BILLERICAY TOWN

RYMAN PREMIER LEAGUE

How do the fixtures look? Billericay are looking in good shape as pre-season continues, with a more stable squad than 12 months ago.

That is key to manager Craig Edwards’ plans as he begins to plot the downfall of his league opponents. An opening day fixture with Merstham looks to be the most straight-forward fixture in August on paper, with a run of difficult fixtures to follow.

The festive period will see matches against Canvey Island, Needham Market and Tonbridge Angels, with Edwards facing former side Dulwich twice in the second part of the season.

Billericay’s season ends with a tasty-looking home match against Canvey and an away match at Needham.

Key period: August. Billericay’s slow start last season was a major contributing factor as to why they failed to make the play-offs. One win in their opening eight matches hurt Edwards’ men and this year’s start looks similarly difficult.

After Merstham, Billericay face Wingate & Finchley, Staines Town, Lowestoft Town, Bognor Regis Town and Tonbridge Angels in August. All pose tough challenges, so where will Edwards’ men stand come the start of September?

The manager’s view: Craig Edwards: “It is hard to say much about the fixtures. I know the teams well and there is a bit of money around as well.

“Wingate have made some very good signings and Merstham have brought in some good guys as well. But I would imagine that, bearing in mind we only have seven or eight players from last year, they won’t know what they will get from us either.

“There aren’t many fixtures where I don’t think ‘that will be a good game’. With due respect to East Thurrock and Hampton & Richmond Borough, the league will be stronger as Lowestoft and Havant & Waterlooville are bigger clubs.

“We have done well in pre-season so far and have run Reading and Dover close which was great. I was apprehensive going into those games that we might get a tonking as if you do it can be demoralising.

“I have looked at 83 players in the last month and the performances give us real hope.

“It will be a great season.”

Fixtures: AUGUST: 13 Merstham (H), 16 Wingate & Finchley (A), 20 Staines Town (A), 23 Lowestoft (H), 27 Bognor Regis Town (H), Tonbridge Angels (A) SEPTEMBER: 3 FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round, 10 Leatherhead (H), 17 Enfield Town (A), 20 AFC Sudbury (A), 24 Worthing (H), 27 Folkestone Invicta (H) OCTOBER: 1 Met Police (A), 8 Harrow Borough (A), 11 Wingate & Finchley (H), 15 Havant & Waterlooville (H), 18 Lowestoft (A), 22 Merstham (A), 29 FA Trophy 1st QR NOVEMBER: 5 Grays Athletic (H), 12 Hendon (A), 19 Harlow Town (H), 22 Folkestone (A), 26 Met Police (H), 29 AFC Sudbury (H) DECEMBER: 3 Worthing (A), 10 Burgess Hill Town (A), 17 Kingstonian (H), 26 Canvey Island (A), 31 Needham Market (H) JANUARY: 2 Tonbridge Angels (H), 7 Bognor Regis (A), 14 Leiston (A), 21 Dulwich Hamlet (H), 28 Staines Town (H) FEBRUARY: 4 Havant & Waterlooville (A), 11 Harrow Borough (H), 18 Grays Athletic (A), 25 Hendon (H) MARCH: 4 Harlow Town (A), 11 Burgess Town (H), 18 Kingstonian (A), 25 Dulwich Hamlet (A) APRIL: 1 Leiston (H), 8 Enfield Town (H), 15 Leatherhead (A), 18 Canvey Island (H), 22 Needham Market (A)