Billericay 1-3 Hitchin

[Simon BTFC]

Little bit disappointing this one. Although obviously individual errors ultimately cost us, the overall performance, particularly the first half was not good. Went 1-0 down when Chris Howard dropped a high cross into the palf of the on-rushing Hitchin player who greatfully accepted the goal. First half we were generally second best and created little until the last minute when Gary Ansell had a shot beat the keeper but cleared off the line. Second half we came back into it and looked likely to nick the equaliser but again we failed to clear the ball and a Hitchin player scored with a good finish from 30 yards. We pulled a goal back with a nice deft header from Ritchie, but Howard dropped a clanger to gift the 3rd goal to the visitors.

 

Howard

Henty Scarborough Penn Taylor

Lee Hunter Dormer Patterson

Ansell Hockton

 

Subs

Ritchie for Lee

Ajaddin for Patterson

S.Jones for Ansell

 

We're badly missing JJ at the moment, not just for his keeping but for his calming influence and organisation of the back line. An experineced centre back wouldn't go amiss, but unless Justin get's fit enough to play then it's hard to see where that's coming from.

[Ryan.c]

Although disappointing, the difference between 6 points and 0 nil points has been very slim. This is a young and talented side that needs a few games to gel, and I have every confidence that they will come right. What it needs is for supporters to encourage and get behind the lads. The booing at the end of the game to-night was pathetic.

[paulc27]

i agree with you ryan, there was no need for the boo's. who is that going to help? it is early days yet, i guess with the league restructuring most people are in fear of a bad start bringing on a loosing streak. i think the worry for me is that we look like conceding goals at the moment. Take out the two keeper errors and you could say we were unlucky not to win as it would have been 1-1 and we had a shot off the line and hit the bar.

I did think we were a little slow in our movement last night, and we backed off a few tackles, but there is no need to panic yet but personally i would like to see a big solid centre half to play alongside Russ. justin may or may not be the answer, what he loses in height he makes up for in experience, but best to have him at full back with a big lad to come in at the back. there must be someone out there we can get!

see you all saturday!

oh and simon, nice spelling of the word path (palf!!)

[GazzaBTFC]

Simon's excuse would be that he was pissed

[Little Miss Urchin]

Language Gazza! <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

[GazzaBTFC]

Sorry...p*ss*d

[jl]

first half despite hockton hitting the keeper when clean thru and ansell having one knocked off the line we were poor...hitchin were good value for their one goal lead even if it arrived after a defensive error.

 

i thought we were the better side second half, you cant do much about someone spannering one in from 30 yards, and thankfully the third goal didnt matter much. at least we lasted out the 90 mins better this time. think going forward we are ok and creating a bit but some work needed on the back 5 still. agree with pc27 that 2 or 3 experienced players in amongst the youngsters would help.

 

i agree with ryan that anyone booing after one home game (as it wouldnt have been anyone who goes away) is very sad indeed. Come on guys, give the lads a chance!!!

 

 

[Simon BTFC]

Quote:

GazzaBTFC said:
Simon's excuse would be that he was pissed

Not at all - I had just driven home after 1 (one) pint of lager (top). I was just wasn't concentrating on what I was typing!

Back to the football discussion: In retrospect, a lot of the difference between the sides last night was in the goalies - their keeper had a solid game, held all his crosses, made a couple of saves, comunicated with his back 4 and commanded his area. At times, Chris Howard failed to do the above. I feel sorry for Chris as it goes - when he arrived at Town he probably thought that the biggest game he would play in would be the ressies v Clapton (or whoever). instead he's been thrown in at the deep end into two tough league games. He is definately a prospect, and provided he keeps at it will be an excellent keeper in a few years time, unfortunately for us he's not yet the finished article at this level. One of the realities of football at this level is that few if any clubs have two keepers challenging for the first team spot, certainly not us. Perhaps if JJ stays injured it may be worth trying to get somebody in on loan, I don't know, but it would be foolish to think that we can afford 2 keepers, certainly not 2 of JJ's calibre.

[Keon D]

I thought we weren't too bad yesterday, luck just wasn't on our side. Shame about the last hitchin goal, but these things happen to keepers and they can only learn from their mistakes.

[ray bellici]

just back off hols. , missed both openers, can't believe people are booing already. I liked Reddington pre-season, is he still around? The experience we need at the back is in the form of Justin Edinburgh, the sooner he is fit enough to command the back four the better, even if it's only for a couple of games to steady the ship.

[GazzaBTFC]

I didn't hear it to tell the truth. I just went to go to the pub but I think the booing is just cowardly. I don't see any of these people hanging around and making 'emselves known