Billericay Town 4 Leverstock Green 1

Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round, Saturday 3rd September

I took in an Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round tie on Saturday and saw hosts Billericay Town come from behind to defeat Leverstock Green and avoid a shock to reach the Second Qualifying Round at New Lodge.

The home side have started life in the third tier of the non league pyramid, this after relegation from the Vanarama National South, not well at all, they sit bottom of the Isthmian Premier having lost four out of five so far, their only win did come at home though which was a crumb of comfort ahead of this home FA Cup tie against a side two levels below them in Leverstock Green. 

Lev Green had in contrast started their league campaign perfectly, having a 100% record in their three games so far, and just three points off the leaders with a game in hand too, they had come through two FA Cup ties to reach this stage, netting a 3-0 home win over Essex Senior League Halstead Town before needing a replay and then penalties against St Panteleimon after a 2-2 and 3-3 draw, the replay saw them 2-0 down after 88 minutes as well, so they certainly had been through some drama to set up this tie at New Lodge.

Billericay were of course entering the FA Cup at this stage so this was their first tie of the competition this season, and no doubt a welcome distraction from the woes of the league, they had lost four straight coming into this tie, but surely they would see off a side two steps below them and maybe kick their season into life? 

Well, the home side should have had the ideal start and more of a comfortable afternoon for a longer period of time as they missed two golden chances to take the lead inside the opening ten minutes, slotting wide with one such chance and then hitting the underside of the bar after a cut back from the right hand side, and after Lev Green survived that opening storm, they started to settle.

For the remainder of the half the hosts probably edged it, and had another decent effort fly just over the bar from the dangerous Bradley Stephenson who had caused the hosts problems in the opening half, but Lev Green did have a couple of openings themselves and at the break the game was certainly in the balance at 0-0, the visitors would have certainly been the happier of the two sides that was for sure.

You could sense the frustration amongst the hosts, and that got worse two minutes into the second period when Lev Green were awarded a penalty after a cross from Ethan Mooney struck the arm of full back Toby Stevenson, and the referee pointed to the spot despite the linesman keeping this flag down, and the hosts were rather irritated of the award of the spot kick too, and when Chris Blunden converted the penalty, the hosts were now staring a shock right in the face.

However, to the home sides credit they didn't get down on themselves and bounced straight back and after winning a free kick around twenty yards out, first half substitute Alfie Cerulli curled home the free kick and Lev Green's lead had only lasted three minutes and we were back on parity again.

The visitors though should have retaken the lead but saw an effort from Blunden go agonisingly wide of the far post, and then in the 64th minute Billericay edged in front as after an effort from John Ufuah has cannoned off the bar, Cerulli was on hand to control and then fire the rebound into the far corner, and now the visitors had to try and muster a leveller from somewhere.

They almost did as well as they saw an effort well saved by home keeper Harry Seaden, although Lev Green were asking for another penalty after the attackers shirt had been pulled whilst he was trying to get the shot away, and then moments later midway through the second period Billericay struck a big blow when they added a third after the superb Cerulli managed to keep the ball in and square to the back post where Chris Dickson had the easy task to ramming home from a yard or so out.

Lev Green continued to play their football though but were caught again with nine minutes remaining as a one two released full back Toby Stevenson down the left, and his ball towards the near post saw Dickson get across his marker to ram home and end the contest once and for all, and they were able to relax a bit and enjoy the final few minutes of what had been a very hard fought contest, despite the score line.

Billericay then go through and will be happy at how they bounced back after a poor start to the second period, they are in the hat for the Second Qualifying Round draw on Monday, can they now take this form into the league, that's two wins from three at home now, yes it was against a Step Five side but winning breeds confidence doesn't it.

As for Lev Green the score line was a bit harsh on them, they had chances at key moments in the second period and I guess that is the difference between the levels of both sides, the hosts took theirs when they needed to in the second period whereas the visitors did not, but they put in a good showing here today and so can be proud of their achievements.

Full time Billericay Town 4 Leverstock Green 1