After a tough run of fixtures, Coggeshall boss, Graeme Smith rung the changes as he looked to provide important squad members with vital playing time. Tom Monk, Daniel Cunningham, Luke Wilson, Michael Gyasi, Kieran Bishop and Jamie Shaw were all reintroduced to the starting eleven whilst Ashlee Jones made his debut in the SeedGrowers goal. Great Wakering visited West Street having had a tough start to the season, following their promotion from the Essex Senior League last season.

In truth, both sides struggled to take a foot-hold during the early stages of the match and it was Jones who was forced in to action first of all, as he was required to make a superb, reaction save after an effort from Billy Johnson for the visitors. Johnson’s effort from inside the six yard box rebounded off the leg of Jones, Johnson really should have scored to put his side in the league. After a non eventful first half, the home side finally started to dominate with only fifteen minutes until half time. josh Pollard created the first chance after a dancing run down the right hand side, he delivered a delightful ball in to the box on to head of Shaw who was unable to keep his header on target.

With nine minutes remaining on the clock, Coggeshall opened their account for the evening. Monk attacked the Rovers defence from wide on the right, his shot landed at the feet of Kieran Bishop who managed to adjust his feet in quick time to divert the ball in to the bottom corner past a helpless Tim Brown. That goal was Bishop’s first for the club, since his arrival from Grays in July 2018. As half-time approached, the SeedGrowers continued to dominate and two chances to extend their lead before the break. Gyasi’s cross was headed wide by Connor Hubble and Monk saw a fierce effort smartly saved by Brown in the Wakering goal.

HALF TIME: Coggeshall Town 1 – 0 Great Wakering Rovers

As the second half began, Coggeshall had appeals for a penalty turned down after Gyasi landed on the floor inside the penalty area. The Referee waved away the appeals, whilst Rovers appealed for simulation, again the Referee waved away the appeals. Minutes later and Great Wakering had equalised. A set piece from the right hand side was delivered in to Coggeshall box, who were unable to clear their lines. Jake Gordon popped up for the visitors and volleyed in the ball in to the bottom corner to delight of his team mates. As the visitors controlled the opening exchanges of the second half, the SeedGrowers made a double change and a change of formation with Darren Mills and Andrei Patrascu being introduced for Connor Hubble and captain, Luke Wilson.

The double change certainly took effect as Coggeshall started to regain their first half dominance. Bishop almost scored his second goal of the evening, after a cross-field ball from Pollard beat the defence, but Bishop’s drilled effort went wide of the post. After seventy-four minutes, the home side were awarded a penalty after George Cocklin was fouled inside the box. Substitute, Darren Mills stepped up and slotted his penalty calmly in the corner of the net, past Tim Brown. Smith then made his final change of the evening as Tevan Allen replaced Tom Monk.

As tempers flared, Gyasi was fouled and appeared to have been kicked whilst on the floor; the Referee took control of the situation and booked Vyse for Rovers and decided to book Gyasi and Cunnginham for their part in the melee. As the clock drifted towards the final minutes, Great Wakering began to pile the pressure on the home sides defence and Vyse had a the best chance to equalise however his effort hit the side netting. In the ninety second minute, Rovers were finally rewarded with their second equaliser of the night. A corner from the left was met by Jason Ring at the near post, who glanced his header in to far corner, courtesy of the woodwork. Ring’s header was in fact the last chance of the evening and the match was heading for penalties…

FULL TIME: Coggeshall Town 2-2 Great Wakering Rovers

In a time where heroes are born, up-stepped debutant Ashlee Jones. Rovers took the first penalty and Jones was able to make a smart save to give his side an early advantage. George Cocklin, Darren Mills and Kieran Bishop all converted for Coggeshall, whilst Patrascu missed his penalty. It was indeed Jones who was the real hero for the SeedGrowers after saving three of the five Great Wakering penalties to ensure his side progressed to the next round of the Velocity Trophy.

PENALTY SHOOT-OUT RESULT: Coggeshall Town 3-2 Great Wakering Rovers

Attendance: 48

Coggeshall Town:
Ashlee Jones, Joshua Pollard, Tom Monk, Daniel Cunningham, Dexter Peter, Luke Wilson, Michael Gyasi, Connor Hubble, Kieran Bishop, Jamie Shaw, George Cocklin.

Substitutes:
Darren Mills, Tevan Allen, Andrei Patrascu.

Great Wakering Rovers:
Tim Brown, Jason Ring, Thomas Skelton, Scott Pethers, Ollie Woodhouse, Aaron Russell, Billy Johnson, Billy Harris, Adam Vyse, Stephen Butterworth, Jake Gordon.

Substitutes:
Warren Kayembe, John Mbamarah, Lewis Payne, Simon Thomas, Jacob Wiggins.