Vanarama National League South, Sunday 26th December
Boxing Day and what with me being at my Step Mum’s in
Galleywood, I decided to jump in a cab to New Lodge, Billericay, for a Vanarama
National South local derby between Billericay Town & Concord Rangers, and
it saw The Beachboys come from behind to net only a second win on the road this
campaign.
The hosts currently prop up the rest at the bottom of the
division having only picked up two wins in the league all season, and form of
late hadn’t been too good either, since the start of November they had lost all
but one of their five league games, that being their latest game at home to
fellow strugglers and local boys Chelmsford City in a goalless draw.
And they hadn’t scored a league goal since November 6th
either, so were on a four-game goalless streak too, although they were up
against Canvey side Concord Rangers who sat 14th in the division
after just six wins, with only one of those coming away from home all season,
so could the hosts take advantage of their visitor’s poor away form perhaps? It
must be noted that Town had only one win at home all season too though.
The Beachboys had had a decent November having won two of
their three league games, both at home, however December saw them draw at home
then lose what was their last league game back on December 11th at
Ebbsfleet United, the league leaders, although they did push them hard in that
one, so despite this the visitors probably came into this contest the
favourites.
One final note before the actual game was the days between
games for both sides, Billericay last played eight days ago in a tough 0-0 draw
at home to Chelmsford, whilst Concord had gone fifteen days since their last
match at Ebbsfleet back on December 11, their scheduled home game against St
Albans City on December 14th was postponed, so would this be an
advantage or a hindrance to either side, we would certainly find out soon
enough.
Initially it seemed to favour the hosts as they certainly
began well, and with just five minutes on the clock took the lead when a corner
floated into the six yard box hung right under the cross bar and visiting
keeper Ciaran Gordon-Stearn made a mess of it, parring it up in the air and
over to the far post where skipper Michael Chambers was on hand to turn the
ball home and score a rare goal for the home side.
It took the visitors some time to settle into the contest,
probably the best part of half an hour, and they fired one just wide before
forcing host stopper Rhys Lovett into a smart stop, but with around five or so
minutes left before the break Town’s Kweku Lucan and Concord’s Ryan Blackman
both went for a ball and Blackman got there a fraction before his opponent.
This meant Lucan and his raised foot clattered into the visitor’s
player, and after both were treated, Lucan being treated for the longest, the
Billericay man was shown a straight red for what the referee deemed a dangerous
challenge, which was certainly not what the hosts thought who were rather upset
with the decision. However, the Blues were now down to ten men so the task of
staying ahead was going to be even harder now.
Town though should have gone into the break two goals up as
right before the break they missed an absolute sitter when they headed wide
from point blank range, had they gone 2-0 up then it would have certainly made
Concord’s comeback a whole more difficult, but instead it was just the 1-0 lead
for the hosts at half time.
No doubt it was ‘keep it tight and keep the lead for as long
as you can’ motto that was the message in home changing room, but barely two
minutes after the break Concord found a leveller when a loose ball fell to
James Blanchfield inside the box and he shifted the ball onto his left foot and
found the net, although the hosts should have been back in front but headed
another decent effort wide, but then Concord managed to edge themselves in
front.
This came about when a loose defensive header fell straight
to Joe Payne who made no mistake by thumping an effort beyond Lovett and now
the hosts were going to have to try and find a way back into the contest with a
man disadvantage.
They were unable to though and with eight minutes left of
the ninety Concord ended the contest when they countered and sent substitute Ben
Allen in the clear, and he showed great composure to send an effort across
Lovett and into the far corner.
The frustrations of the hosts were evident, they were
heading for another loss and it almost cost them another red card when skipper
Chambers threw the ball at Allen when the visiting player would not retreat
when Chambers was trying to take a quick throw, Allen did not help the cause by
going down like he had been shot, but it could have easily been a red for the hosts
captain, although it was just a yellow in the end.
A frustrating day for the Blues once again, whilst for
Concord it was a magnificent comeback and a rare away win for the Thames Road
outfit who now climb three places to 11th in the standings and just
two points off the play off positions now, for Billericay it continues to look
as miserable as the weather was today, they remain bottom with just eight
points and are three behind Braintree Town after a thirteenth loss in seventeen
in the league.
Full time Billericay Town 1 Concord Rangers 3
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