For me a poor day which started with problems parking, cold tea and being freeeeeeeeeeeeeeezing cold all day!
This was a nothing game with two sides equalling each other out and was always looking like a draw after the first few minutes, even though we hit the woodwork straight away! Wimbledon were brighter than us and in Ajala(?) they have a very good player. Poor defence all round for their goal, it bounced over Diamond and Sharps and Webby was nowhere near his player for them to go one up. We battled hard and Paterson and Symes didn't get much service but created confusion when they could and Symes got his reward by grabbing the equaliser with a well taken strike, but neither want to play our 'hoofball' tactics!
Second half injuries and then Zanders red card meant backs against the wall but I never really felt we were going to lose, but didn't feel we could win it either.
So two away draws, better than two away losses but our football hasn't been as good as early on in the season. Good to see we are still in the play offs but we need to get that 'spark' back we had before. Rotherham is going to be a really tough one with Zander and Sharps missing.
Wombles 1 - Brewers 1
posted on 4/2/13
Sounded a bit like you saw it, on the radio without the expense and the cold ! , bit gutted we couldnt win but thats football and sendings off change games . We have to hope that it was something and nothing and the club appeal and are successful , as the next few games are going to be hard enough without Zander for four weeks . What was your view of the incident !
posted on 4/2/13
Personally I don't think the club will bother to contest the red card. If they consider it a frivolous appeal the ban could be increased further. As it is he will miss 4 games, although fortunately 3 of these are at home.
The incident reminded me very much of the Lee Bell & Ricky Ravenhill incident against Bradford at the Pirelli. There was a lot of pushing and shoving in the area. The referee was asked to put a stop to it. Then whilst the ref was looking Zander appeared to move his head towards Balkestein. Although no contact was made, the defender went down holding his face. Even if the video shows what actually happened, the "intent" of moving head towards head is the offence.
Whilst being harsh on Zander it's perhaps a case of evening out the Bradford game where Lee Bell could also have been sent off.
It will be tough without both Sharps and Diamond on Saturday, plus potentially O'Connor who took a nasty whack. Hopefully McCrory will be fit, otherwise we could lose the whole first choice back four for this game! But as was proved at Crewe in the FA Cup, it is fortunate that any of Stanton (if fit), Webster or Holness won't let anyone down if called upon to play in central defence.
posted on 4/2/13
Didn't see the incident at all. In fact there just seemed to be the normal pushing and shoving in the area and Frankenstein went down as if he had been shot. That said Zander didn't look surprised at all when the red card was show. The Ref was also directly in line, so I suppose something must have happened. All very theatrical though.
posted on 5/2/13
Seems as though we have no grounds of appeal as no camera can prove otherwise so Zander must take his punishment, real shame as he was getting a good understanding with Sharps.
To have one missing is bad to have them both is a nightmare, that said it is now an opportunity for Holness & Stanton who should know enough about each other having played together when Rochdale got promoted from League 2 so no worries then!
posted on 5/2/13
No appeal but Zander didn't complain that much when he got the red card. The game was terrible, two teams playing not very attractive football. 45 minutes each for Kee and Paterson didn't prove anything, Symes looks ok and he took his goal well, but would definitely have Zola back in as soon as possible.