Lewes 0 Billericay Town 3

[sput]

On paper another humiliating defeat, but in reality a brave battle against the odds - some of them self-inflicted. For almost half an hour we had the edge in a game played at a blistering pace in a blustery wind and incessant rain, at which point Jake Elliott scored the most straightforward own goal you'll ever see, spanking the ball into the net from outside the area with Nathan Harvey in no man's land.

Futher calamities followed just before the break: first some slack defending which left the visitors with an easy route to goal and then the sending off of Ronnie Vint. We'd seen him exploding in anger when he clearly thought a man he'd tackled had bought a foul: word from the dressing room at halftime was that the referee had shown him the red card for calling his opponent "a f'ing cheat". Has that offence been added to the rule book?

A man and two goals down, the Rooks might have thrown in the towel, but although a deflected shot gave Billericay a 3-0 lead early in the second half, it was the Rooks who continued to play the better passing football.

But would we have scored even with eleven men throughout? Today's surprise team selection was Keiran Murtagh up front in place of Tommmy Wood, who came on as a late sub. For my money it was a good move, as he held the ball up well and spread the ball around pretty well. The fact is, though, that we never put together moves incisive enough to create genuine chances, and the lack of goals is going to cost us even if we improve our play overall.

The crowd was 440. Didn't hear a MoM announced, but I'd have given it to Sam Oguntayo - a constant surging threat until he was forced into more defensive duties later on.

[captain]

Excellent assessment of the game

[spur]

Thanks, Captain. I've heard enough grumbles to believe that some fans take a gloomier view . . .

[Thebigman]

I think I would agree with the majority of that. Up until the own goal we were holding our own and getting into good areas , even if we ultimately looked toothless up front.

After the own goal it felt like the heads dropped and Billericay were creating really good chances and generally cutting through our defence easily. Once they scored the second it was over as a contest. Vint getting sent off afterwards didn’t help, the challenge itself probably warranted a yellow but the aggressive reaction didn’t help his cause.

You can really feel the lack of confidence In the side, defensively we are really vulnerable and going forward we look bereft of ideas. The season as far as I am concerned is over in regards to play offs and so on but it would be nice if we could enjoy some good results over the next few months, especially ahead of our European adventures.

[hoopsboy1]

Blimey you on something Spur

[captain]

A few defeats and great opportunity for the doom and gloom merchants to come out of the woodwork. There are a number of very good teams in this league and we don’t have the divine right to be at the top which some seem to expect. All about opinions I suppose

[The old boy]

Not good enough alround - End of !

[pj]

Same old story I'm afraid.
Lots of very good football when in possession but no end product. (Did their keeper make a save all night?)
Add to that a fragile defence that gets opened up so easily and shot itself in the foot yet again.
I still say we have some very good players and should be doing better. Maybe it's a confidence thing. We were playing quite well but that crazy O.G. seemed to dishearten us.

[ringmerrook16]

Writing is on the wall for Wood now, surely. Only striker at the club but missed out last night to Murtagh who started up front. Thought Murtagh looked ok for what it’s worth, but if you’re the number 9 at the club you’ve got to ask yourself how that’s happened.

[stuartnoel]

Ronnie was sent off for fouls and abusive language, which according to the referee can be an offence committed by a player towards another player. If that was strictly enforced in any game everyone would be abandoned. We asked the referee to provide one example of where it had been applied in a game previously and he declined to answer

[gonefishing046]

From my point of view however it occurred the sending off made no difference at all. In fact we looked more competitive with ten. So maybe I'm wrong then. Billericay looked like scoring every time they attacked before the sending off and we could have gone in 5 down. Something gone array in last few games. I'm sure we will get back on track.

[seafordrook]

Two nill down before sending off against a better team. So no coming back. Fought well with ten men with another deflected goal. We do move the ball around but no end product. It's a tough league and many teams below us would love to be in our position. Not sure if Bradley is still injured but he is a key player in midfield and miss him when not playing. As I have said before squad is very light when we have injuries and players missing. Another tough game at weekend but just hope we can put in a good performance win draw or lose. COYR

[Thebigman]

I think we have been sussed out now, certainly by the more capable teams. If they get men behind the ball we are scuppered. Our build up play is so slow that it allows them to get bodies behind the ball and we don’t even get a shot off.

I applaud trying something different with Murtagh up front but when we are resorting to playing someone out of position and who hasn’t played in months it screams of desperation.

A striker who can hold the ball up and bring others into play is vital. Wood has been struggling to do that all season, as I just don’t think that’s his game. It goes to show how vital JT was for us, even taking out the goals as he gave us options in possession, was able to deal with a long ball and his interplay was quality.

[hoopsboy1]

A Lot of fans thin Tommy is not good enough at this level

[spur]

We do spend an awful lot of time patiently passing around the back in order to feed our full backs around the halfway line, but we then get crowded out, with our wingers rarely set free. We hardly ever launch attacks through the middle or cross into the box, which must make life frustrating for any centre forward, whether or not Tommy is the answer.