Braintree 2-2 Billericay

[Simon BTFC]

Nightmare journey there - got stuck in queues on the A12 behind an aeroplane - after about an hour of not moving (ish) engine started to overheat so had to pull over into a convenient lay-by. Got there just as the game started (late) after a trip of about 90 minutes!

 

As for the game? Started OK, Hockton had a great early chance but it went narrowly wide. Moments later Braintree scored following some pony defending. Had our best spell either side of half time when Hockton netted 2 goals. Couldn't kill the game off though, got into some excellent positions and had much the better chances but couldn't quite find the killer ball. Braintree netted the equaliser in late on after one of our defenders had slipped.

 

For me the key moment was the injury to Stephens. We had to reorganise pushing Dormer back into centre of defense. This weakened the centre of midfield where he had been having a good game.

 

Positives:

Much better all round attitude from the lads, got stuck in better and played some decent football at times, particularly the middle 45 minutes of the game.

 

2 more goals for Danny Hockton.

 

Thought Leon Hunter had his best game for us, particularly first half where he played right wing. Dormer had a good game in centre midfield, whilst Bauckham played 80ish minutes and did well up front though obviously no where near match fit.

 

First point against Braintree for ages!

 

Negatives

We squandered possession too easily, particularly in the last 20 minutes.

 

Another late goal hurt us - I don't know if it's fitness or concentration or something else that we're lacking but we're conceding too many goals late on.

 

We never got a grip on centre midfield. Particularly after Dormer had dropped back into defense, we never looked like winning much ball in there.

 

I think we'll be marginally the better pleased with the point - away at a ground we've traditionally come away from with nothing, however a look at the table suggests that a point does neither side many favours.

[Ryan.c]

Well personally I'm gutted. Agree that we played well and the effort was first class but we've come away having gifted Braintree a point they scarcely deserved. Lets face it, we were better than Braintree but have suffered because we didn't kill the game off with one of the numerous chances we had. Also agree that the substitution of Stephens was a downer, especially as it was due to a late tackle that should have seen the ref reach for his pocket. Talking of refs, why is it that we always have fecking [****!!****] ones up here? Luke Baulkham clean through on goal gets pulled back by the defender, the lino flags for a foul our way but the ref waves play on. The lino was in a far better position than the ref, but the nonce waves play on. Niall Ritchie and Marlon could both have been through on goal if the ref had played the advantage rule. Danny Hockton elbowed in the throat, quite clearly a booking, ref does nothing. Hang on I'm sounding like one of those Urchins now!! Anyway a good performance, played the ball around nicely at times and a vast improvement on saturdays game with Harrow, who incidently beat Bedford 2-1 tonight.

Bring on the Urchins!

[Ryan.c]

Forgot to mention the 2 goals by Danny Hockton, quality street!!

[paulc27]

simon, how can you say hunter had his best game for us and then say that we never got a grip on the midfield?? I know hunter was playing wide right for the first half and admit he did ok, but for too many periods during games he goes missing. As i said last night, we need someone in that centre midfield area that can put it about a but. I thought Dormer was having a good game there for us until he moved to centre half. I know Penn is not at his best in the centre mid but he puts himself about, would agree that a turingpoint was the injury to stephens, but why did we not put henty to right back and Penny in the middle of midfield?

Thought Ansell was quiet tonight, but he was a little deeper than usual.

All round it was a better display, but be honest it couldnt have been any worse than sat. I know i keep harping on about this, but i think we need a few older heads that would know how to kill a game when we are defending a 2-1 lead.

Well done to Hockton on his two goals, it was poor defending for all the goals last night, but you have still got to stick them away.

Really a draw was no good to anyone but hopefully the lads can build on this and get a decent run together.

[paulc27]

and the reason we get poor refs are those that are any good get taken up the leagues, leaving the non league game with the best of the worse. Imagine how bad the worst of the worst could be!

[Little Miss Urchin]

Quote:

got stuck in queues on the A12 behind an aeroplane

Sure you were on the A12!? <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

[jl]

i was pleased with a much better effort from the players tonight. we deserved to win but sadly it was not to be. i thought baukham did well and hockton showed his quality again. 8 in 12 is outstanding for anyone, let alone for a team in our position. whether we have the all round quality to get out of this situation is debatable but again full marks for effort tonight.

 

we will be massive underdogs against hornchurch so lets hope the lads play without fear and put on a good show.

 

i have also managed to shame "i'm not going" Tony into turning up!!

[Simon BTFC]

Felt that Hunter played a lot better wide right than he had been in centre mid in recent games - moving him inside weakened it a fair bit. Agree about the substitution of Stephens, it can't be helping asking players to keep switching positions - though I guess this is a consequence of having a small first team squad with a few injuries:

 

By my reckoning the following have played in the most positions this season:

 

Dormer: Centre back, left back, centre mid, left mid

Penn: Centre back, right back, right mid, centre mid

Henty: Centre mid, Right back, Left back, Right mid (I think)

 

Might help if they could settle down into one position....

[Simon BTFC]

Quote:

jl said:
i have also managed to shame "i'm not going" Tony into turning up!!

Unfortunatley I am unlikely to make it.... Am taking baby sister back to UNI in York Friday & saturday... <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

[GazzaBTFC]

Yep, a better performance and one I think the players could be proud of. Shame they lack the "nounce" to close the game down in the last 20 but that kind of knowledge comes with experience and ISN'T a gripe (gotta put that in or the "Don't Slag The Team Off Or Have An Opinion" gang will have another go). Overall an enjoyable evening. Well done the lads.

 

Pity about the "card" shy ref tho. I thought there was some the usual Braintree "mugging" going on the pitch last night.

 

I thought they all played well and I'm well looking forward to a good game on Saturday against those Urchins!!!

 

 

[Rod]

Good job there were some Ricay supporters there otherwise crowd would have been below 100!

 

Felt we lost two points rather than gained one, we were so dominant in 2nd half but seemed to let Braintree back in the game. Agree that Dormer was playing well in midfield so felt he should have stayed there after the injury to Stephens. My change would have been Jimmy Lee to right back and Russell to centre defence.

 

Blatant pull back on Luke in the first half when he would have been through on goal not only should have been a free kick but the defender should have been red carded as well. Ref definitely bottled it.

 

Overall though this was the most entertaining game I have seen this season end to end and quite open (probably due to the poor defence of both teams mind) although obviously Kettering and Urchin games more satisfying.