Essex Senior League Errington Challenge Cup Final, Monday 5th May
Bank Holiday Monday, the first of two in the month of May, saw the Essex Senior League season come to an end with the Errington Challenge Cup final, their League Cup basically, and it was a repeat of their other First Team final, the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy, as Great Wakering Rovers once again did battle with Little Oakley.
When the two did compete in that final back in March, Rovers netted a very tight hard fought 1-0 win at Billericay Town's New Lodge ground, if you would like to see what happened in that one in detail, my blog on that final is here https://pedroslocalfootiefix.blogspot.com/2025/03/little-oakley-0-great-wakering-rovers-1.html
This was part of a double header at Witham Town's Spa Road ground, the Reserves South Cup final between Heybridge Swifts Reserves & Ilford's Reserves kicked off at 11am, here is a brief description of what happened in that game:-
Ilford Reserves Vs Heybridge Swifts Reserves - Reserves South Cup Final
The opening forty minutes or so were pretty forgetful, but then just before half time Swifts broke the deadlock when Connor Jarrett fired across the keeper into the far corner, meaning Swifts would go into the break a goal ahead, Ilford fought back in the perfect way early on in the second half, levelling after a neat finish inside the box, and it seemed they had the momentum.
But no, sloppy defending allowed Riley Prendergast to get into a flick on and fire home at the back post, and then Swifts sealed the win and South Cup glory when a keeper howler saw the ball pinched off him by Mason Gillam who had the simple task of slotting into the empty net, and Heybridge had earned South Cup trophy success.
Ilford Reserves 1 Heybridge Swifts Reserves 3
So, well done to Heybridge Swifts/Ilford on their success in today's final, now for the main event, the Errington Challenge Cup Final, could GWR, who were trying to bounce back from their late late dramatic loss at Woodford Town in Wednesday's league play off semi final to claim a second trophy of the season, whereas Oakley were attempting to revenge their loss in the Peter Butcher final and claim this prestigious trophy and end their season on a high, let's find out what happened:-
Great Wakering Rovers Vs Little Oakley - Errington Challenge Cup Final
Oakley certainly started this one the better of the two, and after just ten minutes they had the lead in this final, Dan Rowe firing a lovely effort into the bottom corner past an unsighted George Martin in the Rovers goal, and they had made the best possible start to revenging that loss in the Pete Butcher final, could they go on and really take control of this contest.
They were certainly the better of the two sides in the opening forty five minutes as Wakering were not on the pace at all, maybe they still had a hangover from that semi final loss in midweek, but it did look like an end of season game for some of them, their management were certainly getting frustrated with the work rate and application, and Oakley could easily have had a couple more goals in the first period, but it was only 1-0 at the break.
No doubt with the managers & assistants voices ringing in their ears after the half time break, Wakering certainly were a much better side in the second period than the first, and early on in that period they had a golden chance to level the match up when a cross from the left was handled by a defender and a penalty was immediately awarded.
Harry Talbot was eventually given the task of taking the penalty, this after taking the ball from Ben Search who seemed like he was going to take it, but Talbot saw his more than decent effort heading towards the bottom corner superbly saved by Oakley keeper Billy Lawlor, and you began to feel if it was going to be Wakering's day.
However, just past the hour mark they did level, full back Alfie Whiteaker drilling a lovely left footed effort across goal and into the far corner, setting up the final half hour of normal time perfectly, Rovers were now well and truly on the front foot but could not find that second goal, Lawlor was proving hard to beat, but Oakley were not without their opening too, and Martin too had to be alert to beat away an effort down the other end.
The match could not be decided in normal time, meaning an extra thirty minutes, Lawlor again was there once again to thwart Wakering, whilst Martin also had to make a decent stop down the other end, Oakley did net the rebound but this was flagged for offside, and although Rovers created the better chances throughout the game overall, they nearly lost it right at the end of extra time, and had the inside of the post to thank for not doing, Oakley were inches away from winning it, but alas the game would go to penalties.
Oakley netted their first and then saw Rovers miss their first one, but that was to be the only time Oakley would score in the shootout as Martin saved twice with the next two and then with GWR netting their next two, Oakley fired their fourth one over, meaning Callum Boylan was given the chance to net the winning spot kick, which he did, and Great Wakering Rovers had netted a cup double by picking up the Errington Challenge Cup to add to the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy.
The final had been well fought between the two sides, in what was a well contested battle played hard but fair in the most part, congratulations to GWR but commiserations to Little Oakley who after reaching two cup finals end the season empty handed, still a decent season nonetheless.
Full time Great Wakering Rovers 1 Little Oakley 1 (aet; Great Wakering Rovers won 3-1 on penalties)
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