Just a few comments while I finish off these sour grapes I picked up.
Playing the game on a hard plastic pitch massively benefited TNS, who didn't need additional help to look comfortable with the ball. The ref was generally a bit crap (as you'd expect) but the linesmen were waving their flags in an Oswestry accent. Second goal was clearly offside. They always got the benefit of the doubt and it made the job extra difficult for the centre halves who had to try to over-cover rather than play the high line they started with (which wasn't working great but still).
U21s sides will always have weak links and it was the sort of game that highlighted that. Their subs were all established players for them, while some of our starters in fairness probably have no future in the professional game. Team resembled the first team in a lot of ways - no centre forward worthy of the name, ropey at the back, and generally lacking pace by comparison to the opposition.
Liam Smith as good as anyone on the pitch first half, anonymous second. Kian Jenkins had a great game, just back from injury himself. Mitchell Bates grew into it really well despite taking two bad lunging tackles that better refs might have taken action on. The stoppage time goals made the scoreline look a lot worse than the team deserved. Replay the game on grass and get Kristian Fletcher back for the day and it'd be a better contest (maybe hope one of the other keepers is fit too).
Well it is my local......
