Tempers flare in derby

THE freezing weather did nothing to cool tempers in this red hot local derby.

Both sides had a man sent off and there was an extraordinary half-time bust up between the opposing managers in a game which lacked quality but was packed with drama.

It was as if the game picked up from where the fiery reverse fixture ended in October when Harry Elmes was sent off for Concord in a match which also ended goalless.

And when the dust settled on Saturday it looked like a welcome hard-earned point gained for both sides, as opposed to two dropped.

Billericay gave a first start of the campaign to Jerome Sobers following his bad pre-season knee injury.

He came into the heart of the defence in place of injured skipper Rob Swaine, and looked a class act alongside the combative Chris Wild.

There was also a fine debut in the heart of Billericay’s midfield for the experienced Glenn Poole, but his 22nd minute lash over the bar was typical of a scrappy opening.

That said, Town would have taken a 12th-minute lead when Wild unnerved the Concord backline from a corner and Jay May had a shot cleared off of the line by Nicky Cowley.

Concord’s top-scorer Tony Stokes then went close twice: first firing just wide after Arthur Lee’s incisive run, and then shooting over following Karl Beckford’s ball into his feet.

And the half seemed to be petering out when Town striker Emeka Onwubiko tumbled under a challenge from Ryan Tafazolli, and was furious to see his penalty appeals waved away.

And that incident triggered an altercation between Concord joint manager Danny Cowley and Billericay boss Craig Edwards as the teams left the field.

Those close by said Cowley accused Onwubiko of diving and, as result, Edwards confronted the Concord boss.

And after that confrontation had been calmed, Concord’s Danny Scopes had to be restrained by club officials after an exchange with a Billericay fan.

After the game Scopes said that he had been left incensed after a supporter had spat at him.

It was all a precursor for a second-half which saw two players sent off in a match which ended with an ugly multi-player melee.

It was a half which started with Town skipper Greg Oates heading Harry Elmes’ top-corner-bound shot away from under his own crossbar.

Then former Concord man Richard Halle wasted a great chance for Billericay as he ballooned a shot over from six yards.

And with 13 minutes to go Concord were reduced to 10 men when Steve King was shown his second yellow for a late tackle on Junior Luke.

But Town struggled to take advantage and had a man sent off themselves in injury-time when Luke shoved Cowley and referee Russell Howes brandished a straight red card.

Players from both sides clashed over the incident but once the furore had died down there were no further chances as the sides were forced to settle for a point.

Concord (4-3-3): Young 6; Miller 6, Tafazolli 6, King 6, Robinson 7; Lee 7, Cowley 6, Beckford 6; Stokes 7, Stanley 5 (J Elmes 62, 6), H Elmes 6 (White 79, 6).

Billericay (4-4-2): Brightly 6; Oates 7, Wild 7, Sobers 7, Collis 6; Chatting 5 (Kpaka 88, 6), Poole 7, Halle 6, Luke 6; May 5, Onwubiko 7 (Cousins 6).