Their perfect pre-season record in tact, Justin Edinburgh's Billericay are shaping up nicely on the evidence of this win over Orient.
With four wins out of four and a defence that looks a tough one to break down -- the goal conceded at new lodge last night was their first in pre-season -- new boss Edinburgh is understandably a happy man.
"This was a good test for us and I can't have any complaints with how things are going at the moment," said the ex-Southend and Tottenham defender.
Head boy - player-boss Justin Edinburgh wins an aerial challenge
Striker Gary Ansell cancelled out Orient's first-half opener but it was match-winner Leon Hunter and skipper Russell Penn in the middle of the park that really caught the eye throughout -- repeatedly winning possession and rarely wasting it.
In the first half Orient's youngsters showed plenty of pace and skill but Billericay were completely dominant, largely thanks to the firm grip they had in midfield.
The back-line also looked comfortable, with Edinburgh alongside John Scarsborough -- who lasted 72 minutes in his first run-out so far and looked sharp -- and full-backs Sam Taylor and Gary Henty both on song.
It was against the run of play, then, that the visitors scored the only goal of the half through Tommy Laxton in the 36th minute.
The pint-sized midfielder was first to react after Ross Wareham's low shot came back off the post.
By that stage Town had already carved out a number of chances with Steve Jones, Ansell, Hunter and Andy Jones among those who had a sight of goal.
It took just five minutes of the second half for Ansell to level matters, though, racing onto Niall Richie's ball --threaded between the centre halves -- and calmly tucking the ball into the bottom corner.
Six minutes from time Hunter scored a fine winner, driving a sweetly-struck central free kick into the bottom left from 25 yards out after he himself had been fouled.
Edinburgh said: "Everybody who played a part tonight is pushing for a first-team place and they all did pretty well, I was pleased with the performance all round."
Published Friday, August 1, 2003
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