This was a six pointer for both sides fighting relegation even though there were enough games left for either side to stay in this division but Tonbridge Angels eventually got the victory that could save them while Billericay look doomed.
The game nearly started with a bang in the 2nd minute when a Billericay corner taken by Josh Wright into the 6 yard box saw Dylan Gavin’s header come back of the cross bar. Billericay gained confidence from this & for the next 15 minutes dominated possession but lacked any openings. In the 21st minute Tonbridge had their first half chance when Joe Turner on the right cut inside & from 20 yards saw his first shot blocked but his second went just over the bar. Another chance came in the 30th minute when Tom Beere 20 yards out saw his shot save by Zaki Oualah then five minutes later Aaron Smith-Joseph retrieved the ball & went forward & his shot deflected into the path of Turner but his shot was blocked. The half time whistle went & both sides would have been happy with the score but not with the performance & would hope they could be better in the second half.
The second half saw Billericay again start well & in the 50th minute a free kick into the area saw Toby Stevenson’s header saved by Jon Henly & then it was Tonbridge’s turn when six minutes later Jamie Fielding on the right surged into the area & his shot was saved by Oualah’s legs & came back to him but his shot went over the bar. Tonbridge had a glorious chance to take the lead in the 56th minute when a free kick into the area saw Fielding unopposed but his header went over the bar, another chance came three minutes later when a corner to the near post saw Turner’s stooping header go just past the post, Tonbridge were now enjoying the lion’s share of possession & in the 68th minute Tom Beere tried his luck from 20 yards & his swerving shot was pushed away by Oualah for a corner, a minute later Smith-Joseph running forward from halfway made it to the edge of the area & his shot went wide you began to wonder if anyone would score but an inspired substitution by Steve McKimm changed this when he bought on Tom Wood on for Adam Coombes. In the 78th minute Tonbridge took the lead when a free kick into the area was headed clear but was knocked back into the area where it was flicked on & Wood 5 yards out turned & shot home & then looking at the Assistant to see if he was offside but no flag appeared. A minute later it was nearly two when Turner‘s cross into the area was met by Smith-Joseph & his shot was saved by Oualah’s legs but then in the 86th minute in a counter attack it was two when Beere picked up the ball just inside Tonbridge’s half & put Wood in & he raced clear into the area & from 10 yards shot in. In the 88th minute Billericay nearly got a consolation when a corner into the area was headed just over by Jack Munns. The full time whistle went & the majority of the crowd went bananas as this was an important victory for the Angels in their bid to stay in this division.
TONBRIDGE ANGELS:
- J.HENLY 2. J.FIELDING 3. C.BRAHAM-BARRETT 4. T.BEERE (89) 5. S.MILES 6. T.PARKINSON 7. J.TAYLOR 8. A.LOVETT 9. A.SMITH-JOSEPH 10. A.COOMBES (70) 11. J.TURNER.
SUBS USED: 12. T.WOOD (70) 14. J.O’SULLIVAN (89)
SUBS NOT USED: 15. B.HERMITAGE 16. T.McKIMM
BOOKINGS: NONE
BILLERICAY TOWN:
- Z.OUALAH 2. T.STEVENSON 6. M.CHAMBERS 7. H.OCIENG (84) 8. T.HINDS (75) 11. F.AKINWANDE 12. G.HALFORD 19. A.PINTO (65) 20. K.KRASNIQI 21. D.GAVIN 44. J.WRIGHT.
SUBS USED: 15. N.MUIR (65) 10. J.MUNNS (75) 9. S.COX (84)
SUBS NOT USED: 5. M.EKTITETA 14. S.SKEFFINGTON
BOOKINGS: NONE
REFEREE: Mr. M.RYAN
ASSISTANTS: Mr. L.LUNGARELLA & Mr. K.DEMPSTER
ATTENDANCE: 956