Bricknell helps Billericay to a battling away point

By maharris

TOOTING & MITCHAM UNITED 1

BILLERICAY TOWN 1

(Ryman League Premier Division)

IN their battle to escape the relegation zone, Billericay Town will be satisfied with a point at high-flying Tooting & Mitcham United.

In common with much of non-league football, Billericay have endured a frustrating start to 2010 as the weather saw a succession of postponements over the past few weeks.

There was, therefore, a massive sigh of relief from everyone connected with the New Lodge club when the pitch at Tooting & Mitcham's Imperial Fields home passed a morning inspection, allowing Billericay the chance to continue their battle to escape the bottom four.

Billericay manager Brian Statham kept faith with the starting eleven that had performed so well in Town's last outing, the Boxing Day win over Canvey Island, meaning Michael Shinn and Dave Wareham had to be content with places on the substitutes' bench.

Billericay showed no ill-effects from their enforced break from football as they made a good start with Billy Bricknell, scorer of a hat-trick last time out, again to the fore.

The young striker was again asked to lead the attack on his own and he gave the hosts an early let-off when he broke clear only to put his shot just wide.

The let-off proved only temporary, however, as Bricknell again escaped the attentions of the home defence to run through and fire past Dave King to give Town a deserved lead.

Billericay looked the more likely to add to their lead and Danny Slatter went close only to be denied by an excellent block from Tom Groves.

Towards the end of the half, however, the home side began to get on top and they duly equalised when Paul Vines beat Town 'keeper Andy Walker to a through ball before lobbing the ball into the net.

Although the home side had the better of the opening exchanges in the second half, they were largely unable to convert possession into chances.

Billericay introduced some fresh legs in the form of Wareham, and the substitute almost grabbed a late winner when his shot was saved by King.

Town will know they need to get back to winning ways to lift themselves out of the drop zone, but with performances like this they are going the right way.