BILLERICAY: Thumping victory may save season

BILLERICAY Town manager Brian Statham believes his side's thumping 4-1 win over runaway Ryman League Premier Division leaders Dartford on Saturday gives them the ideal platform to finish the season on a high and make it into the top half of table.

"We've been threatening a result like this for some time, probably since we surprised everyone by beating them earlier on at home," he said. "Obviously it's an important win for us, but at the end of the day it's only three points.

"Now we can build on that run and make sure we pick up points as we keep threatening to do and haul ourselves well away from the relegation area.

"What I was pleased with on Saturday is not so much the result, but the way we played.

"It was a good all round professional performance and showed what belief there is in the team.

"Now we can build on that and go forward and with the consistency that I've kept demanding from all of the players."

Statham was particularly full of praise for the performance of experienced goalkeeper Paul Nicholls adding: "He did exceptionally well and breeds confidence in the back four defenders because they know he will come for crosses and command his area.

"When Dartford did put pressure on us the defence worked well, kept their discipline and coped with what came their way.

"Up in attack it was nice to see Billy Bricknell getting back to his old form after his injury and he scored a vital goal, but I decided to take him off in the second half as he was tired."

Statham was also pleased how he has linked up quickly with new striker Simon Thomas, who he felt despite his lack of games recently, was showing all the positive signs of making a big impact in the team's attack.

Last night Town were at home to Hendon and on Saturday they entertain bottom placed Margate and Statham was confident that after the Dartford win the players would carry on where they left off on Saturday.

"These are two more games and that means six points on offer and that's what we must achieve," Statham said yesterday (Tuesday). "Look at the current table and it's easy to see how close all the sides are in terms of points so we need to get these next six points in and we can be heading up towards mid-table fairly quickly."

With his new strike force in full flow Statham has released former Braintree Town striker James Baker who has had a disappointing stay at New Lodge this season, only finding the net once in 18 games.

"After some consideration I have released James from the club after I spoke to him at length last Friday," Statham explained. "I had arranged for him to go out on loan to get first team football as he would find it difficult to start games with the two recent signings and Billy Bricknell recovering from his injury.

"But he felt that option wouldn't be in his best interests at this stage as he has a slight knee injury which he wants to see a specialist about before committing to anything so I have released him, thanked him for what he's done since being here and wishing him well in the future."