Ricay 1 Folkestone 1

[Rod]

Another fairly forgetable game with Folkestone. We do not seem to have exciting games when we play each other.

 

First half was poor with best chance a cross from Joe that hit the post.

 

Started the second half better and a goal from Leon should have settled it. Folkestone never looked liked scoring but we decided to give them a chance by giving away a free kick just outside the box from which they scored (well taken).

 

Leon also hit the bar after good work from Nathan.

 

Interesting that we later had a free kick in exactly the same position but hit it straight into the wall!

 

Difficult to give a man of the match, defence played well but did not have that much to do.

 

We have not really got going yet this season, hopefully can improve on Saturday.

 

Team was

 

McMahon

 

McSweeney

Kerrigan

Blewitt (Swaine)

Heffer

 

Dormer

Hunter

Game

Hodges (Collins)

 

Elder

Flack

[Simon BTFC]

Defence played well - despite loss of Blewitt with a head injury. I understand he was still feeling groggy after the game so was taken to hospital for a check up. Rob Swaine came in and did very well alongside Heffer who was my motm

 

There were a lot more balls going into the box, and I thought we had 3 or 4 decent chances as well as the goal.

 

Lee Hodges was a bit Tom n Dick apparently, so he did well to get through an hour.

 

Thought Flack looked very lively... Shame we never got to see the Korean though! Apparently Morgan has a trial somewhere today (wednesday).

 

(Subs not used were Ryan, Lee amd Capleton)

[GazzaBTFC]

I agree Si, on the balance of it, a better performance than on Saturday and on reflection, that wasn't too shabby.

 

Defence looked solid (something that wasn't this time last season) and the midfield worked hard and created more chances...the only disapointment is that when we had the goal at out mercy, we couldn't finish it...

 

Still the games against Folkestone are always tight affairs and we haven't lost this season.

 

Judging both our seasons performances, we're getting better....defence is looking solid, midfield started to tick last night...now, lets start banging in some goals....please...

[Keith.P]

Quote:

GazzaBTFC said:

Judging both our seasons performances, we're getting better....defence is looking solid, midfield started to tick last night...now, lets start banging in some goals....please...

Spot on last paragraph Gaz. We could and should have killed Folkestone off last night. Nath and Joe need a goal but having said that their workrate is fantastic. Got the feeling by looking at the team as they trooped off last night that they were very disappointed with themselves, and to me that is a good sign.

[The Town Crier]

A frustrating night, we created loads of chances, hit the woodwork a few times, looked very solid in defence, yet drew 1-1.

 

Yes the players were very disappointed with the result, and your right Keith it is a good sign, how many times have we seen opposing teams lose or draw, and yet, post game they look as though they've won. Our players set themselves high standards, but more importantly, want to win for the Club.

 

Credit to Folkestone on their goal though, I doubt I will see a better free kick than that all season.

 

It was nice to see Rob Swain back, and considering his lack of competitive games of late I thought he did very well, it’ll be interesting to see if he can push Blewitt or Heffer out to win a permanent place.

Joe is another one who has been sidelined for a while and now looks close to match fitness.

 

If we continue to create chances like we did last night, the goals will come.

 

C’MON YOU BLUE’S.

 

 

 

I thought the new program was our best ever, the artwork and layout were superb, as was the content, a big well done to everyone involved in that project.

 

 

 

 

[GazzaBTFC]

Yep, it was frustrating and I think that was also reflected in the attitude the supporters in the club house after the game...but the next morning, you reflect, you analyse and find the positives.

 

As Matt Jones said last night. We were solid at the back and the midfield worked more, creating on covering...we just need to convert the chances...and it will come. We just need to be patient.

[jl]

Agree very much re the defence, we looked very solid and seem to have some decent personnel in those positions. Was really impressed with Heffer as wasn't sure about him at centre back during pre season.

 

It was a shame that their only shot in the second half went in but that's the way it goes.

 

Disagree about the strikers. In my view a striker's primary objective by far is to score goals. Other assets such as work rate, touch etc are nice to have but if they don't score enough it puts pressure on the rest of the team. I think our goals/chances ratio over the last few months is nowhere near where it should be. Having said that I totally accept that both Morgan and Tom were not available last night but it's important that there is competetion for everyone's place.

 

Now I've said that I'm sure we'll stick five past Staines....

 

Come on you blues!!

[Rick the Dick]

Yes, frustrating & disapointing that we didn't take all 3 points, but the group of supporters I was with certainly saw all the positives in the performance; particularly the confidence in defence.

 

And Hawkwind at half-time as well!

 

See Swifts only got a home draw against Boreham Wood so that adds some context to our result at their place.

 

What's happened to Worthing this year?

[The Town Crier]

This is how a Folkstone fan described the game:

 

 

Billericay went close several times with the excellent number nine winning just about everything he

went for in the air, and seemed to have the speed of a greyhound when the ball was on the deck. The woodwork saved us on one occasion.

 

Second half much the same, with Billericay very quick on the counter

attack, and deserved to take the lead from one such a counter.

 

Steve Norman's free kick in the 80th minute from about 20 yards was superbly struck over the wall and just inside the upright high into the goal. Something to cheer about at last.

 

We hung and and could even have nicked it in the closing few minutes,

but overall were prob fortunate to grab a point, with Riccay hitting the bar

also in the second half.

[GazzaBTFC]

TC, It's a game of perception....

 

The "striker" opinion is one that I fully understand and in some ways agree with but, in the past, when our strikers are scoring, there is always someone who comes on here and makes the point that the midfield don't score enough...It's one thing or the other.

 

Yes, our forwards have to score goals but isn't that the responsibility of every team member if they get into a goal scoring position...admittedly, Nathan and Joe would have more opportunity as that is their job, as well as creating the chance for someone else to have a go...

 

This team of players we have today all have the ability to score from whatever position they play (with the exception of Kerrers, who hasn't yet). Leon's goal ratio for the amount of games he has played for us is good and you can expect Dormer, Hodges, Ryan and Collins to chip in with a couple (hopefully more). I can see the goal scoring duties being pretty well spread out amoungst a hand full of players....and why not, as long as they go in, I don't give a stuff who scores 'em.

 

And who scored last night. Leon Hunter...and I am then told "well, he's done his job"!!! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bigshock.gif" alt="" />

 

So...who's job is it to put the ball in the net?

 

Lets take the pressure of those players that are certainly putting themselves under it and get behind them.... Support them, that's our job.

[The Town Crier]

You make a good point when you say that scoring goals is everyone’s responsibility, I say this because defending is also everyone’s responsibility... your job, my job, doesn't make a good team.

 

RE jl's point, (I couldn't see who he was disagreeing with though) that a strikers main job is to score goals, is a very obvious one, but surely the better their touch and work rate, the higher number of goals they will score.

[GazzaBTFC]

I would agree...

 

I was just in a nowty mood last night!!!