Billericay Town 1-1 Maidstone United

A goal from close range from Jay Saunders saw The Stones come from behind to register their first draw since September in a close encounter with Billericay.

After the midweek victory against Margate, there were a number of changes to the Maidstone line up and for the most part, The Stones coped well with the pace and movement of the home side and when Billericay did break through the Maidstone defence, they found Andy Walker in inspired form.

With five minutes played, Aaron Lacy threw the ball into the box and it dropped to Roland Edge who saw his side footed effort fly just over the bar.

Then on 18 minutes, Billericay broke quickly from another Lacy throw and Steven Ferguson raced down the right before cutting into the box. Billy Bricknell had joined Ferguson in the box but from a tight angle, Ferguson saw his shot expertly saved by Walker in the Maidstone goal.

Seven minutes later, Meshach Nugent fired a shot just wide of the near post before the home side began to put The Stones under pressure.

On 27 minutes, Ferguson drove a free-kick into the box which deflected to Jamie Dormer who was in space close to the far post and he struck the ball goalwards only for Walker to make another excellent save and concede a corner.

Then four minutes later, Ferguson once again found Dormer inside the area and this time, Walker turned the ball around the post.

Ferguson was involved once again on 40 minutes when this time his shot curled across the face of goal before Maidstone hit the home side on the break when James Peacock found Lloyd Blackman who beat a defender and rolled the ball into the path of Edge who clipped the ball over the bar from the edge of the area.

The home side continued to enjoy the best of the chances in the second half and on 69 minutes, substitute Dave Wareham drove in a dangerous cross which Ian Cox and did well to head over the bar with Billy Bricknell in attendance.

However, Bricknell was to have more luck on 69 minutes when the impressive Ferguson crossed for the Billericay striker who headed the ball downwards and despite Walker’s best efforts the ball trickled inside the post.

The Stones had not created a chance in the second half until this point but they responded well to falling behind and within four minutes, they had pulled level. Lacy chucked the ball into the box and James Peacock got a touch before Jay Saunders guided the ball over the line.

Then three minutes later, Billericay had an excellent chance to snatch a winner when Bricknell twisted into space inside the area but with the goal at his mercy, he thumped the ball wide.

Maidstone United: Jay Saunders

Billericay Town: Ronnie Worster, Neil Marron, Ashley Dumas, Steve Heffer, Lynval Duncan, Jamie Dormer, Steven Ferguson, Adrian Deane, Billy Bricknell, Joe Flack (Bradley Wood-Garness 66), Leon Hunter (Dave Wareham 66). Subs not used: Wayne Semanshia, Solomon Henry, Jack Buckfield

Maidstone United: Maidstone United: Andy Walker, Ashley Ulph, Neil Smith, Kevin Watson, Ian Cox, Roland Edge, Aaron Lacy, Jay Saunders, Meshach Nugent, Lloyd Blackman, James Peacock, Subs not used: Ian Selley, Ant Bodle, Lloyd Hume, James Pinnock, Steve Northwood.

 Alan Walker

Man of the Match

Photos from Steve Terrell