Billericay Town were promoted to the Conference South as champions of the Ishtmian League and are one of the ridiculous number of south east clubs in this league. They had one of the smallest footballers I have ever seen in their number 7, and as a mate pointed out they looked like a Sunday league team with a kit that seemed to fit none of them and surprisingly they are lacking in a shirt sponsor, but obviously didn't go for the Yeovil approach of posing topless. However, it isn't all bad as they are one of two teams who have won the FA Vase three times.
As we walked around the ground Sekani Simpson embarked on a mazy run that almost led to a goal, which would have been the first the fullback had scored in a long time! Sadly his shot was blocked and the following effort was fired high over the bar.
Griffin was looking lively and Guthrie buzzed around, while Low and Aaron Brown were both threatening. Sadly though Low departed after 15 with an unknown injury and was replaced by young Noah Keats. Guthrie could have scored when a ball was bouncing towards goal, but his delicate chip was saved by the keeper.
Griffin soon showed the youngster how it was done, when in an almost identical situation the wily frontman lifted the ball perfectly over Brightly in the Billericay goal and the ball dropped into the back of the net. Griffin again celebrated with gusto and I hope to see this more and more this season.
The half time whistle sounded with City winning 1-0. A swift pint was drunk in Charlie's, and it is nice to be able to visit the bar at half time if so desired, unlike the Conference Premier and the problems with policing/stewarding/segregation etc leading to the bar more often than not being closed, not such an issue in the summer months (apart from the lost revenue) but in the winter when it is freezing the warmth can sometimes be very welcome!
Aaron Brown had once again shown he is a class above a lot of the players in this league, and had been superb in the left wingback/fullback role, sadly though while bursting forward to catch a pass you could see him pull up, and Brown limped off to be replaced by Kerry Morgan.
City were again playing well, but weren't creating too many chances, and on 58 minutes a cock up between Preece and Garner led to the City custodian felling an onrushing Billericay player and the referee pointed to the spot and booked Garner. Having seen the replay of the incident the tackle was definitely outside of the area, and should have resulted in a freekick, nevertheless Glenn Poole stepped up and fired a brilliant penalty home. Against the run of play and suspiciously like Dorchester, City found themselves level.
However, unlike at Dorchester the men in black and white rallied, Morgan who despite his diminutive stature was tracking back and won a brilliant sliding tackle, this led to a period of play where City moved the ball around nicely, eventually the ball ended up with Charlie Griffin about 25 yards out, the frontman moved the ball forward a few yards, opened his body and curled a wonderful shot into the net, a cracking finish by Griffin and definitely the best goal City have scored this season.
Billericay sensing their chance had gone resorted to kicking and fouling continually, and the referee failed to offer adequate protection for the City players. However, the match passed without further incident and a 2-1 win propelled City to the top of the league again (not that it means anything 5 games in), but the win will have hopefully given everyone the confidence needed for the Tuesday night game away at Salisbury City.
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