Saturday 3rd May 2014 (Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy – Quarter Final)
Borough started slowly and almost paid the price early on when Takeley wasted a close range opportunity forcing Austin Byfield to save with his feet but in Borough’s first attack Anthony McDonald fired a cross shot from the left which went in off the far post in the fourth minute. When the lead was doubled as Charles Douse hooked home following a 21st minute corner a comfortable win looked to be on the cards but that quickly changed when a clumsy challenge ended McDonald’s participation in the match, and probably for the rest of the season; and in the 36th minute Takeley were right back in the game when a desperate challenge by Cedric Lakole on a striker about to pull the trigger resulted in a yellow card and a penalty which Reece Dobson smashed into the roof of the net. With this being Borough’s 25th game in 65 days it was no surprise that tiredness was evident in Borough’s performance and Takeley no doubt sensing the opportunity to avenge the League defeat suffered at Borough hands a week ago pressed forward eagerly. Although no longer enjoying the lion’s share of possession after the interval Borough made but wasted some fine chances and were unlucky when Darrell Cox’s header beat the ‘keeper but not the bar. But Borough were uncharacteristically making too many errors and being second to the ball on too many occasions and had to rely on some fine stops by Byfield to preserve the lead. It was a relief when Richard Worrell effectively sealed the win in the 80th minute when he headed a free kick from the right accurately back across goal and into the far top corner of the net. The win sets up a semi-final tie with London APSA at Coles Park and if successful Borough will meet the winners of the Hullbridge Sports/Sawbridgeworth Town game at Burnham Ramblers ground on Tuesday 13th May.
Borough squad:- Austin BYFIELD, Andreas LOIZOU, Cedric LAKOLE,
Rakim RICHARDS, Joseph O’CEARUILL, Charles DOUSE
Dean FENTON, Stephen OBENG , Walid MATATA,
Darrell COX, Anthony McDONALD,
Used Subs:- Nick NICOU, Richard WORRELL, Lewis LAWS
Unused Subs:- Christopher CORDARA-SOANES, Ashley HARRIS (GK)
