Harry Talbot scored all four goals as Great Wakering Rovers booked their place in the semi finals of the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy by defeating Halstead Town 4-0 on Tuesday night.

Harry Talbot scored the first in 52 seconds from kickoff and then completed his hattrick after just half an hour. He netted the fourth of the game from a close range header by meeting Bradleigh Rowland's free kick a minute into the second half.

Rovers made a few changes after over a weeks break due to the poor weather. Danny Cossington missed out through suspension, Callum Boylan was out injured along with James White and Oliver Jenkins. Alfie Whiteaker and Thomas Barton started and were boosted with the new signing of defender Jack McQueen who had just signed from Isthmian League side Tilbury.

KICKOFF:

Rovers got off to a flying start in just under a minute and is perhaps one of the quickest goals they have scored in Essex Senior League history. Rovers kicked off by hoofing the ball into the attacking half which was launched back by Halstead straight to Jack McQueen. McQueen played a defence splitting ball over the top into the attacking third which Raheem Gray did really well to rise highest to head the ball on to the on running Harry Talbot who ran on through a lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper Jack Cherry and into the bottom right to give the Rovers an early lead.

The goal had set the tempo of the performance and the Rovers were in the mood.

Not even fifteen minutes had been played and Rovers doubled their lead after twelve minutes.

Harry Talbot doubled their lead as the hosts failed to clear their lines when they had the chance. Harry Talbot received a ball played forward by Ben Search and back heeled the ball to an unmarked Raheem Gray to run on to but saw his effort brilliantly saved by Cherry but only for Talbot to tap home the rebound for his second of the match.

Rovers had a firm grip on proceedings and were playing brilliantly. The build up game was exceptional and the runs off the ball were top notch.

Harry Talbot had a chance for a hat-trick minutes later after Bradleigh Rowland played a ball over the top but the midfielder's shot wasn't powerful enough and Cherry collected comfortably.

Talbot then turned provider with his cross finding Jack Dickinson at the back post but he headed softly goal wards when he should have done better. Halstead’s best chance came when George Martin, in the visitors goal, crashed a clearance against Owen Betts which fell to George Frodsham but a last ditch defending tackle by Harrison Topliss prevented him from pulling a goal back.

With just under fifteen minutes of play left, Harry Talbot completed his hattrick. The third came for the Rovers just after the half hour mark as Bradleigh Rowland got down the right and his cross found its way to Talbot at the back post, who finished smartly to complete his first ever hat-trick for the Rovers. Talbot followed that with a stooping header from Raheem Gray’s cross which Cherry made a smart save down at the bottom right of his post.

The final action of the half saw Bradleigh Rowland making Cherry again clawing away at effort low down at his near post and it meant that the half came to an end with Rovers holding a deserved three goal lead.

HALFTIME: Halstead Town 0-3 Rovers

The second period started out with the same tempo from the first half and Rovers scored in less than a minute in. Rovers won a free kick on the left after Raheem Gray was brought down. Bradleigh Rowland swung in a free kick and found Talbot free in the box and he headed home for his and Rovers fourth, and his 23rd of the season with just a minute on the clock.

Skipper Ben Search almost got in on the act two minutes later when his ferocious free kick curled over the wall but the shot was saved well by Cherry at his right to beat the ball away.

Halstead enjoyed a better period around the hour mark with Lester Ward the most prominent and the recently introduced Nathan Scarborough and Sam Norton providing some energy, but they weren’t able to carve out any real chances and it was Harry Talbot again who went close, as Cherry saved well to keep the deficit to four.

With twenty five minutes of play to go, Alfie Whiteaker, Thomas Barton and Raheem Gray made way for Shaye La-Rose, Kingdom Dawson and Max Gnandi to see the game out.

Rovers had two penalty shouts in the closing stages of the second half. Bradleigh Rowland who had been running the left side ragged played the ball through to Max who ran into the penalty area but was shoved over before he lost possession. The referee wasn't convinced and waved away the appeals. Max Gnandi was once again involved as his pace was causing problems for the tiring Halstead defence and was seemingly tripped inside the area after skipping through but the referee wasn't interested and play continued.

With fifteen minutes left of play, Harry Talbot left the field to a standing ovation of the away support along with Ben Search for Igli Metalia and Joe Poxon to give some energy into the final quarter.

With 83 minutes on the clock, Halstead created a chance as substitute Dean Ager played a ball over the top and Joel Older’s shot was palmed brilliantly onto the left near post by George Martin in the Rover’s goal.

Halstead had a late shout for a penalty as Sam Norton burst through the Rovers defence and seemed to be tripped but the outcome was a yellow card for simulation and the Rovers rounded the night off with a clean sheet.

FULLTIME: Halstead Town 0-4 Rovers

A very convincing win to book their place in the semi finals of the Peter Butcher Cup. Thankyou to the eighteen supporters who made the long to get behind the lads, your support is much appreciated.

Special mentions to Jack McQueen on his solid debut on the night and Harry Talbot on his first hattrick in Rovers colours.

Next up for the Rovers is this Saturday as they make the long trip to Clacton before they take on Woodford Town at home in the semi finals at Burroughs Park on Tuesday night in the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy.

Great Wakering Rovers FC

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