So, season over. Can`t fault the team for effort tonight, but lost to a better side. Still wondering how we managed to dig out a 0-0 here in the league game.
I suppose there might be some criticism that we couldn`t push 10 men harder in that period after their keeper (rightly) saw red. But that would be harsh. Very impressed by Chertsey (as Dunny and Nathan underline) - they have some superb players at this level, and probably the next. They defended magnificently and still had enough to hit on the break.
We probably realised that the Playoffs were the limit of our ambition. This squad is not ready yet for Step 3 - the woeful defensive effort continued tonight, with all 3 goals that I saw down to individual errors which you just can`t make at this level. Sat next to Chelsea ST holder who was very impressed with BTFC skill level, but the bite was lacking. Not enough second balls, not winning enough in the air, bits of immaturity from time to time.
The squad will learn loads from this and hopefully come back stronger next term. Starting at the back. Good to see Tom Bird back in a Stoke shirt. That would be a great start.
A word on the ref - thought he got every major decision right, kept a cool head and managed the game superbly. Hats off to him (can`t find the name - programme in the bin!)
Chertsey were the best side I've seen in league this season (I include Bracknell in that) so no disgrace in losing out to them, as you say we really fought hard for the draw there a couple of months ago but hard to replicate that against good opposition.
Overall, with our troubles at home and injuries, I'd say we got as far as we could reasonably have expected.
Would expect Chertsey to beat Hanwell comfortably but then didn't expect Bedfont to slip up.
Post by westernwaycasual on Apr 28, 2022 8:18:40 GMT
Yeah well done to Chertsey, they were clinical up front and superb at the back. I actually thought we were the better side football/possession wise for decent spells but we had no end product or final pass and they didn't allow us a clear cut chance. Even against 10 men and with an outfield player in net we couldn't test the keeper. Shame to concede the third and fourth when we were chasing the game which made the scoreline a bit harsh.
Shades of Bury Town in losing a big game 4-1 with a keeper getting red...also remember playing Fisher Athletic when their keeper was sent off and an outfield player went in goal. We immediately conceded again and drew 3-3 in the end.
Hopefully the squad can stay together with a couple of improvements and we can have a real crack next season. Shouldn't forget it's remarkable to have reached the play-offs with all of the off-field turmoil.