County Cups

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE FansFocus.Com SENIOR CUP
 
 

SOUTHEND UNITED   8 - 1   BOWERS & PITSEA
 
Braces from youngsters Charles Ademeno and Jamie Forshaw set Southend United on their way to a comprehensive 8-1 victory over Bowers & Pitsea in the Third Round of the FansFocus.Com Essex Senior Cup.
 
Despite creating an early opportunity which saw Craig Gillam's shot blocked having latched onto Nathan Evans' through ball, Essex Senior League Bowers struggled to match the Coca-Cola League One hosts' and United took the lead on four minutes, a fantastic cross from the left flank diverted into his own net by Harry Stevens, under pressure from Stuart O'Keefe. 
 
The lead was doubled on 11 minutes thanks to Hungarian defender Zoltan Liptak. He had two bites of the cherry, seeing a low shot knocked on by Richie Foran and, after Stevens had cleared off the line, Liptak drove the loose ball into the bottom corner.
 
Kerrea Gilbert, who has Champions' League experience with Arsenal, grabbed Southend's third in the 17th minute, curling a fifteen-yard effort inside the far post following a neat pass by Foran. 
 
But the visitors grabbed a goal back two minutes later though, with former White Ensign front-man Craig Gillam heading Evans' centre in off the post from six yards.
 
The Shrimpers re-gained their three-goal advantage on 30 minutes, Forshaw sending a low 25-yard drive into the bottom left-hand corner and, moments later, Bowers 'stopper Paul Dennis did well to deny O'Keefe's fierce shot after good work by Ademeno.

The match was put beyond any doubt with two goals inside the final three minutes of the half. Firstly, Forshaw completed his double with an impressive run and 42nd-minute strike before Ademeno stabbed Gilbert's cross into the roof of the net from close range on the stroke of half time.

Southend added their seventh six minutes after the interval, Foran stooping low to head home Forshaw's left wing cross. Foran sent a half volley just wide of the post and Ademeno crashed an effort over the top before the scoring was completed on 76 minutes, Davis Abbey neatly flicking the ball into the path of Ademeno who sharply turned and side-footed beyond Dennis from fifteen yards.

Bowers had a late chance as Gillam's twenty-yard shot bounced back off the upright, but it was Southend who comfortably eased into next Wednesday's Fourth Round Draw.

Southend United: Nathan McDonald, Kerrea Gilbert (Luke Thurlbourne, 72), Johnny Herd, Peggy Lokando, Zoltan Liptak, Simon Francis (David Obaze, 72), Stuart O'Keefe, Davis Abbey, Richie Foran (Fredrik Ljungström, 72), Charles Ademeno, Jamie Forshaw. Unused Substitutes: Jack Morris, Tashan Adeyinka.

Bowers & Pitsea: Paul Dennis (Rob Small, 46), Jamie Gray, Mark Corbell, Damien Ellis (Brad Davey, 62), Dean Allen, Harry Stevens (Ben Connolly, 72), Scott Pethers, Danny Greaves, Craig Gillam, Nathan Evans, Jamie Clarke. Unused Substitute: Ollie Baker.

Bookings: None.

Attendance: 224

Referee: Peter Wilson (Chelmsford).

Assistant Referees: Jonathan Pickford (Leigh-on-Sea) and Ross Wooding (Romford).

Man of the Match: Jamie Forshaw (Southend United) - Played a good all-round game, causing constant danger. His pair of impressive goals capped a fine display.