Billericay 1-1 Braintree

[Simon BTFC]

Better defensive performance from us, not a great game overall, not a great deal of goalmouth action. Shinn got our goal from a free kick late on, they equalised from another free kick which neal caught but fell over the line.

 

Team

Neal

Hamilton, Cousins, Wiles, Dumas

Pond Shinn Dormer

Sullivan Bricknell Wareham

 

Subs

Chatting for Sullivan

Frankis for Bricknell

Muir for Pond

J.West for Wareham

SNU: Keys, S.West, Charlery

[Brightside Bloke]

I thought Pond played a great game and Chatting is proving to be a class act when he is played.

1-1 was about fair imo.

Nice to see Shavinio back at New Lodge to support the Blues

[GazzaBTFC]

Not a great game but IMO, a more realistic test as to what we will be up gaianst when the new season in under way. A much better performance in defence but we were still prone to panic at times (hey, that may be the ploy to confuse the attacking forwards - joke).

 

Up front, I thought we did well but found ourselves a little static or "flat footed". People know I prefer Flackie over most players but I think he is the type of player that adds spark to the front line.

 

I would say that our midfield is looking good...Both Pond and Shinn are adding some bite in the middle, allowing Dorms a free role, which I think has improved his game.

 

1 all was about a fair result IMO

[Keith.P]

A very typical friendly type game which seemed to come alive a little more when the floodlights came on. Billy looking sharp and Wareham chasing lost causes. Braintree did not create many clear openings and seemed a tad comical that (our) stand in keeper elected to try a european type catch under his crossbar. All he had to do was jump and push it over ! Defence was better and we are starting to pass the ball around rather than the hoof ball which is pleasing. Fair result all round i'd say.

[Keith.P]

Att 279 - i'd say a decent turn out for a evening friendly in school hol season.

[Blue Dawg]

I was pleased with the way we tried to play football, but as always remain concerned with the size of opposing teams. We don't seem to have decent cover for Walker and if Braintree had any useful strikers I think they would have scored more. I think we will score more goals this season, but the defence away from home is going to make our away travels painful. We remain a lot stronger on the left side which any team researching will cater for.

On what we have seen so far any predictions for where we will finish the season?

[JoeV93]

At last nights game in the clubhouse by the staircase i'm pretty sure i saw what looked like a Billericay score board if so where is it to be installed?

[The Town Crier]

 

 

I thought we did well for a third game of what is basically a brand new team.

Our organisation and pattern of play is beginning to show, we kept possession well, got behind the ball quickly, and we still have a few players to take to the field yet.

[GazzaBTFC]

On the whole, we had the better chances (and more of them) so perhaps my glasses need to be changed to a different colour.

 

In comparison to Stortford, I thought Braintree were very run of the mill but that is NOFP.

[The Town Crier]

 

 

NOFP...?

[Keith.P]

Ditto !

 

oh god here we go again ! a thread is going to move in another direction i feel - word search anyone !

[finisterre]

Not Our ****** Problem?

[The Town Crier]

Originally Posted By: finisterre

Not Our ****** Problem?

no need for that finni, I was curious, ALRIGHT!

[Brightside Bloke]

Girls get a grip. FFS

[Pooch]

FFS....?

[jl]

I thought it was a decent performance myself. Fewer opportunites at either end but after the first two games the emphasis on defending better seemed sensible to me. I think Wiles made a difference to the defence and Hamilton did better at right back than he had in midfield previously. Back-up keeper is a nigh on impossible position to fill at this level but we need to keep searching IMO.

 

I was impressed again with Pond - I'll be disappointed if we don't sign him up. It was interesting to read that Brian was still looking for a midfield player because I wouldn't be too upset if I saw Dormer-Shinn-Pond-Wareham on the first day of the season. As mentioned above we still haven't seen much of the likes of Walker, Semanshia, Flack and Baker yet so I do think we're getting there. Still like to see a big unit centre-half come in just to give us that option against some of the more physical sides.

 

I agree that Braintree looked a long way behind Stortford but you can't read too much into one pre-season game.

 

Come on you Blues!!

[GazzaBTFC]

Finni is correct...and wins the prize

[Pooch]

The match report is now up on the website - thanks Simon