FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Ilford FC 1 Woodbridge Town 0 Woodbridge Town exited the FA Cup at the Cricklefield Stadium, the home side scoring the winner in the 88th minute.
Decisions appeared to go against the Woodpeckers with Matt Mackenzie’s strike from distance ruled out for an earlier handball decision eleven minutes from full time.
Mark Ray’s through ball after two minutes found Mackenzie but his shot from an acute angle just missed the target for the away side.
Karolis Atutis’ header was well saved by Alfie Stronge after four minutes, Stronge saving well from the rebound to keep the scoreline blank.
The away side came close to taking the lead after 19 minutes when Kelsey Trotter’s shot was well saved by home keeper Chris Clarke, Trotter’s shot from the rebound was cleared off the line.
Early home tackles on Callum Sinclair, in particular, were left unpunished but after 26 minutes James Peagram’s free kick from 20 yards hit the bar.
Atutis’ shot tested Stronge after 39 minutes and after 42 minutes the dangerous Iuhadean Campbell’s effort was again well saved by Stronge.
Campbell’s shot after 46 minutes went inches wide of the target for the home side. Trotter’s effort was cleared for a corner after 50 minutes for the Woodpeckers.
Alex Greggor’s free kick was also well defended after 57 minutes and Baden Holmes’ shot missed the target after 66 minutes. Mackenzie’s shot after 70 minutes came close to opening the scoring and after 79 minutes his superb shot from 20 yards was harshly ruled out for an earlier infringement against Trotter.
The home side made it 1-0 two minutes from time when Atutis headed in from a corner and in the last seconds Paul Cishin received his second yellow card for pushing Marco Makris, but the Woodpeckers couldn’t score an equaliser to force a replay they perhaps deserved against a side from the Essex Senior League.
Teams: Ilford: Clarke, Rackers, Paulilub, Szajewski (Capt), Atutis, McCleary, Cishin, Lockwood, Campbell, Peagram, Rungay, Subs: Hart, Jordan, Perewdes, Anjorin, Jackson, Matthews, Valionis.
Woodbridge: Stronge, Holmes, Makris, Rea (Capt), Green, Churchyard, Mackenzie, Greggor, Ray, Trotter, Sinclair, Subs: Bowman for Holmes 89 Mins, Keeble for Greggor 89 Mins, Unused: Langfield, Southgate, Naylor.
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