Good, not quite Good Enough. Hendon 1-2 Billericay Town

Hendon 1-2 Billericay Town

Saturday 19^th November 2011

Ryman League Premier Division

Vale Farm

It was always likely to be a tough ask on Saturday with Billericay arriving  laying 2^nd in the table, just behind Lowestoft who had beaten us 2-0 in midweek and having won their previous four away matches. Considering the obstacles that have been placed in Craig Edwards’ path so far this season, this is a hell of an achievement. Things began ominously when Chris Wild fell from a first floor balcony into a basement area from a hotel in Folkestone ahead of ‘Ricay’s pre-season trip to Sittingbourne. Amazingly, and mercifully (although perhaps not from a Hendon point of view given his performance on Saturday) Wild escaped with nothing more than some serious bruising and was back in action before the end of September. Then, in early October, it was announced that briefly ex-Hendon heart-throb Sam Berry had been advised to stop playing due to a possible heart defect. Again, mercifully, nothing serious had been diagnosed and Berry was back in action within a fortnight. Added to the loss of two key players in joint top-scorer David Knight, who has inexplicably (when you take money out of the frame it seems) swapped a promotion battle for a relegation dogfight at East Thurrock, and Paul Semakula who has been unable to commit fully due to University commitments and has just moved to Maidenhead United.

All of this however pales into insignificance when you consider the plight of popular goalkeeper Nicky Morgan. Hendon fans will be familiar with the name and imposing figure of the giant shot-stopper with him having been on loan at Vale Farm for three matches last term when we were in the midst of our defensive crisis of confidence. I think it would be fair to say that perhaps his spell wasn’t the most auspicious of times, but with Ashlee Jones moving on in the summer, Morgan was handed the number 1 shirt by Edwards and he had responded with some fine performances in his sixteen appearances this season (a run that included no fewer than eight blank sheets) before he was struck by enormous misfortune. Trouble erupted outside a nightclub in Brentwood apparently famous due to it being regularly featured on an intellectually stimulating documentary on ITV2 about pond life, on a Thursday evening prior to ‘Ricay’s home match with Canvey Island and Morgan became embroiled acting as a peacemaker. Something sent him heading towards the ground, he banged his head against the floor and as a result, is in hospital in (I believe) Romford currently paralysed and awaiting specialist spinal treatment at either Stanmore or Stoke Mandeville hospitals. In speaking to a couple of away fans at the weekend, the prognosis for Nicky doesn’t sound too promising and I thought it was a really nice gesture by the Supporters Trust to donate their bucket collection towards his rehabilitation. It goes without saying of course that I wish him the very best  with his recovery.

Nicky Morgan: A true gentle giant

Somehow, in spite of this turmoil, Edwards has managed to keep the good ship ‘Ricay sailing on towards the summit of the division and all this with, it has to be said what on paper looks a good side, but not one that I would initially have backed to have been going toe to toe with Lowestoft and Lewes at the top of the division. It soon became clear however why they were where they were.

Gary Mac had made a couple of changes to the side that had played well at Lowestoft without reward with James Parker returning at right back and Belal Aite-Ouakrim replacing Isaiah Rankin at number 9. Rocked slightly by the news that Sean Thomas has for the time being hung up his gloves to understandably concentrate on his studies, another chance has presented itself for Berkley Laurencin to cement himself as the number 1. I think Berkley has been unlucky this season to not have kept the shirt. Circumstances beyond his control meant that he lost his place to Thomas for the Wealdstone game and such was the ex-Stone’s performance that evening that Gary couldn’t very well drop him. Now in his fourth season at the club and with 65 appearances to his name, the progress Berkley  has made in that time has been clear for everyone to see and he deserves an awful lot of credit for sticking around, biding his time and above all working his socks off. I really hope he is able to take this chance with both hands (and hold on to it!)

The first half was frantic and frenetic with both sides looking to attack. The first thing that was noticeable about the visitors was the size of them, particularly through the spine of their side. Wild, Rob Swaine, Jay May and Richard Halle were all 6 foot plenty and had an imposing air about them. A couple of long throws were launched into the Hendon box where they were headed clear whilst at the other end Mauro Vilhete looked to pick up where he had left off against Canvey and after a good run had a low drive blocked behind for a corner by a sprawling defender.

It took 10 minutes for the deadlock to be broken, Frank Sinclair tripping the lively Emeka Onwubike inside the penalty area and the spot was pointed to by the official. There were howls of protests from the terraces, but interestingly, next to none from those in green shirts nearest the incident. Perhaps there was more there than some initially thought and anytime you go to ground in the penalty area and don’t come away with the ball cleanly, you are running the risk of giving a spot kick away. Halle beat Laurencin confidently from the spot to give the Blues the lead.

Mixed Afternoon for Big Frank

One became two (a Spice Girls b-side) less than three minutes later when Sam Berry and Darren Currie contested a 50-50 ball midway inside the ‘Ricay half. With both players grounded, Berry won the ball, left Currie in a not quite crumpled heap and spread the ball out to the left wing. With the referee choosing to play on, rightly so in my opinion as I didn’t think there was an infringement and with Currie in no danger for the time being of being trampled to death, the ball was worked inside to Onwubike who cutting across the penalty area unchallenged then steered an excellent low drive from 20 yards or so beyond Laurencin and just into the bottom corner. An extremely well taken goal and in spite of the injury to Currie (he was given treatment before the restart), that can’t be used an excuse for the concession of the goal.

From that point, if not quite game over, it was difficult to see how the Greens were going to get back into the game. In actual fact, I thought they played quite well overall and on another day against another side would have got something for their efforts. On two or three occasions really good moves involving some lovely interplay ended with efforts on goal but Brightley was largely untroubled. Belal, despite working hard and winning a few balls in the air, was getting no change from Swaine and Wild who were probably the strongest pair of centre halves I’ve seen for some time.  At the other end, a smart stop from Laurencin kept the Greens in the game with a save from Chatting after a slip by Scott Cousins, and the aerial bombardment from set pieces were well defended by the Greens.

There have been howls of protests about the antics of ‘Ricay’s players and the performance of the officials in some sections since Saturday afternoon I must be honest and say I don’t really agree with. In my opinion, the referee didn’t get everything right by any stretch of the imagination, but I don’t think he really affected the game unduly. In terms of ‘Ricay, I don’t think the Hendon twitter feed could have paid them any higher compliment than saying just before half time that they do the ugly things well. Some might see that as a euphemism for cheating, but I don’t think they did. It was only a week before that Sean Thomas was booked for taking his time over his goal kicks when we were leading against Canvey and Dave Diedhiou was cautioned for standing over a free kick. In terms of buying free kicks, Isaiah Rankin is an absolute master and perhaps others should be looking to learn from him. Don’t get me wrong, I would love football and footballers to be squeaky clean and gentlemanly, but realisitically it isn’t going to happen. Perhaps ‘Ricay did stretch the laws once or twice, perhaps one or two of their players did make sure that decisions went their way – let’s not forget that we’ve been accused of the very same thing this season not least at Ruislip Manor. Sometimes you win them, sometimes you lose them. On Saturday, we lost.

After the break, things became largely scrappy and weren’t helped by the regularity with which the official used his whistle. On a couple of occasions I felt that he could have let play go on rather than bring it back for an innocuous looking aerial challenge, but as he seemed to be riling fans behind both goals with his decisions, I don’t think there can be too many complaints. There were howls for a Hendon penalty when Vilhete went flying trying to connect with a terrific Fisher cross from the left, I couldn’t see whether there was contact, but the reaction amongst the players and fans leads me to suspect there may have been. Frank Sinclair had his name taken for quizzing the referee rather too much for the official’s liking, much to the glee of those behind Berkley’s goal.

Benson Kpaka had an excellent opportunity to seal the game for ‘Ricay when he found himself through on goal, but he put his effort into the side netting, whilst at the other end Belal stretched Brightley with a low shot that the keeper claimed at the 2^nd attempt. Ryan Wharton also denied the Blues a definite clincher with two excellent interventions in the space of a minute with a superb challenge on Chatting and from the ensuing corner, an excellent header just ahead of the lurking Jay May.  

The Greens deserved some reward for their toil and it came in injury time in some style. Rankin received the ball inside the penalty area, side on to goal, and in one movement got the ball out of his feet, and whilst turning, lashed an unstoppable shot beyond Brightley into the far corner of the net. For the second weekend running, Rankin had been impressive coming off the bench. If he’s happy playing this role for us, then I’m happy with him doing it. He seems to have more impact in the last 20 minutes than he does over 90 and is as dangerous an option to come from the substitutes bench as we have had in a number of seasons.

In the end, ‘Ricay held out for 3 points that I think they warranted on balance. That said, I was impressed with the Hendon performance. After the disappointment of Leatherhead, Horsham and Met Police, the last couple of performances against Lowestoft and Billericay have been far better and given plenty of cause for optimism. More positives than negatives can be taken from the performances, perhaps the one slight worry I have at the moment is that we haven’t scored more than once in a game since beating Maldon & Tiptree five weeks ago.  Only seven goals have been scored in the nine matches since. However, with Elliott Charles and Greg Ngoyi both in line to be selected against Cray on Sunday, there is no reason why that cannot be rectified soon enough either.

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Emeka Onwubike - Impressive Match-winning performance

I suspect I was one of few Green fans to be impressed by ‘Ricay on Saturday. Based on that performance and their form so far, I can see why they are second in the league. Craig Edwards is an experienced and wily boss and whilst having ‘typically Essex’ attributes to their side, I think they have more to their bow than a traditional Grays or Purfleetrock used to back in the deep dank 90s. They played some nice stuff at times, particularly in the first half. I was impressed with Harrison Chatting out wide, he caused Parks a few problems. Craig Edwards Jnr did well in the middle of the park with his intelligent use of the ball and for someone making his first league appearance for the club, Emeka Onwubike gave an excellent account of himself up front with his pace, power and eye for goal as well. I can’t see any reason to think that they won’t be there or thereabouts come the end of April, play off certainties from what I’ve seen so far (not that this usually counts for much, sorry ‘Ricay fans).  A decent club, decent fans, decent manager and decent side. Good luck to them.

Player Ratings:

1. Berkley Laurencin: Stood up well to the aerial challenge with a couple of good claims and punches from crosses. One excellent save kept Hendon in it in the first half, no chance with either goal.  7/10

2. James Parker: Given a good working over by the lively Harrison Chatting and coped reasonably well with his pace and trickery. Did well in the air and passed the ball with purpose too. 7

3. Scott Cousins: A couple of uncharacteristic slips from the skipper capped a slightly under par performance from one who is usually the most consistent performer at the club. A blip no doubt. 6

4. Ryan Wharton: Again, the most impressive member of the back line. Some outstanding challenges, stood up strongly to May and Onwubike and worked the ball well in possession as well. 8

5. Frank Sinclair: A mixed bag from the former Jamaican international. Gave away the penalty and got booked, but made the game look effortless at times when he simply stroked the ball out wide for Darren Currie on a few occasions. 6

6. Dave Diedhiou: Gave the side a bit more of a physical edge than Kevin Mac would have done that was much needed. Occasionally a little lose in possession again, but worked hard. 6

7. James Fisher: Another decent effort from the summer signing from St. Albans. Worked hard, got forward when able to and was at one stage cleaned out by a flailing figure in the shape of his own goalkeeper. 7

8. Elliott Godfrey: Some of the interplay in the first half between him, Darren Currie and Mauro Vilhete was a joy to watch. Sent one effort powerfully into the midrift of Brightley and was generally a positive influence on the game. 7

9. Belal Aite-Ouakrim: A conundrum. Infuriating at times as he continually loses possession running into blind alleys, but to his credit he worked hard and unusually won a few balls in the air as well. Needs that first goal to ignite his confidence again. 6

10. Darren Currie: I watched him closely in the first half and it was a joy. Everytime the ball came his way he had a look around to see what was on. A couple of neat headers to retain possession, simple skips over outstretched challenges and some passes that were outstanding. A purists’ footballer.  7

11. Mauro Vilhete: A lively presence again although with less effect against the more physical and experienced Dave Collis than he found against Canvey. That said, a couple of excellent runs and linked up well with Currie and Godfrey. Good to watch again. 7

Substitutes

12. Isaiah Rankin: Made a nuisance of himself again after coming on for the final quarter of an hour or so with some nice touches, and holding the ball up well. The goal was superbly taken. Great option to have on the bench. 7

13. Jerome Federico: Late entrance, didn’t have a lot of time to influence proceedings

15. Carl McCluskey: Came on after the stoppage time goal. Not sure he touched the ball.

Star Man: Ryan Wharton

Match Rating: 7/10

Verdict: Hendon won’t come up against many tougher or stronger sides than Billericay who looked to me as though they could stay the course at the right end of the table. Perhaps not obvious champions, but they definitely have enough about them to be in the play off mix. For Hendon, an encouraging performance, they’ve already played a lot worse than this and won this season. More performances of this ilk along with a few more goals and we’ll be back on track.