Phoenix FM’s JOHN CHUBB reporting from the AGP Arena
In what proved to be a somewhat scrappy contest Billericay Town had to make do with salvaging a point against Margate, courtesy of a late Adam Cunnington equaliser.
Blues owner/manager Glenn Tamplin was boosted by the return to his squad of Jamie O’Hara, the former Tottenham midfielder having been missing from action since the end of last season due to a long term injury. He took one of the places on the home side’s substitutes’ bench, as did leading scorer Jake Robinson who had been nursing a minor injury.
In the first quarter of the match Ricay looked the stronger of the two sides, with Ricky Modeste and Sam Deering both having chances to score, but then the Gate started to seize a few opportunities and it was the visitors who went in front in added time at the end of the first half, David Martin firing a low shot into the corner of the net from close range to put the Kent side ahead.
Billericay rang the changes in preparation for the second period with a triple substitution, Robbie Evans Billy Bricknell and Louie Theophanous coming on to signal the home side’s attacking intentions.
After the restart Matt Paine had a couple of chances for Blues, one of which hit the post and captain Dean Inman had a header that went just wide, before Margate’s Frannie Collins had a shot pushed away by home goalkeeper Alan Julian on 65 minutes and 10 minutes later Collins’ strike partner, former Concord Rangers forward Jordan Chiedozie also had a chance to equalise, but Julian made another fine save.
Paine had another opportunity with 10 minutes remaining but young visiting keeper Sam Sargeant – making his debut for the Gate after signing on loan from Leyton Orient – managed to tip the ball over the crossbar, before Collins fired inches wide for the visitors a few minutes later.
In the 85th minute Billericay had a shout for a penalty, with Theophanous appearing to be tripped inside the box but referee Stephen Bates waved away the home side’s claims for a spot kick. Then with 3 minutes left, Blues striker Cunnington headed home from a corner to make it 1-1 and claim a point for his side.
So Billericay remain in 2nd place and five points behind table toppers Dulwich Hamlet, due to the South Londoners’ 4-3 home victory over Folkestone Invicta but the Blues have five games in hand, so the keen contest for first place continues.
Billericay Town: Alan Julian, Joe Kizzi, Josh Urquhart, Rob Swaine (Louie Theophanous 46), Dean Inman, Sam Deering, Danny Waldren (Robbie Evans 46), Matt Paine, Jermaine Pennant (Billy Bricknell 46),Ricky Modeste, Adam Cunnington.
Margate: Sam Sargeant, Jack Evans, Tom Wynter, James Rogers, Liam Friend, Ben Swift, Kane Haysman, Sam Blackman, Jordan Chiedozie, Frannie Collins, David Martin.
Attendance: 1570