A late goal from Sam Lechmere saw ten-man Billericay start their debut Blue Square Bet South campaign with a win on Saturday. Chris Wild had earlier given Town the lead before an own goal and a red card for Jay May made it a nervy second half.

For their first match in the conference south, Town were without skipper Rob Swaine. There were debuts for new arrivals Jake Larkins in goal, Luke I’Anson in midfield and Alex Osborn up front, whilst a fourth new signing, Tunde Adewunmi was on the bench.

After a cagey opening, it was Billericay that took the lead. A deep corner from Glenn Poole was headed back across his own goal by Jake Ash and Chris Wild was on hand to bundle home from close range.

The game started to open up after the goal and Alex Osborn had a golden opportunity to double the lead when he was put through by Jay May, but his control let him down when clean through. At the other end a miskick from keeper Jake Larkins gifted Keiffer Moore a chance but he shot against the post with the goal at his mercy. Shortly before half time a long-range drive from Glenn Poole was pushed over by Tim Sandercombe in the Truro goal.

The second half was minutes old when Truro drew level. Wild was again involved as he turned the ball past his own keeper after Les Afful’s pacey run and cross caused panic in the Billericay defence.

Things got even worse for Town on the hour mark when May was sent off for a clash with Ash. Minutes later Cody Cooke blazed over with the entire goal in front of him as Town’s back four went missing. Keiffer Moore again went close for the visitors with a shot that was blocked by the Town defence as Truro sought to capitalise on some uncertainty at the back.

As the half wore on, Billericay were able to introduce the likes of Dave Collis and Jared Small from the bench, and the fresh legs gave them a boost. Sam Lechmere went close with a cheeky back heel from a Green cross that was saved by Sandercombe, although he didn’t seem to know much about it.

Just as it seemed the game would end in a draw, Nathan Green escaped down the left and delivered a deep cross that was turned in by Lechmere to seal the points for the home side. There was still time for Tunde Adenwunmi to add to the list of squandered chances when he ran past a fast-tiring Aaran Pugh but shot wide from in front of goal.

Teams:

Billericay Town
Jake Larkins, Greg Oates, Nathan Green, Luke I’Anson (Dave Collis 66mins), Richard Halle, Chris Wild, Sam Lechmere, Glenn Poole, Jay May (Sent-Off 60), Alex Osborn (Tunde Adewunmi 82mins), Harrison Chatting (Jared Small 78mins)

Subs not used: Craig Edwards, Dale Brightley

Truro City
Sandercombe, Green, Williams, Pugh, Cooke, Ash, Kelly, Adlesbury (Carne 87mins), Afful, Moore, Broad

Subs not used: Hall

Att: 404