St Margaretsbury 2 FC Clacton 2 (FC Clacton won 3-2 on penalties)

Essex Senior League - Len Cordell Memorial Cup Last Sixteen, Friday April 30

Friday night saw me over at The Recreation Ground in Stanstead Abbotts for a Essex Senior League Len Cordell Memorial Trophy Last Sixteen tie between St Margaretsbury and FC Clacton, and it saw the visitors prevail, winning a shoot-out after the sides could not be separated after ninety minutes.

The hosts had qualified from Group A after winning the group on goal difference, they had drawn with Hoddesdon Town and then Cockfosters before netting a 2-0 win against DTFC at the Harlow Arena, whilst the visitors had qualified out of a Group C that saw all four sides make the Last 16 in the end.

The Seasiders had beaten Stansted in their opening game before a draw against Billericay’s U23 side, and their final group game saw defeat against local rivals Holland although they had already qualified by this stage and went through in third place in the end, before the draw saw these two sides paired together for a place in the Quarter Finals at stake.

It was the visitors who began the better and on seven minutes edged ahead when a lovely through ball released Charlie Thompson in on goal and he rounded St Mags keeper and skipper Emanuel Olajide and slotted home despite the best efforts of Aiden Read’s attempts to try and stop the ball crossing the line.

The hosts though responded well and just six minutes later levelled after Chris Manangu managed to fire home from inside the box, however as the half-entered stoppage time FC Clacton retook the lead when Charlie Thompson netted a second for himself and The Seasiders when he sent a looping header back across goal and into the far corner, and the visitors had the half time lead.

The next goal was crucial, if Clacton got it then you would say the tie would be over most likely, whereas if St Mags managed to get it and level then it was right back in the balance once again, well just before the hour mark the hosts levelled when a corner kick from Kirk McPherson went straight in, it was a poor goal for Clacton to concede but equally was a great corner and finish from the St Mags midfielder.

This meant the final half hour was set up nicely, but neither side could find a winner meaning the tie went to penalties, both sides netted their first spot kicks and then missed their second, and after both had netted their third each to make it 2-2 after three kicks each, the hosts missed and saw Clacton edge ahead with one kick each to come.

The Seasiders, who had only won one out of their last twelve shoot outs, netted to make it 3-2 and it saw the home side needing to score to stay in the contest, but they saw it saved meaning the visitors prevailed 3-2 in the shoot out and go through to the Last Eight of the competition.

Full time St Margaretsbury 2 FC Clacton 2 (FC Clacton won 3-2 on penalties)

 

There were two other Last Sixteen ties on Friday evening so let’s see how those went…

West Essex 1 Stansted 3

White Ensign 1 Barkingside 1 (White Ensign won 3-1 on penalties)

The Airportmen are into the Last Eight after they saw off West Essex at Mayesbrook Park, Stansted had lost their opening two group games whilst West had won both of theirs, but it means nothing in the end as after Stansted won their final group game to squeeze through as best fourth placed side, they are now in the Quarters.

Over at Lower Road in Hullbridge Ensign managed to squeeze through against Barkingside thanks to a penalty shoot-out win, Ensign lead at the break thanks to a Dominic Locke goal nine minutes before the break, but side forced a shoot out when deservedly levelling with four minutes remaining after a powerful header from Reece Simpson. It was Ensign who prevailed though after Jake McWee, Jason Reynolds-Blanche and Bradley Gates netted in the shoot out to run out 3-1 winners in that and take their place in the Quarters.

 

These are the remaining Last 16 ties…

Billericay Town U23s v Athletic Newham (New Lodge, Saturday May 1, 3pm)

Brimsdown v Clapton (New River Stadium, Monday May 3, 4.30pm)

Cockfosters v Barking (Chalk Lane, Tuesday May 4, 7.45pm)

Holland v Hackney Wick (Dulwich Road, Wednesday May 5, 7.45pm)

DTFC v Redbridge (The Harlow Arena, Saturday May 8, 3pm)

 

These are the details of the Plate…

Frenford A-W Hoddesdon Town (Tie awarded to Hoddesdon Town after Frenford pulled out)

Great Wakering Rovers v Woodford Town (Parkside (Aveley FC), Saturday May 1, 2pm)

 

The remaining last sixteen ties are spread over the next seven days, whilst Hoddesdon Town reach the Plate Final at the end of May due to Frenford’s withdrawal from the competition, they will meet either Great Wakering Rovers or Woodford Town in that.