Billericay Town 3-1 Havant & Waterlooville

(Robinson 4’, 50’, Deering 90': Tubbs 65’)

From the AGP Arena

FA Trophy first round

TEN-MAN Billericay Town produced an excellent rear guard action to see off Havant & Waterlooville and progress in a pulsating FA Trophy tie.

Town beat National League South side 3-1 in the first round clash, with Jake Robinson taking his tally to 33 for the season with two well-taken goals.

A red card apiece – Matt Paine dismissed for the hosts – before half-time made for an entertaining second period and so it proved.

Havant pulled a goal back with no fewer than four goal-line clearances keeping Town ahead – goalkeeper Alan Julian and Dean Inman to the fore - and securing their progress.

The tie seemed to be very much in the balance, with few able to separate the sides ahead of kick-off.

But just four minutes was needed to separate the two on the scoreboard. Right-back Rob Evans played the ball into Sam Deering on the edge of the penalty area and his neat flick was curled home by Robinson from 10 yards.

Havant were the higher ranked side and they played the better football after the goal albeit without testing Julian.

Ricky Modeste was looking a lively outlet for the hosts but he let two half chances go begging when well placed.

But Havant were to force an opening just after the half hour. An uncharacteristic mistake by captain Inman was picked up on and Havant were in. Julian was rounded but Wes Fogden was unable to get the ball past covering defender Josh Urquhart with the goal gaping.

Young spectacularly tipped Louie Theophanous’s strike over the bar, with Fogden blazing wide up the other end as the game opened up.

But shortly before half-time the game burst into life. Paine appeared to win the ball in a challenge with Mike Carter but was sent off without hesitation by referee Jack Packman.

A melee ensued and a moment of madness followed with Jordan Rose dismissed for the visitors as both faced a second 45 minutes down to 10 men.

There was still time for Julian to make a stunning save before the break with Jason Prior kept out, and Joe Kizzi raced back to clear the loose ball off the goal line.

Town had left Robinson up front on his own but that didn’t stop the striker. Five minutes into the second half he raced onto a hopeful ball and struck first time across Ryan Young and into the far corner.

Julian made another fine stop to keep out the excellent Rory Williams, who seemed destined to convert having been left alone eight yards from goal.

And Havant were to get a goal for their efforts. With 25 minutes remaining, a superb left wing cross from Williams found the head of the unmarked Matt Tubbs and his header left Julian flat-footed and drifted into the far corner.

The visitors were on top and they should have been level into the final 15 minutes.

Tubbs broke the offside trap and was through, but he again failed to beat the outstretched leg of Julian. The loose ball dropped to Bradley Tarbuck but Inman had scampered back to block on the line.

The same man did superbly to clear another one from underneath his own cross bar and the home side were to land the last blow.

Town broke and Deering raced down the right-hand side, cut inside and curled left-footed into the far corner.

Billericay Town: Julian, Evans, Urquhart, Inman, Kizzi, Deering, Waldren, Paine, Modeste (Cunnington 70’), Theophanous (Swaine 58’), Robinson (Pennant 89’)