TONIGHT’S MATCH PREVIEW – BILLERICAY TOWN (AWAY) 7.45 PM KICK-OFF

Dulwich Hamlet to the New Lodge tonight with the scent of swift revenge in their nostrils

Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at home to the newly awakened Billericay behemoth has opened up the hunt for the playoff places with both tonight’s teams looking to leap into the top five, Dulwich for the first time since early January, the Blues not occupying such a lofty perch since mid-November last year. The points will be vital for both sides for in recent weeks the quest to make the post season play off party has become increasing congested 5 clubs within a win of Tonbridge Angels, current occupants of fifth spot.

Both the Blues and the Hamlet boast an impressive record of late. Billericay’s win on Saturday at Champion Hill curtailed Dulwich’s run of eight games unbeaten in the Ryman League Premier Division, a record stretching back to 7th January when a below par performance at Canvey Island saw Gavin Rose’s men succumb to a late Steve Sheehan header.

Meanwhile Billericay Town have bolstered their ranks with several significant signings from the upper echelons of the Non-League pyramid, players with a proved pedigree at this level, along with former professionals Paul Konchevsky and Jamie O’Hara. The overhaul of the squad sees just a handful of players remain from that that began the campaign back in August with a 1-1 draw at home to Merstham. Few were surprised when the Billacticos, their new sobriquet in the red tops, burst out of midtable to launch an assault on the playoff places. However, it came as something of a shock to many when respected manager Craig Edwards chose to fall on his sword with so many riches at his disposal for the run in. Stepping into Edwards’ shoes came owner Glenn Tamplin, taking charge for the first time at Harlow Town where goals from Adam Cunnington and Billy Bricknell secured the points. A surprise reverse followed at Hendon as the absence of the new supremo left his charges bereft of inspiration but, with the kingpin back on the bench at home to Burgess Hill Town, it was business as usual. With Konchevsky pulling on a blue shirt for the first time, the New Lodge crowd swelled to 829 and after a sticky first half in which the Hillians held their hosts at bay, braces each from hometown hero Billy Bricknell and Ron Swaine made for a comfortable final 4-0 triumph. Bricknell grabbed another pair as Kingstonian woes were worsened with a 3-0 home defeat setting the stage for Saturday’s encounter.

Nearly 3000 fans packed into Champion Hill to witness the clash of cultures, loadsamoney Essex versus cosmopolitan South London. A blustery wind swirled around Champion Hill and it took just 9 minutes for the Essex travellers to exploit the conditions, Adam Cunnington continuing his scoring streak as he headed home a long ball into the box. A second came ten minutes later as Joseph Ellul was first to the ball as long throw was hurled into the area, the centre half powerfully heading home. Bang on the half hour mark Jake Robinson, ‘Ricay’s record signing in midweek, marked his debut for the club stooping to head home as the ball was pulled back from the goal line following a deep delivery from the Dulwich right. Hamlet made a fist of things in the second half, helped by the sending off of substitute Mekhi McLeod after reacting rashly to a challenge from Ashley Carew, but apart from a disallowed goal for Omar Koroma had nothing to show for their endeavours. So Round One went to the Essex Boys. The bell for Round Two goes at the New Lodge at 7.45 pm this evening.

For more about Billericay’s fresh blood and their season so far, click here to read Saturday’s match preview.

This evening’s game kicks off at 7.45 pm at The New Lodge, Blunts Wall Road, Billericay, Essex CM12 9SA. Directions to the ground can be found on the Billericay Town website by clicking here

2016/2017 Admission prices to New Lodge are:

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