Mixed fortunes for Billericay over bank holiday

BILLERICAY Town experienced massive highs and lows in their two Ryman League Premier Division games over the bank holiday.

On Saturday a last minute winner saw them make a remarkable comeback after being 2-0 down at half-time against Wealdstone, while on Monday, the Blues crashed to a heavy 4-0 defeat at Canvey Island.

Two set piece goals in the first-half set up Canvey's win and although Billericay rallied in the second half, they couldn't prevent the hosts adding two further goals in the last few minutes.

For the second match running Town's injury hit line-up, with six first team players missing, stayed the same.

The Blues got off to an encouraging start, Steven Ferguson going close, but the opening goal seemed to knock Billericay badly, David Lee finding the net with a direct free-kick as the wall appeared to fall apart.

Town were almost given a goal when Canvey forward Jay Curran diverted the ball past his goalkeeper but it went inches past the post.

Clearly missing the presence of injured centre halves Steve Heffer and Tim Cole, Town struggled to defend at set pieces against a more physical Canvey side and it was no surprise when the home team doubled their advantage through former Town player Chris Moore.

Town replaced Joe Flack with Rikki Burbridge at half-time and the big striker almost had an immediate impact when he outpaced Moore before hitting his shot straight at Canvey goalkeeper Ricky Wiseman.

But Billy Bricknell limped off following a high challenge from Moore and with him went Town's chances of getting back into the game.

Youngster 17-year-old Harrison Chatting and another teenager, Jack West, came on for their debuts. But Town faded badly in the final minutes, conceding two goals with Leon Gordon and Ian Luck netting both of them.

Against Wealdstone, the visitors took the lead just after the half hour when Lee Chappell outpaced Wayne Semanshia before firing the ball home.

Steven Hughes soon made it 2-0 as Wealdstone looked set to register their first win of the season.

Billericay reorganised at half-time and began to take charge. They pulled a goal back when Bricknell picked up a deep cross from the right flank and was able to take a touch before picking his spot and firing the ball home.

Billericay continued to press and Shave hit the bar with a shot following a corner, before Bricknell equalised with a superb shot from the edge of the area. Bricknell then missed out on his hat-trick when he headed the ball against the crossbar.

The game grew increasingly scrappy and appeared to be heading for a draw when, in the closing minutes, Steven Ferguson sent a long throw into the area where Shave's glancing header hit the net.

In the closing minutes Town's Ronnie Worster and Wealdstone's Dean Papali were sent off after the Town goalkeeper was judged to have retaliated to a punch thrown by the Wealdstone substitute.