Wednesday 2nd October, 2024 | Buckhurst Hill 4-2 Cannons Wood | BBC Essex Senior Cup | Attendance : 36
By Harry Biggs
The Stags are victorious in the first round of the BBC Essex Senior Cup after a 4-2 win over Thurlow Nunn South side, Cannons Wood, at Myrak Park. That’s now three wins in a row for Mark and Adam’s side, who have really started to find form this season.
Mark made only a few changes after Saturday’s win over Takeley in the league. Dan Jones came into the side to replace Suley Zudhu, who was unavailable. Ollie Williams returned to the team and captained The Stags. Archie Hammond, Oliseh Okuguni, and Jonathan Ogunsanya all dropped to the bench alongside Alfie Paddington and Isaac Long. Finally, Seye Okunlola retained his place upfront for Buckhurst Hill after scoring a debut goal on Saturday.
Onto the cup action now, and Buckhurst Hill started strong, testing the visitors’ keeper multiple times within the first five minutes. Okunlola fired a powerful strike, but the Cannons Wood keeper pulled off an incredible save to deny him. He was then quick to pounce on the rebound, preventing Robertson from following up with an attempt at goal.
Six minutes later, the story changed. In the 11th minute, after the visitors gave the ball away in a dangerous position, Dan Jones found Robertson, who released Campbell through on goal at a tight angle. Campbell squeezed the ball into the bottom corner to open his Stags goalscoring account.
Cannons Wood quickly equalized just two minutes later after Carolan brought down their attacker in the penalty area. The resulting penalty was calmly converted to make it 1-1.
There wasn’t much other action in the first half. Although Buckhurst Hill dominated possession, they struggled to find a breakthrough until the 32nd minute. Okunlola picked up the ball on the right, dribbled toward the box, and found Jude Carolan, who released Khadean Campbell. Campbell netted his second goal of the night, sending The Stags into halftime with a 2-1 lead.
In the second half, Cannons Wood started sharply, nearly equalizing with a gift of a chance, only for the shot to sail over the bar. However, in the 57th minute, they did grab their second equalizer of the night. A mistake from Smith, who failed to attempt a catch, allowed the ball to bounce in front of an open goal. The visitors’ initial shot hit the crossbar, but the rebound was neatly followed up into the top corner to make it 2-2.
Buckhurst Hill was eager to regain the lead, and they found a golden opportunity after 72 minutes when Khadean Campbell was brought down in the visitors’ penalty area. The referee awarded a penalty without hesitation. Up stepped Okunlola, who calmly slotted home with a measured run-up, putting The Stags back in front at 3-2.
In the 83rd minute, Buckhurst Hill sealed the win, making it 4-2. Alfie Paddington, after coming on just minutes earlier, went on a brilliant run down the left. His strike was blocked by a Cannons Wood defender, but the ball fell to Archie Hammond, who sweetly side-footed it into the bottom corner from the edge of the box, securing Buckhurst Hill’s spot in the next round of the BBC Essex Senior Cup.
After the game, we caught up with Khadean Campbell, who said he was “pleased to open his Stags goal account” and praised the team’s determination to get through to the next round, marking three wins on the bounce.
TEAM :
Smith (GK), Foyewa, Carolan, Campbell ⚽⚽, Harris, Frempong, Warner, Williams ©️, Jones, Okunlola ⚽, Robertson.
SUBS :
Paddington (55’ – Foyewa), Long (55’ – Robertson), Hammond ⚽ (71’ – Jones) , Okuguni (71’ – Hammond), Ogunsanya (85’ – Harris).
The Stags will now face Barking FC in the next round at Mayesbrook Park Stadium in the coming weeks.
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