FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round Replay
BILLERICAY TOWN 5 THAMESMEAD TOWN 0
Phoenix FM’s JOHN CHUBB reporting from the AGP Arena
Billericay Town secured their place in the 3rd qualifying round of the FA Cup and a trip to face National League South outfit Hungerford Town as Thamesmead were comprehensively beaten in this replay, with Jake Robinson the star of the show as the club’s record signing scored a hat trick inside the first half hour.
Blues made made three changes from the 11 that began Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Princes Park. Eliot Kebbie, Joe Ellul and Adam Cunnington came in for Kevin Foley, Jermaine Pennant and Ricky Modeste, to form a very attacking formation with three starting the game up front. Billericay captain Paul Konchesky was unavailable, the former West Ham and England defender still serving a suspension following his recent red card in the win over Leatherhead.
Mead boss Tommy Warrilow, having seen his side come close to an upset on Sunday made one change to his starting line up, Scott Kinch replacing Simon Glover who dropped to the bench.
Ricay had been given a tough time in the first tie on Sunday and owner Glenn Tamplin felt his side were lucky to have secured a rematch, but it didn’t take them long to take control of proceedings at the second time of asking. With just 6 minutes on the clock Robinson found the net to put his side 1-0 up, his looping header beating Lewis Carey in the Thamesmead goal. Then 23 minutes gone, just after Cunnington had gone close with a header Robinson made it 2-0, slotting the ball home following an assist from Rob Swaine.
With the game only 29 minutes old the former Brighton and Hove Albion man scored his and Billericay’s third, when he connected with Sam Deering’s cross before beating Carey. Cunnington then added his name onto the scoresheet with a superb diving header 4 minutes later. Blues were rampant as the visitors, who had given them such a tough game 2 days earlier now looked shellshocked.
Just after half time Mead had one of their few genuine chances of the tie, home goalkeeper Alan Julian being called into action with a fine save but after 56 minutes Ricay made it 5-0, and this time it was Louie Theophanous who found the net for the Blues and wrapped up the win. There was further drama 20 minutes from time though, as Swaine received a straight red card for a foul and referee Ollie Morris-Saunders pointed to the spot. But Alex Teniola’s penalty went sailing high over the bar and the ten men of Billericay held on for a win.
Blues’ management duo of owner Glenn Tamplin and assistant Harry Wheeler will have been pleased with another victory, but may feel they need to address the issue of discipline on the field as their side racked up another sending off and several yellow cards during this match.
Billericay Town: Alan Julian, Josh Urquhart, Eliot Kebbie, Joe Ellul, Rob Swaine, Sam Deering (Jeremy Lynch 75), Robbie Evans, Danny Waldren (Jermaine Pennant 56), Louie Theophanous, Jake Robinson (Ricky Modeste 66), Adam Cunnington
Thamesmead Town: Lewis Carey, Harvey Brand, Jake McIntyre, Bode Anidugbe, Leon Smith, Scott Kinch, Ellis Green, Tom O’Connor, Paul Vines, Alex Teniola, Laurent Mendy.
Attendance: 771
