Ben Mapp Journalism

With a crucial top-of-the-table clash against Dartford on the horizon, there’s plenty of squad news to digest as Billericay Town aim to extend their lead at the top of the Isthmian Premier League. From new signings to injury updates, returning players, and loan reports, here’s the latest from New Lodge. New Signings Blues fans were treated to a double announcement yesterday evening as Gary McCann added two more bodies to an already impressive squad. Elliott Long joins the club on loan from Welling United, with the 24-year-old attacking midfielder bolstering McCann’s forward options. Starting his career at fellow Essex outfit Takeley, Long moved to Wingate & Finchley for the 2022/23 campaign, scoring 10 times in 44 appearances, including a winner at New Lodge. Long continued to impress last term, firing Wingate to a playoff spot with 22 league goals – including another winning goal against the Blues in December 2023. Earning a move to Welling United, Long has featured 18 times...

Isthmian Premier League – New Lodge, 18 th January 2025, 3pm Billericay Town welcome old rivals Dulwich Hamlet to Essex on Saturday afternoon, with both sides looking to bounce back from disappointment in their last league outings. While both teams were widely tipped to compete for the title this campaign, their seasons have taken dramatically different paths. The Blues sit just one point behind league leaders Dover Athletic, firmly in the title race, while Hamlet find themselves just five points above the drop zone, hoping new manager Bradley Quinton can turn their fortunes around. Billericay Town Heading into tomorrow’s clash, Billericay sit 2 nd on an impressive 51 points and have been the team to beat in the division this season. Their nine-game unbeaten run ended with a narrow 1-0 defeat away to Horsham last weekend, but the Blues boast the league’s only unbeaten home record, with all three league defeats occurring away from New Lodge. The Blues bounced back from Saturda...

Velocity Cup Quarter Final – New Lodge, 14th January 2025, 19:45 Kickoff Billericay Town host familiar foes Sheppey United at New Lodge on Tuesday night as the Velocity Cup reaches the quarter-final stage. While both teams are focused on promotion in their respective leagues, two-time cup winners Billericay will aim to bounce back from Saturday’s defeat at Horsham, while The Ites return to action for the first time since New Year’s Day, hoping to replicate last season’s FA Cup upset. Road to the Quarter-Finals The Blues have used the cup as an opportunity to rotate their squad and provide minutes to fringe and younger players, but have still looked very convincing in the competition thus far. Their campaign began with a 4-1 victory over Basildon United, featuring a brace from Decarrey Sheriff. A youthful side then eased past Cheshunt 3-0 in November, with 17-year-olds Bobby Kelman and Charlie Panton scoring their first senior goals, while Ade Azeez netted on his return from a cru...

Last night’s FA Cup Third Round clash between Everton and Peterborough United at Goodison Park presented a unique opportunity, as Everton defender Ashley Young had the chance to face his 18-year-old son, Tyler Young, who plays for the League One outfit. When Ashley replaced Nathan Patterson 17 minutes from time, there was the potential for a father-son moment that would’ve undoubtedly made national headlines. However, Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson decided not to bring the young Posh defender off the bench. The decision sparked a flood of debate and discontent among supporters and media alike, many of whom felt Ferguson missed an opportunity to create a magical FA Cup moment. But why should Ferguson have to defend his decision? After all, he’s a football manager trying to win a game, not entertain sentimental narratives. Trailing 1-0 to Beto’s 42nd-minute strike, Ferguson rightly turned to senior attacking options on the bench. He introduced striker Gustav Lindgren at half-tim...