Ilford 2-3 Waltham Forest
Waltham Forest made it through to the next round of this season’s FA Cup at the expense of their landlords, but made hard work of it on a cold and windy autumn evening.
Josh Green returned to the starting XI in place of Andran Molnar, but aside from that, Forest were unchanged. Ilford made several changes to the side that drew 1-1 on Saturday.
The blustery conditions meant that no side was able to get a stronghold on the game. Palmer was booked for a foul challenge, and numerous other free-kicks were given away in a scrappy first 20 minutes.
Ilford took the lead on 22 minutes when Georgie Sambu was given time to bring the ball down in the penalty area, and fire in a low shot in the middle of the goal, beating Omand.
Despite conceding, Forest did not step their game up, and selfish play along with poor passing meant that they were unable to create anything.
Forest’s first real chance of the game came when the Ilford defender allowed a long ball to bounce over him and into the path of Palmer, who was charging down on goal. However, after bringing the ball under control, Palmer’s finish was terrible, and all he could do was put it wide.
This evening’s match was the third time in a row that these two sides had met, but Forest stuck with their long-ball tactics which the Ilford centre-back pairing were more than comfortable in dealing with.
Things did not really improve after half time, Dauti had an opportunity to work Budd in the Ilford goal with a free kick, but his effort sailed high over the bar.
Ilford then doubled their lead on 52. A long free-kick bounced over Dauti and into the path of Sambu who scored his second with a fluid turning movement, leaving Omand with no chance.
The turning point in the game came soon after. Ilford substitute Aime Blessing had the chance to seal the victory when he went through one on one. However, Omand did brilliantly to make himself big and block Blesesing’s shot.
Soon after Forest finally began to knock the ball about a bit better and play with the style that has seen them make an excellent start to the league season.
Forest got their first goal back on 72 minutes. Lukman Mojeed had two long-range efforts both blocked by the Ilford defence, but the second fell to the feet of Joel Palmer who’s first-time half-volley from the corner of the penalty area nestled in the far post of the Ilford goal.
This goal sprung Forest into life, and 11 minutes later, Richard Shittu found himself one-on-one with Budd. However, unexplainably, Shittu delayed his shot until he was tackled. Fortunately for Forest, the Ilford tackle fell straight to Jeff Hammond who made no mistake, finding the back of the net from a tight angle.
With the scores level at full time, the match progressed into extra time. It was only four minutes into this period that Forest scored the decisive goal. A long ball out of defence by Billy Melton was latched onto by Jeff Hammond who’s shot was well blocked by Budd. However, the rebound fell straight into the path of the oncoming Shittu who made no mistake, blasting the ball into the back of the net.
Not long into the second half of extra time, former Stag Adam Bolle had a golden chance to level the tie, but his header was brilliantly saved at point-blank range by Omand, at the expense of a corner.
Despite forcing several corners in quick succession, Ilford could not find a way past the resolute Forest defence.
Ryan Imbert and Gaz Dauti both had chances to round off the victory in the dying embers of the match, but Budd saved well twice.
Forest will now face Hitchin Town at home in the next round of the cup, to be played on the Saturday the 17th of September.
Forest: Omand, Sackey, Nicholas (Melton), Mojeed, Green, Douglas, Palmer, Dauti, Shittu (Imbert), Hammond, Healey (Campbell)
Unused: King.
