Sudbury 3-1 Billericay

[Simon BTFC]

Not, it had to be said, a desparately good performance. With Gary Henty joining the injury list with a heel problem our shortcomings at full back were well exposed, particularly as the midfield 3 (we started with 3 up front) offered little protection. Game did ok, but was left 2 on 1 far too often. Lay needs to be a lot more disciplined positionally speaking as he was caught up front leaving Game exposed. Dorms is nearly fit to play which will be a massive boost for us, as he can offer a bit more protection to the left back until Henty is back. Would like to see Dobson have a game at left back as I believe he has played a lot of his football there.

 

Team

Wayman

Game Macca Dobson Patterson

Lay Thomas Hunter

Cousins Elder Ross

Subs

Hockton for Cousins (12 mins)

Sterling for Lay (ht)

Sappleton for Dobson (ht)

Smith for Thomas (60 mins)

Harrop for Hunter (68)

Simmons for Wareham (71)

Sub keeper for Wayman (89)

 

They took an early lead when Patterson went missing, their guy had an easy run through to score

 

Cousins went off midway through the half with a bruised thigh, Hockton came on

 

Half hour mark a well worked equaliser - quick free kick in own half played to Thomas who threaded a pass through to Hockton who scored with a typical finish.

 

Straight after half time should have taken lead. Sterling got clatterd. Another quick free kick on the right, played to Sterling who was clean through but shot straight at keeper. Hockers hooked rebound just wide.

 

Hour mark 2-1 down, towering header from a corner.

 

3-1 Smith beaten on our right cross headed in

 

Late on Wayman got substituted with an injury.

[GazzaBTFC]

Our fight back from being 1 - 0 down and the opening period of the second half were encouraging but after a defence mistake to put them 2 - 1 up took the wind out of our sails.

 

Overall not a good performance but it was only a friendly and to lose these games gives Justin and Matt a chance to see what is wrong and put it right before the league starts in a couple of weeks.

[Ozbrit]

Not quite going to plan it seems. Good luck with getting your show on the road in 20 short days.

[jl]

Before this match many of us thought this was probably our best pre season fixture against a side likely to be of a similar quality to that which we will encounter in the league.

 

After Cuzz's early knock we elected to play three full on strikers in the shape of Nathan, Hockers and Ross. The positive from this move is probably that we will never attempt this again.

 

The three man midfield was completely overrun and our two new signings showed very little. I felt sorry for Leon.

 

We obviously have a few injury problems in defence which made it doubly strange that our two inexperienced full backs were offered no protection. Smith and Patterson are in my view not good enough to play full back at this level. Agree with Simes, I would give Dobson a go at left back (he actually looks a decent player) and I would play Macca to the right of Pat in the centre.

 

Positive was Hockers showing he still knows where the goal is and generally our best player in a decent 75 minute workout.

 

I understand that in pre season you have to try things out and results are not really that important. I think we have to start thinking about what our opening day line up is likley to be and move on a stage to prove that the quality of our squad has not diminished since last season.

[GazzaBTFC]

Quote:

Ozbrit said:
Not quite going to plan it seems. Good luck with getting your show on the road in 20 short days.

What isn't going to plan? Losing a pre season friendly? Only a fool would judge form on a pre season. Oh, I'm sorry... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

As you say, the season starts in 20 days...plenty of time to put things right.

[Kevin M (CCFC)]

"against a side likely to be of a similar quality to that which we will encounter in the league"

 

Take it you meant that as a joke?

[GazzaBTFC]

No. Considering that quiter a few of the players were ex Braintree, Chelmsford and Heybridge...no.

[jl]

Quote:

Kevin M (CCFC) said:
"against a side likely to be of a similar quality to that which we will encounter in the league"

Take it you meant that as a joke?

Absolutely not Kevin. I believe they have won their league for the last five consecutive seasons often by wide margins and have made the vase final for the last three seasons. Why they have chosen not to move up the pyramid I don't know perhaps you should ask them. Amongst their starters yesterday were Rutherford and Pollard who were ever present for Heybridge last season, and probably a few more Ryman players who I didn't know.

Had I wanted to crack a joke I would have said senile Chelmo Town back-line or something of that ilk. Actually, it may have been a joke because they are probably better than some of the teams we will meet.......:~)

[Ozbrit]

AFC Sudbury have made the vase final for the last three seasons. Thats interesting, back in the 1970's ricay also made it three vase finals on the trot, only as winners. The fact some of you accept AFC Sudbury as your peers suggests your playing level has not advanced in 30 or so years. I certainly as an IRON supporter wouldnt consider a Ridgeons side as our peers, The two friendlies against sides from that league has yielded us an 8-3 goal result. One of those games being against Bury Town the title runners up and vase semi finalists themselves. We came from that competition many moons ago and believe that over the years we've moved forward a fair bit, albeit the usual two steps forward one back pattern.

 

Not to diminish AFC Sudbury but it has to be said that most of their ex Ryman players wouldnt get a game at our level through age.

[GazzaBTFC]

Did we accept AFC Sudbury as our peers?..no I don't think so...we just gave them the rspect we would any club that is successful (at any level).

 

Of course, it is nice to know that Braintree are doing well in their pre season friendlies...8 - 3, eh? Well good for them. Well done. Woo bloody hoo. When the league campaign starts, the attitude is different.

 

As for the Sudbury players not getting a game at the Preimer level. How do you know? Was you there?

[Ozbrit]

No Gazza, I wasn't there, did I need to be in order to know who was playing? A trip to their website reveals all, incl. a comprehensive match report and some lovely pics in full colour. You don't have to be somewhere to know about it silly boy.

[GazzaBTFC]

So how can you comment on their players not making the mark for our league?

 

The success of AFC Sudbury over the past couple of seasons speaks volumes...

 

I have my own theory about our performance.

[Ozbrit]

Now Gazza read this very S-L-O-W-L-Y.

 

Not to diminish AFC Sudbury but it has to be said that most of their ex Ryman players wouldnt get a game at our level through age.

 

 

See nothing there about players not making the(ir) mark in our league, just suggesting some are now retired from our level of football.

[GazzaBTFC]

Yawn.........

 

I just think they were up for it more than we were.

 

But it's only a pre season friendly...I suppose if we beat Leyton O on Wedensday, we'll all go hyperbole again....That or some of Leyton's rival supporters will put 'em down for the drop...

[Ozbrit]

That was a fair posting Gazza, enjoy the game on wednesday, O's should be sufficiently attractive oppn to draw a decent crowd.

[Kevin M (CCFC)]

Quote:

jl said:

Quote:

Kevin M (CCFC) said:
"against a side likely to be of a similar quality to that which we will encounter in the league"

Take it you meant that as a joke?

Absolutely not Kevin. I believe they have won their league for the last five consecutive seasons often by wide margins and have made the vase final for the last three seasons. Why they have chosen not to move up the pyramid I don't know perhaps you should ask them. Amongst their starters yesterday were Rutherford and Pollard who were ever present for Heybridge last season, and probably a few more Ryman players who I didn't know.

Had I wanted to crack a joke I would have said senile Chelmo Town back-line or something of that ilk. Actually, it may have been a joke because they are probably better than some of the teams we will meet.......:~)

Hmm, well if you really do believe that a club two steps further down the pyramid (league champs or not) is on a parity with Rym Prem then so be it, tho' if they are that good would they not have won the Vase on each occasion in the final?

Still see you lot as a good play-off bet...in terms of scoreline these friendlies mean nought compared to league and cup....

[mmmmmm meat]

gutted!!!

[Garlic bread and cheese]

You lot should have never let Dan Trenkel go.

[jl]

Oh no surely not the return of Moan it Mick

 

Trenkl played for Burnham against us last week and putting it politely its fair to say that he hasnt got any quicker

[Garlic bread and cheese]

This is no moan it mick, this is memhet.