Bricknell double eases Blues' relegation fears

​BILLERICAY TOWN 2

AFC HORNCHURCH 0

(Ryman League Premier Division)

TWO late Billy Bricknell goals in this Easter Monday local derby could prove crucial for the Blues’ survival as they picked up three points to at last give them some breathing space above the relegation zone.

Although it still remains tight down near the bottom Town’s win moves them up to 15th place and six points above the relegation zone.

It was also stand-in manager John Mifsud’s first game and first points since being moved up from the reserves to take over following last week’s sacking of manager Brian Statham after his first two scheduled games in charge – last Tuesday’s home game against Sutton United and Saturday’s match at Carshalton Athletic were victims of waterlogged pitches.

Strugglers

After this win though Mifsud knows that a win against fellow relegation strugglers Carshalton Athletic tomorrow (Thursday) in the rearranged game and victory at basement side Waltham Abbey on Saturday could finally ease Town’s fears of relegation.

So Easter Monday’s victory over the Urchins was vital and it was perhaps appropriate that Bricknell, only just back in the side after a lengthy injury lay-off, should seal a win in such a crucial game.

His first strike on 76 minutes broke the deadlock when substitute Danny Charge skipped by the visitor’s Jonathan Spencer and sent in a low cross into the middle where the ever alert Bricknell was on hand to do what he’s best at and that’s poaching a goal from nowhere.

It was no more than the Blues deserved for their persistency and determination with clearly the new management giving the regular players fresh impetus.

The Blues finally settled the issue deep in stoppage time with a controversially given penalty which Bricknell duly despatched past ‘keeper Darren Behcet.

It all stemmed from a poor backpass to the ‘keeper but which Mitchell Stuart-Evans appeared to shield the ball and clear it, but the linesmen flagged feeling he had done it unfairly and should be penalised.

Stuart-Evans was shown a red card as he was deemed to have denied Blues a clear scoring opportunity and it was a decision that clearly upset all the Urchins’ players.

But the home fans were only too pleased to see their side win and perhaps it was pay back time for the number of similar decisions that have gone against them over the season.

Elliot Styles rattled the home side’s crossbar in the first while for Blues a fine effort from Russell Pond was cleared off the line by Rickie Hayles as both sides fought to score that all important opening goal.

Crossbar

Nicholls pulled off a great save from Mervin Abraham and then the ‘keeper was relieved to see Tambeson Eyong’s shot rebound off a post.

Nicholls denied Abraham while Harrison Chatting saw his shot cleared off the line.

After the break Michael Spencer’s hit the post for Hornchurch.

And Nicholls was again the Blues’ hero as he pulled off a great save from Eyong with the ball rebounding to Spencer who hit the angle of the post and bar with his shot - the fifth time the visitors had hit the Blues’ woodwork.

However, Billericay survived before Bricknell put them ahead.