Ben Mapp’s Billericay Town FC Articles

Billericay Town 3 (Johnson 45+5, Long 56, 90+3) – Dartford 1 (Carter 9) Elliot Long’s brace ensured Billericay Town made it seven points from nine at home against Kent opposition in the past week, as Danny Scopes’ side overcame a fiery Dartford under the New Lodge lights in a game that saw both teams reduced to ten men. Long’s double came after Leyton Orient loanee Dan Carter had given the visitors an early lead, but a spirited fightback led by captain Matt Johnson just before half-time turned the game in Billericay’s favour. The equaliser arrived shortly after Dartford right-back Sam Okoye was sent off late in the first half, setting the tone for a strong second-half display from the Blues. The visitors started brightly and created the first significant chance inside two minutes when Jez Pinder’s free kick dipped just over the bar. Alfie Cerulli responded for the hosts with a low effort that was comfortably held by Jonny Henly, but moments later Dartford struck first. Carter rode a co...

DARTFORD Nickname: The Darts Manager: Adrian Pennock Stadium: Princes Park Capacity: 4,100 It’s a third consecutive home game against Kent opposition tonight as Dartford make the trip across the Thames to New Lodge. The Darts saw their impressive 11-game unbeaten run come to an end on Saturday but have still enjoyed a strong start to the campaign. Adrian Pennock’s side sit sixth in the Isthmian Premier Division heading into this evening’s clash, with 24 points from 15 matches. Their first league defeat since 16 August came at the weekend, when a stoppage-time winner saw Wingate & Finchley snatch a 2-1 victory at Princes Park. On the road, the Darts have found wins harder to come by, recording one victory, a 2-0 success at Cray Wanderers at the end of October, alongside three draws and two defeats from their six away fixtures. Dartford have been one of the division’s entertainers so far, netting 31 goals, the third-highest tally in the league. Eddie Dsane and Ollie ...

Billericay Town 1 (Collis 36) – Cray Valley Paper Mills 1 (Vigor 69 (pen)) Matthew Vigor’s second-half penalty earned Cray Valley Paper Mills a valuable point at New Lodge, after Billericay defender Ryan Scott was sent off for the second time in as many games. Teddy Collis’ composed first-half finish had given the Blues a deserved lead, but the visitors capitalised on their man advantage to leave Essex with a share of the spoils. The Millers made the brighter start and almost went ahead after just three minutes when Ola Ogunwamide’s low cross was turned over the bar from close range by Rowan Liburd. At the other end, Freddie Hockey registered Billericay’s first shot on target, though his effort from distance failed to trouble Shaun Rowley in the visiting goal. Ogunwamide continued to cause problems down the right and forced Sam Donkin into a smart save midway through the half, but once the hosts settled, they began to take control. Rio Oudnie-Morgan was denied from a tight angle by Row...

CRAY VALLEY PAPER MILLS Nickname: The Millers Manager: Steve McKimm Stadium: The Artic Stadium Capacity: 1,550 Cray Valley Paper Mills are the visitors to New Lodge this afternoon for another Isthmian Premier League clash. Steve McKimm’s side have endured a difficult run of form in recent weeks and will be hoping to secure a first league victory since the end of September here in Essex today. The Millers currently sit 19th in the table with 12 points from 14 games. Like the Blues, they were in midweek action on Tuesday, but it proved a night to forget as they fell to a 4-1 home defeat against Aveley, extending their winless league run to six matches. Goals have also been hard to come by, with just five scored across that same period. Away from The Artic Stadium, Cray Valley have taken seven points from five league fixtures, recording two wins, one draw, and two defeats. However, their FA Cup and FA Trophy campaigns both ended on the road, with exits at Tonbridge Angels a...

Billericay Town 2 (Cerulli 26 (pen), Johnson 28) – Chatham Town 1 (Moynes 56 (pen)) Two goals in three first-half minutes were enough for Billericay Town to claim all three points in a dramatic encounter with Chatham Town, which featured two penalties and a red card shown by referee Joseph Gray. Alfie Cerulli’s first league goal of the season was swiftly followed by Matt Johnson’s strike to double the hosts’ advantage, before the Blues were reduced to ten men just before the break as Ryan Scott was sent off. Kian Moynes’ penalty gave the visitors hope, but Danny Scopes’ side held firm to record a second home win in a week. Despite Chatham seeing most of the early possession, Ricay were first to threaten. Former Chatham captain Jack Evans had the first effort of the contest five minutes in, but his strike from the edge of the box flew over the bar. Moments later, Teddy Collis also went close for the hosts, connecting with Cerulli’s cross but lifting his effort over at the far post. ...

CHATHAM TOWN Nickname: The Chats Manager: Kevin Hake Stadium: The Bauvill Stadium Capacity: 5,000 It’s a return to New Lodge tonight for the first of three consecutive home league games against Kent opposition. This evening’s visitors, Chatham Town, sit third in the Isthmian Premier League after an impressive start to the campaign, continuing the momentum they built at the end of 2024/25 despite a major squad overhaul over the summer. The Chats arrive in Essex on the back of FA Cup heartbreak at the weekend, narrowly losing 2-1 after extra time away to National League North side Buxton. Their last two league outings have both ended in draws at The Bauvill – a thrilling 3-3 draw with Cray Wanderers followed by a goalless encounter with Dulwich Hamlet. Under Kevin Hake, Chatham have proven one of the league’s hardest sides to beat, with just one defeat all season, a 2-1 loss to Folkestone Invicta in August. They also boast the joint-best defensive record in the division, c...

Folkestone Invicta 2 (Rance 19, Hutchinson 62) – Billericay Town 1 (Nash 59) Jake Hutchinson’s second-half header ensured Folkestone Invicta maintained their strong start to the season, edging past Billericay Town 2-1 at the Alcaline Stadium. The forward’s goal arrived just three minutes after Liam Nash had levelled for Danny Scopes’ side, leaving the Blues still searching for their first away league win since August. Under blue skies in Kent, Jay Saunders’ men made the brighter start and thought they had gone ahead inside seven minutes when Hutchinson beat Sam Donkin to a loose ball and rolled into the empty net, only for the referee to penalise him for handball. Jack Evans registered Billericay’s first effort of the afternoon, but his strike from distance was comfortably seen wide by Ted Collins. At the other end, Jazzi Barnum-Bobb made a crucial block to deny Joe Pigott after Ryan Scott was dispossessed inside the box, though the reprieve was short-lived. From the resulting corner, ...