Billericay Town fans were given a perfect tonic after their team's midweek FA Cup demise - and there could be further good news on the horizon in the coming few days.

For striker Colin Simpson, who made such a major impression at New Lodge last season before departing for Chesham during the summer, looks set for a return.

Simpson is currently involved with negotiations on a return and manager Gary Calder told me today: "We hope to have Colin signed by the end of the week."

Simpson was at New Lodge on Saturday to see Billericay completely dominate big-spending Farnborough opposition who are challenging for the leadership of the Ryman Premier Division and have lost just once in 11 League games.

Having played some outstanding football before bowing out of the FA Cup to Conference opposition in the shape of Hednesford, Billericay badly needed a big performance on Saturday and they certainly provided it in this FA Umbro Trophy first round clash.

Billericay never let their high-quality opponents take a grip on the game and it's testimony to Calder's men that, by the end, Farnborough were left looking a bedraggled outfit whose main contribution to the proceedings was arguing with referee Steve Brock.

In fact, on Bonfire Weekend, Farnborough's indiscipline provided the main fireworks for Mr Brock with five of their players finishing in his notebook. Billericay had Paul Linger and Justin Gentle cautioned.

Linger's contribution to the afternoon will, however, be better remembered for a marvellous goal the midfielder notched - his tenth of the season - after 29 minutes.

Linger's success is built firmly on his ability to read the game far quicker than his opponents and here, picking up the ball in midfield, he ghosted past a number of opponents before beating goalkeeper Stuart MacKenzie all ends up as the visiting custodian fell to the ground.

Farnborough's best chance of replying came in the closing stages of the first-half when ex Leeds United and Southampton veteran striker Ian Baird was left clear in front of goal but failed to get hold of his shot, leaving Gavin King to punch clear.

The game was effectively ended a minute after the break when MacKenzie quite unnecessarily brought down Lee Williams in the box leaving Joe Baker, looking less than 100 per cent fit and, by his own very high standards, having a rather subdued game, to lash home the penalty.

Farnborough did launch a committed attacking spell, but rarely looked like getting the better of a home rearguard in which Chris Moore was particularly dominant.

King, who did generally display outstanding handling, had few direct shots to deal with although Barry Laker hit the bar with one 30-yarder.

Said Calder: "I thought it was a good gutsy performance by us as a whole and just the result and display we wanted after coming out of the Cup."

Town will now host the eventual winners of the Gravesend v Hastings tie - postponed on Saturday - in round two on December 2.

By Dick Marshall

Reporter's e-mail: dick.marshall@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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