Phoenix FM’s JOHN CHUBB reporting from New Lodge
Billericay Town made their way into the Ryman League cup final on Tuesday night with what should have been a comfortable victory over Surrey outfit South Park, but it transpired to be a close affair which the Blues ended up contesting with ten men.
Craig Edwards’ side were obviously keen to bounce back from their shock 1-0 defeat away to the Ryman League Premier Division’s bottom side Grays Athletic on Saturday, which ended their run of 4 straight league victories. Goalkeeper Alan Julian, recently recruited from National League side Bromley and who has football league experience with Brentford, Gillingham and Stevenage made his New Lodge bow after making his Billericay debut at the weekend. Blues’ Reigate based visitors currently lie mid-table in Division 1 South of the same league, and Edwards made 3 changes to the starting line up of the Billericay side that played on Saturday.
Billericay, as was the case last week when they hammered Needham Market 6-0 made the best possible start to the game. After just 2 minutes they won a corner, which Billy Bricknell flicked home to give the Blues an early 1-0 lead and they came close to doubling that lead 3 minutes later, when Lewis Taafe crossed to Bricknell whose effort went agonisingly wide of the post. Luke Moore went close with 9 minutes on the clock, but saw his effort saved by South Park goalkeeper Callum Thomas.
Bricknell continued to trouble the visitors, his 11th minute strike just going wide of the woodwork. Recent signing Adam Cunnington, who like Julian arrived from Bromley also had a 20th minute effort punched away by Thomas. But with 22 minutes gone it was captain from the night Matty Johnson who doubled Ricay’s lead, firing an impressive right footed drive from the edge of the box into the corner of the net.
South Park tried their best to break down the home defence, but it was to no avail and it seemed as if the game would be more or less over after only 28 minutes, Taafe sidefooting the ball into the net to make it 3-0 after being set up by Tambeson Eyong.
South Park managed a goal back 5 minutes before half time with centre half Dylan Merchant firing home, which seemed to spur the home side back into action as just a minute later Cunnington replied for the Blues at the other end to make it 4-1. South Park had another rare effort close to half time with a shot from Joe Jackson, but it was well over the bar.
In the second half Blues centre half Joe Ellul was sent off for a what referee Ryan Whittaker considered an over-physical challenge, resulting in a straight red card. The subsequent free kick saw Merchant head in his and his side’s second to make it 4-2. Jackson had a chance to bring the tie even closer a few minutes later, but with only Julian to beat the Billericay keeper saved fairly comfortably.
This was not the case after 62 minutes, Jackson this time making no mistake and bringing the scoreline back to 4-3. South Park were showing an improvement and starting to frustrate their hosts, who struggled to get some fluent moves together in what was a scrappy second period. But Billericay held on and go through to the final where they will face the winners of the other semi-final between Tonbridge Angels and Dulwich Hamlet, which is due to be played on 14 March.
Billericay: Julian, Diallo, Fitzsimons, Eyong, Farquharsen, Ellul, Taaffe, Johnson, Bricknell (Assombalonga 70), Cunnington, Moore (Krashniqi 80).
South Park: Thomas, Lovegrove. Elliott, Nicholls, Merchant (King 90), Stafford (Laverty 45), Burgess (Ayling 45), Gill, Quartey, Moody, Jackson.
Attendance: 275
Mike Joyce adds:
Another exciting match at New Lodge – 10 goals scored in the last two games. This was a game of two halves; BTFC dominated the first half and were leading 4-1 at half time. The second half though was dominated by South Park FC.
Billericay’s Joe Ellul was sent off and the home team were hanging on at the end, but without doubt it was an entertaining game.
Billericay will now play Dulwich or Tonbridge in the final which is a great achievement for the team as well as for Glenn Tamplin, who took over ownership of the club in November 2016.
Every time you visit the ground, changes have taken place improving the facilities and infrastructure. It’s certainly a positive time for the club, players and supporters.
On Saturday 25th February Billericay are at home again v Hendon FC. The club deserves increased support – come along, support the team and see the changes taking place.