Town 1 ETU 0

[blue pilgrim]

The headline will read "Nine man Town go 5 points clear" but unfortunately our lads didn't use their brains in dealing with a rather pedantic referee. He can't be blamed for his card decisons but his approach undoubtedly frustrated the players, particularly in the first half, when a lot of poor calls went against us.

 

East Thurrock looked the better side in the opening 20 minutes, but once Jay May had been sent off (for two silly yellows), ten man Town took the game to the opposition. They deservedly took the lead just before half time when Rob Swaine headed a Dave Collis throw across the area for H to tap in.

 

Second half we played deeper and allowed ETU to come at us - Dave Collis was booked for time wasting and was then lucky to avoid a second yellow for kicking the ball away. Dale Brightly was playing a man of the match performance but was booked for time wasting. Unfortunately, there had been a few things going on with the ETU forwards and he was pretty wound up. Then during added time he clashed with one of their players and pushed him to the ground - the outcome was obvious and Dave Collis saw out the last two minutes.

 

Town are making hard work of getting across the finish line and most of the 648 went home with frayed nerves

 

 

COYB

Edited April 14, 2012 by blue pilgrim

[jl]

I disagree BP. The ref can absolutely be blamed for one of the most inept performances you could ever wish to see.

That said both Jay's and Dale's second bookings were absolutely deserved but their first were ridiculous. East Thurrock wasted an inordinate amount of time in the first half before they went behind and the referee did absolutely nothing. He only started worrying once we went ahead. I think to ask the referee why he has overruled his Lino when the Lino is two yards away and the ref is 40 yards away is pretty reasonable too.

To play with 10 men against effectively 12 for 60 minutes and win the game was an absolutely fantastic performance and the other results now mean we need a point at Margate. Come on you Blues!

MoTM was Dale who pulled off some great saves. Their front two caused us as many problems as anyone all season so it was a great effort to win with ten.

One point needed. Come on you Blues!!!

[blue pilgrim]

It all depends on how you ask the question jl !!!!!

 

I agree he was a total plonker but the players should have realised that and played him accordingly. Once again the superb team spirit carried us through to the final whistle.

 

We need to get as many down to Margate as possible next week COYB

[Rick the Dick]

I also thought that the Ref was far more involved in the game than he should have, or needed to be. I wouldn't be at all surprised if I heard he'd come with pre-conceived ideas about our style of play, and had made his mind up before hand how he intended to handle us. Very poor effort by the officials, and the League should be concerned at performances like that devaluing their competition.

 

Having said that, we could have responded more intelligently to his obvious bias against us. Dave Collis was very lucky to get away without a 2nd Yellow & Dale seemed to be itching for a fight;which he eventually got, to his cost.

 

But winning under those circumstances was an enormous achievement.

 

A lot of people hoped that Wealdstone away may prove to be the banana skin to trip Hornchurch up, and so it was. We still need a point to be sure, or for Hornchurch or Lowestoft to drop a couple, but the celebrations at the end of todays game were understandable in the circumstances.

 

Lets wrap things up at Margate and have a party when 'stoft visit!

[Rich.m]

Oh so close!!! Blue army!!!! Get to margate! Give us a lift eastside!!!

[Sticks]

Absolutely spot on jl, an excellent result against 12 man ETU. A hugely inconsistent display from the ref, that imo, questions his impartiality. While the second yellow cards to May and Dale can't be argued, the first two can. The time wasting in the first half from the visitors that was allowed to go unpunished was in stark contrast to the card waving, whistle blowing display against the Blues in the second half. I was surprised the ref didn't pop up right at the death to put that long throw past Collis.

 

Irrespective, a huge three points with the obvious team spirit carrying the nine over the line at the end. MoM definitely Dale who wouldn't be beaten.

 

Another step closer. COYB!

[MarkBTFC]

How often do you see a team go down to ten and play well over an hour with 10 men and go on to win?? Great win, end of!

[Paul n]

as per earlier posts thought Dale was immense today. obviously was wound up by the ÉTU forwards to get sent off. When will his Ban start and for how long? Apart from their antics, thought Thurrock played some decent football.

One point wil be enough but Lowestoft are now more than a concern than Hornchurch if we slip up at Margate.

[Eastside Urchin]

See my post.I thought you had it in the bag until

Supereastside came out with his cunning plan.

[Umbrella Man]

A truely massive result yesterday i did fear the worst when going down to 10 would have taken a draw at that point but to go on and win from that position was an outstanding effort.

 

Won't go on about the Red cards too much but after both being on Yellows a little common sense would have helped even though the ref was a wrong un.

 

Dale was my MOM he made at least 3 match winning saves his best game in a Blues shirt.

 

Next stop Margate let's all get down there and get involved.

 

Come On You Blue Boys

[extaffyjim]

Agree with most of the above. Was proud of the battling spirit of most of our players, but was frustrated with the stupidity of the sendings off. I didnt see what happened for Jays forst booking, but his second was a poor tackle and was easily worthy of a second yellow. Dale was very silly reacting to the challenge late on and it was no surprise as he had already been restrained by his team mates for an earlier challenge. Not going to criticise him too much as he made some terrific saves, and as others have said was MoM for the first 94 minutes or so.

 

Fantastic result to get the clean sheet and the win in very difficult circumstances. We've now conceded just once in our last 6 games.

 

Great celebrations at the end. Collis nearly accidentally stole my glasses with his goalie gloves.

 

Its obviously not over yet, and important that we arent complacent and get something at Margate so theres no pressure on the final day.

 

1 point from glory. COYB

[blue pilgrim]

Just as a postscript regarding yesterday's official, Mr Pawley who refereed so poorly (ha.ha ).

 

We must balance out our frustration by contrasting his performance with that of Mr Yeo's at the Hornchurch game. With so much at stake, did we notice him in the game ? No, not much at all, and that is the sign of a good referee.

[GazzaBTFC]

Goalkeepers, huh? If an outfield player [censored] up, we tend to look at them in a more kindly manner than the man between the sticks...possibly because 9 times out of ten it results in a goal...but I haven't seen or read much praise for Dale considering the number of clean sheets he has had this season since he returned.

 

But I'm pleased that Dale is getting some credit for his contributions to the team effort and that some look towards his sending off with some forgiveness...TBH. I think the first was more down to the Ref being a twat than Dale taking his time with the free kick...

 

Three saves yesterday when the defence in front of him was in dream land...

 

Overall a great battling performance by ALL the players and they all deserved the reaction after the final whistle. Onwards to Margate next week and we're nearly there....

Edited April 15, 2012 by GazzaBTFC

[Bill of Shenfield]

Poor ref who made strange decisions, only giving us outright certainties but gave them anything when they went to ground screaming as though they had been shot. Agreed we played better after Jay walked and caused them more problems. MOTM Dale for some great saves especially for the one with his boot from about 5 yards.

[Rick the Dick]

...but I haven't seen or read much praise for Dale considering the number of clean sheets he has had this season since he returned.

 

But I'm pleased that Dale is getting some credit for his contributions to the team effort and that some look towards his sending off with some forgiveness...

 

Even with the Red Card it was a MOM performance yesterday for Dale. And you're right; his contribution since his return to our overall success has been very important.

 

I think I'd forgive him almost anything for those saves he made yesterday! Just a shame he let them wind him up to the extent that it put a downer on an otherwise exceptional performance. But that's probably easier said than done if you're on the receiving end.

[The Town Crier]

ET were unrecognisable from the side who gave the game up to Harrow Borough a few weeks ago, they worked their socks off and battled all over the pitch.

 

in our last two home games we have two very contrasting styles of refereeing, from what I have seen over the seasons, refs who try and let the game flow normally have a far easier game to manage.

 

I thought for 94 mins Dale was outstanding, he's had very little to do in recent games but when he was finally called upon, he didn't disappoint. Its a shame about the last minute madness because Dale will pay a big price for that, having to sit out the last home game. Same for Jay May, I'm gutted for them

 

Craig has spoken many times about the character of our squad and yesterdays result further proves how right he is, because it was a massive game for us, with Hx snapping at our heels, losing wasn't an option, and in the most difficult of circumstances we still got our win. Absolutely Fantastic result !

 

One more game just might be enough

 

C'mon you Blues

Edited April 15, 2012 by The Town Crier

[Delboybtfc]

Superb result despite as has been said one of the worst refs we have had all season. Once again with an assessor there he thought the game was all about him. As TC said what a diference to the ref at our last home game who lets the play run and still manages to keep the teams under control.

Still a vital 3 points and my freinds at wealdstone came up trumps with a splendid performance which now has us a little less nervous.

1 point at the windy city will do it so lets keep up the fantastic support we have had over the past few weeks and make sure we are all there to celebrate if we finish the job at margate.

[nat]

The league doesn't lie (the 'fair play' league that is)..

[Brightside Bloke]

The league doesn't lie (the 'fair play' league that is)..

 

Surely the "fair Play league is a reflection of cards dished out by ref's so then it must be a lie.

Edited April 15, 2012 by Brightside Bloke

[Umbrella Man]

The league doesn't lie (the 'fair play' league that is)..