Billericay Town 2 – 0 Wealdstone
Billericay Town
2 - 0
WealdstoneThere was little to cheer the Stones fans that travelled to Billericay this afternoon, as a disappointing performance saw the home side take both points.
Stones never really gelled in midfield, though Gary Burrell in the centre with Ross White were at least combative, but there was a disjointed air about the performance with gaps appearing between defence and midfield and midfield and forwards.
Billericay dominated the game in terms of possession for long spells, Stones breaking out when they could. Luke Woods in the Stones goal made three or four good saves early on to deny the home side, while Beckford and Jolly both had half chances at the other end in a scoreless first half.
As last season though, a penalty on 59 minutes gave the home side the breakthrough, as Evans was adjudged to have handled a shot from Elder, and despite Woods save, the referee awarded the spot kick which was despatched by Hunter.
The ten minutes after the goal was probably Stones best period as they broke through the ‘Riccay defence on a number of occasions – Jolly saw a 1 on 1 chance just pass the post, while Beckford ran onto a through ball to try and lob the ‘keeper but the ball was just over the bar. White and Burrell too had opportunities, but there shots didn’t trouble the home defence.
Again like last season, the second goal came from an error when Harris failed to clear and Woods couldn’t collect the loose ball, Hockton on hand on 78 minutes to score the home sides second.
It was the end of the scoring, and though Stones continued to put in the effort it seemed there was to be no way through a competent home side and the score remained 2-0.
Wealdstone: Luke Woods, Lee Holland (s70 Josh Cooper), Carl Ashton, Ross White, Luke Evans, Andy Keepence, Phil Turner (s82 Mark Thompson), Ryan Harris (s80 Lee Chappell), Jermaine Beckford, Richard Jolly, Gary Burrell, Subs not use: Neil McDonald, Louis Lancaster.