Non-league Home and Away: The fans view

This new feature will involve weekly discussions with supporters who go the extra mile (or 500 miles) to support their clubs from the National League South to the Isthmian North.

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CHARLIE THEOBALD BILLERICAY TOWN SUPPORTER

Following the crowd trouble from last season’s FA Trophy thrashing, the club made the decision to segregate home and away fans for Billericay’s match against Wealdstone.

It worked well, with tape and a row of stewards making sure Wealdstone couldn’t leave their corner.

Now to the football. After a bit of a nightmarish performance from keeper Alan Julian last time the sides met, he saved an early penalty to the home crowd’s delight. Both teams enjoyed short spells of dominance during the game, yet Billericay were the only ones to take advantage after Jake Robinson converted from close range.

A sour end saw Julian forced off with injury, yet the three points were all that mattered.

At Welling, the pitch looked in poor condition but that didn’t stop Billericay trying to play passing football.

Despite a few great saves from stand-in keeper Louis Wells early on, Billericay took the lead when Adam Coombes converted an early penalty. Billericay were rampant in the second half. Jake and captain Simon Walton added goals to the tally, making it three on the night.

Overall, this was probably the most professional I’ve seen Billericay and a massive shout-out goes to Joe Kizzi, who we all thought played excellently.

Sliding in - Jake Robinson scores Billericay's third goal at Welling Picture: NICKY HAYES

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BY LEWIS PACK CONCORD RANGERS SUPPORTER

A TRIP south of the water greeted us to face the other promoted side from the Isthmian Premier League in Dulwich Hamlet.

It was an intriguing fixture as I’m sure Dulwich will cause headaches for teams this year and they are a side I have seen cause Concord issues before in the FA Trophy.

It was another busy morning before myself and my little brother headed to Tooting to see what the afternoon would bring. An impressive ground awaited us and I was impressed with the facilities.

Concord deserved the lead after a strong first half but Dulwich showed the good side they are and really pushed Concord all the way in the second half but other than hitting the post with 15 minutes to go they didn’t really create much.

This meant another three points and clean sheet to take back to Essex. It looks like there is a real togetherness in the team and they are all battling for each other.

However, as per my prediction before the game, Dulwich will cause problems but they just need a cutting edge to break down teams.

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BY JACK DUFFIN EAST THURROCK UNITED SUPPORTER

I TOOK the long trip down to Torquay on Saturday but it was unfortunately more of the same.

It was a good performance where we didn’t take our chances but the effort is still there. I hope when Higgo (Sam Higgins) returns we will see that change as his conversation rate is always fantastic.

Alfie Egan (on loan from AFC Wimbledon) looks promising as well.

When half-time came around I went to get a pint of cider but was told by security, “Sorry, there’s no bar. You can get a coffee though?”. I think it is official, Torquay is the worst football ground in the country!

Tuesday saw Eastbourne visit Rookery Hill and this is the sort of key games where we need to be coming away with something.

Things move fast in non-league. On the morning of the game you hear a rumour of a new signing and by the evening he’s in your starting 11 - Glen Southam in this instance. We again felt that the officials had a key role in the goal, which looked to be offside but it wasn’t given.

Hopefully it is just a case of players needing time to gel together and a few unlucky decisions, else this could be a very long season.

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BY JONATHAN ANDREWS CANVEY ISLAND SUPPORTER

Finally, the day Canvey fans had been waiting for had arrived - day one of the new season.

After a positive enough pre-season, the sun was shining and we were ready to right the wrongs of last season that saw us just miss out on a return to the Isthmian Premier League.

Barking represented a stern opening test, having been tough opposition last year. With our fans gathered in good voice, we were raring to go. However, when a penalty to Barking came within the first minute, it momentarily dampened that enthusiasm. Thankfully, new goalkeeper Harry Palmer was on hand to save and give us a chance and earn a song in the process.

As the chances came and went in the first half, it was a thunderbolt from our talisman last season, Mitch Gilbey, that got us ahead - an absolute dream free-kick beat the Barking keeper from more than 30 yards.

While the rest of the game was pretty even, both sides had chances and we managed to hold our own in defence to see out the result. Young Jake Jolliffe gets a shout-out for a fine home debut at the back. Three points were in the bag and the smiles were back to go into an always keenly anticipated derby with Grays next weekend.

Making the difference - Mitch Gilbey Picture: KIERAN ARGENT

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BY ROB BARKER BOWERS & PITSEA SUPPORTER

Our first game of the new season saw 35 Bowers supporters make the relatively short trip up to Coggeshall Town.

It was their first ever fixture at Isthmian League level and on paper, this looked a very tough test for Bowers and, in truth, a game that we would happily take a point from, against a well-backed and talented Coggeshall outfit.

Bowers started brightly and, to be honest, had much the better of the first half. Coggeshall had a few decent attacks but there were few to any clear cut chances for either side.

The second half was a more even affair but, again, that moment of quality and cutting edge was lacking.

Bowers had the best chance of the game, with the ball falling to David Knight who blasted over the top.

The referee was poor throughout, much to the dismay and frustration of the Bowers faithful. Inconsistent at best would be the best way to describe the man in the middle’s performance.

On reflection, I feel we did enough to win the game but we didn’t create enough. We were happy with a point and it’s onto the next one. #UpTheBowers

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BY ANDREW BUXTON BASILDON UNITED SUPPORTER

his was my first ever visit to Stowmarket Town and it was a lovely little ground and very welcoming.

There was a little extra spice with it being an FA Cup game and they had a brilliant last season so we knew it was going to be tough.

But we soon got going fairly quickly and after a few good chances we took the lead.

Brian Moses broke free from the halfway line and scored a brilliant goal after 27 minutes.

We did have a few scares, but goalkeeper Connor Wheatley kept us in the game.

Then came the second half and after 55 minutes Moses scored his second with a brilliant header which sent the travelling fans wild with delight.

Basildon had more chances to extend the lead but the score stayed the same and it allowed the Bees to progress to the next round.

It was a great day for the travelling New Town Loyals fans and the guys had an amazing day with a mass pub crawl in all the pubs Stowmarket had to offer.

We now play Whitton United at home after they beat Framlingham Town in a replay.