Despite a more spirited second half, VCD Athletic slumped to another home defeat leaving them rooted to the bottom of the Ryman Premier.

Both teams made multiple changes from their last games and it was the visitors who came out the livelier.

Veteran Cliff Akurang, recently departed Heybridge Swifts manager but now back playing up front, and Mike Fondop-Talom looked to be a handful from the start.

An early foul on Akurang gave Tom Derry a chance to strike a free kick. Although his effort came back off the wall but his follow up almost put Akurang in.

Fondop-Talom then got in behind but shot wide then Derry fired wide from a half cleared corner.

However the Vickers showed their attacking prowess when going ahead after eleven minutes. Nigel Neita and Donovan Simmonds were both involved in setting up a tap in for veteran Paul Vines.

Fondop-Talom had a shot saved by Callum Thomas before the Vickers had to make a change. Lewis Tozer had already been caught by a late challenge by Fondop-Talom that was missed by the officials before fellow centre half Ricardo Joseph was flattened. After treatment it was decided that he could not continue and Gerald Akosa-Amaniapong replaced him.

Andy Rinhomhota had an effort for the Blues disallowed before they equalised on 28 minutes. A long cross sailed over to the far post and Akurang climbed to head back for his strike partner, Fondop-Talom who finished with ease.

Vines had the ball in the net again for VCD but he was well offside.

Although Billericay enjoyed the better of the first half, they only created one more clear cut chance but were desperately unlucky not to go ahead. In the reverse of what happened for the goal, Fondop-Talom was the provider knocking back to Akurang but his effort flew back off the post.

Immediately after the break, VCD came close. Strong hold up play be Vines gave Arron Wickham an opportunity, but his effort from 20 yards whistled wide.

Another Billericay ‘goal’ was disallowed for offside but VCD appeared more prepared to battle with the Essex team.

Two Ashley Probets free kicks caused difficulties for the Billericay defence before a big thirty seconds could have seen a goal at either end.

Akurang burst through but Thomas was out bravely at his feet and up quickly to send Simmonds away. Incredibly, a two handed push by Ejiro Okosieme in the penalty area went unpunished and Billericay escaped.

Once again Akurang came close but Thomas made a great diving save pushing onto the post and wide.

Moments later the visitors went ahead when Teddy Nesbitt came in bravely at the far post to bundle home Derry’s cross.

Three minutes later, Nesbitt went from hero to villain when hacking down Vines in the penalty area and this time a spot kick was awarded. Vines ignored all attempts to distract him and sent Jack Giddens the wrong way.

Wickham fired into the mid-drift of Giddens before Billericay restored their lead. Derry threaded a through ball for Fondop-Talom to finish well.

Billericay were even able to afford missing a late penalty when substitute Onome Sodje was fouled in the area before striking his spot kick against the bar in the last minute of regulation time.

 

VCD Athletic: Thomas, Hamilton, Probets, Avery, Tozer, Joseph (Akosa-Amaniapong 20), Awotwi (Koranteng 74), Wickham, Vines, Simmonds, Neita.

Unused substitutes: Budd, Brickwood, Tej.

 

Billericay Town: Giddens, Williams, Stephenson, Curley, Okosiemie, Beaven, Derry (Dunne 85), Rinhomhota, Akurang (Sodje 66), Fondop-Talom (Cojocarel 88), Nesbitt.

Unused substitutes: Hubble, Seyer.

 

Referee: Nick Dunn

Assistants: Steve Perry and Gerry Heron

VCD star man: Paul Vines

 

Attendance: 105