Bradley Williams’ late header ensured Billericay Town won our third Velocity Cup thanks to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Chatham Town.
KICK-OFF
It was a bright start for the Chats, who are looking for a late dart into the play-off places, and they went closest when Freddie Sears fired straight into a body of blue players.
Nonetheless, Gary McCann’s side weathered an early storm and struck the killer blow two minutes later through an unlikely source. Following a corner, the ball fell for Tommy Davis who put the ball on a plate for Ben Steward, confidently finding the net from the edge of the box for his first goal of the season.
Chatham remained a threat and should have drawn level just before the half-hour mark as Jamie Yila cut the ball back for Sears who couldn’t find the target, firing wide from inside the box.
The deserved second came ten minutes before the end of the opening period courtesy of Frankie Merrifield as Matt Johnson found the forward to sneak the ball into the bottom corner.
HALF-TIME: BLUES 2-0 CHATHAM TOWN
Chatham started the second period with a renewed purpose and halved the deficit two minutes in as Ufuah utilised his searing pace before cutting the ball back for Yila to smash home from close range.
A blistering start for the Chats resulted in them getting the leveller on 49 minutes, former Blues striker Kareem Isiaka delivered the goods to lift the ball into the roof of the net from a corner.
Following a feisty start to the second period, the Blues slowly grew back into the game and had chances to restore the one-goal cushion through Elliot Long who brought Henry Molyneux into action with a good stop before Steward fired over the crossbar from a tight angle on the right.
After it looked like the final would be settled during extra-time and potentially penalties, Williams ensured he would be the headline-maker as he rose highest to angle in Jack Paxman’s corner in additional time.
FULL-TIME: BLUES 3-2 CHATHAM TOWN
We return to action on Saturday with a trip to face Potters Bar Town – match information will be released on the Club’s social media platforms tomorrow.
Billericay Town: Donkin, Porter, Johnson, Merrifield, Davis (McKenzie 81′), Miller-Rodney, Akinwande (Nzala 90+5′), Paxman, Steward (Panton 81′), Williams, Long (Sheriff 72′)
Chatham Town: Molyneux, Webster (Jambang 89′), Aidoo, Robins (Liburd 90+4′), Butler, Isiaka (Mongoy 57′), Evans, Sears, Yila, Cooper, Ufuah (Chambers 90+4′)
Attendance: 1,268
