Match Report by Simon Williams. Photos by Amanda Protheroe.
Billericay threw away their chances of a good run in the FA Trophy on Saturday as they self-destructed. Leading the game, and seemingly in control, the Blues were reduced to nine men as both Paul Shave and Joe Flack were sent off in five minutes of first half madness. Billericay battled well thereafter, but Concord made their two man advantage count with Danny Heale able to net a second half hat-trick as Town tired.
Billericay were able to welcome back defenders Neil Marron and Lynvall Duncan for this game whilst Billy Bricknell came through a fitness test to lead the attack.
Town got off to the perfect start when they took the lead in the second minute. Bricknell won the ball in midfield and played it out to Dave Wareham on the left wing. Wareham advanced a couple of paces before delivering a pin point cross that Bricknell headed past Rafis to score.
The goal seemed to settle Town who dominated the opening half hour with Wareham curling a shot inches over when well placed and Rafis looking thoroughly unconvincing in keeping Joe Flack's snap shot out.
Things started to go wrong for Town when Paul Shave was the first to see red after picking up two yellow cards in two minutes. Whilst he can feel somewhat aggrieved about the first when he cleanly won the ball in a tackle, he can have no complaints about the second as he betrayed a lack of common sense to launch himself into a rash tackle near the touch-line. Joe Flack then showed the same lack of judgement as he appeared to lead with his elbow when challenging for a fifty-fifty high ball on the Billericay right.
Down to nine men, Billericay were forced onto the back foot for the remainder of the half with Danny Heale heading over from close range and Cowley seeing his cross-come-shot tipped onto the bar by Ronnie Worster.
Half time saw Billericay make a change with Solomon Henry coming on to bolster the midfield at the expense of the unfortunate Dave Wareham. Town were able to hold on until the hour mark, but it was just a matter of time before Concord scored and once Heale had equallised with another close range header, he gave his side the lead minutes after when Billericay had only managed to half clear a corner.
Billericay kept working and almost grabbed a dramatic late equalliser when Rafis tipped Bricknell's drive over the bar, but it was not to be and with almost the last kick of the game Heale wrapped up the win, and his hat-trick when he finished off a quick counter attack.
