Billericay give Aveley the Christmas blues

In the FA Trophy, a severely depleted Bognor Regis Town- only thirteen fit or available players- travelled to take on National League North promotion chasers Banbury United, and departed the competition by the odd goal in seven. That's a rather fine result given their rather strained circumstances, and given the fact that United are in seventh place in their Division and in fine form, with five wins from their previous six- including the six-nil hammering of our very own Stowmarket Town in the last round.

The Rocks fell behind to a Jay Williams goal just before the half hour, but levelled through James Crane seven minutes after the restart. Two quick goals for the hosts, both from Giorgio Rasulo, put them back in command, but with seven minutes remaining Dan Gifford reduced the deficit once more to set up an extiting finale. Sadly with a minute to go and the Rocks pushing for an equaliser the sixth goal of the night came at the other end, Ben Acquaye with it- and although there was still time for Sam De St Croix to get a third for the visitors, their Trophy campaign is over.

Back to the bread and butter, and in the Pitching In Isthmian Premier Billericay Town got back to winning ways, with two second half goals defeating fifth place Aveley- who drop out of the top five on goal difference as a result, Canvey Island the beneficiaries.

The opener came six minutes after the break, Matt Price heading home a cross from Brad Stevenson, and although the Millers pushed for an equaliser- forcing a goal line clearance and having a penalty denied by an offside flag- they then saw substitute Manny Ogunrinde sent off as we approached full time. Eze Ebuzoeme immediately capitalised, adding a second.

We're not sure that Billericay's new star centre forward, pictured in red, will score many goals in those boots- but thanks to Nicky Hayes for the picture!

Our clash between second and third, as Bishop's Stortford welcomed Potters Bar Town, was a tight affair which ended with both sides having to be content with a point apiece. We suspect the visitors will be more content with that than the Blues, and perhaps that Hornchurch will have an even greater share of contentment as they are four points clear at the top and Stortford no longer have a game in hand.

The Blues took the lead on sixty four minutes, and it came from a familiar source, Frankie Merrifield with his eleventh of the season, a shot across the keeper into the bottom corner. The equaliser arrived quickly, Mohammed Kamara waiting just four minutes to bring his side level, and the Blues needed the ever-reliable Jack Giddens to make a fantastic save from Scholars debutant Wranyel Hercules to save a point right at the end.

Hastings United made it five unbeaten- and a third win from that set- by defeating Margate at Hartsdown Park, in a match which saw a late home red card. Ben Pope gave United the lead just before the half hour, the striker apparently slotting the ball through the legs of Daniel Jinadu in the hosts goal. United weren't ahead for long, Sam Blackman giving the Blues parity six minutes before the break, but thirteen minutes from time came the killer blow, a Tom Chalmers cross laid back by Pope for Kane Penn to fire home.

Peter Ojemen was the man dismissed.

United are up to ninth. Gate are sixteenth, eight points behind their visitors.

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