Match report by Simon Williams.
Photos by Amanda Protheroe.

Billericay made progress in the Essex Senior Cup when they overcame Burnham Ramblers on Tuesday evening. Without eleven first teamers because of injury and eligibility issues, Town were made to work hard for a win obtained courtesy of goals from Danny Green and Harrison Chatting.

Blues' manager Brian Statham had just eleven outfield players to select from for this game. Without four potential centre backs he made the bold decision to play James Baker in an unfamiliar defensive role with Luca Frankis and Soz Yao partnered in attack.

With all the changes, Billericay took their time to find their feet, but they took the lead through Green after eighteen minutes. An enterprising Town attack was ended when Burnham 'keeper Rob Small slid out of his area to handle the ball. It was debatable whether his defenders would have been able to get across to cover and prevent the shot, and Small can certainly consider himself fortunate not to have seen red for his troubles. The respite was only temporary, however, as Green stepped up to curl his free kick over the wall and inside the near post.

The goal gave Town's confidence, and they pushed forward in search of a second. Harrison Chatting went closest five minutes before half time when he accepted the home sides invitation to shoot from distance, twice testing Small who produced two saves; both times pushing the ball behind for a corner.

Chatting deserved a goal for his performance, but when it arrived a minute after the restart, he didn't know much about it. Billericay were on the attack and Yao's harrying of Mark Gorbell panicked the Ramblers defender who hit his attempted clearance against Chatting. Small, stranded, made a desperate attempt to get back as the ball rolled towards the line, but to no avail.

Burnham's best chances had come from the play of forward Chris Lewis, and he pulled a goal back when he reacted first to a cross from John Bradley to turn the ball past Andy Walker. Any chances his side had of completing the comeback were extinguished when Ross Adams was shown a red card for a studs up challenge on Chatting in the middle of the park.

BURNHAM RAMBLERS

Team: Rob Small, Scott Pethers, Harry Stevens, Ross Adams, Reece Brandon, Marc Gorbell, Lewis Wilkin (Lloyd Wilson 73m), Lee Cornhill, Chris Lewis (Ashley Hawkins (84m), Stuart Fergus (c), John Bradley (James Clarke 65m)

Subs Not Used: Charlie Gray, Lloyd Wilson, Keith Wilson

Goalscorers: Chris Lewis (79m)

Yellow Cards: Rob Small (18m), Reece Brandon (52m)

Red Cards: Ross Adams (87m (straight red))



BILLERICAY TOWN

Team: Andy Walker, Dave McSweeney, Ryan O'Rawe, Russell Pond, James Baker, Ian Cousins(c), Danny Green, Sosthene Yao, Luca Frankis, Harrison Chatting, Dave Wareham

Subs Not Used: Jack Edwards, Michael Shinn, Greg Oates, Lewis Lockyer, Billy Bricknell

Goalscorers: Danny Green (19m), Harrison Chatting (46m)

Yellow Cards: Dave McSweeney (57m)

Red Cards: None


HT: 0-1
Attendance: 103

Referee: Thomas Ramsey
Assistant Referees: David Tregaskes, Nigel Bond