Kettering 1-0 Billericay

[Simon BTFC]

For the 15th time in the league this season we failed to score and quite frankly we could have played for 900mins instead of 90 and I doubt we'd have got on the score-sheet. This was our 8th 1-0 league defeat, and the 15th time we have failed to score in a league game.

 

Suffered a blow before the start when KK pulled his calf in the warm up, Davidson was carrying a knock from saturday and was only fit for the bench. Bauckham and Black replaced them in the starting XI

 

Only chance of note came after half hour when Black found him self in space inseide the area, unfortunately his first time shot went well wide. After that, although we defended pretty stoutly, with nobody holding the ball up up front we were under pressure. Weaver made a couple of saves, then Dormer had to go off with 20mins still to play. Davidson came on, but Kettering score almost immediately. We failed to cut out the cross and Lynch scored with a typical centre forwards header. Very much on the back foot now, threw on Stowe who had one good run but didn't get his shot away when he had the chance.

 

It was said in January that success of failure would depend on finding somebody who was capable of chipping in 10 goals before the end of the season. We clearly haven't managed this, perhaps one last transfer-deadline-day throw of the dice is in order?

 

 

[jl]

Once again a frustrating night for the 50 or 60 who made the 200 mile round trip, many of whom had to take time off work to do so.

The first half was scrappy but I thought even and we probably had the best chance of the half but blackie bottled it when clean through in a similar manner to steve jones' effort on saturday.

in the second half I thought kettering were far and away the better side and the fact that they only scored once was a testament to the back 5 s determined defensive play.

i thought Hunter and Dormer did ok but the two wide players offered nothing and the front two were abysmal

Our options were limited with injuries and suspensions but like Simon I am surprised we havent bought in a couple of players to try and help us through this crucial period. We also need to be proactive not reactive when it comes to making changes.

Its a shame that some of the players dont seem as bothered about losing as the supporters but even so with taylor and hockers returning I am confident of three points on saturday which we now desperately need as games are running out.

[Dilbert]

Don't agree with the comment on Hunter.

[The Observer]

arrived at kettring with 5 minutes to spare and decided to watch the game from the impressive seated stand. it was from here that i had the perfect view of watching 90 minutes of pure tripe. we were clueless and devoid of any idea on how to open up an equally inept kettering side. why we are persisting with baulkham (zippo lightning) is just beyond me. Steve jones is just not good enough. tomlinson was so anonomous that he may well just have not been on the pitch. its ironic that the players get paid for that crap, whilst some of us lose money to go and watch the crap the players dish out

[GazzaBTFC]

I felt really disgusted with the performance last night but with the drive and the rest of the day recovering from the drive (yep, took a day off and pleased I did as I would've been in a right old mood at work after last night), I have calmed down and can look at last nights game from the distance of (nearly) 24 hours.

 

The back four and Weaver need to be comended. They battled hard to keep an inept Kettering side out (as someone said earlier). I thought Dormer did ok as did Hunter but in the second half Kettering went at us and over ran our midfield with Dormer and Hunter trying to get something going...sadly they didn't. When Dormer went off, that was that...the bite went out of the midfield (no disrespect to Leon Hunter or to Davidson). As far as the midfield is concerned we have proved that we need both Dormer and Davidson in there. As it was, played the night with one of them. We can't help injuries.

 

I'm keeping off the front two as "silence" should speak volumes. I will comment on the earlier comment about Steve Jones. The little man runs his heart out for the shirt. He did so last night and will keeping on doing so whenever he is asked. I would prefer a player that gives 110% at the mo and see us try and get something out of a game than a striker who can't even be bothered to chase down a back pass to the oppo keeper and gives up with yards to spare!!!

(or even jump) Nuff said.

 

Another point...Why do we make a subsitution after we go down a goal. It was bloody obvious we were struggling before the goal was scored and a change was needed but nothing happened until after the goal was scored and as far as I was concerned, too little, too late.

 

For the benefit of those people who will read this that are involved with the club, I know it is easy to say all these things from the comfort of our keyboard and I'm sure managing a football side isn't easy but we're a passionate bunch of supporters, please do not underestimate what we feel for the club and those that turn out wearing the blue shirt. Last night, 60 of us were there and that kind of commitment for a side struggling to turn a season around is commendable. I believe we have the makings of a good team and there are some good players in our squad. So what happened last night? The supporters were commited, it just looked as if some of our lads were not.

 

And on a last note.....I am a loyal supporter of this club and the team but this season, I am getting sick of the oppo supporters cheering at the end of the game...Can we plaese have a turn...And not just once in a while...I'm greedy, I want to cheer a 'Ricay victory all the time, or at least clap a well fought, draw or defeat.

[Andy Walsh]

It seems to me the lads have bottled it. After going on an excellent run we've now lost 4 out of 5. To make the playoffs we are going to have to win our home games and beat Northwood at least. Hopefully the lads can get a result on Saturday. Whilst we can still mathematically make the playoffs all the players and fans need to believe we can still do it.

Have to agree with Gazza's point about Steve Jones. Every game I've seen him play he has been committed and desperate to win. It's a shame we haven't had 11 of these playing each match this season and we'd be in a lot better position.

 

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