BILLERICAY: Blues secure vital win

By darnold

MARGATE 1

BILLERICAY TOWN 3

(Ryman League Premier Division)

The Blues went into this vital league clash on Tuesday night on the back of three straight defeats and just a single win in their last six games. Manager Brian Statham was forced into a solitary change to his side from the one that started Saturday's defeat at Kingstonian. Influential midfielder Russell Pond was out injured meaning Jacob Cleaver was handed his full league debut as the Blues opted for a more conventional 4-4-2 formation.

Margate opened the game brightly and could've taken the lead when Wayne Wilson's free-kick was flicked onto the post.

Shortly after, a goalmouth scramble saw Aaron Lacey's long throw cause problems before being cleared. But that was as good as it got for the home side as Billericay gradually took a stranglehold of the match.

Dave Wareham gave Billericay the lead on 16 minutes when his searing run took him past his marker and into the penalty area. He unleashed a shot that Luke Garrard in the home goal did well to save before Wareham picked up the re-bound, composed himself and smashed in the opening goal from a tight angle.

Billericay grew in confidence and it was Wareham again who forced a smart save from Garrard.

Then on the stroke of half-time, Jacob Cleaver chased down a seemingly routine back-pass when his pace and agility caught the keeper napping to hand the 16 year-old his first ever senior goal on his full league debut.

The second half started with Billericay on top, Garrard saving well from a Green header. Half chances fell to Shinn, Wareham and Baker before Danny Green all but wrapped the points up when he ran clear of the Margate defence and fired home on 67 minutes.

From here on in, Billericay should've added to their goal tally with Baker, deserving of goal, hitting the upright after side-stepping a defender. The resultant re-bound fell to Matt Hall who, missed a sitter.

Hall again drew a fine save from Garrard and Green went agonisingly close to completing a brace.

Margate pulled one back two minutes from time, but the game was up and Billericay ran out deserved winners.