Match Report by Simon Williams. Photos by Amanda Protheroe.
Billericay were given an almighty scare as they made progress in the FA Cup with Clacton just minutes away from forcing a replay before Town hit three late goals to give them the win, and the scoreline a gloss it scarcely deserved.
Injury ravaged Billericay were without their entire first choice defence for this game, not to mention midfielders Jamie Dormer, Matt Game and Wayne Semanshia. Marc Clarey was pressed into service despite not being fully fit however Billericay suffered another injury blow when Rikki Burbridge departed with a broken wrist after just a couple of minutes play.
His replacement, Joe Flack, lost no time in getting involved as he crossed to Ferguson whose shot was saved by Craig Rulton, however Billy Bricknell was on hand to prod home the rebound.
Town then took their foot off the pedal, allowing Clacton plenty of possession, however Billericay continued to enjoy the better chances. Joe Flack twice saw shots blocked by desperate last-ditch challenges from the Clacton defence, whilst Lynvall Duncan powered a header narrowly over the bar at a corner.
Clacton caught Billericay napping early in the second half when sloppy defending let in Sean Hillier to score. The goal saw Town begin to look decidedly shaky and Jack Buckfield had to push a dipping shot from Lee Barrett over the bar. Paul Shave, now playing in defence after Marc Clarey had gone off headed a free kick against the post for Town before Buckfield made another save from Hillier. Billericay had a clear-cut penalty waved away when Gregg Heighway used his hands to deflect Joe Flack's cross away from Bricknell.
As the game entered the final few minutes of normal time, it looked as though a replay was going to be required with Billericay seemingly running out of steam. Clacton's hopes of taking the game back to The Rush Green Bowl were dashed when they conceded a penalty. Dave Wareham burst into the box, only to pulled back by Andy Taylor, Joe Flack converted from the spot. Minutes later Bradley Woods-Garness hit a thunderbolt to settle Town's nerves and Bricknell hit his second of the afternoon deep in injury time at the end.
