Match report by Simon Williams.
Photos by Amanda Protheroe.

Billericay reached the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy with an ultimately convincing replay win over Barton Rovers. A Danny Green brace and another goal for the rapidly improving James Baker were enough to take a patched-up Blues side through to a home tie with Hitchin Town.

With Michael Shinn and Billy Bricknell both missing with knocks picked up in the opening game, manager Brian Statham was able to welcome back Greg Oates and he handed starts to Luca Frankis and Ryan O'Rawe, two products of the clubs youth and reserve set-up.

The new-look side, in which Russell Pond played alongside Matt Hall in the centre of midfield, took a little while to find its rhythm, although Baker did test 'keeper Aaron Fletcher with a shot from a tight angle that almost deceived the Barton stopper at his near post.

Billericay gradually began to take a firm grip of the game and deservedly took the lead midway through the half. The goal did have a touch of good fortune about it as Green's shot took a deflection on it's way to goal that gave Fletcher no chance. The goal gave Town back some of the confidence that they were so clearly lacking and they began to knock the ball about well. They almost doubled their advantage when Dave Wareham let fly with a powerful shot but Fletcher was equal to it and made the save.

Billericay suffered a blow early in the second half when Greg Oates had to go off. Another youngster, Harrison Chatting came on with Wareham dropping back in defence. Barton ejoyed their best spell of the game in the early stages of the half, but with the experienced pair of Ian Cousins and Dave McSweeney in determined mood in the heart of the Billericay defence there was no way through.

Just as it seemed as if Billericay might be getting a little jittery, they scored their second. Luca Frankis got up well to win his header against Lee Wilson. His flick fell to Green who ran at the heart of the Barton defence, beating a couple of tackles before letting fly with a powerful shot to beat Fletcher.

The second goal seemed to knock some of the fight out of the visitors, and with almost the last kick of the game Billericay scored their third. Dave Wareham went on a mazy dribble through the Barton defence before squaring to James Baker who duly scored from close range. After a difficult start to his Billericay career, Baker had an excellent game leading the attack and his goal was his fourth in six games.

Billericay will look to take confidence from this win, which came courtesy of a hard working performance from a young team. Tougher challenges await, but this game has given them something they can hopefully look to build upon when they return to league action.

BILLERICAY TOWN

Team: Andy Walker, Ryan O'Rawe, Ian Cousins (c), Russell Pond, Dave McSweeney, Greg Oates (Harrison Chatting 51m), Danny Green, Matt Hall, Luca Frankis (Sosthene Yao 80m), James Baker, Dave Wareham

Subs Not Used: Fiston Manuella, Leon Antoine, Jack Edwards

Goalscorers: Danny Green (20m, 75m), James Baker (90+4m)

Yellow Cards: None

Red Cards: None


BARTON ROVERS

Team: Aaron Fletcher, Ricky Case, Adam Scanlon, Chris Hewitt, Lee Wilson (Richard Pringle 80m), Ashley Daniels, Sam Spencer, Tommy Hull, Russell Bull, Joel Mason (c), Peter Duffy (Paul Andrews 69m)

Subs Not Used: Tawhid Juneja, Gary Fitzgerald, Grant Beckwith

Goalscorers: None

Yellow Cards: Ashley Daniels (86m)

Red Cards: None


HT: 1-0
Attendance: 207

Referee: Paul Kelly
Assistant Referees: David Tregaskes, Roman Kipikasa