FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Stowmarket Town 0 Basildon United 2 Stowmarket Town bowed out of this season’s Emirates FA Cup at the first hurdle after losing 2-0 to Basildon United at Greens Meadow, writes Alex Moss.
A goal in each half from Brian Moses earned higher league Basildon’s place in the preliminary round of the competition, and a clash with either Framlingham Town or Whitton United.
After starting the new season with two wins from their first two league games, Rick Andrews’ men tasted defeat for the first time in 2018-19 and Stow fans’ hopes of a trip to Wembley will now rest on the FA Vase.
In front of a season-high crowd of 282 at Greens Meadow, it was a cagey start as the Bostik League visitors and Andrews’ men assessed each other in the early stages.
Stow goalkeeper Callum Robinson was the busier of the two goalkeepers during the afternoon, making two fine saves to keep the visitors at bay, while at the other end Josh Mayhew and Matt Paine both saw efforts blocked by the Basildon defence.
The Bees broke the deadlock on 27 minutes, as Stow lost possession in the middle of the pitch and the ball was played to Moses, who charged through the Stow defence and sent a low shot past Robinson to put his side in front.
The Old Gold and Blacks threatened an immediate reply a few minutes later, Max Melanson’s corner being kept in play by Paine and Phill Weavers’ volley was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by Basildon goalkeeper Connor Wheatley.
That would be as close as the hosts would come to an equaliser before the break, in fact Robinson came to the rescue to ensure Andrews’ men only trailed by one at half time, getting his fingertips to Tommy Barton’s shot from outside the box to keep the home side in touching distance heading into the second half.
Andrews introduced Ace Howell on the hour mark, and then Jack Baker and new signing Tom Walters, as Stow searched for a way back into the game, with Howell twice coming close to scoring, but twice being denied by Wheatley in the Basildon goal.
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