Woodford travelled back to Benfleet, just one week after their league victory at the Woodside Stadium, but this time for the world’s oldest domestic football competition - the FA Cup.

Shane Baptiste named a strong side for the clash, making just three changes from Tuesday’s victory at Sawbridgeworth Town. James Jewers and Mike Agboola were suspended, so Billy Karby and Eli Benoit came into the team, whilst Tashan Richmond replaced Marcus Painter.

With their smashing away support right behind them, the visitors dominated the opening proceedings and had a fine chance to take the lead with seventeen minutes on the clock. Micah Jackson played a lovely through ball to David Gokou down the left flank, with the winger able to pick out Dion Johnston arriving at the back post, but his effort was smashed over the bar.

Ten minutes later, Benfleet flew into the lead. The Woods failed to clear a deep free kick, leaving the home side with an easy tap in, following a prod on from the far post. Despite falling behind, we continued to push for a goal and the equaliser did eventually come. On 34 minutes, Sam Owusu’s long throw was nodded in by captain on the day, Eli Benoit to pull us level!

Despite drawing back on level terms, we switched off and instantly feel behind, as the home side regained their one-goal advantage after 38 minutes. Some scrappy play led to a lobbed ball over the defence, but it didn’t seem as though it would be any trouble for Woodford to deal with. However, Enock Soganile’s man got the better of him, before smashing past Manny Agboola and into the roof of the net. 2-1.

At a time where we now needed to settle down, focus, and begin to dominate the encounter again, our grasp on the game slipped further and further away. Three minutes before the break, a goal from Mason Shave doubled Benfleet’s lead.

After the interval, we controlled the entire flow of the second half, however struggled to break down Benfleet, who were camping inside their own half with all eleven men. Their game plan had worked to a tee, with The Woods finding it very difficult to break down their opposition, although at times we did get some chances.

Notable opportunities included Jackson’s free kick from 20-yards out, which ballooned over the cross bar, and Trevor Harding’s effort from inside the penalty area, after a cleared corner found his feet. David Gokou got some joy up against his marker, but nothing materialised from his tricky plays.

Four additional minutes were up, and the referee’s whistle blew, bringing our 24/25 Emirates FA Cup campaign to a close.

Starting XI: E. Agboola (GK); Johnston, Kirwan-Meade, Benoit (C), Soganile, Gokou; Karby (Harding - 69’), Owusu; Jackson, Balev (Shilling - 63’- ), Richmond (Painter - 75’)

Unused substitutes: Arnauchkov (GK), Appiah

Attendance: 347