Replay wins galore!

It was FA Cup Replay Tuesday, and Premier Division Brentwood Town were back at home, Concord Rangers making the trip after neither side could score at the weekend. Town were five without a win and hoped to end that run, whilst the Beachboys have had a fantastic start, unbeaten in seven matches in League and Cups, and were eyeing a second chance of a giant killing.

The top flight side made the breakthrough just after the half hour, a corner tapped home by Ansu Janneh at the back post, and they doubled their lead early in the second half, Cameron Forde-Browne firing home a free kick- the wall jumping and the ball going underneath. The Beachboys didn’t let their heads drop, and quickly saw Kai Torres pull a goal back, but the hosts went straight up the other end and restored their two goal cushion, Malachi Linton ensuring that they could relax just a little- but perhaps they relaxed too much, as Charlie Wardle almost immediately brought it back to three-two! Finally Brentwood’s nerves were settled as Bradley Sach made it four-two deep in added time, and that was how it ended.

Lewes and Cray Wanderers met at Flamingo Park, the sides having played out an exciting two-two draw at The Dripping Pan the weekend. The Rooks were five unbeaten, Wands three unbeaten, and we waited forty seven minutes for a goal- but when it arrived it was the home faithful with the celebrations, Alex Hernandez heading home a cross from Ola Ogunwamide. Almost immediately Louis Rogers was called into action to prevent a second from Soul Kader, and at the other end Ryan Gondoh’s effort struck the post- but as it turned out the first goal was the only goal, Wands through.

Dartford saw Westfield make the return trip around the M25 after a one-one draw on Saturday. The Darts were made to fight hard for their replay, and they looked to make their second chance count when Max Fiddes put them ahead on the quarter hour, player/boss Ben Greenhalgh with the cross. Dan Smith was introduced for the hosts just after the hour and immediately scored their second goal, and that was where the scoring stopped.

Wingate and Finchley made there rather lengthy midweek trip to take on North opponents, Felixstowe and Walton United, the sides without a goal in their first ninety minutes at the weekend. The opening goal perhaps should have arrived on seventeen minutes, but a penalty for the Premier side was saved by the Seasiders Harry Wright. Early in the second half we had another spot kick, this one to the hosts, but we had a similar outcome, Charlie Grainger proving that whatever Wright could do, he could do too.

Soon we had a goal, and it went to the top flight side, Ashley Nzala firing a cross into the roof of the net. Nzala struck again thirteen minutes from time, and the visitors held on- banana skin avoided!

St Albans City renewed acquaintances with Hashtag United, heading to Redbridge to try again to get the better of the high-flying Tags. The match finally got a goal ten minutes into the second half, and it went to the Saints, Inih Effiong heading home- and they added a second eleven minutes from time, Mikey Faulkner with that one. That was that- the Saints marching on.

Jersey Bulls replay with Burgess Hill Town was postponed due to air traffic control issues.

Stanway Rovers hoped once more for a first win of the campaign as they headed to take on Pitching In Southern Premier side Needham Market, but things didn’t start well, the Marketmen ahead after only seven minutes. On the half hour it was two-nil, but early in the second half Rovers were back in the match, Ryan Charles finding the top corner. Despite their best efforts, however the next goal arrived right at the end, and it went to the hosts, three-one, and game over.

South East Faversham Town travelled to take on Premier Welling United in a Kentish derby. The Lilywhites came into the game unbeaten in eight matches- but they needed a late equaliser to get a second bite of this particular cherry, and Wings were certainly the favourites to get the job done. United made the breakthrough six minutes before half time, Demaray Anyadike curling an effort into the bottom left corner, but the visitors drew level just after the hour, Tommie Fagg converting a corner. Into added time we went with the scores level, and then, penalty- the hosts the beneficiaries of the referee’s decision. Goal! Ryan Kingsland put it away, and Welling progress.