Braintree 1 Billericay 0

[Marky B]

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[Simon BTFC]

Who said lightening doesn't strike twice? Exactly the same as last year. Even first half, Braintree taking the lead on 40 mins. Julian Charles missed a great chance straight after to level when he shot wide when 1 on 1. Second half, Braintree use a 8 man defense, JJ had nothing to do for the 2nd 45mins, Braintree's timewasting beggared belief, Essandoh on another day could have had a hat-trick as a succession of efforts went just past the post. One of my friends summed it up perfectly when he said "If I had paid £7.50 to watch braintree play as negatively and unimaginatively as that I wouldn't come again." Perhaps explains why there were even less home fans than last year. Billericay kept plugging away - excellent work rate, although some sloppy passing at times.

 

Still:

Billericay 16 points

Canvey 8 points

Boretree 6 points

Grays 3 points

 

[Ryan.c]

Pissed off, but only because we deserved something out of the game. Braintree's cheating was pathetic, exactly the same as last year. Should have led at HT and the second half was like a seige. The lads effort and commitment was excellent but as Simon said the passing was sloppy and why 'o why did we persist in long balls that thier No4 just lapped up? Can't believe braintree have put that much effort into any of thier other games this season, I think they save it for us! Good to see we had 60% of the crowd though.

[Guest]

Why are we unable to change our style of play when it doesn't work. We tried the same balls time and time again, at times so blatently telegraphed that the off-side trap was easy to achieve.

 

There was some good work rate, but this was late in the game really. All these problems seem to be at away games - I still believe that it must be something that the management instills in the players before the game. Hayes will be interesting - I sense the same again. I hope I am proved wrong.

[Simon BTFC]

Offside wasn't a problem - the Boretree defense was playing so deep they struggled to get any offsides! The way they packed midfield and defense meant we struggled to pass our way through them. We had enough chances to at least get a point, but Essandoh had "one of those days" when eveything went just the wrong side of the post.

[jl]

i agree with most of the sentiments expressed we were value for at least a point. in contast to simon i think the last two matches have proved that willo isnt comfortable at right back and we need mcdonald (or henty) in that position on sat. i know this creates a selection problem in midfield but those decisions have to be made. mooro s blunder seemed to unsettle the back 4 a bit and russel had his worst game of the season esp in the 2nd half with poor distribution..my suggestion to the centre halves is give it to someone who can pass it (ie mark brennan). in midfield we did ok altho i felt richard g didnt get into the game enough. up top essandoh looked a threat all night and with more luck could have scored a few tonight. but the turning point of the game (apart from their goal) was the glaring miss by "ray" charles when clean through just before half time. i think if we had gone in at 1-1 we would have won the game. it also reminded me of carthy s miss against maidenhead...these 1 on 1 situations are easy to recreate and perhaps need some practise in training. i totally concur with all the comments about braintree s boring tactics and indeed it is no wonder they have no support if they play like that all the time. in fact the only redeeming feature with regard to braintree was the egg n bacon burger at 2.10 which compensated for the criminal admission charge. i dont think there is any need to panic after this result as we were clearly the better side.

suggestion: striking partner for roy essandoh....joe baker??

cu sat...come on the bluesssss

[Guest]

excellent match report on website. just about sums it all up really. C'mon you BLUES!!!!! 3 points at Hayes please

[pabird]

so if ricay pulled in 6 more players and called back Joe Baker they would be in good nick

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wavey.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wavey.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/yelrotflmao.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/yelrotflmao.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wavey.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wavey.gif" alt="" />

[Guest]

But only for away games!!!!

[Paul S]

by far the most frustrating game of the season for a host of reasons:

1.£7.50 to get in

2.if we had played all night the ball still wouldn't have crossed the line

3.negative braintree tactics

4.braintree timewasting

5.catley giving it large after they won

6.annoying group of kids giving it large

7.poor referee with a weird moustache

 

here's for a better away trip on saturday

COME ON U BLUES

[GazzaBTFC]

I have to say that I think we were the better team but that doesn't take it away from the fact that we have to adapt our stratagy when faced with a 11 man defence.

 

Why oh why wasn't there a change earlier in the 2nd half? Perhaps pulling off a defender and putting another forward on?

 

Ah well, it isn't often you have "repeats" in this world and as for next season...Well, I'll order the video of this game and sit at home and watch that with a couple of beers...