ALFIE’S TOP OF THE BILL FOR BLUES
SHARP-SHOOTER Alfie Cerulli is relishing his recent upturn in form with Isthmian Premier promotion hopefuls Billericay Town.
The 23-year-old has been in a fine run of form, netting five goals in seven outings, as the Blues seek a route back to Step 2
“I’m happy to contribute with goals and it’s always nice to be playing well,” the former Braintree Town man told The NLP.
“As long as I’m working hard for the team and we are winning games, then hopefully I can contribute more.”
The in-form Blues sat third in the table before yesterday’s defeat at Canvey Island, which was only their third of 2024.
Cerulli acknowledges the improvements in recent weeks and feels Gary McCann’s men are gelling at just the right time.
“I think our good run of form has come down to our consistency as a group and knowing exactly how we want to play,” he explained.
“Considering the injuries we had at the start of the season, we have had to adapt to certain situations and we are always aiming to be better.
“It’s all coming together nicely at the moment, we just have to keep it up game by game.”
Hornchurch, with former Dagenham & Redbridge boss Daryl McMahon coming in as successor to Steve Morison, have been running away with the title this season.
But despite the Urchins rarely faulting and sitting nine points above second-placed Chatham, Cerulli says there’s no reason why the Blues can’t challenge Hornchurch for the title in the last two and a bit months of the season.
“The season was always going to be tough when we are a new group and there is a team like Hornchurch who have been consistent for so many years now,” he said.
“We have gelled well and believe we can still fight for the title but it’s important to concentrate on each game as it comes.”
Cerulli is into his second season at New Lodge following his arrival from Hemel Hempstead Town in the summer of 2022. He pays gratitude to the two managers he has played under in Essex so far.
“Playing for Billericay has been a big learning step for me and I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the last two seasons,” Cerulli said.
“From the facilities to the fans, the club have been great and I feel very comfortable here.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play under two great managers in Dan Brown and Gary McCann which has been crucial to me kicking on.” Cerulli has grabbed the headlines for the Blues in recent weeks, notably bagging a hattrick against Cray Wanderers, and he is glad to be enjoying his football at the moment. “I always strive to be better every time I play and work as hard as I can,” he concluded.
“It is important to concentrate on each game and not get ahead of myself.”