Match report by Ryan Connell. Photos by Amanda Protheroe.
Billericay travelled to Southern League Midlands side Barton Rovers for the first time in 11 years and secured their name in Monday’s draw but alas not ensuring themselves completely in the third qualifying round.
The Blues welcomed back loanee Matt Hall to the side and with Greg Oates still missing through injury, Ian Cousins and Dave McSweeney continued their left/right-back partnership at the heart of the defence. Lawrence Yiga retained his starting place despite his red card at Bognor the previous week.
Kicking up the slope it didn’t take long for the hosts to open their account, Joel Mason punishing the Blues for sloppy defending after seven minutes. Despite conceding early, a habit that manger Brian Statham simply needs to eradicate, the Blues dominated possession. The Barton keeper, despite his lack of years was in fine form but could do nothing to prevent James Baker scoring his third goal of the season with a simple tap-in after Bricknell’s initial effort rebounded off the post.
The Blues continued control of the game led to Micky Shinn firing in the second from 25 yards past the despairing arm of keeper Aaron Fletcher to give Billericay the lead they had threatened just before the half hour mark. Yiga, Bricknell and Baker all had chances to further the score-line but a combination of dogged defending, inspired keeping and fluffed chances meant Barton went in at half-time still in the game.
The second half started as a carbon copy of the first when Joel Mason found himself completely unmarked at the back stick to smash home Barton’s equaliser six minutes in. This goal galvanised the hosts whose work-rate and team spirit was exemplary. Billericay’s gradual toothlessness in attack led to unease at the back and it was Barton who impressed and looked the most likely to go on and win the tie. Indeed, they should’ve taken the lead fifteen minutes from time when substitute Russell Bull missed a virtual open goal to give his side a sniff of glory.
Despite being a division lower and in penultimate position in their league, Barton will travel in confident mood to New Lodge. The Blues will need to be aware that Horsham fell to Rovers after a replay and Billericay have yet to record a victory against lower league opposition this season, within permitted time, despite having four attempts to do so. Surely it will be fifth time lucky??
BARTON ROVERS
Team: Aaron Fletcher, Ash Daniels, Adam Scanlon, Sam Spencer, Lee Wilson, Tawhid Juneja (Paul Andrews HT), Ricky Case, Tommy Hull, Richard Pringle (Russell Bull HT), Joel Mason (c), Peter Duffy (Chris Hewitt HT)
Subs Not Used: Gary Fitzgerald, Grant Beckwith
Goalscorers: Joel Mason (7m, 51m)
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
BILLERICAY TOWN
Team: Andy Walker, Russell Pond, Dave Wareham, Michael Shinn (Fiston Manuella 48m), Ian Cousins (c), Danny Green, Matt Hall, James Baker, Billy Bricknell, Lawrence Yiga (Ryan O'Rawe 72m)
Subs Not Used: Harrison Chatting, Luca Frankis, Sosthene Yao
Goalscorers: James Baker (23m), Michael Shinn (29m)
Yellow Cards: James Baker (81m), Matt Hall (89m)
Red Cards: None
HT: 1-2 Attendance: 140
Referee: P. Maton Assistant Referees: P. Bliss & C. Gee
First Team
Sat 4th February 1st XI v Hendon League. OFF
Fri 10th February Aveley v 1st XI League. K.O. 19:45
Under 21s
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