Bognor Regis Town 2–1 Billericay Town

(Field 65’, Fraser 90’: Taaffe 85’)

From Nyewood Lane

Ryman Premier League

AN Injury-time penalty broke Billericay hearts as they left Bognor Regis Town without anything to show for their efforts.

James Fraser struck at the end of a game in which Billericay can consider themselves unfortunate not to take something from.

Billericay had won their last three matches 2-1, with Billy Bricknell netting a late winner against Tonbridge Angels last time out.

Bognor Regis were sitting at the top of the Ryman Premier League and were looking to extend that advantage against Craig Edwards’ men.

Town welcomed Frank Curley back into the fold for his first competitive football since he returned to the club following an eight-month ban last March.

And there was little between the teams in the first half, albeit Billericay had the better of the ball. Dylan Barnett sent a drive sailing harmlessly over from long range.

Dipo Akinyemi forced a half decent save from the goalkeeper but Fraser had the best chance of the half only for Town stopper Jack Giddens to tip over with his first meaningful save of the half.

In the second 45, Alex Parsons headed high and wide when he should have done better.

Bricknell and Akinyemi missed the target but Billericay should arguably have taken the lead on the hour. A poor goalkeeping clearance fell to Lewis Taaffe but the shot wasn’t on target.

And moments later they were made to pay.

Chad Field rose highest to head home a fine cross on 65 minutes to open the scoring.

Matt Johnson’s header was saved but Town did get the goal they deserved with five minutes to go.

Taaffe made up for his earlier miss as his deflected effort nestled in the corner.

Super substitute Goldy Capela almost won it for Billericay only to see his strike ruled out, before a second effort was saved. And then disaster struck.

A penalty as awarded and Fraser powered past Giddens to secure the points.

Billericay Town: Giddens, Shepherd, Sprague, Seymour, Curley, Fitzsimons, Taaffe, Johnson, Bricknell, Akinyemi (Capela), Guthmy (Krasniqi)