Maidstone United 3–0 Billericay Town

From the Gallagher Stadium

Ryman Premier Division

 

BILLERICAY Town went down 3-0 at league leaders Maidstone United as three second half goals stunted their play-off bid.

Goals from Frannie Collin, substitute Matt Bodkin and Jay May ensured Town went home empty handed, as they struggled to create opportunities on Maidstone’s 3G surface.

Town had been soundly beaten on their travels last time out, losing 4-0 at Enfield Town, and were on the back foot in the early stages against the league leaders – with Steve Sheehan making a vital defensive interception.

Joe Wright wasn’t tested on that occasion but he was called into action soon after, when Frannie Collin fired at goal, pushing the ball to safety.

But Town were growing into the game and has decent shouts for a penalty waved away when first Glenn Poole and then Harry Baker went down in the box under heavy challenges, but nothing was given.

Ricky Sappleton was putting himself around up front, although he was closely patrolled by Stones’ captain Steve Watt.

The Town striker hit a free-kick over the crossbar before wasting a good crossing opening on the half-time whistle, when his cross failed to reach the far post with two team-mates unmarked.

Maidstone started the second period on top and had their own calls for a penalty waved away when a near post effort was blocked behind by Steve Sheehan, although it was unclear whether it was cleared by his arm.

However, they did get their goal on the hour mark. Billy Bricknell got in front of his marker to flick into the path of Collin and he finished clinically from the edge of the penalty area for his 14th goal of the season.

It could, and should, have been 2-0 moments later when Bricknell burst through only to be denied by a sprawling Wright.

Town were still in the game at 1-0 and home goalkeeper Lee Worgan was needed to keep out the impressive Jack Edwards’ deflected drive.

The game had opened up and Maidstone had the next chance, when marauding left-back Tom Mills saw his left footed effort blocked well by Wright.

Town enjoyed their best spell of possession after that, as Maidstone sat back on their one-goal advantage but Craig Edwards’ side couldn’t create any shooting opportunities.

They were made to pay five minutes from time when Bodkin slotted home after neat work down the left between Collin and George Porter.

And there was worse to come when Jay May popped up at the far post to head in and give Maidstone their third of the afternoon.

 

Maidstone United: Worgan, Stone, Mills, Watt, Huke, Rogers (Brown), Bricknell (Bodkin), Parkinson, May, Collin, Porter (Greenhalgh)

Billericay Town: Wright, Nesbitt, Williams, Edwards, Halle, Sheehan, Baker (Ekim), Poole, Sappleton, Nash (Obafemi), Dunne (Liburd)

 

Other results:

Conference South: Basingstoke Town 0–0 Concord Rangers

Ryman Premier: Canvey Island 1–1 Lewes, Leatherhead 2–1 East Thurrock United

Ryman One North: Heybridge Swifts 2–1 Great Wakering Rovers