Billericay's bid for glory in the Ryman Bryco Cup ended last night in this fourth round replay in Hertfordshire.
The New Lodge club's small first team squad was fully stretched for this attempt to win a home quarter-final date with Yeading, with Paul Fewings and Gary Ansell ineligible, Jamie Wallace suspended and both Jerome John and Ollie Adedeji injured.
Town had a late boost when they discovered that Andy Douglas, who joined them at Christmas, was in fact not cup-tied.
This at least enabled them to field one recognised striker and Douglas was joined up front by utility man Lee Williams.
Both Mark Graham and Douglas went close in a bright opening spell for Billericay.
But they increasingly found difficulty mastering the speed and skill of Stortford's former Southend United man Russell Williamson on the wing and went behind on the hour when Trevor Paul headed home.
Gary Calder's visitors felt that they had a justifiable appeal for a penalty for handball turned down, and also forced home goalkeeper Shaun O'Neill into a good save from Russell Penn, before Rob French made it 2-0 after 69 minutes.
And Town were down and out four minutes from time when a defensive mix-up led to one-time Grays' favourite Vinnie John grabbing the third.
Town's hopes of knockout glory now rest with the Essex Senior Cup, in which they visit Division One North Aveley in a fortnight's time.
Published Wednesday, February 5, 2003
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