MATCH REPORT - Chatham Town - 04/11/25

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.

The home side continued to cause problems for the Chatham defence, and Nathan Harvey was called into action just past the 20-minute mark to deal with Cerulli’s low drive. Kevin Hake’s men had to wait until the 25th minute for their first effort on goal, as Sam Sene-Richardson’s free kick curled comfortably into the arms of Sam Donkin.

From that moment, the game swung Billericay’s way. Donkin’s long clearance caused confusion in the visiting back line, and Collis was brought down in the area, leaving the referee with little choice but to point to the spot. Cerulli stepped up and confidently rifled his penalty down the middle, beating Harvey to give Billericay the lead.

The evening got even better for the Blues just two minutes later. Evans’ free kick was knocked down by Scott into the path of Freddie Hockey, whose close-range effort was brilliantly kept out by Harvey. However, Johnson reacted quickest to slot home the rebound from six yards, doubling the hosts’ advantage on 28 minutes.

Chatham began to grow into the game and enjoyed long spells of possession, though clear chances remained limited. They were handed a route back into the contest two minutes before the break when Tope Fadahunsi was brought down by Scott on the edge of the box while through on goal. The Billericay centre-half was shown a straight red card, but the Blues held firm to reach the interval with their two-goal lead intact.

The Chats came out after the restart with renewed energy and immediately caused problems for the Ricay defence. Adam Leathers’ deflected strike flew inches over the bar seven minutes into the half, before a thunderous long-range from Ollie Evans effort rattled the crossbar moments later.

The visitors’ pressure eventually told when Jazzi Barnum-Bobb was penalised for handball inside the box, allowing Moynes to send Donkin the wrong way from twelve yards and halve the deficit.

As the half wore on, the Blues were pushed increasingly deeper but still managed to create the odd chance on the counter, with Elliot Long firing wide and substitute Liam Nash testing Harvey with a free kick.

Chatham continued to press for an equaliser and came close five minutes from time when substitute Ben Allen glanced a header narrowly wide. Donkin then produced a fine late save to deny an acrobatic effort from Reece Butler deep into stoppage time.

Despite sustained pressure and over 50 minutes with ten men, Scopes’ side showed grit and determination to hold on for a precious three points.

Billericay Town: Donkin; Barnum-Bobb, Scott, Johnson, Porter; Owen, Evans; Collis (Miller-Rodney 46), Long, Cerulli; Hockey

Subs not used: Oudnie-Morgan

Chatham Town: Harvey; Evans, Butler, Giles, Cooper (Olugbodi 55); Leathers, Chambers (Robins 50); Macarthur, Sene-Richardson, Fadahunsi

Subs not used: Nelson

Referee: Joseph Gray

Attendance: 455