The Away Fan's View. MK Dons 4-3 Exeter 28th November 2009
Reflection:
Today's game encapsulated the range of highs and lows of following our club around the country.
That heartbreaking feeling at full-time was compounded by what had gone before it. We thought we were on our way to that Third Round draw, 3-1 up and things were looking rosey.
Barry Corr and Adam Stansfield were continuing their goalscoring form, Harley was impressing again and the meagre home crowd were silent. Slowly that lead was eroded, eaten away in a match that was way too open.
Last week the official website listed the top ten City comeback's from the last ten years. The fanatic thing was there were plenty to chose from.. But how many times have we been on the end of the last-gasp comeback?
Instead of going gung ho and watching the goals fly in, as Tisdale's sides have often done, we were watching through our fingers as our lead vanished in front of our eyes. This was how Torquay felt on that wonderful afternoon at Plainmoor.
And of course our hosts had thrown away a lead on Tuesday night when they lost 4-3, they knew how we felt. As Stansfield did his jig of delight to the away end you didn't think that things would fall apart quite so quickly.
Their second was vital, it came very quickly after our third and set the wheels in motion for their comeback. If we'd have held them at bay that little longer I think we'd be in the hat tomorrow at Soho Square (or is it Wembley now?)
We began to lose those second balls and the possession that had earned us our lead wasn't there when we needed it.
Positives:
'Goals, goals, goals' - 12 in our last four away games, including three for Stansfield and Corr while Harley, Taylor, Logan and Fleetwood have all found the net. After failing to threaten going forward at Huddersfield and Walsall this flurry of goals is a huge turn around.
'Corr's on form' - His manager told the press recently that if the team could put the ball in the right places in and around the box for their Irish striker then he would score plenty of goals. And he is doing just that. He told the official site recently that he is reaching full fitness after an injury nightmare last season and it looks like there is still plenty more to come from Corr.
'Interval inspiration' - City never looked like scoring in the first 45 minutes and were deservedly behind but we really saw a reaction after the break. The same 11 players looked a completely different side and bossed the game for 20 minutes before it all went wrong.
'We can test the best' - We severely tested one of the promotion pushing sides in their own backyard, just as we did with Colchester. Ince's outfit were losing Play Off Semi Finalists last season and will be up there again. We forced them into top gear and pushed them all the way.
Negatives:
'The Cup doesn't runeth over' - Financially and fanwise a Cup run would have been a huge boost to the club. A place in the Third Round could have meant a huge financial boost for the coffers. But hey, did concentrating on the League last season do us any harm?!
'Our cup hoodoo goes on' - Defeats to Stockport, Bury, Curzon and now the MK Dons means Tisdale is yet to take the Grecians to the Third Round. While we haven't won a game yet in the JPT or the League Cup either. Devon Bowl anyone?!
'Debatable defending' - With just four goals conceded in their last six games City were keeping the door shut at the back in some impressive performances. Today's goals weren't individual errors but the back four seemed to struggle with the tempo and strength of some of the home side's attacks. Did the forced reintroduction of Duffy disrupt the defensive harmony?
'Battered before Bristol' - While City were being put through the mill at Milton Keynes their opponents on Tuesday had their feet up. Tisdale might need fresh legs and some of his magic team talks to get the team ready for another away game. And with Duffy (dead calf) and Corr (dead legs) picking up knocks Tisdale could have injury worries as well.
'Heads we lost' - aerially the Grecians were second best at the back this afternoon. Easter's header won the game but Devaney also scored with his noggin while the first and second goals came from headed assists.
Key moment: Sam Baldock makes it 3-2 on 70 minutes. City had made it 3-1 and had they lasted another 5/10 minutes it could have been too late for the home side to hit back. A killer goal which swung the momentum in the Dons favour and five minutes later the third duly followed.
The opinions expressed in our Fan Blogs are exclusively those of the author and do not represent the views of Exeter City Football Club. How was your away day? We want to hear your views, email webteam@exetercityfc.co.uk |
