Aveley 7, Waltham Forest 0

WALTHAM Forest? If this game was anything to go by, a name change to Woeful Forest wouldn’t be a bad idea.

The FA Cup is often associated with passion, fighting spirit and underdog grit. But Aveley’s opponents in the preliminary round – who were slight underdogs - were obviously unaware such qualities are often enough to carry teams through the rounds.

But take nothing away from Justin Gardner’s men. Before the game, he tweeted about the passion his team would show and they were slick, professional and clinical.

Bradley Thomas commenced the glut, when he met a second minute corner and headed home from three yards.

Ross Wall doubled the score after 15 minutes, finding himself completely unmarked in the box and with time to dance on the ball. He turned before firing low past Ashley Harris from seven yards.

Forest were a little unlucky in the 22nd minute. Oyetunji Oyewale was denied what looked a clear cut penalty when he went down following a burst into the box. From the resulting clearance, Shane Oakley got clear of the defence and made it 3-0, slotting coolly past Harris.

It was 4-0 nine minutes later. Wall, again unmarked just yards from goal, swung his right boot at a low cross into the box which a hapless Harris was helpless to stop nestling in the bottom corner.

Two minutes before half time, Brian Okwera capitalised on yet more dire defending to head past Harris, with no one close to him. Jama Kadir teed the ball up following smart play on the right.

Forest started the second period better. Unlike in the first half, they pressed the ball and seemed more positive. But after 15 minutes, Oakley scored again. He headed home from point blank range after Teddy Nesbitt and Jama Kadir exchanged passes, with the latter crossing on the by-line.

Oakley bagged a hat trick 12 minutes before full time, firing low past Harris on the angle. The resounding win sets up a home clash with Canvey Island in the first qualifying round on September 14.

After the game Gardner said: “The pleasing aspects were that we kept a clean sheet and scored a few goals so a good day all round. I don’t worry too much about the opposition, if we apply ourselves then I don’t fear anyone – it was an impressive performance for 90 minutes.

“The priority is the league. But winning as many rounds as we can is a bonus because it puts money in the coffers. I do want a cup this year, obviously not the FA Cup, but it would be nice to win the Essex cup or league cup but we want to go as far as we can in the FA Cup. It would be nice to draw a big team and earn a big pay day for the club.

“Anyone who grows up watching football knows the FA Cup is special. Whether you’re in the early rounds or later, it’s still special to say you’ve been involved. We have Canvey up next, my friend’s the manager over there and I fancy us at home.”

Aveley: Giddens; Nurudeen, Nesbitt, Leader, Thomas; Hopkins, Wall (Gayle), Okwera (Bakare); Oakley, Twum, Kadir.

Unused subs: Knott, Flanagan, Stephenson, Jeeto.

Gazette MoM: Shane Oakley.