Match report by Simon Williams.
Photos by Amanda Protheroe.

Ten man Billericay produced a battling performance to hold on for fifty minutes to take this FA Trophy tie against in-form Hitchin Town to a replay. With Dave McSweeney having been sent off shortly before half time for a reckless challenge, Town spent much of the second half on the back foot but, thanks largely to a determined display by Lee Kersey and Greg Oates at the heart of the rearguard, were able to keep Hitchin at arms length. The visitors, currently top of the table in the Zamaretto League Midlands Division, offered little in attack, even with a man advantage and will have been the more disappointed that they will have to do it all over again on Tuesday.

With a number of players cup-tied, Town boss Brian Statham will have been relieved to see his injury problems start to abate with Greg Oates back in defence and Billy Bricknell amongst the substitutes.

The first ten minutes suggested that this might prove to be an exciting game as chances came at both ends. Jamie Arlick fired over for Hitchin in the opening minutes before Danny Green responded for Billericay with a well struck shot that was held by Hitchin 'keeper Martin Bennett. Bennett then had to be alert to scramble a Dave Wareham shot behind. At the other end Andy Walker had to make a good save to push a Jeff Hammond shot behind.

The game had a lengthy hold up when Walker collided with Greg Oates as both players attempted to clear a Hitchin cross. The Billericay 'keeper sustained a head injury for his troubles, and the delay seemed to take a lot of the sting out of the game which grew increasingly scrappy. The flow was not helped by an inconsistent performance from the referee causing players of both sides to grow increasingly frustrated. Hitchin's Mark Smith was perhaps fortunate the referee did not see him tread on Danny Green with the Town winger on the floor, however Dave McSweeney was not so lucky when he clattered into Ieuan Lewis, and with the Hitchin player rolling around on the floor in apparent agony, the referee produced the red card.

Hitchin started the second half in positive mood, knocking the ball about well, but struggled to convert possession into clear cut chances. For their part Billericay were happy to sit back and defend, with centre halves Lee Kersey and Greg Oates in impressive form in defence. The best chance of the half fell to Hitchin substitute Zak Burke who drew a diving save from Walker. Other than that, the visitors were reduced to shooting from distance and Walker was rarely troubled.

With the emphasis on defending, Billericay rarely threatened themselves however Danny Slatter did have a shot from a tight angle midway through the half, then with almost the last kick of the game the same player almost caught out Martin Bennett with a high ball from just inside the Hitchin half that, caught by the swirling wind bounced just past the post.

BILLERICAY TOWN

Team: Andy Walker, Dave McSweeney, Ian Cousins (c), Michael Shinn, Lee Kersey, Greg Oates, Danny Green (Billy Bricknell 90+4m), Russell Pond, James Baker, Danny Slatter, Dave Wareham (Harrison Chatting 69m)

Subs Not Used: Luca Frankis, Ryan O'Rawe, Jacob Cleaver

Goalscorers: None

Yellow Cards: James Baker (25m), Danny Slatter (42m), Michael Shinn (55m), Russell Pond (86m)

Red Cards: Dave McSweeney (44m)

HITCHIN TOWN

Team: Martin Bennett, Tony Fontenelle, Ashley Ginham, Carl Williams, Mark Smith, Dean Gilbert (c), Ieuan Lewis, Steve Velandia, Jamie Arlick, Jeff Hammond (Lance Gentle-King 88m), Richard Howell (Zak Burke 45+7m)

Subs Not Used: Liam McDevitt, Danny Payne, Gavin Dunn

Goalscorers: None

Yellow Cards: Ieuan Lewis (25m), Ashley Ginham (45m), Jeff Hammond (86m)

Red Cards: None

HT: 0-0
Attendance: 327

Referee: S.P. Butler
Assistant Referees: I. Fissenden, K. Welsh