TT BLOG

Joe Uglow – @Joe_Ugs

Joe take’s a look at how Paul Wotton’s first ten games have gone

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A former manager of ours once famously said “judge me after 10 games” so given that Paul Wotton has now had ten games at the helm I’m going to do just that!

ENFIELD TOWN (H) 2-1 WIN

Paul Wotton’s tenure couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start as Enfield took the lead within the first 5 mins with an excellent counter attacking goal. United though, were in the ascendency for most of the game and soon found an equaliser through Matt Carson. Brad Ash secured the victory with a decent header and in truth it could have been 3 or 4 in the end.

Performance Rating: 8/10

FARNBOROUGH TOWN (A) 1-0 LOSS

The first away game of the season always brings a good turnout from the yellow army, and roughly around 500 travelling fans were there to enjoy the unsegregated hospitality on offer, unfortunately though, they would witness a very frustrating first half from United. A poor Finn Tonks tackle in the first half presented Farnborough with the chance to score from the spot which they duly took. Despite an improved United performance in the second half we couldn’t find an equaliser and left empty handed.

Performance Rating: 5.5/10

BATH CITY (A) 2-1 WIN

Always a hotly anticipated fixture in this league, United were backed by a loud away end and it wasn’t long before Cody Cooke returned to haunt his former employers. A cracking header in the second half from Ed Palmer put United into the driving seat, and although Bath got a goal back in the 78th min, United saw the game out for all three points. Given we hadn’t won there in our last few attempts, this felt like a big win, and the players and management enjoyed their moment at the end of the match in front of the away end.

Performance Rating: 8/10

DORKING WANDERERS (H) 1-0 WIN

The league favourites arrived at Plainmoor to cap off a tough week for the Yellows. Marc White’s side enjoyed the lion share of possession as they took the game to us without really carving out a real chance. The best chances of the first half fell to Ed Palmer and Hasani and we were unlucky to be goalless at half time. That soon changed in the second half as Hasani rifled in the goal of the month to make it 1-0! Dorking huffed and puffed but couldn’t find a way through, missing an absolute sitter of a header with the final act of the game. A massive win for United! 

Performance Rating: 8/10

CHESHAM UNITED (A) 3-2 WIN

Two days later, it was a trip to Chesham for the Yellow Army. A howler from Hamon allowed Chesham to go 1-0 up and it looked like another poor first half away performance from United once again. That was until on the stroke of half time a Chesham defender handled on the goal-line to deny Fin Tonks’ goal-bound effort. Red card and penalty to the yellows which Cody Cooke duly dispatched. Chesham dug in and were soon 2-1 up, again pouncing on defensive frailties. A Dan Hayfield 20 yard strike brought things level five minutes later and then in the 96th minute United stole all three points; Brad Ash steering in Dean Moxey’s excellent cross.

Performance Rating: 6/10

AVELEY UNITED (H) 1-1 DRAW

An example of excellent rearguard action by Aveley secured them a brilliant point on the road. United had the majority of possession but were perhaps guilty of overplaying it at times rather than being direct and getting at a disciplined Aveley side. Matt Carson looped a cross-come-shot over to the back post to put us 1-0 up on the stroke of half time. Unfortunately Aveley stuck away their only chance of the day, a 25 yard free kick past Hamon. United huffed and puffed but couldn’t find a winner, a definite two points dropped.

Performance Rating: 6/10

CHIPPENHAM TOWN (H) 3-0 WIN

This performance was everything that Aveley and Chesham wasn’t. A fast start from United full of energy and relentless attacking saw us 3-0 up inside 26 minutes. There could have been plenty more goals but a professional second half performance saw out the win and Chippenham returned up the M5 with their tails between their legs.

Performance Rating: 9/10

WELLING UNITED (A) 2-0 LOSS

A refereeing howler denied United a goal in the first half with Cody Cooke wrongly ruled offside after he stuck the ball in the back of the net following a long throw. That would have changed the game, but United would still go on to hit the post and the bar, aided by a Rhys Lovett wonder save. It was beginning to feel like ‘one of those days’ and it was no surprise that Welling would then go up the other end & grab a goal. As Torquay pushed for an equaliser, Welling broke and secured a second to put the game to bed and send another healthy yellow following home without anything to show for their journeys.

Performance Rating: 6/10

BISHOPS CLEEVE (A) FA CUP 3-0 LOSS

An absolute abysmal performance, Wotton promised us that every time the lads pulled on the shirt they would give it their all, and sadly this game was the only exception to that statement! Seemingly believing they could just turn up and win the game, the Mitres played us off the park, and they were well worth their victory and progression to the next round. A real gutting performance and one that came completely out of the blue!

Performance Rating: 3/10

ST ALBANS (H) 1-1 DRAW

A chance to bounce back from the previous week’s disappointment but it was another slow start with a largely forgettable first half. Eventually, United struck, Ben Seymour playing a comedic one-two with the St Albans defender and slamming it home for his first goal of the season. Within five minutes though it was 1-1, Zane Banton letting fly from 25 yards beating Hamon who in truth looked like he should have done better. There was plenty of drama left in the game as both sides went for the win, Banton inexplicably threw an elbow at Ed Palmer whilst challenging for a header, fracturing Ed’s eye socket. Red Card and United had a 1 man advantage for the last half hour. Multiple balls into the box went begging and then it was time for another referee howler as he and his linesman failed to award the most stonewall of stonewall penalties you will see on Omar Mussa in the dying minutes. Another 2 points seemingly dropped.

Performance Rating 6/10

OVERALL AVERAGE RATING – 6.6/10

Before I wrote this article I would have graded the season a 6.5/10 with plenty of room for improvement. The performance ratings I’ve given for the matches so far seem to back this up, but I have no doubt we will improve, given how quickly this squad was put together. It’s a solid start for Paul Wotton’s men; 5th place, four points off top, and a couple referee decisions away from being 5 points better off. Plenty to be optimistic about at TQ1 at the moment, especially if we can bring a couple of loanees in!

COYY – Joe

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