THIS SATURDAY’S MATCH PREVIEW – BILLERICAY TOWN (AWAY) KO 3.00 PM

It promises to be tricky in ‘Ricay as Dulwich Hamlet aim to break a five game winless streak away to a Blues side just two points shy of them

Managed by former Dulwich Hamlet head honcho, Craig Edwards, the battling Blues are very much crafted in the image of their pugnacious manager. A side built on physical strength and with the nous to bully the so-called more cultured teams out of the game, the Blues have climbed out of the boondocks of the division early doors to join the throng handing on the coattails of the promotion race. The title may be swiftly galloping towards the finishing post with Hampton & Richmond Borough and East Thurrock United starting to turn the screw but neither Edwards nor his counterpart in the Hamlet dugout, Gavin Rose, will even contemplate surrendering the championship at this stage of the season.

When Billericay Town paid a visit on Champion Hill all the way back at the start of September, Dulwich Hamlet had slipped from the summit into the midtable morass after failing to build on early promise whilst the Blues were already hovering dangerously close to the relegation trapdoor. In front of a bumper crowd of 1547 it was not a game for the fainthearted with defences solid all round. Jack Giddens, possessing a full hipster beard that made him the envy of some on terraces was the Blues hero of the first half with a string of saves. Meanwhile former Dulwich Hamlet striker Tom Derry suffered a second half hat trick of ill fortune, twice denied by superb saves from Phil Wilson then having a header cleared off the line by Kevin James, before the contest was settled with a piece of wizardry from debutante substitute Rhys Murrell-Williamson. Deep into added time, Murrell-Williamson cut inside on Billericay’s left flank and from 18 yards bent one with his left foot which arched beyond the reach of the diving Giddens, beating the ‘keeper inside the far upright. The best magician always pulls out the big finale just before the final curtain.

Victory proved the catalyst for Dulwich’s inexorable climb towards the summit, their own renaissance took a little longer. After going down to Nathan Campbell’s 49th minute goal at Met Police on a Tuesday night at Imber Court, the Blues embarked on a remarkable run of results that has seen Edwards’ men finish on the losing side just once in 19 Ryman League Premier Division although the cup record was a contrasting zero percent as the Blues were knocked out of first the FA Trophy 2-0 by FA Cup heroes Chesham United then swiftly dispatched from the Essex Senior Cup four days later by Braintree. Sights were set elsewhere and Billericay’s unrelenting scrambling up towards the summit achieved its zenith on Boxing Day, when for a brief few hours, the Blues surveyed all below them from the table’s top. The stay was all-too-brief as Dulwich Hamlet trounced Kingstonian later in the afternoon 5-1 to reclaim their position at the head of the field.

Billericay’s long unbeaten run came to unforeseen end in the bleakest of surroundings on they failed to take the chances that fell their way going down to a 2-1 defeat away to Harrow Borough. The result proved more a mousetrap than a snake pit, as Billericay, now back in 8th, steadied the ship and continued to pick up points. However, in a scenario familiar to those of the Pink and Blue persuasion, where earlier wins had been picked up against the likes of challengers East Thurrock United and Bognor Regis, now Billericay found themselves scrambling draws with such as near-neighbours Brentwood Town and rock-bottom Lewes.

Player selection has definitely been a headache for Edwards of late with no less than eight of the club’s Under 21 development squad travelling to Brentwood. But it is not just injuries that has afflicted the Blues. Influential skipper and centre half The 32-year-old was recently suspended from all football and football activity for eight months following an incident at the end of Billericay’s 2-2 draw at Enfield Town’s Donkey Lane back in November when a number of the home fans managed to invade the player’s tunnel, with scuffles erupting that eventually saw the Met Police called. Any charges against the player were dropped by the Police after the “victim” was unwilling to substantiate an allegation. However, Curley still had to face an Independent Regulatory Panel, entering a plea of self-defence but with the case judged on balance of probabilities rather than the strict liability of criminal law he was found guilty with a sentence described as “draconian” by many in the Blues’ rank. The verdict only added to the problems at the New Lodge with midfielder Joe Ellul tempted off to East Thurrock, left back Ola Williams announcing his departure and centre half Hafeez Sanusi sent off in controversial circumstances in the draw at Brentwood Town.

This afternoon’s game kicks off at 3.00 pm at New Lodge, Blunts Wall Road, Billericay, Essex CM12 9SA. Directions to the ground can be found on the Billericay Town website by clicking here. However, if you are travelling by public transport there are NO trains serving Billericay station from London Liverpool Street. Alternative travel arrangements can be found by clicking here.

2015/16 Admission prices to New Lodge are:

• Adults £10.00
• Concessions (Over 65's and Student card holders) £7.00
• Under 18s £3