Billericay Town vs Cray Wanderers – Isthmian Premier – Saturday 23rd August – Match Report
Photos: Steve Cullum
Billericay Town 0
Cray Wanderers 1
Dickson 72
Cray Wanderers maintained an unbeaten start to the 2025-26 season after perhaps the result of the day in the Isthmian Premier as Chris Dickson’s second half header won the game for a 10 man Wands side after the dismissal of Quade Taylor early in the second half.
The win also made it four unbeaten from the start of the season and onto 10 points which is a record start to an Isthmian Premier League season.
Cray had won 2-0 at Billiercay on 5th April in a victory that in many ways had a big say in the ultimate destiny of the league title and into Horsham’s hands. This was a much different type of game coming early in the season and after Cray withstood some early Billericay pressure the Wands set about a great game plan in order to get a result. However, the chances looked in jeopardy five minutes after half time when Quade Taylor was sent off for bringing down Jay Porters just outside the area.
Cray though were rejuvenated with ten men and in the 72nd minute won the game when from a free kick out on the right, Frankie Raymond’s ball into the box was hard to defend against and Chris Dickson showed his experience to glance a header past Sam Donkin and into the net. Cray were able to see off the home team’s attack and picked up a huge three points.
The Wands came into the game in 2nd place after the dramatic 3-2 win at home to Wingate & Finchley. There was one change to the starting lineup with Quade Taylor coming in for the injured Remi Sutton. On the bench for Cray was a Friday afternoon signing, defender Jamie Watson on dual reg from Tonbridge Angels.
Billericay, perhaps the favourites for promotion this season had had a mixed start to the season and stood 14th on four points from three games and from the team which were beaten at Carshalton Athletic last Saturday there were two changes with Jazzi Barnum-Bobb and Tommy Davis coming in for the suspended ex-Wand Ike Orji and Jack Evans. Starting for the Blues was new signing Joe Taylor who played for Cray between 2018-2021.
The match itself was one of great quality but perhaps one with more half chances rather than guilt edged with two very good defences on show.
The game began very even with Matt Johnson earning a yellow card for the home side but was an engaging contest. For Billericay, Elliot Long broke into the box but was denied by a great tackle from Tom Bonner.
Around the quarter of an hour mark the home side began to get on top and Long down the right saw his shot get deflected past the left post for a corner. Then a ball into the box fell to Tommy Davis who hit a volley which Harry Seaden had to save.
Then the ex-Billericay keeper made an exceptional save when following a corner into the box which saw a shot blocked inside the area the ball came to Ryan Blackman whose volley was goal bound but Seaden did well to turn the shot over for a corner. This was followed by Liam Nash’s cross headed wide by Johnson.
The game then went through a brief lull before on the half hour, a free kick was played towards Jay Porter who cushioned a header towards Long whose angled shot hit the left post.
Cray though were building in confidence and Chris Dickson broke forward and set up Josh Williams whose shot was blocked by Johnson. Then ex-Billericay striker Dickson tried a half volley of his own which flew over.
There was a blow for Cray when Frankie Morgan had to go off in the 37th minute with an injury and was replaced by Adrian Owiredu-Gyamera.
Before half time Cray looked to counter and Ashley Nzala, another former Billericay player who set up Nods Bobomurodov whose well struck shot was blocked by Johnson.
For Billericay, Blackman fired a shot well over the bar and at half time it was an engrossing contest with Cray looking organised and it looked like a game maybe one goal would win it.
HT: 0-0
Billericay started the second half with more purpose and in the 50th minute came the game’s first key moment when Porter made a run to the edge of the box and was brought down by Quade Taylor. Initially it seemed the home side had been awarded a penalty but after consultation with his Assistant referee Michael Robinson-Tant gave a free kick but sent off Taylor for denying a goalscoring opportunity.
Cray then had the opportunity to bring on Jamie Watson for his debut as centre half. The Wands though came close to taking the lead when from a break Nzala down the left put a ball across the box for but Sam Donkin did well to grab the ball as Williams prepared to score.
Billericay looked to break the deadlock and following a good movement, Porter put over a cross from the left to the far post and Liam Nash’s header was well claimed by Seaden who was having an assured game in goal.
Cray introduced Lateef Adaja and in the 72nd minute took the lead with a well worked set piece. Following a foul down the right on Adaja, Frankie Raymond’s ball into the box was pinpoint and the vastly experienced Chris Dickson steered home a text book header for his second goal of the season.
Cray almost got a second from a free kick this time down the left but Raymond’s cross to the far post was glanced off target by Tom Bonner.
The Wands were defending superbly with Bonner and Watson outstanding at the back and never gave Joe Taylor, one of the best strikers in non-league as much as a sniff of goal.
Cray still had to see out the game and Billericay did threaten when Long’s ball across came to substitute Jack Evans who fired a shot over the angle of post and crossbar.
The Wands had to see out four minutes of injury time and did so with great game management for a huge three points and a third win of the season.
The team performance as a whole was excellent and special word for Harry Seaden who was immaculate in goal. Prosper Keto and Adrian Owiredu-Gyamera stuck to their full back roles brilliantly and in midfield, Frankie Raymond and Luke Allen covered every inch of the carpet and Williams, Nzala and Dickson caused a lot of problems for the Billericay defence all game. The substitutions were spot on as they have all season.
Perhaps the final word should go for the Cray Wanderers supporters. The Massive have been a bit bereft of away fixtures just lately but certainly with the sound of Alfie, Ralph and Herbie on drums and the Massive in good voice this was one of the memorable away days and whets the appetite for the other 20 away games this season.
Cray in 3rd place have little time to celebrate too much with 4th placed Brentwood Town, last season’s Isthmian North Champions visiting Flamingo Park on Bank Holiday Monday in a clash of two unbeaten sides, 3 pm ko.
Billericay Town: Sam Donkin, Jazzi Barnum-Bobb (Charlie Panton, 81), Jay Porter, Matt Johnson (Capt.), Tommy Davis (Ryan Scott, 81), Liam Nash, Ryan Blackman (Tyrese Owen, 81), Frankie Merrifield (Femi Akinwande, 63), Elliot Long, Tyrell Miller-Rodney (Jack Evans, 63), Joe Taylor
Booked: Johnson 5 mins, Long 68
Cray Wanderers: Harry Seaden, Prosper Keto, Quade Taylor, Tom Bonner (Capt.), Frankie Morgan (Adrian Owiredu-Gyamera, 37), Frankie Raymond, Luke Allen, Nods Bobomurodov (Jamie Watson, 51), Ashley Nzala, Josh Williams (Lateef Adaja, 69), Chris Dickson: Subs: Tom Jackson, George Brooke
Sent Off: Taylor 50 (straight red)
Booked: Keto 66, Watson 80
Referee: Michael Robinson-Tant
Assistants: Lewis Moore, Luke Smith
Att: 963
