Errington Challenge Cup: Ilford 1 Saffron Walden Town 3

Ilford missed out on reaching the quarter-finals of the Errington Challenge Cup after their 3-1 defeat to in-form Saffron Walden after three quick fire goals before half time put the game to bed in a lively affair.

Lauric Diakiesse’s consolation goal was not enough to spearhead a comeback in the second half after Saffron Walden dominated the first-half display.

Ilford conceded in the 12th minute after a flurry of shots from the away side which saw them hit the post and force a fine save from Billy Burne, before the ball rebounded to Lewis Francis who tucked it in to put his side in front.

Saffron Walden made it 2-0 after Jack Mead’s long throw was flicked on by Craig Calver and Jamie Solkhon headed it home.

And it got from bad to worse as Ilford’s Jamal Dzotsi was dispossessed in midfield by Walden’s Charlie Davies and he played Calver through on the left for him to cut in and strike into the bottom left corner of the net to make it 3-0.

Ilford responded in the 58th minute as a Steve Sylvester-Ajudua pass reached Yemi Adelani and he took it around the keeper only to have his shot cleared off the line before Diakiesse followed up to score.

Despite the consolation goal, the Bloods could have had two penalties in the first half as Dan Trendall was twice brought down, but the appeals were waved away both times.

And two half-chances from free-kicks in the dying minutes of the game were not enough for Ilford to progress and they will now look to bounce back from four successive defeats in all competitions when they face local rivals Barkingside this weekend.

Both sides will desperately want to pick up a win and earn the bragging rights at Cricklefield Stadium on Saturday.