Boro progressed to the 3rd Qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup after a fine win against a determined Erith Town side who belied their position 2 levels lower than the Boro. Whilst having much of the possession in the first half the stubborn resistance of the Erith back line and the heroics of the keeper kept the Boro forwards at bay.
With Olufemi tormenting the full back down the right wing several chances were created and Nouble should have score when well placed after a searching cross from the captain and full back eluded everyone and Nouble delayed with the goal at his mercy. Akinwande then struck the post with a ferocious effort and Mckenzie miskicked when well placed. It looked like Erith may get to half time unscathed until an incident which saw Mckenzie clash with the keeper who lay prostate as the ball fell to Akinwande who was felled in the area. Penalty awarded despite the vociferous complaints by the Erith contingent. Nouble stepped up to calmly slot home sending the keeper the wrong way.
Mckenzie then missed from close range and Nouble sent the resulting deflection well over with the keeper stranded.
1-0 at halftime and all to play for.
Boro began brightly again with Aresti showing his class in midfield and well supported by Staunton and Stone. Nouble came more into the game and after one searching run down the left wing floated over a cross to the unmarked Mckenzie who maintained his remarkable scoring record this season easing the ball over the line from close range . A number of substitutions for both sides as Erith tried to claw their way back into the game and Boro tried to see it out.
Akinwande again struck the upright this time with a header and Ademiluyi caused yet more problems for the young Erith full back who must have wondered what was going on after first Olufemi and then Ademiluyi bore down upon him.
Pajetat in the Boro goal was largely untroubled throughout with just a couple of long range efforts and crosses to contend with . With Kirby and Mitchell in control in the centre of the defence the game finished 2-0 and Boro look forward to the draw on Monday to see who their next opponents will be . Good luck to Erith in their league and in the FA Vase .
Finally a note must be mentioned for the Boro debutante Jack Price who is a product of the Boro development squad and Barnet & Southgate academy scheme and he certainly did not look out of place in the few minutes that he played. Certainly one to keep an eye on for the future.
Boro line up:
Pajetat, Olufemi, O’donoghue,Stone, Kirby, Mitchell, Mckenzie ( Ademiluyi 70) , Aresti( Price 85), Akinwande, Staunton, Nouble (Barker 75 ).
Subs unused
Byfield, Rowe, Sanderson
