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THE FansFocus.Com SENIOR CUP |
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CONCORD
RANGERS 1 - 2 COUTHEND UNITED |
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Concord Rangers' FansFocus.Com Essex
Senior Cup campaign came to a brave end as goals from Charles
Ademeno and Gary Hooper earned Southend United a semi-final place
with a tight 2-1 victory at Thames Road.
Southend grabbed the initiative early-on and took the lead on six
minutes, a good run by Hooper culminating with a cut back for
Ademeno to head home via the hands of 'keeper Phil Skelton from
close range.
The Shrimpers had chances to extend their lead and tall Hungarian
Zoltan Liptak was unfortunate to see his header deflected just wide
from Peggy Lokando's centre whilst moments later Skelton made a good
stop to push away Stuart O'Keefe's low shot after a tricky run.
Essex Senior League club Concord soon found their feet, though, and
on 31 minutes forced a leveller as a fine right-wing cross from Sam
Ing found Dan Trenkel who made time and space to fire past United
stopper Nathan McDonald.
As the first half drew to a close, Rangers grew stronger and they
could have gone into the break in the ascendancy had Michael Begg's
stinging 25-yard shot dropped a few inches lower.
The match took time to come alive after the interval, although
United substitute Jamie Forshaw did fire an early effort into the
gloves of Skelton. Ashley Hawkins, a half time replacement for the
home side, then dragged a 15-yard drive wide of the post before the
visitors grabbed the winner on 75 minutes.
A dangerous cut-back cross by Luke Thurlbourne was safely ushered
out for a corner by Trenkel but, from the resulting Forshaw
flag-kick, Skelton spilled under pressure from Ademeno and Hooper
picked up the pieces to neatly turn the ball home at the far post.
Concord responded quickly, however, and Nicky Cowley stabbed a shot
at McDonald after Danny Beale's impressive flick-on before Southend
defender Thurlbourne brilliantly blocked Jimmy Webb's shot following
more good work by Beale.
Forshaw burst through the Concord rearguard before hitting a low
tester into Skelton's hands before Concord came close to a late
equaliser in stoppage time, Hawkins' corner knocked inches
off-target at the far post by Beale.
Concord Rangers: Phil Skelton, Sam Ing, Gary Ogilvie, Nicky
Cowley, Kevin Mulley, Dan Scopes, John Turnbull (Ashley Hawkins,
46), Dan Trenkel, Michael Begg, Danny Beale, Danny Hayzelden (Jimmy
Webb, 78). Unused Substitutes: Sean Stanndard, Danny Cowley.
Southend United: Nathan McDonald, Luke Thurlbourne, Johnny
Herd (Jamie Forshaw, 46), Richard Priest, Zoltan Liptak, Tom
Hopkins, Stuart O'Keefe, Peggy Lokando, Gary Hooper, Charles Ademeno,
Jack Morris. Unused Substitutes: David Obaze, James Lindie, Rhys
Henry.
Bookings: Concord: Beale (63, handball), Scopes (86, unsporting
behaviour). Southend: Lokando (78, delaying the restart of play),
Ademeno (86, unsporting behaviour).
Referee: Keith Yeo (Aveley).
Assistant Referees: Andrew Parker (Stanford-le-Hope) and Adrian
Oldershaw (Brentwood).
Attendance: 230.
Man of the Match: Gary Hooper (Southend United) - The most
experienced player in the Southend side, Gary provided a constant
danger to Concord, particularly with a number of first-half runs. He
also proved the hero with a 75th minute winner.
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City's hat-trick hero, Kezie
Ibe (left) |
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