Billericay Town 6-1 Kingstonian
K's Hit for Six
Kingstonian travelled to the New Lodge to face a rejuvenated Billericay in the Ryman Premier for what is often an entertaining fixture.
With Scott Steele unable to attend the game, his team were under the guidance of former Wimbledon man Andy Clement for the day. Changes to the team that lost in the FA Cup saw Chris Nurse return to the K's midfield following a spell at Sutton United, whilst Josh Francois was given a starting berth up front and Dave Timothy returned from injury. Amongst the Billericay line-up was recent signing, well-known non-league goalkeeper, Paul Gothard.
The troubles stated early for Kingstonian when a Gavin Heerro cross was deflected into the back of his own net by Frazer Muscat after just five minutes.
Despite trying to rally, K's were unable to enjoy much possession in the final third and before long goalkeeper Barry Marchena was the busiest man on the field. First Berty Brayley tried an opportunist shot across goal that was gathered by the young goalkeeper before a Heeroo free kick demanded a similar response. A Steve Forbes throughball allowed Danny Hockton clear sight of goal, though the striker's drive was well blocked by Marchena's legs.
As the game approached the half hour mark, a sloppy few minutes enabled the hosts to claim a firm grasp on the game with a couple of quick-fire goals. Hockton found himself in space in the box to side-foot a Brayley cross into the back of the net to double his side's advantage. Brayley followed up with a goal of his own when picking up a long crossfield ball behind the Kingstonian defence before calmly lobbing over the advancing Marchena.
Dave Timothy saw an effort sail over the bar, but the closest sign of danger at the other end came when a low Liam Collins cross almost found Josh Francois sliding in at the near post. Pat Singleton was however on hand to divert the ball round the post and away from immediate danger.
K's were lucky not to further wound themselves when Marchena was called upon to make a superb full stretch save to tip a team-mate's wayward header round the post. The ensuing corner saw Marchena demonstrate some more first-rate reflexes when tipping over a fierce James Dormer drive otherwise destined for the roof of the net.
Just before the stroke of half time, Hockton ensured the scoreline at the interval was an emphatic one with a sublime curling strike from the edge of the box that found the top corner of the goal.
With both sides coming out for the second half with a slightly different mindset, K's were able to take the early initiative. Liam Collins fed the ball to Josh Francois, whose crisp strike was well turned past his near post by Paul Gothard.
The goal did come soon after when a succession of corners finally paid off. Liam Collins' delivery was bundled in by a combination of Giles Coke and Elliot Onochie.
K's, and Collins in particular, enjoyed extra possession throughout the second half though chances were limited as the home defence stood firm. Dave McSweeney did well to block a shot from Collins as he cut inside in the box, whilst Onochie was unable to fully connect with an inviting cross from the right.
Substitute Neil Cousins posed a threat down the left flank in the final few minutes, first stealing the ball from Frazer Muscat before crossing to Brayley only for Marchena to save well, before doing the same to Collins and delivering a near post ball for Chris Stowe to head home.
The margin further widened with almost the final kick of the game when Hockton drove a low free kick into the bottom corner of the net to secure his hat-trick.
A simple summary of too much happening at one end and not enough at the other would be a most fitting one for this game - and against a side whom K's teams have usually fared well against. Hopefully the game will be put to the back of everyone's mind - where it should belong - with an improvement in fortunes in a pair of crucial upcoming home games.
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Sat 25th Sep 2004 |
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New Lodge |
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430 |
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Isthmian League Premier |
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Billericay Town | 6 |
Kingstonian | 1 |
Coke G |
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1 | Barry Marchena | | |
2 | Frazer Muscat | | |
3 | Dean Souyana | | |
4 | Richard Taylor | | |
5 | Jonathan Coke | | |
6 | Giles Coke | | |
7 | Liam Collins | | |
8 | Chris Nurse | | |
9 | Elliot Onochie | | |
10 | Josh Francois | | |
11 | Dave Timothy | | 17 |
12 | Bernard Asante | | |
14 | Martyn Williams | | |
15 | Matt Bradford | | |
16 | Reggie Savage | | |
17 | Mazin Ahmad | | 11 |
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Ali Kazemi |
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