A fine Autumn afternoon as, after two successful cup games, League football returned to Clarence Park. Todays visitors are Billericay, 4th in the table with 27 points, 8 wins and 3 draws from 14 games, and they have conceded the lowest number of goals in the League by a margin, just 6. City remain in first place with 29 points from 9 wins and 2 draws. However, form has dipped with only 1 point from the last 9 and 8 from the last 21. It needs to turn soon.
For this top of the table clash, The Dynamic Duo selected Roberts D, in goal, 4 at the back: Gould, Brown (C), Townley and Naylor; 4 in the midfield: Keen, Challinor, Castle and Hollenbach; and up front: De Souza and new signing from Grays, Stafford Browne. On the bench: Smith, Moran, Mackail-Smith, Evans and Martin.
Although, as usual, there were two halves, this was a game of two periods, the first 65 minutes and the last 25. For the first half, Billericay were in control, solid at the back and playing very good football through the middle of the Park. A combination of resolute home defence, poor final balls into the box by the visitors and occasional good fortune kept the scoreboard goal-less. Although he had to deal with a number of crosses, Roberts was not required to make a save but relied upon the visiting fans behind his goal to return wayward efforts. Once again, the Saints midfield was restricted to playing too narrow and too deep. H.T. 0-0.
Smith replaced Hollenbach at half-time.
City settled and began to get back into the game. On the hour, Moran replaced Gould and the two subs in particular were making an impact. The midfield showed that they can attack as well as defend and generally the work-rate in front of the back 4 increased. Midway through the half, after clever interplay with Challinor on the right, Keen fell to a clumsy challenge just inside the box and City were awarded their second penalty of the season. After some debate at long distance between the dug-out and the strikers, (at one point it looked as though Co-Manager Gary Roberts fancied the opportunity), De Souza stepped up to send the keeper to the right but the ball to the the outside of the left-hand post.
To his credit, De Souza was now everywhere and the opening goal came a few minutes later when a Moran cross was headed goalwards by Brown to be parried by the keeper and De Souza was first to the rebound. 1-0.
Billericay were more than in the game, still looking to play football. The equaliser came when the impressive D.J. Campbell sweetly finished a crisp passing move from the back through the midfield. 1-1. Mackail-Smith replaced De Souza for the last few minutes and City finished the stronger but could not steal the win. F.T. 1-1.
The Duo will be delighted with the effort and committment shown in the last 25 minutes and will be very pleased with a point against a very good Billericay side. City showed welcome signs of a return of their early season form. The visitors will be disappointed that they could not capitalise upon their possession for the first two thirds of the game, and may feel that this was two points dropped. They are a very good team. Hard to beat.
The sponsors MotM, and mine, was De Souza. The last 25 minutes was about teamwork rather than individual performances, however. The crowd was just over 700 with perhaps 200 or so having made the trip from Essex. Aldershot and Hendon both lost today, so City remain on top of the League. Billericay go third.
Entertainment 7/10. Atmosphere 6/10. Technical Merit 6/10. Referee 6/10.
Next up. Away for a League game at Bishops Stortford on Tuesday evening, and then, next Saturday. The road to Cardiff takes us to AFC Sudbury for the 4th qualifying round of The F.A. Cup.
Match report by Homer |
