Billericay 0-0 Heybridge

[Simon BTFC]

Not the greatest game to be honest, with the honours for ruination being shared by the wind and the ref.

 

More injury problems, Billy Holland pulled a groin muscle and was replaced by Wayne Semanshia in the squad late in the day (after the team sheet went up, to be accurate). Went with the 3 pronged attack that we used against Chelmsford.

 

Not a great deal of goalmouth action to be honest, first half Lee Hodges hit the post with a corner, Whelps had a shot saved. Second half Burbs shot over, and we had a few long range efforts off target. Heybridge were poor up front, Jolly had a good chance late on but Worster saved at his feet.

 

Worster

McSweeney Heffer Blewitt Kerrigan

Game Hunter Dormer

Hodges Burbridge Whelpdale

 

Poole for Hodges

SNU: Hill, Semanshia, Swaine, Wayman

 

Flack now back from suspension, Billy McMahon having an op tomorrow.

[Dillinger]

 

TBH I thought Heybridge came for a draw , Whelpdale is a good player for you , again the wind made for difficult playing conditions but I could only see one team winning it.

[Rick the Dick]

Not great entertainment, as has been said. But it's a point, we're still unbeaten at home and we're now in 5th place. We didn't seem to capitalise on the winds assistance in the first half, and I was concerned how we'd cope second half. As it turned out we probably looked more dengerous playing into the wind; possibly coz it forced us to play it on the floor which is what we're good at? I think Swifts will definately see it as a point won. The formation didn't seem to work as well as it did against Chelmsford, and I'm sure someone can explain why. No sign of a new face as hinted in the Echo?

[The Gaffer]

A tad disappointed , thought that we were a little below par but were the more likely winners , Heybridge if they are running at the sort of budget that people speculate were a disappointing venture little side.

[richards]

A night where it looked like a goaless draw was on the cards, wind conditions made it a very poor game.

 

Praie I think for Ronnie Worster who is developing into a superb keeper. He made a couple of excellent saves including what was almost an own goal and handled the ball really well with those tricky bounces and the swirling wind. His command of the box also was very good. Bit of trouble with kicking in the second half but not surprising with the conditions.

[Keith.P]

It was not the most pretty of games we have seen of late, but the wind played its part in that to be fair. I thought we coped far better than Heybridge did against the wind and again Ronnie came out on top in the kicking factor against Gay.

So, was this a point won (always tough against them) or was this a case of two points lost. I suppose we should inkle on the point won as our injuries and suspensions last night may have counted against us. I thought Hodges had a good game, and Leon too. But a mention to our defence also as the wind was imo stronger than the chelmo game and they held firm.

It was a real shame when Whelps did not see Macca storming down the pitch in the second half in acres of space but sometimes it goes like that. Would also say the two pen shouts were worthy. Theirs looked a potential pen from where i was - And most certainly our one was also a hand ball, but i guess the ref decided to even up so no damage done.

 

Please, can we have a less windy day soon !

 

Finally, has anyone noticed us slipping quietly up the league with injuries/suspensions?!! Not me.

 

 

[GazzaBTFC]

I've got over my disapointment with the performance, which I thought was bland at best from both sides (which is quite unusual for a 'Ricay / Heybridge derby)...

 

Point taken and we are now in a play off postion. Yep, we're quietly moving up the league with every game now...Boreham Wood is a game I think we must win to keep the pressure on the top teams and, with the results this season squeezing the top positions, keep us in the hunt.

 

Gate was 415, which is quite good for an evening game v Heybridge and a top TV game on Sky....

[Keith.P]

Originally Posted By: GazzaBTFC

...Boreham Wood is a game I think we must win to keep the pressure on the top teams and, with the results this season squeezing the top positions, keep us in the hunt.

Indeed so. The Boreham Wood game does take on a real significance, but then they ALL do from now to seasons close.
Wonder if Matt/The Club will bring anyone else in just to keep toes tingling within the team.....But i think i wrote a while ago that this team (possibly,maybe,could be) just starting to believe in themselves.

[Rick the Dick]

Forgot to mention the crowd. Great to see so many for a mid-week match. Largest home mid-week gate since Maldon in September 2005 I think.

 

A shame it wasn't a better spectacle but it shows what a bit of success can do.

 

[Bub]

Two points lost or a point gained Rick?

[Keith.P]

Originally Posted By: Bub

Two points lost or a point gained Rick?

Under the circumstances defo point gained. Similar result against them at your gaff

[Bub]

They came for a point that day as well.

[coxy]

I thought it was a point gained last night in terrible conditions, my MOM was Wozza for them he run the midfield, the next two games are 2 we need to win @ home to Borehamwood who are on the same points as us and then away to Walton and Hersham who are second from bottom, come on you Blues 6 points please.

[The Town Crier]

 

 

Given the conditions I think both teams will be happy with a point, Had we had everyone available then we might have felt a little disappointed.

 

We are always looking to strengthen the team Keith, but it has to be the right player/s. we've missed a few of late, and we have our eye on a few others.

 

I agree coxy, wozza was good last night, but has he, or will he continue to play at that same level?

 

With a few more players expected to be available, We should have a better shape V's Borehamwood. They are a well organised side who can punish you if underestimated, so I expect it to be a tough, but entertaining game.

 

 

[GazzaBTFC]

I would agree with Wozza being the overall MOTM with Ronnie Worster being the BTFC MOTM. He pulled off some fantastic saves last night (again) but also showed himself to be maturing especially when dealing with the conditions in the second half when we had the wind against us, unlike a certain 'keeper who shall remain nameless.

 

On top of that, it was a clean sheet, which must do his confiedence a power of good.

[extaffyjim]

Fairly poor game but a decent result. I was a bit disappointed we didnt win last night, but today im happy with the result. I think i (and maybe some others) have been getting a bit over ambitious lately, and was disappointed that we lost ground at the top, but we're in a play off spot which is a great place to be, one which 17 other teams would envy. This is the highest weve been all season, and theres no reason we cant go higher, but if we stay where we are, i think most of us will be happy.

 

Saturday is a big game as others have said, i said before yesterday that id be happy with 4 points from the next 2 games, so thats still on the cards. Lets hope to see another decent attendance and hopefully a more entertaining match

[jl]

Hmm two points dropped for me.

 

Heybridge are a decent side but they haven't been in the best of form lately and for me it was a good opportunity to beat them. It's been said elsewhere that both teams would probably settle for the point and it kind of seemed that way to me from an early stage, perhaps our exertions in the mud on Saturday took its toll a bit. Injuries etc did count against us but tbph we knew we would be two strikers down (Nathan and Vinnie)virtually a month ago and without knowing the full ins-and-outs it's a bit disappointing that players are choosing to play for lower placed teams rather than come here.

 

However a well deserved clean sheet for Ronnie in testing conditions and we are now in a season's best position which is not to be sniffed at. A win on Saturday would be very handy.

[Simon BTFC]

Think Matt got it right when he said that last season this was a game we would have lost. With their physical style of play Heybridge should, in theory, have been able to deal with the conditions better than us. Hopefully against BWood we'll be able to get back to a proper 4-4-2 formation with Burbs and Flack - since Throck we've not been able to pick them together.