Dean Brennan: Billericay have 50-50 chance of progressing

Posted Sunday, November 11, 2018 by PA

Billericay boss Dean Brennan reserved praise for Moses Emmanuel and Alan Julian and believes the tie is now in the balance after his Vanarama National League South side earned a 1-1 draw at Chesterfield.

Curtis Weston, Marc Antoine-Fortune and the lively Zavon Hines all forced early saves out of Ricay keeper Julian before National League club Chesterfield did go ahead through Laurence Maguire’s header.

Emmanuel produced a sweetly struck 20-yarder to level, before Julian produced another sensational stop to deny Hines, leaving Brennan to commend his team.

“We showed a lot of character coming from behind as we have in recent games,” he said. “I’m delighted to be in the second-round draw and it’s still a 50-50 tie.

“We weathered pressure late in the game when their full-time fitness told. I thought we looked technically better but they were physically stronger.

“That’s 12 goals in 11 games for Moses Emmanuel and it was a great strike. Meanwhile, our goalkeeper Alan Julian has done his job – he’s made two or three crucial saves to keep us in the cup.”

And despite being one league above their Essex foes, veteran Chesterfield boss Martin Allen insists the Spireites are now underdogs as they head to New Lodge.

“It was a great FA Cup tie. The players are very disappointed in the dressing room but the fans have clapped us off,” said Allen. “The FA Cup is always special, I always love the occasion.

“Billericay put their bodies on the line late on and they are a good side. They showed what a top-of-the-table side does. We are definitely underdogs now.”