The biggest game of the season to date is looming with the Peacocks preparing to make the trek to Essex to face Billericay Town in the 4th Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup tomorrow afternoon (20th October), kick-off 3.00pm.
It is the seventh occasion that Town have reached this stage of the competition, the earliest being back in 1958 when they lost 2-1 to Merthyr Tydfil and the most recent of course being two years ago when they beat Hemel Hempstead Town 1-0 in a replay to reach the First Round Proper for only the second time in their history. The Peacocks have looked assured in all their FA Cup outings this season, having scored 16 goals in just three ties. They began with a 7-1 trouncing of Wessex League Bemerton Heath Harlequins before ending Western League Bitton’s unbeaten start with a 4-0 victory. However Town reserved their best performance of the season for the last round when they dismissed National League South side St Albans City 5-2 with a brilliant display at the Viridor Stadium.
Hopes will therefore be high that the Peacocks can replicate their progress from two seasons ago when they bowed out to Barrow in the First Round Proper after a replay but in front of them is undoubtedly their toughest task since that night in Cumbria. Billericay sit top of the National League South and can boast a wealth of Football and National League experience in their ranks including former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara and striker Jake Robinson who has played for Brighton and Northampton amongst others and netted an astonishing 57 goals last season. The Blues are also undefeated at home this campaign, winning four of their six league fixtures at the AGP Arena where they have also enjoyed both their FA Cup victories to date, beating Burnham 4-1 in the 2nd Qualifying Round before demolishing Whitehawk 9-1 in the last round. There will also be an added incentive for Billericay manager Dean Brennan who was in charge of Hemel Hempstead when the Peacocks knocked them out in 2016.
Town will be missing Ryan Brett who serves the final game of his three match ban while Pierce Mitchell is also suspended for one game after his dismissal at Poole last weekend. A late decision will be made on Dan Sullivan who is still carrying a knock which has forced him to miss the last two Evo-Stik League fixtures but Nuno Felix returns to the squad which is travelling east this evening and staying overnight.
Newly appointed Head of Football Rob Dray remarked: “So the FA Cup throws up another fantastic day for the club and fans, and a great challenge for the players and management. These are the games we all want to be part of although we are big underdogs which has often not been the case in recent years. We will certainly be positive all over the pitch and leave nothing there.”
Meet Billericay Town
Ground: The AGP Arena, New Lodge, Blunts Wall Road, Billericay, Essex CM12 9SA
Directions:
By Road – From Brentwood/M25(North)
Leave the M25 at the junction with the A12 (J28) and take the A1023 through Brentwood. When you get to Shenfield take the A129 towards Billericay. Alternatively on leaving the M25 continue down the A12 towards Chelmsford until you reach the next exit (Mountnessing). At the roundabout take the first exit (turn left) then take the first right (just after the scrap yard). Continue along this route until you reach a mini-roundabout. Turn left, then you are on the road into Billericay. Note there is a height restriction of 13’3″ on this route. Both of these routes will bring you into Billericay on the same route. On entering Billericay turn right at the first set of traffic lights (near the Texaco Garage). Blunts Wall Lane is a little way along on the right.
By Rail
Billericay is located on the Liverpool St.-Southend Victoria line, trains run approx every 20 minutes on most days. Billericay Town Football Club is approximately 25 minutes walk from the station. On leaving the station turn right into Radford way. At the top of the road turn right, crossing the Railway line by the footbridge. Then turn right again at the bottom of the High St. into Western Road. Walk the full length of Western Road, then cross over at the traffic lights into Tye Common Rd. Blunts Wall Lane is a little way along on the right. Note Mayflower taxis are located just outside the station and will transport you to the ground for a modest fee
Admission: Adults £13, Concessions £9, Under 18’s £5, Under 11’s £1
Match tickets must be purchased beforehand either at the ticket office at the ground or online here.
Last Meeting: this will be the first ever game between the sides