One game at a time ?

Sorry to intrude on the jollity occasioned by the comprehensive demolition of the Pie-Eaters, but this is a salutary tale of woe which just has to be told. How many times have you heard it, when any manager is asked about upcoming games, the stock answer is, 'We're focused on the next game, we take it one game at a time'.

This weekend Clitheroe were faced with two games in three days, Saturday at home to Northwich 1874, no guarantees, the NPL West is very competitive, not unlike the Championship, and Northwich are no mugs, then today a trip up to Workington, a very much harder task than Northwich at home.

I would have thought the best approach would be to get the points in the bag against Northwich, then get the key players off and use the bench to see the game out in the last 30 minutes. If the points aren't in the bag by the hour mark, then you keep going with your best team until they are and worry about Monday's game on Monday.

But our management team, with the trip to Workington in mind, had a better idea. With two first choice players already missing, I'm presuming they're injured, they parked four more first choice players on the bench. While a first team centre half and full back watched from the side lines, our back four consisted of two wingers at full-back and a reserve full-back at centre half. Northwich, no doubt fired up by the news that Clitheroe thought they could turn them over with half the team out, couldn't believe their luck, HT Clitheroe 0 Northwich 3, game over. They pulled one back in the second half, but that was three points flushed down the toilet. Now they have to go up to Workington today hoping to salvage something from the wreckage of Saturday's pantomime. I'm not sure they will.

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Originally Posted by sinkov

Sorry to intrude on the jollity occasioned by the comprehensive demolition of the Pie-Eaters, but this is a salutary tale of woe which just has to be told. How many times have you heard it, when any manager is asked about upcoming games, the stock answer is, 'We're focused on the next game, we take it one game at a time'.

This weekend Clitheroe were faced with two games in three days, Saturday at home to Northwich 1874, no guarantees, the NPL West is very competitive, not unlike the Championship, and Northwich are no mugs, then today a trip up to Workington, a very much harder task than Northwich at home.

I would have thought the best approach would be to get the points in the bag against Northwich, then get the key players off and use the bench to see the game out in the last 30 minutes. If the points aren't in the bag by the hour mark, then you keep going with your best team until they are and worry about Monday's game on Monday.

But our management team, with the trip to Workington in mind, had a better idea. With two first choice players already missing, I'm presuming they're injured, they parked four more first choice players on the bench. While a first team centre half and full back watched from the side lines, our back four consisted of two wingers at full-back and a reserve full-back at centre half. Northwich, no doubt fired up by the news that Clitheroe thought they could turn them over with half the team out, couldn't believe their luck, HT Clitheroe 0 Northwich 3, game over. They pulled one back in the second half, but that was three points flushed down the toilet. Now they have to go up to Workington today hoping to salvage something from the wreckage of Saturday's pantomime. I'm not sure they will.

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I was up in Cumbria last April sinkov on holiday and having played there I decided to take my grandson to watch Workington Town on their home ground.

No mugs this lot, physical and quick and good on the ball. They won at a canter, I would not build your hopes up after your lads have spent the best part of four hours getting restless travelling in a coach. :blue:

It would appear that both our local teams cocked up this weekend, sinkov. Ashington were unbeaten in 8 competitive matches this season and were drawn at home in the FA Vase against Billingham Town, who play in the Northern League and are a division below Ashington. A few players were rested, there were one or two injuries as well, however, changes were made and a couple of our back four were 'rested' in view of a League match at Carlisle on Tuesday and an FA Cup match at Ashton next Saturday.
Ashington went two goals up very quickly, however, they took their foot off the gas and then, as a result of some horrific defending, the score after 15 minutes was 2-2. The game progressed with Ashington scoring a third, conceding an equaliser within minutes and then just before half time scoring a fourth goal to be leading 4-3 at the break. In the second half, chances were missed and then more horrific defending saw BIllingham score three goals to win 6-4.
The FA Vase is a chance for teams to get to Wembley and north east teams have a good record over the last fif**** years, however, the chance was blown and I can only hope that lessons will have been learned. Like you, I am not sure that they have ---Tuesday night will be interesting, both at the Turf and in Carlisle!

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Originally Posted by Supersub6

It would appear that both our local teams cocked up this weekend, sinkov. Ashington were unbeaten in 8 competitive matches this season and were drawn at home in the FA Vase against Billingham Town, who play in the Northern League and are a division below Ashington. A few players were rested, there were one or two injuries as well, however, changes were made and a couple of our back four were 'rested' in view of a League match at Carlisle on Tuesday and an FA Cup match at Ashton next Saturday.
Ashington went two goals up very quickly, however, they took their foot off the gas and then, as a result of some horrific defending, the score after 15 minutes was 2-2. The game progressed with Ashington scoring a third, conceding an equaliser within minutes and then just before half time scoring a fourth goal to be leading 4-3 at the break. In the second half, chances were missed and then more horrific defending saw BIllingham score three goals to win 6-4.
The FA Vase is a chance for teams to get to Wembley and north east teams have a good record over the last fif**** years, however, the chance was blown and I can only hope that lessons will have been learned. Like you, I am not sure that they have ---Tuesday night will be interesting, both at the Turf and in Carlisle!

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Astonishing Sub, that both our clubs have come up with the same daft idea at the same time. We've blown 3 league points and you're out of the Vase. Serves the pair of them right, as you say hopefully lessons will have been learned, but why do it in the first place ? Possibly both clubs have had a good start to the season and are getting a bit above themselves. Week on Saturday Northwich are back at Clitheroe in the FA Trophy, I think our strongest eleven will be taking the field for that game.

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Originally Posted by The Bedlington Terrier

I was up in Cumbria last April sinkov on holiday and having played there I decided to take my grandson to watch Workington Town on their home ground.

No mugs this lot, physical and quick and good on the ball. They won at a canter, I would not build your hopes up after your lads have spent the best part of four hours getting restless travelling in a coach. :blue:

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With the NPL West clubs almost exclusively from the Manchester, Liverpool and Stoke areas now, Clitheroe seem to have been paired as the local rivals to Workington and we get to play them on the Bank Holiday games. It's a pain in the arse, we need Kendal and Lancaster back in this division, or we need to get out of it.

Won 1-0 at Workington, season back on track, hopefully we won't be shooting ourselves in the foot again this season.

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Originally Posted by sinkov

Won 1-0 at Workington, season back on track, hopefully we won't be shooting ourselves in the foot again this season.

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Congratulations mon ami, let's hope the Clarets can win tomorrow. ;D

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Originally Posted by The Bedlington Terrier

Congratulations mon ami, let's hope the Clarets can win tomorrow. ;D

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That they can win BT is not in doubt, on song Vinni's lads will beat any team in this division. B)