After Tuesdays’ poor second half display which brought to an end Coggeshall’s eight game unbeaten run, Graeme Smith made two changes to his starting eleven. With Tyler Corlett unavailable for selection due to work commitments, Tyler Brampton was reintroduced from the start whilst George Cocklin returned to replace Syrus Gordon who took his place on the substitutes bench.

Just like Tuesday’s second half, the Town started this match in sluggish style and in truth, struggled throughout the half. Danny Sambridge was again the hero, as after just eight minutes he was facing a penalty from Callum Taylor after a foul from Captain, Dexter Peter. As Taylor looked to have placed his penalty in the corner of the net, Sambridge sprung to his right to pull of a remarkable fourth penalty save in a row.

In what was a disappointing first half display, the SeedGrowers failed to register a single shot on goal and the only other flash point of the half was a reckless challenge by Basildon midfielder, Harry Norman. Nnamdi Nwachuku was on the receiving end of the tackle, however was lucky enough avoid contact whilst Norman collected a yellow card for his troubles from the Referee.

HALF TIME: Coggeshall Town 0-0 Basildon United

With the words of manager, Smith ringing in their ears, the SeedGrowers knew they had to improve upon their first half performance, however it took until the sixty second minute for them to record effort on goal. A cross from the dangerous Nwachuku, found Tevan Allen unmarked inside the Basildon penalty area however he wasn’t able to beat Harley in the Basildon goal who was on hand to make a comfortable save.

Just a minute after their first effort of the day and Coggeshall were gifted an opportunity to open the scoring, after Robert Hodgson fouled George Cocklin in side the penalty area. After missing his penalty on Tuesday, Nwachuku confidently stepped up and this time, dispatched his effort past Harley and in to the back of the net. The goal appeared to kick the SeedGrowers in to gear slightly, as they soon had a chance for a second goal as Nwachuku was in on goal with only Harley to beat, however the shot-stopper made a smart save after diving at the feet of Coggeshall’s goalscorer.

In the seventy first minute, Michael Gyasi was introduced to the action in place of goalscorer, Nwachuku as the SeedGrowers looked to increase their lead and secure the three points… it did not take long. Eight minutes later and the Town caught the visitors with a vicious counter attack and scored their second goal of the match, with thanks to new signing, Mekhi McLeod. After a quick and accurate, sixty yard pass from Sambridge, McLeod latched on to the ball and drove towards the United defence. The pacey wide man, skipped past two challenges before unleashing an effort from the edge of the box which Harley was unable to keep out as it crashed in to the back of the net, to all but secure the three points.

With the visitors beginning to tire, the home side were not finished and now looked in the mood to punish their opponents. Ross Wall should have extended the lead, after a cross from McLeod but he somehow put his free header from six yards out, over the crossbar. Wall, was not to be denied though as less than sixty seconds later, he scored his second goal in three games. McLeod this time, turned provider after his wicked left footed cross found Wall inside the eighteen yard box, who took one touch before blasting the ball in to the goal, past a helpless, Harley to complete the scoring.

FULL TIME: Coggeshall Town 3-0 Basildon United

Attendance: 119

Coggeshall Town:
Danny Sambridge, Tyler Brampton, Curtis Haynes-Brown, Conor Hubble, Conor Hubble, Dexter Peter, Joshua Pollard, Mekhi McLeod, Tevan Allen, Nnamdi Nwachuku, Ross Wall & George Cocklin.

Substitutes:
Ace Howell, Syrus Gordon, Aryton Coley, Jamie Shaw, Michael Gyasi.

Basildon United:
Russell Harley, Eli Benoit, Kurt Smith, Nathan Okoye, Robert Hodgson, Joseph Turpin, Daniel Cheema, Harry Norman, Callum Taylor, Ashley Pibworth & Jeffrey Cobblah.

Substitutes:
Grant Webb, Rhys Fatt, Matthew Brinklow.