The last few years have been eventful to say the least. The long saga of the Stadium battle with Sainsburys is coming to a conclusion. The agony and ecstasy of relegation and then promotion by the skin of our teeth is fresh in our memory.
Our third win on the bounce has shown March to be much kinder to us than February. Our latest 3-1 victory against Wimbledon seems to have cemented our play-off place. Last Tuesday we won by the same score against Hartlepool. In both games we surrendered a 2-0 lead in the seconds half and huffed and puffed before crossing the line with relative ease.
Wimbledon are a very good side and move the ball around the park very well. It was against the run of play when Jermaine Easter scored in seeming slow motion after crosses pinged across the Wimbledon box. Ollie Clarke’s thunderous strike a few minutes meant that it should all have been over by half time. Things are rarely that easy for us Gasheads though and allowing a physical side such as Wimbledon unlimited corners was disastrous. Mattty Taylor’s third goal for us rounded off an impressive display from our top scorer and makes the other 6 pointer this week, the home tie with Mansfield an interesting prospect.
Unlike some, I do not hold Mansfield responsible for our relegation. We were masters of our own destiny and performed very badly on the day. But I guess it will add spice to a promising encounter. If we get another 3 points on Saturday then who knows what the future may hold.
Other reasons for us to be cheerful are that the take over has not adversely affected the match day preparations. Darrell Clarke gave another spiky performance when asked the obvious questions by the obsequious Radio Bristol journalist. He is a master however of deflecting criticism and insisting that he only takes one game at a time.
Whatever happened between DC and Steve Midenhall earlier in the season, no one can deny that ‘Mildy’ produced another impressive display and went a long way to securing victory. I trust that SM will be rewarded with a new contract this season even though he is now in his late thirties. He is head and shoulders above Will Puddy in more ways than one.
Before the game I was annoyed that DC had chosen to make a number of changes again. The loss of Bodin was unfortunate, but it seemed to be change for change sake as we reverted to 3 5 2 and Leadbitter and Parkes came in with McChrystal the unlucky man. Having forced his way back into a winning side, he must have felt deflated to be dropped, as must Montano.
At the back the ever impressive Tom Lockyer seems able to adapt to any number of different partners and gave a very solid performance. Lee Mansell and Chris Lines also had very good games in midfield. McBurnie made a very impressive substitute for Easter in the second half, put himself about a bit and might have had a goal on his debut. Ellis Harrison was on the bench but not apparently fit. Does the same apply to Rory Fallon who has had very few chances to impress.
So onward and upward the Gas. With the future of the club secured, a possible win over Sainsburys and the resources to secure a play off place can DC make a name for himself and take us to 2 successive promotions? Be still my beating heart! The future is so bright I might have to buy some shades.
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