Canvey Island Reserves 0-4 Billericay Town Reserves
Wednesday 14th October
Presidents Cup

Match report by John Mifsud.

Whist everyone has been tip-toeing around on egg shells with masks on and waiting for Doomsday to happen (for what ever the reasons may be), BILLERICAY TOWN FC took a squad of unusual suspects of Ressie players consisting of 16 year olds up to first team squad players and unleashed armageddon against a very, VERY strong Reserve Canvey Island side, reminding everyone who BTFC are just in case anyone is suffering from not only an identity crisis but also a touch of Alzheimer's.  For make no mistake, if you dare scratch the surface at New Lodge you will NOT find it paper thin, but of re-enforced Blue Steel which is what the hosts found out for themselves, displaying a magnificent 90 mins of pure footballing magic. A game which at the end was applauded by all who decided to attend.

The game plan that was put in place before the kick off was executed with perfect timing and commitment, an easy plan (which of course is a secret).  By the time the Gulls had realised what was happening their keeper was picking the ball out of the back of the net after Blues new signing, striker (an ex-Billericay u/18s) Antony Aylett sprung the off side trap to smash home Town's first of the evening after only just 5 mins played.
 
10mins later the Blues scored again after a free kick was awarded to the visitors just on the edge of the Canvey box.  Up steps H', looks at the ref, the ref nods and then Harry unleashes the most ferocious shot ever seen outside of Nasa Space Centre that set off all of Canvey's caravan alarms ringing as it broke the sound barrier.  In fact by the time the Host's had realised what had happened for a second time, the ball was sitting wedged high in the back of the net stuck in the top part of the metal framework.
 
Canvey were now beginning to wake up to the horror at hand.  Not only had they a tough game on their hands but also a problem, for they must have been thinking how do we stop a side that aren't here to get autographs but instead are bent intent to want to play 8 men in our box refusing to let anyone out?

With Blues defence consisting of Keeper Danny Fowler whose command of the defenders was faultless, commanding Jack Edwards, Connel Dunlop, and still only 16 years old Robert Field, who I must say had absolute outstanding game. Then in the hole just in front of the back three sat mother hen, the skipper age 19!  Ryan O'Rawe (The Cleaner) mopping up any loose ends that the midfielders might have overlooked.  Then comes the Midfielders (The Iron Curtain) consisting of Luca Frankis on the right, Kieran English and Bradley Burgess in the centre and Harrison Chatting on the left, with Antony Aylett and Chris Sullivan up front.

Well, to answer Canvey's question?  it didn't come easy as Chris Sullivan pounced on a loose ball just inside the 6 yard box to smash home Town's third of the evening on 42mins to take a well deserved 3 nil lead into half time.
 
Second Half, Game Plan Part 2.
I know? While they're thinking how to get a quick goal back, we stick a couple more players in the host's box and have their strikers defend too, for it was only fair that everyone should get a run out and do a bit as they felt so left out in the first half.

And so it was! Another 45 mins of wave upon wave of Blue's attacks, which thankfully and miraculously for the hosts only lead to one more goal for Town, which was had by another new signing and ex u/18s midfielder/striker Kieran English.
 
To sum up the match fairly, Canvey Island has a very good and strong squad of players. The side we played on that evening were exactly just that!
But, we were just a tad better................................ 

MOM.   Trust me,  their keeper!
 
Squad.
As above plus Mike Marsh, Kofie Kessi, Kane Branson, Lewis Lockyer.
 
Well played the Blues.