Ian Doorbar
Surrey
Biathlon. Centre left, get Tories out.
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Articles by Ian Doorbar
Saints sucked into relegation scrap with another defeat
A third successive defeat of a miserable February saw Saints drawn ever closer to the relegation scrap. But for an inspired performance by visiting keeper Sam Warrell, assisted by some poor finishing, Saints created enough to keep them in play, but the season-long absence of a proven goal scorer is starting to count against them. They started brightly enough, with Tyrone Pink creating havoc down the right flank to a degree that drew early yellow cards for the Kidlington defenders.
Paine not able to mark his double century with a win
Even on a sunny afternoon, the grey clouds continued to hang over Mill Meadow as Saints again failed to get across the finishing line with any reward. With most of the home defence absent through injury or suspension, it was an inauspicious way to celebrate the 200th club appearance for the redoubtable Alex Paine who, once again gave a huge performance in the Chalfont colours.
Saints give title-chasers a scare but eventually come up short
The first half loss of Jon Munday hurt Saints in the worst way as it came after a dominant Saints performance that had the high flying Farnborough scrambling to maintain a hold on the game. The reorganisation that it demanded, together with a questionable red card for Ryan Wharton, threw Saints into disarray and allowed Boro a foot in the door which they clinically exploited to then run out clear winners.
Cass is back as Saints return to winning ways
In a lively and entertaining game, Saints edged out their near neighbours to secure a vital win to halt their recent slide down the table. If heavy morning rain had deadened the pitch, both sides began positively with the Ducks taking to the damp conditions as might be expected. The ball was moved quickly and positively but it was Chalfont that took the early advantage.
Saints sucker-punched by five-minute goal blitz
A three goal blitz in just five minutes proved too much of a hurdle for a depleted Saints side to overcome, and so they slipped to their fourth successive defeat. Despite six late dropouts, Saints were still pleased to welcome back Jake Cass after a long layoff with a knee injury, and they began brightly enough. They looked the likeliest to take advantage of the early exchanges but struggled to come close to putting the home goal under any real threat.
Saints shake off injuries and absences to beat Histon
Against a side with just two wins to their name this season, Saints were under pressure to get the right result on Saturday against visitors Histon. Ravaged by injury and absence, Danny Edwards put together a team that was able to deliver on the imperative with a victory that was more comfortable than the final scoreline suggested.
Two up in eight minutes but Saints go on to lose
Having taken a commanding early lead, Saints were ultimately undone by some hesitant defending and a resurgent opposition to slip to a defeat as every bit as miserable as the weather that enveloped the Calthorpe Park ground on Saturday. From the start, the intent from Chalfont was positive with the ball being moved quickly and positively.
Another win and clean sheet for Saints
A rock-solid performance from the Saints defence secured successive wins and clean sheets on a crisp afternoon that overheated towards the end and saw both sides have a man sent off. On the back of three wins, Uxbridge fancied their chances of victory and for much of the first half they were clearly in the ascendant. However, as hard as they pummelled the Saints defence, they could not break down the home side.
Keeper Malone earns Saints a point against Ashford
It took a determined performance from the Saints defence, and in particular from keeper Garry Malone, to secure a vital point as they seek to halt their slide down the Southern League table. A clean sheet will always guarantee at least a draw and while both sides battled hard and entertainingly in the middle of the park, there was precious little chance of many goals, given the tightness of the defences at both ends.
Saints' own promotion hopes hit by league leaders
Conceding two goals in the opening 10 minutes consigned Saints to a long and painful 90 minutes as they were thoroughly outgunned by a hugely impressive Royston side that look determined not to repeat their mistakes of previous seasons. With the memories of playoff failure in the past two seasons, Royston have clearly set their eyes on the title and arrived at Mill Meadow in the best possible position.
Tomkins fires down Casuals with superb hat-trick for Saints
A brilliant hat-trick by Craige Tomkins was the obvious standout as Saints progressed to the next round of the FA Trophy but this was an all-round performance from a Saints side that thrilled and excited after a few lean performances. Danny Edwards boldly made a number of changes to his team, some forced and some through choice, and there was some nervousness at how things might play out. Any such fears were quickly dispelled as Saints were on the front foot right from the first whistle.
Saints concede twice last on to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory
Saints can feel hard done after conceding two late goals that negated a lead they had held for most of the game but it was the energy-sapping efforts of the previous week that ultimately cost them. Bedford, looking to continue their recent winning streak in the league, started the brighter of the two sides, twice going close in the early stages. Saints were hampered by a first minute injury to Ruddock Yala, who finally hobbled off after 21 minutes.
Saints hit six of the best to win FA Trophy replay at a canter
Often in football the result is the only thing that counts. Saints won their FA Trophy replay at a canter, the final scoreline still not a full measure of their superiority over an Arlesey side that must have wished Saints had finished them off at the first opportunity on Saturday. At times the quality of the Saints play was a joy to watch, the players clearly enjoying the opportunity to play at their very best.
Tomkins brace earns Saints a second bite of the FA Trophy cherry
It may have taken an horrendous goalkeeping error to allow Saints to score the equaliser that ensured a replay, but it was Chalfont that were left rueing some sloppy finishing that should have seen them through to the next round of the FA Trophy. With four regulars missing, a patched-up Chalfont side couldn't have made a worse start, falling behind after just 45 seconds.
Former AFC Wimbledon man nets the winner for Saints
Goals either side of the break were enough to secure a second win in a week for Saints to keep them in third place as both sides above them dropped points. Like a barbeque held under threatening skies, the game began frenetically with opportunities at both ends but no real chances being created. By the time the rain arrived the tone of the game had been established.
Saints undone by league leaders Farnborough
An improving Saints performance was not enough to prevent a confident Farnborough side from continuing their dominance of the division. Looking to return to the form that took them to the top in the early weeks of the season, Saints were unable so dominate a well oiled Farnborough side that oozed confidence.
Saints undone by Potters Bar for second time in seven days
But for two magical moments from their chief tormentor of the previous week when the two sides met in the FA Cup, Saints showed enough strength and improvement to have seen them edge this close encounter played in far from ideal conditions. Without their leading marksman, Tony Mendy, who had been signed by Ryman Premier side Enfield Town in the days before, Saints had the opportunity to reinvigorate what was shaping up to be a flagging start to the season.
Saints crash out of FA Cup after defeat to Potters Bar
With a crowd boosted by assorted ground hoppers on Non-League Day, Saints put in a worryingly abject display to be well beaten by a slick Potters Bar side who couldn't believe the ease with which they progressed to the next round of The Emirates FA Cup.
Two late goals see Saints through in FA Cup clash
Unlike in life, in football, the destination is usually more important than the journey. This was an FA Cup tie which neither side deserved to win, but ultimately Chalfont's experience told, and it took two excellent goals late in the game to brighten an otherwise dull afternoon. Typically, the underdogs from Harpenden started the brighter, seeking an early breakthrough to put Chalfont under pressure.
Last-minute winner gives Saints derby bragging rights
Saints maintained their winning start to the season but left it until stoppage time at the end of the game before striking the killer blow to claim the spoils in Tuesday's lively local derby. Looking to build on their best start to a season since their Spartan League triumph six seasons ago, Saints were all over their visitors in the opening period and had chances enough to kill off the opposition inside the first half an hour.
Super Saints make it three wins out of three by beating Ashford
Saints maintained their winning start to the season with a performance that showed a lot of promise but, following substitutions, became increasingly edgy as a fast-paced Ashford side pushed hard for a way back into the game towards the end. For a ground lying hard up against Heathrow Airport, it wasn't too much of a surprise that much of the first half was played in the air. Frustration quickly spread around the crowd, all wanting to see the ball played more in the ground.
Four-some stuff as Saints get off to the perfect start
Saints got their new season off to a flying start with an ultimately comfortable win against their Hampshire opponents on Saturday. Early games are all about getting a result as teams settle into their new personnel and ways of playing. Dean McDonnell, one of four new names in the Saints side, had a shot pushed over and then hit the post with another effort, all in the opening minutes to give notice of how Saints would attack the game.
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