WEALDSTONE 2 BILLERICAY 3

[GazzaBTFC]

Well, a crime was committed tonight and we were the responsible party. Wealdstone deserved all three points and we robbed 'em in the last 5 minutes. In direct contrast to last season, when we were 2 - 1 down, we kept going, rode our luck and stole the victory from under their noses.

 

For 70% of the game we were second best. Their No. 9 was all over our defence, like a rash, they hussled us for the ball, gave us no room to move and made us look ordinary.

 

We came out in the first half looking good and could've had 3 or 4 but last ditch defending and good goal keeping kept the ball out of their net...then, after about 20 minutes they started to run the game. They went 1 - 0 up after a mistake in defence. We came back...quite strong and Dormer got the equaliser.

 

2nd half and we were nowhere in the game. They came at us. Our midfield looked as if it didn't exist, our defence was struggling....At 15 minutes left of the game they scored what should've been the winning goal. Then we started to play and scrap... Hockton scored our second. The Wealdstone defence stopped as they thought (and it did look as if) the ball had been played out for a goal kick but Danny Jones crossed the ball in and Danny Hockton, with no one around him, headed the ball home. Lesson...Play to the whistle. They didn't and we took our chance. A couple of minutes later, Hunter got the winner. A beautiful sizzor kick shot and some of the 'Ricay supporters couldn't believe what had happened.

 

I dunno if it was down to attitude or fitness or both but in the last 15 we didn't stop. Wealdstone looked as if it was job done...So another lesson was learned...Play to the final whistle.

 

I feel a bit sorry for Wealdstone as they deserved the points but in any circumstances, we'll have 'em if they're on offer...As I said, in direct contrast to last season, we rode our luck (some say you make your own in this game), finished stronger and won through. Last season, we had games when we deserved at least a point and didn't get it...Even deserved to win games and came away with nothing. Other games, we would've gone down 1 - 0 and struggled to lift our game. Tonight.... Well, it was different... Only two attempts on goal in the second half and two goals....Make your own mind up.

[extaffyjim]

Amazing stuff in the last ten minutes. Made it all worthwhile. Although we were well off our best tonight i think it showed tremendous fighting qualities to go on and win like that. By the way Gazza that was me who leapt into your arms after the third goal. A real 'running through the meadows in slow motion' moment. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

 

[GazzaBTFC]

Ahhhhhh, isn't it unbelievable what a winning goal can do to grown men!!!

 

 

[GazzaBTFC]

Actually, in retrospect, I should praise the team for taking the opporunity when it was presented. Again (and to repeat myself), last season it would've been different...

[Simon BTFC]

Well as they always say, games aren't won and lost by could'ves and should'ves but by dids and didn'ts. We could have been almost out of sight after 20 mins, 4 or 5 great chances - their keeper pulled off a couple of good save and a good block on the line by the 11. They took the lead with what was a soft goal to give away, and Morgan (The no9) could have extended their lead but didn't, Dormer headed in a corner that was well delivered by Gallagher. They could've won it after the break, a number of good moves but their final ball was often lacking and they struggled to get shots on target. They regained the lead from another corner that the 11 headed in. We could have collapsed but if anything we calmed down and stopped punting aimless balls forward and tried to play a bit. Hockers got another goal to cap a good performance then Hunter fired in an excellent winner.

 

Obviously there's things that need working on, the defence looked unbalanced and we tended to be very wasteful with set plays. It is still early days yet, and as we keep saying we can't really tell how good or not we are til we've played 10 games.

[Rod]

I think Gazza has summed up the game fairly well, thought though I would just mention the free kick incident in the first half.

 

Ricay win a free kick just outside the box attempt to take a quick one but it hits the wall which had only retreated about four yards, the ref blows his whistle and the ball bounces out to a Ricay player (sorry cant remember who poss Gallagher or Cousins) who catches the ball to throw back to the ref. Does the ref award:

 

1. The retake of the free kick with the wall back the correct distance?

 

2. Caution the nearest Wealdstone player for not retreating far enough and move the ball forward ten yards?

 

3. Give handball against the Ricay player and caution him?

 

Yes of course the answer was 3. despite the fact the ref had blown his whistle which could only mean a dead ball. (I assume the yellow card was handball and not for dissent).

 

You couldn't make it up.

[extaffyjim]

I still dont know what happened at that incident, absolutely crazy. Id given up shouting at the ref by the end, there didnt seem much point after a while

[c'mon ricay]

Well the ref was poor all night falling for a lot Wealdstones desperate attempts to delay the game as for the free kick incident that has to be one of the worst pieces of refereeing I have ever seen and it was cousins who was booked I would assume for deliberate handball. The ref/lino did have a big hand in Danny Hocktons goal as when Danny Jones pulled the ball back it was a good few inches over the line but frankly who cares over the course of the season these things tend to even themselves out and when you get youre luck its important that you ride it

 

Felt the fighting sprit/ full time fitness to come back and get a point let alone a win was superb and winning dirty is how championships/promotions are won. It has to be said it is concerning for over half an hour we didnt produce anything at all and the midfield went totally AWOL and we just went to hoof n hope when we are a good footballing side which I think shows the need for a good creative midfielder e.g Joe Baker which I think is the one think that the team is lacking as we have at this level a top class proven goal scorer and a water tight defence.

 

 

[Barry Proudfoot]

Quote:

c'mon ricay said:The ref/lino did have a big hand in Danny Hocktons goal as when Danny Jones pulled the ball back it was a good few inches over the line

It was Dave McSweeney who pulled the ball back, and it wasn't actually over the line he did really well to keep it in play when Wealdstones defence stopped, it was right infront of where i was stood behind the goal.

[Barry Proudfoot]

another poor piece of refereeing etc, has to be the linesman in the same game.

 

Flagging for a throw on when the ball hasn't gone out of play and infact didn't go out of play

[GazzaBTFC]

Refereeing by prediction...Now there is a thought...Consult the Tarot cards before making a decision

[Ryan.c]

Stones fans could see a full pitch length away that the ball had quite clearly crossed the line. Dave, you were standing pratically on top and directly in front of the action, how could you possibly tell from there!!

[Barry Proudfoot]

I think Stones Fans were appealing for handball. again.

[GazzaBTFC]

Yeah, I noticed that. Every time we got near the ball they appealed...Funny.