50000 spectators made the trip to Garons Park to witness the last 16 of the essex cup in hope of a thrilling game. They were far from disappointed.
Both enjoying fine league form in their respective leagues however club Captain Mike Hall was missing, yet Thamesgate looked to field one of their strongest teams this year. Eagles off the back of a win over Thamesgates rivals rockets suggested this game would be a tight one.
Eagles took an early lead after a mistake from Thamesagate keeper Irvine, Thamesgate hit straight back with a great solo run from in form Left back Sargent, down the line inside the Centre back and slotted past a despairing Eagles keeper. Thamesgate looked like they would need to score a few today after another mistake from Irvine attempting to throw out to Wright however finding the eagles striker who sent it straight back past Irvine into an empty net. Irvine stepped it up leaveing the Thamesgate players to take control of the game, Thamesgate again hit back with a Corner from Hall inch perfect onto the run from Korboe who headed home to level the game up 2-2. Thamesgate started to pull the strings however the half ended 2-2.
The introduction of Italian and Turkish Internationals Cardosi and Davinson saw Thamesgate take a firmer hold on the game, squanded chances from Hall, Collins and Cardosi left the fans biting their nails while the clock ticked away. The thamesgate back line was like a brick wall, nothing getting past Hicks and Morrell who are pushing ever closer to international call-ups. Korboe kept the nerves on edge in the last minute of the game giving the ball away at the edge of the area, thankfully seeing the Eagles winger smash wide, no where near as wide as Collins attempt earlier in the game which found the linesman, none the less wide.
Thamesgate fans were taking the roof off at Garons park leading into extra time, Davinson linking up with Collins who found the net with a cool finish which again sent the fans wild. Collins diving into the crowd followed by a number of other Thamesgate players. A number of injuries hit Thamesgate however Hall looked to have ended the game after latching onto a cross from sargent touching back past the centre back smashing into the roof of the net, Hall continuing to impress with fine finishing, never looks like missing.
Thamesgate looked completely in control which must have been to the dis-satisfaction of Collins who decided to give the ball away giving the Eagles the chance to make it 4-3 just before the 2nd half of E/T, the Eagles midfielder obliged.
Thamesgate had a hard fought second half with the Eagles throwing everything at them, Thamesgate having to drop into a 4-5-1 to add to what was already a wall with Hicks and Morrell continuing to be relentless in defence. Eagles had one last chance headed over the thamesgate bar as the whistle blew for fulltime.
MOM Matt Hicks spoke to Sky after the game, "We were solid today, real character from the lads coming from behind twice. The dressing room is buzzing after that and we want this, we play like we did today we have a strong chance of lifting the cup i think." Hicks recently joined for 11m and already becoming a fans favourite with solid defensive displays.
Thamesgate will host Loughton Town in the Quarter-finals at Garons park. The Thamesgate Fans Association (TFA) have already made plans to raise a huge banner "Welcome to the fortress" after it become the slogan of TFA's website. With performances like this Thamesgate surely will win silverware this year and be massive contenders for the league title.
