Dulwich Hamlet 1–0 Billericay Town

From Champion Hill

Ryman Premier League

 

AN injury-time winner condemned Billericay to their fifth defeat in six matches against Dulwich Hamlet.

A belting strike from debutant Rhys Murrell-Williamson, who cut in from left and curled in left footed past Jack Giddens, was enough in a tight encounter that saw plenty of opportunities for both sides.

Manager Craig Edwards was looking for a response after he labelled Billericay’s start to the season as ‘bad’ after their defeat to rivals Canvey last Monday.

And Dulwich was as difficult a test as Town could have anticipated. Tom Derry is leading the scoring charts so far this term and he was denied on several occasions by home goalkeeper Phil Wilson.

The injured Joe Ellul was replaced by new signing Ejiro Okosiema in the starting line-up and he was tested in the early stages by the pace of the Dulwich attackers.

The first-half was devoid of clear-cut chances, although Dulwich defender Matt Drage came close to opening the deadlock but his effort was dragged wide of the post.

Into the second-half, Town had a fine chance to get the first goal but Harry Baker dawdled in possession and failed to beat Wilson with Derry in a fantastic possession.

Derry did have his own chance moments later but the goalkeeper was unbeatable, making a tremendous save from the disbelieving striker.

But Murrell-Williamson netted the winner, and what a winner it was.

 

Billericay: Giddens, Williams, Nesbitt, Dunne (Stephenson), Okosiema, Beavan, Hazlewood, Hubble, Derry, Sodje (Manor), Cojocarel (Baker)