Woodford Town booked their place in the preliminary round of the FA Cup with a 4-1 victory over Hertford Town on an historic night at Ashton's.

And May & Baker ECFC opened their account for the 2023-24 season in Thurlow Nunn League Division One South, after suffering successive defeats, with victory by the same margin over Park View at Aveley's Parkside Stadium.

Essex Senior League Woods were hosting their first-ever FA Cup tie at Ashton's and had a crowd of 242 in attendance, taking the lead after a bright start from Southern League Hertford when Dimi Christou played a free-kick into the box and Myles John scrambled it home, despite some doubts about whether the ball had crossed the line.

Simon Omope had to go off with a head injury, though, and was replaced by Patrick Clarke.

And Christou doubled the advantage for the home side, sliding the ball home when it was moved from right to left, before Yemi Adelani completed a fine first half for Shane Baptiste's men when heading home a right-wing cross for their third.

The visitors halved the deficit in the second half, but Woods had the final word as they completed the scoring and banked £1,125 in prize money to set up a trip to Isthmian League North side Bowers & Pitsea in the next round on the weekend of August 18-20.

Woods skipper Luke Parrott took to social media to post: "Happy to captain the boys to a great win. Fans were brilliant as always. See you in the next round."

Meanwhile, goalscorer Adelani added: "What a win today in the FA Cup! Happy to get a goal and everyone played excellent!

"Most importantly @woodfordtownfc fans were amazing throughout. We go again next week!"

 

 

Bakers had been beaten by Barkingside and Cannons Wood in their opening two league fixtures of the campaign, but made it third time lucky.

Abidemi Lamina and Gabriel Odilli netted two goals apiece to earn them the points, with manager Jimmy Donald posting: "Another hard-working performance, was able to cut out mistakes that we had been working on in training and delighted to hand debut for Callum McGlinchey.

"Barkingside next up and a chance for some to prove they should also be considered in the next [matchday] 16. After that we look forward to a string of away fixtures."

A host of other Essex Senior League clubs are in FA Cup action on Saturday, as Athletic Newham host Tooting & Mitcham, Barking visit Cockfosters, Frenford travel to East Thurrock, Ilford go to Colney Heath, Romford head to Halstead Town, Redbridge welcome New Salamis and Sporting Bengal United entertain Stansfeld.

There is Thurlow Nunn League action for several other local outfits, as Hutton host Tower Hamlets at Billericay, Barkingside entertain Hoddesdon, Clapton Community welcome St Margaretsbury, Hackney Wick receive NW London, Clapton go to Enfield Borough and Newbury Forest visit Burnham Ramblers.