Ben Mapp’s Billericay Town FC Articles

Billericay Town 3 (Miller-Rodney 37, Scott 48, Merrifield 65) – Berkhamsted 0 Star Man – Ryan Scott (Billericay Town) Star Rating – 3/5 Frankie Merrifield’s second goal in a week capped off a commanding Billericay Town display as they swept aside Berkhamsted at New Lodge. It was a landmark afternoon for new Blues boss Danny Scopes, who took charge at New Lodge for the first time, and his side began on the front foot. Liam Nash tested visiting keeper Charlie Horlock early on before Jack Evans also saw an effort well saved as Billericay took control of the opening period. The pressure told eight minutes before the break when Tyrell Miller-Rodney collected the ball just inside the area and finished well into the bottom corner to give the hosts a deserved lead. The advantage was doubled within three minutes of the restart as Evans’ teasing corner was met by Ryan Scott, who rose highest to thump a powerful header beyond Horlock. Billericay continued to dominate possession and added a third ...

BERKHAMSTED Nickname: The Comrades Manager: Chris Devane Stadium: Broadwater Capacity: 2,500 This afternoon we welcome Berkhamsted, who are adjusting well to life at Step 3 following promotion from the Southern League Division One Central last season. The Comrades swept through the play-offs in style, beating Hadley 5–0 in the semi-final before repeating the scoreline against Flackwell Heath in the final to secure their place in the Premier Division South. Berkhamsted’s story is a relatively recent one. Founded in 2009 after the demise of Berkhamsted Town, the club climbed rapidly through the divisions. Back-to-back titles in the Spartan South Midlands League propelled them to Step 5, and by 2017–18 they had reached the Southern League. Promotion followed again in 2022–23, although their first stint at Step 3 ended with relegation a year later. They bounced straight back, however, and under the guidance of Chris Devane they are once more competing in the third tier of no...

Billericay Town 2 (Taylor 69, Scott 90+2) - Ramsgate 2 (Paxman 14, May 63) Star Man – Elliot Long (Billericay Town) Star Rating – 4/5 Ryan Scott’s stoppage-time header salvaged a dramatic point for Billericay Town as the Blues fought back from two goals down at New Lodge. Ramsgate began on the front foot and almost struck early when Alfie Paxman forced Sam Donkin into a smart save from close range. Their bright start was rewarded soon after when Paxman arrived at the near post to turn in a low cross from the right. The away side’s pressure continued after the interval, and they were rewarded when Mitchell May unleashed a thunderous strike from distance that crashed in off the underside of the bar to double the Rams’ advantage. Billericay responded with renewed urgency and thought they had a lifeline when Joe Taylor bundled the ball in after colliding with goalkeeper Aidan Prall, only for the referee to rule it out for a foul. The former Rams striker wasn’t to be denied, however, and wi...

RAMSGATE Nickname: The Rams Manager: Ben Smith Stadium: Southwood Stadium Capacity: 3,500 Ramsgate arrive at New Lodge this afternoon as one of the league’s great entertainers, with a remarkable 26 goals scored or conceded across their opening five Isthmian Premier League fixtures. Back at Step 3 for the first time since 2008/09, it’s been a lively but mixed start for Ben Smith’s side. The Rams finally secured promotion last term in emphatic fashion, storming to the Isthmian South East title with 109 points and 127 goals. Leading that charge was our very own Joe Taylor, who scored an astonishing 48 goals in all competitions in 2024/25. This season, much of the attacking burden has fallen to Alfie Paxman, who has already struck four times, while former Sittingbourne forward Mitchell May has chipped in with two goals. Smith’s men began the campaign with a dramatic opening-day win over Whitehawk, sealed by Paxman’s 95th-minute penalty. Since then, however, they have endur...

BARTON ROVERS Nickname: The Rovers Manager: Chris Robson Stadium: The Winton Haulage Stadium Capacity: 4,000 Barton Rovers make the trip to New Lodge from the Southern League Division One Central, a step below the Isthmian Premier League, and arrive on the back of a promising start to both league and cup competitions. Chris Robson took charge over the summer, succeeding Jermaine Hall, who had guided the Bedfordshire side to a fourth-place finish last season before they fell 2–0 to Flackwell Heath in the play-off semi-final. The new campaign has begun brightly. Rovers have collected seven points from their opening three league fixtures, with victories over Marlow and Leverstock Green followed by a draw against Hitchin Town on Monday. Leading the line is forward Albie Hall, who has already found the net four times in three league games. Their cup form has been mixed. Barton booked their place at New Lodge courtesy of a 2–0 win over Brantham Athletic in the FA Cup Prelimi...

CRAY WANDERERS Nickname: The Wands Manager: Tim O’Shea Stadium: Flamingo Park Capacity: 2,500 Cray Wanderers have made a flying start to the new campaign, collecting seven points from their opening three matches to sit second in the table ahead of this afternoon’s trip to New Lodge. Tim O’Shea, who replaced Neil Smith on an interim basis late last season, impressed enough during his short spell to be handed the job permanently over the summer. He has kept faith with the core of last year’s squad, including experienced skipper Tom Bonner and lively forward Josh Williams, who no doubt attracted attention from higher up the pyramid. There have also been some familiar arrivals in Kent. Veteran striker Chris Dickson, now 40, returns having scored nine times in 27 games for the Blues in 2022/23. He is joined by winger Ashley Nzala, fresh in the memory of Billericay supporters after making 51 appearances and netting nine goals for us last term. All three of Cray’s opening f...

Fifty seasons on from our iconic maiden FA Vase triumph at Wembley, it’s only right to look back on a cup campaign, and a season, that saw four trophies added to our illustrious honours board. Managed by John Newman, the 1975/76 season proved to be a watershed moment for the Blues, as our squad filled with club legends embarked on the most remarkable of seasons, culminating in our first-ever trip to Wembley and sparking an era of dominance within the local and national non-league scene. The Road to Wembley Our FA Vase campaign began in the first round in late October 1975 away at Hatfield Town, where a Tony Wakefield goal earned a 1–1 draw after extra time. A week later, it was our all-time top goalscorer Fred Clayden’s brace that saw us past the north Essex side as we secured a 2–0 win at New Lodge. In the second round, we saw off Crown & Manor of the London Spartan League with a 2–0 win on the road, thanks to goals from John Geddes and Gary Smith. We progressed further in...

Aveley – Parkside (15 miles) Relegated from the National League South after a two-season stint, Aveley return to Step 3 with a new man at the helm in Brett Munyard. The Millers have undergone a major squad rebuild this summer, with several familiar faces for Town fans among the new arrivals, and their return to the division marks one of four Essex derbies this season. Our last clash came in December 2022, a 2-0 win at New Lodge thanks to goals from Matt Price and Eze Ebuzoeme. Brentwood Town – Brentwood Centre Arena (6.5 miles) Our shortest trip of the season sees us renew acquaintances with newly-promoted Brentwood Town. Keith Rowland’s side are back at Step 3 for the first time since 2016 after lifting the Isthmian North title last term. Much of that success was built on the firepower of Daniel Ogunleye, who netted a remarkable 43 goals and remains with the Blues for 2025/26. We last met in 2016, playing out a 1-1 draw away from home, with Conor Hubble on target. Burgess Hill...

Hutton – Tuesday 8th July, 7:45pm, New Lodge We kick things off against familiar neighbours Hutton, who’ve become regular pre-season opponents since starting their groundshare at New Lodge two years ago. They finished fifth in the Eastern Counties League Division One South last season but fell short in the play-offs, losing 4-1 in the semi-final to eventual winners Hackney Wick. Taking charge this summer is former AS London manager Francesco Zabotti, who replaces Matt Singh after his successful stint in charge. Hutton will again use New Lodge this campaign, playing on the weekends when we’re away and on Wednesday nights. We’ve faced Hutton in our opening friendly for the past two summers, winning 3-1 in 2023/24 and 3-0 last year. Braintree Town – Saturday 12th July, 3pm, New Lodge Our first National League visitors of pre-season are Braintree Town, who survived their first season back at Step 1 by finishing 17th, four points clear of relegation. Steve Pitt, a familiar face ...