Bedford 2 Billericay 1 - A cruel game - report

[Andrew Turner]

Cruel late winner denies Billericay deserved point.

 

On the back of a draw and a win following five consecutive defeats Billericay travelled to the New Eyrie on Tuesday night home of Bedford Town in a good frame of mind looking to build on there recent turn in fortunes in what was going to be a tough game.

 

The game was end to end flowing with both teams having good early possession with chances for both sides with Jerome John making a good early save. Bedford forced the 1st corner of the game after 18 minutes which John made a good save from.

 

Billericay then started to come more into the game with good to feet passing with Marlon Patterson and Niall Ritchie making good runs down the wings. On 27 minutes Billericay took the lead when they won a free kick close to the touch line and a good delivery from Leon Hunter was met by a powerful header by Gary Ansell into the far corner to give Billericay the lead.

 

Bedford responded to going down 1-0 and looked dangerous on the counter attack and a goal line scramble kept the score line at 1-0, just prior to the interval Billericay won a throw in close to the corner and good work from Ritchie forced the Bedford keeper into a good parry save with no town player able to capitalise. On the stroke of half time Billericay lost the ball well inside the Bedford half and a good build up of play led to the equaliser from Darren Lynch.

 

Billericay came out for the second half all fired up and good work from Marlon Patterson down the wing resulted in a quality cross with Gary Ansell just shooting over. Shortly afterwards Billericay won a free kick just outside the area and a great floated in ball caused panic in the Bedford defence and was headed on to the bar by one of there players and the rebound fell to Russell Penn who just put his shot wide. Billericay were working well down the wings all evening and left back Jimmy Lee made a great run with about 20 minutes to go and managed to cut the ball back from the bye line which the keeper could only punch away and unfortunately there was no Billericay player to add the finishing touch.

 

With 12 minutes left Billericay introduced Andy Jones for Danny Hockton for his first game of the season. The key turning point in the match came with about 8 minutes left to play with the score still at 1-1 and a draw looking a fair result. Bedford pushed forward and Jerome John came for the ball and his body motion took him outside his area the assistant referee immediately flagged and drew this to the attention of the referee and under this rule which needs to be looked at Billericay were reduced to 10 men with Jerome John sent off for handling outside the area. Justin Edinburgh then made an immediate change pulling off Marlon Patterson to bring on reserve keeper Glenn Jackson who immediately made a great low down save to deny a goal. Bedford then moved up a gear and with five minutes of play remaining won a corner and a good towering header by Darren Lynch resulted in the winning goal which was a cruel blow for Billericay.

 

Billericay now travel to Ford United on Saturday followed by a home game next Tuesday against Kettering.

 

Team:- Jerome John, Sam Taylor, Jimmy Lee, Russell Penn, Dave Reddington, Jamie Dormer, Niall Ritchie, Leon Hunter, Gary Ansell, Danny Hockton, Marlon Patterson.

 

Subs:- Andy Jones for Danny Hockton 78mins, Glenn Jackson for Marlon Patterson 82 mins and Steve Jones for Niall Ritchie 89 mins.

 

Subs not used:- Gary Henty and Glenn Hobden

 

Sent Off - Jerome John 82 mins handling outside the area.