Billericay 1-1 Hendon

[Simon BTFC]

Bit of an end of season feel to this one, neither team was making much effort to win it by the end. We made loads of changes with John Simmons and Andy Oxby both making their first league starts and Ross Wareham and Danny Kerrigan both recalled whilest Paul Gothard and Gary Henty both making welcome returns after injury.

 

Got off to a good start when Oxby gave us the lead, getting in to place the ball between the keeper's legs. Did Ok after that in the first half considering all the changes, but didn't create many chances. Kerrigan did well with a fierce shot that swerved into the keeper.

 

Second half they brought on 2 forwards and got an equaliser... Goths probably could have done better with it in all honesty. Hendon reduced to 10 men when no7 got a second yellow after a bout of handbags with Macca who was also booked. After that both teams happy to play out the draw. Overall job done in my opinion, got the point we needed without expending too much energy getting it. No new injuries and we were able to rest key players esp Hunter and Saps.

 

Gothard

Henty Macca Trott Kerrigan

Oxby Simmons Forbes Game

Wareham Cousins

 

Subs

Elder for Oxby

Armstrong for Simmons

Sterling for Cousins

SNU: Price, Capleton

[GazzaBTFC]

Considering that it we have a play off on Tuesday, the game was strangely typical end of season, job done type of game. For me personally, I would've liked to go into Tuesdays play off with a storming win under our belts because our home form over the past six games isn't that much...And it would prove that we had the wind up our tails...sadly this wasn't to be.

 

A few players had a chance to prove themselves and didn't. Which is a shame. Nice to see Gary Henty back and looking lively...but that is typical of the man. He puts that blue shirt on and plays as if it means something to him. I certainly hope he is in Justin's plans for the next season and if he is, I will step up and sponser him again.

 

Paul Armstrong looked as if he could fill a central midfield role which would take the pressure off him to score goals and you never know...he may score more. If you consider the option of Hockers, and Nathan up front and firing and the a midfield chipping in with Dormer, Hunter AND Armstong, the prospect is mouth watering!!! Paul reads the game well, isn't afraid to carry the ball forward, is strong and can open defences with his flicks and vision!!!

 

Which brings me to Steve Forbes. He certainly was my player of yesterday's match and proved that when he plays, he is a good player and an essential one in the centre of midfield. After my post earlier this week I was pleased to see him play well, because, lets face it, like every member of the team, he is a nice guy and very much part of this seasons success.

 

We have a difficult game on Tuesday. Leyton will be riding high on the fact that they have come from nowhere and on the last game of the season, pipped Hampton (my preffered Tuesday opponents) to the play off's. We have to re discover our edge, the slick passing and the fast pace that has got us here...Let's get behind our team, it's not just a team performance that is required but a club performance...from management, player, official and supporter and prove we are the best!!!

[Dan Sampford]

Will dormer be fit for tuesday?

[GazzaBTFC]

Doubt it

[Lufbra_Paul]

Having not witnessed the last few games i just wish to know on what grounds paul gothard has been preferred to mel? Mel has come in and done a superb job between the sticks... perhaps better than gothard had previously. so the why the change so late (and at such an important stage) of the season.

 

if it aint broke.....

[Dan Sampford]

I think Mel will play on Tuesday, just taking precausions for Tuesday.

[jl]

I thought we did ok considering the changes we made.

I think it was the right decision to play Goths today so we could assess his fitness etc and also to give him a game. I think Mel will start on Tuesday. If you consider that Pat, Leon, Nathan and Paul are certain to start on Tuesday the xi we put out did ok and got the result that was required.

 

We need to raise it for Tuesday though.

[Johnr]

I think you will find that Mel had to work in the morning and was doubtful to to get to the ground on time.

Not to say Justin was not going to play Goth anyway.

[Simon BTFC]

I think one of Justin and Matt's aims for yesterday was to make sure that all the players who hadn't been playing regularly of late got games in case they need to play in the play-offs, so i suspect that Goths would have played anyway.