There’s a game played around this time of year called Whamageddon, where people spend December trying desperately not to listen to Wham’s ‘Last Christmas’ before the big day.
I wish I’d avoided a game played at the Wham Stadium. Why? Because under branding that reminds me of the mid-eighties pop act, City exited the BSM Trophy, but instead of penalties (as is usually the case against John Coleman’s side), it was a wonder goal that even Sean McConville would have been proud of that killed us off.
I can’t say we should have been out of sight against our League Two opponents either – they more than matched us from start to finish, as we looked tired trying to force chances that just wouldn’t come. We didn’t even pick a weak side – the back three of O’Connor, Mitchell, and Eyoma could be a starting back three in League One. Both Ethans were in the middle of the park, and in Shodipo, Mandroiu and Vale, we had a strong forward line out. Dare I say; we looked to be almost at ‘full strength,’ or a version of full strength. It really didn’t show.
After waiting seven days for some action, it seems the two teams decided we could wait 45 minutes longer. It’s not to say there weren’t chances in the first half, but if the collective xG from all eight shots (two on target) was above one, I’d be shocked. If it was above one, that would mainly be due to Josh Woods, who shanked a shot right in front of Jensen on six minutes.
City did get a chance within the first ten minutes, a long throw bounced twice, but when it did fall to Hamilton on the outside of the area, he sliced high over the bar. It was hard to pick out players doing really well at this stage – Shodipo certainly looked to take his chance with lots of lively running, and he almost gave Vale a gilt-edged chance on 16, but like Woods, Vale sliced his effort into the hands of the keeper.
I made notes as we went along, and my next five notes were all about fouls. It’s fair to say Accrington were robust in the first half – Hills in particular, whom I was surprised didn’t get a yellow. The first booking of the game was a little harsh – Henderson leaving a foot in as he challenged Jensen, catching the keeper just a little late.
After that, Hill took over responsibility for kicking people, mainly our centre forward. I thought he deliberately elbowed Vale, but nothing was given. Then he fouled Vale ‘legitimately’, and was not booked. I thought their keeper pole-axed Shodipo before Hills left a knee in Vale’s back on 39 minutes without being punished. Referee Martin Woods, who angered people last week by calling the game off, gave a couple of bizarre decisions – a goal kick when we should have had a corner and then a free kick on Mandroiu where Longelo won the ball.
Things did liven up a bit just before half time, a little taste of what was to come, starting with a chance for them. Roughan’s slip led to a long-range effort, which Jensen saved – the Ireland Under 21 was having a really tough first half on his first start for Michael Skubala, and it wouldn’t get better in the second half. I think tonight’s performance underlined why he’s preferred on the left of a back three – he was tormented by Longelo throughout the game.
We had a couple of half chances late on – Shodipo played Sorensen in really well, but the Dane shot high and wide. It was Shodipo again on the 45-minute mark, making a bad Mandroiu ball into a corner with his running. From the corner, Mitchell headed well over, bringing to an end a slow, stodgy first half. Other than Shodipo, I’m not sure anyone really stood out for either side – it was a lot like the weekend’s fixture against Wigan, only with less intensity.
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