By JOHN CHUBB
@JohnCphoenixfm
Phoenix Sport
John Chubb
With the football season now firmly at the ‘business end’, our featured match involved relegation threatened Billericay Town’s continued fight for survival in the National League South as they hosted Bath City at New Lodge.
But interim Billericay boss Dan Brown – in charge at New Lodge for the first time since Jody Brown’s dismissal after their defeat at Chelmsford City on Easter Monday – saw his side suffer a 2-1 home loss that kept them at the foot of the table.
Chelmsford meanwhile confirmed safety from the drop with a 1-1 draw against Slough Town at Melbourne Park.
Dagenham & Redbridge kept up their hopes of snatching a National League play-off spot, despite being held to a 1-1 draw by struggling King’s Lynn Town at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.
In the Isthmian Premier League, Hornchurch finished in fourth place after a 2-1 defeat at home to Wingate & Finchley, resulting in their play-off semi-final being away to Enfield Town on Wednesday night.
At the other end of the table, there was heartache for East Thurrock United who were relegated after a 3-2 loss at home to Horsham.
Rob Small’s last match in charge of Bowers & Pitsea resulted in a 2-2 draw at Lewes.
There was drama on the last day of the Isthmian North season, with Brentwood Town booking a third-placed finish with a 1-0 win away to Stowmarket Town, who they ironically met again in Tuesday night’s semi-final.
At the opposite end of the table, Witham Town scored a 95th minute winner through Josh Osude to give them a 3-2 win away to already relegated Romford, who will be joined in the Essex Senior League next season by their current landlords Barking who went down despite player-manager Charlie MacDonald’s second-half penalty giving them a 1-0 win at Tilbury.
But Witham are not yet safe, as they face an Inter-League play-off this Saturday at home to Saffron Walden Town, who finished second in the Essex Senior League.
The play-off semi-finals in Division One South saw Buckhurst Hill progress to this Saturday’s play-off final with a 3-2 victory over Wivenhoe Town, but disappointment for Benfleet who lost 2-1 to Halstead Town.
In Cricket, Essex established a lead of 73 on day three of their County Championship Division One match away to champions Warwickshire. But they ended up well beaten on day four as the hosts won by 10 wickets.
This week’s playlist:
Genesis – Turn it On Again
Tears for Fears – Break The Man
Oasis – Shakermaker
EMF – Crime of Passion
Level 42 – Something About You
Astrid – Through The Darkness Of Your Life
Kate Bush – Rubberband Girl
Harry Styles – As It Was
David Guetta – Crazy What Love Can Do
Beabadoobee – Talk
Wham! – Club Tropicana
Soft Cell and Pet Shop Boys – Purple Zone
Stevie Wonder – Sir Duke
Billy Ocean – Red Light Spells Danger
Abba – Knowing Me Knowing You
Harry and the Chicks – Snakes In The Streets
Alexander O’Neal – Criticise
