Billericay 0-1 Southend

[Simon BTFC]

Good performance I thought, Southend clearly the better team but we managed to cause them a few problems at the back, although we missed a centre-forward type striker to get on the end of some probing crosses. Rode our luck a bit, but almost grabbed an equaliser late on. Thought Wareham had a good game on the left and Shave made some vital tackles and clearances in the holding midfield role. Nice to see Trotty back in the side, and pushing Heffs into midfield might be an idea with Game and Dorms still struggling...

 

Worster, McSweeney, Dumas, Heffer, Cole (Langton 80), Shave, Wareham, Hunter, Woods-Garness, Ferguson, Marron (Trott ht)

SNU: Graham, Manambu, Bagiest, Mbala

[Adam.S]

Very good game, good performance given by the lads. Agree with simon, we did cause them a few problems.. for the first 15-30 mins we kept possesion well. Though paul shave had a good game, winning the headers, definately improved from last season. Ronnie worster MOM for me, pulled off some excellent saves, definately has to be 1st choice now. Surprised to see trott back, but happy at the same time.

[GazzaBTFC]

A very good performance and I thought both Ronnie and Paul Shaves deserve praise...but then every player had a solid game.

 

Nice to see Robin Trott back.

[Ryan.c]

Ferguson impressed again, but should have bagged a couple goals. Possession wise they murdered us and we were way too sloppy, in parts, when in control of the ball. I think Dumas will be relieved to see the back of Damien Scannell! The Shave debate will continue, but he did produce two of the best passes of the night to put Ferguson in! Worster had a blinder and was probably the reason we didn't ship a few in. We've Dormer, Flack and Game to come back in, and if those 3 can remain fit, I'm fairly optomistic we'll have a decent chance of promotion.

[Keith.P]

A preseason game played as though it was a cup tie by Southend (imo), but then the Southend first team did have a point to prove to their manager. I thought we did ok but the main difference between the two sides was the keeping of possesion, which you would expect with the league differential. I too thought Ronnie was impressive, but "perhaps" a learning curve maybe would have been to widen the kicks toward the touchline as that Barratt bloke was a cut above at our level. This was a big test for the lads and the fitness is good with Dave Wareham making box to box running as did Bradders. Defensively we stood firm and lets face it we will not come up against many sides like that.

 

All in all a entertaining game so well done to the lads. And yes, Ferguson nearly nicked it at the end after a deft put through by Shave . That would have spelt disaster for Southend as Tilson had said before the game at New Lodge last night (were gonna win this game).

 

And we were also missing Bricknell,Dorms,Flack,Game.

[Rick the Dick]

Shave made a couple of great passes to create real goal scoring opportunities. He also did well with his head.

I'm as nostalgic as the next man, but thought we looked distinctly pedestrian at the back in the 2nd half.

But an enjoyable, entertaining game & another 800+ pre-season attendance.

 

 

[Bill of Shenfield]

I thought that we played well all through, they just upped their play when they had to but we pushed them all the way. Many good performances throughout the team, MOM Ronnie followed by Shave who so far seems to be playing well without getting into too much trouble. Thought Bradders had a quiet first half but came alive later on. I did not see a poor preformance from anyone. More of the same and we will be pushing for promotion.

[jl]

Well I had to watch the game from the "far side" as jl Snr turned up and he's not too hot at this standing up business.

 

However my view seems to be similar to most (What again!!!). I was impressed with the way we kept going, our fitness looked good especially considering we were against a full-time team.

 

I thought Tim Cole looked impressive at the back, he looks a strong addition. Presumably Trotty was just back to help us out, I'm not sure he's what we need with Cole and Heffer already in situ. Scannell was brilliant for them (I'm sure we must have seen him play when he was at Fisher) - Let's hope Dumas doesnt suffer any recurring nightmares, but he can rest assured they won't all be that good.

 

We looked better in the second half when we went 4-3-3 which meant we could have a go at their full backs a bit more. I was really impressed with BWG yesterday, his work-rate was excellent, especially in the second half and it was noticeable that he often tracked back to help out. Surely there can be

zero doubt now that he is far better operating from a wide position rather than down the middle.

 

I agree with Simes that we were desperately crying out for that big "hold the ball up" centre forward yesterday. Personally I think it's about time we forgot about the triallists and started looking at a few who might really be able to help us.

 

Good game, good crowd, looking forward to tomorrow.

[Rick the Dick]

Originally Posted By: jl

Presumably Trotty was just back to help us out, I'm not sure he's what we need with Cole and Heffer already in situ.

If that's the case I don't understand the logic. Similarly, I didn't understand why Tarks got a game for us against Brighton last close season.

Surely there's someone in the reserves or U18's that is more deserving of the opportunity and may gain something from the experience?