Billericay 2 Chelmsford 1

[GazzaBTFC]

Not the prettiest of games but the conditions dictated that in the final 20 minutes. To start, I didn't think Chelmsford looked up for it and we looked as if we were trying to get to grips with our keeper being injured, forcing a last minute change of team.

 

With Joe Flack out as well, Rikki Burbridge was our sole striker and he battled hard but his headers on were going into the space where Flackie may have been to take advantage of them. In all, Chelmsford shaded the first half on corners but really only threatened a couple of times. Same with us really...the game was in the middle of the park and our midfielders did their job by shutting Minton and his mates out.

 

The second half to a degree was a lottery due to the wind BUT whereas at East Thurrock, we managed to play to the conditions, Chelmsford looked a little lost at what to do, especially the keeper. With no one coming short to make up for the gale, the Chelmsford keeper was kicking the ball into the wind and putting his side under pressure. When they did sort it out there was a couple of decent attacks but our defence coped well.

 

The work rate. Once again, we bossed a team with hard work. Every 'Ricay player put in the effort to close them down, which is what Matt Jones said on Thursday. get into them, close them down and ask the question as to if the Chelmo players are hungry enough to play at that level of commitment and effort. The answer was plain to see

 

The goals...Maybe two were fortuitous, our first and the Chelmsfords first. I don't know about the second as I couldn't see it...

 

Overall, a good win for us...Loco Fan said it on the Sloppy Box...We have the bragging rights today and rightly so.

[Localfan]

Great support from both sides of supporters, dreadful game to watch.....made up for some great singing......good win..LF

[Dillinger]

Ricky wanted it more tbf , our support was immense &

let down by our players lack of bollox.

[Rich.m]

gota i feel that todays performance by the lads was superb, dealing with the conditions and the pitch and the rest, but the thing that made it better was that we didnt drop our heads wen it went 1-1 many times last seasons and a few this year we have conceded and then go on to be under the cosh, but today we carried on attacking.

 

also alot of plaudits to ronnie, because i see him say to the goalkeeper coach when billy unfortunately got injured oh f**k i have got to play now. we will all agree that ronnie is capable cover for billy, but to get himself in a completey different mind set in ten mintues and then deal with the supporters behind his goal was quality.

 

is there any news on billy yet?

 

well done today lads but now we have to follow this up with more passionate perfomances and make 2007 billericays year

 

[Simon BTFC]

I think Matt summed it up after the game when he said "I'd have been pleased to beat Chelmsford after a week in which everything went well... but after the week we've had I'm delighted"

 

For those of you unaware, Joe missed the game today after an injury picked up at East Thurrock has become infected leaving him with a poisoned hand... apparently his hand and lower arm are swollen right up... As has been discussed elsewhere Ekoku got mucked about by his agent so when Rikki pulled up we had just the one frontline striker available - Billy Holland. Losing Billy McMahon as well was a huge blow, but all credit to Ronnie he stepped in and made some important saves.

 

The game was a "proper" derby game ie played at a high pace, and I doubt many will remember it for the quality of the football! We worked extremely hard, right through the team which for me was the difference, a couple of Chelmsford's players seemed to be on cruise control.

 

Slightly unusual formation, not sure if it was a 4-3-3 or 4-5-1:

 

Worster

McSweeney, Heffer, Blewitt, Kerrigan

Game Hunter Dormer

Whelpdale Burbridge Hodges

 

Subs: Holland for Burbridge

Hill for Hodges

Subs not used: Simmons, Swaine

[Dillinger]

 

You deserved the win but your support is dire we had 2/3 of the ground.

[Ian Blockhead]

Today was one of those glorious events where the football wasn't of the highest quality because of the conditions but you go back into the bar with a huge smile on your face thinking what a terrific game. Wind, rain, a missed pen, three goals, a clown in goal, a goal kick that goes out for a corner and bouncing up and down to the Rocky theme tune. After the game I spoke to a guy and his wife who were making their first visit to New Lodge. He was hoarse and couldn't wait to come back again. Happy Days

[Garfy]

No you didn't? slight over exaggeration there sonny, you did bring more than I expected though but that just made the cracking atmosphere all the better!

 

as for the game, it wasn't pretty, but definately deserved! Brilliant weather too!

[Dillinger]

Originally Posted By: Garfy

No you didn't? slight over exaggeration there sonny, you did bring more than I expected though but that just made the cracking atmosphere all the better!

as for the game, it wasn't pretty, but definately deserved! Brilliant weather too!

Folkestone 385
Staines 397
Carshalton 403
H & R 382
Ashford 351
Margate 358
Harrow 200 lol
AFC 923
Tonbridge 340
Bromley 543
Mighty Clarets 1,508

Do the maths................

[Ian Blockhead]

I can confirm officially that 742 members of the Chelmo public out of a crowd of 1508, attended todays game. Well done chaps. You gotta admit Dill that New Lodge has a special sort of atmosphere on days like today, one that can't be replicated at the Sports and Athletics Centre.

[Dillinger]

742 LOL more like 1,000 , how was the atmosphere for all the other games ?

Harrow ?

[jl]

We couldn't have got off to a worse start with Billy being carried off in the warm-up. Let's just hope it's not too bad this time. We are fortunate to have a keeper of Ronnie's ability to step in.

 

Ronnie made a couple of good saves in the first half and tbph once Burbridge limped off I'd have taken a point there and then.

 

There's no doubt that the elements assisted us in the second half but we were also much the better team and were a long way ahead on chances created.

Our lads showed grit and determination in spades and I think that's what won the day for us in the end.

 

We need to sort out the pens though. Two "misses" in a row isn't good enough. Personally I'd just tell Hunter the job is his.

 

I still think Chelmsford are a decent side and I expect them to be top 5 for sure. The crowd was excellent today and shows that a good local derby beats a load of Wombles anyday.

 

Our squad is being severely tested at the moment though but at least we have a week before the next game. One point off a play-off place with a game in hand. Let's hope we can keep it up.

 

[Rich.m]

Dillinger even if you did have a 1,000 there today, u at chelsmford cannot compete with us by the atmosphere that we make no matter who we are playing.

 

just look at your attendence post on here, when we played tonbridge at home the att was 340, and any one who was at the game will no that behind the goal, the atmosphere was great, so no matter how many fans we get at new lodge that are billericay we will always have a good atmosphere.

 

 

 

 

[Umbrella Man]

Originally Posted By: Rich.m

Dillinger even if you did have a 1,000 there today, u at chelsmford cannot compete with us by the atmosphere that we make no matter who we are playing.

just look at your attendence post on here, when we played tonbridge at home the att was 340, and any one who was at the game will no that behind the goal, the atmosphere was great, so no matter how many fans we get at new lodge that are billericay we will always have a good atmosphere.

A grand LOL they don't even get near that at home

[Dillinger]

Originally Posted By: Rich.m

Dillinger even if you did have a 1,000 there today, u at chelsmford cannot compete with us by the atmosphere that we make no matter who we are playing.

just look at your attendence post on here, when we played tonbridge at home the att was 340, and any one who was at the game will no that behind the goal, the atmosphere was great, so no matter how many fans we get at new lodge that are billericay we will always have a good atmosphere.

Thats fair enough mate and like I said you deserved the win but your support was better in previous years whats changed

[Umbrella Man]

The support was bang on today loads of faces that i have not seen for ages or before cheering on the chaps today and who can blame them.

[Dillinger]

Originally Posted By: Umbrella Man

The support was bang on today loads of faces that i have not seen for ages or before cheering on the chaps today and who can blame them.

They only come when you play us

You must have thought ours was awesome if you think yours was bang on

[Umbrella Man]

To be honest fella not at all heard a few give me a C I ect and some song that went on for a couple of mins but that was it if you believe you had a 1000 it was piss poor.

 

Take note that your biggest crowd this year was against Billericay swings and roundabouts maybe they only come to see us

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dillinger]

To be honest fella not at all heard a few give me a C I ect and some song that went on for a couple of mins but that was it if you believe you had a 1000 it was piss poor.

 

Take note that your biggest crowd this year was against Billericay swings and roundabouts maybe they only come to see us

 

Biggest league crowd , we will better that in the weeks to come , you wont , I was more interested in why you thought your crowds had fallen away than [****!!****] waving.

 

 

[Umbrella Man]

have a great night hahaha