Match report by Simon Williams Photos by Gavin at TGS Photo (and others)
Billericay ended their long wait for cup success on Monday night as goals from Adam Flanagan and Harrison Chatting saw them win the Essex Senior Cup for the first time since 1976.
Craig Edwards made four changes from the side that won on Saturday, with Harrison Chatting, Jordan Hibbert, Benson Kpaka and Cedric Ngakam coming in to the starting eleven.
The Blues got off to a dream start when they took an early lead. James Lawson was felled a few yards outside the “D” of the area, and with most of the crowd expecting to see an effort from Harrison Chatting or Micah Hyde, Adam Flanagan stepped up to produce a powerful free kick that had just enough swerve on it to beat the dive from Dave McCartney in the Aveley goal.
When these two sides clashed in the league at the weekend, Billericay ‘keeper Nicky Morgan had largely been a spectator as Aveley struggled to create chances, but he was called into action as Aveley looked to hit back. A quick counter attack fell to Luke Stanley whose instinctive shot was turned behind by the Blues custodian.
After a frenetic opening, the game settled down with Billericay having the better of the possession and Aveley looking to hit them on the break. The Blues nearly extended their lead when Lawson’s shot was turned behind by McCartney; from the resulting corner, Ngakam’s header was cleared off the line. Aveley again went close on the half hour mark when Orlando Smith’s fierce shot drew another good save from Morgan, the value of which was underlined a minute later as Town extended their lead.
Cedric Ngakam was heavily involved, showing good strength and touch to lay the ball off to Harrison Chatting who was afforded time and space to pick his spot before curling in a delightful shot from outside the area.
The second half was a case of “roles reversed” as Aveley pushed forward leaving Billericay to attack on the counter. Adam Flanagan and Chris Wild were dominant at the back for the Blues, giving them a strong base from which to attack. They should have been awarded a penalty when Tony Russell blocked Ngakam’s shot with his hand inside the area, and both Ngakam and Kpaka went close during a scramble twenty minutes from time.
As the game entered its final moments, Billericay might have been excused for showing a few nerves, but with the experienced duo of Flanagan and Hyde to the fore they calmly saw out the threat from Aveley to take the cup.
Aveley: Dave McCartney, Ryan Andrews, Charlie Read (Tommy Cummings, 90), Tony Russell, Spencer Harrison, Luke Stanley, Danny Slatter (Kurt Smith, 68), Kenny Beaney, Sherwin Stanley (Alfie Dady, 90), Josh Llewellyn, Orlando Smith. Unused Substitutes: Elliott Anderson (GK), Sean Francis.
Billericay Town: Nicky Morgan, Greg Oates, Ian Cousins, Jordan Hibbert, Chris Wild, Adam Flanagan, Benson Kpaka (Junior Luke, 84), Micah Hyde, Cedric Ngakam, James Lawson (Tony Boot, 77), Harrison Chatting. Unused Substitutes: Ashlee Jones (GK), Tony Martin, Sean Bonnett-Johnson.
