Billericay Town travel to Hertfordshire this Saturday to take on Hemel Hempstead Town. The trip represents a welcome opportunity for all Blues fans to concentrate on matters on the pitch. A return to winning ways after the narrow loss away to League leaders, Woking, would be a welcome distraction from the upheaval set off last Sunday by owner Glenn Tamplin’s announcement. His intention to put the club up for sale, which raises questions on the club’s financial viability, came at an unexpected time.
Photo: Nicky Hayes
After a strong start to the season, beginning with two consecutive wins and a draw, Hemel are in a poor run of form. Without a win in six matches, the Tudors sit in a lowly 17th place with nine points.
Their last match, away at Torquay United, finished in a 0-2 defeat after Hemel missed good early opportunities to score. With their previous fixture at home versus Chelmsford City ending in an incredible 3-5 defeat, Hemel have scored 10 goals and conceded thirteen in eight matches.
Hemel began the season with high hopes after finishing the last campaign in an impressive 5th position. Qualifying for the play-off eliminator match, the Tudors would only fall short after a penalty shoot-out versus eventual winners, Braintree Town. This time around, Hemel have openly talked about once more reaching the play-off places, supported by new recruits in forward areas. A slow start, notably including a home defeat to Woking and goalless draws at Dartford and home to Hungerford, leaves the team behind schedule. It does not get easier with the visit from Billericay.
Under manager, Dean Brennan, Hemel were promoted to Step Two football in 2013-14 after winning the Southern League. In a convincing title win, the Tudors finished on 102 points, clear of runners-up, Chesham United, who were placed 10 points behind. Ex-Luton Town midfielder, Brennan, 38, has now passed his sixth year in charge at the club. His appointment in May 2012 came at a time when the club only just preserved its status in the Southern League Premier, staying up on goal difference.
Since then, Brennan has enjoyed a rapid promotion and comfortable consolidation at the higher level. A highly credible 9th position was achieved in 2014-15 – the club’s first season in the National South. Since then, the Hertfordshire club have ended in the play-off positions in two campaigns out of three. Unfortunately, despite coming 6th in 2015-16, Hemel were not able to take their place in the round of play-off matches as the Vauxhall Road Ground did not comply with requirements for entry into the National League. This has since been rectified by significant development of the club’s facilities, including the opening of the new McDonald’s sponsored Family Stand in August 2018.
Hemel’s recruitment for the 2018-19 campaign has seen limited player turnover. After a very successful season, the focus has been on retaining key players. Among established first teamers re-signing are longest serving player, and left-back, Kyle Connolly, central midfielder and skipper, Jordan Parkes, utility man, James Kaloczi, player of the year goalkeeper, Laurie Walker, and centre-backs, Ismail Yakubu, Tom Hamblin, and ex-Millwall and Crystal Palace defender, Darren Ward. Vastly experienced ex-Watford defender, Lloyd Doyley, who joined in October 2017, also remains.
Additions to the playing squad have principally been up front where the manager has prioritised improvement. Three new striking arrivals have enjoyed mixed success. Concord striker, Steve Cawley, 26, has featured regularly, scoring on his debut. He has failed to add to his tally in subsequent matches but is a proven striker. At the Aspect Arena, he topped the club scoring charts in four out of five seasons, making 225 appearances and netting 88 goals. Not much has been seen of ex-Braintreee and Chelmsford City forward, Phil Roberts, who has started once since signing. Charlie Sheringham, who re-joined the club after a previous successful spell, has since moved to Dartford.
Existing options have meant that goal-scoring has not been a problem for Hemel. A familiar face to Blues fans is, of course, Sanchez Watt who spent three months at the AGP last season before departing on loan to Hemel in February 2018. Now permanently signed to the Tudors, Watt brings pace and goal threat from his favoured position wide on the left side. Also signed at that time, speedy front-man, Karl Oliyide, 23, stays on to offer another quick option up front or from slightly deeper. A notable departure from striking positions is Zimbabwe forward, David Moyo. A lively presence in the final third, and with an eye for the back of the net, Blues fans will remember his well-taken goal and impressive performance last week at the AGP for new side, St. Albans City.
In terms of players to watch on the Hemel side, we highlight three important components of the likely first X1 set to play against the Blues. We reference goal-keeper, Laurie Walker, central midfielder, Jordan Parkes, and, noting some lively performances of late, Sanchez Watt. One key element of the improved defensive performance last year – an incredible 31 less League goals conceded – was the arrival in May 2017 of goal-keeper, Laurie Walker. An imposing figure at 6ft 5ins, Walker, 28, has continued his good form. An outstanding performer in recent weeks, he has pulled off some superb saves and, without him, the goals against column would make bleaker reading.
Pulling the strings in midfield for the Tudors is Jordan Parkes, 29. A former England U-18 international and Watford player, Hemel sold him to Ebbsfleet United in 2015 for £25,000. Back at the club in June 2016, the attacking midfielder netted 18 goals in all competitions last season. Off to a strong start in 2018-19, registering three strikes, Parkes has excellent delivery and is very dangerous on free-kicks. Forms a central midfield partnership with the hard-working, Billy Clifford. The 25 year old joined Hemel in August after two years at League two side, Crawley Town.
The inevitable law of the ex makes it all the more likely that Billericay old-boy, Sanchez Watt, will have an outstanding game. However, there is a little more substance to this view as he has been prominent on the left for Hemel and impressed manager, Brennan, enough to start all but one game. With a late winner away at Hampton his sole strike to date, and a header against the post v Torquay, Sanchez Watt is adept at finding space and getting into dangerous positions. There can be no doubt that he will be highly motivated to put one over on his old side.
Since the departure of Harry Wheeler, Billericay have switched to a system using three at the back for the last two games. With Glenn Tamplin no longer in the dug-out, it may well be that the Blues revert to the more tried and tested back four within a 4-2-3-1 formation. Should this be the case, we expect Dean Inman and Scott Doe to be first choice centre-backs flanked by Kennedy and Kizzi. We expect the centre of the pitch to comprise two deeper lying midfielders. Danny Waldren is likely to occupy the holding role supported by the passing range of Jamie O’Hara. Three attacking midfielders higher up the pitch – Modeste, Deering, and Howells – should provide support for Jake Robinson.
With the latest update from the owner only indicating for sure that this week’s operating costs will be covered, considerable uncertainty clouds the future picture for the Blues. A trip to Hemel would not normally have as much resonance but these are not ordinary times. With a take-over still far from sight, an owner seeking exit, costs out of kilter with sustainability, and potential end to funding approaching, it may be one of the few remaining chances to see this current Billericay Town side together. All that remains is to cheer the players on and get behind the team for three vital points.
Please note that the Billericay Town Supporters Society is running a coach trip to the match at Hemel Hempstead. The coach will leave from the AGP at 12:45pm and depart Hemel straight after the game at 17:10pm. Cost is £15 adults, £10 U-16’s. To book, please email btsstravel@gmail.com with name/s and number of seats required. Please also check their twitter site on @btss_awaytravel for latest details on travel or, alternatively, DM the twitter address for any booking requests.
To all those going to the game, have a safe trip!
Form Last Six Matches
Hemel Hempstead Town: L, L, D, L, D, D.
Leading Scorer: Jordan Parkes, 3 goals.
Billericay Town: L, W, L, W, W, W.
Leading Scorer: Jake Robinson, 10 goals.
Last Line-Ups
Hemel Hempstead Town (Away defeat 0-2 v Torquay United) Formation: 4-1-4-1
1. Laurie Walker ; 2. Callum Martin ; 3. Kyle Connolly ; 4. Jordan Parkes ; 5. Darren Ward ; 6 Tom Hamblin ; 7. James Kaloczi (15. Reece Prestedge, ’67) ; 8. Billy Clifford (14. Alex Osborne, ’81) ; 9. Steve Cawley ; 10. Herschel Sanchez-Watt ; 11. Spencer McCall (12. Karl Oliyide, ’64).
Subs Not Used: 16. Joe Howe; 17. George Paulin (GK).
Billericay Town ( Away Defeat 1-2 v Woking). Formation: 3-4-2-1
1. Alan Julian ; 2 Tambeson Eyong ; 3. Callum Kennedy ; 4. Scott Doe ; 5. Dean Inman (12. Alfie Potter, ’64) ; 6. Sam Deering ; 7. Ricky Modeste (15. Adam Coombes, ’45) ; 8. Danny Waldren ; 9. Jake Robinson ; 10. Jake Howells; 11. Jamie O’Hara (17. Simon Walton, ’58)
Subs Not Used: 14. Adam Cunnington ; 16. Rickie Hayles.
