Defence Takes The Plaudits

Today we were looking for at least a point and to continue the positive momentum in terms of performance and league position. We got both, albeit after a bruising encounter that didn’t have a lot in common with the beautiful game. That wasn’t surprising, given the opposition and especially after both teams were reduced to 10 men before 20 minutes were up. What was most pleasing was the way the defence, plus midfield, stood up to the physical challenge; Pearce and Famewo were both simply immense.

The team saw two enforced changes, with Gunter and Washington unavailable, which with Inniss, Lavelle, Matthews, Forster-Caskey and Leko on the injured list did leave us looking rather threadbare in key positions. Seems the Orient cup game was used as a trial run as Clare was asked to do an impression of Pratley and fill in as the third centre-back, to keep the formation unchanged. On the bench we had no recognised forward as a replacement, two wide men (Kirk and Blackett-Taylor), three midfielders (Watson, Arter and Morgan), one defender (Elerewe) and a keeper (Henderson). Basically anyone fit enough was in the squad.

It had been a fairly even and scrappy first 15 minutes, with us enjoying more possession and carving out a couple of decent positions, only for the end-result to be poor shots from Davison and Gilbey. Burton’s front line looked powerful and mobile, everything looked up for grabs. Then from our corner Stockley and Oshilaja, recently of this parish, renewed acquaintances and wrestled each other to the floor. Just who did what was still unclear after the available replays, certainly an arm of Stockley was swung behind him, before players from both sides joined in. When the dust settled, and by the look of it on the advice of the linesman, both players saw red. Needs further examination and comment before there can be any condemnation or redemption of either player.

On the face of it nothing changed. We kept our formation, just playing with one striker instead of two, while Burton opted to make no change either. In the first half it did seem to make little difference as we were enjoying the bulk of possession – and most important shortly after the fracas we had a precious lead. A corner on our right played short produced an ordinary cross but it was flicked on by Famewo, then seemed to get a touch off one of their defenders, and Purrington then did very well to dominate their guy and head into the far corner.

The rest of the first half we were generally in control, albeit picking up yellow cards consistently, once again highlighting the inconsistency of referees. First Lee was booked for a foul, fair enough. Shortly after their guy follows through late on Pearce, no card. Then Jaiyesimi picked up a very silly yellow for a kicking away the ball in frustration, Davison in the second half kicked it away after conceding a free kick and nothing was done, while at the death Famewo also saw yellow – which rules him out of next Saturday’s game – for time-wasting, only for many more blatant such actions by us in the second half to go unmentioned. That said, the ref did redeem himself as there was a key moment on 40 minutes, as for once we were caught out, a ball squared into our box saw their forward nick it past MacGillivray and go down. At first sight you feared penalty, but the ref wasn’t buying it and correctly booked their guy for a dive.

The second half was a different affair. Burton came out with more intent, with probably Hasselbaink having continued his verbals directed at JJ (which were understandably returned) against his players. And in the first few minutes they had what proved their best chance of the game. Their guy on the left found space in the box and drilled in a fierce, head-high shot which MacGillivray managed to block with an outstretched hand. Another crucial save by him to protect a lead.

Increasingly, and not surprisingly, we found it difficult to find a decent out ball and retain possession, being short of a forward, with more players in our half of the pitch than theirs. Davison was working his socks off as usual but we were increasingly playing on the break and relying on the defence to hold firm. We did have moments when we might have scored again, but they were fleeting and never amounted to a clear-cut chance.

With around twenty minutes left Blackett-Taylor came on for Davison. You could see the rationale: Davison was knackered and CBT might just be able to find and use the space, if we could get the ball to his feet. It didn’t really happen but was worth a try. Dobson made a rare error with a stray pass intercepted, putting us in danger, but Famewo bailed him out. And late on Elerewe came on for DJ, who looked either injured or just out of gas, with Clare moving into midfield.

It was never easy, but with the exception of the Dobson pass we didn’t cough up any gifts for them, kept our shape and discipline, and basically as an away team defending a one-goal advantage for 50 minutes you couldn’t have asked for more. I made Famewo my MoM, with Pearce close behind (he really has stepped up to the plate as first Inniss and then Lavelle dropped out), plus special mention in dispatches for Clare, doing a job which obviously isn’t his natural game but proving up to the task, even though not surprisingly early in the game Burton were testing his area.

So now it’s nine points and 11 teams between us and sixth place. No point in dwelling on that too much as yet, as we know coming up next will be an on-fire Plymouth and, although we will have Gunter and Washington back (possibly Matthews and Leko too?), Famewo and Stockley will be unavailable. At least we know that with all week to prepare. Let’s just bask a little longer in three wins and a draw and the focus being now entirely what is above us rather than around and below. And I must admit on a Sunday morning sparing a thought for Adkins. He tried his best but must now be wondering what on earth he did that was so wrong, for his departure to be followed by such a turnaround. Hope he learns from the experience and gets another chance before too long.