Great Wakering Rovers booked their place in the final of the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy as they stood firm to defeat high flying Woodford Town 1-0 thanks to an early first half penalty by Harry Talbot.

Rovers, who had lost and drawn in their previous two league meetings to Woodford Town finally got the better of their opposition at the third time of asking, setting up a date in the final against Little Oakley at Billericay Town's The New Lodge.

Rovers have been in good form of late, winning three from three and not conceded a goal. Marcus named an unchanged eleven following Saturday's away league win at Clacton but welcomed back Max Gnandi on the bench.

KICKOFF:

Rovers got the game off in brilliant fashion, and were causing trouble straight from the off. This was going to be a close affair given to the last time the teams met when the result ended 0-0.

After ten minutes of play, Rovers were awarded a free kick on the left after Jack Dickinson was brought down by Micheal Agboola just outside the box. Agboola was cautioned for the challenge. Ben Search swung in a dipping ball across the face of goal which missed everyone but the referee pointed to the spot after Luke Steele was adjudged for bringing down Harry Talbot inside the box and was cautioned.

Harry Talbot who has been on fire of late, stepped up and made no mistake from the spot as he slotted the ball into the left corner under the outstretched arm of Manny Agboola to give the give the Rovers an early lead.

Woodford Town had a good spell of their own. After thirty minutes of play, Sam Owusu played a long ball over the top that sent Emmanuel Martins running through on goal but Rovers custodian George Martin was quick off his line to gather the ball. Five minutes later, the visitors almost grabbed an equaliser. A ball played out to the left was crossed to the back post, the bouncing ball caused a mix up between George Martin and Bradley Bennett and Emmanuel Martins pounced. However, George was quick to get back across his near post and block the shot across goal for a corner.

The visitors did have another chance but Martins saw his shot outside the box blaze over the bar.

HALFTIME: Rovers 1-0 Woodford Town

It was backs to the walls for much of the duration of the second half, but the well drilled stoic defence of the Rovers were proving to be a difficult test for the high flying visitors.

With twenty minutes to go, Marcus Bowers freshened things up by bringing on Kingdom Dawson and Max Gnandi.

With fifteen minutes of play left, Rovers won a free kick when Harry Talbot was tripped on the edge of the box. Ben Search ran up but saw his curling shot just go over the top left corner.

Max Gnandi was sent through on goal after chasing onto a ball over the top from Ben Search but the linesman had his flag up. Kingdom Dawson was sent through minutes later down the wing but had strayed offside as well.

Next, Bradley Bennett won a free kick on the right wing after he was brought down. Ben Search swung in a free kick towards the on-running Harry Talbot and was seemingly showed over by Eli Beniot but the referee waved the appeals away.

With just over ten minutes to go, Igli Metalia and Alfie Whiteaker joined in on the action to provide stability to the Rovers.

Five minutes left to go, Kingdom Dawson was cautioned following a challenge on Marko Protic on the left wing. A swirling kick was sent curling towards the back post for the on running Martins but George Martin was out quick to punch the ball away for a corner.

Woodford Town took the corner but was cleared away. Stoppage time consisted of Woodford sending long balls up field but the Rovers, most notably the defensive duo of Harrison Topliss and Jack McQueen stood firm, beating away any danger and soaked up the pressure till the referee blew the whistle.

FULLTIME: Rovers 1-0 Woodford Town

A memorable night to savour for the Rovers, they will face Little Oakley in the final held at Billericay Town, the New Lodge on Wednesday 26th March. However, they must now turn their attention back to league action as they welcome West Essex to Burroughs Park on Saturday 11th March.

Superb effort from the lads, long may it continue. Up the Rovers!

Great Wakering Rovers FC

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