Sat 10th Sep: Anvils Unlucky at Sevenoaks losing 1-3

Oaks got a lucky first goal after a speculative long distance lob was taken by the wind and caught the Anvils keeper off guard. Anvils pulled one back through Kieran Greig with a great header. HT 1-1 2nd period saw the Anvils take charge but against the run of play the Oaks broke quickly and went 2-1 up. The Oaks made it 3-1 on 90 as the Anvils were pushing for an equaliser. Cracking game throughout and good luck to Sevenoaks in the next round.

Sevenoaks Town FC’s win over Lewes just three days ago in the FA Cup was going to ensure a difficult afternoon for the Anvils and with a loss of 8 squad players through illness or injury the Anvils knew they would have to work hard to get anything out of the game. Opening shots were equal though with neither team taking control of the match but the Oaks got that little bit of luck early on, which doesn’t seem to favour the Anvils these days, when on 14 mins home keeper Oshane Brown hit a long ball down the middle which caught Anvil keeper Martin Hopkins off guard and trying to collect the high and goal bound lob the ball was deflected into the path of Yacine Gnahore to roll the ball home for the opener. 1-0 Oaks.

For the Anvils who were equalling the Oaks in all departments and giving the homesters some nervy moments a Dan Sullivan cross was headed by Myles Pitt straight into Browns arms, similar chances started to come at both ends, with another Sullivan free being scrambled away, but come 18, Sullivan with yet another freekick from the side of the box was able to set up Kieran Greig for a great header giving the Oaks keeper no chance. 1-1 Greig took a tumble whilst scoring which clearly was causing him concern but he was able to carry on.

Just after the Anvils reply, Gnahore got free again but his final effort was well wide, followed by a Stephen Camacho freekick that was headed clear by the dominant James Day, whom with fellow centreback Blair Cooney and some fine saves from Keeper Hopkins were instrumental in keeping the Oaks at bay.

The Anvils in the last 20 mins of the half started to make inroads, but were dealt a blow on 27 with Greig who had taken a few tumbles having to be being replaced. Oli Leslie came on and his pace down the right flank continued to give the Oaks full back Greg Benbow a run for his money, but when cutting inside still persisted in doing too much with the ball, when perhaps a 'pop at goal' was required.

On 33 Leslie then on one of his mazy runs, found Kerran Boylan but whose header yet again could only find the keeper, but Leslie still continued to be a menace as half time approached with the sides still locked at a goal a piece HT: 1-1.

For the second half the Anvils started brightly with young Pitt driving his shot past the far post, on 50, Day then had a fierce header just over, another chance came and went on 56 with Boylan firing into the side netting. The Anvils were to be found out on the hour when a cross by the Oaks fullback Chris Edwards found Kieron McCann who was able to pick his spot and fire home and put the Oaks back into the driving seat. 2-1 Oaks.

That was then the signal for an all out Anvil push, with first another Day header flying over, another attempt by Pitt but to no avail, as the Oaks held out and started to find holes in the Anvil defence on the counter attack. On 75 further subs with Josh Brown and Myles Pitt being replaced by Paul Walshe and Josh Martin who came on for his debut, but for all their endeavour the Anvils were finally sunk on 90, when sub Byron Walker on the counter had the freedom of the park when strolling thro the now vacant Anvil defence and apply the 'coup de grace'. FT 3-1 Sevenoaks.

Team: Martin Hopkins, Dan Sullivan, Sonny Barton, Mike Spence, Blair Cooney, James Day, Kieran Greig (Oli Leslie), Sam Cane, Kerran Boylan, Josh Brown (Paul Walshe), Myles Pitt (Josh Martin)

MOM: Sam Cane. Attn: 47.