ETFC 0 Sawbridgeworth 0

[Gonzo]

So, it looks like ETFC have to settle for 4th and with that Ryman 2 next season.

 

From the start it was clear that Sawbo came for a draw (and who can blame them) with time-wasting and plenty of men behind the ball. The first half saw a good chance fall to Daniel Francis (who struck wide from the edge of the box) but for all the pressure there were very few clear-cut chances.

 

The match did liven-up a bit in the second half with Carey Wright narrowly missing from an acute angle and a period of sustained pressure in the last 15 minutes. Lee Smith was clipped in the box and Stuart Snowden stepped-up only to send his spot kick over the crossbar, out of the stadium and powering down the A10 (where it was recorded by a speed camera going in excess of 50mph). This prompted 5 mins of all-out attack from Town with Graeme Hall goal-hanging. But to no avail.

 

It's tough to categorise this season as anything other than a disaster. It's a bit like Man U finishing 4th in the premiership. I now think that it will be very tough for the Ryman League to promote us. It does seem ridiculous that EFC may remain in Ryman 1 playing in front of 20 people and almost certainly struggling again while we languish beneath them, but at the same time we have no one to blame but ourselves if this is the case.

 

I think that we have missed Martin St Hilaire more than any other player this season as he added that touch of class we have been missing.

 

Still, I think ETFC need to leave the ESL - we need a fresh challenge but I'm gutted that we haven't automatically earnt promotion.

[The Realist]

Quote:

Gonzo said:
So, it looks like ETFC have to settle for 4th and with that Ryman 2 next season.

. It's a bit like Man U finishing 4th in the premiership.

As in you think you are better than everyone else, the referees are always against you and the automatic right to be at the top, yes I can see the similarity. Remember the ESL and the member clubs were good enough to take you in your hour of need.

[theabbeyabbott]

Quote:

Gonzo said:


From the start it was clear that Sawbo came for a draw



Still, I think ETFC need to leave the ESL - we need a fresh challenge but I'm gutted that we haven't automatically earnt promotion.

Why please is this, what makes you think they came for a draw? You lot always say that...you pin sides back and expect them to open up and let you score. When they don't you say they "Came for a draw" Why do you need to leave? Now forgive me if I'm wrong but I am on the assumption that you were all EFC fans before ETFC......did you ever say you need to leave after two seasons in the Isthmian league?

When are you going to realise your level now and that's it? You have the ground, now get the team and earn promotion in the correct manner instead of whinging about referees, other clubs and fans and the ESL don't want you to go......get on with it.

[Colin, Germany]

Sawbridgeworth looked for a long time to be likely champions this season. After slipping in the final weeks, it would be reasonable to assume that they were hoping for at least a draw in their final match, and a creditable third place.

 

I was not at the match, but the report at the top of this thread does not mention many close chances. So, unless anyone expresses another opinion about the match, I could well imagine that Sawbridgeworth may well have concentrated more on their defensive qualities in this match.

 

As an ETFC supporter, I am disappointed at the result, but football would be pointless without worthy opponents.

[tigerfeet]

well done Sawbo. both games were close this season.

 

 

[Sergeant D]

As an ETFC fan at the match, here is an unbiased view!

 

1st half fairly even but Sawbo had slightly better chances and Andy Hall made good saves

 

2nd half Sawbo better for most of it and had more clear cut chances, again , Andy Hall made good saves

 

If ETFC had scored the penalty, it would have been hard on Sawbo. As in many games this season, we looked disjointed up front despite a wealth of fire power. Sawbo were not an exceptional side but all 11 tried their hardest and deserved the draw

[Mr Happy]

Sawbo came for a win in the first half but as time progressed and with few chances they tightened up in the second half and put in a very good defencive performance. Well played to them I think they deserved a draw and well played to all the teams who have made the championship race so exciting this season. Yes, I am gutted to see my team finish fourth (unless Ilford slip up on Saturday) but you have to look at what we have achieved in just three seasons. It's been incredible and a pleasure to see the club progress both on and off the pitch.

 

With regards to next season. No disrespect to the ESL but Ryman 2 would be better than staying put becuase of the better sponsorship playing in the Ryman League will attract. Contrary to popular belief, we are not a cash rich club and rely upon the excellent fund-rasing activities of a few and the generosity of the fans. If we do move then I am certain that the ESL will be in the hearts of all Town fans. There's been some great rivalry and the better times have by far out-weighed the bad times. We have to move on though.

[JordanB]

i agree with the last 2 posts. sawboare a good side and deserved something from the game. also their top scorer was missing.

 

i think yo missed john ridout, someone to get the ball down and keep things movng.

[Squadron Leader]

 

And here ended the first Lesson!!!

 

<img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

[nickynoc]

<img src="/images/graemlins/afro.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/elephant.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/dancingman.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/icon_band222.gif" alt="" />Oh dear does that mean ETFC have been left choking in the jet stream that Leyton fc have left in their supersonic rise up the non league pyramid, we gave you fenny and you let him go to Ilford, who just happen to have the best defensive record in the league and look likely to finish runners up dooh! <img src="/images/graemlins/dancingman.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/elephant.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/icon_band222.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/bootyshake.gif" alt="" />

[lovely stuff]

Quote:

The Realist said:

Quote:

Gonzo said:
So, it looks like ETFC have to settle for 4th and with that Ryman 2 next season.

. It's a bit like Man U finishing 4th in the premiership.

As in you think you are better than everyone else, the referees are always against you and the automatic right to be at the top, yes I can see the similarity. Remember the ESL and the member clubs were good enough to take you in your hour of need.

And they were good enough to take our money.....As i've said before neither side owes the other anything...The ESL have been good for ETFC and ETFC have been good for the ESL.

[lovely stuff]

Quote:

Sergeant D said:
As an ETFC fan at the match, here is an unbiased view!

1st half fairly even but Sawbo had slightly better chances and Andy Hall made good saves

2nd half Sawbo better for most of it and had more clear cut chances, again , Andy Hall made good saves

If ETFC had scored the penalty, it would have been hard on Sawbo. As in many games this season, we looked disjointed up front despite a wealth of fire power. Sawbo were not an exceptional side but all 11 tried their hardest and deserved the draw

Are you and pinacle being serious...I thought ETFC were the better side throughout the game....ETFC mounted sustained pressure especially in the second half....Sawbo relied on the odd break.

[lovely stuff]

Quote:

abbeynut said:

Quote:

Gonzo said:


From the start it was clear that Sawbo came for a draw



Still, I think ETFC need to leave the ESL - we need a fresh challenge but I'm gutted that we haven't automatically earnt promotion.

Why please is this, what makes you think they came for a draw? You lot always say that...you pin sides back and expect them to open up and let you score. When they don't you say they "Came for a draw" Why do you need to leave? Now forgive me if I'm wrong but I am on the assumption that you were all EFC fans before ETFC......did you ever say you need to leave after two seasons in the Isthmian league?

When are you going to realise your level now and that's it? You have the ground, now get the team and earn promotion in the correct manner instead of whinging about referees, other clubs and fans and the ESL don't want you to go......get on with it.

I think you've been sucking on too many of Del's 'bitter' lemons.

I know a Bryan Ferry song that sums you up perfectly,Abbeynut.

[lovely stuff]

Quote:

nickynoc said:
<img src="/images/graemlins/afro.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/elephant.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/dancingman.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/icon_band222.gif" alt="" />Oh dear does that mean ETFC have been left choking in the jet stream that Leyton fc have left in their supersonic rise up the non league pyramid, we gave you fenny and you let him go to Ilford, who just happen to have the best defensive record in the league and look likely to finish runners up dooh! <img src="/images/graemlins/dancingman.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/elephant.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/icon_band222.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/bootyshake.gif" alt="" />

'Prickynoc' you're a cartoon Essex loudmouth...NIL class..NIL modesty...NIL brain cells.

Revenge WILL be ours....Our clubs going to achieve success in the longterm.

I used to follow a club that my brother played for until he retied....Believe me,you can quickly lose interest in a club once your relative stops playing. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />....No names ,no packdrill.

[The Invisible Man]

Now look here nickynoc, I know full well that your Auntie Iris was at the game and put Stuart off when he took the penalty!

 

My two penn'orth is as follows: first half was a good tight half, maybe we slightly shaded on possession but made few clear cut chances. We played well but Sawbo forced a couple of good saves from Chopper later on, so 0-0 at half time was about right.

 

Second half was a pretty dreadful affair, very stop-start, loads of free kicks, and injuries real and imagimary. Clearly Sawbo wanted a draw as shown by the time wasting of the keeper, and the player who booted the ball out of the ground when giving it back to us after a stoppage for an injury. Again we made very few chances, and simply could not pass the ball to each other. Sawbo looked more like scoring when they broke.

 

I did not see any sustained presure from Town, two or three short spells perhaps that came to nothing, usuaully from a misplaced pass. The penaly award looked generous, to say the least, but if it's any consolation to Stuart, who must be gutted at missing the pen, I thought he had a superb game otherwise.

 

So a very poor second half, and a final score of 0-0 was a fair refelection. Good performances from Chopper (as usual) Stuart, Brad and Billy, in my humble opinion. Bread pudding was excellent.

 

Obviously we finish where we deserve, the table doesn't lie and I'm not sure that anyone has said any different. We are disappointed of course but have only ourselves to blame for not finishing higher.

 

I was disappointed at some of the songs last night, i.e. the references to where we might be playing next year. There is no need for that.

 

I trust that the board will consider very carefully all th epros and cons of moving sideways to Ryman 2, particularly what will happen to that division in future seasons, and what promotion arrangements in the future will be.

 

 

[lovely stuff]

How can ETFC go unbeaten away all season,AND ONLY COME FOURTH..!!

 

Answer...Having a home pitch that makes passing and control impossible, and turns games into a lottery.

 

I firmly believe that if ETFC played all their games away this season,they would have strolled the league.

 

SORT THE PITCH OUT....or abandon the passing game...because we'll never do anything if we combine the two.

[The Invisible Man]

Many away pitches aren't much better in this league.

 

We simply threw away too many points and just didn't play well enough at home.

[chalky]

Quote:

lovely stuff said:

I firmly believe that if ETFC played all their games away this season,they would have strolled the league.

SORT THE PITCH OUT....or abandon the passing game...because we'll never do anything if we combine the two.

Lovely stuff do ETFC require special treatment, good teams adapt to the pitch, it's the same for both teams,

And do you seriously think that by going to Ryman 2 the standard of pitches will be better, cause sorry most of them won't some of the pitches are shocking....... the grounds maybe impressive but the playing surface is poor!!

[Mr Happy]

Lovely Stuff was not after special treatment. All he was starting was that we have played better away. Yes, the standard of pitches in the ESL is not great. However, the Brimsdown pitch has been particulalry bad all season. It's been a bumpy dust bowl in the good weather and a muddy quagmire in the wet. As I have stated on previous threads playing in Ryman 2 will bring greater sponsorship and recognition because of the Ryman branding being a national product.

[DotCom]

look lovely stuff ETFC are a strong team that have under achieved this year, its no good blaming the pitch as its the same for both sides and if anything playing on it all season you should be used to it.

 

you need to look at the team and find area's that need strengthening but i'm sure the manager will do this!