Billericay Blog: Back On Top Entering Final Run In

Written by Mike Joyce in Local sport👁 3,468

Sunday 8 April 2018, 2.06pm

Since my last blog the club have lost several league games but have also won the Essex Senior Cup beating local rivals Chelmsford 2-1. Having also reached the QF of the FA Trophy we were well beaten by Wealdstone 5-3. The last few weeks have been difficult especially taking into account how we dominated the season up to this period.

In the league we have been beaten by Leiston, Folkestone, Worthing, Tonbridge and Hendon in away fixtures. A big disappointment was being well beaten at home to our nearest rivals Dulwich 3-1, there was a period when things weren’t looking so good. Although we were losing in the league, the squad played really well in the Essex Cup, bringing home the clubs first trophy of the season, it was great to see us beat rivals Chelmsford, I’m sure Billericay fans outnumbered + made more noise than our rival fans.

I’m pleased to say though the squads fighting spirit has taken over and this has included some recent good results against Harrow, Wingate and Tonbridge. The result against Tonbridge 2-1 on Tuesday took the club back on top of the league.

The club had built up a considerable backlog of fixtures, firstly because we drew so many away cup games and progressed in all competitions. In February the pitch became a major issue and despite being relaid in the summer couldn’t stand up to the weather. This has necessitated some of our home matches being played on Aveleys artificial surface, it’s not the ideal answer but in the circumstances the only solution available. (A big thank you to Aveley for their help) It’s also been a testing time for the squad having to play 3 games a week and this will go on until the end of the season. Tuesday nights win against Tonbridge showed there is a strong fighting spirit in the squad + well supported by hundreds of loyal fans prepared to travel to Aveley

Although 3 league games have now been played at Aveley which will affect our average league attendances the club is still averaging approximately 1000, this is second in the league and better than anything in the National League South.

We are where we are because Glenn Tamplin heavily invested in our club, he also put his love and desire into making it successful, we have a lot to thank him for. We’ve won one cup already, we have the League Cup Final to come v Metropolitan Police, plus back on top of the league. The state of the pitch is probably already on the agenda for the club to solve in the summer, very important especially if we gain promotion.

Billy Bricknell has scored his 100th goal for Billericay and Jake Robinson has scored his 50th goal of the season, both great achievements. There are more records that can be broken before the end of the season.

Sam Deering, Danny Waldren and Jake Robinson have already played 50+ games this season for the club. The team have scored in 64 consecutive games, the previous record has been well beaten. A total of 173 goals have been scored in all competitions this season.

We are now entering the final stages of the season with the following games coming up

Enfield v BTFC. League (away). Saturday 7th April
BTFC v Staines. League (home). Monday. 9th April
BTFC v Met Police. League Cup Final at Aveley Wednesday 11th April
BTFC v Wingate. League (home). Saturday 14th April
Dorking v BTFC. League (away). Tuesday 17th April
BTFC v Needham. League (home). Thursday 19th April

Last night we drew 1-1 away at Brightlingsea, it was another tough game but we did miss a lot of chances, with 8 league games remaining we have a 3 point gap over rivals Dulwich, they also have 8 games left. Although it was anticipated the end of the season would have been easier, Billericay never do anything that way, every game is going to be a battle but the same applies to those fighting for promotion as well as staying up. I’m looking forward to these challenges coming up thick and fast.

The last few matches are going to be big, Saturday 21st April away at Margate and Saturday 28th April home to Folkestone, Dulwich will be away to Folkestone on the 21st and home to Margate on the 28th April, all teams in the top 5

Update – On Saturday 7th April we drew 1-1 with Enfield conceding a goal in the final minutes, fortunately Dulwich also dropped points so things have changed at the top again, Folkestone are also a threat but we do have 2 games in hand over them and play them at home in the last game of the season. With 7 games left 5 of which are at home it’s going to be an exciting end of season.