The Emirates FA Cup – Prelim Round
Venue: Mayesbrook Park 3G
Attendance: 136
2022-23 Season: Match 8
Sunday 21 August 2022 – 3pm KO
Romford: Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts & Blue Socks
Takeley: Red Shirts, Red Shorts, Red Socks
Takeley deny 10-man Romford to force a Replay in midweek
Romford 1 – 1 Takeley
Match Report & Photos by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14]
The FA Cup returned for its Prelim Round stage this weekend and I made the trip to Mayesbrook Park to see tenants Romford face a tricky test in fellow Essex Senior side Takeley. Romford fielded goalkeeper Billy Lawlor, on loan from local side Dagenham & Redbridge, with a defence of full-backs Toby Barlow and Danny Hurford, plus centre-backs Tambeson Eyong and John Mbamrah. Kris Newby skippered the side in a deep midfield role, with wingers Charlie Morris and Jesse Odukolu supporting forwards Alex Balisani and Emmanuel Robe. Experienced forwards Martin Tuohy and Jake Gordon were among their substitutes. Takeley had Matt Gill between the sticks, with Bryn Thorpe and George Powell in central defence. George Frodsham and Warren Kayembe were the lead forwards for Marc Das’ side, and Glen O’Hanlon once again captained the visitors.
The early stages of this match were lively, and Takeley had a left-off early on as forward Alex Balisani broke clear of the visiting backline before curling a strike wide of the target. The visitors responded a minute later as skipper Glen O’Hanlon fizzed a header wide but we didn’t have to wait long for goals. Five minutes in, the tricky Balisani was felled in the area and home skipper Kris Newby duly converted into the left side corner, giving opposition custodian Matt Gill little chance.
However, Takeley responded within five minutes as Jordan Westcott’s initial strike was parried by Romford stopper Billy Lawlor, but George Frodsham was in prime position to follow-up and his low effort went into the net. That leveller provided a lot of impetus for Takeley in the increasing temperatures, and forward Warren Kayembe’s incisive pass found Frodsham, only for full-back Danny Hurford to make a fine tackle to deny him a good chance at Lawlor’s goal.
Frodsham was continuing to be lively on the right flank, as Romford could not retain the ball for long periods, or create much to sorely test the visiting backline, with Thorpe and Powell well-placed to rebuff any runs down the channels. Romford did have a few good moments, mainly through the runs of Balisani, who couldn’t quite find that telling pass.
Half-Time: Romford 1 – 1 Takeley
The second half didn’t quite get energised like the first half start did, though the job got harder for Takeley on 56 minutes as full-back Andre Humphrey was given a straight red card for a ‘reckless’ tackle. Even with a numerical advantage, the hosts could not strive to really make said advantage count. Indeed it was the visitors who had next chance as Thorpe’s well-hit strike was well-gathered by Lawlor.
Romford boss Steve Butterworth elected to bring on experienced forward pair Martin Tuohy and Jake Gordon in place of Emmanuel Robe and Charlie Morris and the two substitutes combined moments later, with Gordon’ cross from the right finding Tuohy, who toe-poked an effort narrowly wide of the near post.
Newby continued to have an influence on his side and his long searching pass found winger Jesse Olukolu well but Olukolu’s effort was well-gathered by Gill. As the minutes went by, it looked increasingly likely that Takeley were going to hold firm and force the replay in midweek and by the time the final whistle arrived, Marc Das’ team had completed that job.
Full-Time: Romford 1 – 1 Takeley
In summary, this hard-fought Cup tie was high on guts and strong tackles but a bit lighter on chances created as the match went on. Takeley will be happy to have seen off the hosts despite playing with ten men for over half an hour of the second half. Romford may rue the fact they could not test a tiring visiting defence that much in the latter stages, in front of a good attendance of over 130 in the sunshine at Mayesbrook Park.
There were some good performances to note as ever. For Romford, forward Alex Balisani did look to get past defenders quickly and put in some telling passes, though he had to come deeper into midfield to get on the ball in the second half. Captain Kris Newby put in some fine passes too from deep and generally was a good influence for his team. George Cox was his usual hard-working self in central midfield, while a mention also for full-back Danny Hurford who stuck to his task keeping the lively Frodsham from galloping past him several times on his flank.
For Takeley, forward George Frodsham was the livewire of their attack, taking his goal well and making several rapid runs down the right side for most of the game, before switching to a more defensive role late on to aid the visitors. George Powell and Bryn Thope symbolised the defensive effort for Marc Das, making several good jnterceptions and also a word for winger George Wappett who also made good runs down left side and added to the home defenders’ headache until he had to come off with a knock late on.
So, a Replay is required on Wednesday night at Takeley’s Station Road.
Teams
Romford | Manager: Steve Butterworth | Assistant: Dan Spinks
Starting XI (Subs): 1 Billy Lawlor (GK), 2 Toby Barlow, 3 Danny Hurford, 5 Tamerson Eyong, 6 John Mbamarah, 4 Kris Newby (Capt), 8 George Cox (17 Jacob Wiggins), 7 Jesse Olukolu, 9 Emmanuel Robe (16 Martin Tuohy 61′), 10 Alex Balisani, 11 Charlie Morris (14 Jake Gordon 61′)
Goal-scorer: Kris Newby [pen 5′]
Booked: Newby, Gordon | Subs Not Used: Ademi, Sibanda
Takeley | Manager: Marc Das | Assistant: Kevin Riley
Starting XI (Subs): 1 Matthew Gill (GK), 2 Mike La Ronde, 3 Andre Humphrey, 4 Bryn Thorpe, 5 George Powell, 6 Freddie Burrell (15 Charlie Dobinson 73′), 10 Glen O’Hanlon (Capt), 8 Jordan Westcott (14 Lewis Powell 39′), 7 George Frodsham, 9 Warren Kayembe, 11 George Wappett (17 Charlie Allum 81′)
Goal-scorer: George Frodsham [10′]
Booked: Frodsham, Burrell, Dobinson | Sent Off: Humphrey [56′]
Subs Not Used: Lambrou, Bull (GK), Deamer
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