Billericay Town 0–2 Hendon

From New Lodge

Ryman Premier League

 

BILLERICAY Town’s play-off hopes were dealt a big blow after they suffered back-to-back home defeats for the first time since September.

Hendon won 2-0 at New Lodge, with goals either side of half-time to hand their promotion bid a further boost. But it is back to the drawing board for Town, who were well beaten on the day.

Billericay had lost their first home match in 14 league games on Monday, when league leaders Maidstone United came to visit, and they needed a win against second-placed Hendon to keep alive their play-off hopes.

Hendon had beaten Canvey Island on Wednesday, and were playing their fourth game in a week but they started the better side.

After Rowan Liburd had sent an effort wide for Town, Hendon’s Casey McLaren was only denied by a fine sprawling save by the onrushing Joe Wright.

Aaron Morgan sent an effort wide soon after but the away side made no mistake at the third time of asking.

Neat interplay between McLaren and Morgan saw the ball drop to Kezie Ibe and he finished well past Wright, with the keeper’s palm on the ball not enough to keep it out.

Hendon were the side in the ascendency, with the front three causing Billericay’s back four no end of problems.

In fact, Ben McNamara was nothing more than a spectator in the first-half, with Affy Obafemi and Liburd struggling to make an impact.

And things didn’t improve after the break, as Hendon doubled their advantage moments after the break.

A corner was worked out to substitute Andre Da Costa and he curled a delightful effort past Wright, who was left with no chance.

Billericay responded with their best spell of the match, with Steve Sheehan and Ryan Scott both seeing efforts cleared away from the goal-line.

A fine double save from Wright kept it at 2-0 before Charlie Goode nodded a header wide but Hendon were worthy winners.

 

Billericay Town: Wright, Mahler (Farrell), Nesbitt, Edwards, Sheehan, Scott, Obafemi (Melaugh), Poole, Sappleton, Liburd, Baker

Hendon: McNamara, Diedhiou, Sprague, Goode, Braithwaite, K McLaren (Da Costa), Murphy, O’Leary, Morgan (Dean), Ibe (Smith), C McLaren

 

Other results:

Conference South: Weston-Super-Mare 1-2 Concord Rangers

Ryman Premier: Dulwich Hamlet 3-3 East Thurrock United, Harrow Borough 1-0 Canvey Island

Ryman One North: Wroxham 1-1 Great Wakering Rovers