AFC Telford United 1 Leyton Orient 2 (1-3 Aggregate)

Buildbase FA Trophy Semi Final 2^nd Leg

Saturday 23^rd March

Leyton Orient finally managed to book their FA Trophy Final appearance after beating AFC Telford United 2-1 – but they had to play most of the game with ten men after Matt Harrold was sent off.

It was imperative that the O’s did not allow their hosts a foothold in the game, yet it was the Bucks who came out of the blocks in determined mood, winning a corner a mere 45 seconds into the contest. That corner provided a heart in mouth moment as Shane Sutton’s header hit the post before Dean Brill was able to get his hands on it.

But the O’s then placed themselves well and truly in the driving seat when Matt Harrold punished a defensive mix-up by the hosts and slide the ball past Andy Wycherley to place the O’s on their way. Jamie Turley headed an O’s corner over moments later.

But Telford rallied with Brendon Daniels, a constant thorn in the side, placing a number of balls into the box, some of which caused Brill all manner of problems. Joe Widdowson, Turley and Marvin Ekpiteta all had to put in tackles to halt Telford attacks, with Daniels going close with a free kick that was knocked away for a corner and then closer still with a long range effort that Brill saved.

The O’s continued to keep it tight at the back, which denied Telford any opportunities but then the game was turned on its head in the 25^th minute when Harrold received his marching orders after a stray elbow poleaxed Sutton, leaving the referee with no option but to pull out a straight red card. That sparked Telford into life with Daniel again delivering two crosses that tested Brill and his defence. But while Turley headed another corner over, with Josh Koroma also blazing over, the fact remained that Telford were making use of their numerical advantage and continued to press.

Amari Morgan-Smith nearly found an equaliser with a shot that beat Brill but then thumped against the post. But in the 39^th minute the Bucks were level when Ellis Deeney let fly from outside the box, beating Brill and landing in the bottom right hand corner of the net. And the Bucks closed the half in the ascendency with Daniels drilling a shot that required Brill to have two attempts at making the catch. It was nervy as the half came to a close, although Jobi McAnuff did force Wycherley to pull off a superb save to tip over his dipping shot in the closing seconds of the half.

The second half started with Telford again having the bit between their teeth, winning a succession of corners. Daniel Udoh was able to get a shot off, which was deflected away for yet another corner and then Brill had to get down low to block a Barnett shot. The opening fifteen minutes of the half saw the O’s camped inside their own half as Telford continued making their advantage count.

Daniels had a shot turned behind for a corner by Turley. Sutton managed to get a header on target, but Brill cut that one out, then in the 69^th minute a Deeney free kick was cannoned high and wide of Brill’s goal.

But Telford were on the front foot and it took the O’s until the 71^st minute before they were able to muster a chance of their own. On that occasion Brophy centred to Bonne who could only lash his shot wide.

In the 77^th minute the O’s were back in the lead after a McAnuff free kick was knocked back to Josh Coulson who headed the ball past Wycherley. The goal settled the nerves and in the 82^nd minute Clay played in Brophy who fired his shot inches over the cross bar.

But Telford’s heads did not drop and in the 85^th minute Brill and Ekpiteta combined to keep out a Morgan-Smith shot, after another great delivery from Daniels. And Daniels, who for me was man of the match as he was involved in almost every Telford attack, had one final free kick in stoppage time that Brill saved.

The full time whistle saw plenty of celebrations from players and fans; the O’s now look forward to a Wembley Final whilst also closing in on the National League title. The double is on as we come into the business end of the season – with the O’s now on a seven game winning run as we enter the final weeks of the 2018/19 season.

AFC Telford United: Andy Wycherley, Ross White, Ellis Deeney, Jonathan Royle (Darryl Knights 58’), Shane Sutton (Capt), Theo Streets, James McQuilkin (Andre Brown 72’), Brendon Daniels, Daniel Udoh, Amari Morgan-Smith, Ryan Barnett.

Scorer – Ellis Deeney (39’).

Leyton Orient: Dean Brill, Jamie Turley, Marvin Ekpiteta, Josh Coulson, Dan Happe, Joe Widdowson, Jobi McAnuff (Capt), Craig Clay, Josh Koroma (James Brophy 66’), Matt Harrold, Macauley Bonne (James Alabi 90+3’).

Scorers – Matt Harrold (6’), Josh Coulson (77’).