Billericay 0 Braintree 1

[jl]

Ah well, at least we can be secure in the knowledge that we havent lost the ability to fail to turn up for the games that really count.

 

The first 45 was as bad as anything from the darkest depths of sept oct and nov and whilst we improved (marginally) in the second half anything other than a defeat would have been the wrong result given that the best half dozen chances of the match must all have fallen to braintree.

 

Thankfully this result is not too catastrophic but if we do fail to make the play-offs a glimpse at our home results against the other low placed teams will explain everything.

 

I have always thought that the best xi is not necessarily the best eleven players. we looked without wit or width yesterday and the midfield is a poorer unit without davidson in there. altho i'm a bit surprised at the striking pecking order given stowe's goal ratio I think baukham has done well enough to be given a start alongside hockton and to me we appear to miss the balance that blackie gives us. To add insult to injury Sam taylor picked up what looked like a nasty knock and could be out for a while.

 

Anyway at least we have a quick opportunity to make up with another 6 pointer at 'Arrow next week (if we dont get lost getting there) and on current form the good news is that its away!!!

 

weaver

henty davidson sappleton taylor (jones)

hunter (black) brickell dormer

tomlinson

opara (baukham) hockton

 

(redders, stowe)

[GazzaBTFC]

I would agree with the sentiment that we had no width. Our best results come from when we have a wide man banging in those crosses, giving either Hockers or KK or Baukham (with his height) or Stowe to latch on to. Okay, you can argue that some of our goals come from ball played down the middle but it's the wide men and the threat of 'em that stretch the oppo's defence to allow for this to happen. It gives us options. None of which we had yesterday.

 

Oh well, some of us did say "beware the team with a new manager" and they were right. A good win for Braintree and a bad lose by us.

[Simon BTFC]

Felt before the game that whoever bossed the midfield would win the game - and their tactic of flooding the midfield with 5 men meant they did. Hunter and Dormer were forced back being over-run by their midfield. We then got sucked into trying to play them at their own game with lots of route 1 balls - it worked for them with 2 big lads in attack, didn't work for us.

 

Certainly wasn't a disaster - would still rather be in our position than theirs, but Saturday is now a must win.

[Andy Walsh]

A disappointing result, but perhaps we should go back to the formation we had. I'm a bit disappointed Michael Black hasn't been starting recently and would like to see Stowe given more of a chance. Harrow is a must win game with only 10 games left of the season and with the fact we have 4 of the top 5 to play. We'll probably need to win at least half the games remaining to make the playoffs.

 

www.billericaytownfc.20m.com

[Keon D]

I agree with Andy, I think Black is one of best players, why he didn't start is beyond me.

As for the game in general, it was quite a poor performance. At the back we didnt look that bad, but the attack was so weak. Danny was extremely quiet the service from the midfield was disapointing.

Next week against Harrow will be quite an important game, I think we'll definatly have to win that one, if we want to make the play - offs.

[Ryan.c]

I'm taking it that yesterday was a minor blip and an early wake-up call for the run-in. Credit Braintree, they came out with fire in thier bellies with a game plan to hoof the ball as far and high as possible, much to the delight of thier travelling ten supporters. Both Aylesbury and Braintree are as good as relegated, two places left to fill, has a game away to Harrow been so eagerly awaited??

[Carrot Cruncher]

I's simplie luv it wen theys rite us orf!

[paulc27]

Possibly one of the worst games i have seen in a while, it was like watching us a few months ago. I guess what makes it harder is that with all the other results we would have been out the bottom four. dont think any of the lads played well, luke pulled off a few good saves to give us a chance of staying in the game but there wasnt much else that was good to come out of this one. The players must forget this one as soon as possible as it was horrible but they have put in some great performances lately and have proven that if they all put in 100% that they can compete with most teams in this league.

Agree that Davidson is wasted in defence, was Mendy really not good enough? surely he should have had once game with Pat at the back?

As for Stowe, just cant figure out why he isnt getting on, he scores goals creates chances but is getting splinters sitting on the bench!

[The Observer]

didn't understand team selection. we have Redders, a perfectly good centre half sitting on the bench. Davidson however starts at the back when it is apparent to everyone that he is far better in midfield. Bicknell starts, who quite frankly i can't see what he contributes to the team, whilst black who had been in good form sits it out. Now in games of the like on saturday, when we created little did we not get stowe on. Here is a player that creates and scores surely he is a better bet than baukham. But i agree that we must forget this as possible, every side has an off day every now and then

[ray bellici]

I, too, couldn't see why Reddington was on the bench, perhaps a slight injury? I thought Bicknell was ok, and would like to see him play with Davidson in midfield, Dormer,Bicknell,Davidson and either Black or Hunter looks pretty strong to me. OK so I'm going to bleat on about Tomlinson, he is just not trying hard enough, not sure if he's still got his head in the clouds having played at a higher level, but he needs to knuckle down in my opinion. An off day all round.

[c'mon ricay]

Frankly that was a return to the dark days of before Christmas. Their was no passion, commitment and fight. Its all well and good going away and getting impressive and playing well at Hayes, Hornchurch and Sutton but its home games were the 3 point hauls need to be collected especially against the likes of Braintree in 6 pointers like Saturdays. I felt Bricknell shoudlnt be in the team Black should be as Black gives us more options with his wide play. Baucham has played far better since returning from injury (not that was hard) I dont see why he comes on before Chris Stowe as Stowe has looked sharp and hungry when he has played. Why was their use of the direct ball when it clearly wasnt working. Hope the performance didnt put off the gradually returning home support (503 attendance thrid biggest of the season)