VCD Athletic 2-0 Billericay Town

From the Oakwood

Ryman Premier League

 

BILLERICAY Town slumped to a final day defeat against relegation strugglers VCD Athletic to end the season in eighth.

Craig Edwards demanded a response from his team after last Monday’s 5-0 hammering at the hands of Concord Rangers in the Essex Senior Cup final, but two late goals put paid to their hopes.

Town started the match brightly, with Ricky Sappleton shooting over Nick Blue’s crossbar from a free-kick.

But back came VCD and Michael Power could have opened the scoring before 10 minutes were on the clock – beating Joe Wright only for Ola Williams to slide back and clear off the line.

Ben Payne headed just over for VCD, before he came to his side’s aid at the other end soon after as he denied Rowan Liburd who headed at goal.

Sappleton headed off target and shot wide before the break and Town started the second half in the same vain.

Affy Obafemi came close but Williams came closer on the hour mark, with his long-range drive tipped onto the crossbar by Blue.

But VCD were pressing and they came close to opening the scoring with 10 minutes remaining.

Firstly, Leigh Bremner shot wide and James Duckworth was denied by Wright moments later.

Wright was again Town’s savior when Lanre Azeez broke through, only for the keeper to make himself big and push the ball away.

But he couldn’t prevent Duckworth from scoring with two minutes to go - his left-footed drive beating Wright’s dive.

Azeez scored two minutes later to confirm the result.

 

Billericay Town: Wright, Williams, Halle, Sheehan, Beavan (Baker), Nesbitt, Mahler (Edwards), Poole, Sappleton, Liburd (Farrell), Obafemi