Shinn’s strike made him talk of the town (From Basildon Recorder)

Shinn’s strike made him talk of the town

1:00pm Thursday 4th February 2010

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AFTER the triumphs of Tuesday evening, tonight’s Ryman League Cup third round affair between Concord Rangers and Billericay Town is likely to be a much lower-key affair.

With both having key league games less than 48 hours later, the two clubs are likely to rely on squad line-ups at Thames Road this evening for a much-postponed tie which will see the winners bidding for a quarter-final spot at home to Sittingbourne Town climbed to 17th spot in the Premier, their highest placing since last October, when they became only the second team this season to beat runaway leaders Dartford.

The win, at Billericay’s New Lodge ground in front of a 514-strong crowd, saw recalled midfielder Micky Shinn score the only goal of the night after 46 minutes, shooting home from outside the box in fine style.

With Billy Bricknell injured and ex-Crystal Palace man Simon Thomas unavailable, Town boss Brian Statham went with a 4-5-1 line-up with James Baker the lone out and out striker. Baker did a fine job against a Darts team who were without their own top goal star and have gone slightly off the boil in recent times.

Billericay dropped regular stopper Andy Walker to the bench and brought in experienced keeper Paul Nicholls, who spent a lengthy spell with Statham at Heybridge Swifts.

He was rarely seriously troubled by the Kent visitors but Billericay did suffer a nervy ending when the referee pulled up with a leg muscle injury two minutes from the end.

After a lengthy stoppage an assistant took over in the middle with Town fan Trevor Veitch, a qualified ref, taking up the assistant’s flag.

While Billericay are up to 17th with their more optimistc fans beginning to dream of the play-offs, it was a frustrating night for Canvey who saw their game with Hendon at Wembley postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Concord are back in the play-off spots in Ryman One North following their 2-0 win at Potters Bar Town, who they now host at Thames Road on Saturday.

The Canvey based outfit took a 30th minute lead through defender Nick Skelton and former West Ham youngster Ashley Millar got the second in injury-time.

East Thurrock United moved up to second when, with Thamesmead Town suffering a shock 3-0 defeat at the hands of Romford, they beat Northwood 3-2 at home.

Top divisional marksman Sam Higgins scored his 21st goal in 16 league games while other Rocks’ goals came from Kye Ruel and Steve Harrison.

In the Ryman League Cup on Monday night, Aveley joined Canvey in the quarter finals when they beat fellow Premier side AFC Hornchurch 3-1 at home in round four.

Goals came from top marksman Martin Tuohy, his 16th of the season, Nicky Symons and Ryan Edgar.

Thurrock’s hopes of making the Blue Square South play-offs took a knock when they lost 1-0 at Dorchester Town.

In the Essex Senior League Cup, the last remaining locals, Bowers and Pitsea, went out at the quarter-final stage when they lost 4-1 at Burnham Ramblers.

This was a repeat of the score when the two met at Bowers so Burnham go through 8-2 on aggregate to meet Eton Manor.

Manor beat Titpree United 4-1 in the second leg to complete a 9-1 aggregate success.

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