Great Wakering Rovers booked their place in the next round of the Essex Senior Cup as they overcame Dunmow Town on Penalties.

Brandy Makuendi put the Rovers in front early on before Daniel Jones drew the home side level midway through the first half.

After a scrappy end to end game, the tie went to penalties and Rovers overcame a nervy shootout as they won 4-3 on spotkicks. It’s now the second year running Rovers have progressed to the third round of the Essex Senior Cup.

Marcus Bowers will be happy with his side to win the tie, after a busy week of recruitment. He was still limited however with a number of players suspended or injured. However, it was a much needed win which will be a boost going into Saturday’s league match.

Kickoff:

Rovers were straight out on the front foot and created many chances and converted it their first chance of the game.

A good move from the back was played through the middle to Harry Talbot and he fed in Jack Mitchell out wide and his cross into the box found Brandy Makuendi and he side footed the ball first time into the bottom right corner.

It was a fast good start but that was the only clear cut chance they had and the hosts would go on to draw the game level.

On 27 minutes, Oliver Gower managed to skip past down the right as he evaded several challenges and crossed across the area to Daniel Jones to calmly roll the ball into the bottom right corner.

The hosts were much on top for the rest of the game and forced the Rovers into making individual errors. Thankfully however, they squandered their opportunities and both team went into the break all square. It was impossible to tell who was the team from a higher level throughout the game. Two very evenly matched sides.

Halftime: Dunmow Town 1-1 Rovers

The second half saw both teams go in search of the winning goal but tired legs would play a part as they squandered opportunities.

The best chance of the game was on 55 minutes when Shaun Gittleson’s corner in found Kevin Songolo at the back post but he headed just wide of the left post.

Dunmow Town looked dangerous on the counter attack and tried to use the channels to stretch the Rovers. To Rovers credit however, George Marsh was rarely troubled and didn’t have to deal with any threatening shots.

Marcus Bowers freshened things up with several substitutions late into the game but couldn’t find the breakthrough and the game went to a penalty shootout.

Dunmow Town went first and George Marsh guessed correctly to palm the ball around the right post. Jack Mitchell then stepped up and converted to put his side in front. Dunmow would then convert before Liam Hayes put the Rovers back in front. George Marsh would then heroically palm the ball away low to his left before Jayden Alexander blasted in to put his side 3-1 up. Dunmow would then convert their spot kick before Reece Placid’s effort was well saved by Freddie Fletcher as he palmed the ball around the right post. The hosts would then draw the shootout level before Wesley Mbedzi saw his spot kick saved down the middle Fletcher.

The tie went to sudden death but Dunmow saw their spot kick blazed over the bar before Harrison Chatting stepped up and converted with ease to see the Rovers through to the third round of the Essex Senior Cup.

Fulltime: Dunmow Town 1-1 Rovers (Rovers win 4-3 on penalties)

Penalties are sometimes the luck of the draw and the luck was on the Rovers side.

All credit to Dunmow Town who hardly looked like a step six side and took the tie all the way to penalties. Best of luck for the rest of the season.

Next up for the Rovers is a trip to Barking where they’ll face Romford in the league on Saturday. Many thanks to the good turn out of supporters who trip. Thankyou for your support.