Essex Derby Goes To Form - Billericay vs. Aveley

New Lodge

I've been off work this week and so I was able to make a longer midweek trip then I usually would have. My first choice was Chesham but I was unable to gain confirmation that the game was defiantly on and so I opted for the all Essex clash between Billericay and Aveley. The home side were sitting at the top of the league and were unbeaten at home this season. They had been frustrated by Margate the previous Saturday and so they were keen to return to winning ways. Aveley were just outside of the relegation zone but had only lost three away games this season.

The stand and clubhouse before kick off. Note the very full moon just above the clubhouse.

The match is played in very blustery conditions which does affect the game a bit. Billericay have a few smaller, very pacey attacking players and they cause Aveley a few problems. There are several occasions when a cross flies across the edge of the six yard box but no one can make a connection. Aveley are perhaps a touch lucky to keep ten men on the pitch when the Billericay player is chopped down as he's about to break through. The home side get the goal they deserve after about 35 minutes. A free kick from wide is headed towards goal and the ball is forced home. The home side force a succession of corners at the end of the half but they fail to add to their tally.

A Billericay chance in the first half.

Aveley equalise within the first five minutes of the second half. The keeper spills the ball following a free kick and the Aveley player forces the ball home at the near post. Billericay now pile forward and this really opens up the game and there are chances for both sides. The second Billericay goal is similar to the first one. A free kick is flicked on and the striker gets to it first to make it 2-1. Aveley's task is made a lot more difficult when one of their midfielders gets a second for a cynical foul. The home side see out the rest of the game to cement their place at the top of the table. 

Covered standing and seating down the far touchline.

Trains to Billericay depart from Liverpool Street on a regular basis and the journey takes about half an hour. On the way back, you had to change at Shenfield to get back to London. The walk to the ground is very straight forward and takes twenty minutes. There are a few pubs at the junction of the High Street and Western Road. I went to The Railway Hotel and there are also several pubs on the High Street itself. The clubhouse is quite large and there weren't any live games that evening so I don't know if they had Sky or not.

A Billericay corner in the first half.