Billericay Town 4 (Bonne 4, 18, Merrifield 89, 90+4) – Farnborough 0
Match report by Ben Mapp
Match photos by Chris Woolridge, Photofold Camera Club
Macauley Bonne and Frankie Merrifield both netted twice as Billericay Town comfortably defeated Farnborough at Pulse Stadium New Lodge.
Billericay started on the front foot and came close on three minutes when Taylor Clark stung the palms of Lucas Thomas in the Farnborough goal.
The deadlock was broken a minute later when Charlie Ruff’s shot crashed off the underside of the bar and Bonne reacted quickest to head home the opener.
Bonne should have had his second soon after when Thomas’ clearance fell to the striker 20 yards out, but his attempted lob lacked the power to beat the keeper.
Farnborough’s first real opening came when Kasim Aidoo’s inswinging corner had to be tipped over by Joe Wright in the Town goal.
Billericay made it two on 18 minutes when Elliot Long’s shot was deflected into the path of Bonne, whose header beat Thomas to double the hosts’ advantage.
The visitors nearly pulled one back on 36 minutes, but Wright produced a spectacular save to keep out Tate Xavier-Jones’ diving header.
Billericay created two chances of their own soon after, first when Clark was denied by Thomas, before Jon Benton dragged an effort just wide of the upright.
Charlie Ruff then fired a free-kick over the bar in first-half stoppage time, while at the other end Farnborough appealed for a penalty when Jay Porter tangled with Sam Okoye, however the referee was unmoved, ensuring Billericay retained their 2-0 lead at the break.
The second half saw less action in front of goal, with an injury delay to Billericay’s Jay Porter preventing either side from building much momentum in the early stages of the half.
Bonne almost completed his hat-trick when he raced clear on goal on 59 minutes, but Thomas blocked his shot with his legs.
Farnborough mustered an attempt of their own six minutes later when Mason Bloomfield connected with a corner, though his header was straight at Wright.
The Blues searched for a third in the latter stages and came close when Benton flashed a shot wide on 82 minutes.
Tyler Frost then nearly pulled a goal back for the visitors, but saw his shot well blocked by George Wind.
The points were secured on 89 minutes when substitute Frankie Merrifield latched onto Nico Valentine’s long ball, rounded Thomas well outside his area and rolled the ball into an empty net.
There was still time for a fourth deep into injury time, as after Thomas had saved Long’s shot, Merrifield reacted quickest to a loose ball and turned home his second to seal a convincing win for Billericay.
Danny Scopes’ side move up to third in the National League South and kick off their defence of the Essex Senior Cup on Tuesday night away to Brentwood Town.
Billericay Town: Wright; Wind, Scott, Lomas, Porter (Parsons 56); Clark, Watts (Martin Sorondo 70); Long, Ruff (Valentine 73), Benton (Macarthur 88); Bonne (Merrifield 84)
Subs not used: Appiah, Odelusi
Farnborough: Thomas; Jackson, Robinson (Dewsbury 46), Ehmer; Okoye (Golding 73), Lapslie (Blaize 56), Keeya (Burley 81), Frost, Aidoo; Xavier-Jones (Whitelock 75), Bloomfield
Subs not used: Walder, Reindorf
Referee: Charles Martland
Attendance: 1,352
