We came back to win our final home match of 2024 after going behind in a frustrating first half. The second half was an improvement but it was still a tad nervy even with the opposition spending the last twenty minutes with a man disadvantage.
ANTHONY PATTERSON: 6/10
There was one incident in the second half where he nearly let them in after dawdling slightly but there was no major damage done. He made three saves throughout the match, possibly should have caught their effort right before the goal but the outfield defenders were more to blame in my opinion. Distribution was pretty much all wrong today but I think the wind definitely affected that.
LUKE O’NIEN: 6/10
Not great in the first half and got himself a pretty needless booking. Improved in the second like most of the players and had an important role in the first goal.
CHRIS MEPHAM: 6.5/10
Looked pretty calm throughout the vast majority of the match, one thing to criticise is giving away a free kick with a minute left on the clock when the player had his back turned and was nowhere near our box.
DAN BALLARD: 6/10
I’ve gone for a six because he atoned for his failing to clear the ball for the opening goal by scoring the equaliser with a very nice header. I don’t think this was his finest performance at home this season though.
DENNIS CIRKIN: 7/10
Assisted the winner but to be totally honest I didn’t notice him too much today. I’m not entirely sure if that’s a good or a bad thing because at least he avoided some of the defensive chaos that was going on.
DAN NEIL: 6/10
His passing was a bit out of whack and he gave the ball away a couple of times but he wasn’t poor after the restart so I went for a six.
JOBE BELLINGHAM: 7/10
He scored a really good goal to win the match and had a good time of things in the last 45 but, like Neil, was a bit all over the place in the first.
PATRICK ROBERTS: 5.5/10
His workrate deserves praise and he was messed about a bit by being moved between the left and right wings a couple of times. However, he attempted five crosses and none of them landed and he struggled defensively.
CHRIS RIGG: 6/10
There was a moment in the first half where he took too long to decide what to do with it when we were on the break and allowed their defense to reorganise and I think he looked tired today. He definitely needs a rest because it was pretty nonchalant but not bad, Rigg is capable of controlling games when he’s not exhausted.
ELIEZER MAYENDA: 6.5/10
He struggled today but did get the assist for Ballard’s goal. He has a habit of cutting in one too many times and losing the ball as a result and that’s part of a wider issue he has where he seems able to do the hard part and get into a great position before messing up.
WILSON ISIDOR: 5.5/10
Perhaps harsh but it felt like he was waiting for the ball rather than going to it, also scuffed a chance in the first half and he really should have scored in the second when he stole the ball off their defender.
SUBS:
TRAI HUME: 6/10
Pretty average but he played his part in keeping us from conceding a second, even if he moved out of position a few times.
ADIL AOUCHICHE: N/A
Looked bright but came on after the 80th minute so no rating.
AJI ALESE: N/A
He was decent but no rating for the same reason as Aouchiche.
LEO HJELDE: N/A
Helped us see out the win but wasn’t on the pitch for very long.
