Boreham came in to this 2nd Round Dave Strachan cup tie on the back of a poor performance and result the week before. Things were not looking great mid week with a host of first teamers unavailable through illness, injury. work or family commitments Among those unavailable were Goodchild, Charter, Carter, De Vito, Castledine and Bigland. Fortunately Boreham still had a 14 strong squad which included the return of Stammers, Adam Dale, Jay Dale, Chittock and new signing Jon Wright.
Parkhurst, A Dale and Chittock made up the three man bench with a familiar looking back four, Wright slipped straight into centre midfield to partner Rush. Jay Dale took a place up front where Boreham were hoping his pace would cause the opposition defense problems.
Constant rain during the week had taken its toll on Boreham's hallowed turf and three weeks after their last home match the pitch was not in good shape and it would get cut up and be even worse come the end of the game.
Boreham did start the match well, the midfield were controlling the game, limiting Silver End to not a lot in the way of chances or possession. Ince was looking lively on the right wing and it was he who opened the scoring in the first half. Ince latched on to a loose defensive pass before taking on a couple of defenders, then from the edge of the box, Ince unleashed a left footed drive into the bottom corner leaving the Silver End stopper no chance. 1-0 to Boreham!
Boreham doubled their lead on the half hour mark, the impressive Jay Dale was on hand after Smith's initial shot was blocked, to drive right footed from all of 25 yards into the top corner, a great strike from the youngster and Boreham fully deserving their two goal lead. Soon after this, debutant Wright picked up a knock and had to be replaced by Parkhurst. This signaled the end of Dales forward show as he dropped in to centre midfield with Rush leaving Parkhurst to partner Cowcher upfront.
The second Boreham goal appeared to give Silver End a bit of a kick up the backside as they did finish the half well. They finally got a goal back shortly before half time to halve their arrears. The half time whistle blew with the home side with their noses in front.
No changes at half time, but a terrible start to the second half from the home side, within two minutes of the re-start, a hopeful ball over the top from the Silver End defender, found the forward on side where he finished well to level the game. Silver End may have thought they could go on from here and cruise to victory over their lower league opponents but this was not the case. Boreham then raised their game and were rewarded when an Ince corner mid way through the half was glanced home by Cowcher who escaped his marker at the near post.
A few other chances fell to Boreham who couldn't seem to find that fourth goal to kill the game off. Another injury blow followed, this time Ince picking up an injury to be replaced by Chittock.
With just over ten minutes to go, Boreham at last found the game clinching goal. Smith found some space on the left and crossed to the far post where Parkhurst used all his experience to beat the Silver End defender to the ball and plant a delightful header into the top corner. A lovely goal from Parky and with it the game wrapped up.
Silver End, tried in vain to find the two goals they would need to force the game into extra time, but Boreham remained solid at the back and the game ended with Boreham ousting their premier division opponents 4-2 and setting up a last 16 tie against fellow division two outfit Flitch United.
The management alot happier after this great performance and result and now looking forward to avenging their league defeat to CT 66 when they welcome the Canvey outfit to the Rec for Saturday's 2nd round Essex Junior Trophy encounter.
