Messages

1

The B-Ark / Re: Home vs Maidenhead

« on: September 28, 2024, 10:43:55 PM »

Definite set-back today. We've now lost 5 out of 7 home games. I really thought we could win today. I think the last few games, in  different ways, have been encouraging, but this is a big step back. I said at the start of the season that if we finished outside the bottom 4 it would be a successful season. I now think it is the only aim we can have. I must keep the faith but now it means circling the wagons and fighting for survival.

UTP

2

The B-Ark / Re: Rochdale

« on: August 12, 2024, 03:23:38 PM »

Disappointing result but not that surprising. This league is a beast with teeth now and we will have to scrap for any point we can get. If we can avoid finishing in the bottom four next May, I would call that a successful season. The pundits would possibly call it "consiladation". I realise this is a real challenge, but I think most footballers would relish that challenge. Anyway, as long as the players try their best, the team will have my unconditional support.

UTP

3

The B-Ark / Re: today......

« on: May 05, 2024, 10:39:37 AM »

I won't lie, I didn't think we had a chance of winning the play-offs. Alfreton, Scunthorpe and Brackley away? I saw Brackley beat us a month ago and they barely broke sweat. I am very happy for DN, who has never lost faith. I have no idea what IC has planned for the close season, but I think our promotion will help him get what he wants. Personally, I will be happy with any position next season outside the bottom four.

Well done lads.

UTP

4

The B-Ark / Brackley

« on: April 06, 2024, 10:09:23 PM »

Where do I start? We never looked like winning, I was surprised when we scored, it was our only shot on target. Brackley bossed us all afternoon. The midfield were static and devoid of creativity. Crab football was the dish of the day. I half expected Butch Wilkins to come off the bench in a Boston shirt.
The wind made life difficult but that was the same for both sides.Great to see Hazell back but he is obviously not match-fit.
Two things to say about the match overall. The standard of the match officials was appalling. The linesman on the East Stand side was totally incompetant, and that's being generous. Brackley were also guilty of some pathetic gamesmanship. If only Ellender/Greaves were on  the pitch the Brackley players would not be simulating injury. they would actually be carried off with various limb
 malfunctions!
UTP

5

The B-Ark / Re: Rushall Olympic

« on: April 01, 2024, 08:25:18 PM »

I was a bit worried when I looked at the table this morning and saw that Rushall needed a win to get out of the relegation zone. I suspect they threw the kitchen sink at United and got the 3 points. Fair play to them. It's history now and it's Brackley on Saturday. I've bribed my brother-in-law to be my driver to the game so fingers crossed!

UTP

6

The B-Ark / Re: v Spennymoor

« on: March 02, 2024, 11:44:14 PM »

Time to step back and look at the big picture. We have lost 2 home games in 5 days and dropped out out of the play-offs. With 2 wins we could have realistic prospects of home advantage in those play-offs. Now we have to muscle our way into 6th or 7th spot. That means away games in the play-offs.
The 2-0 win at Fy£de was the best day I've had away ever. Especially as I'd witnessed the 9-2 defeat a few seasons before. My crystal ball says a similar fixture at Scunthorpe is coming up.

UTP

7

The B-Ark / Re: Brackley

« on: December 02, 2023, 09:11:26 PM »

I've just watched the interview. Memories of Craig Elliott just before the axe fell. 3 weeks to Xmas and the season is just about over. We will avoid relegation but is that something to shout about? I also sensed that Craig Singleton is starting to "twitch".

UTP

8

The B-Ark / Re: Coalville

« on: November 20, 2023, 02:34:23 PM »

Thanks for the feedback to my query about Finlay Thorndyke. I, for one, am sorry to see him go. I realise that he could be "muscled" off the ball a bit too easily, but he had a genuine attacking mind-set going forward, and that is what we are desperately short of. I will not be surprised if he surfaces somewhere else and makes a name for himself.

UTP

9

The B-Ark / Re: Coalville

« on: November 19, 2023, 12:28:21 PM »

Does anyone know what's happened to Finlay Thorndike? He seems to have gone AWOL.

10

The B-Ark / Re: Coalville

« on: November 18, 2023, 09:57:31 PM »

All we need now is someone like Skegness to knock us out of the Lincs Cup and for the 3rd season in a row we have been knocked out of all 3 Cup competitions by lower league opposition. Shambolic.

11

The B-Ark / Re: Still counting

« on: November 07, 2023, 10:26:28 PM »

Farsley's 1st win at home. Well I never. It helps when your opponents couldn't score if the game went on till midnight. We do not have a "strike-force". Full stop. IC has to take responsibility for this. I would not go anywhere near the Chairman tomorrow. Miracles not withstanding, we will finish this season in about 14th place with a remarkably low goals for total.

UTP[old habits die hard]

12

The B-Ark / Curzon

« on: October 07, 2023, 10:21:32 PM »

It;s 10PM and no-one wants to say a word. Well I do. When it comes to the league, we are strictly come average. Next week's FA Cup tie at Worksop is VERY important. We have to win it. If we don't, support will drain away. I do have my doubts, and I'd like to be proved wrong.

UTP

13

The B-Ark / Re: Rushall Olympic

« on: October 01, 2023, 12:35:59 PM »

Went to see the lads play yesterday and overall was happy with the performance. A special mention for the two young full-backs who both did very well. Knowles was the victim of a nasty late tackle which the ref ignored. Rushall's pitch is plastic and most of the players spent most of the time trying to control the ball.
The only disappointment of the day for me was they sold out of meat pies before I got to the front of the queue!

14

The B-Ark / Re: Thorndyke

« on: August 26, 2023, 04:43:34 PM »

VERY pleased we have him on loan for the season. Saw him play against Telford last game of last season. To me he was MOM. Quick thinker on the ball, and naturally attacking outlook. Good work Ian Culverhouse.

15

The B-Ark / Re: South Stand

« on: August 16, 2023, 09:11:16 PM »

Welcome back everyone. Tricky times again. DN is above criticism in my opinion. But that does NOT mean naughty forties is smug or misguided. Since we were relegated from the EFL in 2007 we have not played a single season in the Conference National. You can dress that up anyway you like. For the umpteenth time, even after 3 games, we won't get relegated and we won't get promoted. Southport away on Saturday is very informative. They are in a mess, if we can't beat them now.....? Mind you, it can't be worse than AM's  seasonal debut a few seasons ago when we lost 4-0 and Gregg Smith was sent off about 15 minutes after coming onto the pitch[I was there].

UTP