Tuesday 10th November 2009, Leslie Field, Kick-Off 7:45pm, Essex Senior Cup supported by BBC Essex Third Round.
Billericay Town put their Ryman League worries to one side as they progressed to the Fourth Round of the Essex Senior Cup supported by BBC Essex with a hard-working victory over Senior League leaders Burnham Ramblers at Leslie Field.
Town are currently at the foot of the Ryman League Premier Division and, with a number of players unavailable, wouldn’t have envied the trip to the banks of the River Crouch to face their high-flying hosts. However, the visitors soon grabbed a strong-hold on the game and took the lead with the first real opportunity of the night on 18 minutes.
Ramblers ‘keeper Rob Small was penalised for denying David Wareham with his hands outside the area and was further punished when he could only help push Danny Green’s resulting 20-yard free-kick into the roof of the net. Burnham had chances to level, though, and Billericay stopper Andy Walker reacted well to grab onto Chris Lewis’ stabbed, near-post effort following a low ball from Ross Adams.
Stuart Fergus was played through shortly afterwards but, after an exchange with Lewis Wilkin, he couldn’t quite connect with the final cross into the six yard box. Goalkeeper Small than had a let-off when Sosthene Yao found him out of his goal but could only shoot wide of the gaping net from 25 yards. The hosts could have taken full advantage had it not been for another good stop by Walker, clinging onto Adams’ effort.
It was Town who finished the first period the stronger, however, and two good saves from Small denied firstly Harrison Chatting then Russell Pond, both from range, before Luca Frankis headed a Green corner just wide on the stroke of half-time. Billericay did double their lead just 28 seconds into the second half, Wareham’s low cross falling straight to defender Marc Gorbell who saw his mis-hit clearance strike Chatting and rebound into the net for a gift of a goal.
Burnham, now with a mountain to climb, battled back well and Scott Pethers’ free-kick was saved by Walker prior to a neat move where Wilkins spotted Fergus’ run and his fierce shot was deflected wide of the upright. Small kept the home side in the contest when he excellently palmed Chatting’s effort, from a Green centre, around the post before the home side got their just rewards, pulling a goal back on 78 as Lewis fired into the roof of the net from close range following a pin-point John Bradley cross.
There was little time left to force extra time, though, and Burnham were dealt a blow three minutes from time when Adams was sent-off following a tangle, although Wilkin came close to earning an extra 30 minutes when his 25-yarder flew over the top moments before the final whistle.
Burnham Ramblers: Rob Small, Scott Pethers, Harry Stevens, Ross Adams, Reece Brandon, Marc Gorbell, Lewis Wilkin (Lloyd Wilson, 73), Lee Cornhill, Chris Lewis (Ashley Hawkins, 84), Stuart Fergus, John Bradley (James Clarke, 65). Unused Substitutes: Charlie Gray, Keith Wilson.
Billericay Town: Andy Walker, David McSweeney, Ryan O’Rawe, Russell Pond, James Baker, Ian Cousins, Danny Green, Sosthene Yao, Luca Frankis, Harrison Chatting, David Wareham. Unused Substitutes: Jack Edwards, Michael Shinn, Greg Oates, Lewis Lockyer, Billy Bricknell.
Bookings: Burnham: Small (17, deliberate handball), Brandon (52, unsporting behaviour). Billericay: McSweeney (57, unsporting behaviour).
Sent Off: Burnham: Adams (87, serious foul play).
Referee: Thomas Ramsey (Chelmsford).
Assistant Referees: Nigel Bond (Chelmsford) and David Tregaskes (Chelmsford).
Attendance: 103.
Man-of-the-Match: James Baker (Billericay Town): A centre forward by trade, Billericay’s selection problems saw Baker fill-in at the centre of their defence and he turned-in a brilliantly solid performance, intercepting a number of Burnham attacks, both in the air and on the ground.