Great Wakering Rovers 3–2 Cheshunt

From Burroughs Park

Ryman One North

 

GREAT Wakering Rovers made it three wins in a row with a nervy 3-2 win over Cheshunt this afternoon.

First half goals from Liam Nash and a brace from Tom Ranger proved enough for the hosts, despite a second half comeback from the visitors.

Rovers were high on confidence after some terrific recent results, none more so than last weekend’s 5-3 win at bogey side Maldon & Tiptree.

And they were given a hand against Cheshunt, taking advantage of some poor defending inside the first two minutes.

A free-kick from the halfway line was cleared by the first man but Eljay Worrell’s ball back into the danger area was missed by a host of Cheshunt defenders, leaving Tom Ranger the easy task of tucking the ball home.

Cheshunt, having been on the end of an ear bashing from manager and former Concord Rangers assistant manager Glen Alzapiedi, started to create opening although were lucky not to be two goals down after two good opportunities were wasted.

Firstly, Ranger sent a long range effort wide of the target after Cheshunt goalkeeper Evandro Rachoni could only partially clear a through ball.

And soon after Liam Nash couldn’t direct his lob away from the stopper after he had been put in the clear.

But Dan Trenkel’s men didn’t have too long to wait for the second goal. And this time Liam Nash did find the target.

Having been played in, he took a touch and slotted home for a deserved goal.

Cheshunt have struggled in recent weeks and that form looked set to continue when Ranger made it 3-0 midway through the first half.

John Bradley did well to reach the touchline and send a cross to the far post where Jay Nash was able to get a header across goal. And Ranger came steaming in to scissor kick into the net.

Rovers had bossed the first half and could have been awarded a penalty on the half-time whistle.

The lively Billy Johnson jinked inside and out and appeared to be tripped, but the referee shook his head and it remained 3-0 at the break.

Cheshunt had to improve after the break and they got back into the match within 60 seconds of the restart.

Good wing play from Allen Bussman saw the unmarked Josh Fagbohun head back across Adam Seal and into the corner.

Rovers pressed onwards in a bid to restore their three-goal advantage but the creative spark that was with them in the first half was missing, with the best effort a Johnson header that was cleared off the line.

Worrell fired wide before Cheshunt reduced the hosts’ advantage to one. A cross into the box saw the ball deflect off the post but the loose ball fell to Lewis Payne and he drilled into the top corner.

Cheshunt looked a threat every time they came forward, with the Luke Illsey’s long throw causing the home team all sorts of problems.

But, Rovers held on to make it nine points from nine.

Great Wakering Rovers: Seal, Pugsley, Skeels, Worrell, Skelton (Trenkel), Hepburn, Bradley, Ranger, Johnson (Strickland), L Nash (Jacobs), J Nash

Cheshunt: Rachoni, Sands, Edgeley, Payne, Kendal, O’Brien (Cooper), Illsey, Hahn, Bolle, Fagbohun, Bussman (Andreo)

 

Other results:

Conference South: Bishop’s Stortford 3-1 Concord Rangers

Ryman Premier: Hampton & Richmond Borough 1-2 Billericay Town, Canvey Island 1-3 Kingstonian, East Thurrock United 0-5 Met Police