The magic of the F.A.Cup. Neither side qualify for the World Club
Championship so we are here at Clarence Park for the 2nd Qualifying Round of The F.A. Cup against Billericay Town. Billericay are just above Saints in the Ryman Premier League having won their first 5 games but, like City, they have dropped a lot of points over the last few League matches. In their ranks is former City favourite Amara Simba. With byes into this round, neither club will worry about the £7,500 prize money that comes with victory today - the game's the thing.
For today, The Dynamic Duo selected Wilmot in goal; 3 at the back: Evans, Brown (C) and Moran; 5 in the middle: Honeyball, Blaney, Hyatt, Smith and Rattle; amd up front: Martin. This bit is complex, please concentrate. At times in the first half, it seemed that Smith was playing up front with Martin and at other times it seemed that we were playing 5 at the back with Honeyball and Rattle playing deeper than in recent games. I felt that it was a bit messy rather than strategic or spontaneous. In the second half, it was 3-5-1. On the bench were Metcalf, Ferguson, Cook and Church. In the stand were the suspended Wraight, the injured Campbell, Nabil, Bignal and Ansell and the Reserve/triallist, Duick.
The first half was a scruffy affair. Neither side could take control and chances were rare. It was crowded in midfield and I can't recall 4 consecutive passes by either team. The better half-chances fell to City with Moran, Smith and Fenton unable to test the nervous visitors' second string keeper. H.T. 0-0 and a replay was the bookies' favourite.
At half-time, Metcalf came on for Fenton. Billericay started more positively than City and were winning control of the midfield zone. Saints threatened at corners and from Hyatt's long throw with Moran and Brown unable to direct headers on target. For 15 minutes or so Billericay threatened with passing
movements from midfield and across the home box stretching The Saints, and just after the hour, the goal came in this fashion. 0-1. City pressed but the visitors looked the more likely to add to the score, testing the clearly limping Wilmot more than once and hitting his post. Ferguson and Cook replaced Honeyball and Blaney for the last 5 minutes and 10 minutes of stoppage time but we were unable to penetrate the packed visitors defence.
F.T. 0-1.
The official attendance was 441 and the Safeway MotM was Hyatt although for me it was Wilmot.
This was very disappointing today. Saints showed none of the ball control and fluidity that they are capable of that we saw at Purfleet and Gravesend.
There seemed to be a lack of passion, too. Billericay were the better of 2 poor sides and good luck to them in the next round. So, as the hack from the Non-League Paper concluded, for the 93rd consecutive year, City have failed to win The F.A. Cup.
Entertainment 5/10. Atmosphere 5/10. Technical Merit 4/10. Referee 8/10.
Next up. A return to League action on Wednesday evening, away from home at Croydon Arena against Croydon Athletic. It's not in my All-time, Top 10 favourite grounds but it's a great tram service in Croydon. Next Saturday, we are at home to last season's Conference side, Kingstonian with a 1.00
kick-off in view of some other game taking place on T.V. at 3.00.
Report by Homer |
