Mwetsi Matagni netted a ninth minute goal and it proved enough for Coggeshall United to battle their way past Long Melford at West Street to reach the Buildbase FA Vase First Round Proper.
The Thurlow Nunn Eastern Senior South hosts had already knocked out Essex Senior League side Cockfosters in the previous round after extra time whilst Thurlow Nunn Premier Long Melford had to battle their way past Thurlow Nunn Eastern Senior side Little Oakley in their previous round of the competition.
And it was the hosts who struck first in the ninth minute when a defensive slip allowed Ben Madden to get a shot away and although this was saved, skipper Matangi got the loose ball, rounded a defender before firing beyond keeper Ben Davlin into the far corner and the Step Six hosts led the Step Five visitors early on.
Melford to their credit responded well to going behind and saw three efforts blocked in quick succession, and then went close as they curled a decent effort just wide of the far post. The hosts themselves could have doubled their advantage after another defensive slip, but this chance was not taken meaning the hosts ended the half with a slender lead.
Half Time Coggeshall United 1 Long Melford 0
The early exchanges of the second period saw chances for both sides, Melford hammered a free-kick just over the bar whilst the Weavers sent a high looping ball towards the far post which keeper Devlin had to be alert to and punch away.
Melford then sent a near post effort towards goal which was saved before the hosts probably should have doubled their lead when a square ball was somehow not converted with the goal at their mercy, and it remained 1-0 to the hosts.
Melford though were having quite a lot of the ball but despite pushing the hosts back into their own third, they could not really create anything of note. Their only attempt came when a back flick towards goal ended up on the roof of the hosts net but apart from that the home side were soaking up all that was coming their way.
And as the game got into the latter stages and with Melford pushing more players forward in search of a leveller, Coggeshall looked dangerous on the counter and had chances to seal it, but were wasteful in trying to end the contest.
But that ninth minute goal from Matangi proved to be enough to send his side through as the Weavers had to show all their battling qualities once again to win this one. Melford did have a lot of the play but were found wanting in the final third and hardly tested hosts keeper Lewis Down at all which will no doubt disappoint them. Congratulations to Coggeshall United though who knock out Step Five opposition for the second round running.
Full Time Coggeshall United 1 Long Melford 0
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