St Etienne 1-1 Bordeaux
After going 1-0 down after only a minute (are you Oxford in disguise...) Bordeaux fought hard to claim what was an excellent point away from home. I was certain Les Girondins would be on the end of a good drubbing - something in the regions of 3-1, so I was pleased to see they still have the fight in them that was so strangely lacking against PSG. Without dwelling on the PSG debacle, which is still annoying me a week on, it was vital Bordeaux could get something from St Ettienne as the team needed to prove to themselves and the fans that last week was just a blip. A point away from home has restored some confidence.
It took an hour for the away side to register a clear effort on goal, but after sustained pressure Julian Faubert drew the two sides level 15 minutes from time, drilling in a shot from the edge of the area ofter St Etienne had failed to clear the ball. Bordeaux still had to survive a last minute scare after Rame dropped the ball but luckily Jurietti was on hand to head of the line. Darcheville then got himself sent off in injury time for a nasty tackle but Bordeaux held out for a very good point.
Footnote: The home fans behind the goal put on an excellent tifo display celebrating the amite between St Etienne's 'Magic fans 91' and the 'Ultramarines' of Bordeaux. The two supporters groupes have a long standing unity and when the two meet will wave each others scarfs and display banners showing both badges together.
Monday, November 28, 2005
Friday, November 25, 2005
Mystery 'Celeb' switches on Bicester's Christmas Lights
Who is this 'Mystery celeb' going to be?? That was the question on everyone's lips as we stood out in the Arctic conditions waiting (im)patiently for Bicester's slightly ropey Christmas lights to be switched on. (Footnote: A big thankyou to Banbury and Aylesbury for letting us have your old decorations again. They may be old and have seen better day's, but hey! They'll do for Bicester, it's a shit-hole at the best of times.)
Anyway after much awfulness in the shape of the Bicester Community College band (a bunch of scared kids who couln't play their instruments, and some teachers who couldn't resist playing showing off), we were introduced to our 'Mystery Celeb'. Hooray!!
Who will it be?? Local Millionaires Eddie Jordan or Richard Branson? New F1 Champion and Oxford resident Fernando Alonso? Even a basic local news reader like Wesley Smith (Legend) or his on-screen partner, the (in my opinion) lovely Hannah Stewart-Jones would be a good coup for the town. Sadly it wasn't to be. Switching on Bicester's Christmas lights this year was none other than..... a Del-Boy look-a-like. Hmmm. Not quite what the expectant public had been waiting for, and not technically a 'celeb' either but it'll do.
We were treated to a decent firework display after though, to which I have to give credit where credit's due, but as by this time my eyeballs were starting to freeze I was glad to be going home.
Anyway after much awfulness in the shape of the Bicester Community College band (a bunch of scared kids who couln't play their instruments, and some teachers who couldn't resist playing showing off), we were introduced to our 'Mystery Celeb'. Hooray!!
Who will it be?? Local Millionaires Eddie Jordan or Richard Branson? New F1 Champion and Oxford resident Fernando Alonso? Even a basic local news reader like Wesley Smith (Legend) or his on-screen partner, the (in my opinion) lovely Hannah Stewart-Jones would be a good coup for the town. Sadly it wasn't to be. Switching on Bicester's Christmas lights this year was none other than..... a Del-Boy look-a-like. Hmmm. Not quite what the expectant public had been waiting for, and not technically a 'celeb' either but it'll do.
We were treated to a decent firework display after though, to which I have to give credit where credit's due, but as by this time my eyeballs were starting to freeze I was glad to be going home.
Thursday, November 24, 2005
New licensing Laws!!
This is a wierd one, is it good or bad? Not sure.
The Hobgoblin in Bicester has decided to open until midnight Monday to Thursday and until 1 o'clock Friday and Saturday. In theory this is good as we all moan that the Hob is far to strict on closing time but in a way you knew where you stood. Now you'll still go out at the same time but if the night's going well you'll end up there till the early hours, before you knew you'd be sent packing dead on 11. It'll get a bit of getting used to but in a place like the hob it's a good move as it's a friendly crowd who would enjoy the chance of a few extra beers before going home. As for the rest of town, I'm sure people only went to the Littern Tree because it was open late - now they can stay in their pub of choice till late, I can't imagine it being quite as popular. I don't think the Littern tree 'carnage' everyone's expecting will be as bad as is feared.
We shall see...
The Hobgoblin in Bicester has decided to open until midnight Monday to Thursday and until 1 o'clock Friday and Saturday. In theory this is good as we all moan that the Hob is far to strict on closing time but in a way you knew where you stood. Now you'll still go out at the same time but if the night's going well you'll end up there till the early hours, before you knew you'd be sent packing dead on 11. It'll get a bit of getting used to but in a place like the hob it's a good move as it's a friendly crowd who would enjoy the chance of a few extra beers before going home. As for the rest of town, I'm sure people only went to the Littern Tree because it was open late - now they can stay in their pub of choice till late, I can't imagine it being quite as popular. I don't think the Littern tree 'carnage' everyone's expecting will be as bad as is feared.
We shall see...
The LDV Vans Trophy (Also known as something to do on a boring Wednesday)
Oxford 1-0 Orient
Stop Press!!! Oxford win two consecutive home cup ties!! At this rate we might get confused for a good team... well maybe not, but thing are definately looking up. Considering Oxford have never won an LDV vans tie at the Kassam stadium an attendance of 1,521 was pretty good, and all but 149 of them went home satisfied with a comprehensive win. Ok, Ok so it was against Orient's reserve's, but a win is a win whatever way you look at it. Lee Steele, although returning from injury, is a classy player and Sabin's goal was scored passed Orient's first choice keeper who had been brought on after Glen Morris broke his thumb trying to punch the ball away.
Basically last night was one of those games that when all's said and done didn't really matter, but Oxford went out there with a great attitude, worked hard for each other and got the result they deserved - a performance which was fully appreciated by the fans. Had Basham slotted home an early open goal it might have more, but regardless of the final score Oxford did more than enough to earn their place in the next round.
Stop Press!!! Oxford win two consecutive home cup ties!! At this rate we might get confused for a good team... well maybe not, but thing are definately looking up. Considering Oxford have never won an LDV vans tie at the Kassam stadium an attendance of 1,521 was pretty good, and all but 149 of them went home satisfied with a comprehensive win. Ok, Ok so it was against Orient's reserve's, but a win is a win whatever way you look at it. Lee Steele, although returning from injury, is a classy player and Sabin's goal was scored passed Orient's first choice keeper who had been brought on after Glen Morris broke his thumb trying to punch the ball away.
Basically last night was one of those games that when all's said and done didn't really matter, but Oxford went out there with a great attitude, worked hard for each other and got the result they deserved - a performance which was fully appreciated by the fans. Had Basham slotted home an early open goal it might have more, but regardless of the final score Oxford did more than enough to earn their place in the next round.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Bordeaux 0-2 Paris St Germain
Paris St Germain. Only Marseille are disliked more than the Capital club, and in recent years the locals have enjoyed an amazing record of sending PSG scurrying back up north with their tails betwen their legs. The visitors hadn't won a match at Parc Lescure since 1988, in fact they hadn't even managed to register a goal for six years!! On Sunday night however that proud record came crashing down as Bordeaux surrendered limply to a PSG side that dominated the whole 90 minutes.
Bordeaux boss Ricardo dropped the under performing Denilson and it was soon clear that although he prehaps hasn't been quite the revelation some hoped, without him and Cheyrou, bordeaux lack any creativity going forward. On sunday night they were predictable and quite frankly a dull side to watch. As usual Les Girondins worked well as a defensive unit but the game could have lasted a week and Laslandes, Darcheville and Chamakh wouldn't have carved out a decent chance between them. The Parisians opted to play former Bordeaux favourite Pauleta as a lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation employed to snuff out any attack by the home side and then hit them on the break. Ultimately it was PSG's containing game that left Bordeaux completely unable to force any sustained pressure.
PSG soon began to impose themselves on the match and with 15 minutes gone created the first real goal scoring opportunity when Vikash Dhorasoo skipped passed Rio Mavuba and played in Pauleta. Bordeaux full-back Afanou was able to hassle the Portuguese striker out wide and his eventual shot was well saved by Ulrich Rame. On 35 minutes Mario Yepes finally put PSG in to lead with a lovely header after Bordeaux had failed to clear a free kick. Although Yepes was level with his man, Pauleta was at least 10 yards off side and right in front of Rame, as he did not touch the ball however the officials decided he was not interfering with play and the goal stood.
After the break Bordeaux looked to be taking a more positive approach to the game but with the half only five minutes old the Dhorasoo/Pauleta combination struck again to seal the win. The midfielder laid off an inch perfect ball to Pauleta who left Afanou for dead before curling a beautifully placed shot low to Rame's left. It was Pauleta's 8th goal of the campaign, a stat which must surely highlight the fact to Ricardo that Bordeaux need a goal scorer or they will face yet another season of disappointment.
After the second goal, the remaining 40 minutes of the half were played out with little or no incident. Bordeaux looked a beaten side from the moment the ball hit the back of the net and PSG were able to just do the minimum to contain them. Even the introduction of Denilson with ten minutes to go, did little to spark a well beaten team back into life.
All is not lost for Bordeaux. This was after all only their second defeat of the campaign and the first since week three back in August, but the comprehensive style of the Parisian's victory and the fact that they were so easily brushed aside in front of their own crowd will surely raise serious doubts. Whether Bordeaux have the metal to finish in the European spot the supporters and directors demand is a question that they will have to provide a better answer to next week when they travel to St Etienne.
Bordeaux boss Ricardo dropped the under performing Denilson and it was soon clear that although he prehaps hasn't been quite the revelation some hoped, without him and Cheyrou, bordeaux lack any creativity going forward. On sunday night they were predictable and quite frankly a dull side to watch. As usual Les Girondins worked well as a defensive unit but the game could have lasted a week and Laslandes, Darcheville and Chamakh wouldn't have carved out a decent chance between them. The Parisians opted to play former Bordeaux favourite Pauleta as a lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation employed to snuff out any attack by the home side and then hit them on the break. Ultimately it was PSG's containing game that left Bordeaux completely unable to force any sustained pressure.
PSG soon began to impose themselves on the match and with 15 minutes gone created the first real goal scoring opportunity when Vikash Dhorasoo skipped passed Rio Mavuba and played in Pauleta. Bordeaux full-back Afanou was able to hassle the Portuguese striker out wide and his eventual shot was well saved by Ulrich Rame. On 35 minutes Mario Yepes finally put PSG in to lead with a lovely header after Bordeaux had failed to clear a free kick. Although Yepes was level with his man, Pauleta was at least 10 yards off side and right in front of Rame, as he did not touch the ball however the officials decided he was not interfering with play and the goal stood.
After the break Bordeaux looked to be taking a more positive approach to the game but with the half only five minutes old the Dhorasoo/Pauleta combination struck again to seal the win. The midfielder laid off an inch perfect ball to Pauleta who left Afanou for dead before curling a beautifully placed shot low to Rame's left. It was Pauleta's 8th goal of the campaign, a stat which must surely highlight the fact to Ricardo that Bordeaux need a goal scorer or they will face yet another season of disappointment.
After the second goal, the remaining 40 minutes of the half were played out with little or no incident. Bordeaux looked a beaten side from the moment the ball hit the back of the net and PSG were able to just do the minimum to contain them. Even the introduction of Denilson with ten minutes to go, did little to spark a well beaten team back into life.
All is not lost for Bordeaux. This was after all only their second defeat of the campaign and the first since week three back in August, but the comprehensive style of the Parisian's victory and the fact that they were so easily brushed aside in front of their own crowd will surely raise serious doubts. Whether Bordeaux have the metal to finish in the European spot the supporters and directors demand is a question that they will have to provide a better answer to next week when they travel to St Etienne.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Game of the Week: Banbury v Yate
Zzzzzz.... Sorry but I fell asleep thinking about it. Basically this was a dull match that didn't do justice to how far Banbury have come this year. Couple that with Oxford ( my main footballing passion) get beating yet again at Carlisle and you'll see football wise I've had better Weekends.
To be fair the game finished 1-1 with Banbury equalising through a well worked own goal (Sounds daft but I don't know how else to put it...) in the 76th minute. The game probably wasn't as bad as I've made out but considering it was the coldest day in the world ever, I was hoping for a little more entertainment to balance out the fact that my eyelid were frozen together by the freezing fog. I have seen some really good exciting football at Banbury this year so I'll take this saturday as a blip in form, for a club of their size and budget to be 4th in the southern Premier at this stage of the season is a real acheivment. They are at home to Bicester Town tomorrow in the Buckingham Charity cup and considering Bicester used to be their main local rivals in the Hellenic league shows how far Banbury have come. This once eagerly awaited derby fixture now will probably see a reserve side played and less than 100 people watching.
To be fair the game finished 1-1 with Banbury equalising through a well worked own goal (Sounds daft but I don't know how else to put it...) in the 76th minute. The game probably wasn't as bad as I've made out but considering it was the coldest day in the world ever, I was hoping for a little more entertainment to balance out the fact that my eyelid were frozen together by the freezing fog. I have seen some really good exciting football at Banbury this year so I'll take this saturday as a blip in form, for a club of their size and budget to be 4th in the southern Premier at this stage of the season is a real acheivment. They are at home to Bicester Town tomorrow in the Buckingham Charity cup and considering Bicester used to be their main local rivals in the Hellenic league shows how far Banbury have come. This once eagerly awaited derby fixture now will probably see a reserve side played and less than 100 people watching.
Friday, November 18, 2005
Girondin's Update
This is the first of what I hope to be a regular feature, I aim to provide Up to date English language coverage of the latest news from my second team FC Girondins Bordeaux. Unlike Marseille (t'encules!!) and PSG, Bordeaux don't seem to have any coverage outside of France which is a great shame as they are a team with a big History and a great stadium which is worth a visit.
Following the 1-0 win in Nice a fortnight ago, Bordeaux have extended the gap between them and third placed St Etienne to five points, however news that Bruno Cheyrou's ankle strain will see him sidelined for a three more weeks is a serious blow. Les Girondins have been superb in defence winning most matches by a single goal but they are struggling to score enough goals to finish teams off. With Cheyrou's creative attacking play missing they could struggle to find the goals to see them through the upcopming games against PSG, St Etienne and Lille unscathed.
On the plus side Bordeaux has offered a trial to Guinean midfielder Abdul Sylla. Sylla has Previously played in Turkey for Diyarbakirspor and with Belgian side Lokeren and has been given until sunday to prove his worth to the club.
Following the 1-0 win in Nice a fortnight ago, Bordeaux have extended the gap between them and third placed St Etienne to five points, however news that Bruno Cheyrou's ankle strain will see him sidelined for a three more weeks is a serious blow. Les Girondins have been superb in defence winning most matches by a single goal but they are struggling to score enough goals to finish teams off. With Cheyrou's creative attacking play missing they could struggle to find the goals to see them through the upcopming games against PSG, St Etienne and Lille unscathed.
On the plus side Bordeaux has offered a trial to Guinean midfielder Abdul Sylla. Sylla has Previously played in Turkey for Diyarbakirspor and with Belgian side Lokeren and has been given until sunday to prove his worth to the club.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Welcome
Welcome to Ant's Ramblings. This post is just to get things started, but hopefully given time this should grow into a decent Blog.
I hope to keep a review of Football matches that I go to, and hopefully post photo's once I check the legal side.
Also various review, news, and nonsense may well appear here, buts thats the beauty of a personal Blog!!
I hope to keep a review of Football matches that I go to, and hopefully post photo's once I check the legal side.
Also various review, news, and nonsense may well appear here, buts thats the beauty of a personal Blog!!
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