Seven up for Dragons

Wivenhoe Town welcomed fellow First Division side Newbury Forest to the Blackstone Stadium in the opening round of the BBC Essex Senior Cup. Gary Monti had made some changes to the starting team, Connor Smith was back in the team at centre back having been injured in his Wivenhoe debut. Ben Gallifant was making his first appearance for the first team in goal having returned to the club in the summer. George Hart made his first start after a string of impressive substitute appearances.

The match kicked off 15 minutes late due to congestion on the A12 that had delayed much of the Newbury team. The visitors had been trying to play out from the back and had already taken a few risks, it cost them on 15 minutes when a poor pass from the goalkeeper gave the ball to George Hart leaving himself stranded. Hart knocked the ball wide to Dean Merrett who had a simple task of shooting into an empty net.

The second goal came when Tom Lakin broke away on the right and then pulled a ball back across goal. Dean Merrett and CJ Cabulo both had swipes and missed but the ball eventually found George Hart who calmly finished into the corner, his fourth of the season.

It could have been more as Dean Merrett collected another poor pass and played in Hart whose shot was pushed over the bar. Sam then found space on the left and crossed to Jack Mead whose header went wide. The third when it came was a fine piece of football, CJ Cabulo and George Hart exchanged passes several times to bypass the Newbury defence and set CJ up for a curled finish into the far corner.

Half time saw Ross James replace Jack Mead. The second period began with a goal, Sam Mead collected the ball outside the box and then hit a fine curling effort over the keeper. It was soon five, George Hart got goal side of the defender and was dragged down inside the area. Tom Lakin stepped up for the spot kick and hit a low shot into the corner.

Peter Maina replaced George Hart and was soon on the score sheet, a poor throw allowed Dean Merrett to intercept and lob the ball into the box. Maina collected, got the ball under control and shot past the Newbury keeper.

The visitors got one back on the break with a good finish past Ben Gallifant before Wivenhoe restored their six goal lead. CJ Cabulo sent a freekick into the box and Connor Smith sent a header into the net with one bounce which took it past a defender. It was the seventh and final Dragons goal of the game from seven different Wivenhoe players.

A comprehensive victory for Wivenhoe against a fellow First Division side. Progress in the Essex Senior Cup means the Dragons now face a first round tie away at Essex Senior League side Takeley.