Billericay Town 2-0 Leatherhead

From New Lodge

Ryman Premier Division

 

BILLERICAY Town won their first match of the new year against old rivals Leatherhead to maintain their play-off push.

After Leatherhead manager Richard Brady had labeled Town a “pub team” following their 2-0 defeat earlier in the season, Craig Edwards’ side came into the match eager to do the double over the Surrey outfit.

And goals either side of half-time from Affy Obafemi and Harry Baker ensured Town did just that.

The lively Rowan Liburd was looking likely in the opening stages, as he threatened to break through on a number of occasions.

All the pressure was being applied by the home side, but they couldn’t find the breakthrough.

Top scorer Richard Halle was looking for his 15th goal of the season but his header was comfortably claimed before the hosts did get their breakthrough.

The two strikers combined in the absence of Ricky Sappleton, with the excellent Liburd crossing for Obafemi to score his first league goal for the club.

Town were boosted by the return to the starting line-up of dynamic midfielder Callum Dunne and he impressively shielded the back four as Leatherhead searched for a way back into the match.

But the decisive moment came when Harry Baker scored a terrific goal in the second half. The midfielder picked up the ball 30 yards from goal and lashed a ferocious shot into the top corner.

Billy Lumley, in the Town goal, made several impressive saves to keep his first clean sheet since Christmas but was largely untroubled.

*Town host Brightlingsea Regent tonight in the Quarter-finals of the Essex Senior Cup.

Billericay Town: Lumley, Willams, Scott, Nesbitt, Dunne (Beavan), Halle, Edwards, Poole, Baker (Nash), Obafemi (Akosa), Liburd