Posted: 28th ~ February ~ 2009

LEAGUE CUP ROUND 2
BENFLEET 0 - 1 HAROLD WOOD

Wood travelled too Benfleet in the Second Round of the League Cup on Saturday in a game that had been postponed on no fewer than three previous occasions. Wood handed a first team debut too goalkeeper Richard Bonner. Wood came racing out of the blocks and dominated early possession using the extra man in midfield too their advantage. Striker Gallen held the ball up well allowing wide men Stone and Hughes to play higher up the pitch.

Clear cut chances were at a premium and long range efforts from McKechan and Rafis failed too test the home keeper and an acrobatic attempt from Gallen flying over the bar. Wood should have taken the lead though when some good link play from the midfield three of Ayres, Rafis and McKechan saw Stone put through but he shot into the side netting. Hughes then saw a spectacular drive tipped over the bar.

Benfleet did come back into the game, but failed too test the Wood back four and Bonner in goal. Going in at half time Wood were probably the better team but had failed too break the deadlock. In the second half Benfleet started better and had a succession of corners, with the dominant aerial threat of their tall striker who won the majority of headers all day failing too hit the target. In the end, the only goal of the day came, when Benfleet failed too clear a Wood corner properly. The ball found its way out too MOM McKechan who’s delightful diagonal cross found Wettner unmarked about 8 yards out, his powerful header flew past the stranded keeper and into the top corner.

With Benfleet now in search of an equaliser the game became more stretched. Wood failed though too add to the single goal and for the last ten minutes dug in and defended a succession of free kicks and corners. With literally the last attack of the game a hopeful through ball found its way too the feet of the Benfleet striker, who calmly rounded the Wood keeper only to shoot agonising against the post and see the ball come out too safety.

A good result for Wood sets up a home tie against Manford Way in the next round.

Bonner; Church, Wettner, Klien, Todd; Stone (Ziepe), Ayres (Portway), Mckechan, Rafis, Hughes; Gallen

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