The trip to Stompond Lane brought back some memories for those who recall the days in the Ryman League, and the win for the home side was a repeat of the last match at the venue in the 2001/02 season. Whilst United went in to the game missing a number of key players, those that came in to the side contributed to an all round team performance that, with a bit of luck, could have resulted in a very different outcome.

Although the home side had the better of the opening exchanges, the best opportunities came to United, with Tom Ashworth failing to connect when well placed, before a Matt Johnston header from a Melvy Nsomi cross was blocked by the home defence. However, the deadlock was broken on 14 minutes when a long throw in to the United box was only cleared to the edge of the area where Okai managed to thread the ball through a host of players and in to the far corner of the goal.

Shortly afterwards, United enjoyed their best spell of the game, with top scorer Andy Gledhill finding space on 27 minutes only to see his effort go over the bar. 10 minutes later and a cross in to the box by captain Connor Hayes found Gledhill at the far post, whose header back across goal look destined for the top corner only for Liam Beach in the home goal to pull off an outstanding, one-handed save, tipping the ball wide of the post.

United continued to press at the start of the second half without being able to create any clear goal scoring opportunities, with the home side also failing to trouble Craven in the Thame goal. However, with 65 minutes gone, Aiden Bailey was adjudged to have committed an offence in the penalty area with the referee awarding a spot kick. Craven, however, was equal to it, pushing Asombang’s effort wide of goal.

The home side eventually extended their lead on 80 minutes, with Wisdom-Muir cutting in on to his right foot and curling an effort over Craven and in to the far corner. The third goal arrived on 87 minutes, with Wisdom-Muir placing the ball wide of Craven to send the home side through to the next round.

United:

Craven, Evans, Lynn, Harrison, Bailey, Ashworth, Connelly, Hayes, Gledhill, Johnston (Yearwood), Nsomi