Billericay Town 3–0 Enfield Town

From New Lodge

Ryman Premier League

 

BILLERICAY Town eased to a first win of the new season, as they breezed past Enfield Town.

Goals from Tom Derry, George Beavan and Onome Sodje proved the difference, with Enfield reduced to 10 men in the first-half.

Both teams made bright starts at New Lodge, although Billericay felt hard done by after only two minutes of the encounter. A neat exchange on the right between Loui Hazlewood and Conor Hubble saw the former burst into the box and go down under the challenge of Janior Da Cruz.

But to manager Craig Edwards’ astonishment, the referee only flagged for a corner.

Hazlewood drilled over from the resulting set-piece, although Enfield were also posing questions of the oppositions defence.

Alex Cathline saw an effort chalked off for offside, but with 20 minutes on the clock the home side took the lead. A poor free-kick from Teddy Nesbitt was partially cleared only for the loose ball to drop to Derry, who made no mistake from six yards.

Town were on top and, although they were dealt a blow when the lively Hazlewood went off injured, they soon had a man advantage.

Enfield striker Tashan Hayden-Smith raised his studs to Joe Ellul, formerly of the visitors, and he was dismissed.

Sodje could have taken the game away from Enfield, but missed the target when clean through, although centre-half Beavan did hold his nerve when presented with a goal-scoring chance.

Neat wing play from substitute Harry Baker saw the defender slot home with ease, for his second goal of term.

Into the second-half Billericay continued to press and were awarded a penalty, to ironic cheers from home supporters, after fine work from Derry.

He was pushed in the box and Sodje blasted high into the goal for his first of the season.

But it was a half without incident, with Jack Giddens only forced into one save of note between the posts.

Tougher tests await Billericay this season, as they gun for a top five finish.

Billericay Town: Giddens, Williams, Stephenson, Ellul, Curley, Beavan, Hazlewood (Baker) (Manor), Hubble, Derry, Sodje (Guy), Nesbitt

MOM: Onome Sodje (Billericay)

 

Other results: Truro City 2-1 Concord Rangers, Canvey Island 1-1 Bognor Regis Town, Hampton & RB 2-1 East Thurrock United, Maldon & Tiptree 2-3 Great Wakering Rovers