Billericay Town vs Sheppey United – Match Preview

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 cruciate ligament injury.

Sheppey’s journey has included an extra round compared to their higher-level opponents. They narrowly defeated Herne Bay on penalties in September before securing an impressive 4-2 away win at Margate, thanks to a hat-trick from Gil Carvalho. Their standout result came in the previous round, a commanding 3-0 victory over Dartford, who are currently battling Billericay for promotion to the National League South.

Recent Form

Billericay’s excellent form was halted on Saturday with a narrow 1-0 loss at Horsham, ending a nine-game unbeaten run (seven wins). Sitting 2nd in the Isthmian Premier League, the Blues boast the division’s best defence and have only suffered two home defeats all season, albeit both in cup competitions.

Sheppey, currently 6th in the Isthmian South East, ended a four-game losing streak with a 3-1 win over Hythe Town on New Year’s Day. However, their away form is inconsistent, with just five wins from 14 away fixtures this season, including the aforementioned result at Margate in this competition.

Head-to-Head

These sides met in the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round in October 2023. The first game at New Lodge ended 1-1, with Billericay’s Frankie Merrifield cancelling out Daniel Bradshaw’s opener. The replay at Holm Park mirrored the first tie as Bradshaw struck early again, only for Bradley Stevenson to force extra time with a header five minutes from time. Sheppey ultimately triumphed 5-4 on penalties, with Blues captain Matt Johnson’s spot-kick saved by Aiden Prall.

Sheppey’s victory set up a high-profile First Round tie against League Two Walsall, broadcast live on TV.

Team News and Predicted Lineups

Billericay Town: Gary McCann is set to rotate his squad to hand out minutes to those returning from injury, although a strong side is still expected. Montel McKenzie will miss out through injury while Tyrell Miller-Rodney serves the second game of a three-game suspension.

Aron Pollock faces assessment for an ankle knock picked up in training last week, but McCann has confirmed Ade Azeez, Decarrey Sheriff, Jack Paxman, and Tom Bender are expected to start.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Donkin; Panton, Pollock, Bender, Porter; Janneh, Paxman; Sheriff, Krasniqi, Miller; Azeez

Sheppey United: With a two-week interlude due to postponements, the visitors are likely to name a strong lineup, having fielded near full-strength sides in previous rounds. A similar approach is expected at New Lodge tomorrow night, and an unchanged side from the Hythe win is possible.

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Prall; Itauma, Majoyegbe, Wyborn, Diallo; Taylor, Goueth, Wakefield; Carvalho, Bradshaw, Aiyelabola.

Verdict

Billericay’s recent form, coupled with their outstanding defence and home record, make them firm favourites for this tie. Sheppey’s attacking threat, spearheaded by Bradshaw, Carvalho, and Aiyelabola, could cause a rotated ‘Ricay defence issues, but their patchy away form and gap in league levels may prove too much. Sheppey games have featured 4+ goals on 15 occasions already this season, so goals are likely, but the hosts should have enough quality in this one.

Prediction: Billericay Town 3-1 Sheppey United

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