ricay v hitchin

[stormin norman]

well what can i say !!!!!!

 

decent result considering macca got a disputed red(was the hitchin player touched)

 

well done to the blue army load n proud

 

another clean sheet

 

baker run his plums off and put in a shift n half imo!!

 

well done boys

 

the passion n fight was there 4 all 2 see

[JoeV93]

Yes well played. What was the attendance?

 

COYB

[John M]

As someone who has been openly critical of the team not fighting for the cause several times this season I must say today's effort was exactly the opposite. No-one shirked a tackle, no-one stopped running (even near the end when several players were obviously out on their feet) and despite the shameless play acting by a number of the visitors players (4,5 & 7 immediately come to mind) the lads battled hard throughout.

 

Was disappointed with Hitchin - and not just because of the antics of some of their players. For a team doing so well at their level they rarely threatened despite having the extra man for much of the game. I also felt that had we not had to change the game plan to accommodate Macca's dismissal then we had a good chance of getting through them as they looked 'iffy' at the back when placed under pressure - especially the 5 and the silent, non-commanding keeper.

 

Still we're in there with a very good chance to progress - we've a decent record at Top Field over the years (memories in particular of a superb 1-2 League Cup win there in the 90's when we were a league below them - and we missed a penalty before grabbing a 30 yarder last minute winner!!).

 

Thought the ref showed how inept he was going to be with his weak handling of the early incident when the 7 lashed out at Baker off of the ball. Not saying Macca didn't deserve to go for the later retribution (intent more than contact me thinks) but their 4 & 5 were at it all afternoon. Soon after Baker got booked the 5 feined a head injury as if caught by Baker's elbow but when he noticed the lino wasn't interested just carried on as if nothing had happened. Then the 4 went clattering into Green but was punished with nothing more than a lecture. When Macca dived in at the 7 their 3 came charging into the melee that followed with arms and hands raised but got away with a booking. Second half the 5 wrestled Baker down after a cross was cleared then, again, feined his own injury - presumably to try and prevent himself being booked (which it did) or to get Baker a red (which, thankfully, it didn't). Then later he lunged in two footed on Green and missed player and ball - the ref's response was to do absolutely nothing. One of those very frustrating afternoons in that respect.

 

Final word on the ref - why did he stop play late in the second half just as Harrison was breaking away down the left wing because Pond and their player had had a scuffle? We lost the momentum of the advantage (it was a promising move) - surely he could have waited until the ball went dead then pulled both players up and booked them then?

 

Good luck lads on Tuesday - you've seen what you will be up against and if you keep that spirit and your heads you'll get through.

 

COYB

[brucie]

Yes well played. What was the attendance?

 

COYB

 

just over 300,

I think the lads did really well, some nice football played at times, well done.

Baker has really come on.

I cant stand these useless, spineless, linos in football today! FA take note!!!!!!

[kt:@btfc]

What a game. The ref was consistently crap and some real cheating going on from Hitchen. Did anyone notice the elbow Harrison got in his throat towards the end of the game from their number 7? That went unnoticed by all the officials again. The baker incident happened in slow motion in front of the linesman so he DID see it but was too weak to do anything about it. One of their fans came up to me at half time and said to me "why are the crowd shouting at the players. They are nice boys etc etc. (me thinks one of the players mummy). I told her not to worry about it is something that just happens at football. However, now I have had time to think about her comment I wished I'd have said to her that I have never seen a player push our physio, never seen a team collectively charge at the ref and players consistently fake injuries (apart from Tonbridge). Furthermore, Hitchins number 5 came out at half time looking at the crowd and putting his finger to his lips in a shhhhh comment. So my feelings to this fan would now be: If you don't like comments like this then don't go to football. If you son doesn't like to hear the crowd shout comments then he clearly is in the wrong profession.

 

I would really like to ask Mr Statham why did Billy warm up and just about to come on then didn't until 30 seconds before the end? Baker was clearly struggling for 15 minutes when we could have done with some fresh legs. Also why did you take Wareham off? I'm no expert, I'm just a fan so I would really like to know why this happened???? Good luck the blues on Tuesday.

[stormin norman]

spoke to brian after the game

 

billy has just come back and wasn`t full fit........

 

he should be ok 4 tues

 

 

just been on hitchin site and we are the dirtiest team they have played......

 

 

i must have been at the wrong game then

[Brightside Bloke]

I would really like to ask Mr Statham why did Billy warm up and just about to come on then didn't until 30 seconds before the end? Baker was clearly struggling for 15 minutes when we could have done with some fresh legs. Also why did you take Wareham off? I'm no expert, I'm just a fan so I would really like to know why this happened???? Good luck the blues on Tuesday.

 

Well that seems like a good question and one i hope that get's answered.

No disrespect to Baker i thought he worked his socks off yesterday and was understandably slacking off towards the end. And nice to see him pick up player of the month afterwards.

 

It was like old times (have i been here long enough to say that?) Watching the fans getting behind the team & management and hat's off to Brian & Barry for acknowledging this at full time.

 

Oh and for what it's worth. NIGEL IS INNOCENT

[stormin norman]

I would really like to ask Mr Statham why did Billy warm up and just about to come on then didn't until 30 seconds before the end? Baker was clearly struggling for 15 minutes when we could have done with some fresh legs. Also why did you take Wareham off? I'm no expert, I'm just a fan so I would really like to know why this happened???? Good luck the blues on Tuesday.

 

Well that seems like a good question and one i hope that get's answered.

No disrespect to Baker i thought he worked his socks off yesterday and was understandably slacking off towards the end. And nice to see him pick up player of the month afterwards.

 

It was like old times (have i been here long enough to say that?) Watching the fans getting behind the team & management and hat's off to Brian & Barry for acknowledging this at full time.

 

Oh and for what it's worth. NIGEL IS INNOCENT

[stormin norman]

that is sooooooooo funny bb

put me down as a witness

 

NIGEL IS INNOCENT

 

 

[Adam.S]

I agree it was a good performance by all the team, we never gave up and kept going to the end however Hitchin didn't impress me much and as for the dirtiest team they have played, are they for real?!?!? Baker ran his socks off and I thought he definately deserved to be player of the month winner as he has improved quite a lot and I think that winning that award could make him a better player. The two centre-halfs both done well and kept them out. What I think people forget about Baker is that he missed the whole of pre-season, and it is really tough to get back to match fitness but during October and still now he is improving, he may not be the fastest player, but hes a target man.

 

I am hoping the ref is busy for Tuesday night otherwise we have him again, maybe he might actually put in a better performance!!!!

 

Only a few things concerning me at the moment is that with us keep playing in the cup games, we are missing out on the league, and eventhough we have 2 games in hand - 3 on Tuesday, we are drifting away from safety by quite a few points, I also think we need to look for a striker, we have brought in defenders, midfielders, but we need someone who can score the goals, and last thing, our discipline has been shocking this season so this could cause in issue.

 

Apart from that looking forward to Tuesday!!

[GazzaBTFC]

A good performance by the team and one that has me looking forward to Tuesdays game. I certainly hope we can ram it home and "elbow" them out...Do to them what one of their players did to Danny Green...Stamp our authority all over them and get a decent win. My only concern is the ref and how easily swayed they are by the moaning and whining and crying to Mama and how gulable they are to the cheating. You can betcha bottom dollar, they'll be a few spectacular dives in the box on Tuesday from Hitchin. I thought Macca should've had a yellow considering what was being dished out by them but hey ho...proves a point about the weakness of the officials when the opposition hit the "big girls blouse" button and start bleating like stuck pigs...Didn't the injured player "roll" well...how many was it?

 

Everyone of our players showed effort, hard work and pride...exactly what the supporters have asked for...now lets start getting wins.

 

My opinion about why Billy didn't come on is (as well as not being fully fit) that he isn't a target man and to bring him on may have upset the formation that we had to adopt. Although Baker was blowing by the end of the game, he does and did provide us with some much needed defence from the top of the field...not one of Billy's stregnths...but that is only my opinion. I'm sure he will be back on Tuesday and then he can give that 4 and 5 "dogs" the run around.

 

Well done to the players and to the supporters...ya know, it actually felt like our club of old yesterday...

 

Bring it on!!!

[Top Cat]

Another positive and improved performance from the Blues despite another awful ref, all of the team put in max effort especially when Macca went off, Baker really gave everything throughout the match, hopefully he can play to that level every game.

 

Hitchin were an average side but, disappointing seeing their players turning to poor gamesmanship, perhaps they expected us to be an easier side and got frustrated when they couldn’t dominate us!

 

Anyway we will get the win on Tuesday.

 

And more importantly the team will be ready for Boreham Wood on Saturday.

[Sticks]

A decent team effort with good spirit and work rate, no doubt 'helped' by the injustice of the red card. Very disappointed with the reaction of both their players and bench after the challenge which to my mind influenced a very ordinary ref. It deserved a yellow card and no more.

 

I agree Baker worked especially hard as the lone striker and there were good displays from everyone.

 

Hopefully the ref is unavailable for the replay as I suspect their antics will be even worse at home.

 

Its a game we could do without at the moment but a game that is very winnable, given a level playing field.

 

COYB.

[jl]

I felt Macca caught their guy late but on another day could have easily "escaped" with a yellow.

 

We had been the better side with xi but after Macca went off Baker was completely isolated and it was a backs to the wall job whereby we defended admirably.

 

Hitchin's biggest threat by far seemed to be down the sides and I would revert to 4-4-2 on Tuesday to counter that with Bricknell coming in for Wareham who I think has been disappointing (contrary to kt though) although he can still have a positive impact coming off the bench.

 

On the evidence of that game, with eleven on the pitch I'm reasonably hopeful we can get to the next round.

 

I know there s nothing we can do about it when we're not playing league games but 7 points adrift is a real worry now. Hopefully we can take heart from our recent improved performances in the cups and translate them into league points.

 

I also think we should have a keeper on the bench in Cup games.

 

Come on you Blues!!

[HitchinGirl]

One of their fans came up to me at half time and said to me "why are the crowd shouting at the players. They are nice boys etc etc. (me thinks one of the players mummy). I told her not to worry about it is something that just happens at football...So my feelings to this fan would now be: If you don't like comments like this then don't go to football. If you son doesn't like to hear the crowd shout comments then he clearly is in the wrong profession.

 

I believe you are referring to me here. How exciting to at last have my 15 minutes of fame. Whoever would have though it would come courtesy of Essex.

 

Firstly, can I (not) thank you for aging me at least a dozen years, presuming me to be a player's Mum. Deary me, either I was having a very bad aesthetics day or you've suggested it for effect. I shall hope for the latter!

 

I can only assume you are the chap who was fixing up his burger with his partner; it is semantics, really, but I would like to clarify that I did not 'come up to you to comment'; I happened to be standing nearby chatting with one of our supporters, and probably caught the eye of yourself or your partner and engaged in a chat. I did say that they were nice, honest lads, etc and did mean it. I don't personally wish to get into a conversation about cheating, etc but I did feel that the behaviour of the BT fans was very aggressive and it was surprising and intimidating to suddenly be in the middle of such a hostile environment.

 

Your partner, as I recall, agreed the behaviour was pretty bad, so perhaps you have suggested she stay away from football too?

 

Game aside, it is unfortunate to have come away from Billericay with such a bad taste of the place and the fans, especially after the friendliness and hospitality extended by the staff. I am sure we'll all do our best to welcome you at Top Field, and I do hope that those who come on Tuesday bring with them a much calmer head.

 

We are all here for the same reason, after all, the love of the game and to support our teams!

 

On a lighter note, I hope your keeper is OK after his injury; it looked nasty and he seemed a nice (there's that word again) chap, and I was sorry to see some of our own fans make such a ruckus when he went down.

Good luck for the rest of the season (except Tuesday).

[Eastside Urchin]

lol,you lot kicking off with women now!!!!

[brucie]

One of their fans came up to me at half time and said to me "why are the crowd shouting at the players. They are nice boys etc etc. (me thinks one of the players mummy). I told her not to worry about it is something that just happens at football...So my feelings to this fan would now be: If you don't like comments like this then don't go to football. If you son doesn't like to hear the crowd shout comments then he clearly is in the wrong profession.

 

I believe you are referring to me here. How exciting to at last have my 15 minutes of fame. Whoever would have though it would come courtesy of Essex.

 

Firstly, can I (not) thank you for aging me at least a dozen years, presuming me to be a player's Mum. Deary me, either I was having a very bad aesthetics day or you've suggested it for effect. I shall hope for the latter!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can only assume you are the chap who was fixing up his burger with his partner; it is semantics, really, but I would like to clarify that I did not 'come up to you to comment'; I happened to be standing nearby chatting with one of our supporters, and probably caught the eye of yourself or your partner and engaged in a chat. I did say that they were nice, honest lads, etc and did mean it. I don't personally wish to get into a conversation about cheating, etc but I did feel that the behaviour of the BT fans was very aggressive and it was surprising and intimidating to suddenly be in the middle of such a hostile environment.

 

Your partner, as I recall, agreed the behaviour was pretty bad, so perhaps you have suggested she stay away from football too?

 

Game aside, it is unfortunate to have come away from Billericay with such a bad taste of the place and the fans, especially after the friendliness and hospitality extended by the staff. I am sure we'll all do our best to welcome you at Top Field, and I do hope that those who come on Tuesday bring with them a much calmer head.

 

We are all here for the same reason, after all, the love of the game and to support our teams!

 

On a lighter note, I hope your keeper is OK after his injury; it looked nasty and he seemed a nice (there's that word again) chap, and I was sorry to see some of our own fans make such a ruckus when he went down.

Good luck for the rest of the season (except Tuesday).

 

 

 

What a nice lady!

I AS A RICCY FAN! YOU.

 

I would like to add more positive comments on the game, but I need to say this? my sadness and low feeling of feeling ashame of the terrible language had by a couple of idiots in the crowd.

True fans of BTFC, Please don,t have these idiots shame our great club in future. Move away from them when they start, so these so called supporters can be recognizes and BANNED!

coyb

[Ryan.c]

A good hard working TEAM performance and we deserve to have another stab at it on Tuesday. If we keep our discipline and play with the same amount of effort and determination as we did yesterday, we've a good chance of progressing. I hope we're gonna have a decent turn-out Tuesday, the players probably deserve one after yesterday. Do we know if Macca's suspension kicks in straight away?

[hitchin_chris]

 

I also think we should have a keeper on the bench in Cup games.

 

Come on you Blues!!

 

If your defenders are going to kick their own keeper in the head, I agree!

 

Your keeper was a gem - top bloke, exchanged banter with us all game, took all the ribbing and mutual applause at the end made it not so bad.... Hope he's OK for Round 2 on Tuesday.

 

Pity the game deteriorated, as the two teams were pretty evenly matched.

 

It was good to come back to an old hunting ground yesterday - yes, disappointed we didn't get the result with the man advantage, but we didn't do enough to earn it. That said, we need the distraction as much as you do - promotion is much more important to us, as is avoiding relegation for you.

 

Also a pity that a few unpleasantries have soured things a bit. Whatever you think, and I don't condone play acting, but our 7 did get caught by your 2. Wasn't very subtle. Nor was the kick on the calf that put our No.11 out of the game and doubtful for Tuesday. What I can't understand is - your performance belied your league position and you don't need to do the physical because your play was better than that. Losing players for indisciplined tackles will not help your cause. Maybe it's not as easy in League games? And no you weren't the dirtiest team we've played this season - far from it. You should play some of the Midlands teams in our division. Try an away trip to Stourport Swifts!

 

And yes, Hitchin Girl is a very nice lady - and very fair in what she says. We have a small idiot element too. Like it or not - as a club you aren't that much different from us!

 

Look forward to welcoming those of you who make the journey up on Tuesday. Fully understand why you fancy your chances -but Tuesday is another day!

[GazzaBTFC]

Yup, certainly don't like play acting and certainly don't like stamping on players when their down...I've read your forum and the suggestion that more 'Ricay players should've been given a red is laughable. Perhaps the ref will catch either your no. 4 or 5 on Tuesday and do the right thing and get them off the pitch or some of the disgraceful behaviour they showed!!!

 

Angry rant over...I said I was going to enjoy the game and I did. I agree that it was certainly good to "re awaken" old rivilries, which gave that edge to the game. And the Hitchin support was well mannered...well those I spoke to before the game when I was out and about, were freindly....some remembered where that the club shop used to be situated next to the club house.

 

I think we should encourage a few of us to turn up on Tuesday and agree with Ryan that the players deserve the support after Saturday's game.