LITTLE OAKLEY 0

LOPES TAVARES 2

Essex Senior Cup

A DEBATABLE penalty and a breakaway goal in the final seven minutes saw Oakley bow out at the first hurdle of this season's Essex Senior Cup.

The visitors started well, with slick passing, and an early chance fell to Hakaka, who pulled his effort wide.

A clearance pole-axed Jamie Dobkin with the ball rebounding fortunately for Hendez, who shot wide of the far post.

Harry Mann had a similar chance for Oakley as the hosts started to get some control in midfield.

However, on ten minutes, the first real chance fell to Sam Eldridge, when Lee Barrett saw Rory Harman overlapping down the right.

He produced a great cross for Eldridge to have a free volley - only to fire straight at keeper Pihenter.

It looked easier to plant a header home.

A great recovery tackle from Lewis Wood smothered Hakaka from getting his shot away after ghosting past the Acorns defender.

There was a long passage of play when Lopes Tavares played the ball around, with Oakley's concentration lapsing.

Overall, though, it was a very tight half with each team having few chances.

The second half saw another early effort from Mendez fly well over the bar, guilty of leaning back while shooting.

A dangerous free-kick from Ben Gallifant saw Wood on the back post having his attempt blocked by Qrenaire.

With Oakley starting to get to grips in midfield, Mark Palmer, a constant threat, had the visitors back-pedalling and a long ball out from Luke Tynan saw Palmer head into the feet of Mann, who struck the crossbar and followed up with a header grazing the bar again.

Oakley, searching for the opening goal, again went close when Harman's cross saw Ross Brazitis rise to head inches over, under pressure from Bekele.

However, a turning point came with seven minutes to go with Dobkin and Cunha side by side in the area.

Dobkin made a good tackle but was adjudged to have fouled his man, leading to a penalty.

It was a strange decision awarded by the referee when the assistant didn't flag and had an excellent view.

Bekele sent Tynan the opposite way to open the scoring.

Oakley pushed players forward and the next attack saw a Wood header fly inches past the far post.

Oakley got caught out with players looking forward to level the tie when Lopes broke in numbers and put the tie to bed.

Hendez went round Ash Wood and guided the ball around Tynan for the winner.

Saturday sees the first team travel to Burnham Ramblers, while the reserves travel to West Bergholt and the A side start their campaign with a trip to Gas Rec.

Monday night sees Oakley's under-18s travel to Brantham.

Tuesday night sees the first team at Burnham Ramblers for a Tolleshunt D'Arcy Memorial Cup tie.