TAKELEY FC won through to the Fourth Round of the Essex Premier Cup on Saturday. In the freezing conditions at Station Road, Takeley kept busy with plenty of running, mainly to keep warm in the chilly wind. We were well on top and never looked like losi

TAKELEY FC won through to the Fourth Round of the Essex Premier Cup on Saturday.

In the freezing conditions at Station Road, Takeley kept busy with plenty of running, mainly to keep warm in the chilly wind.

"We were well on top and never looked like losing it," said Takeley boss Don Watters. "In fact, I was surprised we didn't win by more.

"It was a very competitive game, the ref did well although personally he was a bit book happy. There was nothing nasty, it was a blood and thunder game."

Only seven minutes had passed when an Ongar defender ducked to allow a pass from Wardle to be taken by Chris Neal in the visitor's goal, but James Whitbread whipped in to head the ball into the far top corner of the net.

Tempers flared on the half hour as Ongar reacted to a Josh Colson tackle. Fists were flying, but the Ongar player only saw a yellow card, as did Colson.

Takeley's James Amott was then booked for a hard tackle on 37 minutes.

The woodwork then received hits from both sides at the end of the first half and the start of the second.

With 70 minutes on the clock, Takeley's Dean McAteer was brought down by James Grandison in the area and, although the ball was forced over the line, a penalty was awarded to Takeley.

McAteer picked himself up to convert and double the home side's lead.

Ongar sub Peter Evans created a quick reply when he put in a right-wing cross, which Rob Newman blasted against the bar. Collecting the rebound, Newman crashed the ball into the net, to reduce the deficit.

A fine diving save minutes later by James May in the Takeley goal kept the score at 2-1 before the home team had a goal ruled out by the referee assistant's flag.

Takeley have been drawn against White Ensign in the Fourth Round (due to be played on January 12 at 1.30pm). Takeley are without a game this weekend and entertain Manford Way in the Essex Olympian Premier Division on Saturday December 29.

Watters added: "We really need to win all our league games at the moment because all the cups have mucked us up a bit.

"We need to win our league games in hand. We are now up to second in the league and cups can be a bit of a pain when you are in form.

"The Manford Way game is a big one for us as we have more cup games coming up. Points are better than games in hand."

This weekend Takeley Reserves entertain Runwell Hospital in the third round of the Essex Junior Cup.