Hemel held scoreless in loss as former top scorer nets for Billericay

Hemel's former top scorer Jake Robinson netted in his debut with new club Billericay today while the Tudors were held scoreless at Concord Rangers.

Salt was very much rubbed in the wound today as the Tudors fell 2-0 on the road today (Saturday) while former top scorer Jake Robinson was netting for his new club in a lower division.

Robinson departed Hemel midweek to join Ryman Isthmian League Premier Division side Billericay Town, to become the Essex team’s £24,000 record signing.

The loss of Robinson, aged 30, was a bitter blow for the Vauxhall Road faithful after netting more than 20 times in the National League South this term, 13 of which came in this calendar year.

And it was even more keenly felt today when Hemel travelled to face 15th-placed Concord Rangers.

Not only were they denied any points from the clash but they also came away with zero goals to show for it.

Meanwhile, not many miles away in Dulwich, Billericay were winning 3-0 in their own away-day with Robinson opening his account with what was described as a “brave diving header”.

Both of Concord’s goals against the Tudors came from Nigerian-Englishmen Jordan Chiedozie, in the 29th and 59th minute.

The loss pushed the Tudors back down to 12th while local rivals St Albans beat third-placed Dartford 1-0 and moved ahead of Hemel in the table. East Thurrock also won at Weston-Super-Mare and leapfrogged the Tudors.

Hemel reluctantly decided to let Robinson step down a division after receiving a satisfactory fee from Billericay, who were taken over by multi-millionaire steel magnate Glenn Tamplin three months ago.

Tamplin was reportedly pumping up to £10,000 a week into the New Road club and they have also recently signed former England and Liverpool left-back Paul Konchesky and ex-Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara.

Big-spending Billericay are still hopeful of reaching the playoffs [they were in 9th before today’s game but just five points separate 4th and 9th] and so could join the Tudors in the National League South next year.

*See the Hemel Gazette this Wednesday for Allan Mitchell’s report from the game plus other Tudors news.