Lost On Penalties

[Billericay or Harrogate]

Unfortunately we lost on penalties after a 2-2 draw after extra time.

 

Cannot fault the lads, they put in a great performance against a very resilient St Albans Team who clearly were up for the game despite their FA Cup match this Saturday.

 

This was a terrific game, it made mockery of the rumoured request of St Albans to have the game called off, the pitch was perfectly playable. Quite a feisty game, and although the ref was a bit fussy at times, generally he handled it quite well and stopped things boiling over apart from a few tasty tackles.

 

Man of the match for me was Joey Benjamin who was immense. His substitution changed the game, I assume he was just exhausted and had to be brought off. Frankly we never looked like scoring and although his replacement Ricky Sappleton has undoubted pedigree, IMO there is no room in the team for somebody who is so patently unfit and immobile.

 

Anyway we can hold our heads up, over the 2 games we held the lead no less than 4 times but just couldn't wrap it up. But with performances like that we should be able to get some more league wins under our belt.

[Garden City Fan]

I heard that your goalie was outstanding 2nd half, kept you in the game.

Anyway three good games, I witnessed two, good luck for the rest of the season

[blue pilgrim]

Good resume BOH.

 

Total entertainment for over 120 minutes, albeit with a disappointing outcome. A credit to both teams and the referee, who was a class above what we normally see.  ( Shame on those who stayed at home)

 

St Albans are having a good season and if they had an eye on their big game at the weekend it didn't show. Felt we were on top in the first half after opening the scoring  and should really have got a second on the run of play. Second half they came more into the game and yes losing Benjamin was a blow. He's having a good season and caused the Albans more problems than any of our other players.

 

I get the feeling that the Southern Premier is stronger at the top, and I think Chelmo would have preferred to play us in the next round

 

COYB ( and please Santa can we have a specialist Centre Half for Christmas) 

[blue pilgrim]

I heard that your goalie was outstanding 2nd half, kept you in the game.

Anyway three good games, I witnessed two, good luck for the rest of the season

Yep, he made more stops than your keeper and our problem is that we cannot defend a lead.

 

Good luck against Mansfield and I hope last nights efforts don't affect your chances on Staturday.

[The Town Crier]

Prize money and a trip to the athletics track was just what we needed, but it wasn't to be.

 

But that aside, It was a good contest, three and a half hours of two evenly matched teams battling in out. Almost every player gave everything they had (inc the St Albans lads) four times we went in front, but it was always nip & tuck with both sides looking like they could score and neither side willing to give up.

 

Unlucky lads, you put on a good show, most of you gave 100% for the club and each other and that's all we ask for.. :applaus:

[Bill of Shenfield]

Agree with the above, the boys played well and Joe again was a thorn in the side of the defence and we lost that when he went off. Ricky does not have the same mobility and therefore we lost that attacking ability. But we have what we have and have to play with that. Well done to the whole team.

[Brightside Bloke]

Ya Fair play to the lad's they never gave up trying. Was a very passionate game and very enjoyable if tense at times.

 

It would have been a nice earner for the club but it was not to be for us.

 

I think the whole team & management deserve credit for never giving up.

 

Nice to see our supporters applaud both set's of players at the end. 

[Billericay Town Unofficial]

Last nights game was a good advert for non-league football.

 

I don't think the sending off was malicious, the Town player that was fouled didn't make anything of it. It was perhaps ill advised as the pitch was as wet as it was.

 

Both team fought hard and played some good football.

 

Joe Benjamin was immense, his work rate alone was worth the Man of the Match award. Mr Lumley was also on top form. The lads all put in a shift and can hold their heads up high having held a Conference South side to two draws.

 

I agree with the comments about Ricky Sappleton. He does look unfit and immobile with little pace but if the ball drops in the box he's the player you want there. You can't argue with goals.

 

Roll on Saturday and hopefully back to winning ways in the league.

[extaffyjim]

I hate to break it to you, but they aren't a Conference South team. Not yet, at least.

 

Hard luck guys, time to bring out the old cup exit cliche, 'we can focus on the league now'.

[Ryan.c]

Echo the sentiments of Sappleton above.

 

The players gave everything and had Benji stayed on the pitch (he did look knackered!), we may have nicked it. Ryan Scott had a good game considering it was his first start for a while and against decent opposition. To be drawn away to St Albans in both of the major cup competitions is harsh. They've got the dough and spent wisely it would seem. It should show that we are not far away however from having a side that can be play-off material. Tightening up at the back though is a priority.

[blue pilgrim]

I see they lost the second half  0-6 today.

 

I know they rested a few, but I wonder how much Tuesday night affected them?