Staines Town 0-1 Billericay Town

From Wheatsheaf Town

Ryman Premier League

 

TEN-MAN Billericay Town ground out what could prove to be a hugely valuable three points in a controversial encounter at Staines.

An Onome Sodje goal was the difference between the sides, although Billericay had to play more than 50 minutes a man light after George Beavan was sent off.

And they had goalkeeper Jack Giddens to thank for a string of fine stops and a penalty save.

Teddy Nesbitt had the first shot of the afternoon in windy conditions, but his shot only found the midriff of goalkeeper Jack Turner.

Prince M’Bengui was looking lively for the hosts, and he thought he had opened the scoring after a slick move, only for a terrific save to deny the Staines man.

A volley from the striker seemed destined for the corner, but goalkeeper Giddens hurled himself to one side to keep it goalless.

Appeals for a Staines penalty were turned down before the first goal of the afternoon came.

It was Billericay that got it, slightly against the run of play.

A ball was flicked into the path of Sodje by Nesbitt and the striker finished at the second time of asking.

The home fans felt the decisions were going against them, but a big call went against Billericay as the half drew to a close.

Beavan went into a challenge with Pat Cox, and was adjudged to have caught the striker with his studs, with the referee showing him a straight red card.

Still 1-0 at the break, the drama showed no signs of letting up as Staines were awarded a penalty moments into the second period.

Alex Stephenson pulled down Michael Campbell in the penalty area, giving Cox a chance to get his name on the scoresheet.

The kick was brilliantly saved by Giddens and although the rebound was tucked in the referee chalked it off, believed to be for encroachment in the box as the kick was taken.

There were several more scares for the visitors, but Town held on for their first win of 2016.

 

Billericay Town: Giddens, Diallo, Stephenson, Hubble, Curley, Beavan, Monville, Poole, Derry, Sodje (Cox), Nesbitt