Boro and Brightlingsea battled in blustery conditions to set up an FA Cup Replay at Coles Park on Tuesday 3rd September.
Having fallen at home to the same opposition in the league last weekend this was another improved performance from this largely new side.
Boro lined up:
Reuben Rabstein; Tosin Olufemi; Ebz Addo-Kuffour; Jorge Djassi-Sambu; Dan Carey-Evans; J’Ardell Stirling; Manny Yeboah, Demmy Nicolaou; Fred Agyemang; Richard Ennin; Derek Asamoah
Subs: Michael Acquah (GK); Alex Nicolaides; Caleb Dennis; George Aresti; Tommy Boxer; William Ademiluyi; Stephane Mgbada
The game started slowly with neither side able to exert any real control. Boro did force a couple of corners in this period but failed to make any chance of note. Demmy was booked early after a late challenge.
The first half chance fell to the hosts, calling Reuben into action for the first time. He parried a low cross and Dan was on hand to complete the clearance ahead of an attacker.
And then, Boro scored, and it was strike of quality we hadn’t see in the game up to now.
Fred battled for the ball in the box and under pressure Brightlingsea’s defence could only clear to the edge of the area. Manny was positioned perfectly to step onto the ball and strike first time beyond the keeper’s dive for his 3rd goal of the season.
Soon after it should have been 2. Derek beat the offside trap, took an extra touch rounding the keeper and scrambling defenders were able to get back to block in the six yard box.
On 20 minutes Reuben was in action again, flying to his right to push away a shot from the edge of the area.
But neither side was really on top. For the next 10 minutes or so it was fairly bitty with no goalmouth action.
In the final 15 minutes things did perk up. After Reuben punched a corner clear he was helped out by a defenders block on the follow up.
At the other end a ball just bounced away from Manny at the far post after more good work from Fred.
The final 5 minutes were the most promising period for the host so far. A loose Boro pass got Brightlingsea in on Boro’s left but the final shot from a narrow angle went wide, and Boro were also made to defend a series of corners, with Reuben again, playing a leading roll in a Boro player getting the first touch.
Two added minutes brought no other chances and Boro led at the break.
With no changes at the break the first half chance went to Boro. Manny, off balance, couldn’t keep his shot down.
Before the hour Boro had forced a couple of saves flowing corners. From a Boro one Richard’s deflected effort was simply saved. Then, from a Brightlingsea corner Boro counter attacked but again, the final shot lacked the power and direction it needed.
On the hour came the first real scare for Boro. Reuben first, then a flying Dan blocked shots in quick succession.
The hosts were staring to enjoy a better period of possession as Aresti replaced Asamoah. Another block, from another corner whistled wide and Boro, bar trying to play on the break, were having to work hard to prevent any clear cut chances being created.
But that’s what they did. After one break ended with Richard a little isolated, with 20 minutes left the lead was almost doubled.
This time Boro got downfield in better numbers. Dan got it started and the ball arrived at Aresti in midfield. He spotted Ebz on the left and floated a perfect ball to him. Ebz stood up his marker, cut inside and shot. The ball curled and dipped towards the far post, leaving the keeper stranded but cannoned back off the bar to safety.
As the game entered the final 15 minutes Ademiluyi came on for Fred – a word for Fred whose work rate against two giant centre halves was excellent, and he was unlucky not to draw free kicks on a few occasions that would have given Boro a bit more breathing space.
Boro had the next half chances. An Aresti corner caught the wind to force the keeper to stretch to palm wide, then the home defence were well positioned to cut out J’Ardell’s pull back.
And then with 10 minutes remaining the pressure that Brightlingsea had exerted more through the second half paid dividends. An attacker skipped past a couple of challenges and with Boro exposed a cross to the far post was nodded past a stranded Reuben.
Sambu was then the second Boro player booked after abruptly halting another break on the right.
Alex was introduced for Demmy for the final 5 minutes as Boro tried to push higher up the pitch, and it largely worked. The game got bitty again, but it relieved the pressure that ahd built before the equaliser.
Including the 5 minutes of added time Aresti’s tame shot from distance was the only noteworthy effort.
So it ends 1-1 and both sides do it all again on Tuesday. By then we will know the potential opponents with the Second Qualifying Round Draw due to be published on Monday 2nd at 13.00
Att: 180
