Tuesday 27th October 2009, Catons Lane, Kick-Off 7.45pm, Essex Senior Cup supported by BBC Essex Third Round.
A brace from front man Lyle Taylor saw beaten 2008/09 finalists Concord Rangers successfully negotiate a tricky tie at Catons Lane against Ridgeons League Division One outfit, Saffron Walden Town.
The Ryman League Division One outfit didn’t have it all their own way against a side ranked two steps below them, however, and Walden enjoyed much of the opening exchanges without forcing visiting ‘keeper Jack Buckley into a save. It was virtually out of nothing when Concord took the lead on 13 minutes, Taylor finding ‘keeper Ronnie Yates stranded before finding the top corner with terrific accuracy from some 40 yards.
Just two minutes later, Taylor could have doubled the visitors’ advantage, stabbing into the gloves of Yates after fine build-up play involving Steve Butterworth and Ross Wall. However, Walden responded well and could easily have been on level terms moments later when Bradley Green found himself through on goal only to be denied by an excellent block from Buckley before Greg Strong volleyed straight into the custodian’s grasp following a low Jamie Solkhon centre.
Taylor soon squandered another opportunity for Concord, firing wide of a gaping net having rounded Yates after latching onto Sam Taylor’s ball from a misplaced Solkhon throw-in. David Collins then struck a post for the away side prior to Wall seeing a low effort deflected fractionally wide of the post after a neat lay-off by Butterworth.
It was the Bloods from Saffron Walden who came out fighting after the interval but they only had a low stinging drive from Ben Riches to show for their efforts before Riches unfortunately directed a Nikki Beale cross into his on goal via the crossbar on 61 minutes to hand Concord a two-goal lead.
Rangers grabbed this initiative with both hands and a decisive third goal arrived twelve minutes later, Taylor stabbing home from close range after Wall set-up the opportunity. Saffron Walden refused to give in, however, and did create the final chance of the evening, Graeme Turner shooting over the top after an assist by substitute Tim Langer.
Saffron Walden Town: Ronnie Yates, Ben Riches, Jamie Solkhon, Michael Barker (Zac Collins, 46), Peter Flack, Greg Strong, Graeme Turner, Sean Anderson, Bradley Green (Adam Bicknell, 86), Spike Bell, Mitchell Das (Tim Langer, 42). Unused Substitutes: Luiz Carlos Barbosa-Inacio, Kieran Badcock.
Concord Rangers: Jack Buckley, Kevin Watson, Nicky Beale, Jack Carlile, John Easterford, Sam Taylor (Danny Heale, 52), Steve Butterworth, Taylor Sinfield (Michael Begg, 80), Lyle Taylor, Ross Wall, David Collins (Darren Ebsworth, 80). Unused Substitutes: Dale Brightly, Danny Scopes.
Bookings: None.
Referee: Nigel Bond (Chelmsford).
Assistant Referees: Jeff Stanley (Basildon) and Andrew French (Halstead).
Attendance: 68.
Man-of-the-Match: Lyle Taylor (Concord Rangers): Scored a terrific opening goal to earn Rangers the lead as well as grabbing a crucial third to seal the tie.