There is always something magical about the FA Cup which has been around since 1871/72 and is the oldest football competition in the world with 732 clubs taking part which will later include the Premier Division teams. All we have to do is to get through 14 rounds to lift this famous trophy!! Whilst that is never going to happen Ryan Sturges and his coaching team can feel extremely happy at achieving an emphatic 5 nil win over our guests from Essex to take us into the Preliminary Round for only the second time in the last 10 years. Our lone previous success during that period was against Keysham Town at home in 2021/22 who we beat 3-0 with goals from Ollie Butler, Chris Blunden (Pen) and Tommy Twelves. Unfortunately, we went out in the next round following a 2-0 defeat at Bishops Cleve but hopefully we can improve on that record in the next round where we will meet either Witham Town or Frenford away on 16th August after they drew 1-1 and will the replay taking place on Tuesday.

We started the game strongly with Frankie Hercules hitting a rasping shot over the bar following a fine move with only 50 seconds on the clock. We were playing some good stuff and created some openings but we failed to test the visitor’s keeper. The opposition forwards Oliseh Okuguni and Jayden Alexander looked dangerous on the break with the later shooting over from distance following a nice build up whilst the former tried his luck from an acute angle which Josh Ameganui caught at the near post.

A shot from Dylan Fitzpatrick forced a good save from the keeper at the near post in 41st minute and it looked like we would go into the break without some reward for our fine performance during the first half. However, we finally broke the ice from Ed Daffern’s resultant corner when Luke Peerless made a clever dummy run to the near post and James Kember was there to head home from close range for his debut goal for the club which enabled to us to go into the break with a fully deserved lead. HT Score 1-0.

Early in the second half Frankie Hercules went close to doubling our lead when he was played through and his lob over the keeper went just over but in the 57th minute he went from potential scorer to provider when he picked up the ball following Luke Peerless’s a tackle on the half way line and lofted a fine pass to send away Ed Daffern who claimed his first goal for the Club. Score 2-0.

Jayden Alexander gave our opponents some hope on the hour mark when he forced a good save from Josh Ameganui and Harry Shepherd went close to extending our lead when his lob just missed the target. Eli Hearn's great run and cross set up Ed Daffern whose fierce shot was beaten away by the keeper who made another great save from Ed with only 7 minutes left of normal time.

The pressure finally told as the final whistle loomed as we grabbed 3 more goals in a 6 minute spell. The first came when Ed Daffern played a short corner in 87th minute to Finn Rolfe who curled in a lovely cross to Josh Chamberlain whose header forced a good save from the keeper but Ed followed up and crossed the loose ball back across the area to pick out James Kember who scored his 2nd goal of the game from close range. Score 3-0.

Three minutes later Skipper Jack Harvey lofted the ball forward where a poor header from a defender was seized upon by Ed who slipped a love pass to Josh Chamberlain who smashed his shot past the keeper. Score 4-0.

Three minutes into added time some nice link up play by Lee Stobbs and Harry Shepherd set up Josh Chamberlain whose shot was not cleared properly by the visitor’s defence and Harry Shepherd took full advantage to score his 3rd goal of the season and wrap up the game with an impressive victory for the lads. Score 5-0.

This was our best ever result in the FA Cup and lets hope we can improve our record in the competition by winning our next tie and progressing into the 1st Round Qualifying for only the 3rd time in our history the other occasions were in 2006/07 and 2010/11 so there is a lot to play for.

The Sponsors Man of the Match Award was presented to James Kimber who recently joined us from Oxhey Jets where he was voted Player of the Year last season. As well as scoring a brace of goals he has been a commanding presence in the centre of defence since his arrival. He did a terrific job in keeping the dangerous West Essex front men quiet and played a vital role in the team keeping its first clean sheet of the season. A special mention should also go to Ed Daffern who scored his debut goal for the Club and had an assist for 3 of our goals.

Commiserations to West Essex who were still in the game up to the last few minutes and we wish them all the best for the season ahead.

Next Saturday we welcome to the Michael Anthony Stadium Arlesey Town who have made a very goof start to the season with 2 wins and a draw from their first 3 games so this will be a stern test for us, so come along and give our lads plenty of encouragement and support.

TEAMS:
A: Josh Ameganui, James Kimber, Greg Deer (Harry Beaumont 75), Frankie Hercules (Josh Chamberlain 77), Luke Peerless (Finn Rolfe 74), Jack Harvey (Capt), Edwin Daffern, Dylan Fitzpatrick (Blake Argent 60), Mason Clarke, Eli Hearn (Lee Stobbs 81), Harry Shepherd. Subs Not Used: Freddie Burroughs, Lincoln Gilmartin

WE: Lewis Edwards, Balla Ndao, Jack Martin, Harry Norman (Capt), Vanadiny Junior Mendes, Bleron Ademi, Greg Frederick, Yemi Adelani, Oliseh Okuguni, Jayden Alexander, Theo Pratt. Subs: Ollie Travell, Preston, Lakey, Toaini Odetoyinbo, Almame Ly Athie, Reece Wilson.

Scorers:

TA: James Kimber (42, 87), Ed Daffern (67), Josh Chamberlain (90). Harry Shepherd (90+3)

WE: -

Sponsors Man of Match: James Kimber

Crowd: 169