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Post by Amber Aleman on Apr 15, 2010 22:53:52 GMT
I thought this game deserved its own thread rather than being covered under Thursday night scores. I only made it to Billericay because the cloud of volcanic ash grounded my flight to the Isle of Man. It was predictably a game of few chances, between two of the sides with the tightest defences in the division. But Billericay didn't make the most of their openings, either directing their shots wide or making things relatively easy for Kevin Scriven. We were also rather wasteful in front of goal, but one cool finish from Sonny Cobbs was enough to take the three points. The goal was a bit like the one he scored at Canvey as he found the gap between the keeper and the far post. We've become experts at edging wins in tight away matches, and that's helped us to get to second in the table. A play-off place isn't yet certain, but it would take a pretty spectacular collapse for us to miss out now. And the runners-up spot is ours to lose.
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Post by markn on Apr 15, 2010 23:04:20 GMT
It certainly was a game of few chances, although if either side had been a bit more accurate with their passing in the final third it could have been quite different. I think it was more a case of attacks falling down rather than particularly great defending.
Second half was much better than the first in my opinion as we seemed to have a bit more threat and created more sustained pressure. I liked Andre Costa's energy when he came on and it was a lovely goal (great pass by Danny Phillips) and a great result. If we can get a win at Harrow on Saturday, things will really be looking good.
Top marks to their keeper for taking the banter thrown at him in such good manner and well done to the lads for the result. Just imagine if we had a fully fit squad (then I think second place may well be ours).
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Post by Andy K on Apr 15, 2010 23:13:46 GMT
Their keeper is, of course, our keeper from last year, Paul Nicholls. Explains part of the banter.
I'd say it was a great result against the team with the best defence in the league, and I would say we were far from full strength tonight (No Bray, Hann, Perkins, Quarm, Gargan) it was a battling performance. MoM for me was Mr Cobbs, who apart from taking a great chance to give us victory, battled away for the entire game. Danny Phillips nearly got a screamer which rattled the crossbar in the first half. Another bright spot was the energy of Andre Costa when he came on. Pouton limped off after about 35 mins - any news on that one?
Next up Harrow - who were 2-0 up and ended up losing 3-2 to Tonbridge tonight.
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Post by Duke on Apr 15, 2010 23:19:06 GMT
Great result tonight. Well worth the long train journey there and back. note to Kebab Belly Bob - liked the idea of www.webuyanyslave.com He! He!
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medibot
1st team Player
Posts: 1,341
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Post by medibot on Apr 15, 2010 23:39:32 GMT
Their keeper is, of course, our keeper from last year, Paul Nicholls. Explains part of the banter. "Just kick it off and we'll defend the throw in" and "Or you could just shank it" were my favourites. Up there with the linesman banter in Margate. Most of the game has been covered already, Charlie Taylor over ran a few chances but kept them very busy and Cobbsy's goal was class. Kept everyone guessing as to whether he'd square it or shoot and then placed the shot perfectly. I reckon we can call him a goalscoring midfielder now Bit of a trek home but well worth it with three points in the bag.
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Millsy
1st team skipper
Posts: 2,246
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Post by Millsy on Apr 15, 2010 23:52:50 GMT
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Millsy
1st team skipper
Posts: 2,246
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Post by Millsy on Apr 15, 2010 23:58:04 GMT
... Cobbsy's goal was class. Kept everyone guessing as to whether he'd square it or shoot and then placed the shot perfectly. I reckon we can call him a goalscoring midfielder now I was willing him not to square it and was fearing the worst as I'm fairly sure Charlie would've been offside had he done so! I was so relieved that Sonny slotted it away himself and cannot understand why Charlie got ahead of him instead of dropping off / pulling back a bit. Unimportant now!
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medibot
1st team Player
Posts: 1,341
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Post by medibot on Apr 16, 2010 0:07:53 GMT
Same here. I was pretty sure the lino was waiting to see what happened but I imagine PN was half getting ready to cover ground and get across to try and make a save if he chose to square it and that split second indecision gave Sonny the time to get the shot past him.
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Post by Del on Apr 16, 2010 7:26:08 GMT
Good 3 points earned.We played into their hands in the first half by continually putting the ball in the air in the box which they dealt with easily.Second half was more entertaining and after Sonny had scored an excellent goal Billericay pushed forward allowing Costa to exploit the space they had left. Thats the playoff place secured and another 3 points at Harrow should ensure second place.
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taz
Top Performer
Posts: 3,760
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Post by taz on Apr 16, 2010 8:23:10 GMT
Was certainly a bit moer entertaining than Canvey. Tight first half played at a decent tempo on a hard pitch with the game very narrow and very direct at times. Phillips was unlucky with his effort that pinged the crossbar.
Second half though, I thought we were the better side (although they had chances). Pressured well, midfield got going and we used AJ2 more down the flank. Great finish from Cobbsy for the goal. Had a look at Charlie as if he was going to square it before popping it inside the far post.
A well earned 3 points.
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Post by gatekeeper on Apr 16, 2010 10:05:18 GMT
From the BT forum.............
I thought we played well as well but disagree with "class" comment overall. The first half was pretty even and we had our chances (more than they did, if memory serves). I agree we're lacking up front but I thought Thomas put in more effort last night and up to when he was taken off (he has picked up a knock), was giving their back four some issues to deal with, when you put the three young lads around him (Charge, Green and Wareham).
The second half was a bit more scrappy and it was really the lack of expereience, not lack of class that showed. Our young lads did well and with our expereienced players, the whole team put in a superb effort. We do have the makings of a good team and with time, especially this season, could've gelled to form quite a good unit...the question is, will we retain the majority next season. I hope so.
I thought their goal was offside but I wasn't best placed to call it. Others said that it was a really good, defence splitting pass....whatever, the end result was well taken. Again, we had our chances before then (which is encouraging) and at nil all, the game could've gone either way. ********************************* I will say, what a breath of fresh air watching our lads last night. We didn't win but for a team which has been battered this season and includes a few young lads, we battled and whenever possible, took the game to a vastly more expereienced side (Some of our lads were eighteen years old!!! And all of them (young and....er older) played like lions, in my opinion - they certainly gave Sutton a run) .
And my MOTM....I hope you're all sitting comfortabley....Gareth Street. He may not have been the player that had the most flair but he never stopped battling, encouraging, tackling and motivating the team. *****************************************
I thought overall we played reasonably well, there was no shortage of effort but Sutton showed their class in the second half and we were never going to win the game. We are a hardworking team but lacking in real class and desperately short of strike power.
Our player of the season has got to be awarded to the whole of the defence - the best defensive record in the league is a real credit and without the likes of Cousins, Wild, Kersey we would have been in deep trouble.
****************************** A fair post. The only thing i disagree with is that i really did not think Sutton were overly better than us, and that is what imo has made it all the more frustrating. You have to take your hats off to our defenders though because we have the best defensive record in the league so in theory we would have been top ! We are a very hardworking side but i guess the story of the season has just been a lack of goals. The first half i thought we matched them all the way, but i guess because of "their" league placing they were the ones who had that little bit extra in terms of confidence.
Anyway good luck to Sutton in their quest for connie south.
Big game Saturday for us !
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Post by Andy K on Apr 16, 2010 10:16:01 GMT
I think thats a pretty fair BT account of the game. The only real difference was that they were poor up front (emphasised that only Maidstone have scored less goals than them), but credit to us for breaking down the best defence in the league - I thought it was going to be a cancel out and we'd have a 0-0 draw, but we've lost to a lot worse teams that Billericay this season
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