L MAC SPARTANS 2

LITTLE OAKLEY A 1

Essex Junior Cup round three

LITTLE Oakley's cup run came to an end against Brentwood-based Mid-Essex League premier division team L Mac Spartans.

The Acorns started brightly, with attacks from Connor Adams and Cameron Wallace.

However, it was the Spartans who scored first and they nearly made it 2-0 - only to be denied by a fine save by keeper Sam Sims.

Oakley were again the better team at the start of the second half.

Midfielders Gavin Mann and Michael Bunce used their experience to keep the attackers supplied with quality balls.

Luke Shepherd scored their deserved equaliser with a bending shot past the keeper.

However, as extra time loomed, Spartans headed home their winner with five minutes to go.

Oakley's man-of-the-match was keeper Sims.