Match report By Ben Mapp
Photography by Keeran Marquis
Frankie Merrifield struck in each half to fire Billericay Town into the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round with a confident home win over Hednesford Town at New Lodge.
After Saturday’s stalemate in Staffordshire, Danny Scopes’ side knew victory would seal a trip to National League North outfit Spennymoor Town. The Blues started brightly, with Jack Evans seeing his fifth-minute free-kick deflect just over before Liam Nash was denied by a sharp low save from Pitmen goalkeeper Tony Breeden. Hednesford responded midway through the half when Jamie Morgan forced Sam Donkin into a smart stop at his near post.
Both sides had chances as the half wore on. Defender Oliver Harrison glanced a header wide for the visitors before Max Jolliffe fired narrowly off target for the Blues. The breakthrough arrived on 36 minutes when Evans’ fierce strike was tipped onto the bar by Breeden, only for Merrifield to react quickest and tuck away the rebound.
Billericay continued to press after the restart, with Nash’s free-kick deflected behind and a goalmouth scramble somehow scrambled clear by Breeden and his defenders. Hednesford remained dangerous at the other end with striker Ahkeem Rose twice going close. First, Donkin was on hand to save his first effort at the near post before another attempt fizzed over. Ike Orji was also on hand to preserve Ricay’s clean sheet with a crucial block on the line with five minutes to go.
The hosts regained control late on, substitute Elliot Long curling against the crossbar before delivering the decisive moment two minutes from time. Long’s pinpoint cross was swept in by Merrifield to seal the win. Midfielder Ryan Blackman was denied a stoppage-time third by Breeden, but the Blues had already secured their place in the next round, reaching the Fourth Qualifying Round for the second time in three seasons.