Well the absentees today missed a terrific performance from the Reds

Right from the start we were at them, always wanting to pass the ball around or through their defence. The only high balls in the box were usually onto someone's head, or just missing. Really pleased for CH today, getting the Player of the Season award and being so involved in the game. My MoM I would say but you can't deny that Scowen was also on top of his game.

The defence looked solid throughout and Davies hardly had anything to do. That back four would be my choice to start the season unless we get an experienced full back or two in to challenge them. With three of the four being so young it could be risky. On the other hand they could all mature rapidly and make the shirts their own. Holgate had a superb game and centre half really is his best position. Bree is better going forward than Holgate. Smith had a storming game and what a cross for SSW's goal!! Outstanding effort by both players. Mention for Lewin as well - captain today and another solid performance.

Midfield were a bit top heavy but steady enough. Scowen had is usual bite yer ankles performance and I was afraid that he might make one late challenge too many and get a second yellow. But he didn't and got two beautifully headed goals instead. Both from the master of the left foot, Conor Hourihane. I did notice though that after that second goal CH walked slowly back to the half way and no one came over to congratulate him on another superb corner. They did on the half way line but other teams would have all been by the corner flag slapping his back for two minutes. I wonder if there is some friction there? Hope not.
Ben Pearson - excellent again and I wonder if that is his last game for us? Berry was good all over the pitch and playing like he started the season - involved in both penalty boxes.
Maris - inexperience showed but a promising lad definitely. He played sort of just behind SSW but I would rather have seen him up front alongside him.

SSW really deserved his goal and was unlucky to have a carbon copy header chalked off for offside. He's come back strongly and I hope he hits the ground running in August and THIS TIME gets us the twenty goals that he should have had this year.

Subs - Digby looked a proper player when he came on which, of course, he is. So why does he look so hesitant usually? He probed forward either running with the ball or playing good passes. He looked like he wants to be here next season. I hope he is.
Oates had a cracking little cameo when he came on and his run down the right and slide rule pass for Hourihane's goal was brilliant.
We finally got another look at George Williams and he is definitely worth another go next year. Bit small for a defender but a decent squad member nevertheless.

So, what a way to finish off the season! Bit galling to finish behind teams like Fleetwood and Rochdale (and Chesterfield come to that) but it's been a strange season. Today's was, for me, an all round great performance, but why did we leave it so late to turn it on? So glad I went today , not that there was ever a chance of my NOT being there!

 

We could not have written a better end to season without going up. Well done reds.

 

Why did CH deserve MOM? he was woeful in first half and only got better one Rochdale were down to 10 men, every other player deserved MOM before CH today..

 

Apart from setting up the he goals and scoring what wS Conor doing the rest of the time....

 

Woeful? Hm, ok

He has had one or two woeful games, but today wasn't one of them. He has probably laid on more goals in this one season than some midfielders lay on in ten seasons. And let's not forget the 14 he has scored himself.

I wouldn't blame him for taking off in the summer if his agent gets him a better deal, but I hope he stays.

 

I though he had a poor first half where he didn't really contribute but you can't fault somebody who's just laid on the crosses for three goals and bust a gut to get into a position to score another.

I could argue that his three assists were set pieces again but so what? Consistently putting in good crosses makes your performance a good one and the effort he put in to run for his goal was certainly not an easy set piece one trick pony affair was it. It was what I've been crying out for him to do all season and he did it. No complaints from me about today

 

In the first half the only player making any movement on left side was Smith, Hourihane was no where to be seen unlike Berry and Bree down right who linked up well more than once. If Hourihane plays a short pass or looses ball he lets it go makes no effort at all to try regain possession. He did well once they where down to 10 men but who didn't?