The Blues are back at home on Saturday as we kick off December with a home match which sees 3rd place vs 4th place in the Isthmian Premier League as we welcome Billericay Town to the Maurice Rebak Stadium. Unlike November, where we had a match on every Tuesday, our first week in December has seen no midweek fixture, so hopefully a well-rested Blues side will be raring to go on Saturday afternoon.
Our Opponents
Billericay Town's history dates back nearly 150 years, playing their football in the non-league pyramid throughout. The club made headlines in recent years with the high-profile signings such as ex-Premier League players Paul Konchesky, Jermaine Pennant and Jamie O'Hara. During this time, the club were promoted as champions of the Isthmian Premier League in 2017/18. The following season, the club nearly earned a playoff place in their first season in the National League South but fell just short. After a couple of COVID-affected seasons, Billericay were subsequently relegated from the National League South in 2021/22, finishing in bottom place. In their first season back at this level, the Essex side had a solid if unspectacular season, finishing 10th place, however never really able to challenge the playoff places throughout the season.
Last season, it was an improved league performance, as Billericay ended up in 6th place, missing out on the final playoff position by just three points. It was a disappointing result after a good season; they sat in the playoff positions for six months from October through to the start of March where a spell of poor form during February and March saw them lose eight out of ten league matches and ensured that they dropped out of the playoff places. Billericay turned a corner at the end of the season and won their final six matches in a rowbut it wasn't enough to force their way back into the playoffs when the table was finalised.
This season has seen a similar story to last season, with Billericay sat in 3rd place with 34 points from 18 matches (W9 D7 L2). Two defeats puts Billericay level with Dover in terms of fewest defeats in the league this season, and with only 17 goals conceded the Essex Blues have the best defence in the league, a defence on which last season's success was also built.
Head to Head
Last season, the Blues from N12 managed to do the double over the Blues from CM12, with both games ending 2-1. At the Maurice Rebak Stadium in December last year, goals from Rhamar Garrett-Douglas and Elliot Long either side of Bradley Stevenson's equaliser saw Wingate & Finchley to victory.
But it was the game at New Lodge which ultimately had major repercussions on the final league table, and in dramatic fashion. Again Bradley Stevenson was the man on the scoresheet for Billericay (Stevenson's form for Billericay last season saw him signed by National League side Solihull Moors in the summer) scoring inside ten minutes, but it was the final ten minutes where the result was settled as Zack Newton scored in the fifth minute of added time and then Joe Boachie scored in the 99th minute to give the visiting Blues all three points at a crucial stage of the season.
Last Time Out
Wingate & Finchley's last game was a trip to Hashtag United where Ogo Obi scored his 18th goal of the season in all competitions to draw us level before Hashtag scored three second half goals to secure a 4-1 win. The Blues had a number of chances themselves but were denied by the woodwork on one occasion and a MOTM display by the home keeper.
Billericay were involved in the only league fixture on Tuesday night this week as they hosted Horsham. Both sides will have their hearts set on a playoff position this season and after Horsham took a slender one-goal lead at the interval, a triple substitution by Gary McCann at half time ensured a change in fortunes which saw Billericay come back to win 2-1, goals from Todd Miller and Femi Akinwande.
November was a mixed month for Billericay, as they tasted league defeat for the first time this season, on two occasions, both on the road at Carshalton Athletic (4-3) and Chichester City (3-1). Meanwhile they did secure home wins over Hendon (1-0) and Bowers & Pitsea (2-1) and a 1-1 draw against Chatham Town.
Players To Watch
A player who returned to Billericay last week and was immediately in the goals on Tuesday night is powerful striker Femi Akinwande. Akinwande has played for numerous non-league clubs in the Essex area, and it was his performances for Maldon & Tiptree back in 2015 which saw him signed by Colchester United. Last season, he scored 18 league goals for Hastings and Hornchurch as the Urchins were crowned champions, and has played the first half of this season with Hornchurch in National League South, scoring three goals in 22 games. Now in his third spell with Billericay, Akinwande will be looking to provide the goals which ensure that Billericay retain their playoff position into the new year.
At the back, regular viewers of ITV may recognise the name of the Billericay right back Montel McKenzie who appeared on series 10 of Love Island. In footballing matters, McKenzie played the full season in National League South last year with Hemel Hempstead before being released in the summer and picked up by Billericay. Prior to this he played for Woodford Town after returning from a spell in the USA where he played in the 4th tier for Ocean City Nor'easters.
For the Blues, it was a depleted squad last Saturday with injuries wreaking havoc at this stage of the season. As such, the players to watch out for are both academy graduates who have made their mark in the squad this season. Firstly Alex Osei, a member of the U18s squad has been thrust into the starting XI in recent matches - a gifted left-sided player who will be looking to develop further under Ahmet Rifat's watchful eye. Meanwhile another academy graduate who has featured in the matchday squad regularly in the last 18 months is Tommy Roberts. Roberts is a tricky attacking player who has the potential to beat any man on his day. Both players are demonstrating the continued success of the Blues' youth set-up and clear pathway between the U18s and first team.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Maurice Rebak Stadium on Saturday. Our bar will be open from 1pm, and hot food will be served, including our new gourmet hot dogs; 'The Smokey Joe' and 'The Cow & Cask'. Cash and card is accepted throughout the stadium and tickets can be bought in advance here, or on the gate on matchday.
Photos courtesy of Martin Addison.
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