Billericay Town 3–1 Canvey Island

(Bricknell 26’, 66’, Robinson 90': Sykes 55’)

From New Lodge

Ryman Premier League

BILLY Bricknell hit a brace for Billericay Town to send Canvey Island into the relegation places in front of a record league attendance at New Lodge.

The club smashed the previous best attendance by more than 400 supporters, with 1,970 coming through the turnstiles.

And Bricknell's double was enough to secure a 3-1 win to the home faithful's delight, with Jake Robinson also on target.

Town’s top five hopes had all but ended following defeat on Saturday, while Canvey were just a point above the relegation places.

Glenn Tamplin had demanded a response from his charges and Billericay should have led after two minutes.

Robinson’s cross found Lewis Taaffe. He rounded the goalkeeper but a fine last-gasp block from former Town defender Steve Sheehan kept the game goalless.

Echo:

So close - Lewis Taaffe's early effort is superbly blocked by Steve Sheehan

 

Callum Ibe forced a save out of Alan Julian up the other end, although he failed to get a proper connection on his strike.

It had been a steady start, although Town were still looking the most threatening in the final third.

Bricknell, captain for the day, powered an effort at goal which Gough palmed over but the striker was to make the breakthrough.

Echo:

Blast - Billy Bricknell continues his excellent season in front of goal from the penalty spot

 

After 25 minutes, Bricknell was fouled in the penalty area by John Mbamarah, before stepping up and drilling low into the corner.

However, Canvey were growing into the match and came close to drawing level five minutes later.

The determined George Sykes beat two Billericay players to the ball on the left hand side, cutting in and blasting low, with Julian saving with his legs.

That was to be the goalkeeper’s last contribution, with Jack Giddens introduced at half-time.

But one of his first acts was to pick the ball out of his net.

Frankie Merrifield drilled a ball to the far post, Sheehan headed the ball back across the face of the goal and Sykes smashed in from close range.

Town threw on Mekhi McLeod in what was a hugely attacking forward line and it bore fruit.

Good work by Danny Fitzsimons saw Bricknell spin on the ball and slice inside the far post.

Sykes saw an effort saved by Giddens, with Merrifield denied in the dying embers by the Town stopper.

Robinson lobbed a third goal for Town from what looked to be an offside position in injury-time.

Echo:

Excellent finish - Jake Robinson lobs the giant Conor Gough

 

Defeat for Canvey leaves their league survival out of their hands, with Billericay's play-off hopes also ended by results elsewhere.

Billericay Town: Julian (Giddens 46’), Krasniqi (Cunnington 46’), Lawrence (McLeod 55’), Konchesky, Fitzsimons, Ellul, O’Hara, Johnson, Bricknell, Robinson, Taaffe

Canvey Island: Gough, Pitty, Dumas, Merrifield, Mbamarah, Sheehan, Lawson (Agyakwa 85’), Blackman, Sykes, Curran (Thomas 46’), Ibe (Chatting 67’)