Billericay Town claimed victory over Brentwood Town in the second Essex derby of the season between the two sides, with Elliot Long’s first-half strike proving decisive.
The Blues opened strongly and found themselves dominant in possession. Kymani Thomas came close early on when his floated effort was lifted beyond Jacob Adams and slightly short into the side netting.
With 21 minutes on the clock, the Blues were awarded a free-kick just inside their own half, with Tyrell Miller-Rodney picking up a booking in the process. However, it was the hosts who capitalised almost instantly, as Charlie Ruff dispossessed Ade Cole and launched a counter-attack, setting up Long, whose shot deflected off the inside of the post and into the net to put his side ahead.
Billericay were then fortunate not to be reduced to ten men, as Miller-Rodney’s reckless challenge on Alejandro Machado resulted in a free-kick just outside the box. However, with the midfielder already on a caution, no further disciplinary action was taken. This decision was reflected just two minutes later, when Billericay manager Danny Scopes acted swiftly to replace the midfielder with Tyrese Owen.
The Blues created a couple more chances before the break, with the overhead kick of Thomas punched tipped over by Adams, and a long-range strike by Louie Johnson struck just wide.
After the interval, Billericay almost doubled their advantage as a well-worked kick-off routine pinned Brentwood in their own half, allowing Long to curl a shot narrowly wide from inside the penalty area.
The Blues produced their closest chance of the game on the hour mark, when a square ball from Danny Ogunleye was met by Thomas, but the forward saw his shot clatter against the post from close range.
Few clear-cut chances followed for either side, with the hosts content to absorb pressure while Brentwood pushed for an equaliser without creating significant openings. Ricay captain Ryan Scott headed wide from a Jon Benton corner, before substitute Benas Vaivada delivered an in-swinging corner that found Machado at the back post, only for his effort to be fired wide.
There was little to separate the sides during the second half, allowing the hosts to hold out until the final whistle and secure their first back-to-back victories of the 2025/26 campaign.
Brentwood Town will be looking to bounce back next Saturday as they welcome Dulwich Hamlet to The Arena. Tickets are available on Fanbase, or at the turnstiles on the day.
BILLERICAY TOWN: Adams (GK), Lewis-Burgess (Barnum-Bobb 82′), Scott (C), Davis, Porter, Miller-Rodney (Owen 33′), Watts, Long, Ruff (Collis 76′), Benton (Merrifield 69′), Cerulli (Parsons 90′)
Subs not used: N/A
BRENTWOOD TOWN: Prall (GK), Reid, Cripps (C), Kaiser, Hudson, Cole (Vaivada 64′), Machado, Johnson, Ogunleye, Thomas (Olukolu 64′), Hughes
Subs not used: Pollock, Edwards, Freeman
By Michaela Georgopolous
