Mid April and it was time for the semi finals of the ESL's Errington Challenge Cup, the leagues League Cup, and both games were taking place at Burrough's Park on consecutive nights as both Great Wakering Rovers & White Ensign had home ties, I went to both games so here how they both fared:-
Tuesday April 15th
Great Wakering Rovers Vs Takeley
Rovers were attempting to reach their second final of the season, they had already grabbed silverware last month when winning the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy against Little Oakley, and now they were facing Takeley, who like themselves have qualified for the post season play offs in the division.
The first half certainly belonged to Takeley for the majority of it, and if it wasn't for a combination of Rovers keeper George Martin and wasteful finishing then Takeley could well of been out of sight, but three minutes before half time the hosts scored with pretty much their only attempt on target, but what a strike it was, Callum Boylan curling home an absolute beauty into the top corner, leaving Takeley scratching their heads as to how they were behind at the break.
They did manage to get themselves on level terms though in the second period, Jack Mitchell converting from close range with his head, but neither side could find that winner although heading into extra time you felt this one would either be settled by one goal or even go to penalties, but how wrong we all were.
The hosts managed to edge themselves in front in the extra half hour when a mad scramble inside the six yard box ended with Max Gnandi bundling the ball home, and then came a moment visiting keeper Jarvis Monk will want to forget, a ball forward saw Monk come to clear the ball but totally mis the ball and allowed Gnandi to run onto it and side foot into the open net, and that was the killer goal which sealed the tie.
And there was still time for Wakering to net a third goal in extra time and their fourth overall, a wonderful long ball from keeper Martin found the head of Harry Talbot who sent his header past Monk into the net and seal a pretty satisfying evening for the hosts in the end, although for large parts it did not look like this may happen.
Takeley then will rue those missed chances in the first half especially but Rovers made them pay for this and in the end were the ones to reach a second final of the season.
Full time Great Wakering Rovers 4 Takeley 1 (aet)
Wednesday April 16th
White Ensign Vs Little Oakley
Ensign were trying to cap a pretty good season with an appearance in a final, they looked likely to earn a top ten finish in the league which is very good indeed, and they welcomed a Little Oakley side to Burroughs Park who were attempting to reach a second final, and set up a repeat of the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy final against GWR, one that they narrowly lost.
Ensign knew though that if they could win this semi final they would set up a rather mouth-watering final against their land lords, so that in itself was a big dangling carrot, but they were fairly lucky to still be in the tie in the opening twenty five minutes or so as Oakley missed several decent opening, with host keeper Bradley Davison making more than one good save to keep them out.
However there was nothing he could do about the opener which came in the 26th minute as a ball fired towards goal by Reece Keating saw Max Brownsdon divert a close range header past Davison who had little chance of stopping it, and Oakley had a deserved lead and looked in control.
Ensign though are made of tough stuff these days and it only took them six minutes to level, Ellis Devereux managing to bundle home from close range despite visiting keeper Billy Lawlor doing his upmost to keep it out, and it meant the sides went into the break all square, and had me thinking and praying "please, no extra time again!!!".
So, could someone win the contest in normal time, I was certainly hoping that was the case, and just past the hour mark, Oakley got themselves back in front once again, Connor Tucker forcing a decent stop from Davison, but Darren Mills followed up to fire home the rebound and Oakley now had something to hold onto.
Could they hold on, they certainly came under severe pressure from the hosts as the half went on, and keeper Lawlor had to make a superb save from a close range header at one point as Oakley were clinging on, but they were managing to do enough to keep their opponents out.
Four minutes of stoppage time were signalled, and then came a rather unsavoury moment when one of the Ensign substitutes, Robbie Allen, was given a straight red after a poor challenge, it caused a melee as the visitors were not happy with the challenge, rightly so, thankfully their player did get back up after also suffering cramp as well.
Oakley then managed to see off the extra minutes on top of the extra minutes, and took their place in a second final of the season, and again against GWR, can they gain revenge for the loss in the Peter Butcher Final, they will certainly want to go one better this time round that's for sure.
Full time White Ensign 1 Little Oakley 2
So, well done to Great Wakering Rovers & Little Oakley, they will contest their second final of the season, a final which will take place at Witham Town FC on Monday May 5th, will GWR net a second trophy of the season or can Oakley make amends and grab the trophy and deny Rovers a double. Only time will tell!!!
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