Bolton vs York City

[Danny_York_City]

Well, firstly thank goodness it wasn't a 6-0 defeat, as that's always the fear given the gulf of class between the players, but thought we gave it a good clean battle and I was very proud of us.

Chambers should have had a go instead of trying - and failing - to pass to Rankine early in the first half (was at your end so I don't know if it was as clear cut as it looked at our end). Blake, I think, also looked odds on to score with your first chance, but smashed it, over. Dead centre, 15 yards out, thought we'd be 1-0 down when he drew back his foot.

Ref was very picky, but at least kept his cards in his pocket, as he looked like a bit of a jobsworth for both sides and didn't help the game at all. We were playing far more defensively than usual, understandable, as you guys can knock it around and gain some space in the process. Went in at half time happy. Was starting to think we might get a draw out of it as your forwards were being reasonably well dealt with, and as you've noted, you weren't playing as well as you can.

Two golden chances for us in the second half. First was a decent cross headed wide, and a very similar chance that was put on target right into the corner, and I really don't know how your keeper saved it. Hell of a save, looks a very good keeper. Now you had Davis and Elmander on and they were clearly class. Davis' goal looked a bit loose ball in the box, but Elmander's goal looked excellent as we tried to push forward for an equaliser. As a result of us holding you and almost knicking it, and then being hit by the sucker punch, very gutted. If they had abandoned that game after 80 minutes, and said let's do this again next week, I don't think we'd of made it that close, so it was an opportunity, missed.

Fun banter with lads in the corner to the right of the South Stand, gave it a bit more of a tasty atmos which was non existent at Stoke, but very nice to see some of your support (about 40 percent) in that stand stay to applaud our players. I think they appreciated we gave it a go.

Stewards were actually fine. Had a nice chat with one of them who said they would be more "understanding" with us as we're not used to all seater stadiums, and no one had any bother for standing throughout. A few lads got dealt with by the stewards, but it wasn't as bad as it might of looked, more a case of them piling in, but then being polite. Didn't see any other trouble. Was also fine outside the ground and a number of us have noted we got chatting to Bolton fans who were all welcoming.

Certainly prefer the Reebok to the Britannia. Very nice ground, good sightlines, can imagine it's fun when full

Hope our support came across well. Certainly less flags and no flares than what we use to terrorise tinpot clubs in the BSP, which I hear were confiscated, but that was always the risk at a Premiership ground, but felt we got behind our team rather well in our style. We're a very proud club, in the wrong division due to two corrupt chairmen, and I know that's come across wrong at times on here.

All the best for the rest of the season. You do know you have to go on and win it all now

[William the White]

Thanks, Danny.

Glad you enjoyed the trip. Your team did you proud, and your fans did them proud.

Correct - having - just - overcome York City, we simply have to win it...

[officer_dibble]

I agree with Dibble about the York regretting not going for it. They nearly had us beat as it was, but a little bit more of an attacking mind-set and they'd have probably won it. Just before we scored there was a time where they completely retreated deep into their own half for some backs to the walls defending, despite the fact that we hadn't looked like attacking all game. I don't know if that was a managerial instruction or the players were tired/nervous, but they were asking for trouble from that moment.

On another note, as I didn't say it before, good for Elmander for both his goal, and his attitude afterwards. The minute before he scored he tried a cross to Taylor from the right which ended up being too close to the 'keeper. It wasn't the worst bit of play seen all day, but it was apparently enough for someone in the WSL to shout something at him which got his attention. After he'd scored, he made a point of doing the Ricketts/Diouf-esque cupping off the ear to the guy.

You could say it was arrogance, but I'll take a confident-to-the-point-of-arrogant Elmo over the forlorn, apologetic figure that we've seen for much of the last two years.

Tom, I think they just ran out of steam in the last 10 minutes. The back 10 players did one hell of a job. I know we played poorly but you are talking 4 leagues of difference here, and we broke through their back line into the box what twice in the first 80 minutes? From kick off in the second half, where clearly we caught them out by running at them instead of playing it back for the customary hoof forward.

Didn't see that Elmo thing but fair play - you can't say he played amazingly well when he came on but he put a shift in and took that goal really well. If morons in our fans need things like pointing out to them I hope he continues to do so.

Danny decent summary mate. I'm glad you enjoyed it...I was a bit concerned the singing element of your fans spent more time singing about or ground and support than enjoying the game. You are correct on the ref, he got the big stuff right. I certainly can't recall any real controversy, I know Knight got himself out of trouble on about 55 minutes with a last ditch tackle but it was a good tackle, but your lot seemed to disagree. Not sure on the rules for Bogdan carrying the ball out, but a booking at worst? I think the worst thing the ref did for you was get in the way and stop a couple of your passes! On the Chambers chance the lad totally bottled it and passed it behind whoever he was aiming at in the area. Should of shot. And the blonde lad should of got the header off a corner on target too.

[CAPSLOCK]

Cohen shouldn't of played

I'd think it did the lad a bit of good

Probably the first hour of the last month when he hasn't had thoughts of his dad messing with his head

Better than sitting at home

[officer_dibble]

Cohen shouldn't of played

I'd think it did the lad a bit of good

Probably the first hour of the last month when he hasn't had thoughts of his dad messing with his head

Better than sitting at home

I meant in terms of his fitness

HE obviously hadn't trained for a while. Can count his touches on one hand.

Having said that, what's better for match fitness than matches? And we won.....only just...but we won. So, it didn't cost us the game. And we rested Muamba. Job done, I guess.

[Mar]

Can count his touches on one hand?

Isn't Cohen the one who had the shot that flew over the bar with his left peg early on? Couldn't tell if it was him or Sparky. Either way they should've took it with the right peg.

[officer_dibble]

Yeah thats 3 touches (control, knocking it on and shooting)

Can't recall him touching it apart from that! OK I might be being a bit facetious but you get my point.

I know he's had it tough but I thought he were pretty anonymous today, infact the central midfield itself was non existent and didn't stand up and be counted against the 3 centre mids of York.

[BwfcDan]

Appalled.. Not one flare.. Massive let down.. Was that Isiah Rankin up front for them? He's still shite..

4th round draw is tomorrow afternoon! Burnley away please! Payback required

[hisroyalgingerness]

Next round, would like: Brighton, Hereford, Burton or Torquay away. Thanks

[CAPSLOCK]

Danny, as impressive as the numbers were for a pub team, I was generally disappointed with your support

The noise wasn't owt special other than when you got a bit excited whenever you crossed the half way line

Maybe it was because the proper fans were split up cos of the presence of so many day trippers, but I was left with a feeling of 'ermm, was that it'

Oh yeah, our team was shit and our support was shit

[Lord Kangana]

And yet we won.

Lifes a shitter like that.

[BWFC_Insane]

What did we learn today?

Quite simply that the 11 Coyle picks week in week out lately is by some margin our best 11.

Petrov was woeful. Blake likewise.

Klasnic worse though injury might explain it.

Other than that the rest of the starters were all pretty abysmal apart from Bogdan of course.

Only real moment of class during the game was Elmanders goal.

And until we brought Davies, Elmo and Taylor on we looked second best during the second half for me.

[TANGODANCER]

What did we learn today?

Quite simply that the 11 Coyle picks week in week out lately is by some margin our best 11.

Petrov was woeful. Blake likewise.

Klasnic worse though injury might explain it.

Other than that the rest of the starters were all pretty abysmal apart from Bogdan of course.

Only real moment of class during the game was Elmanders goal.

And until we brought Davies, Elmo and Taylor on we looked second best during the second half for me.

So, bad team, played rubbish but won 2-0. Last couple of weeks, good team, played well and lost two and drew one. Odd game football ain't it just.

[HMX]

Next round, would like: Brighton, Hereford, Burton or Torquay away. Thanks

Yes, Torquay would be great (close to mine too!)

[BWFC_Insane]

What did we learn today?

Quite simply that the 11 Coyle picks week in week out lately is by some margin our best 11.

Petrov was woeful. Blake likewise.

Klasnic worse though injury might explain it.

Other than that the rest of the starters were all pretty abysmal apart from Bogdan of course.

Only real moment of class during the game was Elmanders goal.

And until we brought Davies, Elmo and Taylor on we looked second best during the second half for me.

So, bad team, played rubbish but won 2-0. Last couple of weeks, good team, played well and lost two and drew one. Odd game football ain't it just.

Think you need to remember where York are and in which league TD!

[hisroyalgingerness]

TD obviously watched different games to me last few weeks, cos I ain't seen us play well since Newcastle

[Prufrock]

Typical 3rd round FA Cup tie. They gave a good account of themselves and can be proud, but in the end the little extra quality told. Dunno why everyone's so mard, we were shit, but always in control. They had a couple of really good chances, one shocking miss and one ludicrous save but they never really got hold of it and put us under any 'pressure'. In these kind of games you have to hope to just get through them and look at individuals. Cohen was OK, though tired understandably. Alonso, hmm wasn't 'shit' but doesn't look convincing. Bogdan tidy, good distribution, stunning save, a definite plus. Blake, not a ninety minute player. The invention and touch are there if you need something in the final third, but his lack of pace and mobility are a hindrance over a period of time. Petrov. Frustrating. Moreno. Frustrated. Tried hard, willing runner, but didn't quite come off for him. Klasnic, utterly dire. So, so, so bad. Hopefully that's a hangover from the injury.

[TANGODANCER]

What did we learn today?

Quite simply that the 11 Coyle picks week in week out lately is by some margin our best 11.

Petrov was woeful. Blake likewise.

Klasnic worse though injury might explain it.

Other than that the rest of the starters were all pretty abysmal apart from Bogdan of course.

Only real moment of class during the game was Elmanders goal.

And until we brought Davies, Elmo and Taylor on we looked second best during the second half for me.

So, bad team, played rubbish but won 2-0. Last couple of weeks, good team, played well and lost two and drew one. Odd game football ain't it just.

Think you need to remember where York are and in which league TD!

Oh, I think I know. 96 places below us. Funny what the F.A.Cup does to minnows though, Yeovil and co.

[TKIZ!]

I just think feck it, we won. Could have played better but how many times have we said that about the Manc lot or Bindippers, especially when they scab it?

[Harry Genshaw]

Danny - I think thats a very fair assessment of the game. The ref was certainly overly picky and this affected the flow of the game. I was in line with your early chance and the lad should definitely have had a bang, although if he had got the pass right, Rankine could have rolled it into an empty net.

Thought your lads were very well organised, getting men behind the ball when you lost possession and counter attacking well. It's easy to see why Rankine has had a good season in the conference although he seemed knackered by half time.

Good luck to you men for the rest of the season. I'm sure you'll be back in the league pretty soon