Beavers overcome Rocky start to book 3rd round away day
After two aborted attempts to stage the game, it was third time lucky, as the Beavers demolished East Thurrock by a scoreline that was totally at odds with the play, and the Rocks will wonder what they did to lose by a one-sided margin, writes Rob Overfield.
Being without a host of recently signed players plus an injured Dean Inman, Mark Harper had to call up Joe Bennett and Jacob Peace from the reserves to the bench for their first senior appearance.
The Beavers were the first to get a sight of goal as Louie Rae Beadle shot wide early on with less than 10 minutes on the clock; but from then on it was mostly East Thurrock who made inroads. On 20 minutes, Craig Ross made the first of many quality saves as he tipped a Higgins shot wide then trusted his instincts to block Ruez's screaming shot immediately afterwards.
Its was all hands on deck soon afterwards for the Beavers as a weak defensive header from skipper Matt Ruby let in the Rocks again but Ross once again denied the visitors.
East Thurrock were looking like they were going to spend the game dictating teams to the Beavers as Kris Newby then found enough room on the edge of the box to fire a crisp shot that Ross managed to get the faintest of fingertips to, deflecting it onto the post.
Richard Wray in the Rocks' goal was not having a great deal to do but he needed to be alert on 35 minutes, as a Dave Tarpey free kick bounced out of his gloves, causing a penalty area scramble in which first Louie Rae Beadle and Paul Johnson had shots blocked on the line.
The half closed with the Rocks once more in the Beavers box, as Higgins first forced Lewis Ferrell into throwing himself at a goalbound shot, thus blocking the effort before forcing Ross to make an easy save.
HT HRBFC 0 East Thurrock Utd 0
Once more, for the umpteenth time, the team came out much better in the second half, and on 54 minutes they took the lead. Paul Johnson, restored to midfield, placed a precise long pass into Dave Tarpey's path; the striker shot was half saved by Wray but half wasn't enough and it dribbled into the net.
3 minutes later, Tarpey took on the Rocks defence as a long ball flew downfield, Wray hesitated and with that Tarpey lobbed the ball over him into the back of the net for his second from the edge of the box.
Despite the scoreline, this wasn't all plain sailing and the Rocks reminded the few chilled souls watching the game that they wanted the trip into Cheshire as much as the Beavers, when Kris Newby finally managed to find a way past the excellent Craig Ross, with a 20 yard drive that the keeper was unable to deal with, giving the Essex side a sniff of a way back with 20 minutes in which to do it.
For the following 10 minutes, its was all East Thurrock as Craig Ross first denied Ruez and Collins in the box, then having to fling himself cat-like across goal to prevent Sam Higgins from getting the equaliser before having to palm a long range free kick over the bar.
The game was still in the balance as the fourth official held up the board to signal a total of 4 additional minutes; this forced East Thurrock into greater efforts than before. Ruez forced his way into the box, but his shot was blocked. As the ball was cleared downfield, Charlie Moone's crossfield pass found its way to Dave Tarpey and he made it his second FA Trophy hat-trick with a deft lob over Wray's head.
The game was almost over when Tarpey's cross bounced off a stumbling Ben Wood and into the back of the net with seconds left.
The Beavers reward for going their furthest in the FA Trophy? An away day to the Moss Rose, Macclesfield, where they face the currently homeless Northwich Victoria this Saturday. 4th February.
A few seats are still available for the supporters coach at £25 and £15, please apply either on the forum at www.thebeveree.co.uk or email Stefan on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve yours. In addition, for those who can't attend, reports will be coming from the Moss Rose, via Radio Wey (www.radiowey.co.uk) and your press officer.
HRBFC 4
Tarpey 54, 57, 90+1
Wood OG 90+4
East Thurrock Utd 1
Newby 68
Att: 184
Ross, Ferrell, Hickey, Jeffreys, Ruby (c) Huggins, Collier, Johnson (Andrews 77), Tarpey, Simmonds, Beadle (Moone 85).
Subs: Morgan, Bennett, Peace.
