2025 01 14
The Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy Quarter Final
Romford v Little Oakley
Little Oakley traveled to Romford for this Quarter final clash under lights. Oakley lost to Romford at the Memorial ground in December so will find tonight’s clash a challenge.
Oakley started quickly and when an early ball into the Romford box saw new signing Idreess Namisi get in front of his defender getting a powerful header that travelled marginally over the bar.
Darren Mills then had a half chance when the ball was played into his feet at pace with his back to the goal where he managed to hit a shot on the half turn, only to see his shot fly over the bar.
Oakley were playing some excellent football controlling play from midfield. A further chance fell to Namisi who again won the ball in the air in the six-yard area only to see the ball fly over the bar.
With thirty-five minutes gone Jake Gordon had a long-range speculative shot but saw the ball go wide of the Oakley goal.
A long clearance out of the Romford half was headed away but Ladbrook but the ball fell kindly for Romford rebounding back to Gordon who spread the play to the wing where Brenden Ocran’s cross/come shot went narrowly passed the far post.
Oakley finished the half-all square but will be mindful of the amount of possession and chance they had without managing to score.
Half time score Romford 0-0 Little Oakley
The second half stared in the same manor, but it was clear Romford were now getting more possession and started to threaten the Oakley goal more often.
Praise Ogbebor won the ball in midfield and worked the ball to Ocran who showed great close skills running at the three Oakley defenders and firing a shot across goal, but the shot went the wrong side of the post.
Lewis Wood took the ball on the halfway line but his touch let him down gifting the ball to Ocran who after a short run managed to get a shot on goal that was well saved by Billy Lawlor.
Romford were now in the ascendancy and a fine run and cross into the Oakley penalty area by David Wiredu saw Ocran alone at the back post only to see the cross bypass him.
Full time score was goalless taking the tie to Penalties. Oakley had been in this position twice this season and won both games.
Lawlor saved Romford’s third penalty leaving Oakley needing to convert their fifth penalty. The task fell to Mills to win the game, but the penalty was excellently saved by Qamil Dervishaj making the scores level again.
With both teams scoring the sixth penalty but the unfortunate Sam Elwood found Lawlor on top form saving the seventh penalty. Connor Tucker stepped up for Oakley and calmly sent the keeper the wrong way giving Oakley the victory.
Final score 0-0 at full time and 5-6 in penalties
Player of the Match: Billy Lawlor solid performance with some fine saves.