In this FA Vase first round proper tie West Essex (step 5) and Rayleigh Town (step 6) faced each other at Wadham Lodge on Friday evening, looking to book their place in the next round of this famous competition. It was the Essex Senior League side West Essex, who won this match 2-1, despite a typically spirited and strong performance from a fine Rayleigh side.
Rayleigh Town went on to create the first goalscoring chance of the tie, with Jake Pryke’s lobbed pass bouncing into the path of Matt Oaten down the left-hand side of the West Essex penalty area. The outrushing George Martin would however make a good safe with his feet to deny Matt Oaten’s low effort on goal. This cup tie would play out to be a fairly even game of football, in which both sides were competing well in, however cagey it had been. Before half-time West Essex player Harvey Livings-Corbin’s powerful low free-kick effort from the edge of the Rayleigh box would be well turned behind by their outstretched goalkeeper, Josh Hudson.
From the 68th minute of the second half this FA Vase tie really came to life. It was then that West Essex took the lead in the game, with debutant Malik Donaldson winning the ball well down the left flank, before progressing it forward through the middle and then playing a nice pass across the floor to Chaka Barnett. And from the right-hand side of the Rayleigh penalty area, Chaka Barnett would finish low and powerfully beyond Josh Hudson at his near post, 1-0. Rob Hodgson’s Rayleigh side came close to replying with a goal soon after play has resumed. With their influential and hardworking number 10 Louie Watkins getting to a blocked pass from West Essex, latching onto the ball just inside their box. Watkins would skilfully twist and turn his way beyond two defenders, before seeing his low effort which was bound for the bottom left-hand corner of the goal be well turned behind by the diving George Martin.
Next, and ten minutes after having scored their first goal of the evening, West Essex would make it 2-0. Chaka Barnett did well to sprint forwards with the ball down the right-hand side of the pitch before crossing the ball low into the feet of John Elongo, who with his back to goal in the centre of the Rayleigh box, would turn skilfully with the ball before finishing into the bottom right-hand corner of Hudson’s goal, 2-0. I’ve long admired how Rayleigh keep going in difficult moments in games, and against higher level opposition on Friday they showed this once again. Following on from Louie Watkins’ powerful low effort (from the edge of the West Essex box) across goal which went just wide, a long bouncing ball forward by Malik Donaldson would then cause difficultly for the Rayleigh defence. As the ball went into the path of Nick Reynolds, who continued into the Rayleigh box, where one versus one with Hudson he would place his effort narrowly wide of goal.
Rayleigh Town would really finish this game strongly. And shortly after a good move from the visitors had seen Mofi Tunde-Ojolowo play a good low cross (from the left flank) into the West Essex box, the ball was laid off by substitute John Sasere for Louie Watkins, whose low side-footed effort was really well kept out by the diving George Martin. However, in added time Rayleigh did get their goal, as Louie Watkins received the ball down the right-hand side of the West Essex penalty area. He would then unselfishly pull the back for John Sasere, who controlled the ball before finishing low and powerfully into the goal. The referee would sound his whistle for full-time a couple of minutes later.
A spirited and strong performance from a fine Rayleigh Town side made West Essex work hard for this win. Rayleigh also defended well against a talented West Essex forward line, who were clinical in front of goal. Skilful Rayleigh Town number 10 Louie Watkins was in my opinion their player of the match on Friday. He had a really good game against good step 5 opposition, and in a game that the youngster deserved to get on the scoresheet in, he did provide an assist. For my overall player of the match award I’m going to name Chaka Barnett as my player of the match. He showed his quality in forward areas once again, scoring one goal and providing a very good assist. Finally, a special mention for a very good West Essex debutant in Malik Donaldson, who made a telling contribution from the bench.
Match-day squads/team-sheets:
West Essex:
(1) George Martin
(2) Ben King
(15) Harvey Livings-Corbin
(4) Theo Pratt
(5) Scott Doe (captain)
(14) Fahad Nazor
(8) Presley Evans
(9) Chaka Barnett
(6) Martin Onoabhagbe
(10) Antony Martin
(11) Marcel McDonald
Substitutes:
(7) Malik Donaldson
(17) Nick Reynolds
(18) John Elongo
(16) Kieran Bailey
(12) Ethan Daniels
Rayleigh Town:
(1) Josh Hudson
(2) Martin Grant
(3) Jake Pryke
(4) Jack Hyslop
(5) Oliver Quick
(6) Taylor Armstrong
(7) Matt Oaten
(8) Ben Baxter (captain)
(18) Benny Fiadzomor
(10) Louie Watkins
(11) Mofi Tunde-Ojolowo
Substitutes:
(9) Dylan Jones
(12) John Sasere
(14) Sam Blackholly
(15) Jordan Faulkner
(16) Damian Siemienczuk
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