Simply Awful!!

By: Martin Copass
Date: 19/11/2002

AT the third attempt, the reserve against Darlington got underway at Blundell Park this afternoon, but after witnessing the game, I wish they hadn't bothered!

It was an awful game, one that gave me little to report on as Town slumped to a 3-1 defeat to give visitors Darlington their first victory of the season.

They took the lead after just five minutes, when poor defending allowed a close range effort to beat keeper Allaway, and from then on it got no better apart from young David Soames' equaliser, which was a good solo effort from the edge of the box.

Playing three at the back, and five in midfield, clearly didn't work as Town’s midfield failed to impress and little was created for Rowan and Soames up front. Chris Thompson played in midfield along with Terry Cooke and regular reserves Bolder, Downes and Hockless. Half time was most welcome after witnessing little in the way of goalmouth action apart from a few half chances.

The second half was no different, and it was no real surprise when Darlington regained the lead when keeper Allaway was lobbed and then got injured in the process. With 65 minutes gone, American Jake Sagre came on for David Soames, but had little chance to make an impression in his first league appearance for the reserves. Worse was to come, when a third visitors goal came when Town gifted a goal after a mix up between the keeper and his defence.

A double substitution was made with fifteen minutes to go, when Davey and Hyams came on for Thompson and Wheeler. This made no difference however, and it was great relief that the referee blew the final whistle to end what was the worse performance of the season.

Hopefully there will be more to report on in the next game, but I cannot recall either keeper having too much to do except for ours picking the ball out of the net three times!

Town. Allaway, Cooke, Thompson (Davey 75) Wheeler (Hyams 75), Young, Downes, Bolder, Rowan, Soames (Sagre 65) Hockless.
Subs (not used) Pettinger, Newton.

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