Billericay 0 Stevanage Borough 1

[Bilboy86]

Wasn't at the game but had my friend who was doing a running commentary. Sounds like we walked all over them for most of the match but they took their one decent chance where as we just didn't take advantage of any of ours.

 

Time to concentrate on the league me thinks!!

[Andy P]

It wasnt even a decent chance, just a free kick chipped into the box that evaded everyone and when it at the far post. Definately deserved a reply, though they looked the better team after going down to 10 men until we eventually put an extra man up front for the last 10 minutes when we had 2 or 3 good opportunitites to get the equaliser, Woodman making a couple of decent saves from Cousins and Wareham.

[Rod]

First it has to be said what a superb performance from Ricay, so many good individual performances that it would take too long to go into details, so well done to the team and fans I am sure 1800 was a lot more than we thought were going to turn up. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/applaus.gif" alt="" />

 

I thought we were dominant in the first half but could not help thinking that we needed to score while we were on top. The second half again we started well and then came the sending off, I thought at the time it might work against us and it did as we were in no trouble until then. After that Stevanage started looking dangerous on the break although the goal when it arrived was very soft. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/doah.gif" alt="" />

 

After the goal again we took control and created chances to equalise and even win but the best two chances were hit straight at the keeper (makes Danny's situation even harder to take as you think if only...).

 

We should use this perfomrance though as a platform for the rest of the season we have proved we can outplay a top conference side so lets do it against Ryman teams starting next Saturday.

[Simon BTFC]

Thought the lads were excellent today, played some really good football at times, wouldn't have been easy to tell which was the conf team, and which wasn't! Not going to single out anybody for special praise, except to say that but for a lucky goal, and a lucky save (with his feet) we'd be in the next round.

 

Bring on Halstead and Hendon this week!

[extaffyjim]

Id totally agree with what Rod said. Great crowd, great atmosphere, and at times an absolutely superb performance. We played some fantastic passing football, especially in a 20 minute period in the first half, when we outplayed them.

Despite dominating the possesion for large parts we didnt create a great number of chances, so it was importanr that the finishing be top notch which sadly it wasnt quite. Cousins had a v good effort saved early on, but late in the day we had a couple of good chances which might have been put away. However this is not a criticism of anyone as desperation had started to creep in and for the first time we were under mental pressure. As Rod said the sending off worked against us as i think we lost the 'nothing to lose' attitude, and felt if we were going to win it would have to be then

I think the boys can be tremendously proud at their efforts and their performance, and if we can transfer even some of the form of todays game into the league were going to be pushing very hard. Once again a huge well done to the boys, it was an extremely enjoyable day and i am very grateful to them. They showed they are great players capable of competing with teams from a higher level.

[GazzaBTFC]

With 1,800 people at the game, what a advertisment for quality football at New Lodge!!! The boys were giants amoungst men yesterday.

After the Bognor performance last Saturday, we then pull out a better performance against Stevenage...I think the lads have now proved they have the right stuff to take on anyone at a higher level.

 

Stevenage supporters, even though celebrating the win, must consider themselves lucky to get off with that result. We out played them and dominated them for huge amounts of the game and left them looking very ordinary.

 

Yesterday the team wore the blue shirt with pride and we all should be very proud of them.

 

Next Saturday see's us back to league and oh to repeat the performances of the past two weeks against our fellow Ryman League teams. I dare say those teams will resort to the usual spoiling tactics and filth that leave us so frustrated but we have proved that we are "bigger" than that...time for the Ryman teams to "reap" the 'Ricay whirlwind.

[jl]

I agree with most of whats been said already

 

Firstly well done to our lads, we played well, and they can hold their heads up high.

 

Secondly well done to everyone who paid their cash to come and watch the game. Fantastic to see it so full and even though we miss out on the win money we must have picked up a few bob from the gate/bar etc.

 

Apart from a nervy opening we dominated the first half and their keeper was by far the busier. Sadly the sending-off changed the game and not in the way we would have hoped. They dominated for 20 minutes got a goal, we dominated for 70 and didn't. That kind of comment is becoming the recurring theme of our season, which makes the news re Hockers doubly sickening. I think you have to give credit to their keeper, a lot of efforts were on target and the guy made the saves.

 

Good support for both teams but I don't think even the most loyal Boro fan could say we weren't worth at least another crack at them....

The good news is that not playing seems to be the best course of action in the league at the mom as we are only 1 point further behind than we were three weeks ago. Come on you bluesssss

[hoedown]

This is a Stevenage match report:-

 

http://www.boroguide.co.uk/seasons/0405/reports/facup/billericay_away.html

[extaffyjim]

I think that is a much more accurate and honest report than the other one i read

 

http://www.stevenageborofc.com/content/reports0405/billericayfac_away_200405.shtml

[paulc27]

A game we shouldnt have lost, and deserved to win. I honestly thought that 0-0 at half time we looked solid at the back and was taking the game to them. I could only see them scoring from something a bit special and im sure the lads will be gutted that it was a soft goal that beat us. Wathing the goal again on tv despite the cameraman having a nightmare, still makes the goal look soft. I dont think we can complain that we didnt create enough chances, and I also think its fair to say on a different day one of the chances would have gone it. I would have loved to see the shot stowey tried to scissor kick come off, would have been such a celebration behind out goal.

well done to the players for playing so well.