RYMAN PREMIER: Richard Halle is aiming to tighten things up at the back for Billericay Town when he returns to the side for tomorrow’s trip to league leaders Maidstone United.

The Town captain missed the 4-0 league defeat to Enfield Town and the 4-3 win over Whyteleafe in the Ryman League Cup as he was leading a school skiing trip in Italy.

The 33-year-old is a teacher at the King Edmund School in Rochford and says he wants to bring back some stability to the back line, which only conceded two goals in five games before his recent absence.

“Duty called and I had to miss a couple of games which was a shame but it could have been worse as the Essex Senior Cup game was postponed,” he said.

“We have some really good young defenders here – the likes of Ola Williams, Teddy Nesbitt and Ryan Scott are all young, talented players so it is important that Nutsy (Steve Sheehan) or I are there to help them at the back.

“I said to the boys they must have missed me considering the goals we conceded and I am pleased to be back.”

Scott is suspended for tomorrow’s game at Maidstone, as Town look to take advantage of the leaders’ inconsistent form of late.

Maidstone have only won once this month and have taken only two points from their last three matches.

However, they have only lost once on their 3G surface so far this season and Halle says it will be a good test for the Town defence and one they should embrace.

“It will be a big challenge,” he said.

“But there will be a big crowd and it is always a good occasion to play there. We play every Thursday on 3G pitches at Brentwood so we aren’t concerned about that.

“They have had a few indifferent results and it will be up to us to push them back and give it our best shot.

“This is one of the toughest games of the season and these are the games the players relish.”

Craig Edwards revealed in-form Rowan Liburd, who has scored four goals in the last four matches, is a doubt with a virus.