By JOHN CHUBB
@JohnCphoenixfm
What had been a particularly challenging and eventful week for Billericay Town ended in FA Cup success, as the Blues saw off the challenge of near neighbours Basildon United with a 1-0 victory.
After a seven-day period which had seen the second dismissal in 13 months of manager Harry Wheeler, Jamie O’Hara’s appointment as his replacement then owner Glenn Tamplin’s decision to leave the club, the result in front of a crowd of 1106 was just the tonic for their supporters.
They were up against a spirited Basildon side, but Jordan Parkes’ 67th minute free-kick was enough to put Blues’ name into the hat for the next stage of the competition, in which they have another tie against fellow National League South side Bath City.
Leigh @beakster99’s full report on the match can be seen here
Billericay were in fact the only one of Essex’s NLS sides to progress, as the other three all lost to lower league opposition.
Chelmsford City had a particularly shocking exit as they travelled to Corinthian-Casuals and crashed to a 2-0 defeat.
The Corinthians – bottom of the Isthmian Premier League without a win so far this season – conceded a penalty just 30 seconds after the kick-off, but Shaun Jeffers’ spot-kick was stopped by goalkeeper Master Ugradar.
Then goals either side of half time from Nathaniel Pinney and Shaun Okojie sealed the home side’s victory and first Third Round Qualifying appearance since 1983, on what was a miserable afternoon for the Clarets.
Braintree Town and Concord Rangers were also knocked out by Isthmian Premier League opposition, namely Enfield Town and Margate respectively.
Braintree’s excellent league form counted for nothing as they were beaten 2-0, thanks to two goals from Enfield’s Muhammadu Faal.
And Concord went down 3-1 in Kent, despite taking a lead after just two minutes played via an Aron Pullock header.
Noel Leighton and Adam Ramadan soon replied for Margate and Jack Richards scored to seal the Beach Boys’ fate two minutes from time.
But it was an historic day for Bowers & Pitsea.
They will compete in the Third Round Qualifying for the first time in the club’s history, having travelled to fellow Isthmian Premier League club Lewes and come back from behind to win 2-1.
The Sussex side went ahead on 53 minutes when a penalty was awarded for a handball, and Kayne Diedrick-Roberts placed a low spot-kick past Bowers keeper Callum Chafer.
But replies from James Thomas and Bradley Warner – the latter’s via a deflection – put Rob Small’s men though to the next stage when they will travel to Canvey Island or St Ives Town.
But there was no such good fortune for another local Isthmian Premier League side, namely Hornchurch who exited the cup with a 2-0 loss away to Potters Bar Town due to goals from James Budden and Josh Hutchinson.
Isthmian North leaders Maldon & Tiptree claimed an impressive scalp against Premier Division side Wingate & Finchley, who they beat 4-2 thanks to a Jerome Slew hat-trick and a goal from Charlee Hughes.
Ahmet Rifat and Marvin Morgan were the scorers for the North Londoners.
Canvey Island will also be in the hat for tomorrow’s draw for a possible local derby against Bowers & Pitsea, after holding hosts St. Ives Town of the Southern League Premier Central Division.
Canvey’s Albert Levett was on the receiving end of a reckless challenge in first-half in injury time, for which the home team’s Jarvis Wilson received a straight red card.
But the Gulls couldn’t capitalise and will now face the Cambridgeshire side again in Tuesday night’s replay at Park Lane.
