Billericay Town are likely to launch a damage limitation exercise tonight when they visit Park Lane to take on title-chasing Canvey Island in the Ryman League Premier Division.

These derbies are usually one of the most eagerly anticipated, and keenly-fought, clashes of the season.

Goal machine - Lee Boylan Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

But Gary Calder's men, who've lost seven of their last nine games, can't realistically expect to get anything other than a hammering tonight against a side who almost certainly need to win their final seven matches if they are to take the championship ahead of Aldershot.

Calder, of course, is going into games these days with one arm tied behind his back after the club cut the cash available for players.

That's led to six established first-teamers leaving in little more than a month and has left the New Lodge outfit fielding sides made up of three or four experienced men and a bunch of untried youngsters.

While Billericay were slumping to their fifth successive defeat 2-0 at in-form Bedford on Saturday, Canvey were at their irresistible best when they thrashed fellow honours challengers St Albans 6-1 at Park Lane.

Two of those goals came in the opening three minutes and four were netted by that incredible goal machine that is Lee Boylan.

Despite all this, there's certainly no suggestion that Town will "lay down and die" for their hosts tonight or that Canvey will take the match lightly.

Home manager Jeff King said: "I obviously feel for Gary over the way he's lost so many players for financial reasons, but it's our job now to try and win every game possible and build-up our goal difference just in case that comes into play."

Gulls may give Micky Bennett a rest after enjoying a fine game at the heart of defence on his return from injury against St Albans. Ross Johnson could take his place.

Billericay could start with Jamie Wallace up front, the striker having been rested from the starting line-up at the weekend as he enters hospital next week for a hernia operation.

Published Tuesday, April 8, 2003

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