Billericay 1-0 Redbridge

[extaffyjim]

A good result over a fiarly poor Redbridge side. Goal came 5 minutes or so from the end of the game from Leon Hunter strike. Not many chances in the first half, but we did have the better of the play. Danny slotted home an offside goal after a nice counter attack.

 

Second half, had all the play and several good chances. Hit the woodwork twice, and made some good moves. Overall we deserved the win.

[GazzaBTFC]

A typical Boxing day peformance really. We made it hard work and Redbridge had no real game plan except hoof and throw bodies around. Difficult to play against that. Still a win is a win and we're getting back into the habit.

 

A great stike from Leon and it's nice to see him back...and Dorms.

[Simon BTFC]

If this match had ended any other way than with a Billericay win it would have been a travesty - we dominated the possession throughout, created the better chances and defended well. Good to see players coming back from injury and suspension - Wozza looked a little rusty as did Leon, but that will sort itself out after a game or 2. Matty Game was again excellent today, my motm.

[A Walsh]

Redbridge looked a pretty poor side, but I thought they battled quite well. The win was important and we created a lot of chances. How Collins missed that header I'll never know. The main disappointing thing, particularly in the first half, was how wasteful we were with possession. The number of times the ball was hoofed forward without much thought was surprising. The performance was a lot better in the second half and we created enough chances to win by a lot more. Agree that Matt Game was man of the match, also thought Nathan and Kerrigan were outstanding as well. Lets hope this good little run continues at Melbourne Park.

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www.billericaytownfc.20m.com

[jl]

Redbridge had one plan...to stick ten behind the ball and hope for a nil-nil or somehow scrape a fortunate 1-0, however given their league position that was hardly a surprise and I thought they were a bit better than most have given them credit for.

 

After the first 15 which were very scrappy, I thought we asserted ourselves and generally dominated thereafter. We need to be much more ruthless in the final third, more decisive with both our passing and in front of goal as we are struggling to turn our possession into goals.

 

It will be interesting to see who misses out in midfield as for me Matt Game was our best player by a long chalk yesterday and it would criminal to leave him out.

 

Millard

Macca Pat Trotty Kerrigan

Tarks (Hunter) Game Ryan Collins (Dormer)

Hockton Elder

 

snu: Brightley, Poole, Simmons

[Ryan.c]

Some very wasteful finishing nearly cost us dear, so it was a relief too see that goal go in! Very poor attendance for a Boxing Day fixture.

[paulc27]

Was a poor crowd but I guess when you consider the oppo it was always likely. Think we well and truly got the short straw of the boxing day fixtures. The good thing is that Redbridge showed nothing to suggest that they will be playing in this leage next season so hopefully thats the last boxing day game against them.

Agree about the poor finishing. Hockers looked like a different player to the one that came on against Tooting. In Hockers and Nathans defence we did seem to resort to lumping the ball forward which was us resorting ourselves to the same tactic and Redbridge. For me it wasnt a great display but a win is a win.

[GazzaBTFC]

Winning is habit forming and in my opinion, if we win and don't play well, it say's something about how the season is going to play out. Two weeks ago we played a blinder and beat the league leaders...play well or not, we're getting the habit...let it continue.

[Keith.P]

A win is a win, and that was a must win game. Sets us up nicely for Monday.

[Lufbra_Paul]

Agree with Gazza's comments above - it is absolutely vital that we use these last couple of results as a spring-board to propel the team forward in the coming months. We desperately need to go on a run of consecutive wins to boost our (faint) play-off hopes.

I didnt think we played that badly over the course of the 90 minutes: we had no trouble coping with their attack which was restricted to long hopeful punts which, when they didnt just sail out of play, sapps and particularly trotty dealt with without a fuss.

I thought the midfield was very workman-like and slightly devoid of any creative thrust. I thought warren ryan worked hard to carve openings but our final ball was awful, hence the real lack of any clear-cut chances despite the dominance in possession. Credit to leon who showed composure in font of goal to finish his chance very well, and also credit to justin for making the changes which ultimately led to us winning the game. Talking of game, matt had another storming performance in the heart of the midfield - he really appears to be 'growing' into the role (no pun intended) and has improved dramatically from the start of the season. He was definitely my MOTM.

 

Heres to another 3 points on monday.

[Uncle Urchin]

spot on there gazz....we haven't played well for a few weeks now for whatever reason...(it happens in footie)...but the guys grind out the results every week and have got used to winning these tough games and won't lie down....

 

monday is a bigun for ya and if you win it could springboard you back into the race....good luck..... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

[The Town Crier]

So its 7 points from the last three league games...not a bad return, but if we are to compete for a play off position then we have to up our Goals per game.

 

 

Braintree are always tight at the back, their defensive record speaks for itself.

Lots of opportunities were created in both the Hampton and Redbridge games, and we were possibly a little unlucky not to have scored more.

 

The overall performance and attitude shown in the three mentioned games was good.

 

A positive goal scoring mindset...and we should be ok

[extaffyjim]

Quote:

Lufbra_Paul said:
Agree with Gazza's comments above - it is absolutely vital that we use these last couple of results as a spring-board to propel the team forward in the coming months. We desperately need to go on a run of consecutive wins to boost our (faint) play-off hopes.

I dont think 7 points from the play offs with 20 odd games to go is a faint hope

[Lufbra_Paul]

Jim, I only say faint because most teams have one or two games in hand on us. Whilst there is no guaruntee that the teams above (and below) us will win them, some will which would leave us more than 7pts off the play-offs. However, you could also argue that it is better to have the games played and points on the board rather than have a back-log at the end of season.

We'll soon get a clearer picture, all we have to do is keep the momentum going!

[GazzaBTFC]

Quote:

Uncle Urchin said:
spot on there gazz....we haven't played well for a few weeks now for whatever reason...(it happens in footie)...but the guys grind out the results every week and have got used to winning these tough games and won't lie down....

monday is a bigun for ya and if you win it could springboard you back into the race....good luck..... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I certainly hope we can continue our run of results. Would love to spoil their party.

[Balmoral Claret]

Don't think you will "spoil the party" Gazza. Whilst getting something out of the game would be an added bonus, I think many of our fans (especially those on our forum), are resigned to the fact that the actual occasion far outweighs the match itself, and that if Ricay remain completely focussed, then the 3 points are there for the taking.

But having said that, it IS a funny old game!

[Keith.P]

So what sort of crowd you expecting Balmoral ? Personally i think there will be a full house what with all the advertising being done.

[Balmoral Claret]

Peter Foster and his willing band of helpers will have distributed 30,000 leaflets in Chelmsford by the end of the week, so we're hoping not EVERYONE turns up. A lot will depend on the weather but realistically 2,000(ish) would be good.

[Keith.P]

I hope you got plenty of stewards etc cos "if" 3500 happen to turn up it is gonna be a squeeze and a lot of closeness <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bisou.gif" alt="" />

[extaffyjim]

Do we know any details about next week, eg, will it be segregated? Can tickets be booked in advance? If not, when will be a good time to turn up?