Billericay Town kick-off the season with the visit of Wingate & Finchley, the fourth consecutive season the Blues have opened the campaign at New Lodge.
It’s been a summer of change in CM12 with nine new additions including Liam Nash, Jack Evans and Troy Howard. Nonetheless, Gary McCann has managed to keep hold of last season’s spine with several influential figures from last term – most notably Matt Johnson, Frankie Merrifield and Femi Akinwande.
A mixed pre-season saw good performances against Enterprise National League opponents Boreham Wood and Aldershot Town before a 6-0 defeat to Horsham in the Charity Shield last time out.
Can the Blues make it four wins from four on opening day or will a rejuvenated Wingate & Finchley look to upset the apple cart?
THE OPPOSITION
Looking to build on a good mid-table finish last term, Wingate & Finchley have their sights set on a play-off push following a summer of astute recruitment.
The first through the door were defenders Mackye Townsend-West and Kyron Horsley-McKay, formerly of Stevenage and Millwall respectively. A familiar face to Blues fans will be Alfie Cutbush who also put pen to paper on a deal for this season in North London – the 22-year-old had a brief stint at New Lodge at the start of last season before heading to Heybridge Swifts.
A fan favourite has also returned to the Maurice Rebak Stadium in Sam Cornish, the ex-Hashtag United attacking midfielder won Wingate’s Player of the Season three seasons ago. Forward Ada Okorogheye has additionally been added to their attacking ranks after playing an instrumental role in Uxbridge’s promotion from the Isthmian South Central Division.
Also in the forward line this term will be Isaac Stones who netted on 50 occasions in the past two seasons at Hadley as well as ex-Hastings United midfielder Adam Lovatt.
However, they have lost two key figures in their 2024/25 campaign in Toby Byron who has joined Enterprise National League South side Worthing and clinical striker Ogo Obi who will be representing Farnham Town.
Ahmet Rifat has managed to keep hold of eight of last season’s squad nonetheless, including ex-Billericay Town forward Cain Keller.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
We met on two occasions in the Isthmian Premier Division last term.
The first clash came with a 1-0 away win as Charlie Panton netted the only goal of the game to pick up three points in December. Wingate & Finchley visited New Lodge in March and ran out as 3-1 winners in a resilient showing. Despite Alfie Cerulli taking the lead with a stunning free-kick, the visitors fought back and a brace from Ore Bello as well as Ogo Obi’s strike sealed the win.
AROUND THE GROUNDS
While newly-promoted Brentwood Town kick-off their campaign against Brett Munyard’s new-look Aveley side tonight, there are several interesting match-ups to keep an eye on this weekend.
Last season’s play-off finalists Dartford travel to Champion Hill to lock horns with Dulwich Hamlet and Potters Bar Town will play their first game on their 3G surface with the visit of Burgess Hill Town. Elsewhere, Ramsgate will be hoping to mark their Isthmian Premier Division return with a home win over Whitehawk.
HOW TO FOLLOW
If you are unable to get to the game, we will be providing in-game updates throughout the afternoon on our social media platforms. Alternatively, BTFC Live Radio will be on commentary duties with coverage starting shortly before kick-off.