Match report by Ryan Connell.

BILLERICAY bowed out of this season’s League Cup when a youthful but spirited Blues side went down 2-0 at high flying Concord Rangers on Thursday night.
 
Having beaten league leaders Dartford just 48 hours previously and with a huge league game at home to Harrow on Saturday, Blues boss Brian Statham rang the changes and utilised his squad. Ashley Dumas started his first game since December with Gareth Street and Dave Wareham getting a much needed 90 minutes.

The game started frantically and took some time to settle. But it was the Blues who generally held the upper hand in the first half and they should’ve scored when Harrison Chatting found himself one on one with former Town keeper Dale Brightly who saved sharply at the feet of the tricky winger.
 
Chances continued to come and Brightly was again called into action when he saved at his near post after Dave Wareham found himself clear of the home side's defence.
 
Mike Marsh and Jacob Cleaver were proving a handful upfront with their pace and it was Marsh who brought about another save from Brightly as his heavily disguised shot/cross almost caught the Concord No.1 cold. Both Chatting and Cleaver went close before Concord should’ve scored with their first real attack when their forward missed from close range.
 
The second half started largely without action until new Rangers signing Leon Fisher put the home side ahead in the 57th minute. Two minutes later the unfortunate Connel Dunlop headed past Walker in goal to effectively end the tie.
 
A flurry of chances ensued at both ends but on a bitterly cold night, the Blues couldn’t force the breakthrough to pressure the scoreline, but both teams can be satisfied with their nights work.

Team: Andy Walker, Kane Branson, Connel Dunlop, Ryan O'Rawe, Ashley Dumas, Harrison Chatting (Billy Radley 50m), Gareth Street, Leon Rolle (C) (Keiran English 56m), Mike Marsh, Jacob Cleaver (Bradley Burgess 77m), Dave Wareham.

Subs Not Used: Lewis Lockyer, Tom Deval

HT: 0-0
Attendance: 126