FIVE-STAR BOW OUT

Blues win it at the death

CORINTHIAN Casuals let in a last-minute goal to give Billericay Town the win in the final match of the season.

On 15 minutes, Casuals’ Finlay Lovatt picked up a loose ball and sent a low cross to the unmarked Mack Reilly to tap home at the far post.

Both teams failed to create many chances, but Casuals’ Sahid Kamara firstly shot straight at

WINCH’S Field hosted newly crowned Isthmian Premier Champions Bishop’s Stortford who scored five against Herne Bay.

Hundreds of Blues fans created a carnival atmosphere before the game, with Bay’s players applauding the champions as a sign of respect for their achievement.

The visitors forced the early pace but it was Bay who created the first chance, only for Mason Saunders-Henry to volley high over the bar.

The breakthrough came on 20 minutes goalkeeper Harry Seaden and he then smashed a swerving effort that hit the bar and went over.

The second half was a more open affair, and Billericay’s George Wind was played in and with only goalkeeper Callum with Ben Marlow powerfully heading in Jay Porter’s cross at the far post.

This was followed by Donell Thomas breaking free in the box, but his fierce volley was saved well by Jordan Perrin.

Not to be denied, minutes before the interval a foul on Chris Harris just outside the area saw Sam Deering float the ball to the far post. Matthew Johnson headed back across the goal for Thomas, who tapped the ball in to double Stortford‘s advantage.

Stortford showed their class in the

Coulter to beat, tamely hit into his hands.

On 71 minutes, the visitors were level when a long ball down the right was latched onto by substitute Kareem Isiaka who turned his defender and fired home.

The visitors’ ever dangerous Alfie Cerulli then saw his volley turned round by Coulter. And Michael Chambers saw his header flicked off the line by Casuals’ Jack Tucker.

Kamara then picked up a pass by Reilly, firing against the foot of the post and then forcing Seaden into a fine save.

But in the last minute, a long throw caused havoc in the Casuals’ defence and the ball fell to Cerulli who volleyed into the top of the net.