Billericay Town 2–1 Tonbridge Angels

(Capela 88’, Bricknell 90’: Blewden 9’)

From New Lodge

Ryman Premier League

A LATE, late show ensured all three points for a below-par Billericay Town against Tonbridge Angels.

A strike inside the opening exchanges appeared to have settled the match but substitute Goldy Capela and then Billy Bricknell ensured a happy start to 2017 for manager Craig Edwards.

The opening goal came inside the first 10 minutes, with Luke Blewden getting it for the visitors.

Good work down the left saw Blewden get in front of his marker and flick beyond Jack Giddens in the home goal.

Town came back strongly and can consider themselves unfortunate not to have drawn level inside 20 minutes.

Bricknell and Dipo Akinyemi saw goal bound efforts superbly blocked, with Michael Bakare’s curling effort well held by Anthony Di Bernardo.

The goalkeeper did brilliantly after half an hour as a powerful left arm stopped Akinyemi following Bricknell’s reverse pass.

Nathan Elder’s shot was cleared off the line after Giddens spilled a cross, with Tom Parkinson striking inches wide of Giddens’ far post as the half came to an end.

Akinyemi’s header was shovelled away by Di Bernardo in the first five minutes of the second period, while substitute Matt Johnson missed a golden chance seconds later.

Neat build up with Bricknell saw Hubble cross for Johnson who was unmarked eight yards out but headed wide of the target.

But Tonbridge were resilient in defence and there were few chances in the clash until the final 10 minutes.

First up, Alex Akrofi’s near post header cannoned back off the near post with Giddens beaten, and Elder was also off target seconds later.

Lewis Taaffe shot harmlessly wide, with Oliver Sprague also wild when in a promising position.

It was substitute Capela that finally brought parity, as the match looked to be edging away from the hosts.

The forward picked up a fine pass and slotted under the goalkeeper but the home side weren’t done yet.

A long throw was flicked on and Bricknell thrashed it home at the first time of asking to make it 2-1.

Billericay Town: Giddens, Shepherd, Sprague, Seymour, Adelowo, Fitzsimons, Krasniqi (Johnson), Hubble (Taaffe), Bricknell, Akinyemi (Capela), Bakare