Blues 3 Billericay Town 1

The Blues ended a three game losing streak with a fantastic fightback to stun leaders Billericay Town in a MATCH SPONSORED BY MARQUIS MOTORHOMES. After falling behind early the hosts roared back with goals from Joe Jefford, Darren Mills and Chris Henderson in front of 502, their second highest gate of the season. Leiston welcomed back Darren Mills straight into the starting line-up for his second ‘debut’ after signing in midweek from Bury Town but Byron Lawrence was not available due to Billericay being his parent club.

On a beautiful sunny afternoon it was the table topping visitors who had the first chance of the game but Cunnington’s lobbed effort cleared Marcus Garnham’s goal. The former Cambridge United and Bromley striker enjoyed himself last season, helping himself to a hat-trick in the FA Trophy for Bromley against the Blues and he didn’t have to wait long to get on the score sheet again. Just eight minutes had passed when a stray pass from an attacking position was helped on its way and Cunnington swept beyond the advancing Marcus Garnham from the edge of the box. The Blues keeper did well to thwart an effort from Rooney as Billericay continued to start strongly. The Blues response was laboured with a Chris Henderson header wide and a good strike from Seb Dunbar drifting narrowly wide. But as they game grew Leiston combatted the visitors start and grew stronger, so much so that they went into the break level thanks to Joe Jefford’s header two minutes into first half stoppage time. A trio of corners were fantastically delivered and defended and from a fourth, Joe Jefford ghosted in at the far post to squeeze a header in between Cunnington and Deering on the goal-line. It was the Blues centre halves eighth goal of the season and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

The hosts resumed attacking the Fairground End and were soon into their stride, forcing Billericay into errors and confidently moving the ball around the fine surface. So it was no surprise that the third goal of the game went to the Blues. Pressure in central midfield saw Chris Henderson regain possession and find Patrick Brothers with a pass that split the visitors defence. The left wing centre picked out Joe Marsden at the far post area who took his time before sliding in a pass to Darren Mills to sweep home from inside the six yard box. But the Blues weren’t finished there. Matt Blake saw an effort well saved from Julian before they extended their lead fourteen minutes from time. Chris Henderson and Darren Mills continued to hound the visitor’s rear guard and a hurried back pass bounced awkwardly with Julian’s attempted clearance falling short and as Darren Mills forced Inman into an error, Chris Henderson picked up the stray ball to fire across a rooted Julian. In the closing stages Leiston looked threatening on the break while the defence stood firm against concerted Billericay pressure to see out the victory an end the visitors 25 game unbeaten record.

FT – Blues 3 Billericay Town 1

Blues - Garnham, Hammond, Dunbar, Ainsley, Jefford, Bullard, Marsden (Docherty 88 mins), Henderson, Blake (Trotter 89mins), Mills, Brothers. Subs not used - Finch, Knights and Rutterford.

Billericay Town - Julian, Kizzi, Urquhart, Inman, Swaine (Watt 45 mins), Deering, Rooney (Evans 45 mins), Waldren (Bricknell63 mins), Butcher, Robinson, Cunnington. Subs not used – Paine and O’Hara.

Match Sponsors MARQUIS MOTORHOMES Man of the Match - Darren Mills.

Attendance – 502