Match report by Ryan Connell
Photos by Amanda Protheroe

Billericay booked their place in the FA Trophy 1st Round for the first time in 5 years with a hard fought 1-0 victory at Hitchin on Tuesday night.

Both sides went into the match knowing that victory would ensure themselves a tie against Conference National side Rushden & Diamonds at their plush Nene Park surroundings. Manager Brian Statham made just the one change to his starting XI from Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Billy Bricknell partnering James Baker up front with Dave Wareham dropping to  the bench.
 
The match started in near gale conditions with Hitchin having the wind firmly in their favour attacking the open terraced Bedford Road end. It was the Canaries that started the game more confidently and it was they who were setting the pace early on as the Blues struggled to cope with wind in their faces. But for all Hitchin’s possession they had only one chance of note when James Arlick headed straight to Andy Walker when well placed to score. The Blues gradually played themselves into the match with Shinn and Pond finding some joy in midfield. Bricknell had the Blues first decent opportunity when he was put through by Shinn only for his shot to be wayward.
 
As the half wore on, the Blues defence was nullifying any Hitchin attack whilst Baker and Green both had half chances at the other end. It was Baker though, that broke the deadlock six minutes before the break when Shinn played Pond out wide. His resultant cross was superbly saved twice by Bennett in goal, but Baker was at hand to smash home from close range.
 
With the wind at their backs, Billericay dominated the start of the second half with Baker shooting narrowly wide early on. But as the half progressed and with the Blues beginning to sit deeper, Hitchin stepped up the tempo. Zak Burke shot wide when well placed and then Arlick again was denied by Walker. But Blues, with the pairing of Kersey and Oates looking increasingly solid in defence, ensured that Hitchin soon began to run out of ideas to break through the solid blue line.
 
Michael Shinn almost doubled the lead when his wicked free-kick needed just the faintest of touches to find the net.
 
A frantic finale ensued with Billericay guilty of giving away petty free-kicks to an already over fussy referee. But they held firm and Hitchin lost their cool when Ashley Grinham was red carded for lashing out at Bricknell off the ball.

HITCHIN TOWN

Team: Martin Bennett, Tony Fontenelle, Ashley Grinham, Carl Williams, Louis Lee, Dean Gilbert (c), Ieuan Lewis, Steve Velandia (Jeff Hammond HT), Jamie Arlick, Luke Donnelly, Zak Burke

Subs Not Used: Danny Payne, Lliam McDevitt, Lance Gentle-King, Gavin Dunn

Goalscorers: None

Yellow Cards: Luke Donnelly (34m), Tony Fontenelle (80m)

Red Cards: Ashley Grinham (90+2m)

BILLERICAY TOWN

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

Subs Not Used: Adam Bailey-Dennis, Harrison Chatting, Luca Frankis, Ryan O'Rawe

Goalscorers: James Baker (39m)

Yellow Cards: Russell Pond (24m), James Baker (34m), Ian Cousins (80m)

Red Cards: None

HT: 0-1
Attendance: 219

Referee: S. Butler