HARRY Wheeler admits Billericay Town are ‘on a high’ ahead of tonight’s Essex derby with Braintree Town.

Jake Robinson’s stoppage time goal allowed Town to see off Eastbourne Borough and make a winning start to the National League South campaign three days ago.

And Wheeler has challenged his side, who are among the favourites to win promotion to the top tier of non-league football, to build on their triumph when they visit Cressing Road.

“We’re definitely on a high after beating Eastbourne in the last minute and now we’re really looking forward to playing Braintree,” said Wheeler.

“It will be a good game and recovery has been the most important thing heading into tonight’s game.

“We have a professional squad and we’re hoping that the players will have looked after themselves by preparing properly for the game after Saturday’s win.

“It was great to start the season with three points, but we want to build on that.

“We have close to a fully fit squad and there are only two or three players who are unavailable.”

Billericay emerged triumphant against Eastbourne despite a disappointing first half performance at the Steel Team Stadium.

And Wheeler knows his side cannot afford to put in a similar display if Billericay are to pick up a positive result against Braintree, who suffered relegation from the National League last term and were consigned to an opening day defeat at Bath City.

Wheeler added: “It was a slow start and I can’t repeat what I said at half-time, but they reacted to that in the second half.

“We weren’t good enough in the first half, but we were excellent in the second half.

“It’s all about winning the three points at any stage of the season, but it’s particularly nice to start the season with a win.

“However, we know that it will be difficult to get any points against Braintree if we perform in the same way as we did in the first half.”

Summer signing Matt Rhead is is expected to be joined by Robinson and Moses Emmanuel in a three-man attack once again.

And Wheeler is expecting the trio to be potent this season.

The Billericay chief insisted: “Partnerships develop. I think the three of them played together once in pre-season and that was only for five minutes at Hornchurch.

“As the game went on, they looked like they were getting better and we know it will get better over time.”