CUNNING CHANGE CHANGE RESCUES ‘RICAY!
BILLERICAY boss Dean Brennan praised the character of his side as they came from behind to claim a point against Torquay United – despite being reduced to ten men.
First-half goals from Jean-Yves Koue Niate and Saikou Janneh gave the Gulls a two-goal lead before a brace from substitute Adam Cunnington secured a point for Billericay – who were at a numerical disadvantage after Adam Coombes was dismissed after receiving two yellow cards.
“I’m delighted with the point, I thought that our team spirit and togetherness got us through that,” a happy Brennan told The NLP.
“It was frustrating in the first half, we had the wind and the breeze against and they scored both of their goals from two restarts.
“At half-time, we had a few words and we changed things around. We put Cunnington on and we went more direct. I also thought that our gamemanagement was excellent today as well.”
His opposite number Gary Johnson was left frustrated by his side’s failure to build on their first-half showing.
“We were as bad in the second half as we were good in the first half,” said Johnson.
“I thought that the first half was of good quality – we saw lots of good play and put them under pressure.
“Then, in the second half, when it doesn’t quite go our way, we get some shrinking violets.
“They want to win, but they lose their quality – I’m disappointed that we didn’t keep our quality going in the second half.”
The Gulls were in front in the 21st minute when skipper Kyle Cameron knocked a Connor Lemonheigh-Evans corner back across goal to enable his fellow centre back Koue Niate to slot the ball home his first goal for the club.
Two minutes later, United came agonisingly close to doubling their lead as Ruairi Keating narrowly failed to connect with a cross from Ben Wynter.
The Gulls eventually added a second on the stroke of half-time when Janneh fired home with a scissor kick after Billericay failed to clear a free-kick from Lemonheigh-Evans.
Billericay pulled a goal back on 51 minutes after Torquay keeper Shaun MacDonald headed a clearance straight into the path of Cunnington, who lofted the ball into an empty net.
Cunnington then completed his brace in the 69th minute, as he rose highest to connect with a Callum Kennedy corner.
Two minutes later, the visitors were reduced to ten men as Coombes was awarded a second yellow card for a dangerous challenge on Gulls midfielder Ryan Dickson.
Despite a late rally, the Gulls were unable to make their numerical advantage count as they were forced to settle for a point.