

Saturday 5th October, 2024 | FC Clacton 0-4 Buckhurst Hill | Essex Senior League Premier | Attendance : 82
By Harry Biggs
The Stags make it four wins in a row as they dominate FC Clacton by the seaside in a thrilling Essex Senior League match, finishing with a 4-0 victory.
Mark made a few changes to the side that was victorious over Cannons Wood in the midweek cup action, bringing Ogunsanya, Okuguni, and Hammond into the starting eleven after they were on the bench on Wednesday. Smith kept his place in goal, while Campbell started again after scoring his first two goals for Buckhurst Hill in the Essex Cup. Frempong dropped to the bench, with Williams and Okunlola unavailable.
Both teams started well, and within the first minute, Buckhurst Hill had a close call after a well-delivered set piece nearly found its way past Smith, but the ball eventually went wide.
The Stags responded with several attempts, including a chance for Oliseh Okuguni down the left side. After being given plenty of time and space, his shot hit the side netting from a tight angle. A few minutes later, Jones came close from a free kick that was delivered into the Clacton penalty area, but no one attacked the loose ball, allowing the host’s keeper to collect it.
Buckhurst Hill broke the deadlock in the 24th minute after a brilliant attacking move. Campbell raced down the right side and cut the ball across to Foyewa, who struck it into the top corner, putting the Stags ahead.
Smith was called into action shortly after, making a brilliant save from a set piece to deny Clacton an equalizer. From the resulting corner, Clacton came close again, but after a scramble in the box, the ball was eventually cleared for a goal kick.
Jones had another attempt from outside the box at the half-hour mark, narrowly missing the target. Just minutes later, Clacton hit the post with a deflected shot, leaving Smith stranded. As the ball bounced toward the goal, a Clacton attacker headed it toward the net, but Ogunsanya made an incredible bicycle-kick clearance off the line.
The Stags doubled their lead just before halftime, as Archie Hammond fired a powerful shot from outside the box, making it 2-0 heading into the break.
In the second half, Buckhurst Hill extended their lead to 3-0 with a header from Okuguni off a perfectly delivered corner. Hammond nearly added another moments later, but his effort was saved by the Clacton keeper.
At the 68th minute, Robertson hit the post, and soon after, substitute George Thompson was taken down by the Clacton keeper, but the referee waved away the penalty claims.
Thompson had another chance minutes later, this time forcing a save from the busy Clacton goalkeeper. Alfie Paddington, also off the bench, nearly scored after going through on goal, but the Clacton keeper made another impressive save.
Thompson finally sealed the win at the 90th minute, firing in a shot to make it 4-0. The Stags had one last chance when Thompson released substitute Willison through on goal, but the Clacton keeper, Fowler, made a brilliant save to cap off the game.
The Stags ended their long journey from Myrak Park with a convincing 4-0 win. After the match, Archie Hammond said, “I’m very pleased with my goal, and making it two in two games means a lot to me.”
TEAM :
Smith (GK), Foyewa ⚽, Buchanan, Okuguni ⚽, Harris ©️, Ogunsanya, Campbell, Hammond ⚽, Jones, Warner, Robertson
SUBS :
Frempong (72’ – Ogunsanya), Thompson ⚽ (54’ – Okuguni), Willison (76’ – Warner), Paddington (72’ – Campbell)
The Stags will now face Barking FC in the next round at Mayesbrook Park Stadium in the coming weeks.
Tuesday 8th October – BBC Essex Senior Cup – Barking FC (A)
