|
BILLERICAY
1 SOUTHEND
1 |
|
The match kicked off and within 5 minutes a defence splitting pass to Drewe and he chipped the keeper,who was way off his line, and was only able to finger-tip the ball into the net. 1-0 and we all thought back to East Thurrock. We had much more of the play and several chances by Dudfield were either saved by the Town keeper or narrowly missed the target. Bart dealt with anything the Town forwards could throw at him including one header that went just over the bar after Bart spread himself and seemed to block the whole goal. Just on the half-hour Nicky twisted and turned several Town defenders, chipped the keeper, the ball hitting the bar and as Drewe jumped for the loose ball he collided with a Town player , hit the advertising board and had to go off, to be replaced by Wayne Gray. Just before half-time a high cross from the Billericay right saw Bart rise majestically like a salmon to catch the ball, he seems quite solid and used his height and weight well. Half-time came and we were wondering if we would be made to pay for our missed chances in the second half. Half-time entertainment consisted of queueing for food (in previous matches here Southend fans have missed large chunks of second half waiting to be served). However I was told the menu was extensive , assorted baguettes, hot or cold roast beef in french sticks , all-day breakfast in rolls and a whole range of burgers and not a manky pie in sight. I am sure SUFC could learn a thing or two from speaking to the Billericay caterers. One of the fans I was with informed me the ladies toilets were disgusting, but this is hearsay I did not find out myself. For the second half Bart was replaced by Darryl and Corbett, Kightly, Maher,and Edwards were taken off and Hunt, Bramble ,Gower and Porter started the final 45. Billericay started playing with much more effort and determination, it is a shame we didn't match them. The second half seemed much more end-to-end and most of our efforts were long range shots. We had trouble breaking down their defence with David McSweeney showing more aggression in the second-half than I ever saw when he was wearing the blue of Southend. I think he might be trying to prove a point! Billericay started to apply more and more pressure and after about 75 minutes a Billericay corner to the Southend back post was headed into the net over Darryl's leap into the air.It is not for me to judge , but it was mentioned in the crowd that a taller keeper would have easily got a hand to it. Several more substitutions were made , including Edwards and Corbett coming back on . Play went from end to end but both keepers made saves and after 85 minutes I heard the first "Sort it out Tilson" shout of the season. Corbett had a low shot well saved near the end and at the final whistle boos could be heard. A 1-1 draw was not the result people were hoping for, but we played against a side that, although not the best technically, showed plenty of spirit. Several decisions went against us from the baldie assistant referee who was spotted (allegedly) entering the ground in a Billericay shirt ! Please note Southend United catering, that bacon rolls were still on sale after the final whistle. Roll on Saturday week, when the football that really matters starts. |
A very pleasant drive along the A127 on a warm summer
evening and a
quick
diet-coke in the Coach and Horses pub and off to the
ground. Cars
parked
everywhere along the country lanes meant a fair walk
,made much quicker
in
an effort to escape the country smells from the local
pig farm.
Into the ground to find they had sold out of
programmes, but a quick
look at
the team revealed a first-half line up of Bart,
Williams, Barrrett, Edwards, Nicolau, Corbett, Maher, Wilson, Dudfield, Broughton
and Kightly.