Billericay 1 Purfleet 3

KEELING LEAVES CALDER REELING!

Billericay went into this game knowing that a win would take them a point above Purfleet. However, the lads were in no mood to surrender their higher position in the League without a fight.

The opening exchanges were fast and furious with a good display of passing and defending by both sides. Fleet's Jon Keeling was one of the players who stood out and his pace and trickery was a constant threat to the Billericay defenders. In the 11th minute he scored Fleets opening goal with a precise long-range effort. He collected the ball out on the edge of the 18yard line and coolly place a low shot into the far corner of the Town goal.

The lead was short lived after Wallace equalised for the home side on 14 minutes. Billericay passed the ball around and tried hard to find a way past the Fleet defence, which was too well disciplined and kept the home sides chances to a minimum. John Purdie together with Dean Chandler and Mark Goodfellow were outstanding.

The sides went in level at the break, which was a fair reflection of the half. However, the second half was to be a memorable 45mins for the traveling Fleet fans.

No sooner had people taken their seats than Keeling scored his second of the night to send the Fleet fans into raptures of delight. Kris Lee worked hard to win back the ball just inside the Town half and in turn pick out the hard working Craig Edwards who played a defence splitting pass into the path of Keeling to score and put Fleet into a 2 - 1 lead.

Fleet had more control over the game and had the better possession. In midfield Paul Linger, Lee Allen and Craig Edwards worked really hard to deny the home side any time on the ball.

There were opportunities but it was Fleet who enjoyed the better of the chances and on another night Keeling could have had four goals to his name. As the home side pressed to try and salvage a point the spectators witnessed the save of the game from Fleets Alex O'Reilly when somehow he made a point blank save to deny the Town attack.

Almost immediately Fleet went on the attack which led to the game being put beyond Billericay's reach. Lee Allen got past his marker to accelerate into the area when Towns keeper - Jerome John rushed off his line to stop him. The referee pointed to the spot which was the signal for former Billericay man Paul Linger to step up and secure the points for Fleet who thoroughly deserved their win.

The players deserved their ovation from the supporters who had ventured out on this rainy evening and it showed when they applauded the Fleet fans at the end of the game in appreciation for their support.

Colin McBride said afterwards - " I am really pleased with all 14 players. They worked hard and played some really good football, particularly in the second half. "