This Is Essex partner the Evening Echo is backing Billericay's football team as they prepare to stage one of the biggest games in their history.

Billericay Town host arguably the best non-league team in the country, Nationwide Conference giants Rushden and Diamonds, on Saturday week in the FA Umbro Trophy fourth round and the Echo, in conjunction with our sister paper the Billericay Weekly News, is sponsoring the game.

The tie, which kicks-off at Billericay's New Lodge ground in Blunts Wall Road at 3pm on Saturday, February 5, is expected to attract a crowd of between 2,000 and 2,500.

In a comparative small space of time Rushden and Dia-monds - backed by millionaire Max Griggs, boss of Dr Martens Footwear - have built themselves up to the verge of earning a place in the Football League.

They will achieve that if they are able to win the Conference crown this season. Also, many people back them to make it a double by capturing the Trophy as well at Wembley in May.

Not that Billericay will hear any thoughts of their own bid for the Trophy coming to an end. And why should they?

Billericay, managed by Gary Calder, were in superb form in the third round and earned the Rushden tie by pulling off a 3-1 third round home win over former Football League club Hereford United, also Conference members, a couple of weeks ago.

The winners on Saturday week will be through to the last 16 and Billericay kept up their good Cup form this week with a 2-0 win at Ryman Premier Division rivals Chesham, managed by their old boss John Kendall, to win a League Cup semi-final spot.

Billericay build-up for the big Trophy tie by hosting Hitchin in the League (3pm) on Saturday.

Echosport, in conjunction with Billericay, is offering two lucky readers the chance of seeing the big Trophy tie free of charge along with a guest.

To be in with a chance of winning one of the double tickets on offer for the game, against a Rushden side managed by former England and Arsenal star Brian Talbot, name the Billericay player pictured who scored in the last round victory over Hereford.

Put your name, address and telephone number on a postcard or back of an envelope and send to Soccer Comp, Echosport, Newspaper House, Chester Hall Lane, Basildon, Essex, SS14 3BL.

Entries must arrive by first post next Wednesday (February 2) and the winners will be the first two all-correct entries picked out from those received by that date.

Normal competition rules apply and the editor's decision is final.

Name game - if you can identify this Billericay Town player in action against Hereford United during Town's 3-1 victory, you could be well on the way to winning two tickets for the big match against Rushden and Diamonds

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.