West Essex 2 Takeley 5
Essex Senior League
Saturday 15th December
Clinical finishing was the difference at Mayesbrook Park on Saturday, as Takeley hit five past a West Essex outfit who gave their opponents a decent test and who didn’t give up despite the goals going against them in conditions that went from bad to worse as the game progressed.
The visitors went right at their hosts, winning some early corners; but it was West Essex who opened the scoring in the 10th minute. A corner bobbled across Takeley’s six-yard box, needing just a poke, which Izzy Ogedi-Uzokwe supplied with a back heel that took the ball past the goal line.
Having taken the lead, West Essex then came out looking for another goal. Tom Woodbridge nearly threaded through Ogedi-Uzokwe who was charging forward, then a great dipping shot by Ogedi-Uzokwe was tipped over the bar by Ronnie Yates.
However Takeley were able to soak up that pressure before launching an attack that saw them back on terms. Coker had managed to keep out one in-swinging corner, but the follow up one was headed home by Mosope Oguntuga in the 18th minute.
And a mere seven minutes later and Takeley were in the lead as a nice move was finished off in some style by Jason Todd.
But Cameron Gray nearly found an instant equaliser for West Essex as a minute later his goal bound shot was somehow scooped off the line by Matt Hurley. And a wonderful long pass set Woodbridge free but he wasn’t able to get any purchase on the ball having taken it past the Takeley defence. And Gray then fired another effort just wide having been picked out at the back post by Ogedi-Uzokwe.
Takeley were able to extend their lead in the 35th minute when they burst out of their half and won a corner that was then bundled home by Alex Martin. The visitors nearly scored again moments later when a Martin free kick was well saved by Coker, who had to dive low to tip the ball away.
But Takeley’s clinical finishing saw them go 4-1 up in the 40th minute; a corner cleared by the West Essex defence was re-worked until falling to Todd who slotted the ball past Coker to score his second goal of the afternoon and placing Takeley in a commanding position at the break.
The hosts certainly started the second half with the bit between their teeth as a Ben Leo cross shot was cut out by Yates; then Josh French went close with a header for West Essex. Yates had to save a Joe Lefley shot but his defence were able to cut out most that came their way.
Yates however conceded a penalty when he brought down Symeon Taylor, going on to make instant amends though as he saved Lefley’s penalty kick.
But West Essex continued getting balls into Takeley’s box, which were cleared by Hurley and his defence. However the hosts were able to pull one back when a ball swept across Takeley’s goal mouth and in the goal mouth melee Gray was able to get a touch to turn the ball past Yates.
Takeley went on to increase their lead in the 88th minute though as Todd was fouled in the box, picking himself up to then rifle the penalty home and to round up the Takeley scoring and complete his hat-trick in the process.
The win sees Takeley on a ten game unbeaten run that has taken them up to 3rd, a mere point off leaders Stansted. West Essex meanwhile are down in 11th.
West Essex: Jack Coker, Sanchez Hardy (Capt), Ben Leo, Emanuel Wazola, Nick Walk (Callum Bloss 46’), Josh French, Samraj Gill (Symeon Taylor 58’), Tom Woodbridge (Tom McLeod 71’), Izzy Ogedi-Uzokwe, Joe Lefley, Cameron Gray.
Scorers – Izzy Ogedi-Uzokwe (10’), Cameron Gray (83’).
Takeley: Ronnie Yates, Michael Laronda, Andre Humphreys, Alex Martin, Matt Hurley, Leo Pontes (Joe Pullen 64’), Coby Miles, Alex Warman, Mosope Oguntuga (Josh Sykes 80’), Jason Todd (Capt), Ben Smith (Mason Page 71’).
Scorers – Mosope Oguntuga (18’), Jason Todd (25’, 40’, 88’p), Alex Martin (35’).