Harrow 1 Billericay 1.

[Onthesidelines]

After being on top in the first half we fell behind 5 minutes before half time. We had a lot of play around the edge of their penalty area but did not test their goalkeeper. May missed a great chance in the first 5 minutes but blasted over. Harrow were always dangerous on the break. H seemed to be in the middle too much which reduced our width. In the second half Knight replaced Boot to no good effect and Pattern replaced Francis. Later Sam Berry replaced Edwards which I think should have been done from the start. In many ways we were more disjointed in the second half but the equalizer came from Jay May. He lead the line well but did not have his shooting boots on. We were worth the point and at times threatened to win the game but,as last season,we did not test their goalkeeper enough. No decent shoots on goal. Junior Luke was again our best performer. Our defence looked shaky especially the full backs but it was a point at a ground at which we never seem to win. The programme notes described Matt Toms as a not very interesting centre back!

[Onthesidelines]

I now read in the Gazette that the manager believes there are plenty of goals in his new look attack. Well I suppose it is still early days but apart from picking the ball out of the net once, Harrow's goalkeeper had no other real saves to make. The statistical bright spot is that last season we averaged 1.3 goals per game and ,so far, we are averaging 1.5, a 15% improvement!

[Ryan.c]

We started well and threatened to over-run Harrow. May missed a sitter and he should've had a penalty when he had his ankle clobbered. I applaud his honesty but if he had fallen, it was a nailed on pen. We created numerous opportunties without testing the keeper, we let ourselves down with poor finishing, being too casual and when we did deliver a decent cross, nobody to attack it. Harrow had chances, most of which were created by our own sloppyness and i'll be happier when no-nonsence defenders Wild or Sobers partners Swaine at the back. Junior was quality again and set May up for his goal and then both May and Swaine missed gilt edged chances at the end. If Berry and Semkula are fit, i'd start them saturday, as a bit more composure is needed in midfield. An end to end game with no lack of entertainment. Overall an OK performance but need to cut out the mistakes.

[jl]

I thought a draw was probably a fair result. Both sides could say they had chances to win although there was only one side going for the win at the end and that was us. I was surprised by Harrow's "caution".

 

As TC mentioned two games in and only two sides have managed maximum points. It's clearly going to be a tight league again.

 

That said, on that evidence I think we may need a little bit more all over the pitch to finish in a top five position.

 

Junior would be my MoTM too. If he can maintain his performance levels, he has a chance to go higher as he's a still a young lad.

 

Anything at Harrow has to be regarded as a decent result. I think we'll know much more after the next two games.

 

Come on you Blues!!

[Brightside Bloke]

My/Our first away game of the season and to be honest deep down i wasn't expecting much but would have been glad of a point at Arrow. Although I did get caught up in the banter on the coach and predicted a 3-2 result for us.

 

I agree with Ryan regarding Mays honesty and the blown chance of a penalty. Mr Luke was a breadth of fresh air on the pitch and seem's to be enjoying his football.

Our keeper pulled off some great save's and was a bit to busy for my liking unlike the chap at the other end of the pitch. He was tested in the last ten but it all seemed a bit to late.

 

Two games in with a win and a draw = 4 points so we can't grumble at that really.

 

Nice to see one of our lad's win the fifty fifty = £42 must have been a roll over as not many Arrow fans turned up

 

Looking forward to Saturdays game and the trip with the lads on the Coach. I hear some seats may still be available by the way.

 

COYB