Kelvedon Hatch travelled to Galleywood for this Cup game on a bright but chilly Saturday afternoon in December.

On 5 mins a Nick Pegg free kick was headed goal ward by Chris Neville but cleared for a corner. Hatch were struggling to play football on this bumpy and wet pitch and the first 15 mins were fairly even. On 15 mins James Burt’s pace beat his defender, he put in a good cross that was met by Dan Demetriou whose shot went just inches wide. Burt was in action again on 17 mins when he was brought down just outside their penalty box. Garry Smith floated the free kick into the six yard box where Neville rose above every one else to head onto the bar. On 20 mins disaster for the Hatch when communications failed in their defence, when Danny Fenn, the Hatch keeper, failed to collect the ball and their forward slotted home into an empty net, 1-0, their first real threat on goal. Hatch pushed forward and Steve Merrick shot just wide from fully 20 yards. On 25 mins a great one handed save by Fenn denied the Wood forward of a goal. The Hatch had several corners and free kicks that were unable to convert. On 39 mins Fenn was again called into action to save the Hatch from going 2-0 down. On 40 mins good work between Merrick and Demitriou ended with Demitriou heading into their keeper’s arms. On 43 mins Wood broke through the Hatch defence and Fenn once again saved the day. The last action of the half saw Darren Brown fouled just outside their penalty box, Demetriou took the free kick and sadly hit the bar, 1-0 at the whistle for half time.

The Hatch kicked up the slope and against the wind in the second half and were soon in action when Greig Taylor was fouled, Pegg’s free kick was well saved by their keeper. Minutes later Taylor was fouled again and Pegg’s low shot went through the wall but was saved by their keeper. On 57 mins Demetriou found space but shot straight at their keeper. On 59 mins their forward had a shot from just inside the Hatch penalty box, it rebounded straight back to their forward who slotted home, 2-0. Hatch still asleep after conceding this goal allowed their forward into space, he calmly slotted home past the advancing Hatch keeper, 3-0. On 64 mins Craig Cripps and Peter Williams replaced James Burt and Steve Merrick. On 69 mins Hatch pulled a goal back when Demetriou found space and slotted home into the top right hand corner. On 73 mins a good cross from Neville found Williams free at the far post but he headed into their keeper’s arms. On 83 mins Duncan Sinnott replaced Sam Raven. The Hatch tried to score more goals but the Wood defence kept them out somehow or the other. 3-1 to Wood at full time.

The travelling Hatch supporters went home bemused by their teams lack lustre performance on the day that saw Galleywood deserve their win.

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