BILLERICAY'S chances of survival in the Blue Square Bet South were dealt a huge blow as they lost at Sutton United on Saturday.
The hosts netted just 11 minutes into the match when Marvin Williams scuffed his volley into the ground, which looped over Kevin Scriven. This came after the Blues defence failed to deal with Sam Rents' cross.
The U's went on to score twice in three second half minutes to secure a comfortable win and heap more pressure on the Blues who are four points adrift of AFC Hornchurch in 19th with six matches remaining.
The first half was end-to-end with both sides fashioning opportunities.
The visitors had the first chance of the match when captain Glenn Poole's corner was headed straight at Sutton keeper Tom Lovelock by defender Rob Swaine.
The Blues continued positively despite conceding an early goal and should have levelled the scores before half-time. Excellent play from Poole and top scorer Jay May put Sam Lechmere away, but he wastefully blasted his shot over the bar from the edge of the box when he should have done better.
The away side continued to press and nearly scored after 30 minutes. Poole continued to provide the openings and saw his free-kick met once more by the head of Swaine who skimmed the crossbar.
However, the Blues' best chance came five minutes before the break when May's drilled cross to the near post found Alex Osborn who flicked his shot straight at Lovelock from six yards out.
For all of Billericay's creativity in the first half, they failed to gain any real momentum in the second and were overrun. Former Football League midfielders Ali Fuseini and Dean Sinclair controlled the game for the hosts who doubled their advantage on the hour mark.
Hesitation once more at the back gave James Folkes the chance to score but his shot was well-saved by Scriven, but the keeper – who recently joined Craig Edwards' side from Sutton – was powerless to prevent Harry Beautyman tucking home the rebound on his 100th appearance for the home side.
The Surrey outfit sensed blood and three minutes later they had their third.
A quick free-kick from Sinclair was played neatly into Folkes and he comfortably slotted home from just inside the box.
Poole and May were taken off shortly after the third goal as manager Craig Edwards began to think about the games to come.
They were due to play the first of three home games in a row last night (Tuesday) when they were set to host Eastbourne.
High-flying Salisbury are the visitors on Saturday, before Tuesday night sees Staines Town arrive at the New Lodge.
Billericay: Scriven, Wild, Ashton, Hudson, Swaine, Lette-Jallow (Luke 70), Lechmore, Poole (Collis 70), May (Onwubiko 58), Osborn, Beckles. Unused subs: Semakula, Beasant.
