Match Preview

Where: APG arena, Blunts wall road, CM12 9SA
When: 23rd March 2019
K.O 3PM
As we enter the final stretch it’s no surprise both these sides need points. Billericay are on a 4 match winless run meaning their place off place is currently being hunted down by those below. On the other hand Hungerford are on a 3 match unbeaten run but still not out of the relegation zone. With only 7 matches left, both sides will see this as an opportunity to get three points. These sides have conceded 117 goals between them in this season, so hopefully a thriller will be on the cards this Saturday.

Form guide- The hosts are currently on a 4 game winless streak. There last 3 games have all ended in defeat including last weekend’s 2-1 loss at Slough Town following a 2-0 loss against title chasing Torquay United. On the other hand the visitors are on a three game unbeaten streak including back to back clean sheets. They picked up an important three points last weekend against Eastbourne Borough following a dire 0-0 draw at Weston-Super-Mare and a 1-1 draw with Woking.

Team news- Ricay will be without striker Jake Robison after being sent off last weekend versus Slough though the club are appealing the decision. Charlie Wassmer serves the second game of a four match ban. The Crusaders will be without left back Matt Jones after coming off with a shoulder injury against Eastbourne. Dan Bailey is likely to slot in though Mike Jones was the replacement last Saturday as Bailey didn’t make the squad. Josh Martin has left the club as the centre back has been released by Birmingham City and is on trial with fellow championship side Wigan Athletic. It means James Rusby will drop back from defensive midfield to fill the role.

Star man- Moses Emmanuel scored one of the goals of the season at Slough last Saturday and with Jake Robinson likely to be unavailable the hosts will need some attacking inspiration which the winger can definitely bring to the table. For the Crusaders, Marvel Ekpiteta scored the second goal in our win last weekend and with Josh Martin leaving the club the Captain will be crucial to whether the visitors can leave the APG on Saturday with three points.

Head to head- Earlier this season the reverse fixture between the sides ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw. The sides also met three times in cup competitions last season. The first encounter ended 1-1 in the Fa cup with Ricay taking the game back to Essex and dispatching the visitors 6-1 in a replay. They then met once again this time in the Fa Trophy at Bulpit Lane where Billericay ran out 2-0 winners.