Billericay Town have been rewarded for Saturday's superb home win over Hereford Town with a plum draw in their bid to make the last 16 of the FA Umbro Trophy.

For they will host arguably the best non-league side in the country in round four on February 5 when mighty Rushden and Diamonds come to New Lodge.

It is likely to be the biggest competitive soccer occasion ever staged at the Blunts Wall Road ground and early estimates suggest that the tie will attract a crowd up to the 2,500 mark.

The Northamptonshire club, backed by millionaire Dr Martens footwear boss Max Griggs, have made huge strides in the non-league soccer world since their formation following the amalgamation of Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds eight years ago.

Their progress has been so swift that they are now rated favourites to not only win the Trophy this term, but also to capture the Conference title. They currently stand three points behind leaders Kidderminster with two games in hand.

They earned their last 32 Trophy spot with a 2-1 win at win at Dr Martens League Bath on Saturday.

Said Billericay boss Gary Calder: "This is a wonderful draw for the Billericay club and the players deserve it for their performance in beating Conference team Hereford in such convincing style.

"Before the draw I told our chairman Rod Moore that I would like anyone at home and certainly for Rushden to come out of the hat to visit us is a big one.

"We've already spoken to Rushden officials who estimate that they'll bring something like 1,000 fans down to our ground. Obviously we'll give them the respect they deserve, but they won't fancy coming to us.

"I'm so pleased for our fans because they've had their share of disappointments this season and this game will be a lovely occasion for them.

"We won't be going out there thinking we've got no chance. Why should we after beating Hereford? In a one-off game everyone is in with a shout.

"As with Hereford, we'll do our homework and go out determined to stop Rushden playing and to get a result."

Billericay's joy owed everything to former Chelsea star Ron "Chopper" Harris, who picked the home balls out of the bag for each tie when the draw took place at Stamford Bridge yesterday.

Calder, Moore - wearing his lucky tie which he will not now take off while their Trophy run keeps going - and representatives of main club sponsors Entertainment For Fun were at the draw to celebrate the great news.

Billericay's immediate task is to come back to earth, starting tonight when they host Third Division Ryman club Aveley for a place in the quarter-finals of the Essex Senior Cup. If they win they will be at home again, this time to Division One Romford.

Billericay are still also in the Ryman League Cup and suddenly life is looking a lot brighter at New Lodge than recently during a horrid spell of seven defeats in nine games on home territory.

Said Calder: "We want to win every game we play and to still be involved in three top cup competitions at this stage is no mean feat.

"To go as far as possible in all three of them, and to lift ourselves from our current mid-table Premier Division position, is our big aim now."

Taking control - Billericay Town (white shorts) were in charge in their home tie against Hereford United at New Lodge on Saturday and will now be up against one of the biggest non-league clubs in the country when Nationwide Conference giants Rushden and Diamonds come to New Lodge in the FA Umbro Trophy fourth round on February 5

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

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