Billericay Town returned to the top of the National South table with a 2-0 win at Hampton & Richmond. An early Jake Robinson header saw Dean Brennan’s side take the lead in a closely contested first half. After the break, the Blues took control with the second goal from Joe Kizzi, finishing the match as worthy winners.
A sunny afternoon in South-west London close to the Thames would prove to be the setting for Dean Brennan’s first significant test as Billericay manager. He had won here with Hemel last month against a new look Hampton side still finding its feet. With the Beavers now sitting third in the table, and buoyed by a five game winning streak in the League, this was no easy start to his Billericay tenure.
It would be a challenge that the new coach would pass with flying colours as Brennan’s new team delivered a convincing performance at the Jezzards Beveree Stadium. A commitment to attack through an impressive Blues front three showed ambitious intentions. Clever defensive organisation to nullify Hampton & Richmond’s pace in forward areas also worked well throughout. Experience at Hemel showed as, once ahead, the result was carefully managed to its conclusion.
Image: Nicky Hayes
In an entertaining start, both sides enjoyed early opportunities to take the lead. Moses Emmanuel tested Hampton goal-keeper, Tom Lovelock, with a fierce shot after a Modeste header set him up on the left hand side of the penalty area. In an instant reply, Hampton striker, Chris Dickson, showed a high level of technical skill to control a dropping ball from height and set right-winger Zak Joseph up for a shot on goal. His effort was pushed away by Billericay keeper, Alan Julian.
Billericay did not take long to go in front as a sixth minute Jake Robinson header brought the break-through. It came via a precise cross from Jake Howells on the left hand side. Left alone in the centre of the penalty area, Robinson scored his 12th goal of the season with an expertly placed header. Ricky Modeste almost added to the tally moments later hitting a shot over the bar after being served by a fine cross-field ball from Billericay left-back, Callum Kennedy.
Hampton responded with a rising shot just over from central midfielder, Ricky Wellard. With eight League goals this season, Chris Dickson has been the main man for the Beavers in the early part of the campaign. Operating as the lone striker within the 4-2-3-1 formation employed by Hampton coach, Gary McCann, he was a constant source of danger. However, he was well marshalled by the Billericay centre-backs as Hayles matched him for pace and Doe provided cover.
Re-called to the Hampton side, after a five game absence from the starting line-up, left winger, Rhys Murrell-Williamson played like a man with something to prove. An outlet on the left, he also regularly switched flanks to cut in and shoot with his left foot. In the 22nd minute, a mazy run from the left into the Billericay area saw a shot charged down by a massed Billericay back-line. His pace was always a threat but well contained by the Billericay defensive set-up.
Despite losing Modeste to injury, his replacement, Danny Waldren, slotted neatly into the Blues’ midfield. He was a busy presence throughout and showed the good form in central midfield that has seen off competition already from new arrivals this season at the club. At his prompting, the Blues continued to press and on 34 minutes, Robinson latched onto a loose ball to shoot narrowly wide.
Image: Nicky Hayes
Hampton attacked sporadically and a reminder from the Beavers Chris Dickson of the need for vigilance was provided when he latched onto a bouncing ball to send a shot off target. Always seeking to break forward, a tangle late in the first half between the striker and Billericay centre-back Hayles would see the defender booked. The half finished with a Hampton chance as Murrell-Williamson went close with a curling shot that finished just wide of the post.
The Blues started the second half strongly. If the opening period had been broadly even, the second half belonged to the Essex side. Almost immediately, a flurry of activity in the Hampton penalty area saw Deering, Robinson, and finally Inman, half-time replacement for Hayles, all have shots on goal blocked.
The step up in tempo from Billericay brought its reward with a second goal in the 56th minute. Joe Kizzi, who had headed straight at the goal-keeper minutes earlier, made amends by scoring with a neat header. It came from a Callum Kennedy corner, which initially seemed to be over-hit. At the back post, Robinson kept the ball alive by heading back towards the centre of the goal. Waldren nodded the ball on and, departing from his right-back duties, Kizzi turned into a six yard goal- poacher to score from close range.
Image: Nicky Hayes
Murrell-Williamson and Dickson continued to be the main sources of danger with fast breaks that were well covered by a resolute Billericay line-up. The introduction of Matt Whichelow in midfield was positive for the home side with the ex-Wealdstone player comfortable making forward runs. Looking impressive since entering the game, a twisting, turning run ended with a shot just off target.
Jake Robinson almost bagged his “lucky” thirteenth of the season with a strong run on the right and shot that rattled the Hampton cross bar. The next time the ball was in the net, it was a smart close range finish from Hampton’s right back Tyrell Miller-Rodney. Reacting swiftest to a rebound from an earlier Alan Julian save, his delight would turn to despair due to the goal being deemed offside.
Having entered in place of Robinson on 75 minutes, Billericay’s Cunnington quickly made an impression on the match with his aerial ability. A looping 80th minute header was goal-bound until a late intervention by Miller-Rodney. Lacking minutes, and a fitness doubt for this game, Cunnington is expected to feature on Tuesday night in the friendly at the AGP versus Dagenham.
With Billericay impressive in controlling the game, a lot less was seen from the Hampton’s top scorer in the second half. However, on 87 minutes, Dickson had his best opportunity of the match as a superb curling ball from Casey MacLaren left him with a free header close in on goal. It was a bad miss to send it wide. However, it didn’t affect the final result and, if Hampton is high in the table, it is, in no small measure, down to the goals scored by the rejuvenated Dickson. With no further alarms, the Blues held on for a memorable win.
The victory versus Hampton is a big statement by Billericay to the rest of the League to show that the club is back on track. Under the new management team, there has been an evident injection of freshness to a side that needed a pick-up. The enthusiasm of the owner for the new manager, and plans for infrastructure to build an academy system to support the club, are fundamental to the future.
Going to the Beveree to win a difficult game against an in-form side is a fantastic boost to confidence. Brennan has started well and looks the part of an experienced manager. The organisation on the pitch and level of defensive solidity was impressive. If Blues can go to Hampton and come away with three points and a clean sheet, it is likely that other positive results will soon follow.
Hampton & Richmond FC
1. Tom Lovelock 2. Tyrell Miller-Rodney 3. Nathan Mavila 4. Michael Corcoran 5. Rian Bray 6. Simon Downer 7. Rhys Murrell-Williamson (14. Daniel Uchechi, ’72) 8. Ricky Wellard (Casey MacLaren, ’62) 9. Craig Dundas 10. Chris Dickson 11. Zak Joseph (12. Matt Whichelow, ’62)
Subs Not Used: 15. James Hammond 17. Dylan Randall
Billericay Town
1. Alan Julian 2. Joe Kizzi 3. Callum Kennedy 4. Scott Doe 5. Rickie Hayles (15. Dean Inman, ’46) 6. Sam Deering 7. Ricky Modeste (16. Danny Waldren, ’32) 8. Jamie O’Hara 9. Jake Robinson (14. Adam Cunnington, ’75)
10. Moses Emmanuel 11. Jake Howells
Sub Not Used: 12. Connor Hunte 13. Louis Wells, GK
Goals: ‘6 Robinson ; ’56 Kizzi
Attendance: 786
