Billericay Town 4 Blues 0

To say the Blues record at New Lodge is a poor one would be somewhat of an understatement. Prior to this latest fixture it read for sorry reading, played four lost four including an FA Cup defeat thrown in for good measure. Make that five now after this latest victory for the title favourites with three of those defeats seeing the Blues concede four goals. In truth Billericay deserved their win but by four goals? I don’t believe so.

Arriving at the rather plush and impressive New Lodge the Suffolk visitors were short of personnel. Messrs Bullard and Hammond through injury, Eagle due to work commitments and Lawrence as part of the loan arrangement between the sides. So the last thing we needed was another injury and so it transpired, striker Matt Blake pulling up during Tony Kinsella’s warm up. To compound matters even further the Essex side stole an early lead. It looked a routine left wing cross aimed towards the head of ex professional Cunnington. He didn’t have to leap as Marcus Garnham was caught in two minds and Cunnington, who scored a hat-trick for Bromley around this time last year against the Blues, nodded into the gaping net with barely three minutes on the clock. Not the start we wanted. Wheeler than somehow missed an open goal from close range as the deliveries from wide areas were of great quality. The Blues only real sights of goal came via makeshift striker Jack Ainsley and on both occasions both efforts cleared the home bar. Billericay were well worth their interval lead but with only a single goal between the sides the Blues or rather oranges, were still in with a shout.

Upon the resumption the visitors started well, pressing well in the final third and looking threatening for the first time in the game. But it’s the sign of a good side when they can score when under pressure and a swift counter ended with leading scorer Robinson doubling the hosts lead. With half an hour remaining Leiston pressed again. Jack Ainsley half volleyed over Christy Finch’s teasing cross from ten yards and then ex Bromley keeper Julian made a terrific save low to his right to keep out a Dominic Docherty header. A goal and way back into the game looked inevitable. But yet again Billericay broke and former Hemel Hempstead striker Robinson prodded in from close range when the visitors failed to clear their lines adequately. But Leiston refused to completely roll over and Julian produced another terrific save this time from a Harry Knights header while Joe Marsden saw a corner strike the far post. Then Christy Finch somehow headed wide with the goal at his mercy. Leiston deserved a goal for their efforts but they didn’t get one and Billericay added a fourth deep into stoppage time, Robinson scrambling home to complete his hat-trick. Billericay will take some stopping to deny them the title but might it have been a different outcome with a full squad? Who knows.

FT - Billericay Town 4 Blues 0

Billericay Town - Julian, Kizzi, Urquhart, Swaine, Inman, Deering, Pennant (Modeste 60 mins), Paine (Waldren 72 mins), Wheeler, Robinson, Cunnington (Theophanous 53 mins). Subs not used - Walker and Chambers.

Blues - Garnham, Marsden, Dunbar, Ainsley, Knights, Jefford, Trotter (Cheetham 60 mins), Henderson, Finch, Docherty, Brothers. Subs not used - Gaffer, Groom.

Man of the Match - Chris Henderson

Attendance - 894