Full-Time Thoughts
Full-time thoughts: Aldershot
Published by Simon Head on February 17, 2009
Eight goals, a dodgy ref and Keystone Cops defending, what on earth can we take from Tuesday night’s remarkable match? Here are our full-time thoughts from Gills 4-4 Aldershot.
1. We should have won that match
If you score four goals in a match at home, you’ve got to be winning that game, surely? It could and perhaps should have been more, as we managed to spurn at least another two or three golden chances during an absolutely bonkers match. In truth it shouldn’t have mattered, but unfortunately some absolutely shocking defending cost us a very comfortable win.
2. We could easily have lost that match
Despite scoring four goals, at the back we looked absolutely hopeless at times. Whether it was Mark Bentley’s fish out of water performance at centre half, Rene Steer’s lack of any defensive nous or Barry Fuller’s criminal ball-watching, we looked vulnerable every single time Aldershot attacked. Four goals scored, yes, but we were an absolute joke at the back.
3. Mark McCammon proved me wrong
Up until tonight I’ve been totally underwhelmed by Mark McCammon, but credit where it’s due, his performance as a second half sub was superb. He led the line well, scored a good header early on and was unlucky not to get another with a diving header minutes later. He seemed to run out of steam a little towards the end of the match, but he showed exactly what he could and should be delivering on a regular basis. More of the same please!
4. Barcham and Weston were superb
Andy Barcham deservedly got the Man of the Match award, but I thought Curtis Weston was equally as impressive in the centre of midfield. The pair of them never stopped running and showed some real quality in attack. Barcham has looked a little off the pace in recent games, but he looks back to form, while Weston is without doubt one of the division’s most talented players.
5. The worst referee we’ve seen at Priestfield this season
Stuart Attwell is in an unenviable position. He’s been put up as an example of how young people can get the chance to progress quickly through the refereeing ranks. Unfortunately that example doesn’t really work, because he is absolutely awful as a referee. No game management skills, missing countless clear offences and getting countless other decisions wrong. Almost every week we hear people call in radio phone-ins to complain about this bloke and we found out first hand exactly why. Based on the times I’ve watched him officiate televised games, plus the numerous testimonies of frustrated fans (often from both sides in the same game), the guy’s clearly not up to it – even in League Two.
Simon Head
Full-Time Thoughts
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