Matchday Preview: Billericay Town
Wanderers Look To Get Back To Winning Ways
It turned out to be another tough day in Essex for Wanderers last Saturday afternoon, the third visit to the county already this campaign again turning out to be a hard day at the office. After going behind early to Simeon Jackson's header, Bobby-Joe Taylor's third penalty conversion in three games got Wanderers back on terms just before half-time. Building momentum towards the end of the half, Jason Prior's 60th goal in his 100th appearance not long after the restart got Wanderers ahead, and in control of the game right up until the final minutes, as Charlie Sheringham's last-gasp equaliser ensured the points were shared. As Marc White acknowledged in his weekly catch up, it was another game of 'impotence' in front of goal as his side spurned a number of chances carved out through the course of the second half, and the good work in general play was undermined again by poor goals conceded. Another unfortunate trend of the early league games has of course been injuries, and last weekend's game saw another casualty as Alfie Rutherford had to make way during the first half, pulling up with a hamstring injury and confirmed to be ruled out for a few weeks. The return of Josh Taylor and debut of James Tilley in replacing Rutherford were certainly two positives from the game, both player's demonstrating their qualities throughout, although Tilley may miss out this weekend after picking up a knock during the week. James McShane and Jimmy Muitt will be back in the fold after recent absence, providing a boost in the attacking areas, as Wanderers look to get back to winning ways in the league ahead of the break with the FA Cup fixture the following week.
Lee Worgan Moves On
Just confirmed in the last few days, goalkeeper Lee Worgan has moved on from the club, citing personal reasons regarding work and family logistics. Arriving from Chelmsford in the summer, Lee started in all the games this season and made an impact on and off the field in his brief time with the club. He will be missed and we wish him all the best with his career moving forward.
Youth Leading The Way For Watson's Blues
Last season proved to be a transitional one for Billericay, the summer re-build led by manager Jamie O'Hara ultimately brought to an end several weeks into the season as he and assistant Paul Konchesky agreed to part ways with the club after a frustrating start to the campaign. Former Bishop Stortford and Ebbsfleet Town manager Kevin Watson took up the reigns, and after seeing out the short run of games before the season's early finish, he will be eager to kick on this term. Over the summer Watson has had to deal with the departures of two renowned Billericay stars in captain Ronnie Henry and striker and club record goal scorer Jake Robinson, who has moved on to Dartford. Experienced striker Rowan Liburd, previously at Welling United, has been brought in to try and fill the void up top, and defensively Marvel Ekipeta (Dover) and Luke Warner-Ely (St.Albans) have been recruited, sharing similar national league experience. Retaining key players from last term like Michael Chambers and Jai Reason, it's youth prospects that Watson has turned to in further refreshing his side, recruiting the like's of keeper Bailey Vose, defenders Daniel Ojo and George Wind, and attacking midfielder Norman Wabo from lower league's and academy backgrounds. They've all immediately become part of the manager's first team plans, with Wabo scoring 3 goals in the 4 league games contested so far. It's not been an ideal start to the season thus far, 'The Blues' losing their first three games including substantial defeats to Bath City and Eastbourne Borough, but they stopped the rot last weekend with a 2-2 draw at home to fellow Essex outfit Braintree Town, and will be looking to build on that as they head to Meadowbank on Saturday.
The previous encounter between the two sides was in the season before last, and it would go on to be one of the most entertaining games of the campaign. A rollercoaster 4-4 draw at Meadowbank back in January 2020, Wanderers opened the scoring early through Niall McManus, but the visitors went on to overturn the lead and were 1-3 up just after half-time; Jack Paxman, Femi Akinwande (who came back to haunt Wanderers again at Braintree a fortnight ago) and Jake Robinson grabbing the goals. Strike duo Elliot Buchanan and Jason Prior managed to get Wanderers back on terms, before Doug Loft looked to have snatched the win for Jamie O'Hara's side in added on time. However, Wanderers stirred themselves again right at the death, Matt Briggs producing a wonder strike to rescue a point.
Daniel Stobbart