Saturday, September 26 | Enterprise National League South | New Lodge | 3pm
Torquay United return to National League South action on Saturday, with the Gulls heading to Essex to take on newly-promoted Billericay Town at New Lodge.
The Blues have made an impressive start following promotion from the Isthmian Premier Division and go into the weekend fifth in the table, two points ahead of United.
They have also been one of the division’s more entertaining sides. Billericay have scored 18 goals in their opening nine league matches, while conceding 14, and their last four league games alone have produced 20 goals.
For United, Saturday offers an opportunity to carry some encouraging recent momentum back into league action following successive cup fixtures.
THE OPPOSITION
Billericay returned to Step 2 this summer after winning the Isthmian Premier Division play-offs last season.
Manager Danny Scopes took charge in September 2025 and oversaw a considerable turnaround, guiding the Blues to third place before victories over Chatham Town and Brentwood Town secured promotion.
They have adapted quickly to life back at this level.
Billericay opened the season with a 2-0 victory over Dover Athletic and have since recorded league wins against Farnham Town, Chesham United and Braintree Town.
Their most recent league outing saw them beat Braintree 3-2 at New Lodge, with Alfie Cerulli, Charlie Ruff and Jon Benton on target.
Saturday’s match therefore brings together two sides separated by just two points in the early National League South table.
ONES TO WATCH
MACAULEY BONNE
Perhaps the most familiar name in the Billericay squad is striker Macauley Bonne.
The 30-year-old has extensive EFL experience following spells with Charlton Athletic, Queens Park Rangers, Ipswich Town and Gillingham.
Bonne offers Billericay a strong focal point at the top of the pitch, capable of holding the ball up and bringing the Blues’ attacking midfielders and wide players into play.
He has already found the net several times this season, including in Billericay’s 3-3 draw with Dorking earlier this month.
JON BENTON
One of Billericay’s form players is Jon Benton.
The midfielder has been finding the net regularly, including the decisive goal in the 2-1 victory at Chesham and another in the recent 3-2 win over Braintree.
His ability to arrive in attacking areas from midfield makes him one United will need to track carefully.
CHARLIE RUFF
Charlie Ruff provides another significant attacking threat.
Operating between midfield and attack, Ruff was among the scorers against Braintree and gives Billericay another player capable of finding pockets of space behind the opposition midfield.
ELLIOT LONG
Former Wingate & Finchley and Welling attacker Elliot Long adds pace and creativity from wider areas.
Long scored against Dorking at New Lodge and gives the Blues another route to goal alongside Bonne, Benton and Ruff.
GOALS AT BOTH ENDS
If Billericay’s early-season numbers are anything to go by, New Lodge has rarely been short of entertainment.
Their recent league sequence reads:
Billericay 3-3 Dorking Wanderers
Chesham United 1-2 Billericay Town
Maidenhead United 2-2 Billericay Town
Billericay Town 3-2 Braintree Town
That is ten goals scored and eight conceded across four matches.
Their first four home league fixtures have produced 17 goals, highlighting both their attacking threat and the opportunities opponents have been able to create against them.
Billericay have plenty of attacking options and are comfortable committing players forward, but their goals-against column suggests United should also find opportunities if they can play through the home side.
BACK TO LEAGUE BUSINESS
United return to National League South action having begun to put together a much more encouraging sequence.
The Gulls beat Folkestone Invicta 3-2 at Plainmoor before producing an emphatic 4-0 victory at Maidenhead United.
A 2-2 draw with Dorking Wanderers followed, meaning United return to league action looking to extend their unbeaten run.
That league momentum has been maintained during the switch to cup competition, with United progressing in both of their fixtures since the Dorking game.
Saturday now presents the opportunity to translate that momentum back into National League South points.
THE MAN IN THE DUGOUT
Billericay manager Danny Scopes has made a considerable impact since taking charge.
He inherited a side that had won only two of its opening six league games last season but ultimately guided the Blues to third place with 82 points.
Promotion was secured the hard way.
Billericay defeated Chatham Town in the play-off semi-final before facing Brentwood Town in the final, where Callum Watts struck in the 118th minute to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory.
Scopes also led the club to the Essex Senior Cup during his first campaign.
His side have carried that confidence into National League South and appear determined to do considerably more than simply consolidate following promotion.
LAST TIME OUT
Billericay’s impressive league run was interrupted last weekend by disappointment in the FA Cup.
Despite taking the lead through Jon Benton, the Blues suffered a 3-1 home defeat against Isthmian Premier Division side Enfield Town.
It brought an early end to their FA Cup campaign but also means Billericay have had a full week to prepare for United’s visit.
The Gulls, meanwhile, were in midweek cup action before turning their attention back to Saturday’s league assignment.
NEW LODGE
United supporters will be heading to:
New Lodge
Blunts Wall Road
Billericay
Essex
CM12 9SA
Billericay have played at New Lodge since 1970.
The ground has a capacity of around 5,000 and features an artificial playing surface, providing a different test from the traditional grass pitches encountered at many National League South grounds.
The pitch is also relatively expansive, which could make space – and how effectively both teams use it – an interesting feature of Saturday afternoon.
Billericay attracted a crowd of 1,346 for their recent 3-3 draw against Dorking Wanderers.
TICKETS
Tickets are available in advance, with prices confirmed as:
Adults – £15
Concessions – £10
Young Adults (14-17) – £7
Under-14s – £3
Supporters can purchase tickets online directly through Billericay Town BUY TICKETS HERE
CAN’T MAKE IT TO BILLERICAY?
Supporters unable to travel to Essex can still watch every minute.
Saturday’s fixture has been selected by DAZN for live coverage during the international break, with United screening the match live in Boots & Laces.
There will be a £10 pizza-and-pint offer, hotdogs available during the game, free half-time snacks and Happy Hour prices on selected drinks between 4pm and 7pm.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Billericay have made an impressive transition to National League South.
They possess an experienced focal point in Macauley Bonne, goals from midfield through Jon Benton and Charlie Ruff, and plenty of attacking intent.
Their results also suggest opponents can create chances against them.
United head to Essex having improved markedly during September and with an opportunity to continue climbing a tightly-packed early-season table.
Only two points separate the sides.
On an artificial surface at New Lodge, against a newly-promoted team who have already shown they are capable of scoring plenty of goals at this level, it promises to be another intriguing National League South test.
Billericay Town v Torquay United
Saturday, September 26
New Lodge
3pm
COME ON YOU YELLOWS!
