Saturday 26th August 2023
FC Romania 0 – 3 Buckhurst Hill
Stags Scorers:
Sammy Bayon 65
Marko Protic 75
Jesse Mansaray 87
Report by Adam Connolly
A truly well-deserved victory against a very good opposition.
It was a difficult first half with the hosts dominating a lot of the ball, however, it was ourselves who had the better chances of the half with Charles Nicol striking the woodwork.
The rain continued to come down thick and fast and the opposition showed some good pattern of play at times and displayed their quality, but failed to trouble our keeper.
The second half became stretched with both sides looking to press for a goal. Substitute Sammy Bayon found himself in an advanced position after Manraj Phagura’s shot from distance was saved by the keeper and Bayon slotted home into the top corner.
The Stags grew with confidence and our lads were showing some real quality touches and began to cause FC Romania all sorts of problems. And after a mix-up in the defence, the ball fell to Protic who beat his man and fired hard and low past their keeper to make it 2-0.
FC Romania began to commit bodies forward in search of a goal, but it was yet another sub Jesse Mansaray who was put through by Protic on the counterattack and fired into the bottom corner.
Rob Horgan made two fine saves in the final minutes and the Stags finished with a clean sheet and a spot in the next round of the FA Vase.
