Watt Reflects On Billericay Loss

Manager Steve Watt was disappointed his side’s play-off campaign sizzled out with a 2-1 defeat to Billericay Town at Hartsdown Park on Saturday afternoon.

The hosts put on a great account against the table-toppers, dominating long periods and enjoying the game’s clearest opportunities.

Watt couldn’t hide his frustration and reflected back on The Gate’s final match at Hartsdown Park for the 2017/18 campaign.

“I think we dominated long periods and had it not been for the keeper, it could have been a comfortable afternoon for us.”

“We’ve had a perfectly good goal not given which I find bizarre and that’s a big turning point in the game, we get that, and I think it’s a different match then.”

“Big decisions like that have gone against us, especially at the business end of the season which is really unfortunate.”

Watt couldn’t have asked any more of his side who more than showed their credentials to deserve a place at the higher end of the division.

“I do question where that kind of performance has been against lesser sides in the League. We know where we’ve gone wrong this season and it’s in the approach and manner of games against teams like we did today.”

“I thought it was a comfortable afternoon and we dealt with whatever they had, created countless opportunities but Alan Julian has won them the game today and he did the same back in January. He’s pulled off five or six great saves, an incredible one from a header, we’ve hit the post, another goal chalked off.”

Focused on putting the disappointment behind him, Watt and his side travel to Dulwich Hamlet for their final game of the season, keen to conclude his first full season in management on a positive.

“We’ll go there and try and win the game and it’s as simple as that. We want to end the season on a positive. Over the course of the season I think we’ve done enough to deserve a play-off place, but we’ve fallen short at the final hurdle.”

There was a final word for the Hartsdown Park crowd, who alongside the Essex contingent, played a vital part in making the atmosphere at Saturday’s game electric. Watt applauded their support throughout the season.

“The fan have been brilliant home and away. I thank them for their support, even on Tuesday evening trips to Bath, they’ve come out in their numbers to support us.”

“They’ve been fantastic this season and I’m just disappointed we’ve not been able to give them a play-off place, as I’d have liked to have cemented that for them.”

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