Angels the latest club to clip Billericay's wings

By Ian Townsend

It's our Thursday night round up!

After five straight league defeats Billericay Town must have hoped that last Thursday’s triumph over Dorking Wanderers, followed by Tuesday night’s Essex Senior Cup victory over Chelmsford City, demonstrated that the wheels were firmly back on the title-favourites bandwagon. Last night, however, one of them fell off once more, as despite taking the lead at Longmead the Blues crashed 2-1 to a rejuvenated Tonbridge Angels.

As often happens when adversity strikes, since last months announced budget cut and the release of a number of senior players Angels have thrived, and last night they celebrated manager Steve McKimm’s new contract by coming from behind to take all three points. When Billy Bricknell put Billericay ahead with a strike from inside the box on thirty-seven minutes it looked like the gap at the top would be reduced to two points, but a volley from Joe Turner with fifteen minutes to go was followed by a Nathan Elder header ten minutes later, and Angels were left to celebrate a victory which moves them up to ninth place.

In the North Division a Heybridge Swifts side facing their fifth match in ten crazy days were down to the bare bones at Bury Town, with only twelve fit outfield players. A win would have taken them into the playoff places, and they took the lead through Luke Callander with nineteen minutes remaining, but Bury bounced back, a Cemal Ramadan double ensuring that the points remained at Ram Meadow. At Plantation Park Norwich United fielded their new- and rather improbable- loan signing from Leiston, Matt Blake, and the striker found the scoresheet, but sadly for the home side it was to be only a consolation in a 2-1 defeat, Hertford Town the victors. First half goals from Jason Beck and Charlie Ruff did the damage.

Brentwood Town borrowed Aveley’s stadium earlier this week and scored seven goals, but the Millers weren’t so charitable when visiting the Arena last night. Harry Gibbs gave the home side the lead, but Tom Richardson equalised seven minutes later and then, four minutes into stoppage time, Max Bradford sent Aveley home happy to make it six wins- and two draws- from their last nine.

The South Division saw matches at Herne Bay and South Park, Whyteleafe and Sittingbourne the visitors. At Altira Park Bay took the lead through Junior Efosa Aikhionbare only to see John Scarborough equalise for Leafe just before the break, but Danny Leonard gave the home side the points thirteen minutes into the second half. Sittingbourne took a first half lead through Kane Rowland- it always seems to be Kane Rowland- at the Sparks, and Lewis Chambers doubled that lead eleven minutes after the break. Ben Senior halved the lead soon afterwards, but the Brickies held out to take the points. Bay climb to twelfth, Sittingbourne to sixteenth.

Tonight we have a top of the table clash in the North Division, as Bowers & Pitsea entertain AFC Hornchurch.

Where next?

Bowers win the clash of the North Titans North Division top two battle at the Len Salmon
Jammers sign former Spurs striker Maldon & Tiptree reinforce for their promotion push

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