Great Wakering Rovers played out a goalless draw on Saturday and will now go into a replay away against Isthmian North side Redbridge.

The game was end to end excitement and Rovers did really well to hold their own against a team who were a step above. It seemed that Redbridge were going to progress to the next round when they won a spot kick late into the second half but George Martin was the hero of the match as he guessed right to palm away Malachi Napa spot kick away and the tie ended in a goalless draw.

It was almost a deja vu coincidence that the two teams met again in the preliminary round of the FA Cup as this was the same fixture as last year which ended 2-2.

Kickoff:

Rovers started the game very brightly and took the game to the opposition with some excellent passing and attacking football.

Halfway through the first half, both teams had great chances to open the score line. Rovers won a corner and Shaye La-Rose whipped in a corner to the back post which Harrison Topliss headed goal bound but Henry Day cleared the ball off the line. Redbridge then went close on the counter, Darren Esuka received the ball on the right and delivered a ball across the box to Malachi Napa to poke the ball in but George Martin was quick to get down low to make a comfortable save.

Rovers then had a couple of good chances after the half hour mark.

Good build up play from the back was brought forward by Bradley Bennett and he played through Bradleigh Rowland. He tried to catch the goalkeeper off his line but his effort was over the bar. Rowland soon had another chance minutes later. A ball played through the middle by Ben Search sent Rowland running at the defence and but he sent his effort just over again.

Redbridge had a great chance to open the score when Solomon Ogunwomoju played a ball into the box for Napa to skip past the on-rushing Martin but his effort was into the side netting.

Rovers won a corner just before halftime, Rowland whipped in a corner and Redbridge keeper Sam Nwabuko made a smart punch to tip the ball over.

Halftime: Rovers 0-0 Redbridge

Rovers once again came out in the second half in good fashion.

They had the first great chances to open of the half when they were on a counter attack. Bradley Bennett was causing problems down the right for his former club and delivered a fine cross into the box which saw Ben Search headed the ball against the post.

On the hour mark, Rovers were forced into a change when Harrison Topliss hobbled off for Max Gnandi.

Max Gnandi soon set his print on the game as he had a few chances in a short space of time.

He was played through on goal on the right and slotted the ball into the bottom corner but the assistants flag was up. He soon had another chance on the left but was caught offside again.

Rovers slightly took their foot off the gas as the half went on and Redbridge were starting to look more dangerous.

They had a great chance when Napa was played through into the box and Martin came rushing out but Napa managed to feint passed him but his shot was just wide of the post.

With fifteen minutes left to play, Redbridge were awarded a spot kick.

Redbridge ran at the defence of the Rovers, Darren Esuka received the ball on the right as he ran on unmarked and played in Malachi Napa into the area. Before he got his shot off, he was taken down by Jack McQueen who miss-timed his challenge and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Napa stepped up and arrowed his spot kick to the right but George Martin guessed correctly to palm the ball away to safety.

Five minutes later, Redbridge went close again when Napa teased past the defence down the left and he got his cross across the area which was seemingly goal bound but Martin made a good save to palm the cross away from, danger and the ball was cleared.

Both teams played out the rest of the game and the match ended in a goalless draw.

Fulltime: Rovers 0-0 Redbridge

A solid display from the Rovers against a strong side from the league above. The tie will now be replayed at Redbridge on Tuesday 19th August.

Some photos curtesy of Nicky Hayes.

Great Wakering Rovers FC

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