The first-ever league meeting between Billericay Town and Hashtag United at New Lodge comes on Saturday in the Isthmian Premier Division.
The Blues have been on a disappointing run of form of late having lost their last four league games. This culminated in Gary McCann’s side falling to a 6-3 defeat at fellow promotion hopefuls Chatham Town last time out with the Chats’ attacking prowess shining through.
We were in action on Tuesday night with the visit of New Salamis, occupants of the Isthmian North Division, in a friendly at New Lodge and we ran out as 6-1 winners.
An opportunity to put this poor run to an end with the visit of Hashtag, a side who secured a 2-1 win over us in November.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the game.
OPPOSITION FOCUS
Hashtag’s rise through the divisions can be described as nothing short of remarkable. After entering the non-league scene in 2016, the Tags have secured three promotions in five seasons which saw them promoted as champions of the Isthmian North Division last term.
While also having a very successful women’s side who ply their trade in the same division as our women’s team, Hashtag currently sit in 12th place in their first season in the Isthmian Premier Division.
They picked up their first win at this level in the second game of the season with a convincing 4-1 victory at Concord Rangers but had a fairly inconsistent run of games after drawing on several occasions. This saw them share the spoils with Bognor Regis Town and Folkestone Invicta as well as a 3-0 loss to Hornchurch in the opening weeks of the campaign.
Hashtag were able to cut out this inconsistent form after going on a fine run of form heading into November as they only suffered one defeat in 11 outings in all competitions. They dismantled league leaders Hornchurch in the BBC Essex Senior Cup with a 7-0 win, although the Urchins fielded their U18’s side, as well as league victories over Canvey Island, Haringey Borough and Folkestone Invicta.
This impressive run came to an end with the visit of Hornchurch on New Year’s Day as they lost 3-0. Their inconsistencies were shown by a surprise 5-0 defeat at Potters Bar Town which started a five-game losing run. This also saw the Tags involved in 27 goals in five games as they fell to a 5-4 defeat to Bognor Regis, drew 3-3 with Enfield Town and lost 3-2 at home to Lewes.
A trip to promotion hopefuls Chatham looked like another defeat could be on the board for Jay Devereux’s side but they ran out as 3-2 victors. Last time out, they shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw with Carshalton Athletic as Charlie Lambert cancelled out Luke May-Parrott’s opener on 12 minutes.
The last time we met Hashtag was in November with a trip to the Len Salmon Stadium. On a disappointing evening for the Blues, we fell to a 2-1 defeat as Ryan Henshaw received a red card on 27 minutes and Alfie Cue as Pedro Carvalho were on the scoresheet for the Tags with Moses Emmanuel’s late wonder strike counting for nothing.
FORM GUIDE
Our last win came with a trip to Lewes at the start of February and we have lost our lost four in the league.
Hashtag have had a mixed run of results lately, drawing their last three league matches.
SUPPORTER INFORMATION
Tickets are available online or at the gate with admission prices as detailed below. Online tickets can be purchased by clicking here.
Adults – £12
Concession £7
Young Adult (12-17) – £5
11 or under – £1
The clubhouse will be open from 11:00am and the Happy Hour lasts from 12:30pm to 2pm. Leeds United’s trip to Huddersfield Town in the Sky Bet Championship will be shown at 12:30pm with Luton Town’s game against Aston Villa in the Premier League being shown at 5:30pm.
The two food courts in two corners of the ground nearest the turnstiles will be open, selling a wide range of food and drinks.
Our matchday programme and 50/50 tickets can be bought from the turnstiles. The programme is only £3 and includes the thoughts of Gary McCann, an update from the owners, insight on our visitors and much more.
AROUND THE GROUNDS
One of last season’s play-off semi-finals saw Hornchurch and Cray Wanderers lock horns and they do so again on Saturday. Kingstonian, currently eight points adrift from safety, have Dulwich Hamlet visiting Imperial Fields.
Carshalton Athletic vs Chatham Town
Cheshunt vs Folkestone Invicta
Concord Rangers vs Bognor Regis Town
Hornchurch vs Cray Wanderers
Kingstonian vs Dulwich Hamlet
Lewes vs Canvey Island
Margate vs Horsham
Potters Bar Town vs Haringey Borough
Whitehawk vs Enfield Town
Wingate & Finchley vs Hastings United
IMAGE CREDITS: Jon Bird/Photofold Camera Club & Stephen Mold/Photofold Camera Club
