Padiham Saints J.F.C

In three years of watching you lads I can’t ever remember you losing two on the trot and it seems as though a rot has set in right through the team. Before I talk about the game I have to mention linesmen again. I’m now convinced they cheat. I don’t say that lightly and if cheating is the only way to stop Saints then so be it. I saw enough decisions today from their linesman to convince me of that. Their first half linesman gave up at half time, he obviously didn’t understand the offside rule and their second half one was nothing short of comical and farcical. How on earth he can flag for offside fifteen yards in front of play is beyond me. The refs are to some extent to blame for not over ruling them but that’s enough of that.

You were beaten but had more than enough chances to put the game to bed so why were you beat. Well first off they wanted it more than you did, a lot more, they beat you to the ball, they harried you and didn’t let you settle on it and stopped you playing football. At the end of the day it’s about getting three points and if you can get them like they played well that’s fair enough.

The goals we conceded were sloppy defensive errors that could and should have been avoided and good as Mark and Matty are at the back they weren’t fast enough in body and mind today. I’m not blaming them entirely for the goals but if you challenge you have to make it count and not pussy-foot around with the ball.
Kurt in goal had a good game and pulled off a really good save in the first half but you have to think football Kurt as well as play. Several times you should have been off your line and come out to claim the ball instead of waiting to see if the defender got there. Again it’s not blame, just something that’s wrong.
We’re still turning our backs on the ball as well, you can’t challenge if you have your back to it and that’s right throughout the team.

Up front we’re lacking pace in the forward positions and poor linesman decisions aside you lads just don’t seem to be able to watch the line as well as the play. You were caught offside by fair decisions five times more than you should have been and you need to work on it. We really are missing Dec.
Set pieces on the edge of the box, just what’s your hurry? The ball’s going nowhere so why panic to take it. You came very close twice today from a set piece and with a little more composure could have resulted in a goal.
There were glimmers of hope from the half chances as well that either just went wide, hit the woodwork or required their keeper to make the save. With a lesser keeper they could have well lost the game and I’d give him man of the match for them.
Our goals were good, Curtis with a great effort from the left and a penalty taken like a penalty should be, absolutely top drawer for both.

All in all you didn’t really play bad they just didn’t let you play well and I’ve said it before, you’re more suited to a bigger pitch. It’s all to play for now lads, all hard games you just need to keep your heads up and play your football.
One last thing, what’s all this answering your manager back during the game, he’s not shouting and screaming to give his vocal chords a workout. When you’re involved with the game you don’t always see what’s gone wrong, we as spectators generally do. If you’re told this or that put your hand up to acknowledge and keep your mouth shut, it serves no purpose to answer back and sends out a message to the opposition.

It’s going to be tight now but you are still in a commanding position and masters of your own destiny good or bad, any team in the league would love to be where you are. Let’s get back to winning lads and good luck next game.

If you've read my post above pay particular attention to my comments about the linesman. You'll have noticed that the linesman for Blue Star was changed at half time and I've just learned that the official was a Crown Paints official.

I've already stated that he was 'comical and farcical' and now the reason becomes apparent. My comment is shame on you Blue Star and even more shame on Crown Paints. It's time the league took action against these antics of teams pepared to win by cheating. I don't use the word 'Cheat' lightly but how sad is it when a team knows that they've probably won because the linesman gave decisions that shouldn't have been?


What makes me proud of Saints in this respect is that in three years of watching this level of football Saints officials reffing are the only refs I've ever seen that have given penalties against their own team and there's been a few.

If Rooks do walk away with the league title watch this space folks