Billericay Town 3 (Bonne 3, Watts 28, Benton 69) – Torquay United 0
Match report by Ben Mapp
Match photos by Stephen Mold of Photofold camera club
Jon Benton’s fifth goal in as many games capped off a magnificent win for Billericay Town as they defeated Torquay United 3-0 at Pulse Stadium New Lodge.
The hosts got off to the perfect start when Benton crossed for Macauley Bonne to convert from close range after just three minutes.
Billericay dominated the early exchanges and saw a shout for a penalty waved away when Charlie Ruff went down in the area.
Benton was causing the Gulls all sorts of issues but saw his shot sail over from the edge of the box on 20 minutes.
The lead was doubled eight minutes later when a corner wasn’t properly cleared, allowing Callum Watts to fire into the bottom corner from 18 yards to make it 2-0.
Torquay had struggled for any attacking momentum and had their first meaningful shot of the game on 34 minutes, though Matthew Worthington’s effort flew well over the bar.
The Blues had to do some defending to get to half-time with their two-goal lead intact, with George Wind required to block Luke Browne’s shot in the six-yard box.
Joe Wright was then needed to comfortably save Callum Morton’s attempt in first-half stoppage time, ensuring Town went into the break two goals to the good.
The second period saw little goalmouth action for either side in the first 20 minutes, with Torquay controlling possession but failing to trouble Wright or the Billericay defence.
The game was put beyond the visitors on 69 minutes when Watts fed Benton, whose shot took a deflection off Kian Jenkins and wrong-footed Toby Savin to put the hosts three goals in front.
Torquay looked for a response and went close four minutes later when half-time substitute Issac Westendorf fired over from inside the box.
Jacob Beaumont-Clark then stung the palms of Wright on 79 minutes as the Gulls’ search continued for a route back into the game.
Billericay nearly made it four when substitute Frankie Merrifield got goal-side of his man, but Savin raced out to deny him at point-blank range.
Beaumont-Clark went close again two minutes from time before Wright denied Gulls midfielder Matt Jay, while Westendorf struck the side netting deep into injury time.
However, there was no way through for the visitors as Billericay saw out the game to move up to fourth in the table.
Danny Scopes’ side are now just one point off the top of the National League South and are next in action on 10th October, when they host Farnborough.
Billericay Town: Wright; Wind, Scott, Lomas, Porter; Clark, Watts (Macarthur 85); Long (Cerulli 74), Ruff (Odelusi 74), Benton (Valentine 74); Bonne (Merrifield 74)
Subs not used: Parsons, Johnson
Torquay United: Savin; Bernard (Jay 75), Scarff, Browne, Jenkins; Worthington (Westondorf 46), Roberts (Sundire 28); Beaumont-Clark, Lo-Everton, Finn (Robertson 55); Morton (Hayfield 63)
Subs not used: Baker, Hill
Referee: Steven Hughes
Attendance: 1,753
