Bognor v Bishop Stortford

[cityboy]

Well I don't know about anyone else, but personally I can't wait for this game.
The terrible circumstances of the last 18 month has given the club the chance to rebuild, whilst keeping a lot of the squad together.
Off the pitch the ground / pitch looks amazing and as a local manager said recently it now looks like a football league ground !!!
The new signings, which generally have gone under the radar of most clubs gives me, and most fans real belief that this could be our year.
I really do believe in what looks like being a very competitive league Bognor hopefully will be up there near the top.
A good start, which is unusual for Bognor will enhance that feel good feeling. So lets all get down to the Nye Camp and behind the boys.
COYR's!!!

[Pete Helsby]

Couldnt agree more Dave. The last 18 months has been horrendous for everyone not just in this country but worldwide.
The club, fully and wonderfully supported financially by our supporters, has not stood still. Whilst it has, without doubt been a testing time financially, the club infrastructure has been greatly improved with the help of many people. I cant think of many clubs at our level who can better our facility. Its been incredible what has been done. Dave has worked wonders getting
So many advertising boards inside the ground which has, of course,brought in much needed revenue. The supporters board outside Seasons is astonishing and very eye catching. The supporters club have been very active helping in many areas around the ground.
The Rocks Executive club con tinues to thrive and I must thank our members for sticking with us over the last 18 months.Its been a financially difficult time for many of you but you have remained strong and stayed with us. You can all feel exceptionally proud that your revenue has played a large part in the rebuild of the ground.
Jack and Rob have appeared to have built a very exciting squad this summer. Probably the best we have had for a number of years. We all know that other clubs have also been busy and this looks like a tough league this season. It remains to be seen how we will do but with everything else looking good lets turn out in numbers and give these players as
much vocal support as possible

[cityboy]

Just reminding people we have live music being performed outside seasons from 1.30pm tomorrow. Also our sponsors The Apuldram Centre have their mobile shop available.

[moregeriatricfan]

Have to say that it looks like we have a better squad than we have had for years. Quality all over the pitch and from the bench. If we can keep all of the players happy I believe we will have an excellent season. Can't wait to start. COYR

[Dave Silk (ex shottermiller)]

COYR - 3 points today. Start with a bang!

[cityboy]

Well the game came, and the ref managed to spoil it!!
A hard contested game. A very very poor decision as video and pictures are showing meant we played for 67 minutes with 10 players

Robbo's card at the best was a yellow.
However the rocks took it in their stride. The passed the ball about as if they had the 11 players and generally had the better possession and chances.
On the rare ventures into the Bognor territory Amadou was more than capable of dealing with the Stortford efforts.
The whole team gave 100% and the early season training paid dividends as Bognor finished the stronger ofvthe teams.
Overall a great atmosphere with the pre match buskering and charity stalls.
This squad showed their strength today as players were swapped and the subs did not look any different to the starting line up.
Despite the red card a overall pleasing day and I can't wait for the next game!!
I for one have a real belief about this season and squad.
COYR's!!!

[kof]

First, the Ground looked splendid, lovely manicured pitch, stands and so many advertising hoardings: many congrats to the management who have worked hard on this, the fans who have contributed and I suppose, grudgingly, I have to mention Cityboy who might have had something to do with it.
From the wonderful to the awful - the referee. We have seen some shockers over the years but he was right up there. Bit sad to start off with decisions like this and a typical team like BS - not very skilful, cynical, gamesmanship but they sussed the ref, of course. But, well done to the skilful Rocks lads, 10 v 12, to get 0-0, a pleasure to watch at times because they tried to play football.
I think JP cautioned about dodgy officiating in the latest Observer piece - not a good advert for the game that it happened immediately.
(First thoughts after 2 bottles).

[stevebone]

Here's a report from Liam and a couple of pics from Martin...

www.bognor.co.uk/sport/football/red-cards-mars-bognors-isthmian-opener-but-they-battle-for-a-point-3346869

[moregeriatricfan]

The referee had his red card out 2 seconds after the incident. Craig only looked at the ball during the entire thing. Most embarrassing for him that he missed it. However there was obviously no intention to hurt anyone. Ego got the better of a very poor ref, so he sent him off. Awful decision. But our 10 men were amazing and you would never have known we were down to 10. Stortford were typical of a number of sides who bully refs and always get the rub of the green. We need to be more streetwise at times. Still many more plusses than minuses. Hope we don't see that ref again.

[BBB]

Not many times you would come out of a 0-0 and be encouraged. I like the way we're looking and seem to have a very fulsome squad for the first time in ages (no loan players i think?). I like the look of Jordy and Nathan going forward and seem to be able to generate something different to break a game. If anything we look a little light in centre mid in presence and quality but think with the number of players the squad is set now unless anyone departs. Really good to be back watching and hopefully we'll have a really good go this year and be challenging around the top portion.

The ref was terrible. Notice in the second half the linesman on the dugout side was flagging for a foul on Jordy or Nathan i think and the ref blew and pointed for Bishops Stortford only to realise that the linesman wasn't quite as biased as him and it was for Bognor. Must just be his normal reaction to hear noise and immediately assume its for Bishops Stortford.

[neil99]

I honestly think we can give ourselves a massive pat on the back, having drawn but could have nicked it in the end. To hold out for around 65 min with 10 men is a massive credit to the lad's & great man management on Robbie's part doing that substitution immediately after Craig's red. On that red card, what a joke at most a yellow. Yes it was clumsy at best, but no intent or malice on his part. Craig is not a dirty player, but the Bishop Stortford player made a meal of it, and their player's surrounded the referee immediately. What an awful awful referee. Absolutely woeful not keeping up with play, and just seemed biased toward's the away side a great deal in general. If anything they will be frustrated having not taken advantage of playing against 10 men. We have got a great side now going onto East Thurrock, Haringey & Worthing finishing our August fixture's. Shame without Craig as he will miss those games I am guessing being a straight red.

[wilsonia]

I didn't make pre-season so it was wonderful to watch football in the flesh again. The team put so much effort in, defended well and Amadou made a couple of excellent saves. We weren't hanging on though, we even had the better of the latter stages which impressed me. A point gained, something I notice our 3 Sussex rivals were unable to achieve! The ref was frustrating - every... stoppage... in... play... took... so... long. I bet he gets a lot of 0-0s. It didn't ruin my enjoyment though and a healthy crowd of 657 was the 2nd highest of the 11 games in the division.

[moregeriatricfan]

One slight criticism on what was a very positive day yesterday. was the service on the tannoy. Where I was opposite the main stand, it was impossible to hear a word. This was extremely annoying when buying raffle tickets, being unable to hear the results. Hopefully this can be improved before the next match.

[Pete Helsby]

You are quite right and you are not alone. A number of people complained to me about it and it wasnt helped with the electric board failure once again. We are fully aware an l understand it is being looked at

[stevebone]

Here's Robbie's thoughts on Saturday - he is taking plenty of positives from it - "What was so pleasing was the fact that we didn’t allow our spirit and desire to play our way be affected by the sending-off." - www.bognor.co.uk/sport/football/what-delighted-robbie-blake-about-bognors-opening-day-0-0-draw-3351707