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Monday 7 January 2013

New Year but same old problems as Town slump again

BRANDON UNITED 2 TOWN 1

TOWN began 2013 as they ended 2012, with a disappointing away defeat, this time against a hard working Brandon United side on Saturday.

The starting XI showed two chances from the previous weekend's 2-0 defeat at Crook Town. Steve Banks replaced Stu Dunn at left back while James Bowman replaced the suspended Wayne Gredziak.

Meanwhile Alex Caisley was recalled to the squad and took his place on the bench alongside Dunn, Marcus Laing and Chris Dickinson.

Town dominated the early possession but the home sides work-rate meant that they were restricted to very few chances.

On 20 minutes Ian Smurthwaite's cross shot found Carl Chillingsworth 8 yards out, but the keeper produced a fine save to deny him.

The best chance of the first half came when Peter Bulmer's cross was not cleared and Jon Burton fired against the post from 12 yards.

But Town were rewarded just two minutes into the second period. There looked to be no danger when the ball reached Chillingsworth who was running away from goal, but he expertly hooked the ball over his shoulder and into the far corner of the net - his 16th goal of the season.

But the lead lasted barely ten minutes. A cross was not cleared by the usually reliable Danny Shoulder and Glen Hendrix seized on the loose ball to fired across goalkeeper Steve Craggs to make it 1-1.

Worse was to follow on 70 minutes. A Town corner was cleared to the half way line but Burton was caught in possession and Andrew Blackburn raced clear before firing an unstoppable shot past Craggs to give his side the lead.

Laing and Dickinson were introduced in the closing stages but the hosts defended well and despite the ball spending much of the last 20 minutes in the Brandon half, Town created few clear cut chances and it finished 2-1.

"It was a totally unacceptable performance and attitude," said manager Mark Fanning. "Too many players were either not prepared to treat this game with the desire and passion required or think they are better than they are. I have spent enough time defending them but that stops now.”

Town will look to respond with a midweek trip to York City in the North Riding Senior Cup before travelling to Esh Winning in the league next Saturday. After five matches without a win, anything other than three points is not an option.

TOWN - Craggs, Alderson, Banks, Hickman, Shoulder, Burton, Parkin, Smurthwaite, Chillingsworth, Bowman, Bulmer. Subs - Dunn, Caisley, Laing, Dickinson.

REFEREE: S. Morgan.

ATTENDANCE: 58

3 comments:

  1. Bad result but on the bright side we play Esh nextin the league who are a poor side so we should get 3 point and also increase our goal difference, it should be a strikers feast! Come on town

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  2. thats probably the same reason you got beat off brandon... because you thought it was going to be a goal feast

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  3. I am sure the players and management did not under-estimate Brandon, although it is possible some of the fans may have done. Understandable as we beat them 4-2 earlier in the season, but football is a funny old game. Sure we will bounce back though, hopefully on Saturday.

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