Braintree at the double?

[Deleted]

Don't get your hopes up for Tuesday, as we have yet to win home and away this season - and we won 2-1 there back in August...
Indeed, not many chances left for us to do the double over anyone, though Weymouth, Eastbourne, Dover, Chelmsford, Truro and Dartford remain opportunities - and a damned sight more than last season, of course.
Post Slough, George admitted the team probably have their heads in the clouds for Saturday, not doubt hoping they might get attention from the he bigger boys. Suspect Braintree will be licking their lips, but hoping to be proved wrong.

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Weather forecast. Storm Elokobi.

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Difficult to think of a less inspiring fixture than Braintree on a Tuesday night, just days before one of the biggest games of our existence.

Although there's always Braintree away...

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Dover away, on Tuesday night?

[Deleted]

Jan 21, 2024 12:38:15 GMT @johndaubneyslegs said:

Difficult to think of a less inspiring fixture than Braintree on a Tuesday night, just days before one of the biggest games of our existence.

Although there's always Braintree away...

True fans will be there I am sure. COYS!

[applesnstones]

Jan 21, 2024 9:35:24 GMT Benny said:

Weather forecast. Storm Elokobi.

View Attachment

I remember a game with such harsh winds, that Lee Worgan was unable to take the goal kicks with the ball rapidly rolling towards him! I assume we were winning, because the opposition were crying about 'gale force' time wasting. 

[Deleted]

I remember that game (can't remember who we played or the result, though). But my worst 'weather' game was when my eldest played for Barming in his youth. One Sunday morning, the fog was so bad you couldn't see much beyond the half-way line. My lad was a defender and, rare for his age, he actually used to stay in his position, whilst the rest of the team chased the ball forward. So, for much of the game it was just him, the goalie, and me at our end of the pitch, and a bank of fog. We could hear a football game going on, but couldn't see anything!

I recently talked to him about that game and he said he didn't really remember it. I was puzzled by this until he reminded me that he had to play without glasses - for him, every game was like that! Probably why he did actually stay at the back.

[applesnstones]

Jan 22, 2024 21:48:36 GMT @johndaubneyslegs said:

I remember that game (can't remember who we played or the result, though). But my worst 'weather' game was when my eldest played for Barming in his youth. One Sunday morning, the fog was so bad you couldn't see much beyond the half-way line. My lad was a defender and, rare for his age, he actually used to stay in his position, whilst the rest of the team chased the ball forward. So, for much of the game it was just him, the goalie, and me at our end of the pitch, and a bank of fog. We could hear a football game going on, but couldn't see anything!

I recently talked to him about that game and he said he didn't really remember it. I was puzzled by this until he reminded me that he had to play without glasses - for him, every game was like that! Probably why he did actually stay at the back.

Fog is another factor… in terms of The Stones I remember that Hungerford away game which was streamed. We had been woeful but the fog was so severe it should have been called off. The stream could not see the other side of the pitch!

More recently we had a scare when it descended towards extra time of the Barrow game. I could see their players gesturing and was starting to brick it that the ref might abandon the match.

I hope we know whether the game is going ahead tomorrow, well ahead of time.

[Deleted]

Jan 22, 2024 22:01:53 GMT applesnstones said:

Jan 22, 2024 21:48:36 GMT @johndaubneyslegs said:

I remember that game (can't remember who we played or the result, though). But my worst 'weather' game was when my eldest played for Barming in his youth. One Sunday morning, the fog was so bad you couldn't see much beyond the half-way line. My lad was a defender and, rare for his age, he actually used to stay in his position, whilst the rest of the team chased the ball forward. So, for much of the game it was just him, the goalie, and me at our end of the pitch, and a bank of fog. We could hear a football game going on, but couldn't see anything!

I recently talked to him about that game and he said he didn't really remember it. I was puzzled by this until he reminded me that he had to play without glasses - for him, every game was like that! Probably why he did actually stay at the back.

Fog is another factor… in terms of The Stones I remember that Hungerford away game which was streamed. We had been woeful but the fog was so severe it should have been called off. The stream could not see the other side of the pitch!

More recently we had a scare when it descended towards extra time of the Barrow game. I could see their players gesturing and was starting to brick it that the ref might abandon the match.

I hope we know whether the game is going ahead tomorrow, well ahead of time.

I remember foggier games than that at London Road. I used to stand in the Scotsman shed and there were games when you couldn't see the main stand clearly. Mind you, that might have more to do with the crap lights... Funnily enough, though, I don't remember much of a problem with the wind (except personally!), which is odd considering how open it was. JWW seems much windier - maybe because it's in the river valley?

[Deleted]

Off thread, sorry, but my foggiest game was in September 1966, when Gillingham played Arsenal in a League Cup replay. At our end, we could almost see to the halfway line, but had no-idea what was happening at the far end. I couldn’t understand how the ref was able to control the game, but apparently it was a 1 - 1 draw, Charlie Rackstraw scoring Gillingham’s goal with a penalty, equalising Tommy Baldwin’s opener.

[Deleted]

I think the criteria for playing in fog is that the ref had to able to see all four corner flags from the centre spot

[Deleted]

Jan 23, 2024 8:27:17 GMT daveu said:

I think the criteria for playing in fog is that the ref had to able to see all four corner flags from the centre spot

Jesus! Most of the refs can't see a foul 6ft in front of them let alone 4 corner flags 50 yards away. We're doomed I say, doomed.

[Deleted]

Well the bookies have us at 10/11 favourites with Billericay 23/10 and the draw at 12 /5. These odds are about right but with our lack of squad depth at the moment I think Braintree should be slightly better odds than they are. I'm going to put the kiss of death on us by saying we will win easily and have predicted 3-1 but the near gale force winds could make it a lottery tonight so anything could happen. We dont need any more injuries or silly sending off as we can barely put a team out as it is. Enjoy the match all that are going and don't get blown away.

[Deleted]

Jan 23, 2024 12:42:53 GMT sword65 said:

Well the bookies have us at 10/11 favourites with Billericay 23/10 and the draw at 12 /5. These odds are about right but with our lack of squad depth at the moment I think Braintree should be slightly better odds than they are. I'm going to put the kiss of death on us by saying we will win easily and have predicted 3-1 but the near gale force winds could make it a lottery tonight so anything could happen. We dont need any more injuries or silly sending off as we can barely put a team out as it is. Enjoy the match all that are going and don't get blown away.

I know the Essex teams are a bit generic but Billericay?

[Deleted]

Jan 23, 2024 12:55:56 GMT daveu said:

Jan 23, 2024 12:42:53 GMT sword65 said:

Well the bookies have us at 10/11 favourites with Billericay 23/10 and the draw at 12 /5. These odds are about right but with our lack of squad depth at the moment I think Braintree should be slightly better odds than they are. I'm going to put the kiss of death on us by saying we will win easily and have predicted 3-1 but the near gale force winds could make it a lottery tonight so anything could happen. We dont need any more injuries or silly sending off as we can barely put a team out as it is. Enjoy the match all that are going and don't get blown away.

I know the Essex teams are a bit generic but Billericay?

Don't know where that came from 🤣🤣🤣