By JOHN CHUBB
Billericay Town stayed top of the table and still unbeaten in the league since the opening day of the season, as they edged out fellow Essex side Thurrock in a Boxing Day local derby.
Glenn Tamplin’s men made a bright start to the match, Louie Theophanous and Matt Paine having early chances as visitors the Fleet struggled to keep possession for the first 10 minutes. Blues then went close just after the quarter of an hour mark, when a Josh Urquhart free kick went just wide of the post.
Ricay continued to push forward and leading scorer Jake Robinson almost broke the deadlock on 22 minutes, with a shot that smacked against the crossbar. Thurrock almost had a chance several minutes later, when the ball was crossed into the centre but midfielder Michael Pindy narrowly failed to connect.
After Danny Waldren had gone close for Billericay with 27 minutes on the clock, Sam Deering had a chance with a free kick six minutes later but this was saved by Fleet goalkeeper Ben McNamara.
Thurrock enjoyed a decent spell of possession as half time approached, but they were unable to create genuine goalscoring opportunities and it remained goalless at the break, after Robinson had almost broken the deadlock, beating McNamara but once again rattling the crossbar.
Blues added to their attack for the second half, with striker Billy Bricknell coming on in place of Nick Wheeler but it was Theophanous who had their first chance of the second half in the 49th minute, with a volley that just went wide.
Theophanous was then replaced by fellow striker Adam Cunnington, and this change was swiftly followed by a break of the deadlock on 57 minutes when a Dean Inman header was met at the back post by Robinson, who tapped home for his 37th goal of the season. This was seen as a fitting tribute to well known Billericay supporter Nigel Harris, who passed away suddenly at the age of 57 just before Christmas and whose life was being celebrated at the match.
The visitors then battled hard to get back into the game, Charlie Stimson (from a free kick) and Joel Nouble both having good chances before Deering nearly doubled Blues’ lead with a quarter of an hour left, his shot just going wide of McNamara’s goal.
Waldren missed a couple of late chances, but In the end one goal proved to be enough for Billericay to strengthen their league leadership ahead of rivals Dulwich Hamlet, who visit the AGP Arena this Saturday in what will be a crucial game.
Billericay Town: Alan Julian, Robbie Evans, Josh Urquhart, Matt Paine, Dean Inman, Sam Deering, Ricky Modeste (Sanchez Watt 73), Danny Waldren, Louie Theophanous (Adam Cunnington 55), Jake Robinson, Nick Wheeler (Billy Bricknell 46).
Thurrock: Ben McNamara, Reece Morgan, Remi Sutton, Perry Dunn (Morgan Seaman 80), Curtis Utah, Joe Christou, Michael Pindy (Joel Brown-Bampoe 82), Lewis Spence, Charlie Stimson (Timothy Ogunrinde 67), Ronnie Winn, Joel Nouble.
Referee: Elliott Kaye
Attendance: 1653
