Little Oakley v Great Wakering Rovers
After losing two finals to Rovers last season Oakley were determine to get a win over Rovers. In a hard fought but scrappy game the acorns edged it with a headed first half goal from George Davis putting Oakley up to third place in the league, two points behind Woodford but have two games in hand and five points behind Soul Tower Hamlets with a game in hand.
With two top teams on show much of the game was played in the midfield areas were both keepers hardly had a save to make.
Rovers looked like the more comfortable team on the ball where Shaun Gittleson was pulling the strings in midfield. Oakley were relying on the ball down the wings getting Luke Hipkin & Bobby Rea to pressurise the Rover wing backs.
Oakley gained a corner in the twenty-ninth minute where a driven cross saw Davis rise above the Rovers defence glancing the ball past keeper George Martin putting the home side 1-0 up.

The remainder of the half was shaded by Rover who had the greater possession but Oakley’s keeper James Askew was largely redundant.
Half time score Little Oakley 1-0 Great Wakering Rovers
The second half mirrored the first half with Wakering having greater possession but not creating any goal scoring chances.
With Rovers playing some neat passing football a breakthrough in the center of midfield was halted when Bobby Badhams made a sliding tackle that was met with all the Rovers team crowding around Referee Mr Townsend demanding action. After giving himself time Mr. Townsend showed a red card sending Badhams off.
The game had now changed forcing the Oakley management to make changes becoming more defensive minded trying to hold onto what they already have.
The remainder of the match ended in an all-out attack by Rovers but dogged defence from saw the Oakley player's work extremely hard and never allowed Rovers a single clear-cut chance.
Oakley have not conceded a goal at home in the league since August 30th 2025.

Final score: Little Oakley 1-0 Great Wakering Rovers

Player of the Match: George Davis who typified the team attitude of never say die and scored the winning goal,