Billericay Town 3–1 East Thurrock United

From New Lodge

Ryman Premier League

 

A BRACE from Tom Derry helped Billericay Town to a deserved victory over East Thurrock United at New Lodge.

Two first half strikes, plus a late one from Teddy Nesbitt were enough for the hosts although a goal shortly after half-time from former man Ryan Scott had ruffled some feathers.

Town were looking for consecutive home wins after a comfortable 2-0 win over Leatherhead last time out, while Rocks had taken four points from games at Leiston and Bognor Regis Town.

And the home team were the brighter from the off. New addition Dymon Labonne was proving hard to handle, with his early cross just evading the dive of Derry.

But the striker wasn’t to be denied for long. A deep free-kick from Loui Hazlewood was headed back across goal by Joe Ellul and the lurking Derry prodded beyond the dive of Lukas Lidakevicius.

The advantage was doubled within five minutes, with a moment of individual brilliance. The tenacious Derry charged down a Simon Peddie clearance 30 yards from goal and lobbed the unsuspecting Lidakevicius from 30 yards.

Town were rampant, with Mike Fondop unfortunate not to add to his eight goals for the season as Daryl Robson threw himself in front of the ball to keep the score at 2-0.

Rocks’ only effort of note was a cross shot from Tom Wraight, which Jack Giddens did well to palm away from the onrushing James Walker.

But Town were comfortably in front at half-time, with manager Craig Edwards' only frustration that his side weren’t further ahead.

And five minutes into the second-half Rocks got an unlikely lifeline from a familiar face. A cross was swung in and Scott beat Ellul to the ball and prodded past Giddens.

And, as the half continued, Rocks were looking the most likely to get the next goal. Rickie Hayles, playing in a more advanced midfield role, blasted over after good work from Lewis Smith, with Scott scooping over minutes later.

Substitute Harry Honesty was the next to come close but his strike was well kept out by Giddens.

Scott missed a glorious late chance when he headed wide, with Town wrapping up the win in injury-time.

Teddy Nesbitt broke through and found the corner to give Town a deserved win.

 

Billericay: Giddens, Diallo, Stephenson, Hazlewood, Ellul, Beavan, Labonne (Hubble), Curley, Derry, Fondop (Cojocarel), Nesbitt

East Thurrock: Lidakevicius, Peddie, Knott, Hayles, Scott, Wood, Smith, Robson, Higgins, Walker (Honesty), Wraight

 

Other results: National League South: Hemel Hempstead Town 1-2 Concord Rangers

Ryman Premier League: Canvey Island 1-2 Dulwich Hamlet

Ryman One North: Waltham Abbey 2-2 Great Wakering Rovers