just to get from the entrance of the stand to our seats in the far corner next to the away stand.
The Saints fans were in good voice and while our lot on the Sieve might well have been singing their hearts out we couldn't hear them through the constant renditions of 'Oh When The Saints Go Marching In' and some nice songs about Pompey!
The match itself was an enjoyable encounter and we defended for our lives in the first half. On the rare occasions that we did get the ball forward, Bas Savage held it up well but he was far too isolated and we did not muster a single shot on goal in the opening 45 minutes.
Meanwhile, at the other end, our goal was living a charmed life. Robbo made two or three good saves and their forwards appeared to miss several decent opportunities, mainly with headers from set pieces. So 0-0 at half time was good for us in the circumstances, but the queue for food most certainly was not! After a ten minute wait we decided not to bother in the end and made the long trek back to our seats ready for the second half.
The Saints fans were busy mocking our club with a chant of 'Your ground's too small for us,' but perhaps if they hadn't been relegated so many times then they would still be visiting the likes of Old Trafford and The Emirates...And don't even get me started on the ten point deduction they suffered last season for going into administration...
The arrival of Gavin Tomlin to partner big, bad Bas was a positive move but after all our good work in the first half we fell behind within two minutes of the restart. Yes it was an acrobatic finish from Adam Lallana but it only came about due to some dithering at the back from Solomon Taiwo. Perhaps namesake Stacey would have done better...
To be fair he may have been carrying a knock as he limped off soon after, to be replaced by Peter Gain, and he immediately added a calmness to the midfield. However we were still not putting them under any real pressure and if anything they always looked the more likely to score a second.
But things began to change when John introduced Josh Scott for the tiring Bas with twenty minutes left. He suddenly gave their back four something to think about and he should have won us a penalty when he was bundled over in the area soon after coming on. But, in keeping with the luck we had all season, the referee decided not to give it and our frustrations increased when they broke out to add a second almost immediately. This time it was Will Antwi who dithered on the edge of the area and Do Prado was able to cut inside Abu Ogogo and stroke the ball calmly past Robbo.
That, it appeared, was that but we are nothing if not resilient and we staged a thrilling late rally that could, and perhaps should, have brought us a share of the points. We suddenly began getting some quality balls into the box and one, delivered from the right by Greeny, was met with a towering header from Josh with six minutes left and it was game on. Having not scored since the four goal demolition job on Morecambe in May it was a relief for him to finally end that drought and more importantly it gave us all hope.
With the ground now coming to life we thought we had snatched an unlikely point in the final minute. A superb free kick from Gav beat the keeper and hit the underside of the crossbar, apparently going over the line off the keepers backside. Several of our players ran off in celebration but from our seat at the opposite end of the ground it was impossible to tell for certain if it had gone over or not. But the only one with the view that mattered, the referee, decided it hadn't and then, just to rub salt into our wounds, they broke away to add a third from Ricky Lambert, who appeared to run through from an offside position.
Okay so overall we could have no complaints about the result but we just did not the rub of the green. I don't blame the referee for our defeat, they were better then us and deserved it, but there is no doubt some key decisions did not go our way. My main concern though is our tactics. Just hitting long balls into the corners will not work against the likes of Southampton.
However we should take alot of credit for our late rally. The Saints are a top, top side in this league but they were hanging on at the end. Yes, a team including the likes of Lambert, Lallana and the much sought after Chamberlain were hanging on for a win at little Dagenham! Happy days...
So, while most of our fans made their short journeys home my sons and I headed off to McDonalds to reflect on an enjoyable afternoon. After that I dropped the two older lads back home in Romford before me and Emerson headed back up the A1, finally arriving home in time to catch the Football League Show a mere 13 hours after we had left.
Who needs away games when you have home games like this?
Sunday 2 January 2011
Classy Arsenal ensure it is a Happy New Year for Wenger.
BIRMINGHAM CITY 0 ARSENAL 3
By Ricky Butler at St. Andrews.
ARSENAL showed their title credentials with this impressive New Years Day demolition of Birmingham at St. Andrews yesterday evening.
Having thrown away two precious points at Wigan three days earlier, Arsene Wenger's men could not another afford slip up after both Manchester clubs had won earlier in the day. With that in mind the Frenchmen again made eight changes reverting back to the side that had beaten Chelsea in such style last week.
The Blues may have started the day in the drop zone following West Ham's win over Wolves, but they had lost only once in 28 attempts at home and had already beaten Chelsea and drawn with Manchester United here this season, the latter just three days earlier.
Meanwhile the Gunners had seen their own title aspirations falter here twice in recent years, conceding late equalisers on their two previous visits, and it was nearly five years since they had last tasted victory on this ground.
But to win the title you need to not only play good football but also dig in and battle and Arsenal showed both sides to their game in an impressive first half display. They suffered an early scare when skipper Cesc Fabregas was caught by a wild lunge from Roger Johnson, bringing back memories of the horrific injury suffered by Eduardo on virtually the same area of the pitch three years ago, but thankfully the Spaniard was not badly hurt and was able to continue.
Fired up by that the Gunners dominated the early exchanges and grabbed a 13th minute lead. Robin van Persie was sent tumbling after clashing with Scott Dann on the edge of the penalty area and the Dutchman's free kick took a wicked deflection off Lee Bowyer to leave Ben Foster no chance. It was van Persie's first Premier League goal of an injury-hit season and it gave Wenger's men just the start they needed.
The hosts briefly rallied and only a fine save from Lukasz Fabianski kept out a curling free kick from ex-Gunner Sebastian Larsson while Alex McLeish's side felt they should have a penalty soon after when van Persie appeared to handle a cross from Steven Carr.
But Arsenal should have had the points wrapped up before the break. Van Persie, who was now being cast as the villain by the home fans, twice missed good opportunities; a poor first touch saw the ball run through to Foster before he then chipped tamely into the arms of the Blues keeper after a great ball from Samir Nasri.
The hosts very nearly made him pay with half time approaching. Cameron Jerome flicked on a Larsson free kick and Johnson got the wrong side of Alex Song but the defender could only fire over from six yards with the goal at his mercy.
If the Gunners had to battle for everything in the first half, their slick passing game was brought to the fore after the break. With Nasri and Fabregas now running the show in midfield it was only a matter of time before they doubled their advantage.
Jack Wilshere should have celebrated his 19th birthday with a goal, after Song had laid the ball into his path four minutes after the restart, but his left-footed volley flew over the top, while Nasri was then denied by Foster after showing great pace to accelerate past Johnson.
But it was 2-0 just before the hour. The in-form Frenchman combined well with his captain and with Johnson standing off, he was able to guide the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the net from 18 yards - his 13th goal of a hugely impressive season.
It was then all over eight minutes later when the two combined again. Fabregas was denied by Foster from a tight angle after a wonderful reverse pass from Nasri, but the ball deflected off Dann and rolled into the net off the unfortunate Johnson.
McLeish threw on Nikola Zigic in an attempt to salvage some pride from what was fast becoming a very unhappy New Year, but it was the Gunners who could have added to their total in the closing stages. Substitute Andrey Arshavin and van Persie were both denied by Foster, although Zigic did send a header crashing against the underside of the crossbar in stoppage time.
Wenger was happy with the performance and the clean sheet. "We needed that." he said. "It was a good performance and we dealt with everything they could throw at us. We showed outstanding spirit and togetherness but we have another big game on Wednesday."
That home date with Manchester City will be another big test of the Gunners title credentials but with Nasri and Fabregas in this form and van Persie coming back to his best you would not bet against them winning again.
BIRMINGHAM; Foster 8, Carr 6, Johnson 5, Dann 6, Ridgewell 6, Bowyer 5 (Zigic 69mins 6), Gardner 6, Ferguson 5, Larsson 6, Beausejour 4 (Hleb 59mins 6), Jerome 5 (Phillips 79mins 5).
ARSENAL; Fabianski 7, Sagna 7, Koscienly 7, Djourou 7, Clichy 7, Song 8, Fabregas 8, Nasri 8, Walcott 7 (Arshavin 79mins 7), Wilshere 7 (Denilson 79mins 6), van Persie 8.
REFEREE; Peter Walton 5.
ATTENDANCE; 24,341
By Ricky Butler at St. Andrews.
ARSENAL showed their title credentials with this impressive New Years Day demolition of Birmingham at St. Andrews yesterday evening.
Having thrown away two precious points at Wigan three days earlier, Arsene Wenger's men could not another afford slip up after both Manchester clubs had won earlier in the day. With that in mind the Frenchmen again made eight changes reverting back to the side that had beaten Chelsea in such style last week.
The Blues may have started the day in the drop zone following West Ham's win over Wolves, but they had lost only once in 28 attempts at home and had already beaten Chelsea and drawn with Manchester United here this season, the latter just three days earlier.
Meanwhile the Gunners had seen their own title aspirations falter here twice in recent years, conceding late equalisers on their two previous visits, and it was nearly five years since they had last tasted victory on this ground.
But to win the title you need to not only play good football but also dig in and battle and Arsenal showed both sides to their game in an impressive first half display. They suffered an early scare when skipper Cesc Fabregas was caught by a wild lunge from Roger Johnson, bringing back memories of the horrific injury suffered by Eduardo on virtually the same area of the pitch three years ago, but thankfully the Spaniard was not badly hurt and was able to continue.
Fired up by that the Gunners dominated the early exchanges and grabbed a 13th minute lead. Robin van Persie was sent tumbling after clashing with Scott Dann on the edge of the penalty area and the Dutchman's free kick took a wicked deflection off Lee Bowyer to leave Ben Foster no chance. It was van Persie's first Premier League goal of an injury-hit season and it gave Wenger's men just the start they needed.
The hosts briefly rallied and only a fine save from Lukasz Fabianski kept out a curling free kick from ex-Gunner Sebastian Larsson while Alex McLeish's side felt they should have a penalty soon after when van Persie appeared to handle a cross from Steven Carr.
But Arsenal should have had the points wrapped up before the break. Van Persie, who was now being cast as the villain by the home fans, twice missed good opportunities; a poor first touch saw the ball run through to Foster before he then chipped tamely into the arms of the Blues keeper after a great ball from Samir Nasri.
The hosts very nearly made him pay with half time approaching. Cameron Jerome flicked on a Larsson free kick and Johnson got the wrong side of Alex Song but the defender could only fire over from six yards with the goal at his mercy.
If the Gunners had to battle for everything in the first half, their slick passing game was brought to the fore after the break. With Nasri and Fabregas now running the show in midfield it was only a matter of time before they doubled their advantage.
Jack Wilshere should have celebrated his 19th birthday with a goal, after Song had laid the ball into his path four minutes after the restart, but his left-footed volley flew over the top, while Nasri was then denied by Foster after showing great pace to accelerate past Johnson.
But it was 2-0 just before the hour. The in-form Frenchman combined well with his captain and with Johnson standing off, he was able to guide the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the net from 18 yards - his 13th goal of a hugely impressive season.
It was then all over eight minutes later when the two combined again. Fabregas was denied by Foster from a tight angle after a wonderful reverse pass from Nasri, but the ball deflected off Dann and rolled into the net off the unfortunate Johnson.
McLeish threw on Nikola Zigic in an attempt to salvage some pride from what was fast becoming a very unhappy New Year, but it was the Gunners who could have added to their total in the closing stages. Substitute Andrey Arshavin and van Persie were both denied by Foster, although Zigic did send a header crashing against the underside of the crossbar in stoppage time.
Wenger was happy with the performance and the clean sheet. "We needed that." he said. "It was a good performance and we dealt with everything they could throw at us. We showed outstanding spirit and togetherness but we have another big game on Wednesday."
That home date with Manchester City will be another big test of the Gunners title credentials but with Nasri and Fabregas in this form and van Persie coming back to his best you would not bet against them winning again.
BIRMINGHAM; Foster 8, Carr 6, Johnson 5, Dann 6, Ridgewell 6, Bowyer 5 (Zigic 69mins 6), Gardner 6, Ferguson 5, Larsson 6, Beausejour 4 (Hleb 59mins 6), Jerome 5 (Phillips 79mins 5).
ARSENAL; Fabianski 7, Sagna 7, Koscienly 7, Djourou 7, Clichy 7, Song 8, Fabregas 8, Nasri 8, Walcott 7 (Arshavin 79mins 7), Wilshere 7 (Denilson 79mins 6), van Persie 8.
REFEREE; Peter Walton 5.
ATTENDANCE; 24,341
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