Difficult game in difficult conditions.....however, the best team got beat. If it wasn't for Porter's own goal (who probably could do little about the ball hitting him and flying in) Yeovil could've huffed and puffed all day at us and not scored. Today, Mildenhall, Skiverton and a slick of luck (thrice, obvious penalty, own goal and hitting post) was the only difference. And having to play 13 people......the referee and the liner. At times, the liner gave decisions the ref had already waved on, but then went back to. Complete failure in co-operation between the two and the final straw was the unbelievable booking for Haining as their lad mauled him allowing him to win the header, then gets a free-kick and Will gets booked! Ridiculous.
Add to all that, the most obvious shove in the back that 5000+ saw....including the referee, but as they'd been throwing their toys from the 1st second, the ref become a complete homer and was never going to give it in front of their end. He bottled it.
Overall, the first half was more even than the 2nd but Yeovil despite being well organised and a neat outfit, really were a pretty toothless side overall. All promise, but little delivery. Also, you can also see why Forbes is getting some plaudits....any useless fooker could probably look good next to Skiverton (Southgate built an England career out of that tactic ;-)
All in all, Bristol City gave us a far sterner test and we got a rewarding point there. Our 2nd half performance alone deserved a point.....good to see the lads keep their up heads up and go for it. They must be bitterly disappointed tonight but as I've said elsewhere, karma deals us funny things.
Ratings
Pogs - 7 - Had one thing to do today and that was pick the ball out of the net.....from Porter's header.....collected every cross in a swirling wind and was alert to all knock backs. Kicked most of them alright, the odd one skewed away but can accept that in them blustery conditions.
Charlton - 6 - Clearly a performance affected by coming back from injury. Very dodgy 1st half. His area got paid most attention but the fact Charlton wondered off from there many times meant at times we were left short and scrambling back. Improved in the 2nd half, but he has set himself a high standard which he didn't manage today.
Haining - 7 - Dealt with the nasty conditions well. Fairly solid. Caught out sometimes positionally, but Stam covered for him well when he did. Got the most unfair booking I've ever seen.
Stam - 7 - Similar to Haining. Although, had a tendancy to go into their half, chasing a ball he wanted to defend or nick off their player and leaving us a bit short sometimes. However, covered well when needed to also.
McDonald - 7 - Only a brief appearance, but he looked very uncertain at RB as expected. However, gets a 7 purely for his vital interception in the early minutes as Yeovil broke free on the edge of our box and looked about to shoot. Potentially stopped an early goal. Farcical situation then arose between him and the clueless hillbilly refereeing which saw us with another ridiculous booking. Then he went off injured.
Taylor - 7 - Frustrating. Purely because he just struggles to get past his man. The reason is self-explanatory hence I've not downrated him for it. Late on he did finally beat a man and put in the best cross he's ever done from left wing. We just couldn't convert it. Got stuck in too where he could.......it really must feel weird for him and his feet playing where he is.....a bit like a leftie using a right-handed can opener!
Wellens - 7 - Frustrating also. Does try his best, but again wanted to play the cute ball a few times when it wasn't necessary. Also would lay a ball off but wouldn't get forward to receive it back in a threatening position. Had a try and lobbing the keeper from 40yrds and you never know, had the keeper been another yard off his line it might just've gone in. Unlucky to hit post late on when he finally did surge into the box.
Rocastle - 5 - Well, sad to write this as I've stuck up for Rocky a bit as he can play and did so when Eddy was with him. Must be the reason he's dropped in form, but still no excuse for looking so weak at times. Ok, 1st half he did break up a few passages of play but going forward, he was non-existent and he looked just damn right clueless and a passenger sometimes. His positional sense was very poor. Sometimes, and I hate saying this, but he just looked damn right disinterested. After last Saturday, I expected him to be up for this today but he wasn't. Seemed to want to merely coast through the game. I know this is fuel for those who have already made up their mind on him. I haven't yet still as I still want to give him chance but back in a position that should suit him.....he looked totally unable to establish himself all game today. A fish out of water. Must improve soon.
Liddell - 8 - Yes.....finally, after having to condemn Rocky a bit, I can now say nice things about someone that I've given some stick to this season. Thought Lids was excellent today and my MOTM. Shading it above Warne. Linked well with Lomax when he came on and the two looked to read off each other very well. Lids contributed in nearly every attack we had and should've been adding an assist to his tally tonight (but for Porter's effort being saved). Marshalled that RW area superbly and had a very good game. More of the same please Lids.
Warne - 8 - Same comment we say every week....ran his backside off. And menaced their backline all game. Forced a good 1st half save from Mildenhall with a deft flick goalbound from Lomax's cross. You know what you get from Warne and richly deserved the applause when departed.
Porter - 7 - Runs the line well, tried his best under tough conditions. Sometimes put his hands on his opposing man a tad too often when trying to win the ball....but I put that down more to their good defender and marking of space than to Porter fouling all the time. They handled him well, yet the lad still should've been on the scoresheet. Unlucky for their goal....my minds eye tells me there wasn't a lot he knew about knocking in their goal. The replay is eagerly awaited.
Subs:
Lomax - 8 - Done absolutely all he can to warrant Shez keeping him around longer. Defended superbly - although lucky to escape a booking maybe when he broke up one of their counter attacks in 2nd half by some uncertain means. Had to do it though, or we were in real s.h.i.t! Linked superbly with Lids and put in a few decent balls, especially the 1st half one for Warnes effort. The lad has been taking tips off Eardley. Chuffed for him tonight.
Hall - 7 - Tried his best, but not able to influence the game enough. A handful for their defence, but as defence appeared to be their strongest part of their team, they dealt with Hall sufficiently. He did try to make things happen but coming on to play the hero is always a tough ask. And on days like today a thankless one.
Wolfenden - 6 - A big ask for him. Little time or chance to affect the game.
Shez - 7 - Well, was very unsure about starting McD at right back as I didn't feel very secure with that one and he didn't look it either for the few minutes he was there. However, fate conspired to help out there and find a suitable replacement in Lomax. Gladly, McD (if not badly injured) can take his place back in the middle for a currently poor Rocastle. Other than that, thought Shez tried his best to get us an equaliser. Throwing Hall on mixed things up a little and then throwing Wolfy on was the only other option he had. Would've liked to have tried my team out that I mentioned yesterday (Taylor RB and Warne deputising LW) but to be honest, I don't think it'd have made much of a difference on a day which just wasn't gunna be our day. And the biggest positive is Lomax does look capable, which we might not have found out otherwise. All positive tonight.....but we do need to start getting that winning feeling again now soon. Hopefully, we'll have a few more options come next Saturday to help us out on that one.