Extra time goals from John Hilliard and skipper Jake McWee saw White Ensign stun Woodford Town at Burroughs Park and progress into the Preliminary Round of the Emirates FA Cup to set up an away tie against Takeley in two weekend’s time.
This was of course Ensign’s first ever venture into the FA Cup and they had come close to winning the original tie at The Harlow Arena on Friday night against a Woodford Town side who were a league above and had netted ten goals in their first two league games of the season.
Many had them down to cause a surprise in this replay too in what was their first competitive fixture at their new home at Great Wakering Rovers, and it was they who had the first opening when Conner Barnby curled inches wide.
But on twelve minutes they did take the lead as a corner from player manager Brett Munyard saw Elliot Vile run onto it and power home a header from close range as the hosts started very well indeed.
Ensign were threatening to add a quick second as well as Dominic Locke saw an effort saved by Alex Reed, before Woodford did finally manage an effort at goal but Asher Modeste’s effort was over the bar.
As the half went on though Woodford started to see more and more of the ball and Temi Babalola fired an effort into the side netting, and then another attack from the visitors saw a cross into the box headed over by Georges Kebi.
Woodford were now on top and they managed to get in behind the hosts but Babalola’s cross was behind his strike partner Modeste, before Ensign did then attack and saw Locke lay in Munyard, only for the latter to drag wide of the far post, although he had been flagged offside anyway.
But with seven minutes to the break Woodford found a leveller when Babalola managed to get through on goal and send a finish under James Parkins and this tie was back to where it had begun, all square.
Half Time White Ensign 1 Woodford Town 1
There was an early second half chance for the hosts but Locke’s effort was saved by Reed before Woodford went up the other end but Kebi saw his effort blocked, and then Andrea Mantovani saw a free-kick well saved by hosts keeper Parkins.
A Munyard free-kick was then headed over from close range by Harry Skinner as the hosts went close, and then another cross from the player boss to the far post saw Locke sliding in but unable to send the ball into the net.
Munyard then thought he had broken through on goal, only for a terrific last-ditch tackle from Woodford centre back Tola Odedoyin to thwart him, and then Munyard should of given Ensign the lead when with the goal to aim at he saw his effort cleared off the line.
Ensign continued to knock on the door and another decent free-kick from Munyard saw Harry Skinner head wide, before Barnby then fired over before Barnby again tried his luck from outside the area, but the effort was deflected into Reed’s hands.
With four minutes remaining though Woodford so nearly grabbed a winner when a downward header was brilliantly saved by keeper Parkins (Brett’s Dad told me in the bar afterwards he taught the keeper all he knew so saves like that were down to him!!!). It was most certainly an important save as it meant the tie would indeed go to extra time.
Full Time White Ensign 1 Woodford Town 1
The first period of extra time saw a Locke effort go straight at Reed, however all the action came in the final ten or so minutes of the extra half hour. With just over ten to go Luke Skinner was fouled by Odedoyin, and the big Woodford defender was shown a straight red.
And from the resulting free kick John Hillard curled an absolute beauty in off the bar to send Ensign back into the lead in this tie to send them wild with delight, they had just ten minutes to hold on.
Reed then made a save from an angled drive as Ensign threatened another, and with five minutes left they sealed their passage into the next round when skipper McWee poked home a loose ball and give Ensign breathing space.
Barnby then missed a couple more efforts to make it four, and then deep deep into added on time Ensign saw Vile given a second yellow after a clash with Babalola, but it wasn’t going to dampen the hosts spirit and the final whistle went soon after to confirm the hosts passage to the Preliminary Round.
Full Time (after extra time) White Ensign 3 Woodford Town 1
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