Lowestoft Town U19's were back at home yesterday as they hosted Billericay Town U19's. After scoring four at Barking FC in the National Youth Alliance League last week, the group were looking to build on their impressive victory on the road. Billericay Town were the hosts today who are consistently a strong side in the division. In their six league games to date, they have beat both Dagenham & Redbridge and Bishop's Stortford showing they can compete again this season. Two changes were made to the Lowestoft side with Freddie Simmons and Ben Atkinson coming into the line-up.

The game kicked off on a windswept Barnards Meadow with both teams trying to earn control of the contest. It took Lowestoft a couple of minutes to get a hold of the game with Billericay having an early half chance. From here the young Blues began to dominate and be very aggressive with their press, winning the ball back in the opposition half. The opening goal came after ten minutes when Corbyn Dixon broke through and squared a ball to Samuel Howell who finished well from inside the area. Lowestoft continued to assert their dominance in difficult conditions and should have added to their tally in the first twenty minutes. The away side managed to get themselves back in the game when a long ball wasn't dealt with, leaving their striker an opportunity to provide Joel Suka an easy finish from two yards. Lowestoft responded well and kept creating opportunities to regain the lead. It came just before half time when Luca Upton delivered an excellent cross that Corbyn Dixon glanced past the keeper. HALF TIME 2-1. A dominant first half display from the Trawlerboys in difficult conditions. The second half was a lot more untidy with both teams struggling to get a real foothold of the duel. Billericay evened up the game on fifty-two when a ball was slid into Joel Suka's path who once again finish well. It didn't take the home side long to once again regain the lead, Samuel Howell delivering a corner for Ashton Blogg to header beyond the away goalkeeper. Lowestoft didn't do enough to control the second half and always looked vulnable to another Billericay goal. It came fifteen minutes before the end when a long ball over the top caused confusion in the home backline, allowing Joel Suka to grab his hattrick. Both teams pushed for a winner but neither could find one. FULL TIME 3-3.

A feeling of disappointment surrounded the team at the final whistle, knowing they were in a leading position on three occasions and had several chances to add to their tally. The bigger picture however is a lot more positive with this time last season the young Blues only having one point from their first five games. This season Lowestoft sit joint third on ten points having started the season really well. Man of the match was awarded to Samuel Howell for not only his goal and assist but constant energy in midfield and willingness to run for the team. The squad will review the performance later in the week before looking towards next weeks double header against Bishop's Stortford and Kirkley & Pakefield.