[ Sat 19th Dec ] v Chalfont St Peter, KO 3pm SL1DC AWAY

[corby diamond]

Disappointing result at a dump of a ground, not sure I've seen a bar in a nursery before although the lads had more possession, it means nothing if it can't be finished.. First goal was crazily good, i think I applauded that myself and the second was luck but still impressive. Chalfont played some tidy stuff and will definitely be challenging come the end of the season without a doubt!

Think the back 4 is sorted as it is presently, sorry Ollie but this is a strong back 4.. Be even better when Jackos back, long way off though! Really do think the strike force is a slight issue, it can be said that the squad is up there with goals scored, but Berwick and Lorraine ain't cutting it at the moment. We need another Alfie back in the squad, someone who can move off the ball into free positions, pass and go type!!

At least teams around us are losing so today ain't a massive deal, it's all about bouncing back that they need to deal with starting Tuesday..

And what a great chap that was today, apologies for forgetting his name..Darren? Chairman or president of the club.. Never found it necessary to shake a hand of the opposite team in the past and wish him well for the rest of the season but did today. Top man..

[updiamonds]

Thought we played well, we deserve at least a draw out of it, we must learn to bury are chances more. (Hate to say, but there 2 goals were good) how the referee missed the stonewall penalty (I don't know) lets go again on Tuesday, beat Egham, with Chalfont to lose on Tuesday.

[updiamonds]

We have promotion staring us in the face, imagine how good we'd be with a decent striker up top. By decent, I mean the same calibre as Dolman or Hoban. Our shortcomings have been clear since the start of the season in that area of the pitch. 6/10 isn't good enough when the rest of the squad is a solid 7.2/10.

I have one idea of HOWE we could resolve this...

Maybe there/Chalfont forward. Mendy?

[BartonRaz]

It's not hard to see that whilst the defence and midfield has progressed significantly, our attacking options have actually regressed since last season, both in numbers and overall quality.

2014/15
Berwick
Lorraine
Joseph
Dunkley
Turner

2015/16
Berwick
Lorraine
Liversedge
Pinder

You could include Herbert but I think he's only been used once in that position, plus he's never fit/available. I think the consensus is also that Pinder isn't realistic competition for a first team place.

Our current selection lacks a Taylor/Newman/Joseph/Turner type player, somebody that might not contribute much to the game as a whole but has the attacking instincts required to score a hatful, and the nack of being in the right place at the right time. I'm not suggesting we sign any of those players by the way, just making a point.

[davealbon]

I'm not too concerned about the current striker options, although I agree we could do with another option who gives us something a little different to Berwick, Lorraine and Liversedge. I had hoped that Herbert, with his raw pace, would be that other option, but as BR said he's spent too much time unavailable for whatever reason and has largely failed to deliver when given the chance.

All I would say is that a few people have now suggested we need someone like Taylor or Newman; I think time has clouded people's memories, as although they both scored a shed load for us, they were also both guilty of wasting numerous chances. We get far fewer chances at this level than we did at the previous two, and I honestly don't think that Berwick's goals return is any less than Taylor or Newman's would have been given the same number of chances.

[paulg]

Totally agree with Dave, yesterday's game was proof that chances at this level are fewer and when they do come the strikers are under heavier physical pressure from defenders or have less time to pick their spot. Berwick has generally been very good this season and Lorraine and Liversedge for me are decent Step 4 forwards. We've definitely lost something with Joseph gone and certain options like ELJ's pace unavailable (hopefully he'll be fit again soon) but I'm not sure where an outstanding, proven 30-goal-a-season striker at this level - that we could afford - would come from.

For a club that has sustainability at its heart we're doing tremendously well, chasing a third promotion in 4 seasons and for the majority of yesterday's game we were the better side. Hopefully we'll show just as much conviction on Tuesday and have a bit more luck.

[Pigman]

Yesterday we were beaten by one superb bit of skill and one fluke - we didn't play badly, we missed a catalogue of chances, but at least we created them! I thought Chalfont defended really well, put their bodies on the line at times and worked hard to the very end - 2-0 flattered them and we created enough to have won, but we paid the price for not tucking those chances away.

I'm disappointed with the result, of course I am, but not with the way we played generally. What disappointed me most was that we didn't get down the wings enough and get crosses into the box -their keeper was a great shot stopper, but he flapped at everything pinged over in the air! We could have capitalised on that.

Everyone is beating everyone else in this Division and we're well in the mix to win this, I'd hoped we'd be in the mix for the playoffs at the start of the season so I'm still one happy bunny!

Three vital games coming up over the Christmas period - hopefully we'll pick up maximum points and be sat on top of the table at the start of 2016

[Sid]

Chalfont had 6 substitutes yesterday according to Twitter, it says the same on our website, I thought the maximum was 5

[Trek]

Yes Sid, the official team sheet tweeted by CSP included No 18 John Songua amongst 6 substitutes! 5 is the maximum for League matches. I wonder what the official sheet submitted to match officials says?

[davealbon]

I'm 99% sure the official team sheet handed in to the match officials and opponents only has space for 5 subs. Otherwise I'm sure James will be on the phone to the Southern League to get the result overturned and us awarded a 3-0 victory!