Away from the playing field, as usual there has been much happening at Posh.
Defender Tommy Williams’ page 3 model girlfriend failed to become a success in the jungle, and amazingly came across as an ever so slightly annoying Jordan wannabe, and her feud with pop star David Van Day was the most noticeable contribution she made to the ITV reality show.
Chairman Darragh MacAnthony felt it necessary to make it public the reasons behind releasing fan favourite Micah Hyde. Apparently a number of fans sent abusive e-mails to the man who just so happens to be best thing that has ever happened to the club. On a personal level I think it’s time certain fans learn to trust the people that we have in charge at the club. I may not have been around for as long as some Posh fans, but I can pretty confidently say that the club is in the best state it has ever been in. This is not only on the pitch, but with the entire management, and backroom staff.
Fans who do question decisions that are made at the club is fair enough, but when the club is in the middle of its best run for god knows how many years then surely it would be best to get behind the men who are the reason for this, e.g. Fergie and Darragh.
Fair enough Micah was a good player, I was a big fan myself, but we have some superb midfielders, Charlie Lee and Dean Keates are as committed as players get. Add to that Paul Coutts who has amazed everyone with his start to life at Peterborough, and Andrew Crofts who looks a good enough player, there is no real reason for fans to be too disappointed with the departure of Micah.
Peterborough are sitting in 4th in the league, and have a massive chance of a cup upset at a Premiership side in the 3rd round. Come on Posh fans...is there really any reason to be anything less than ecstatic at the moment?
11 December, 2008
Match Catch Up
Since the last post on the season so far back on the 25th November there has been plenty of action going on at Peterborough.
A 2-2 draw away at Swindon was a bonus for Posh who trailed in the game until Shaun Batt scored a goal of the season contender in stoppage time to extend the unbeaten league run. Posh twice trailed in the game, with the first equaliser being an own goal by the unfortunate Swindon defender, John Paul McGovern.
After that tricky away midweek fixture, Tranmere visited London Road on the Saturday in the F.A Cup 2nd round encounter. The match was somewhat of a letdown, with Peterborough putting in a less than impressive performance and eventually having to settle for a 0-0 draw, much credit on the day went to keeper Joe Lewis for a string of great saves.
The midweek rest seemed to do Posh the world of good as they travelled to fellow promotion contenders Stockport the week after. In one of the most important, and impressive performances of the season, Posh took all the points in a 3-1 victory. Own goals from Raynes and Tunnicliffe for the home side may have seemed to suggest a fortunate victory for Posh, but this was far from the truth. Peterborugh dominated the game, and along with the two own goals, Craig Mackail-Smith continued his superb season by scoring his 15th goal of the season.
With the prospect of an away trip to Premiership West Brom on a cold Tuesday night in Tranmere in the F.A Cup replay, Posh put in one of the bravest and committed performances for many years. After falling behind early in the second half Posh were in serious trouble, and as the clock ticked away and stoppage time began, Posh showed their amazing fighting spirit. Aaron Mclean struck home from close range four minutes into injury time to give Posh a lifeline, and take the game into extra time. The tired legs were beginning to show for both sides, and it was a case of who wanted it more as the second half of extra time began.
Once again Posh found their saviour in one of their forward men, leading scorer Craig Mackail-Smith’s instinctive touch from a wayward Charlie Lee effort sent the ball past the keeper, and earn Posh their big day at the Hawthorns in the new year.
A 2-2 draw away at Swindon was a bonus for Posh who trailed in the game until Shaun Batt scored a goal of the season contender in stoppage time to extend the unbeaten league run. Posh twice trailed in the game, with the first equaliser being an own goal by the unfortunate Swindon defender, John Paul McGovern.
After that tricky away midweek fixture, Tranmere visited London Road on the Saturday in the F.A Cup 2nd round encounter. The match was somewhat of a letdown, with Peterborough putting in a less than impressive performance and eventually having to settle for a 0-0 draw, much credit on the day went to keeper Joe Lewis for a string of great saves.
The midweek rest seemed to do Posh the world of good as they travelled to fellow promotion contenders Stockport the week after. In one of the most important, and impressive performances of the season, Posh took all the points in a 3-1 victory. Own goals from Raynes and Tunnicliffe for the home side may have seemed to suggest a fortunate victory for Posh, but this was far from the truth. Peterborugh dominated the game, and along with the two own goals, Craig Mackail-Smith continued his superb season by scoring his 15th goal of the season.
With the prospect of an away trip to Premiership West Brom on a cold Tuesday night in Tranmere in the F.A Cup replay, Posh put in one of the bravest and committed performances for many years. After falling behind early in the second half Posh were in serious trouble, and as the clock ticked away and stoppage time began, Posh showed their amazing fighting spirit. Aaron Mclean struck home from close range four minutes into injury time to give Posh a lifeline, and take the game into extra time. The tired legs were beginning to show for both sides, and it was a case of who wanted it more as the second half of extra time began.
Once again Posh found their saviour in one of their forward men, leading scorer Craig Mackail-Smith’s instinctive touch from a wayward Charlie Lee effort sent the ball past the keeper, and earn Posh their big day at the Hawthorns in the new year.
Helgi Danielsson
Around the turn of the century Peterborugh United had some exciting talents, Jimmy Bullard was beginning to show why he is now a regular in the Premiership, Leon Mckenzie was scoring goals for fun, and David Farrell was in the middle of his memorable stay at London Road.
Also at this time Posh had another talent, Swedish born, but Icelandic by nationality, in the form of Helgi Danielsson.
Helgi is especially a memorably player for me personally, as he scored the winner in my first ever trip to London Road, in the F.A Cup against Bournemouth. Incidentally this was the year that saw Posh go all the way to the 4th round, and had that amazing tie against Bobby Robson’s Newcastle United, where Posh eventually lost 4-2.
The tall bearded midfielder was always the most recognisable player on the pitch, and it is easy to forget that when he was at London Road, Helgi was still very young. He made a total of 57 league games for Peterborough between 2000 and 2003, and remains somewhat of a cult figure among many Posh fans.
Helgi’s career has gone from strength to strength in recent times, and is now playing at a very respectable level for Swedish Premier side Elfsborg, a side that regularly plays in European competition.
I was lucky enough to get in touch with Helgi who was happy to talk about his time at Peterborough, and how life has gone for him since he left five years ago...
So Helgi, how did you find yourself playing for Peterborough in the first place?
My youth team coach in Iceland knew an agent with some contacts in England and he sorted me out with a couple of trials, the first one of which was at Posh. There I spent two weeks and played a couple of games and was offered a contract. It was very tempting for me to move to England, mainly because of the academy set-up and the big teams we played against every week. Also, the fact that I could focus so much more on the football than back in Iceland was enticing.
What is your best memory from your time at London Road?
It was probably the game against Tranmere at home when I scored my only two league goals. It was a great game where Leon McKenzie scored a hat-trick and I scored two. I’ve never been much of a goalscorer so it felt great to bag two in the same game.
Who was the best player you played with at Peterborough?
I would have to say Jimmy Bullard because of his energy on the pitch. He runs around like a madman for 90 minutes every game, screaming for the ball and irritating the rest of us, but he always has been a class act when on the ball.
Do you still keep an eye on how Peterborough are getting on, and are you still in contact with some of the old players?
Yes, I’m always going to follow the Posh and I saw a couple of games last season over the Christmas period. I still have a lot of contact with Peterborough the city because that’s where I met my girlfriend and her family all lives there. I have been in contact with Gareth Jelleyman and some of the other guys on the internet but it’s much less than I would like to.
How has your career gone since leaving Peterborough? How is the Swedish style of football different from English?
First I went back to Iceland to go to University and play part-time, and the standard of football there is nothing to write home about, but now I’ve been in Sweden as a professional for three years I feel like I’ve taken a few steps up in my career. My current team, Elfsborg, has been in European competitions every year for the last four years and we finished second in the league this year. In terms of the type of football played in Sweden it is quite a bit different than the English way. The football is a bit more relaxed than in England, where the tempo is sometimes too fast for its own good, and the better teams generally try to play from the back and get a good passing play going, for better or for worse. It’s definitely more continental football but the tempo and atmosphere is nowhere near as good as in England, and that probably has a lot to do with the fans and the passion for the game being so great in England.
Would you consider coming back to England if the right offer came in?
Absolutely! At the moment I’m very happy here in Sweden but England is the home of football and every player would like to play there at a high level. My girlfriend being English, I know she would love to sometime move back there and since no one knows what’s around the corner it is definitely possible.
I’m sure if he ever did make the move back to England, many a Posh fan would love to see him back at Peterborough, including myself, it’s clear that the years he has now spent at a good level of football in Sweden, and at International level would have done him the world of good. Also, at 27 years of age he is around his peak, and I for one hope to see Helgi back playing in England in the future, whether it be at Posh or not.
.
Also at this time Posh had another talent, Swedish born, but Icelandic by nationality, in the form of Helgi Danielsson.
Helgi is especially a memorably player for me personally, as he scored the winner in my first ever trip to London Road, in the F.A Cup against Bournemouth. Incidentally this was the year that saw Posh go all the way to the 4th round, and had that amazing tie against Bobby Robson’s Newcastle United, where Posh eventually lost 4-2.
The tall bearded midfielder was always the most recognisable player on the pitch, and it is easy to forget that when he was at London Road, Helgi was still very young. He made a total of 57 league games for Peterborough between 2000 and 2003, and remains somewhat of a cult figure among many Posh fans.
Helgi’s career has gone from strength to strength in recent times, and is now playing at a very respectable level for Swedish Premier side Elfsborg, a side that regularly plays in European competition.
I was lucky enough to get in touch with Helgi who was happy to talk about his time at Peterborough, and how life has gone for him since he left five years ago...
So Helgi, how did you find yourself playing for Peterborough in the first place?
My youth team coach in Iceland knew an agent with some contacts in England and he sorted me out with a couple of trials, the first one of which was at Posh. There I spent two weeks and played a couple of games and was offered a contract. It was very tempting for me to move to England, mainly because of the academy set-up and the big teams we played against every week. Also, the fact that I could focus so much more on the football than back in Iceland was enticing.
What is your best memory from your time at London Road?
It was probably the game against Tranmere at home when I scored my only two league goals. It was a great game where Leon McKenzie scored a hat-trick and I scored two. I’ve never been much of a goalscorer so it felt great to bag two in the same game.
Who was the best player you played with at Peterborough?
I would have to say Jimmy Bullard because of his energy on the pitch. He runs around like a madman for 90 minutes every game, screaming for the ball and irritating the rest of us, but he always has been a class act when on the ball.
Do you still keep an eye on how Peterborough are getting on, and are you still in contact with some of the old players?
Yes, I’m always going to follow the Posh and I saw a couple of games last season over the Christmas period. I still have a lot of contact with Peterborough the city because that’s where I met my girlfriend and her family all lives there. I have been in contact with Gareth Jelleyman and some of the other guys on the internet but it’s much less than I would like to.
How has your career gone since leaving Peterborough? How is the Swedish style of football different from English?
First I went back to Iceland to go to University and play part-time, and the standard of football there is nothing to write home about, but now I’ve been in Sweden as a professional for three years I feel like I’ve taken a few steps up in my career. My current team, Elfsborg, has been in European competitions every year for the last four years and we finished second in the league this year. In terms of the type of football played in Sweden it is quite a bit different than the English way. The football is a bit more relaxed than in England, where the tempo is sometimes too fast for its own good, and the better teams generally try to play from the back and get a good passing play going, for better or for worse. It’s definitely more continental football but the tempo and atmosphere is nowhere near as good as in England, and that probably has a lot to do with the fans and the passion for the game being so great in England.
Would you consider coming back to England if the right offer came in?
Absolutely! At the moment I’m very happy here in Sweden but England is the home of football and every player would like to play there at a high level. My girlfriend being English, I know she would love to sometime move back there and since no one knows what’s around the corner it is definitely possible.
I’m sure if he ever did make the move back to England, many a Posh fan would love to see him back at Peterborough, including myself, it’s clear that the years he has now spent at a good level of football in Sweden, and at International level would have done him the world of good. Also, at 27 years of age he is around his peak, and I for one hope to see Helgi back playing in England in the future, whether it be at Posh or not.
.
25 November, 2008
Zakuani signs permanent deal!
Peterborough fans have been waiting for this news for weeks now, and finally Gabriel Zakuani has signed a three-and-a-half year deal for the club.
Since signing on loan from Fulham, the defender has yet to taste defeat for the club in his 12 appearances. Playing alongside Craig Morgan a very solid centre back partnership has been built, and six clean sheets have been earnt since his arrival.
After spending last season on loan at Championship promotion winners Stoke, it looked a tough task to get him to come to London Road on a permanent basis, but once again the management and owners of the club have worked their magic and convinced yet another big name that Peterborough is the place to be.
Manager Darren Ferguson is clearly delighted to have this signing wrapped up ahead of the January transfer window. “Gabby has been excellent since he came here on-loan and has been a big part of our unbeaten run. He is an out and out defender and has formed a good partnership with Craig Morgan.”
The transfer apparently not a transfer record for the club, but rumours of around £350,000 has been spent on the Congo DR star.
Although the signing is without doubt a great buy for the club, you have to feel sorry for Chris Westwood. He has been a superb player for the club, and rarely had a bad game, but it now seems that as long as Morgan and Zakuani stay fit, there will be limited opportunities for him.
The news is a big boost ahead of tonight’s game away at Swindon, where Posh will be looking to extend their unbeaten streak.
Chris Whelpdale looks set to miss out again tonight, and Ferguson may hand a full debut to Andrew Crofts after he came on for his debut as a substitute at the weekend. Sergio Torres and Shaun Batt will battle it out for the place on the right wing for the game at the County Ground.
Swindon are down in 18th place in the league and battled out a 2-2 draw at the weekend against Bristol Rovers.
A report for the game will be posted soon.
Since signing on loan from Fulham, the defender has yet to taste defeat for the club in his 12 appearances. Playing alongside Craig Morgan a very solid centre back partnership has been built, and six clean sheets have been earnt since his arrival.
After spending last season on loan at Championship promotion winners Stoke, it looked a tough task to get him to come to London Road on a permanent basis, but once again the management and owners of the club have worked their magic and convinced yet another big name that Peterborough is the place to be.
Manager Darren Ferguson is clearly delighted to have this signing wrapped up ahead of the January transfer window. “Gabby has been excellent since he came here on-loan and has been a big part of our unbeaten run. He is an out and out defender and has formed a good partnership with Craig Morgan.”
The transfer apparently not a transfer record for the club, but rumours of around £350,000 has been spent on the Congo DR star.
Although the signing is without doubt a great buy for the club, you have to feel sorry for Chris Westwood. He has been a superb player for the club, and rarely had a bad game, but it now seems that as long as Morgan and Zakuani stay fit, there will be limited opportunities for him.
The news is a big boost ahead of tonight’s game away at Swindon, where Posh will be looking to extend their unbeaten streak.
Chris Whelpdale looks set to miss out again tonight, and Ferguson may hand a full debut to Andrew Crofts after he came on for his debut as a substitute at the weekend. Sergio Torres and Shaun Batt will battle it out for the place on the right wing for the game at the County Ground.
Swindon are down in 18th place in the league and battled out a 2-2 draw at the weekend against Bristol Rovers.
A report for the game will be posted soon.
22 November, 2008
Boyd to the Rescue
Peterborough extended their unbeaten run in the league to thirteen games, and won for the fourth time in November as they defeated Colchester 2-1 at London Road today.
Craig Mackail-Smith fired home his 14th goal of the season on the stroke of half time, after 45 minutes of a relatively even game. An equaliser from former Posh striker Clive Platt on the hour mark looked set to leave the final half hour to be a nervy one for the home fans.
But Posh rallied and were back in front just moments later, after a Gabriel Zakuani header was saved by the keeper George Boyd was there to finish the rebound and give Peterborough the victory that keeps them in 5th place in the League One table.
Colchester surprised one or two with their start to the game in which they created a few chances, Mark Yeates inparticular coming close for the visitors. The home side struggled to get into their usual flowing football style, only half chances from Mackail-Smith and Charlie Lee got the supporters excited early on.
It was in first half stoppage time that the only real piece of quality took place through who else but George Boyd and Craig Mackail-Smith. Boyd picked out Mackail-Smith with an outstanding pass, and the clubs leading scorer took full advantage of the ball by calmly finishing past the helpless Dean Gerken in the Colchester goal.
Clive Platt levelled with one of his trademark headers after a David Perkins cross. (although we didn’t see many of his “trademark headers” in his time at London Road)
Moments after the goal Ferguson made a double substitution, taking off Sergio Torres and Charlie Lee, and bringing on Shaun Batt, and debutant Andrew Crofts who has signed on loan from Gillingham this week.
Within seconds of the substitutes taking to the field Peterborough retook the lead through George Boyd, who scored his 7th of the season. Dean Keates floated a wonderful cross to the back post where Zakuani thought he was going to score his first goal for the club, only to be denied by the keeper. Fortunately, the “White Pele” was there on hand to put away the rebound and the 7000 Posh fans in the ground duly celebrated what turned out to be the match winner.
The result has to go down as one of huge importance, especially after seeing the other results in the league today. Leicester, MK Dons and Leeds all picked up wins today, but ground has been made up on both Millwall, who drew 0-0, and Scunthorpe, who were defeated by Leicester.
Peterborough’s next game is on Tuesday night as they travel to Swindon, who were denied all three points today away at Bristol Rovers with a last minute equaliser for the home side.
Today’s Teams
Peterborough
Lewis, Martin, Williams, Morgan, Zakuani, Torres (Batt), Boyd, Lee (Crofts), Keates, Mackail-Smith, Mclean. Subs not used – Mckeown, Westwood, Coutts.
Colchester
Gerken, White (Hills) (Wordsworth), Heath (Ifil), Baldwin, Jackson, Yeates, Izzet, Hammond, Perkins, Platt, Easter. Subs not used – Cousins, Vernon.
Attendance – 7,401
Craig Mackail-Smith fired home his 14th goal of the season on the stroke of half time, after 45 minutes of a relatively even game. An equaliser from former Posh striker Clive Platt on the hour mark looked set to leave the final half hour to be a nervy one for the home fans.
But Posh rallied and were back in front just moments later, after a Gabriel Zakuani header was saved by the keeper George Boyd was there to finish the rebound and give Peterborough the victory that keeps them in 5th place in the League One table.
Colchester surprised one or two with their start to the game in which they created a few chances, Mark Yeates inparticular coming close for the visitors. The home side struggled to get into their usual flowing football style, only half chances from Mackail-Smith and Charlie Lee got the supporters excited early on.
It was in first half stoppage time that the only real piece of quality took place through who else but George Boyd and Craig Mackail-Smith. Boyd picked out Mackail-Smith with an outstanding pass, and the clubs leading scorer took full advantage of the ball by calmly finishing past the helpless Dean Gerken in the Colchester goal.
Clive Platt levelled with one of his trademark headers after a David Perkins cross. (although we didn’t see many of his “trademark headers” in his time at London Road)
Moments after the goal Ferguson made a double substitution, taking off Sergio Torres and Charlie Lee, and bringing on Shaun Batt, and debutant Andrew Crofts who has signed on loan from Gillingham this week.
Within seconds of the substitutes taking to the field Peterborough retook the lead through George Boyd, who scored his 7th of the season. Dean Keates floated a wonderful cross to the back post where Zakuani thought he was going to score his first goal for the club, only to be denied by the keeper. Fortunately, the “White Pele” was there on hand to put away the rebound and the 7000 Posh fans in the ground duly celebrated what turned out to be the match winner.
The result has to go down as one of huge importance, especially after seeing the other results in the league today. Leicester, MK Dons and Leeds all picked up wins today, but ground has been made up on both Millwall, who drew 0-0, and Scunthorpe, who were defeated by Leicester.
Peterborough’s next game is on Tuesday night as they travel to Swindon, who were denied all three points today away at Bristol Rovers with a last minute equaliser for the home side.
Today’s Teams
Peterborough
Lewis, Martin, Williams, Morgan, Zakuani, Torres (Batt), Boyd, Lee (Crofts), Keates, Mackail-Smith, Mclean. Subs not used – Mckeown, Westwood, Coutts.
Colchester
Gerken, White (Hills) (Wordsworth), Heath (Ifil), Baldwin, Jackson, Yeates, Izzet, Hammond, Perkins, Platt, Easter. Subs not used – Cousins, Vernon.
Attendance – 7,401
Catch up...it's been a while!
Apologies for the delay in the latest post, a combination of illness, and workload at Uni means I haven’t been able to update the blog of late.
So what have we missed... a 1-0 win at Hornchurch, thanks to a last minute Craig Mackail-Smith goal and a 1-0 win against Yeovil, thanks to an Aaron Mclean goal. To sum up, it’s all going well still! Also as you will read in the next post, yet more good news on the pitch followed today with the home game against Colchester.
Elsewhere in the world of Peterborough in the last week or so, Joe Lewis again played for the England Under 21’s midweek, but got stretchered off after half an hour of the game. Initially it seemed a broken ankle could have been the damage caused, though it turned out to be a minor injury, and Lewis took his place in goal for Posh today against Colchester.
Paul Coutts was also on Under 21 duty, making his debut for Scotland against Northern Ireland on Tuesday night, I’m sure even the 3-1 defeat wouldn’t have put him down too much. It’s been an incredible rise from non league Scottish football in recent months for the youngster, who looks set to be a real star in the future.
Andrew Crofts has signed for Peterborough on loan from League 2 Gillingham. The central midfielder was the star of the Gillingham’s season last year, winning numerous awards, but has failed to make the same impact there this year. This move looks to have put the final nail in the coffin for Micah Hyde as a Peterborough player after he was transfer listed a few weeks ago.
Finally, the biggest news of all...Tommy Williams girlfriend is in the latest series of I’m a Celebrity get me out of Here! Page 3 model Nicola Mclean is joined by fellow WAG Carly Zucker (Joe Cole’s girlfriend), as well as stars such as Robert Kilroy Silk, and Timmy Mallett in the bug eating, snake infested madness that is hosted by comedy duo Ant and Dec on ITV.
So there we go, proof that even in the week or so I have missed on the blog, life at Peterborough is never boring!
06 November, 2008
Summer Signings a Success?
We are now into November; the new players have gone through the “settling in” period, so have Peterborough’s new signings proved to be good acquisitions?
There were a number of new additions to the squad over the summer; Russell Martin and Sergio Torres were two of the more notable signings. There has also been some less recognisable names coming into the squad with the likes of Paul Coutts and Shaun Batt as boss Darren Ferguson looked to build a squad capable of gaining promotion immediately from League One.
So after 15 league games it’s time to look closer at the new players to see if they have impressed the fans and the manager in the early stages of their Peterborough careers.
Russell Martin – Martin was the first summer signing, and after starting every game so far this season, has shown exactly why Fergie Jr was so keen to bring him to London Road. Not only has the former Wycombe defender been a regular in the starting line up, but he has also now eanrt himself the role as captain at Peterborough.
In many ways he symbolises your typical lower league full back, not spectacular, but solid, but what does separate him from other full backs at this level is that he is consistent. At just 22 years of age as well Martin will surely only get better, and you wouldn’t find many Posh fans who would pick out faults with him so far. Rating so far 9/10.
Sergio Torres – Argentine born Torres has had a stop-start beginning to his career at Posh. An injury hasn’t helped, but the winger has failed to hit his best form so far for his new club.
A close friend of Russell Martin from their Wycombe days, the hope was the two would resume their partnership at Peterborough, but as of yet it hasn’t happened. The quality of the skilful winger is not doubted, now the hope is he can stay injury free, get a good run in the side, and ultimately help The Posh in their bid for promotion. Rating so far 6/10.
Paul Coutts – You would struggle to find a Peterborough fan who would have heard of the Scottish midfielder before he arrived at London Road in the summer. He made the move from non league Cove Rangers in Scotland, where he was voted non league player of the year.
He scored his first goal for Peterborough in the away win at Walsall in October, and since then has been involved regularly with the first team. Rating so far 7/10.
Dominic Green – Teenager Green did enough to impress the Posh scouts in his tine at Dagenham and Redbridge to earn him a move to London Road. He made himself an instant hero with the fans when he came off the bench to score the winner against MK Dons early on in the season.
The youngster is yet to establish himself as a regular in the side, but has shown glimpses of what he is capable of to show he has been a good purchase. Rating so far 7/10.
Gabriel Zakuani (on loan from Fulham)– After two spells at loan at Championship side Stoke in the last two seasons, the African defender should find life in League One a walk in the park...and so it is proving so far. Forming a solid partnership with Craig Morgan, the centre back is yet to taste defeat as a Peterborough player after nine games.
The hope now for Peterborough fans is that the loan spell will be made permanent, and if this was to happen it will undoubtedly improve the chances of a second successive promotion for The Posh. Rating so far 9/10.
04 November, 2008
What do we know about Hornchurch?
I’ll be honest, like you I guess the only reason I have heard of Hornchurch before would be through being a football fan and glimpsing over the non league tables in the papers at the weekend. My knowledge of the town (if it is a town), as well as the football club is simply non-existent.
So it’s time to scour the internet to find out everything Peterborough need to know before they travel down to the non-league side this Sunday for their 1st round F.A Cup tie.
Hornchurch is a small town in East London, (wow I was right, and I know Wikipedia isn’t that credible, but I think I can trust it for this small bit of information). It is home to the Queen’s Theatre, which may be a famous theatre, but I’m not too sure. Other than that the town seems to have limited attractions or stories for Wikipedia to tell us about. However, Wikipedia "Hornchurch F.C" and the club has quite a story to tell...
Back in 2005 Hornchurch FC suffered major financial problems and closed down, leading to the revival in the form of AFC Hornchurch the following season. Their first two campaigns as a team saw them crowned champions on both occasions, firstly winning the Essex Senior Football League, and following that up in 2007 by winning the Isthmian League Division One North, and gaining promotion to the Ryman Premier League. It is also worth pointing out that in their first season they completed the treble by winning the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy and the Westview Essex Senior League Challenge Cup. (Yeah, I have never heard of these competitions either, but still, a rather impressive start as a club don’t you think?)
This Sunday is simply the biggest game in AFC Hornchurch’s history, yes that “history” only begins in 2005, but Peterborough should be made aware of how much this game will mean to the club before they travel down to the capital at the weekend. Around 3,500 fans will be allowed into the ground on Sunday, to the stadium that is simply named Hornchurch Stadium, and I’m sure the home fans will try to make it very daunting for the Peterborough players.
As far as the Hornchurch players are concerned there aren’t many players who would ring bells with football fans, maybe Lee Hodges being the most recognizable name. He started his career at West Ham before having spells at 8 other league clubs before dropping down to non-league.
They currently sit in 14th place in the league, and currently are plying their trade against the likes of Staines Town, who of course Peterborough came up against in last season’s F.A Cup. If the difference in quality on that day is anything to go by then Peterborough should be fine on Sunday as they ran out 5-0 winners, thanks to a master class of finishing from Mackail-Smith.
To sum it up then, Peterborough are coming up against a side that has been on the up on previous years, and any football fan knows that the F.A Cup can throw up shocks, but if the boys turn up with the right attitude we should be in the hat for the second round. I do think Darren Ferguson has a big role to play in the getting the players motivated, and making sure they aren’t complacent after going so long without a win.
So there you go, a brief lesson on Hornchurch, the club is younger than a primary school child, their ground, by the size of it, is more embarrassing than a Russell Brand radio show, and they only know how to win cup competitions that nobody has ever heard of...will Peterborough win this Sunday? Of course they will!
03 November, 2008
Peterborough United 2-0 Hereford United
Welcome to the first post on the new site dedicated to all things Posh!
This blog gives you the chance to vent your joy, anger, frustration, and all the other emotions that the club no doubt puts you through...and what's even better, people who actually care about the trouble of supporting The Posh will listen to you. I say this as I am currently living in Stoke, and not surprisingly find it hard to find many Peterborough fans, in fact just the one (love you Thom!)
So, onto Saturday’s game...
After a miserable midweek draw away at bottom of the table Crewe, Peterborough again found themselves facing one of the sides in the relegation zone of League One in the form of Hereford United.
The early signs were promising, Chris Whelpdale came close to scoring within three minutes, but his shot was smashed over the bar. A few minutes later it was looking even better for Peterborough as one of the few recognisable names in the away side, former Bolton defender Bruno N'Gotty, was stretchered off with what seemed like a pretty serious achilles injury.
From there the performance inexplicably began to dip for Posh, a combination of sloppy passing, and a referee who was frustrating everyone with his constant need to blow the whistle for seemingly anything, left the atmosphere around London Road very nervy. Even the usually majestic George Boyd was disappointing; in fact the most impressive Peterborough player in the early stages was Gabriel Zakuani, who since his arrival in the back four, has yet to be in a losing Peterborough side.
On the half hour mark, Peterborough were rewarded a somewhat controversial penalty (but hey were Posh fans so it was a DEFINITE penalty) when Hereford defender Dean Beckwith, who replaced N’Gotty, handled the ball whilst on the floor. The Hereford players were fuming with the linesman who gave the decision, and as a result three of their players were cautioned by the card-happy ref. I have to say at this point the referee was reminding me of the guy off of Balls of Steel if any of you have seen it...if not you should see it because it’s funny!
Anyway, after what seemed like forever with the arguing, the referee writing half of the away team in his book, and a rather childish Hereford player who booted the ball off of the penalty spot as Craig Mackail-Smith placed it, the penalty was finally taken...and saved!
Fortunately for Mackail-Smith, Hereford keeper Darren Rudolph, sorry Randolph (my mate and Mr. Randolph had an ongoing argument along those lines in the first half) couldn’t hold on to the ball and Mackail-Smith fired home the rebound.
The penalty itself summed up the first half as a whole for Posh, a bit scrappy, not very clinical, and ultimately a bit lucky.
Hereford began the second half impressively and it was Taylor who had a great chance to level for the visitors on 53 minutes, but he saw his shot smash into the side netting.
As the second half drifted by without many chances, quality, or action to get excited about there were just a few signs that the home crowd were getting edgy that their side was not securing the victory with more ease, and then George Boyd stepped up his game.
The winger was having one of his quietest games of the season until he picked up the ball on the right wing, and after terrorising the full back he delivered an inch perfect cross on to the head of Mackail-Smith who simply nodded the ball past Rudolph (it’s much better than Randolph), to score his 12th goal of the season.
The rest of the game was seen out without too much to mention. Peterborough showing real promotion potential by playing no better than average, but at the same time easing to three points which put them in 6th position in the table, and stretch their unbeaten run to 11 games in the league.
Player ratings
Peterborough – Lewis (7), Martin (6), Williams (6), Morgan (6), Zakuani (8), Whelpdale (5) (Batt (6)), Boyd (6), Coutts (7), Lee (6), Mackail-Smith (7), Mclean (6)(Torres (6)). Subs not used – McKeown, Westwood, Hyde.
Hereford – Randolph, Rose, Diagouraga, Taylor, Smith, Guinan (Williams), Hudson-Odoi, Easton (Done), Gwynne, Broadhurst, N’Gotty (Beckwith). Subs not used – Samson, O’Leary.
Attendance : 6,087 (188 Hereford fans).
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
