BILLERICAY: Billy returns to aid Town's safety fight

MISSING Billericay Town hotshot striker Billy Bricknell is all set to make a dramatic return to the first team on Thursday with manager Brian Statham hoping he will solve the side's drastic shortage of goals.

The 21-year-old Enfield-born striker has been out of action injured for over a month and has been sorely missed having been the club's top scorer this season netting 10 goals in their Ryman League Premier Division matches.

"Had he been fit I'm sure he would have scored 15 goals-plus for us in the league by now," said Statham. "And he would certainly have made a difference because he simply has the knack of scoring goals."

The 5ft 11ins striker has made a remarkable comeback form the leg injury he sustained in January and Statham intends to give him a full run out in the replayed Championship Manager Cup Fourth Round tie at home to Sittingbourne.

"He's raring to go and we want him back because I know what he's capable of doing ,but we'll see how he goes in this cup game," Statham said. "Hopefully he will come through it and can stay in the side when we take on Aveley at home on Saturday in a local derby league game."

Statham knows that his side, situated just outside the relegation zone, has to beat Aveley and also Maidstone United when they go to play them next Tuesday.

"Everyone here on the playing side knows what the score is and that it's points we need to start moving up the table," he continued. "If you look at the table we're only 11 points off a play-off place which shows how close all the clubs are this season and we need a couple of wins now to get us going again."

Statham, delighted with his side's 3-1 win at Margate last Tuesday, was disappointed his players didn't carry on the good work in their 1-1 home draw with Maidstone United on Saturday.

"We took the lead, looked in charge and created chances, but failed to take them," Statham explained. "If we'd scored that crucial second goal the game would have been over in my view.

"Our problem was that the players having seen us score we then sat back and became too cautious and a little nervous to go forward.

"We keep urging them to be more bold, more positive in going forward and I felt we should have done and we could have won that game.

"We definitely had the chances and James Baker had what looked a perfectly good goal ruled out late while the playing surface was difficult because of all the rain we've had recently.

"They came back and equalised, which was disappointing, and our goalkeeper Paul Nicholls pulled off some excellent saves when they had their period of pressure so overall I suppose a draw was a fair result."

Statham was full of praise though for his side's midweek win at Margate adding: "It was a good all round performance and everyone worked hard and we fully deserved the points."

But with Bricknell returning and linking up front with Baker the Town boss is confident the goals will start coming again.

"It's all about players having the belief and confidence in themselves and when you get someone like Billy scoring regularly up front then that breeds confidence," he explained. "We know the Aveley game will be tight like all local derbies, but with no injuries from the weekend we will be ready and the players know that winning and picking up the points is crucial."

Statham obviously wants points on the board before they go to champions elect Dartford a week on Saturday.