SOUTHERN LEAGUE – BIGFREEBET.COM CHALLENGE CUP THIRD ROUND
TUESDAY 9 JANUARY 2018
EGHAM TOWN 1 (0) HAYES & YEADING United 1 (0)
Imedd Kartita (80) / Ola Olajubu (71)
Hayes & Yeading United won 4-2 on penalties.

Egham entertained Hayes & Yeading United for the first time ever tonight, playing the Middlesex side in the third round of the bigfreebet.com Challenge Cup third round. Sarnies’ boss Chris Moore took the opportunity to give forwards Ryan Debattista and Aaron Berry, and midfielders Wayne Carter, Josh Baines and Liam Tack some game time. In addition the side saw the return of Joel Jacobs to the club. Jacobs played in season 2013-2014 in defence and looked like he had never been away. The performance that caught the eye, though, was that of midfield Imedd Kartita (pic), who seems to be far too young to have played for the number of clubs a quick internet search would indicate.
In the first half Egham played some excellent lively, quick and clever football, but without really testing the immense Kai Mackenzie-Lyle in the United goal. Kartita settled in well with his new team mates, instigating a series of Egham attacks, ably supported by Tack and the attacking instincts of right back Alex Nolan. This or something in Egham’s play seemed to disconcert the visiting manager, Paul Hughes, who was spoken to by referee Shaun Ferrer just past the half hour mark.
The home side were not able to replicate the passing fluency of the first half after the break and Hayes dominated possession in and around the Egham box. Manny Duku missed a decent headed chance and shot wide from a good position. Egham were not breaking free much, but when they did Berry dithered instead of delivered, then tried to play in Tack, who was offside. Soon after Berry was swapped for leading scorer Brendan Matthew. At the other end centre back Tom Smith managed to balloon the ball over Aaron Bufton’s bar from point blank range from a left side cross. Then the visitors took the lead, Ola Olajubu converting a low cross. The lead lasted nine minutes. Matthew had been growing into this tie, and having created a chance passed sideways to Kartita, who rammed in his first, and a very well deserved, Egham Town goal. A small break, courtesy of a damaged corner flag, led to some amusement and then it was penalties, as this competition eschews extra time.
Toby Little took the first, and scored, then Matthew drove his spot kick down the middle where the keeper was poised to save. Ismail Ehui and Debattista’s kicks were saved then Duku found the target for 2-0. That advantage was enough as Liam Tack, Smith, Kartita and, crucially, Scott Donnelly scored for Hayes & Yeading United to progress into the last eight.
The two teams face each other again next Tuesday, in the East Division of the Southern League. On Saturday Egham Town travel to Bedford Town.