FA Trophy: First Qualifying Round

Great Wakering Rovers 1 v 2 Harlow Town

HARLOW overcame a tough Great Wakering Rovers side on Tuesday evening as they progressed to the Second Qualifying Round. After a goalless first half, both sides came alive in the second with a return goal for Terrell Egbri and a late winner from Samson Maagbe, either side of a goal for the hosts.

The Hawks were put under pressure in the opening minutes of the game as Rovers looked for an early lead, but Alexander Hernandez’s shot was blocked before a corner ball was also blocked. Perry Dunn sent a header wide for the hosts before the Hawks came forward themselves. A shot from Samson Maagbe was blocked before a good link up between Maagbe and Jared Small saw the latter flick the ball towards the near post, but the keeper was there to collect.

Rovers had a few more efforts on goal; Danny Cossington’s volley from outside the box was sent wide, Rob Lacey’s low effort from outside the box was spilt by the keeper, but nothing came from the resulting corner and a shot from Kewin Kwiek was well saved by Nwosu. Aleko Aliaj saw his effort on goal go over the bar before he was denied by the Rovers keeper after he headed the ball towards goal.

The hosts had a good chance to go ahead as the ball was headed back to Hernandez, but Nwosu pulled off a save from close range to deny them the lead while the Hawks ended the half on the front foot. Layne Eadie with a fierce shot at goal, but the keeper saved the effort.

Great Wakering had the first effort of the second half as Hernandez saw his shot deflected out for a corner, but nothing came from the resulting set-piece. Despite the chance for the hosts, it was the Hawks who took the lead. Egbri announced his return with a rocket from outside the box, beating the Rovers keeper.

As the game half ticked on, the Hawks looked to seal the win, but Maagbe sent an effort wide before Eusebio De Silva didn’t connect well and headed the ball wide for the Rovers. The hosts had a chance to equalise as the game entered the final 10 minutes, as Hernandez was pushed down the box, with him stepping up to smash the ball past Nwosu.

Despite being pegged back, the Hawks continued to come forward. A free kick into the box forced the Rovers keeper into clearing the ball off the line before the pressure paid off late for the Hawks. A corner was swung in and headed beyond the keeper by Samson Maagbe in the 87th minute. The hosts did have a late chance themselves as Cossington rifled a shot over the bar, but it wasn’t enough for a second equaliser.

The win sees the Hawks welcome Ashford Town (Middlesex) to the Pardus Wealth Stadium on Saturday 24th September, after the Tangerines beat Walthamstow 3-1.

Harlow – Nwosu, Folkes, Eadie (Nzeh 77), Steele, Wallace, Luque (Attrill 60), Egbri, Gordon, Small, Aliaj, Maagbe

Great Wakering – Fairs, McFadden, Rose, Burton, Dunn, Cossington, Kwiek, Lacey, Hernandez, Da Silva, Fitzer

They return to action on Saturday in the league against Barton Rovers.